Hunters in the Night (Hellsing Fanfic)

Ch 7- Battlefield

(One Year Later) (On the Battlefield)

He could feel the heavy wooden shackles on his arms and neck. They were almost cutting into his skin.

His chest and feet were bare and his pants in shreds. The only thing on his muscular chest was his silver cross necklace.

His captors in white walked in front of him. When he tripped over one of the scattered bodies, his captors shouted at him but he could not hear what they were saying. They grabbed his arms and dragged him along.

He could see bodies all across the field. He could see bodies hanging in the lonely tree. He could smell the pools of blood all around him.

They threw him down on the wooden platform. He did not even let a gasp escape his lips.

As the executioner brought up the bloody axe, he looked down at the silver cross and thought of the promise he had made.

He made a split second decision. He reached out with his long tongue and licked up some blood that had fallen onto the platform just as the axe fell on his neck.

The silver cross shattered as Dracula's blood spurted out all around.

(The Next Day) (At the Castle)

The kingdom had flourished even further with Caralina at the throne. Crime rates were down as was poverty. Though, there was the occasional hiccup.

Caralina sat on the throne with her hands in her lap, listening patiently to the convicted criminal. She could see in his eyes that he was guilty. She may have been able to tell he was guilty, but she believed he at least needed to be able to tell his side of the story.

. "I have heard enough," she said once the criminal was done. "Why did you steal from the baker?"

The criminals eyes widened. He knew she had seen right through him.

"I needed it for my wife. She is pregnant and was close to death. I had no other choice," he said. She could see the truth behind these words.

"Well, you could have saved us the trouble if you had told me this in the first place. For your punishment, you will work in the castles kitchen until such time as I decide you have learned your lesson and you and your wife will be given a room on the first floor," Caralina decreed. 

"Oh, thank you, Your Highness. You will not regret this decision!" the man said eagerly.

"Be sure that I do," Caralina replied with a smile.

The guards escourted the man out of the room and shut the door behind them.

Caralina sighed to herself and looked longingly out the window.

Angelest, her newly appointed adviser, looked at her and saw the loneliness etched on her pretty face.

"Fear not, Your Highness. Your betrothed will return soon. The war can not last much longer," Angelest said. 

"I know. I just wish I knew something. He has not replied to my letter yet," Caralina said.

"Oh, you know those messengers. They always like to take their time. I am sure that letter will arrive any day now," Angelest said, trying her best to cheer her up.

"I hope so. What would I do without you, Angelest?" Caralina asked with a sad smile.

"You would crash and burn," Angelest jocked.

"Curb your tongue, madame! I could have you thrown in the dungeon for that," Caralina jocked.

"Oh, no! Please have mercy, Your Highness!" Angelest said with great sarcasm in her voice.