Katera

Chapter 6: Time Together

As Maria and Prince Adari walked through the woods they began talking and asking each other questions.

"Thank you for agreeing to take this walk with me." he said

"Oh, it's no problem really." she responded

"If I may ask, what got you into bow-hunting?"

"Bow-hunting is kind of a family thing, everyone in my family are bow-hunters."

"That's interesting to know, how long have you been doing it for?"

"I first started learning archery when I was 8 years old, so about 10 years."

"So you're only 18? That's nice to know. You're older than I thought you were."

"How old did you think I was?"

"16, 17, so I wasn't far off."

"So what about you, how old are you?"

"19."

"You're younger than I thought you were. I originally thought you were in your mid 20's. What I'm saying is you act much older." Maria began to say "Is it hard being a prince at the age of 19? Especially with everyone having high expectations of you and hoping you to make the right decisions?"

"Yes, it can be rather taxing. Especially when you don't know which choice is the right one. So you end up fearing that you've made the wrong decision. Not every decision I have to make is as clear as day at first glance."

"It must be rather troublesome then. Is it normal for a vampire to be the ruler of the city at 19 Prince Adari?"

"Yes, we normally coronate at 18. Also please, call me Adari. You saying my name with the honorific is becoming rather redundant. We are not in Katera, nor are you one one of my subjects. While we are in Katera you may also hear people refer to me as Vladar Kri, which is another honorific, which means Lord of Blood, but don't be frightened by the meaning, it's just a name. The reasoning for the name is that my last name is Kri."

"Alright Adari. Also speaking of Katera, shouldn't we be there already?"

They stopped to have a look at their surroundings only to realize that they were even more lost than they were before.

"I guess our talking got us sidetracked from our main objective."

"That appears to be so."

Back in Katera, the vampires began to worry as it seem that their prince had disappeared.

"Calm down everyone, he's probably fine." Suri said trying to reassure them

"We don't know that for sure. He may have been captured by some of Rico's men." protested a green-eyed brunette vampire

"Though it is probable he'd try something like that, I doubt it Russa." Suri responded

"Russa does have a point Suri, until we know more, we can't just assume everything is just fine." another vampire stated

"Which is why while the prince is absent, as his advisor I'll be taking charge until he returns." Suri declared

"Well I hope he comes back soon, dawn is approaching which could postpone his return. Unless he feels up to traveling during the day." responded Russa

"Well with dawn approaching we should head inside and get some rest." said Suri

Back in the woods with Mari and Adari, they still try to find their way back to Katera.

"It doesn't seem like we're getting any closer to Katera. Maybe we're going the wrong way." Maria said as they both stopped in their tracks

"That is probably what happened. So where did we go wrong?" replied Adari

"I don't know, but one thing I do know is that the sun is rising. Aren't vampires vulnerable to sunlight?"

"Not all vampires. Most of the vampires in Katera aren't."

"Are you?"

"No. But I also don't favor walking during daylight hours."

"Alright then. I guess we should find someplace in the woods to sleep."

"Sounds fine to me."

"Also, out of curiosity, if you're here, who does the leadership fall to in Katera if you're absent?"

"My advisor, Suri would take that role. At least until I'm present again."

They didn't walk much further till Adari decided to make rest at the base of a tree, and Maria sat next him. They then started talk again.

"So, hopefully we will find Katera tomorrow."

"Yes, hope so. Also sleep well, Maria."

"I'll try, you have a good rest too Adari."

It wasn't long before they both dozed off to sleep.

Hours later back in Tessera, the city in which Maria lived, Rachel tried to contact Maria but failed due to Maria being asleep. She then left her a voicemail, after finishing her message, Rachel hung up the phone. "I hope she calls me back soon." Rachel said in worry. Rachel then continued on with her day at work, after hours of no response, after work she called Maria again, only fail once more at contacting her. She then made another call to someone else. The dial tone was heard only for a few seconds before an answer.

"Hello, may I help you with something?" the voice on the other line said

"Hey, sorry to bother you James." Rachel responded

"Rachel, what do you want?"

"I was wondering, do you know where Maria is?"

"No. Is that all you wanted to ask?"

"Yes."

"Then, goodbye." James said as he hung up the phone

Hearing the dial tone, Rachel ended the phone call on her end

Back in the woods, Adari and Maria awoke. Maria woke up with her head unknowingly resting on Adari's shoulder.

"I hope my shoulder made a satisfying pillow for you." Adari said with a grin

Upon hearing this, Maria hastily moved out of the position she was in as she started to get flustered. "Sorry, I..I didn't mean to your ma..Adari." 

Adari giggled "There is no need to apologize for that. You getting flustered like that is rather cute." he said as he stood up

"Thank..you?"

"Shall we continue on now?" Adari asked

"Just a minute, let me check something." Maria said as she pulled out her phone. She saw that she had 2 missed calls and voicemail all from her friend Rachel. So she played the voicemail.

"Maria, this is Rachel. It's now been over 2 days since Jessie had mysteriously disappeared. I would like to know if you know anything about her disappearance. Please respond back as soon as you hear this."

"Is Rachel another friend of yours?" Adari asked curiously

"Yes. She is." Maria replied

"Are you going to tell her about what happened to Jessie?"

"How could I? Even if I did tell her, she wouldn't believe anyway. I mean how realistic does getting murdered by a vampire sound to a person who doesn't believe in vampires?"

"Well, you can't just say nothing."

"I know." Maria sighed "I guess I'll have to make something up to avoid the subject." She thought to herself. Then she sent Rachel a text message saying "I got your voicemail. Sorry, I didn't respond earlier, I was very busy with and several other things. No I don't know anything useful. Also don't worry about me, I'm fine." After pressing 'send' she turned to Adari "Okay now we can go on."