The Innocence of Teacups

With a murmur he half woke up with his face stuck to a pillow. Urrh must have drooled in his sleep. Demons were disgusting. Pillow! His eyes snapped fully open. From what he could make out he lay in a four poster bed with a couple of blankets over the top of him. Some candles flickered on a bedside table where there were quite a few bowls, and a mountain of used damp cloths. He worked a hand onto his face and gave his hair a tug. It didn’t fall out in clumps. Whoa he had a hand instead of a claw-paw.

Human?

There’d been pain while he withered on that altar trying to maintain his mind. Alaric had been there reciting his chanting thing.

Human.

“Finally you’ve woken at long last.” Alaric stood in the bedroom doorway grinning at him.

Forget Pek if there were such things as gods he was in one’s presence that very moment. “At the altar you... thank you.”

Alaric merged into the room. “Whatever for?”

“Changing me back.”

“As much as I’d love to take credit for a miracle I cannot. All I did was give you a means. You returned to your true form all by yourself.”

Taking blankets with him he sat up.

“Hey you might be a strong minded remarkable force of nature but do take things slowly. You’ve been with fever for two days. Only this morning I found your mind matching your temperature.”

“Have I been sleeping for two days?”

“It is now evening. You’ve drifted in and out of consciousness for three days. How are you feeling?”

He tensed muscles in his arms, testing them. “Sore in places and scared I’ll...” Turning demon again would kill him off. Doing so once made him all queasy when thinking over the whole shocking experience. Freyr made sure he changed. Those Horn Hunters cut off his horns, a giant of a demon almost slashed him to death, then changing human hurt worse than being forced demon. What a harrowing trip. The worst part was knowing demon had always been in his blood, it might still be riding his veins. “... I’m a monster.”

Alaric shook his head.

“I’m a demon-child. Parents tell their kids terror tales about freaks like me. How did demon even get inside me?”

“How demon got in your bloodstream is unimportant. What’s important is how you conduct yourself.” Alaric sat on the edge of his bed. “Remember when I told you I never drink blood? It’s true but that’s not to say I don’t crave human blood.”

“Are you telling me your kind do suck blood from people?” A week or so ago this admittance would have shocked him. After what he’d been through he wasn’t sure anything could shock him ever again.

“We try our best not to. I myself am a strict vegetarian. If I eat meat I get cravings for blood. I assure you my compulsion is under control however my natural instincts will always be to consume blood from your kind, there’s no escaping this fact. I am a vampyre. Undead. There is nothing more monstrous than that.”

“No you’re a god. You saved me and don’t say you only gave me a means because your means was my life line. Thank you.”

“Just did my job.”

“Then you’re wonderful at your job. The world I come from and Nocta Umbra would be bleaker places without you Prince Alaric, even if most are ignorant of your work.”

“You’re too kind.” Alaric busied himself hunting round in a wardrobe, where he rifled through trousers and silk shirts. “You have about the same build as my cousin, Baldomar, so when you’re feeling up to leaving your bed, feel free to wear whatever you fancy of his. He’s been real-dead one thousand years so won’t mind.”

Before thinking about getting dressed he could do with a wash. His fever had left him sticky with sweat. Holding the cloak around himself he shuffled to the edge of the bed, placed his feet on the floor. Please don’t let him collapse in a heap when he tried standing.

Inquisitive purple eyes watched his every movement. “Ready so soon?”

Not exactly seen as his eyes were still heavy and limbs remained sore. He nodded and with one hand held onto a bedpost to lever himself up while the other kept hold of the cloak. “Is there somewhere I can have a wash?”

“There’s a hot spring if you feel capable.”

“I’d like that.”

While Alaric chose some clothes out the wardrobe for him he went for a hobble round the room which had him bumping into walls and furniture. At one point he was almost on the floor but Alaric caught hold of him and helped him out the room into a spacious corridor. What high ceilings Vulfgang Heights had. It was very chilly out here. Heating this large castle must be a difficult task.

Alaric led him outside into a frosty night. Using the hot spring might not be a wise idea. He stood at the castle doors and looked down at a vast forest that spanned from the bottom of the hill as far as his eyes could see, lit up by two quarter moons. This was his own world. The Light World.

