The Glaive's Tale

Part II

He ducked behind the hedge once more, if he was seen that would be the end. He wouldn't allow it. The snows continued to drift down from the grey overcast skies above, the chill in the air attempted to nip him through the heavy winter greatcoat. His top hat shaded his eyes as he waited. He could hear it now, the shuffling of feet through the deep-set snow. If he was correct it was only four paces more to his position. He readied himself, the leather of his gloves cracking against the cold. The shuffling came closer and closer until.
"Got you!" He growled darting from behind the hedge and ensnaring her. Nadia squealed with delight as he lifted her from the floor and held her tightly. She kicked her legs feebly her cheeks rosy from the chilled air her fur-lined cape swirling around her. 
"Papa!" She cried in delight. In her mittened hand, she held a clump of snow which she quickly threw at his face. Kane felt the icy shards slap his flesh and unexpectedly he toppled back. Nadia squealed again as he hit the snow with his backside, top hat tumbling from his head, the weight of his daughter landing atop him. Together they laughed in the snow. Relinquishing a single arm to wipe at his eyes he allowed Nadia to wriggle from his grasp and grab another fistful of snow which she chucked in his direction again. Kane managed to turn his head and avoid the blow this time. Nadia giggled loudly reached for more snow. 
"No!" Kane feigned pain and grasped at his chest, "My lady you have bested me!" He over dramatized his acting. Nadia cocked a brow and held another clump of snow.
"You yield?" 
"I can't take anymore!" Kane collapsed back into the snows now as though dead. Nadia threw the lump of snow from her hand and grinned bounding toward him and jumping on top of him. 
"I win!" She giggled. Kane felt her weight land on him and felt all air expel from his lungs. She wasn't the young child she once had been-she was much heavier now. None the less Kane wrapped his arms around her causing her to squeal again. 
"Master?"
A voice broke the treasured moment. Kane looked past his daughter toward the approaching figure of Ravus. The Butler paused briefly to lift Kane's top hat from the snow and dust it off. "The king is here to see you."
Unannounced? Deverell would always call for great pomp and circumstance when he was traveling anywhere. Why not today? Would he not have sent a messenger or forewarning of any sort? Kane looked to Nadia and quickly lifted the girl off him before standing tall, dusting himself down and eyeing Ravus. 
"Did he give a reason?" 
"No, master. Only that he needed to see you." 
Kane looked to Nadia who seemed sullen now. Leaning down he placed a quick kiss to her brow before crossing the gardens and making for the manor. 

The warmth of the manor was welcome after his frolick in the snow, fires burned warmly flushing the large house with a dry heat. Kane made his way toward the front hall, where Ravus had pointed him to. As he rounded the corner he saw the king indeed stood waiting for him. Deverell was a tall man, much like Kane, with an air of superiority that put Kane's to shame. His hands were dazzled by more than twenty different forms of jewels, his tailcoat was a moss green lined with gold piping, white shirt crisp and ruffled, trousers freshly pressed and shoes shining. He must have traveled by coach. A cane was tucked under his left arm, a pair of white gloves hanging from one of his hands. His face was sharp yet bemused as he studied the manor and its wares within-namely the large portrait of Kane and his family on the stair landing. 
"Deverell," Kane announced at his approach. The man spun now and gave a large grin, the curls on his head bouncing. 
"Ah! Just the man I wanted to see," Deverell extended his arms wide. Kane and the man embraced shortly after. 
"To my study?" Kane offered. 
"Indeed." Deverell gestured Kane to lead on. Kane couldn't lie to himself this visit was one that caused him to question its importance. Ever since Deverell was handed the mantle of crown it was rare for him to leave the palace, unlike when they were younger and both would steal away into town and cause mayhem. Deverell had matured taking to the role of king quite well, something he had always rued as a boy. Maybe it was the multitude of women he bedded or the orders he gave perhaps even the clothing he had tailored. 
"I see Zella still remains as radiant as ever," Deverell commented as they passed through an empty corridor. 
"Indeed she does, I'll be sure to let her know of your compliment."
It did cause a small bit of annoyance when someone remarked on Zella or her appearance for although Kane knew every word was true she was his and his alone. He didn't appreciate the hungry eyes every man looked at her with-she was not some wench in a back alley. Deverell must have known this and slapped Kane's shoulder while chuckling. 
"You never do change, do you? It's no wonder you are so hesitant to return to court."
"I do intend to return within the next few days."
"Ah...recovering from your hunt? How did it fare?" 
Kane was always quick to reply however the image of the white-haired vampire still played in his memory. The bastard who would be gloating in his pit at that very moment. Though Kane's reputation still played on his mind...dare he tarnish something he had spent years building for an error that no one would allow him to forget? 
"Over 15 dead. The vampire menace will pose less of a threat to us now." Kane grinned over his shoulder. Deverell would have noticed the hesitance but was good enough to not say a word, merely nod and smile. The remainder of the trek to Kane's office was silent. 

