Ill Fated

“Lord Hadrian has plagued out young women for four decades hunter! And you demand money up front!” The mayor glared and the seemingly young hunter before him. A tall dark, and devilishly handsome man who stood shadowed under his wide brimmed hat and cloak. The sun beat down over the ruins of a once proud manor as if mocking the seemingly futile attempt of humans to achieve greatness.

The people of the village were about as common and as forgettable as people could get in this merciless and distorted land. The distant hills themself looked as if the hands of the God’s had reached down and twisted them. The land was dead and nothing crew. Villages like this one depended entirely on trade with the few who braved the desert.

“Forgive us hunter,” spoke the mayors son placing a reassuring hand on his father’s shoulder to calm him. “But you ask for quiet an amount of money with no guarantee you can rid us of the menace and bring back our beloved Lady Keshna. I’m sure you can see our problem here.”

“You have my word I will do my job.” Spoke the hunter easily. No movement, no obvious nervousness. Everyone thought he was fool for taking up such a job. A man of his beauty could have obviously won him way into a fine ladies arms, and never again wanted for money. But here he stood before them undaunted by their telling of the fearsome vampire that oversaw the land without the peoples consent.

“I guess you are indeed our last chance, and that we have no choice.” Angrily he threw the money pouch at the hunter furiously. The major’s son aim had never been challenged but as the bad flew at the hunter’s face he caught it with an easy grace that left people silent.

Turning on his heel, the hunter mounted and left without a word more. There was nothing else to be said between himself and the villagers.

“They seem desperate to have this woman back.” Chuckled a muffled voice from his left hand.

“Be silent.”

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Keshna awoke alone on the river bank among the soft cushions Hadrian had laid out. Quickly she scrubbed herself clean and dressed hastily. With the sun up, and Hadrian not near to protect her she was at risk. If her life was taken by some foolish bandit the village would suffer. As long as she was alive and able to manage her estates affairs everything would be okay.

She smiled at the thought of how she fit into the great scheme of it all. Her mother had been devious and greedy. The only way to acquire the wealth she had was to have pawned her only daughter off to one of the Nobility. At first she’d hated and despised the man she now begged to share her bed with. As long as she performed well, and did her duty to please the lord everything had been okay.

But when the villagers had found out why she was sent away for months on end they had become angry. Burning her home, killing her mother, and taking away anything of value. They’d have killed her too, had Hadrian not come for her that night and taken her from them.

Looking up through the entangled branches of the trees she sighed with content. He’s never been able to take her to the woods before. They’d never had time, but now they had all the time the God’s had given her. She stretched and fell backward into the river screaming as a dark shadow came up out of the brushes.

“Who are you!? Name yourself!” The lone rider and strange cybernetic beast slowly rode out into view.

“Who are you?”

“A woman of the forest. I’ve lived here for generation. I use herbs in healing if you must know everything.” She spat the lie hoping he’d believe her. Now was not the time to be discovered by anyone who looked dangerous. He might have been sent out by a vampire to hunt down her beloved, or worse yet. He could be a hunter hired by the village.

He was far to pale to be an ordinary hunter, and his body was too beautiful to true. Her heart stopped for a moment in realization of what he was. Everything about him pointed to the fact he was obviously a half breed. But if that was true, would he really hunt down vampires? He was watching her silently and she dragged herself soaking wet from the river shivering.

D watched the woman curiously. Her lie was easy to see through, but there was no vampire anywhere to be seen or felt. “I’ll give you a ride back to your cottage, but your things will have to stay here until you can return for them.”

“No, I’ll be fine on my own thank you. Please just leave me in peace.” She fell to her knees breathing a little easier. He believe her, the elation that ran through her body was enough to leave her gasping for the breaths she’d forgotten to take while she had awaited his response.

One moment she was curled up on the ground, and the next she was being hauled to sit in front of him in the saddle. “I swear I’ll be fine.”

“But the people of your city will not.”

Sudden rage and anger flooded her veins as she turned upon him to the best of her ability with her nails. She flailed about wildly until he was force to release her, and them took to her feet running off into the bushes despite her dress being soaked. It didn’t take long until she was far enough in that he’d have to pursue on foot, and for her it was on foot that she could easily outrun him. Or at least that was her idea to make happen.

A/N: I really don’t understand how to post to get the spacing right on the first chapter so if someone wants to e-mail me at Tsukiko17@aol.com and explain to me exactly how to do it I’d very much appreciate it. It annoys me too that it doesn’t post all nice and neat. Plus, I’m doubly sorry it took so long to update. I’m in college and I wrote this in the library between classes so that’s why it so short. Thank you!