Rebirth (Trinity Blood Fanfic)

Chapter 3: Be Ready

Hugue paced the ground floor of the castle, observing all the guards under his watch. It wasn't long before the Duchess approached him.

"Good morning Captain. Is everyone in place? The Empress will be making the announcement soon and she is saving a seat for you on the balcony," Seth said cheerfully as she nodded her approval at the guards. They had all abruptly saluted her before turning back to continue their watch.

Hugue nodded with a smile. "Yes my lady, everyone is in place. Will you lead the way?" he said and Seth just tutted him.

"Captain, does our history mean nothing? I keep telling you, just Seth is fine. Everyone already knows that we used to work together," she said as she hooked her arm into Hugue's.

He chuckled. "I'll only stop if you stop calling me 'Captain'."

"Never!" Seth retorted with a laugh as they headed up to meet the Empress. Seth had saved Hugue on many occasions and he had returned the favor once or twice. It was back during the days when they were both still serving at the Vatican in the AX agency, a group of vampire hunters consigned by the Pope himself. However, when both Seth and Esther moved back to Grantham to serve their new royal duties, Hugue was asked to join them.

When they reached the balcony, Esther and Abel were seated side by side.

"Hey! Abel, you're in my seat!" Seth protested. Hugue chuckled when Abel jumped at the sound of his sister's voice. Without a word, he immediately stood and Esther giggled quietly to herself.

"Drama queen," Abel whispered under his breath as he headed over to Hugue to shake his hand. Seth shot her brother a frown as she took her seat on Esther's right while Abel led Hugue to his place between Gregory and Esther, where he kissed Esther in a cheek-to-cheek manner and shook hands with his companion at his side.

Hugue watched as Abel returned to his spot and was shocked to see Alfredo seated beside him. Alfredo smiled at Hugue and he had no choice but to return the gesture with a nod. Hugue was absent on the night that the treaty was signed for he had returned home immediately after Cain's defeat. Like most humans, he had a general hate for vampires, excluding Abel and Seth of course. It annoyed him to see Abel conversing with Alfredo so casually, as though there was never a grudge between them in the first place, and Hugue was never one to deal with change very well.

"I know how you feel, I don't like this either," Gregory whispered to Hugue as Esther rose to address the whole kingdom below her. The silence of the people was filled by the sound of Esther's voice as she explained the new laws and welcomed Alfredo as a friend of the land.

During the speech, Hugue couldn't help but glare at the elder vampire who went to stand beside her. He wasn't sure whether it was the beams of light reflecting from Alfredo's silver robe or if it was just the way his face fell at that moment. Although the kingdom applauded and cheered below them, Hugue knew that there must be others that were feeling just as unconvinced as he was at that moment.

"So from this day forth, all vampire hunters are to throw down their swords and abandon their posts for there is peace!" The Empress declared and the kingdom erupted in celebration. The remaining VIPs seated behind Esther stood up and applauded.

"I'll request for everyone to gather at midnight. We shall meet at my house," Gregory whispered to Hugue and he simply nodded.

~*~*~*~*~*~

After a long day of watching over celebrations and keeping order in the land, Hugue knocked on the door of a small cottage on the border of the city. Gregory von Cordeaux stood before him in the open doorway and moved aside to allow Hugue entrance.

"You're early Hugue," Gregory said as Hugue entered his humble abode. Hugue rolled his eyes with an amused huff as he entered the main room of the house.

"Yes, but so is everyone else," Hugue said as he took a seat by the fireplace. They were a small group of only 6 people, but to Hugue, this was more than enough. He recognised one of Seth's hand maiden's standing in the corner of the room, timidly holding a teacup in one hand and a saucer in the other. He also momentarily locked eyes with one of the popular nobles in the land, but he couldn't quote put his finger on the name at this point. He was too anxious with what was about to happen.

Gregory walked over to Hugue with a cup of what seemed like tea and Hugue shook his head in polite dismissal however, Gregory persisted. "Don't worry, this isn't tea."

"Then what is it?" Hugue asked as he took the cup curiously. It certainly looked like tea, so he couldn't imagine what else it could be which is why Gregory's reply took him by surprise.

"It's ale."

"Hot ale?"

"Yes, ale. Now go on, have a drink and let's get this business over and done with or the Duchess will have our heads," Gregory said as he sat down. The others grimaced at Hugue's bewildered face and without further questions he took a sip. He rolled his eyes. It was tea.

The others laughed quietly as Hugue put down his cup, shaking his head at Gregory who was hysterical. "Hilarious Gregory, absolutely hilarious. Can we begin now?" Hugue asked impatiently. The laughter died down immediately and Hugue stood from his seat.

"As we all know, new laws have been put in place for the protection of a treaty between the vampires and the humans," the room was filled with moans of disgust. Hugue held up his hands to silence them. "So there's no doubt about it then. We all feel the same way."

"But what can we do Captain? Vampire hunters are to disband completely or be faced with death," one disputed.

Both Hugue and Gregory nodded in agreement, but it was Hugue who addressed them. "Do not fear my friends for technically, we will not be disobeying the law. I do not ask that you remain within your posts and I certainly do not ask that we continue with our work for that would be certain death."

"So then what are we to do? What is the point of all this?" They were all getting restless, throwing around questions of uncertainty until they had to be silenced again.

"Actually Hugue, they all have a point. What is our plan? There is nothing we can do really. The treaty has been signed," Gregory said in doubt.

"You're right Gregory, perhaps for now there is nothing we can do. But look around you gentlemen. We are the only people in the kingdom who know that this treaty will not remain as so, that the vampires will return to wreak havoc once again. Now, this doesn't mean that we should go out and preach our beliefs to the people for that will surely result in certain death. We will watch over Grantham, one of us will take a region every night and deal with any problems that arise. All we need to do is be ready."

"Be ready?" Gregory asked, confused.

  

"Yes Gregory, be ready." And so the secret army was born.