The Immortals

[Lady Christina de Pond]

I had seen the riders coming and i slipped to the shadow but as they got closer i smelled Jozeph he was with this group weather a prisioner or free i couldn't tell but i waited then i saw Jozeph in the lead the moment he jumped down from his seat and began to survey the yard I jumped down behind him and ran my finger along his spine Jozeph turned to see who or what had slipped behind him so quickly when he saw it was me he looked at me only breifly before he pulled me into his embrace.
"where are Anya and Tor?"
"alive and well in a inner room they should be awake now i awoke and come to wait"
"come Esssy there is still much work to do even though the night is young" smiled Jozeph as i lead him to the room Anya and Tor and I had spent the night

[SarviaRose]

Tor and I could hear voices traveling through the hallway, we both smiled we knew who was coming. Being vampires we could smell Essy and Jozeph heading towards the room.

"Tor, Anya you best be dressed."

I laughed as I opened the door to let Jozeph and Essy in, I gave Jozeph a hug. Tor pretended to be jealous and gave Jozeph a dissaproving look before laughing.

"Jozeph what is the plan?" Tor asked

[NORSEMAN]

[TOR]

Jozeph told me everything that had happened and I felt sorry for him as well its hard leaving a home but much less one you'd been in for 250 years but he seemed not too mind that much.

He asked me too handle things as he and Essy had some business too attend too for the next hour or so!, I went outside and found the gypsies already burning all the dead soldiers bodies back on the far tree line, they dug a pit and burned them inside so they said the Queen would not smell the burned flesh and become alarmed before our master had time too take her!.

This was good I thought well planned ahead and now all we must do is take stock of whats here and make preparations too pull off this incredible stunt!, I don't like traps I prefer open combat in the way my fathers had done man too man and sword too sword but this is a different world than what I'd grown up in and now this evil creature I understood must be trapped I only hope that Jozeph knows what he's doing for if once inside and she comes with an entire army we'll be trapped in here and I already knew what she'd do too us once she took us!.

I looked back down the road and of all things!, there rode four men!, no doubt members of the lords mercenary force returning I called too Anya and we ran quickly too the edge of the woods she took one tree and I the other and we waited until those brigands were just below and pounced upon them smashing they're helmets together and knocking them out cold!.

I looked too Anya, "My dear looks like suppers on me tonight!", she laughed and we drain one each and took the other two back for Jozeph and Essy they will likely be needing some extra protein after the way they looked at each other!.

We tossed the varlets in the floor and I turned too Anya "I want you, I need you now!" and there in the great hall upon the table I took her again and again her breasts breaking free of her bodice bounced as we made love and I had never been happier!.

[NORSEMAN]

[JOZEPH]

I couldn't wait too get back too my beloved Essy!, shes my only happiness now I regret that I had not met her at another time in my life when I could haver offered her the life she deserves for once I had vast lands, servants, cattle, crops that yielded beyond any hope I could have ever had and there was the castle!, but its all gone now and too think of it only brings bad memories and now I don't want that besides I still have much too do!.

I joined Tor and Anya outside, the smell of the burning flesh took me back too another time when we as knights burned the bodies of the saracens in Jeruselum it was so very long ago it only seemed a dream now!.

The gypsies did well as they always did and I couldn't help but laugh for many of the soldiers had excellent weapons and clothing now my friend gypsies have them on and they are quite the fashion plates!.

The night grows late and Essy and I retire inside too the still unconsciece brigands and finish them it gives me a boost too have something too eat and I have the gypsy women clean the old lords bedroom and prepare it boarding the windows and cleaning it for today Essy and I shall use it, I as well had more comfortable equipage sent for Tor and Anya too sleep upon I thought this the least I could do for my friends taking them into such danger and now bringing the wrath of every vampire in the known world down upon us all when I kill Queen Zarah.

I don't plan too hide her body, nor let anyone help me with this for when its found mine will be the only scent they shall find upon her at least that much I can do for the others, the way I have it figured Zarah should be here early tomorrow night she won't be travelling with more than a couple men likely Ivan and Sasha or I hoped these mortal butt kissers would be with her for great pleasure I will take in their deaths.

I went back outside and gave orders too the gypsies, tomorrow night you shall bring all your weapons and line the road coming into the manor but you shall remain far enough back not so she will smell you, you shall not take part in this fight unless she brings a horse guard with her and they you will attack if she has, that would drive her inside for refuge toward me.
I believe that she should be just one carriage and her for she has promised the old man she would turn him this evening and any show of force by her would create doubt in the old mans mind so she will be travelling quickly and quietly.

