Rewrite - Different Paths, Different People -Ch 32

There were many rocks at the bottom. The fall was grand and the force in which my body met those rocks was fierce. The cracks I heard from several bones sounded louder in the water. I couldn’t breathe at first, the pain too much. Then darkness, nothing…
Was it death?
Several minutes passed. The sun was rising when I opened my eyes. No, I was alive. I wanted to look around but I was both too tired and too cold to do so. I lay on the banks of the river. How far was I from the waterfall? I couldn’t hear it…I had to be far. My foot was submerged in the water. How did I get here? Better yet, how did I survive the cold?
I tried to roll onto my back, but my wrist protested. Shit, I thought, what bones did I break? I couldn’t possibly forget that loud crack from the fall. When I tried again, I heard something shift nearby. I looked up, tense. Who was it? Was it a bear? A vampaneze?
It was…a wolf! Three, actually.
Ah, I realized, they must have pulled me out of the water. I nearly whimpered from the sudden warmth they provided when they laid around me. I pulled my foot from the water though I couldn’t feel my toes. I needed to get out of my wet clothes…I…
I passed out again.
When I woke again, it was almost dark. I was surprised to find that my clothes were just shy of damp. I carefully sat up and groaned. From first feel, it seemed that my shoulder was dislocated, my wrist and foot were broken, my other foot still numb, and my back protested greatly. I must have hit a rock, I thought, and wondered what the bruises around my back and stomach would look like.
But I was alive!
I had to get to Vampire Mountain…which I couldn’t see from this position. I had to…I couldn’t even stand. Could I crawl? With one hand…but I might freeze to death before then. Oh, the thought of dragging myself made my back ache. I must have struck my head too, everything was so fuzzy.
The wolves were back…warmth…rest.
~
I had no idea how many days passed before I was finally strong and able enough to move about. The wolves stayed with me the entire time though. I glanced at my stomach and saw the dark bruises had lightened. My foot was still cold, but I didn’t see any need to cut off a toe or anything like Gavner had done. My ankle had rested enough to be used on and off. It would swell easily though. My wrist was the same. My head didn’t hurt as much anymore.
At one point, I thought I heard Mr. Crepsley, Arra, and Kurda. I had tried to follow the voices, but by the time I did, they were gone. It reminded me though that I still had a job to do. If I were luckier than before, I would be able to make it in time. And, I realized with a start, following their voices had led me in sight of the Mountain.
With the help of my friends, we traveled. We had to stop many times given my feet, but we pressed on. By nightfall, we hid and rested. By morning, we finished the last stretch. I prayed to whatever god there might be that all was well – for now.
I slipped in through one of the tunnels. I had to guess where to go, my memory shot from before. I wondered where this one would lead me. I looked for familiar parts, but saw none. I’m not sure how long I was traveling through those damn tunnels, fighting off the panic and glimpses of claustrophobia. The more I roamed, the more I was sure I would be too late. My ankle was swollen, black, and blue…but I pressed on. Just a bit further…
I was worn out. From the journey, from the past few days, from the injuries, from the lack of proper blood…was this ever going to end? I had just taken a left when I heard a noise. It was a grunt. I tensed and carefully walked forward, focusing so much on the sound that I failed to notice the smell. It was faint.
The further I walked, the stronger the smell hit me.
Blood.
I felt sick. I froze from the unexpected scent. It lasted a moment before I moved quicker than before, pain be damned. I ran forward with the sound of my own heart racing in my ears. Blood…it smelt familiar…who lost blood? Why hadn’t I heard anything until now? What…
I saw a body when I turned into a small section, a mini-cave of sorts. Before I even stepped forward, I recognized the scent. “Arra?!” I gasped out, forgetting that there might be enemies nearby still. I pushed myself from the would-be door frame and darted forward, falling onto my knees when I got close to the body. “Arra, can you hear me?!” I crawled forward, shuddering when I found myself in a pool of her blood. “Arra, please…what…”
The groan I heard earlier came from her. Where was the one who cut into her like this? I thought frantically as I studied the wound. If I had heard her be struck down minutes ago, didn’t that mean the person would still be here? Before I could look around, she grabbed my wrist.
I jumped and looked at her. “Am I…going to die?” The question made tears spring from my eyes. “Am I?!”