“Why don’t you live in Nocta Umbra?” he asked as Alaric helped him down the steps.

“I’m neither human nor a night creature. I’m kind of in-between. I came to be under the light of the moons so here is where I belong.”

On letting go of his arm Alaric gestured at the hot spring. “There’s a hatch you can lift within are towels, cloths, soaps. Enjoy.”

“I can’t see a hatch.”

“Oh yes I forgot human eyes don’t see too well in the dark.” Alaric placed the clothes onto a slab then pulled open a hatch, showing him where it was. “Should I run to the castle and fetch you some torches?”

“No thanks I’ll manage.”

At that Alaric left him to get clean.

Merging himself into the hot spring was bliss. Everyone ought to have access to a hot spring with warm steaming water. Getting out into cold night air would be a challenge. After admiring his view of what looked like an enchanted forest he got down to business cleaning himself. He scrubbed at his skin until it hurt, wanting to get rid of any trace of demon. Finding some stray fleck of rough skin would be enough to make him scream Vulfgang Heights to ruins.

All done he persuaded himself to get out the water. He scrabbled into those clothes left for him, hooked Alaric’s cloak over his arm, then tackled half a hill up to the castle. After only a few steps his body was shuddery and leg muscles heavy. He might have made it to the top if there’d been a handrail. Knowing there was a strong possibility he’d faint if he carried on he sat on a step and watched his hands shaking. Alaric came hurrying down to him, abandoning his aptitude for sneaking about and popping up all of a sudden.

“I thought I sensed you getting into some sort of difficulty. That happens a lot when I turn my sixth sense to you.” Alaric offered him an arm. “You must be famished. Some food might make you feel stronger. I’ll make dinner. While I’m doing that would you be a gent and sit with my dear deluded father?”

“Urm I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”

On stirring him into the castle Alaric gave one of his mischievous grins. “Your spectacular company might rouse some meaningful words out of him. All I usually get are grunts, gushes of air, and if I’m lucky an insult.”

Alaric pulled him along the cream rugged corridor to a closed double oak door, with a gazebo and two dancers carved onto it. He shook his head.

“Seen something peculiar?” Alaric gave the door a tap. “I call this the dream door. When someone in this castle has a clear dream this door captures a part of it. Last week it was of a female corpse with her blood flowing into a goblet. Your dream is a vast improvement on Father’s.”

“That’s amazing. How can a door show a dream?”

“Dark magic. Irma’s dreams used to brighten this door up, now I’m stuck with Father’s morbid scenes.” Alaric opened the dream door a crack and pointed at a vampyre with short black hair slumped in a high backed chair beside a roaring fire. At his feet were masses and masses of multi-coloured string. “King Aldegar Vulfgang has a compulsive disorder, or so I’ve come to the conclusion.” Alaric ushered him into the large lounge.

Aldegar was tying knots in that jumble of string. He stood on the spot not knowing where to look as Alaric dragged a chair over to the fire. Why did sitting with Aldegar feel like a terrible idea? He’d no clue what to say to a vampyre king who was suffering with madness due to the loss of his daughter.

“Father this is Eagle, the human I’ve been telling you about.” Alaric pushed him right over to Aldegar whose eyes were fixed on his lap where string lay waiting to be knotted up. “I thought you might like to talk to him. Do try to be polite; he’s been through a wicked ordeal and still feels unstable.”

Alaric patted the back of a chair. “Take a seat Eagle.”

“Are you positive this is a good idea?” he whispered as he half sat down.

“Sure. Now if he looks as though he’s going to pounce run. He’s not as spritely as he looks.” Alaric winked and left the room leaving him inside with Aldegar. Well he supposed if he’d managed to communicate without a voice to Freyr for fourteen years then making conversation with a voice to a vampyre king should be a doddle in comparison.

“Your son’s always full of energy isn’t he?” He placed his hands in his lap while waiting for a response which wasn’t going to come. Awkward. “Alaric’s been ever so good to me. I think he’s a fantastic protector of the night.”

