Castlevania: Awakening

Chapter 1

The trees had adorned themselves with their golden wardrobe; the entire forest a fiery shade of autumn glory. Laeleth had heard Laevon depart that morning with a group of his men. She had seen all his best rangers depart - Darrion, Philip, Demetrius. He had told her they were going out on their usual scouting and hunting expedition.

Today would be no different than the last.

When Laevon and his men had disappeared to the south, Laeleth changed into her forest gear of brown leather leggings, buckled corset, and a forest green ranger cloak. She packed up her travel satchel with her usual supplies: empty jars, some potions, an apple and her beloved field journal. Whenever Laevon was away she always tried to sneak outside the walls and explore the forest for herself. Laevon could be so particular about it and it frustrated her that he did not trust her to be alone. Laeleth strapped on a small silver dagger to her belt. It was one Laevon had given her “for emergencies” but she had never actually used it save to collect some flower or other herb on her travels. And while she had trained a little on the crossbow Laevon had always been hesitant for her to become too familiar with it. He thought that it would only encourage and enable her forbidden trips alone. He was unaware that she had been sneaking out much more of late. Autumn was nearly over and with the coming of winter Laeleth would be confined even more. She dreaded this and took every opportunity to escape that she could.

Quietly sneaking out of the small house she made her way to the wall. It was constructed of only wood and pitch and she had found a weakness in it long ago. She pushed open the secret exit she had so carefully concealed behind dry brush and was soon out on the other side. This was not a large village and most of the men were with Laevon on patrols. The ones that remained were elderly or farmers that had no skills in combat.
Laeleth breathed much more deeply once she was in the safe shade of the trees. How she loved the forest! Everything was so alive and so untamed – not at all like her boring, predictable and safe existence. Laevon hardly liked to speak to her of his own outings for he knew it would only encourage her fiercely curious nature.

As she wandered northwards she drank in everything around her. The sun was bright and warm as it wafted through the falling leaves above. The evergreen trees provided a dense and protective cover.
She stopped often looking at all the many different colors and plants. Her senses were fully alert for she knew well that the forest was a dangerous place but she had never actually run across anything wilder than small woodland animals before. This encouraged her and she walked even farther than planned. Laeleth was soon lost in a daydream as she was collecting and journaling some late autumn flowers.

Suddenly something caught her eye – a color most unusual amongst the predictable red, orange and green.
At first she thought it must only be the light for it was bright and silvery as though it were only a sunbeam. But the more it flashed about her eyes she could see that it was moving as something in flight. Letting her curiosity get the better of her she began to follow it hastily; unwary of all her surroundings but the mesmerizing light. Coming into a quiet glade of red flowers that were breathtaking to behold she finally saw it - a magnificent white butterfly with silver threaded wings. Laeleth had never seen anything like it and was quite astounded. She could tell it was not native to the area as it seemed to radiate an ethereal light. In her moment of wonder and awe she completely forgot all else but this creature.

It was as if she had been placed under a spell – as if she had caught a glimpse of heaven itself.

But it was not to last as the enchantment was broken by a loud shout and the rush of angry feet. The butterfly was startled and vanished as quickly as it had come.
Laeleth looked around hurriedly and saw brutal looking eyes peering from amongst the surrounding trees.  She panicked and a deep sense of dread fell upon her as she did not know where she was or how far she had wandered out. A chill stole over her heart as hideous fangs flashed and claws stretched out towards her.  She had been surrounded by a roaming pack of vampires!
This startled her greatly since it was still daylight. They must indeed be desperate to risk exposure to the sun.