Centuries

The Meeting

In the distance was a wonderful castle. The pale off white stone glistened in the moon light. High above the full ivory moon shone. 'There will be hell to the west this night.' Our hero thought; the black hood of his cheap cloak was pulled over his head, shadowing the features of his face. A guard stood at the gate overlooking the creatures entering the capital of the Strauss kingdom. 

Once at the gate the guard let his spear fall, blocking the man's path. "Excuse me sir." The guard had a rather snotty tone. Our male looked at the demon guard, his bright red skin seemed darker in the night. "What's your purpose for entering the capital?" The guard questioned.

Icy blue eyes radiated under a hood. In a hoarse whisper the tall man spoke to the guard. "It's time."

With that the demon allowed him through with a curt nod, as he passed he whispered slyly. "We've been waiting for a long time, sir."

The man swiftly made his way through the capital. The cape of his cloak flowing behind him. Sticking to the alley ways he made his way through the market place. Shops, and vendors lined the streets. The sound of arguing people, animals being slaughtered, along with the normal hustle and bustle of the path could be heard in every direction. The male continued his journey searching for the items that were written on the small sheet of parchment in his hand. As he turned to the left as a flash of silver caught his eye. Side stepping to the right, he quickly dodged the item thrown his way. A large sickly green ogre roared in pain as a dagger was lodged into his arm. The slimy, wart covered creature ripped it out promptly, charging at our male. Leaping into the air he got high above the creature, holding his cloak to continue to hide his figure. Dumbfounded the ogre looked around, once he looked up all he saw was the bottom of our man's boot. Remaining silent as his foot connected with the ogre's face. A loud cracking was heard as a large tusk that protruded from the creatures mouth broke off, flying away from the ogre's face. With a rather absurd amount of drool. The people in the road had made a large circle surrounding the dueling duo. Most edging on the fight others shielding their children from it. The ogre fell in a raging mess. Groaning and growling, the male then turned his back and pushed his way through the crowd. There was no delay as he continued on his hunt for resources that was until the screaming of a woman caught his attention.

Quickly the blue eyed man ran towards the pleas. "Stop! I wasn't stealing! I can afford it! Let me go!" He could hear a woman profess. Coming to the site, it was a small jeweler's booth with necklaces and rings made of the most astonishing slivers and golds. The stones embedded within the items were marvelous, rubies, emeralds, and the one that the woman was fighting the shopkeeper for was an onyx stone, the color of it was darker than the night itself; held in a spiral casing of silver and hanging on a thin strip of leather. Looking carefully the woman dawned a red cloak, her hood pulled over her face as though she didn't want to be noticed. Her golden eyes shone brightly as the features of her face were blocked out by the shadow of her hood. The shopkeeper was a portly little troll. His face could blind anyone with the hideous rage it shone. A small crowd had gathered at the sight.

"Listen here brat," The shopkeeper spat "I know what I saw, and I saw you slipping the necklace up your sleeve!"

"But I didn't! Look! It's right there in the case where I found it!" She protested.

The shopkeeper wasn't buying it, even as he and everyone could plainly see it. Including our hero. "You know what we do to thieves don't you?" The stout troll's voice rasped. The girl's eyes seemed to widen with fear as two men came over holding her in place. Bent over a counter, her left hand was forcefully outstretched as the shopkeeper reached for the hilt of his sword.

The woman now struggling to get free of her captors grasp, our male watched in contemplation to watch her, move on, or the worst of his three options. Save her, thus bringing more attention to himself. He watched in silence still, the woman it seemed as if she were trying to remove her hood. Though, no matter how hard the frail female tried it seemed as the silk fabric was not going to budge. Now with his sword raised the ugly little troll spoke once again. "Any last requests before you lose your hand?" He asked seeming to have a little mercy for the poor woman.

"Yes. Remove my hood." The tone in her voice was commanding, and sharp. The troll nodded to one of the men, whom answered her request and slid her hood off a little, just enough for the pale candle light to illuminate her face. Gasps came from the crowd in the shop, even a small one left our man's throat. The woman's face now revealed, her milky pale skin had just the look of softness, narrow chinned, her cheek bones making a soft statement as she looked around, her bouncy red hair was flattened as only her bangs were allowed free from the cloak. Our hero felt his heart almost stop. 'What the hell is going on with me?' He thought confused. The shopkeeper was awfully baffled he quickly made his men release her, and all the crowd bowed. Well almost all of it. Our man continued to stand and stare at the woman.

The shopkeeper finally spoke "On your mother's grave, Princess I had no idea it was you. Please take the necklace and anything else you want as an offering to keep this between us." He tried to bribe with her. 'Is that really her? Princesses Kathryn Strauss....Daughter to this kingdoms horrible ruler...Luthor...' Our hero looked at the sight of pure beauty before him. Wondering how in the world anyone looking like her could be related to that bastard of a vampire king.

A sigh of relief left the young looking vampire. 'By the moons graces, that was close...' She thought silently to herself. Kathryn looked around the crowd seeing that only one person stood before her. She took the necklace, dropping a few golden coins in its place. The rather short female walked up to our hero, whom was still standing in place despite what all the other subjects told him to do. The vampire had a soft smile on her face, speaking directly to him. "Excuse me, but could I interest you in a few coins for you to escort me back to the castle?" The princess' voice was soft and innocent.

'Did she seriously just ask me that?' Our hero thought completely bewildered. Clearing his throat, our hero spoke, his voice was deep, and masculine. The vibe he gave off made most people look away, or not even speak to him. "Ahm. How about you purchase these items for me, and we have a deal?" He responded with the slightest of bows. The princess looked at him slightly curious, she nodded softly and accepted the list he handed to her.

Looking it over Kathryn nodded a few times before motioning for him to follow her. Still reading the list she didn't once stop by any of the little shops in the market. "I won't have to purchase a thing, we have everything you need at the castle." She spoke with a friendly smile, "I only ask one thing. Why do you need all this?"

Our hero pondered on answering her question, with the slightest of smirks he responded. "I'm going on a long trip with a couple fellows." He innocently lied to her. 'If she knew the truth she'd have me inprisoned for sure.' He thought with little concern for what would happen to her.

Kathryn simply sighed in response. "Where are you headed to, sir?" She continued to question.

"Nowhere of your concern princess." He responded rather sharply, as he walked behind the girl he would begin to wonder what got her to the small shop in the market. And more importantly why was she hiding her face?