About three a.m. I tell the gypsies too retire for the night, she won't be here this early and everything is finished all we have too do now is wait, Essy can make this time seem such more pleasant and when I return too her she greets me in a shimmering robe and helps me remove my sword belt and baldric, she lays the dagger upon a table and helps me undress as she massages my neck and I melt within her arms ,she slides out of the robe too show her young sleek naked body, she was magnificent and appeared no more than 19 years old herself, her body looks as a roman statue of some beautiful goddess and I take her in my arms, the rest I cannot tell you!.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

Jozeph seemed every so happy to see me and that i was glad. Jozeph had taught me much in the short time i was a vampire but Loyalty had always been within me. I didn't know what Jozeph had planned but i suspected that he had plans to prevent me from fighting beside him when she arrived but Jozeph didn't know that as he slept with his arms around me holding me close i was planning myself. Jozeph had said she was dangerous but the danger she was in was highly growing she endangered my lover's life and my friends she would pay if Jozeph didn't stop me first.

[NORSEMAN]

[JOZEPH]

As everyday since the dawn of time the day soon turned too evening and I awoke for today was going too be one of the most trying days of my life!, I slipped out of bed and began too dress in full armor and mail, my swords and daggers plus three different hidden small knives, this I supplemented with abandolier containing fifteen wooden stakes, I slipped on my quiver and bolts for the crossbow all tipped with wooden points with barbs too pull from the shaft and stick deep within whoever they struck.

As I suspected Essy jumped from the bed and began too dress, I told her "No Essy this isn't your fight I want you, Anya and Tor too take too the hills too the West!", she stopped me and said I will stay and I will fight! but I made her promise one thing and she did this!, "that she would stay within the walls of this manor with Tor and Anya", she reluctantly agreed but she was mad and I knew it!.

I then went too my gypsies outside waiting for me, "Men take your positions deep in the brush your job is only!, I repeat only if there are more than the men on the carriage!, if there be noone else then you take your things and flee too your families in the Western hills this is my fight I will fight them alone if I possibly can!".

The gypsies saluted me and filed out without words they knew the pride of a vengance fight and would not interfere unless there were other soldiers there!, this done I turned too the assembled Essy ,Anya and Tor my friends would it be useless too plead with you too take too the woods for your own welfares sake?, if I die here then it will end here if I win then this isn't the end for you its just the begining of a long war!, I urge you all too leave, nay I tell you too leave!.

Tor answered I will not!, you must fight me too make me leave!, Anya stood beside him and said "Me as well!", Essy replied "I too!, you will fight us all!",then my friends I welcome you too this fight but advise you still leave while you can!.

The darkness was completely upon us and we stood there and waited for what seemed hours but finally in the distance a carriage and horses headed our way, it was darkened and no mortal would drive at that speed in the dark but it was as I expected alone with Ivan and Sasha the two mortal kiss ups too the queen!.

It rolled inton the compound and there we stood in the darkness while the two climbed down from the seat above, the others started moving forward but I held an arm out "These are mortals fear not!", I stepped from the shadows and unsheated my great battle sword!.
These two had always spoiled for a fight with me and each smiled as they drew they're swords and took positions!.

I moved forward and the smiles from they're once arrogant faces turned they never thought this would actually come but now its too late and I mean too have their blood , Ivan attacked first and I easily blocked his thrusting sword and knocked it back too meet sashas uncoming attack as our two battleswords met in the air sparks flew as we attacked each other again and again, I knew Ivan was trying too get behind me so I drew my parying dagger just in time too block his next strike and slid the guard down the blade letting the fifteen inch blade bite his fingers as he recoiled.

Sasha attacked again and he and I traded blows with the great swords!, he was strong very strong but their deceit was trying on me and I swung my sword with all my might breaking Sashas blade as the bright sparks from the strike lit the area and he stumbled back!.

Ivan switched hands and was already coming at me when I turned too block his cowardly attack but this time he thrust too far and I caught him in the belly with my parying dagger and slit open his gullet letting his intestines bulge through the opening, he dropped his sword and held them screaming!, shasha was moving toward me with a very long stake and raised it too strike but his slowness to do so was his downfall and again I swung with all my might this time catching him under his raised arms and slicing them and his head both from his body, his head seemed too suspend in the mid air on my sword blade for a moment then fell too the ground!.

Ivan there squatting holding his guts in as I raised the sword again and removed his head as well!, it was then I realized my error!, "THE QUEEN!", I threw open the carriage door but it was empty inside she was gone!.

