Help, Confusion, and Firm Voices

I was dizzy. Everything was the same. I had been searching in the direction in which I had overheard the young man at the blacksmith shop say a clan of vampires was for the past two days. It was quite the journey.

I had taken my rowboat to get there but on the way I encountered a larger boat. It's bow was beautifully decorated with an intricate mermaid. A few men came to the side of the ship and pulled my boat and I up.

"Hey! Put me down! Don't touch me you impertinent, milk-livered, measle!" I shouted when they grabbed me from my boat. Despite the ability I knew I had to take these people down, these were sailors and I wasn't going to expose myself.

"Hey! If you wanna drown in the waves this here storm is gonna make by all means stay here." It was only then that I noticed the ominous clouds hovering awfully low. And I didn't want to drown so I allowed myself to be put on to the ship's deck.

"The captain wishes to speak to you." A young boy about the age of 8 said appearing out of nowhere. He then proceeded to grab my hand and lead me down a staircase. In front of us was a grand door with intricate, swirling details. "He's just in there. But be careful because he's a little crazy." He knocked on the door and ran up the stairs.

"Come in." I heard a gruff, muffled voice say. I walked in the door and was met with a gray-haired man aged about 65 sitting at a desk. "It's great to meet you. Are you the young lady we're giving a ride?"

I cleared my throat and replied "Yes, that would be me. I appreciate it immensely." I sat down in the red over-cushioned chair in front of the mahogany desk.

"No need to act normal. I know what you are. No person
willingly goes into the ocean in a small raft like that." That was a shock. Nonetheless I was still thankful for the ride.

"Right so, I'm taking you to a clan—no pack, no tribe—whatever it is you creatures are called that I know of. It's East, no North of where we are now."

"Okay. That is a very thoughtful thing for you to do sir."
He nodded and looked out of a small circular window. He looked around for a couple of minutes before looking back at me and saying "Are you the young lady we picked up?" When I confirmed this he began the previous conversation over again.

"Penelope! When did you get here?" He exclaimed as I was walking out the door.

"Sir, I'm not Penelope. I'm Zoe Myrtle. I'm not sure who that is but it's not me."

"My apologies. My mind is strange sometimes." I shut the door behind me after saying goodbye.

"Miss, we're at the destination that's been identifies as where you get dropped off." The say boy who walked me to the captain's office explained giving me a fright.

He took my hand once again and led me off of the ship after I said goodbye to the crew who pulled me out of the water.

"Listen lady. Its windy out there. So take this." He pulled a dark maroon almost burgundy cloak from behind his back.

"No no. I can't accept this! What if gets windy out there on the water?"

"We can match." He said excitedly, pulling yet another cloak from behind his back. It was the same color, only smaller. "It was my mom's. You remind me of her and I think you should have it."

His small eyes were watery so I dropped to my knees and hugged him tightly. "Thank you. I'll keep it safe." I may be a vampire but I wasn't insensitive.

He waved bye and I set off in the direction of the tall stone tower peaking out of the trees. I pulled on the cloak that reached right above my ankles.

Before I could get past the first row of trees, I was pounced on. Heavy paws pushed me onto the damp soil. I looked up and was staring into the eyes of a night hound. It had a sandy brown coat and piercing red eyes. "Get off of me you dog!" I sternly commanded the hound. She snarled but backed off. "Lead me to your masters hound." She began walking towards the castle.

As I followed her I took in the smell of the forest and the smell of stone began getting stronger with each step. She stopped and sniffed at my hands. She pushed the door open with her muzzle and I hesitated by the door.

Sitting at the large oval table was my nemeses. A Witcher.

Oliver Sykes.

Notes