Atherian Tales: The Blood Slave

Chapter Twelve

The birds where chirping softly, ready to take their rests when Anna and myself were taking our evening walk around the garden. The moon was shining bright in the night sky as the stars twinkled their beautiful tiny lights like millions of fireflies hovering above us. The air was warm with a breeze that would bring a small snip of chill to the skin. With our escorts following close behind, Anna and I walked a few steps ahead trying to hold a private conversation.

"You seem to be off beat lately." Anna said. Her blue eyes, even in the dim light of the moon, were shinning brightly with concern. She was right though. Ever since the attack from Elias and our very small shared moment in my chambers, I've felt off. Maybe it was the shock of the attack or how he told me my blood doesn't effect him like it should. Maybe it was the way that his simple apology, though in any other circumstance an apology would be the least one could do, made me completely forget the fact that he attacked me at all. Whatever it was, I wanted to tell him it was ok and let him know I forgave him. I'm still unsure why I felt that way but that same something that made me reach out to him and touch him has been pulling at my emotions these past few days.

"See!" I heard Anna exclaim, breaking me free from my thoughts. "You've been entirely lost since dinner Amily. What has happened that has occupied your mind?"

"Nothing." I said, trying to convince her that I was fine and only tired but she saw right through my act.

"Don't lie to me. You've become one of my most favorite friends and I have held no secrets from you. Is it too presumptuous of me that you may return the same favor?"

"Nothing, really I'm only tired." Thankfully Anna let the subject end there. She grabbed my hand and rushed us both to the bench in the garden clearing. It made me laugh hearing her giggle as we ran and watched the faces of Jerric and Noah flare to disapproval at our actions. When we arrived at the bench, we both plopped down, a little winded and still giggling.

"Elias must have known about the witches if he made sure to have a replacement escort for you so soon."

"What?" I was caught off guard by her statement.

"Noah. Elias has made sure you weren't left unescorted since he will be leaving with another battalion of his men." Anna must have noticed the confusion on my face because she continued. "Surely he's told you. The witches that were stolen casted a spell of some sort on the red armored creatures who captured them. One escaped and made her way back to the Willows outpost. Elias is leading more men to the outpost where he will accompany them on a camp invasion. I'm sure they plan to rescue the remaining witches and finish off the creatures."

Before Anna could say anymore, I left the bench and made my way over to Noah. The young vampire looked worried as I quickly approached.

"Where are the barracks?" I asked forcefully.

"South side of the courtyard." He said almost questionably as if he was trying to get to the root of my inquiry.

"Take me there." I ordered.

"Amily, I'm not sure that's a good idea. The barracks are for the Guardsmen, it is no place for a young lady. A pure blood like yourself will not fair lightly there." Jerric said, stepping in and trying to reason with me. Whatever force that was driving my emotions lately was incredibly unpleased with the information just acquired and would not rest until I talked to Elias.

"I do not care what you think, either of you. Take me to Elias." With even more force behind my words, Jerric nodded to Noah in a silent way of telling him to do as I said and shortly we were making our way towards the barracks.

Upon reaching where the guardsmen trained and slept, I noticed the barracks were particularly plain in comparison to the castle. They were nothing but small wooden structures with a single door and two windows on either side. They looked like small houses. Off to the left of where the barracks sat was a large area in the dirt that formed a perfect circle. There were two young vampire guardsmen fighting each other inside the circle. Noah must have noticed my curiosity in the area because he informed me that it was known as the fighting circle or battle ring. Once I realized it was merely for training purposes, I unlocked my eyes from the two vampires occupying the ring and scanned the premises for Elias.