Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 28

 

28.

When one is to travel to the place, the journey will take longer than expected. It was not the distance, but the anxiety to reach there made the journey appear longer. Spielberg leaned forth on the carriage seat; he had taken to the rein of the horses, for the journey was to be only himself and the Общий.

The journey was to take across the channel, and from there the long rides past the forest and villages, hoping to climb the hills and wade the rivers where the bridges may not be there. That was the ride they were used to in the military, but after having retired, the journey was made more arduous by the effort on the riders. The Общий took his turn at the reins, but most times, it was Spielsdorf. Their rest stops were at the churches or the welcoming tavern for the drink and the soft bedding, but there were stretches of just a campfire by the path.

“We are finally here.” Spielsdorf called the Общий while he pushed the horse for the last rise to reach the mansion of one named Carmilla Karnstein.

“Bloody long time we took.” The Общий cursed in the adapted national expression. “In my better days, I could have reached here in half the time.”

“We were younger then, Общий. Much stronger and …….”

“Spielsdorf, we lived on the saddle and slept many nights on it.” Общий stepped up to the seating space on the front. “My bones ache more from the sitting than the riding.”

“Once we are over the rise, we are there.” Spielberg repeated himself. He looked to the gun belt with the revolver in the holster. His revolver was loaded with the standard ammo, while the silver ones were in the case beneath the seat.

“You reckoned she will be there.” Общий held onto his carbine, the rifle of his choice for the lancers the 1811 Kavalleriebüchse (Prussia). Also known as the 1811 Prussian Cavalry Rifle, this was almost a complete makeover which feature a new lock and hardware. It had a 17” octagonal barrel firing .60 calibre bullet. , but was changed to a round barrel in 1823.

“I would not know. The last time we were here was when we met the Count.”

“Dracula. The one who was said to be immortal. He fed on blood.” It was the early signs of dementia. He was getting forgetful or could recall only certain events of the past.

“Yes, that one. We were here when he battled with the countess.” Spielberg reminded the other of the event. “He gave you that jewel to hold.”

Spielberg recalled the words spoken that day; behold the final piece of the essence to the countess. She may need that to resurrect once more. When she does, she will kill all of you and for myself, be damned to a pit of flame. I will not die but will burn there forever. Such is the fury of a woman scorned.

“Spielsdorf, have you ever felt the fury of the woman?”

“I am unsure. The only woman who ever wanted to skin me alive was my mother. I was caught peeking at my neighbour.” Spielberg laughed. He saw the serious expression of the Общий. “Yes, many times. They are vicious.”

“Did you notice the missing birds and animals?’ The Общий shifted the subject. “I do not hear their sounds.”

“Maybe it is the migratory season.” Spielberg looked to the skies. It was clear up there.

“We shall stay vigilant.” Spielberg was told that. He had foreseen that but remained silent. There were fewer farms seen there since they arrived at the area. They rode on and soon came over the rise. The sight of the mansion was seen from there: a huge double-level building that stretched long and, by the looks, was unkempt. He saw the untidy ground area, and there was the broken fountain outside, which he recalled having watered the horses at then. There were the bones seen there; human bones by the appearance, as there were two skulls there.

“Shall we walk up?” Spielberg reined the horse and reached for the silver bullets. He unloaded the bullets and replaced them with the silver ones. Общий had dismounted and held the cane in his right. His gun belt was with the revolver. They took the walk past the broken fountain and approached the main door to the mansion. It remained shut but could be opened with a slight push by the men. Both men walked in and approached the dining hall. Everything was as before: the dishes and cutlery, but not the food. The hall was strewn with broken mirrors then.

“Obviously, someone does not like their own appearance.” Общий looked at the table.

Suddenly, both the men were surprised by the presence of several ladies dressed in dark shades. Their faces were covered by the hoodie, and each of the six ladies, counted then by the men, held a different item in their hands. One of them held the wand, the cauldron, a chalice, and the straight and curved dagger, and the last held the broom.

“Witches!” Spielberg called out.

“If we are, and we are, then you must know of us.” The six witches spoke in unison. They then stared at the Общий. “You hold the essence of the coven’s priestess. Surrender it and let us decide your fate.”

“Never in my life.” Общий called out. “Call forth your priestess to see me.”

“The mortal cannot demand its way in the coven. We hold the decision in the coven.” The words synced across the hall. “We are the coven, and speak we shall.”

“I will kill all of you.” The Общий roared out and levelled his revolver at the ladies. “I hold six bullets here. One for each of you.”

“Kill or be killed. That is what you stood for. You did more of the killing than the ones you killed.” The ladies sounded out. “Your sins are your sons’ now. They will die for the sins.”

“Die, you witches!” The Общий opened fire at the ladies. He saw the bullet hit the ladies, but they still stood there unmoving.

“The action of the man speaks of his intention. You came here to kill. We shall oblige you.” The ladies spoke once more in unison. “We will……”

“Hold your action, witches. I command all of you.” The voice was heard, and the lady appeared. She was dressed in the same dark shades and covered her face with the hoodie. She stepped up to the front of the ladies.

“Общий, your bullets are ineffective against us. We harbour no harm towards you. Please return the blood to us. Your life will be spared. Our sons’ lives will be spared.”

“William is dead. Tell me, how can you bring him back?” The Общий roared once more. He is a military man, and action speaks louder than his voice, most times. He was heartbroken inside on the death of his son.

“Your cane for his resurrection.” The witches echoed.

“How can I ever trust you?” The older man cried out.

“Trust is a deed that you can only hold on to for now.”

“Общий, we cannot do this. They are not……” Spielberg held onto the other’s arm. “William is dead.”

“He is not your son. He is mine.” The older man shrugged off the hold. “Show me your faces.”

“Why, Общий? So, you can find and kill us? We do not fear you, Общий. You are a mortal while we are … immortal.” The witches roared out in laughter. “Sisters, he wants to see us. Shall we reveal?”

The six witches pulled their hoodies down. They had the same facial expression. It was the face of the countess.

“You!” Spielberg's anger was seen. The countess was seen as if she had not aged a day since they last met.

“Do not get excited, Sir. I am an immortal.” The countess smiled. Or rather the countesses. “Do we have an exchange?”

“Over my dead body!” The voice resonated in the hall. The figure floated to the floor.

“Vlad. Why am I not surprised to see you?” The witches smiled. “How long were you here?”

“Long enough after a bat told me you have returned.” The one called Vlad stepped forth, dressed in the dark suit and covered by the darker overcoat. “Long have we not met.”

“And to you too, military stooges.” Vlad bowed to the two men.

“You are vile to suggest an exchange with them.” Vlad looked back at the witches. “I gave them the jewel, for I had foreseen that they would have a use for it.”

“That is my blood essence, Vlad. You stole it.”

“No, Countess. I did not. I merely loaned it to stop you from……betraying me, perhaps, or was it to return to my side?”

“Just give me back my son. I want him back.” The older man fell to his knees. “You can have your jewel.”

“No!” Spielberg grabbed the cane from the Общий. “Not till she tells me of Lissa’s death. Were you involved?”

“Общий…… So many of you are here today.” The witches with the countess looked at the two men. “All you men cared about was the rank. You want to be the leader of men.”

“You want to be the King of vampires.” The witches stared at Vlad. “Countess? King? Or a namesake like Общий? Ranks? They are all made by you. We are just sisters of the coven. No ranking among us. All equal.”

“Lies, Countess.” Another voice resonated in the hall.

Another voice had earlier resonated across the land.