Here we are again!

Hi and welcome,

Oh my word, I am so tired. Actually I'm tired, cold, I've got toothache, and I'm feeling a little bit miserable, (lol I guess it's just a normal day then). So why am I miserable? Well, of course, the aforementioned toothache isn't helping, but it's just not that - it's more about the fact that we are going to have snow at some point this week. I hate snow with a passion, I'm one of those people that think people who pay to go skiing are completely bonkers, because for me skiing would be my idea of hell on earth. Yes, I know I'm boring (it's been said once or twice), but then I guess that is why I'm a writer :-)

Anyway, enough of my super sunny personality. Here is the fourth chapter of Vampire - In the Beginning.

Hope you enjoy it :-)

Charmain x

Chapter Four

Robert and James join me in the small courtyard a few moments later, and although I hear their approach, I don’t turn around and acknowledge their arrival. Instead, I look towards the dark outline of the farmhouse. The house that sits before me should have been my home forever, but now, because of the two men behind me, I will never set foot on this land again. With this realization comes the sad thought that likewise, I will never lay eyes on my mother, father, or brothers, and in time, although I did not know it then, they will for me become just a vague memory. My life, I think I knew, was to change beyond anything I could ever imagine; but I didn’t cry. I knew that crying would have been a pointless exercise because there was nothing I could do to change my predicament, and so I turn to Robert and James and simply say, “I’m ready.”

A shrill whistle rents the air, and from nowhere a pair of prancing black horses appears. I am somewhat startled by their appearance, and I guess the shock shows on my face, because Robert says, "Contrary to common belief we cannot change our appearance into different types of animals...we travel like humans on horseback...although we do hold power over all animals, including humans.. We are their master."

I can think of nothing to say in response to his words and simply bow my head in acceptance of his bold and commanding statement, a statement I do not doubt is true. Both men jump onto the backs of the prancing animals and Robert holds out his hand to me. "Come, Gwen," he says, "we must leave," then grabbing my outstretched hand he pulls me up behind him and we are instantly on our way.

I had never up until this time traveled on horses such as these, having only ever ridden the small ponies on the farm, these animal in comparison seemed to almost fly through the air, and such was their speed that I clung to Robert in order to remain seated. My eyes watered from the icy winds and so I pushed my head into Robert’s back, my hands grew numb from the cold and I clenched them painfully so that I did not lose grip and fall.

On and on we rode, I clung on in fear for my life, afraid to loosen my grip, growing tired, and very weary. Vampires, I was to discover later, are extremely strong, with their stamina knowing no bounds. I, however, was at this time only human, pregnant, and fast becoming exhausted by the attacking speed of the journey. Robert, whom unbeknown to me was able to sense every beat of my heart and any weakness in my body, realised the journey, combined with the bloody scene I had witnessed at the farm, was fast getting the better of my body and mind, and motioned James to stop at the next inn.

When we finally found an inn, Robert pulled my exhausted body into his arms and carried me inside, his shouts of 'Innkeeper...where are you, man?" echoing angrily as we entered the small but comfortable warm rooms of the establishment.

The innkeeper, a short, fat man of about fifty years old, scurried to our side. He obviously recognized that Robert was of noble birth and his humble attitude attributed to this fact.

"Yes, sir," he said bowing low, "I am at your service, sir."

"Is that so, man?" Robert bellowed, "Well in that case we would like your best room, and my wife will have a tankard of your finest mead, and some food sent up to the room."

The man glanced in my direction in a somewhat startled manner. I, unlike Robert, was not dressed in fine clothes, but instead dressed in the clothes of a poor maiden.

"Do you understand that order, man?" Robert asked the innkeeper in a slightly threatening but sarcastic voice.

"Yes, yes of course, sir...Follow me, sir."

The innkeeper led us to a small but comfortable room, and stayed just inside the door whilst Robert placed me on the bed. He then turned back towards the innkeeper and said, "I take it you don’t understand the order, then?" His stance was aggressive and irritated.

"Yes, sir of course, sir," the innkeeper stuttered.

"Well set to it then, man, before you feel the weight of my hand!"

"Will you be sleeping here?" I ask as I watch the petrified innkeeper scurrying away. I hear a quiver in my voice, and I know that my voice betrays my fear. Robert must have heard it too, because he says softly, "I have told you there is no need to fear me, Gwen, you are quite safe."

"That may be so...but I do not wish for you to sleep here!" I say in a frightened whisper.

"I cannot trust you yet...you have had an eventful day...and I cannot be sure that you’ll not run...I am sorry but I must stay here with you tonight."

I digest his answer, and then ask, "When we reach your home will you remain at my side?" I notice a slight smile touch his lips and he says, "No, Gwen...you will not be able to escape, so there will be no need."

 "And where will James sleep tonight?"

"He will continue on and inform my wife Matilda of our plans."

I waited for him to add to this information, but he remained silent, and so I fell back on the bed and gloried in the comfort. I normally slept on the floor, and the bed felt warm and luxurious in comparison.

The innkeeper returned shortly afterwards, and although I'd thought earlier that I wouldn't be unable to touch the food that he brought, I found that I was ravenous, and ate the cold roast beef and hard bread quickly. When I was full, I fell back onto the comfort of the bed, and said, "Will you be sleeping on the bed?"

"Yes of course, but like I have already said, you will be safe."

I had already reached the conclusion that I was safe, and so ignoring his words, said instead, "How long have you been a vampire?"

"For a very long time, enough questions now...it’s time for you to rest."

I turn onto my side and stare at the dark wall of the room. A few moments later Robert climbs into the bed beside me and I am somewhat shocked to discover that I am neither afraid nor feel uncomfortable about the fact that I am sleeping next to him. For some reason I cannot connect the man lying next to me with the man who had committed the disgusting murders at the farmhouse, for all I can see in him is kindness.

I surprise myself by saying, "Why did you kill them? You had no need to kill them!"

Robert doesn’t answer for a quite a while, and although I cannot see his face due to the darkness, I imagine his face is serious, contemplating his answer. I believe he found it difficult to explain to me why he had stolen the lives of my loved ones, for after a long drawn-out sigh he simply says, "You will understand one day,” and then, “You must sleep now, we have a long ride in the morning.”

I must have fallen to sleep after this, for all I remember from that moment on is the darkness that comes from a deep and peaceful sleep.