I yelled too the others "Beware she has fled into the darkness!", then I saw her standing in the hall of the second floor main house laughing bearing her full fangs and beckoning me sayiing "What the great Jozeph needs a sword too kill a mere woman?, why don't you fight me vampire? and she disappeared inside the darkened house!.

I told the others too wait she is my problem! and threw my weapons down and entered into the house as a true vampire even though I knew she wouldn't fight fair!, now I thought "Clear your head use every power you have you are vampire!", I sniffed the air and knew she was upstairs her perfume gave her away but she'd soon compensate and she did!.

Upstairs she had thrown everything imaginable around too mask her scent, perfume, chamber pots of urine, anything and true enough I could not locate her by smell but that was a two edged sword and she could not smell me either!.

The upstairs was shaped like two great shoulders of a man on each side of the grand stairs each wing holding ten rooms but too my surprise every door was open!, my eyes could see in the complete darkness but not what hid behind the walls in each room but my hearing was just as good as hers.

I ripped an old shield down from the wall and sent it scooting down the hall with one swift throw, this time her luck failed her and she struck at my decoy with a stake from a room five doors down now I thought shes trapped!.

I made my way toward the room hugging the opposite wall in case she had a spear inside trying too get the best look I could inside the room but it appeared empty!, she went out the window!.

I turned and started back down the hall but another sound made me stop she crossed the roof and entered the opposite side of the house but where?., I cautiously moved back down the hall and she ran out toward me and I poised too tear her black heart out but she cowered and ran into another room I followed her but again she disappeared but suddenly I realized this was an ajoining room and she went out and was behind me!.

I turned quickly too face her and she drove a wooden stake through my upper chest but I didn't feel any pain while I lived I thought I'll take you with me belch! and feeling a surge of strength I grabbed this wild creature around the throat and grasped as hard as I could feeling the bones cracking under my fingers all the time she kicked at the stake in my chest but missed!.

I pinned her arms back and like a wild beast I thrust my fangs deep into her broken neck and withdrew her blood as she begged and offered anything I wanted but all I wanted was her too die! and as she began too feel the euphoria from the bite and was actually becomeing aroused she sadistically said "Take me Jozeph drink the last drops of my blood!", I spit a mouthfull of blood into her face as she recoiled from her exstacy I threw her down and grabbed her feet taking her body as a whip and bashed her brains and head into a chamber pot full of dung in the corner!.

I pulled the stake from my chest and drove it through her heart and feces smeared face grimaced in pain and she kicked and died turning too dust before me!, I reached up too the wound in my chest but as all vampires it had already begin too close and heal itself but I stagger from loss of blood downstairs and outside where Essy ran toward me, I told her my love its done!.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

I ran to Jozeph he looked week and i urged him to the chamber we had spent the day in  Tor summoned the gypsies and they began to clean the mess and dispose of her dusty ashes. I went with Jozeph I had not relaxed nor would i relax until this was over. I chided myself for dozing longer than i planned for if i had woke when i should have Jozeph would have been safely looked in the chamber and the queen would have died before she got out of the carriage

apon reaching the room i lead Jozeph to the bed and made him lay down. I leaned over him
"Tell me what you need"
" blood" answered Jozeph
I knew what he ment i helped Jozeph raise up against the pillows then i came beside him I pulled my hair aside and offered him my neck i felt his fangs enter and his arms around me it wasn't long before i felt him start nibbling other places on my neck
I giggled as it tickled
"Thank you" wispered Jozeph
" your welcome you stuborn vampire"
" whos more stuborn my dear the one who still wore wooden stakes even though it wasn't her fight or the one who said it was his fight"
"you would not have fought at all dear Jozeph if i had woke when i planned you would have stayed in this room i would have taken out the queen for coming after you for making you burn your home for making you have to live on the run. when you were busy with the mortals i should have held her against the wall I should have helped you"
" Essy I'm beginning to believe you care about me"
" I do care about you Jozeph" I wispered

[SarviaRose]

"Anya come with me"

I followed Tor as we went to find the gypsies. We where meet by a young girl with a strange scent, she was with Jozeph when he arrived so we did not question it.

"The queen is dead and we need the mess to be cleaned up."

Tor told her and she nodded and ran off to find others.

"She has an odd scent on her, Tor."

"Yes she does but Jozeph brought her."

"I know. Come lets got outside before the sun rises I want to run."