Aldegar gave a grunt. Slim fingers worked fast, tying knots even though eyes strayed away from all the string, staring level with the fire.

“You’ve a charming home.” Still no response. What in the world was Aldegar thinking? He hoped it didn’t involve biting into his neck. “Urrm do you find knot tying relaxing?” Deep silence. He tapped his knee. “I like watching the night sky to relax or used to. Night skies scare me since yeah someone I thought cared betrayed me. All my life I’ve been way too trusting of my master because I thought he took me in out of kindness when in reality I was an inconvenience he needed to cling to.”

Tears wanted to build up but he managed to will them away. Crying in front of a vampyre king would never do. Best to talk away glazing eyes. “I hate what he did to me but don’t hate him even though I tell myself I ought to. Messed up in the head is what I am to still have feelings for someone who tried to turn me demon.”

Aldegar shifted in his seat and dropped a fully knotted piece of string onto the floor. “Naive slave of emotion.”

“Heh?”

“Stick the swine.”

“Sorry?”

Black eyes flashed onto him. “Inane child, wasting your short life dwelling on your master. Get rid then move on.”

“I don’t like killing.”

“Killed before have you?”

“Afraid so.”

“Your kind slaughter mine. Why would Alaric invite you here? Soft lad taking in human filth because it claims to be ill.”

He sat quiet, sinking into the back of his chair as Aldegar worked himself into a raging rant about how family members had been murdered by superstitious humans. Would probably do best to keep quiet. At least the vampyre remained seated.

“Father I haven’t seen you this lively in two hundred years,” said Alaric as he came in bearing a large tray of food. “Eagle you have a knack for making people feel at ease when in your company. I am grateful.”

“But he’s yelling to himself.”

“Best for him to let out what he’s got vented up.”

Alaric placed his large tray on the floor and gave a plate to his father who took it but kept up yelling. “Cheese salad again. Isn’t there anything else save for salad in this castle?”

“Venture into the woods and pick some fruits if you tire of salad.”

“You should do that instead of running round after night creatures. They only call you a night waster behind your back. That’s not even of the night.” Aldegar pointed at him.

“I keep telling you Eagle saved me from my nightly heart attacks. You would have been left alone if he hadn’t come along.”

“You’re a meddlesome child,” Aldegar said to him, “I want rid of my foolish son.”

“Ignore Father,” Alaric handed him a plate, “and enjoy your dinner. I hope you don’t mind there being no meat.”

“Having no meat is fine. Thank you.”

Cheese salad and a crusty bread roll slavered in butter was a feast. Alaric was even pouring red wine. “Doesn’t the colour remind you of blood?” he asked on accepting some wine.

Alaric clawed his hand round his goblet, smiling into the red liquid. “It’s healthy to pretend.”

Maybe. There was always a film of sinisterism round Alaric perhaps that was due to his playful nature. He felt he ought to have trust issues after what Freyr did but having Alaric save him he found he was able to fully trust this vampyre despite his sinister sense of humour.

Eating calmed Aldegar into silence which was a relief. For him though the more he ate the more alive his body felt which made his mind more active.

“I’ve sinned,” he almost whispered when his plate was empty. “Assassinating people was wrong. I’m a sinner.”

Alaric took a thoughtful sip of wine then shook his head. “Freyr groomed you into being an assassin; don’t you ever forget that. Eagle my friend the only sin you could commit would be to let Freyr get away with what he put you through.”

“You think?”

“I know. You can choose to leave the life of an assassin behind. You’re only seventeen and have discovered Freyr’s a nasty piece of work. If you want I could hurt him for you.”

“No! – I mean if he’s going to hurt then I want to hurt him myself.”

“See that you do. Like I said it’d be a sin to let him get away with trying to turn his trusting child demon. Don’t sin Eagle.”

Alaric must have sensed he was feeling uncomfortable because the subject was dropped and more wine poured.