Reaching the heavy wooden door he forced it open before stepping aside to allow Deverell entrance first. Deverell stepped inside graciously, Kane following. The door had only just clicked shut when the king spun now to face Kane, all pomp washed away replaced with a serious glee. 
"We found it!" Deverell's eyes turned wild-how they had once looked in his youth. 
"Found what?" Kane was slightly confused. 
"The nest. The home of those cunts! It was right under our very noses not far from Marqash."
"Marqash but that's 20 leagues from here."
"Exactly, my friend! Exactly," Deverell reached out placing both hands on Kane's shoulders and grinning wickedly. "What say you? Let us finish the hunting year on a bang! If we leave tomorrow we will be home in time for the winter festivities."
"So soon?" 
"We cannot delay. The nest may move-its rumored to have over 100 vampires nestled there. I've summoned the lords of the surrounding manor's. All have made plans to leave at dawn tomorrow, we are meeting at Rievaky Keep..." Deverell's words trailed away and his eyes narrowed noting just how uninterested Kane was. "Why are you not more excited? You live for the Hunt." 
This is why Deverell arrived unannounced. He'd have more influence over Kane in person than through a messenger. Kane had just arrived home, he wasn't sure if he was ready to venture quite so soon. Then a thought struck him...the white-haired vampire. If Kane's suspicions were correct then if the creature was indeed an Alpha he would be head of a nest...since Kane had disrupted the creature's last lair he would have to regroup...the mountains he had tracked it to were not far from Marqash. This thought alone was enough to convince Kane. He would right his wrong, he could redeem himself. His eyes found Deverell's and a sly grin crossed his lips. 
"Dawn it is." 

****

With the coming of the dawn the horses were saddled, the weapons loaded and supplies packed. Kane sat atop his great grey charger, holding the rains of the creature lazily in one hand as he watched the last of the supplies being slung onto one of the horses. He felt a squeeze on his freehand drawing his attention around to the large eyes of Zella. They were coated with a sheen of dampness, her flesh pale and a slight shake in her fingers. 
"I wish you stay," She pleaded again. 
"We've spoken of this." He reminded. 
Zella cast her eyes down, for a moment. "I know you are capable of looking after yourself, I do. It's just the speed with which you leave again. Do Nadia and I not satisfy you any longer?" 
He couldn't help but smirk, leaning down off the side of his horse he slipped his hand from hers to grip her chin and focus her eyes on his. "You know that's not the truth. The vampires pose a threat to our lives and our homes, if we allow them to go unchecked and unchallenged then we could face a much greater issue. I don't want to stand idle and allow this to happen. On our wedding day, I made the vow to protect you and our family from whatever may threaten us. It's not with happiness I go but rather necessity. I will be home in time for Yule, that I promise you."
"You had better be-our ball can't be rescheduled now."
"Of course, my love." 
Kane leaned down further and placed a kiss to her lips hushing her, calming her. She did tend to panic with every departure he made. The snow was drifting down senselessly from the skies above, a grey day, snow and rain mixing with sleet to make a miserable journey ahead of them. Slowly he drew back from Zella studying her once more. She was smiling, if only slightly. 
"Keep the fires warm," He stroked her cheek with his thumb. 
"Always," She grinned, kissing the back of his gloved hand before stepping back away from the horse. Kane noted that everyone was more than ready to leave now. His small party of 10 would travel through the snows to meet with the king at Rievaky Keep. He would set this right-he would slaughter every vampire he found and he'd do so with a smile on his face before returning home. Curse the infernal creatures for every existing. Gathering up his rains now Kane spun the horse and spurred it forward-it was more than happy to oblige and took long stride across the coble courtyard before fleeing through the gates and beginning on the trail.