Tor grabed my hand and we where off with the wind. If I could fly it had to feel like this I started to laugh.

"My love what is funny?"

"Just remembering the first time you took me on a run."

"Ahh, I remember you where scared."

"Well being a vampire was new to me I didn't even know they where real until that night."

Tor stopped and turned to face me. "I fould you that night, Anam Cara. I never thought I would find you."

[NORSEMAN]

[JOZEPH]

Essy gave me her sweet blood and it revived me so much!, but now I told her "You must gather your things we cannot spend the day here for undoubtedly the queens main army should arrive tomorrow!.

Essy looked at me and said "I thought this finished it?", no my dear this just began it for now we are outlaws not only too mortals but too vampire alike!, now gather your things we should put this place as well too the torch and be gone long before the moon sets!.

I went downstairs and saw the gypsies begining too clean up but I stopped them and called Tor, "My friends leave everything as it is!, if they don't find the Queens ashes they shall intensify the search and think we have her!, now go gather whatever you wish but we must leave within the hour I have plans and if they work we will escape the legions sent against us!".

Tor looked too me and said "my friend what do you mean?, isn't this the end now the Queen is dead?", no I replied merely the begining!, we are under death sentence from man and vampire now we must use our knowledge too beat them!, there will be a war of aggression at the palace all the harem of the Queen will try too gain power and a virtual hornets nest it shall be!, go find Anya take what you will from here but now we must leave with the gypsies I knew this would happen and I have plans too elude them all!.

[NORSEMAN]

[TOR]

I had no idea what Jozeph meant? a war?, but I knew him well enough too know that if he thought they would be coming they likely would so I ran too find Anya who was in the harem girls room selecting gowns and jewellery, my anam cara!, select your favorite for Jozeph says we must flee here!.

She looked at me and I assure her it was no joke but the main army would be along tomorrow, not vampire but mortal mercenaries working for the Queen!, she threw the silky gown down and grabbed a leather bag filling it full of gems, gold and coins.

We looked around some and then gathering what we willed we went back out the front and there before us the drab Gypsy wagons had been transformed into colorfully stripped covers and decorated lanterns hanging upon the sides there were signs that read something Anya told me  like "Palms read", "futures toretold", "medicene", they looked like carnival wagons now and I thought them not the same as were with us.

Jozeph and Essy met us and took us inside one of several large van type wagons inside it was outfitted as a living quarters with benches along the sides, Jozeph opened one too reveal luxurious sleeping quarters for each of us one inside each bench and he said the next wagon was ours it too was the same and contained our sleeping quarters!.

He said these gypsies are a hated people by most and often make they're money by giving carnival type shows, they will protect us during the day and we shall share out plunder we take at night with them and guard them during the night when they sleep and the mortals tend too attack them for merely being who they are!, he said its a very good arrangement and now we must take too the roads and be long gone by daybreak!.

As he foretold we rolled out leaving all even the Queens coach still harnessed in the yard, but instead of turning North as we all expected Jozeph told the gypsies too turn SouthWest into the large Bohemian forests there he said they would never expect us too actually move closer in that direction too Vienna and even if they find us they will think us simply carnival people!.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

It looked erie the way we left the keep but i knew that had been Jozeph's plan to make it appear so. I was a little worried how would we deguise our sents from the vampires. Jozeph told me that the gypsies had roses and other sweet floral scents placed all over the wagon's walls that at night it would be hard for a vampire to smell us. I knew that during the day we were safe no vampire could hunt us during that time.
I also discovered that the gypsies had given us some cloths so that we didn't stand out and i thought this was very wise
I wondered what this adventure would be like I alread had been a merchants wife then a vampire Lord's mistress now I would be a gypsy girl

[SarviaRose]

Tor and I enter our wagon and curl up in each other's arms, I fall fast asleep. I was still unsure of how this was going to work, but I trusted Joseph and I also knew Tor would not knowingly put me in harms way.

The wagon hits a rut in the road and I can hear Tor curse.

"Shah Tor you don't want to scare the driver."

"Anya why are you up, you where so tired you fell asleep soon after we entered."

"The same reason you are the road is rough I got jostled. No big deal I have lived in far worse conditions."

This brought a frown to Tor's face; he pulled me close and hugged me tight.

"Anam Cara, for so long we where parted and you where a vagabond only to become one again. I'm sorry."

"None of it is your fault, my gra. It is others greed and jealous but not yours or Joseph. I do not mind living as a gypsy. Life or the after life which ever you prefer is full of adventure and this time I have you and truly that is all I need"

"You always looked towards the positive."

