2. Abenwae

When Emmalyn arrived the night before, she immediately made her way to the tavern in the center of the village. She knew the owner knew her well and already set aside a private room for her. She paid the man with a few coins and a smile before he escorted her to the room and bid her goodnight.

Before she retired for the night, Emmalyn retrieved various wrapped parcels she had brought with her. Many of the women in town knew of her skill with a needle and requested special items from her. Since she had time to spare, Emmalyn didn’t mind doing them. It help that she would receive a few extra coins for the seeds she would need to make it through the upcoming year.

She set aside each package with a name. Only four this time, but it would be enough. By her calculations, she would be done before lunch and on her way back to the sanctuary of her home. The uneasy feeling that had plagued her since she woke remained. It crawled up her spine like an intrusive insect. The more she tried the crush it away, the more it remained.

The fireplace did little to chase the chill away, but it was better than nothing. Emmalyn curled herself up on the modest bed and pulled her cloak tight around her. She told herself that the sooner she fell asleep, the sooner the morning would come and she could go home. It was a fantastic fairytale that rarely worked.

When the dawn cracked across the sky, she was already awake. A restless night of sleep would be little help on the journey home, but a little sleep was better than none. As usual, there was a ceramic basin and pitcher of warm water waiting for her outside her door. A smile touched her lips. Timothy, the innkeeper, always looked out for her.

Emmalyn walked out of her room an hour later, freshened up and revitalized with her soft cotton gloves on her hands. Her stomach growled a bit and demanded her attention. Her hand moved to cover her stomach as she used the other to pull her pack onto her back. She was down the stairs and out the door with a small wave of her hand to the generous man behind the counter.

A quick stop at the tailor was all she needed to do. She delivered the packages and received her payment. A few more requests were made, and Emmalyn accepted them. They weren’t overly complicated, with a few new tunics and a coat.

The man who managed the shop next door had come to the village with the vegetables and seeds she needed. Emmalyn made her way to his stall and was delighted to see that he had everything she needed for the journey back home. By the time she left the market, she had more than enough food to eat for the journey home and a small bag of roasted chicken and hams to help her get through the next week.

Emmalyn walked out from under the awning and looked up at the sky. It was only late morning. She smiled as the sun warmed her face. As long as nothing happened, she would be home well before nightfall.

She turned away to make her way back to her home where she would stay bundled up for another week when she passed by a young child that had fallen on the ground. The poor little girl was crying, having scraped her hands on the rocky ground. Emmalyn looked around to make sure no one watched as she slipped off her gloves.

“Let me see your hands.” She said softly to soothe the crying girl.

The little girl was more than happy to show off her boo-boos, bringing a smile to Emmalyn’s face.

“It will be alright, I promise,” she said.

Emmalyn set her palm against the other girl’s. There was a soft warmth that came from where their hands touched. Emmalyn winced slightly and pulled her hand away. When she turned her hand over, the scraps that were on the little girl’s hands were now on hers. But even as she watched, they healed and disappeared. She flexed her hands before slipping her gloves back on. She smiled at the young girl that was staring at her.

“Run along now. You’ll be fine. This will be our little secret,” Emmalyn said as she urged the girl on her way.

She looked around again, though she missed some of the open stares that were locked on her. She picked up her packages and started on her way home again.

Traveling from Peratuth to Abenwae was never at the top of Farrel’s favorite things to do. He hated being confined in those high walls with the stench of the undead lingering around. More so, he hated not being able to slaughter each one of those foul, cold-hearted creatures. It was in his very blood to do just that. He was a hunter, born, bred, and trained to destroy their most hated enemies. To be forced to venture into the sanctuary every two weeks... It was torture.

Still, the supply wagons needed a strong guard, and he was the best. He would endure his suffering for the better of his people. He did his best to breathe as little as possible as the team of three wagons rode through the northern gates and through the streets to the marketplace at the southern end of town. Humans were lucky, their senses were weak. The lot of them would go mad having to inhale the reeking death and decay the vampires carried with them. But, he had to stay alert, not worry about his own problems.

He stood patiently, staying ready for the unlikely attack while his brethren hurried to load all the crates of goods onto the wagons. While he watched and waited, almost hoping that some fool vampire would try to assault them, he felt a warmth slice through the chill of the morning. His head turned, emerald eyes landing on the slight human woman with the little girl. Others were watching her. Not only humans as well. Several pale figures in the crowd were staring at the girl with open malice.

She was the healer and a fool at that. He had not planned to come hunting for her for another week. Now it seemed there would be no waiting. He watched, rigid throughout his muscles, as the girl moved closer. The pale figures moved with her, keeping their distance. She came near him and they continued to come, seemingly oblivious to him and his brothers. The closer they got, the tenser he became, and a flush went rushing through his tanned skin, barely covered by a worn vest and trousers. Clearly, his kind was oblivious to the cold.

Another few steps, and the girl was within reach. He growled low; a deep menacing noise that stopped her two stalkers in their tracks.