Adela Augusta Blood Famine

Chapter Four

Chaise

Chaise, glanced over his shoulder inconspicuously. It was ill timing to travel under a full moon. He knew full well the Blood lust of the vampires was in progress, and the Hungering was happening for the wolves. He'd have to risk it though, his father Henry, was waiting for him. Henry Comfert until recently had accompanied him, on his hunting trials and tests in Lorn Forest.

Chaise had a group of friends that lived deep in the woods in secrecy. There they could practice the ancient arts of healing with various plants and herbs. Being caught with certain species in one's possession often resulted in death by the authorities. The common doctors and practitioners, excluded certain remedies, on account of it being considered witchcraft. A crime punishable by hanging if you were fortunate, but almost always resulted in being burnt at the stake. So naturally the people who made careers out of this practice had to live in hiding. This gave rise to a covert community with a very distinct set off skills. After all, living in a deadly forest, with werewolves, and being hunted by vampire hierarchies often offered a unique chance to gain hands on experience as well. Whether it was the ability to take a life or save one was up to the practitioner.

Chaise's father had a serious condition that no normal doctor could cure, and he himself was training so that he may dispatch any creature or unnatural being that he may encounter. Especially those that sought to prey on the human populace. He had succeeded with his trials, only days ago, becoming a full fledged member of a secret society, however not everything was jovial. Henry was growing sicker by the day and even the confidential clan of outcast healers were having difficulty with his illness. There was only one person who could help him now, and that was Dia, an old friend and master of the clerical arts. Fate had it that she now resigned in the town of Reaghan, the largest city in the provenance of Teyrnon. It also happened to be his home town and was ruled by the Augustan vampire bloodline. Chaise had arranged for a convoy to escort Henry back there days ago, he himself stayed behind to complete his training. Now his father could have passed, and he wouldn't even be there for him, all because of his personal vendetta.

Chaise finally broke the tree line, spilling out into the open on the rugged dirt of the Lorn Sequence. A path that winded all the way through the Lorna mountains before connecting with Teyrnon. It was the only safe passage from Teyrnon and Crichton. The trip from where he stood would take well over three days. He hated to think about it, but it may be quicker to cross over the path and into a smaller more dangerous section of the Lorn forest. Or perhaps he could head towards Crichton, and borrow a horse. While Chaise stood trying to justify stealing another man's steed, something caught his eye on the chalky earth. Outlined in the dirt was a large print. A cross between that of a paw, and a human's hand. He must have just missed the owner of whoever it belonged to. Quite fortunate, because even though he now knew he could bring down a werewolf, he had no desire to engage one if it could be avoided, any encounter with the beasts could easily be his last. Especially one without the proper planning and preparations.

Chaise turned his back on the prints that seemed to lead towards Crichton. Securing a horse was out of the picture. He headed down the path to Teyrnon, his intended destination, then his eyes caught hold of another set of tracks. The hunter crouched observing the swept earth. The dirt showed it had been pushed and shoved by multiple feet, and not by a single entity that walked on all fours but a pack of them. Cautiously he looked over his shoulder, he knew it was unlikely that he was being preyed upon, but old habits were hard to break. It was this vigilant form of paranoia that would keep him alive. Dropping one's guard was like throwing down your weapon and rolling over asking to be eaten.

A heavy heap of air escaped his chest. He knew it would be wise to turn his back. It would be next to impossible for him to hunt a whole pack by himself. Sure he could track it, but once he made contact, or they caught wind of his scent he would be dead. Then there were the vampires to consider. If by some miraculous chance he escaped the clutches of death at the claws of a werewolf, he would then have to battle his way past Blood lusting vampires. It seemed like a lose-lose situation to turn to Crichton. The people there were rumored to be just as arrogant and sinful as the vampires that governed them. He reminded himself looking for an excuse to turn a blind eye. 

He took a step away from Crichton trying not to think about the fact that the city of Kierra was also known for having an awfully large number of homeless and orphans, which were the typical victims in werewolf hunts. He had never visited the kingdom himself, but he knew that there were still good people living there. Innocent people worth saving. Chaise let out a heavy sigh, he was taught that sometimes it was smarter to turn the other cheek. To lead himself to his death would only prevent his saving people in the future. His teachers also told him he was incredibly stubborn and they weren't wrong. Chaise personally argued this philosophy. After all what use would he be as a slayer and protector if he only showed absence when people needed his skills the most. 

Chaise started a slow jog towards Crichton. He was going to need all the energy, strength, and luck he could get. 

**Author's Note**

Hey readers, so I said you'd see my words soon, and then... it wasn't. I sincerely apologize, and on top of that this chapter is short! I know total rip off! But you know what isn't my sweet baby girl that was born in my absence here on Wattpad! So as life starts to restabalize so too shall story updates.  Okay enough about me lets here more about Adela, well... Chaise!  Should he keep his own neck safe and return home to his father? Should he try and be a hero? Should he really steal a horse? Other thoughts? Come on let me know!! Read ya in the next update!