"It is not worth it to be negative, Tor. If that was the case I would have killed myself after I buried you or after my son died. If I had done either I wouldn't have you here with me now"

"Oh Anya." Tor kissed my lips, than my neck.

I returned his kisses and lay back down with him.

A few hours later the wagon came to a stop and we could hear someone coming to the back to let us out.

"My Lord and Lady, it is just me Otto it is dark and we are stopping for the night."

"Thank you Otto. Do you know if we are near any towns?"

"Yes sir we passed by a good sized town about 10 miles back."

"Are Essie and Joseph out yet?"

"Yes mum Joseph is with the leaders planning something."

"Thank you Otto"

Tor and I go and find Joseph and Essie. As Otto had said Joseph was talking with one of the gypsies.

"Anya, Tor, I see you are both in one piece the road was much worse than we expected."

"We are fine Joseph. Do mind if Tor and I go hunting?"

"Not at all"

We talk with Joseph and Essie for awhile and than run off to the town Otto had told us about there should be something for us to eat there even if we have to glamour them.

[NORSEMAN]

]JOZEPH]

I tell the other they can relax for a while for we have completely eluded the Queens armies, today they would have attacked our orignial castle and without her guidance I doubt her famous generals will even find Vienna again much less us.

I tell Anya ,Essy and Tor too rest here for three days then we move again there is a place I had some secret investments in and we will head there its in Switzerland and will take us several days too get there we all need too relax and recooperate.

I take Essy and we walk for a long way down the dirt road in which we've been driving upon its fairly well used and the dry sand pulverized under the wagon wheels feels like powder under your bear feet, I kiss Essy and ask her if shes not too dismayed with me for the life we lead now isn't the easiest.

I also tell her I have a mission for her, go too the girl who joined our caravan and find out what you can of her she makes me feel as thought she watches us continually and I want too find something out of her!.

[TOR]

I love hunting and these woods in Bohemia are stocked full of every kind of game there is, I drag Anya miles and miles back into the underbrush chasing some boars poor child I know she doesn't like this but she keeps up with me and never moans of what I do.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

I gladly accepted Jozeph's mission for me  and kiss Jozeph
"I am content you treat me like I'm such a young thing but i guess compared to you I am"
Jozeph laughs and then kisses me again
"except when you kiss me" I reply
Jozeph and i go hunt for a few hours and come back early I had a mission and i wanted to start it right away
we return to camp the embers are burning Low and most gypsies have gone off to sleep but i see the new girl sitting around her fire. Jozeph who was informed of my plan much earlier pulls me close and kisses me deeply I knew he would not really be in our wagon but on the otherside of it if i needed his help

I walked over to the new one Jozeph had spotted she smelled of a lot of things
i took a seat beside her
"why is it that you are not asleep?" I ask I hear Jozeph close the wagon door as if he entered knowing he's standing on the back of wagon
"because I couldn't sleep" answered the girl looking at the fire
"I'm Essy" I say
" Elisa and i know who you are. we all know what you are and who your with. You can have any boy in camp for a lover if you choose"
"I wasn't aware of that" I laugh
"well it's true" says Elisa
"Can i ask you Elisa how you came to be with this band of gypsies?"
" my father sold me off to a man who was a gypsy and since I'm his now I travel with them"
"why not escape"
"I can't he watches me like a Hawk" answered Elisa
"I'm sorry to here that should i talk to the man in the morning?"
"No! it's just that ohhh let it be this is better than my homelife I think it's time i went to bed" spoke Elisa as she rose and walked away. I walked back to our wagon I had more to do but i didn't quiet believe the girl

[NORSEMAN]

We had too keep moving even though Essy had told me there was something strange of the girl in camp but for the first time in a long time I felt relaxed and at ease as we travelled these woods through the thick forest but too remain too long would be asking for trouble so we pushed on through the wilds days passed into weeks and now we found ourselves in Switzerland high into the Alps.

We took such a circuitous route that I was confident no one was following us or even though we had taken this direction.

I lead the caravan deep back into the foothilss then higher into the steep mountain roads always leading upward then finally we came too the ruins of an old mine with a decaying group of buildings around it and it was all completely abandoned.

I turned too everyone and said "My friends this will be our home for some time now this land in the mountains belonged too my family and now belongs too me, this mine played out decades ago and no one ever comes up here, there are animals in the forest for the gypsies and its a small bound for us as vampire over the peaks which drop down into some fair sized villages".

It may not be home but we will not be bothered!.