The next evening Alaric took him on a tour of the castle. They finished their tour in a magnificent ballroom with a polished wooden floor. Balcony doors were wide open letting in dazzling moonlight which shone onto a magnificent crystal chandelier. This ballroom must have been full of dancing vampyres once upon a time. It was rather sad to see the room so empty with a lone violin propped up in a corner and organ stood dusty. Despite this sad pull on the heart he managed a smile when Alaric swept by him dancing with an imaginary partner while humming a tune from long ago.

Flames burst to life on the chandelier startling him. Alaric grinned away as he kept up swirling round the dance floor. He tilted his head watching a hundred candles flickering. Even more astonishing was when the organ played away all by itself sounding out the tune which Alaric had been humming.

“You should have seen the costumes my people wore to mother’s spectacular soirées,” Alaric said loudly over the thunder of the organ as he swirled round him. “Do you dance?”

He remembered the last time he’d almost took to dancing at Lady Lev’s party and shook his head.

“Shame. If you ever find you need to learn then I would be a willing teacher.”

“Alaric!” came a screech from what seemed far away thanks to all the music.

Alaric clapped his hands in joy. “Father has left the lounge! Eagle you have truly breathed life into Vulfgang Heights.”

“But I haven’t done anything.”

“You’re visiting and in doing so gave that dream door a joyous scene giving father something new to think on. I see tendrils of life following you about.”

“Alaric!” Aldegar stumbled into the ballroom and scowled at his son. “Confound this racket. Be gone.” With a wave of an arm a huge purple gust of wind rushed round the ballroom, through the chandelier, extinguishing candles, then down the organ’s pipes forcing away music. “Don’t you dare start it up again.”

“You’re such a spoil sport,” said Alaric.

“Your brother would never have used magic for such futile activities.” Aldegar shuffled out the room and grumbled away to himself. “Where’s my string?”

Alaric snickered as they went out onto the balcony to get some air.

Another clear night. He crossed his arms on a thick stone barrier going round the long balcony. He wondered how long his stay at Vulfgang Heights would last. As charming and safe as this castle felt he could not stay here forever. What was he even going to do with his life? There was always the possibility of joining up with a troupe, being an acrobat.

“Dark magic do you fear it?”

“It has evil connotations connected to it,” he admitted.

“Because ghastly people tend to choose dark magic over light magic. Was my music evil?”

“It was beautiful.”

“And the candles?”

“They made for a dramatic atmosphere.”

Alaric smiled showing off his canines. “I have summoned phantoms there are some quite decent ones about. Nasty ones too. You have to be careful who you call upon. Not everyone has the capacity to grasp dark magic. Unlike light magic when it goes wrong there can be fatal consequences. You have to be intelligent and possess a certain something.”

With velvet purple eyes Alaric gazed right into his own eyes as though searching for what was in his soul. He managed to hold Alaric’s gaze despite feeling exposed.

“If you would like I think I could try teaching you dark magic.”

He gave a weak laugh. “Don’t you think I get into enough trouble without adding magic to me?”

“Think about it friend. It’s been a long time since I have been able to share my secrets with anyone. I ought to pass on my dark knowledge to someone in case anything should ever happen to me. Would be a waste for all I’ve learnt to die with me without at least one friend in this century knowing of it.”

This vampyre must be feeling very lonely if he wanted to teach him a mere mortal dark magic. He patted Alaric’s arm. “I’ll think about it.”

“Of course. You must still be feeling out of sorts so shouldn’t make life changing decisions when not totally in your normal frame of mind.”

Learning dark magic was something he was almost sure he would not take up but hadn’t the heart to tell Alaric just yet. Instead he said, “even if I choose not to take up your offer we can still meet up some nights for a chat.”

“I would be offended if we didn’t. Now how about we pick some apples for his highness?”

Before there was chance to reply, Alaric clawed a hand round his arm and jumped from the balcony. Air whooshed straight through and all around him. There was no time to scream because they thumped to the floor split seconds after leaving the balcony. If he’d attempted such a jump by himself the consequences would most likely have been a broken back. Alaric laughed at his shocked windswept expression on dashing down the hill towards the forest. He took in a deep breath to compose himself before following. Hopefully Alaric wouldn’t play too many tricks on him in the forest but wouldn’t count on it.