“I-I don’t…I don’t know! Maybe?” She was nearly split in half, how did this happen?! “Was it the vampaneze?” I trembled. “What’s happening? Arra? Arra, please, don’t…”
“Sam…it’s you.” She seemed to just recognize me after my questions. “You’ve…returned.” How long was I gone? I wish I could tell her the story, but I saw no point in it now. “Vampaneze…snuck in…how…”
I swallowed thickly. “I’ll go get help, where are th….”
“No.” Her grip became surprisingly tighter to keep me from standing. “Chaos…everyone is…either fighting or…dead.” She grimaced and cursed. “The Princes…everyone except Kurda…is dead.”
The room spun. Dead? The Princes, Mika, Paris, and Arrow…dead?! I was…too late? She must be mistaken. I looked down at her, unsure of what I was going to say, when our eyes met. I trembled. “Arra, I…” Tears choked me.
“Protect…the Prince. Protect…the clan.” Arra gave me a weak smile. “Protect…Larten…from himself.” Her grip slackened as she exhaled, a sigh of sorts.
I stared at her for another moment, waiting for her to inhale, waiting to hear more. She didn’t realize Kurda was responsible. Who did? Who didn’t? But I waited, hoped that she would say something. Anything. Blame me, ask me where I went, ask why I hadn’t stopped this, why my mate was the only Prince remaining…anything!
“Arra?!” I shouted, my throat burning. Had I thought all of that before or did I shout it all? “Arra, please…you…you can’t be…no!” I cried out, a few tears falling on her motionless body. Dead. She was dead. Gone.
I took a shakily breath. I needed to find someone, I needed to warn the others…I needed to try and save anyone else I could. “I’ll be back.” I swore in a whisper before forcing myself up. I winced when her hand fell to the floor. “I’ll be back…I swear…I’ll…I’ll bring…Larten.” I muttered. In a daze, I set off again. I had to be close to the main tunnels.
The Princes were dead…all except Kurda. That meant they would have to listen to him. Whatever he said would be law. So how did such fighting break out? It didn’t sound like Arra knew Kurda’s true colors. So how…?
I saw light ahead. The moment I exited the tunnel, I sighed in relief to see the space relatively free of blood. I had just taken one step when I felt a hand grab my collar! I turned to strike but was a second too late, seeing stars instead. I could feel my hands and feet being tied by another person. I was quickly gagged and blanched at the taste of the filthy cloth. When I was finally able to see again, I realized my captor was a young vampire. He was Kurda’s assistant…Cyrus, was it?
He looked at his partner, another young vampire I never learned the name of, and lifted me once they muttered something about my appearance. Ah, I thought, my ankle. Small miracles, I thought. With that, they headed towards what I assumed to be was the Hall of Princes…Prince.
No, I realized with a shiver of cold hope. There is another Prince. Vancha! He stayed away from the Mountain just in case something like this happened! What did that mean though? Would he be able to make it here in time? What…
The scent of blood assaulted my nose once more, interrupting any thoughts I had. I looked up from being slung over Cyrus’ shoulder. I saw bodies, both purple and not. I closed my eyes, unwilling to see how many more of my friends had been struck down. For the most part, however, it was silent. Where were the others?
We entered the Hall of Princes – without any guard checks. Kurda had to be in here. My heart fluttered despite it all.
Kurda…
Try as I may, I couldn’t help but feel my heart pound at the idea of seeing Kurda again. I wanted to…I needed to. I was relieved and excited to. Our last meeting had ended…in a manner that was pained. Despite my hope, despite what was happening, I still wanted to see him. He was my mate, after all…he had my heart.
A thought struck me harder than anything I had suffered recently. Was…was this all a set up as well? Did Kurda use me? Or did I own his heart as well? Was it all a lie? I felt numb. Thankfully I was being carried or I would have collapsed there.
So deep in horrific worries was I that I failed to notice something. A noise caught my attention…it sounded like my name…it sounded like Gavner. I opened my eyes and looked to my left, spotting the vampire on one of the many benches. He was bloody and bruised, he looked like he was missing a finger…but he was alive!
That was when I realized there were many, many eyes on me. Vampires and vampaneze. The vampaneze stood against the walls. The vampires were seated reluctantly on the benches. There was a smaller amount than the first time I had been here during the council meeting, but they were there. Why? Why were they all seated? And where was…
I heard movement down the way. I looked and nearly cried in relief. Mr. Crepsley had stood, his eyes wide on me. Thank the gods, I thought, going weak once more. He was safe. He was alive.
How long was I gone? He must be relieved to see me alive even if I were injured. I must have worried him. And…I realized with horror as I caught sight of the blood on my bound hands. Arra’s blood! He must have caught her scent on me…he…oh gods. He didn’t know. I closed my eyes to will away any tears. I needed to be strong but damn it all, this was just one hit after another.
I’d rather be flung down the waterfall than deal with this.
Cyrus stopped at the steps. He gave a short bow, awkward with my body over his shoulders. Then I heard him. “Take her to my room.” It was soft, too soft to recognize the emotions behind it, but it was unmistaken.
Kurda.
When Cyrus nodded and turned, about to leave, I looked up. Prince Kurda Smahlt stood before his chair. Our eyes met and I wanted to fight, to scream, to kick and free myself somehow. I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t…I didn’t…
I couldn’t do anything.
I watched him shrink in the distance as we left the Hall. I didn’t even try to see who else was alive and injured. In fact, it wasn’t until we left the Hall did I realize the Stone of Blood wasn’t in its normal spot.
~
Within minutes, Cyrus brought me and left me in Kurda’s room. He stood outside, no doubt guarding. The scent of paper, ink, and dirt assaulted my nose. I didn’t dare look towards the fireplace where our ‘bed’ would be.
A thousand questions echoed in my mind. I was too numb, too deep in shock to try and get out of my restraints. The Princes were dead. Arra was dead. Vampaneze and several vampires were dead. Gavner was missing a limb and Crepsley looked fairly injured himself. Kurda…
I shut my eyes tight.
Wake up from this nightmare…wake up…this can’t be real…this isn’t right…I’m not supposed to be here…
A noise off to the side alerted me that I wasn’t alone. I looked up and saw a flash of blond. “Samantha!” If I had felt any resentment or fury at Kurda, it left me at his voice. His voice sounded like a musical chime, the relief and tearful joy evident in just one word. It pushed me further into my disbelief of reality.
He knelt before me and took away the gag. He started to work on my ropes while I spoke, “Kurda! What’s happened?”
Instead of answering right away, Kurda tossed aside the last bit of rope from my knee and tsked. “Your foot…what happened to you? You survived the fall!” He didn’t hug or hold me, but he grasped my shoulders as if to assure himself that I was real.
I stared at him for a moment, only now faintly aware of the pain in my ankle. I would feel it much worse later, I knew. “I hit some rocks…my ankle is broken, I think my wrist might be too.” My bruises had, for the most part, lightened and were only sore now. I shook my head, the most recent event sinking in. “Why…why did you have Cyrus tie me up? Why did you have him bring me to the hall, before everyone, just to send me here?” Although I hated to admit it, the fire was starting to warm me – and the shock was slowly leaving. I wasn’t looking forward to that.
Kurda’s blue eyes met mine, dim though he offered a soft smile. “So no one would think you were working with me, as my partner and my mate. This way…when I’m gone, you’ll remain unscathed for loving me.”
“Gone?” I stared at him. “You’re leaving? After this mess you’ve made, you’re leaving us? Me?” This jolted me a bit more.
He smile became sad. “Yes…the vampaneze are even harder on traitors than the vampires are. Still, it is a sacrifice I am willing to make if we can bring peace to the two groups. If we can prevent a war…”
I recalled the tunnel, a memory that felt like ages ago. “The Lord of the Vampaneze…but he can still be blooded. We need to find him, kill him, or it’ll all be for naught.”
“Yes,” he admitted slowly, “and that is your task once I’m gone.”
I shook my head, my heart racing. “No, what are you talking about? Me? I can’t…”
“I’ve explained my actions to the remaining vampires. As Prince, they are bound to obey my orders. As a result, I remain in one piece. You, Larten, and no doubt a few others will find this person and ensure my sacrifice was not in vain.”
A moment passed between us. The shock had worn off completely now. Everything I had seen came back to me. “Kurda…Arra Sails is dead.” He looked genuinely upset. “And I saw corpses on the way here.” The next words tasted like ash in my mouth. “The Princes are dead. Aren’t they?” He closed his eyes though he didn’t remove his hands from my shoulders. “What happened?”
Kurda sighed heavily and for a second, he looked so…old. “It was not an easy choice to make, but it was necessary. After my investiture, the three Princes drank to my health. I poisoned their drinks. When they passed onto Paradise, I opened the Hall of Princes, brought in the vampaneze, and killed the guards.” He paused, unable to meet my gaze. “It was supposed to be just those causalities. The vampaneze were supposed to take the Stone and leave while the others were busy drinking, celebrating. You’ve been gone nearly a week, Samantha. Gavner and Seba forced Larten to join them in celebrating. Arra…Arra left the Hall early. She saw the vampaneze. She blew the whistle and…”
I was trembling as I listened. It all sounded like a story, not a true recalling of events. “By the time I came back out and gave the order to stand down…there were bodies on the floor. I had everyone come into the Hall, those who were still alive, and explained it all. I noticed Arra wasn’t there, I had Cyrus try to find her. She was fighting Glalda when they disappeared.” Pause. “I am greatly saddened by the news of her death.” He sighed. “I had just finished explaining, after several outbursts, when you appeared.” He gave me a fragile grin.
“I arrived too late.” Oh, to voice the words…I knew this would eat me away for the rest of my life. I stared at my lap for a long minute. The Stone was gone. People were dead. No doubt the other remaining Prince was on his way, but it would take a few nights to arrive. We still had to find the Lord of the Vampaneze and kill him. The Stone, maybe, bought us a few years. Maybe. But…
“I don’t…I don’t understand.” I struggled to whisper. “You planned all of this.” I felt sick. “You…you knew even before we met. And you still accepted me when I asked you to be my mate. I don’t understand. If you knew…you were going to do all of this, you…why?”
I was disgusted with myself for such a question. I knew I should be angry, I should end Kurda’s life right here, I should hate his guts as I spill them on the floor. I knew that I should be repulsed by his behavior and shy away. And yet…
To accept the deaths – without seeing the bodies, at least – in a tale was easy enough. On some level, I understood his logic in this plan. He had betrayed the clan, not me…and that was easier to grasp than…well.
What I had trouble understanding was…us. There was no mystery as to why he betrayed the clan and murdered his own kind. I would not be haunted by the question of his authenticity in his actions and beliefs. He had been plain and blunt in everything he had just done.
But us? His feelings for me? His reason for encouraging and allowing me to fall this hard for him?
Those questions would haunt me well into even death unless I found out now. Those were the things I could not understand. Those were the things that, damn it all, I needed to be answered like I needed blood to live.
And just like the many times before of such a vulnerable, if not strange, position…Kurda understood. Our eyes met and mirrored in understanding and pain. So much fragile strength he showed in this topic. He looked ready to break if he or I said the wrong thing. He understood why I asked.
He let his hands fall to his lap, prepared for what would be a rightful rejection. He knew the difference between my current behavior and the behavior I should have exhibited to the news of so much death in this mountain. There was no self-delusions.
“When I heard of the Lord of the Vampaneze…I knew I had to make a sacrifice. I knew I had to give everything up for the sake of the clan, including myself. I was prepared to do this.” Pause. “But then we met and I realized you had similar views like I did. We thought in similar ways. And the way you would look at me…the way you would talk to me, smile at me...for once, at least for a little while, I wanted to be selfish. I wanted to be selfish in your touch, in your kisses, in how you thought of me…I couldn’t stand the idea of hurting you only to keep you from this pain you no doubt feel now when my plan came to light. I was weak and selfish…even if it were just for a few days…knowing I will never find Paradise for what I’ve done…I wanted to find just a sliver of it here, with you.”
Kurda became blurry in my vision. Tears sat in my eyes, refusing to fall but demanding to exist. It hit me there just now that it wasn’t going to be the same. Nothing was ever going to be the same. Arra’s death, the Princes’ deaths, the fighting, the Stone, the betrayl…Kurda…it all became too real.
Everything had changed.
But just for one last time, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around this man. He wrapped his arms back around me, tight in relief to know I hadn’t turned away from him. And for a minute, we deluded ourselves into thinking that the world was just this, being in each other’s arms.