Warriors Of The Vampire

Chapter Four: Prisoners Of The Castle


The carriage pulled up in front of the large towering castle. The clouds in the dark skies were so thick, that you couldn't see above the third story. But the castle itself was over fifty stories high. The moon that tried to break free from the clouds, shined a block of light down upon the place. It smelled of death, and gravely looked it.

The stone grey walls, still sturdy and firm. Just as every bar on the windows of the first story, no rust, no dirt. Just steel, and hard metals. It looked as though it were thousands of years old, and probably was.

The Creatures dragged the eleven prisoners out from the carriage, as they stared up at the castle each of them was haunted by an overwhelming presence of fear. It was both cold and terrifying as many of them knew they would meet they're fate behind these heavy walls.

In a deep commanding voice Robert ordered the Creatures onward, making sure that the virgin sacrifices were taken care of and un harmed. As they were taken inside, the four Vampires followed shortly after.

Robert stepped in the two large stone doors, and after him quickly followed, Bruce, Chris and Catharine. Once the doors were shut, and firmly locked behind them with a large stone lock, Robert took a look around. Proud of himself for almost completing his work.

The main room they stood in was as big as a normal house in itself. With very tall ceilings, chandeliers hanging over head, casting a sharp yet dim light over them. The floors were tan marble, and just in front of them was a long red carpet. Draped over the floor, leading all the way up to the stair case in the center of the room.

On their left side was a smaller room, with a pool. To their right, was a room with a fire place, and some large maroon chairs. Each room lit well with a dim faded light.

Behind the stair case, was a large thick steel door. Wrapped up in chains and locks, it led to the underground basement where the prisoners were to be taken. All except for the sacrifices, which were taken upstairs.

"They'll be ready for you soon Master." Said one of the Creatures, glaring up at him with it's black emotionless eyes.
Robert grinned evilly, "Good, you did as I told you and put them in the larger rooms upstairs?"
The monster replied, "Yes, and they're both separated and being changed now."
Placing his hands behind his back he said, "Wonderful, that will be all."
The Creature walked away as the four of them stood still for a moment.

Catharine broke the silence saying, "Do you think they'll find the castle?"
Robert answered her, "Yes, I know they will. Pitiful humans and their compassion. They will have to come and save the other poor souls, and when they do, we will have our slayer. I've worked to hard to come this close and lose it all. I will have my revenge."
Chris said, "Yes, you shall."
"I'm going up to the red room, send for me when they're ready." He spoke lightly, walking away.
Bruce called out, "Of course Robert."

Deep in the bowls of the under ground basement, the other nine prisoners were thrown into one large dirty cell and locked in. Most prisoners were often thrown in, in large groups. It was better for feeding if it was done that way.

The cell was covered in muck and dirt. It smelled musty and reeked of some unknown scent, that was disgusting. There was blood dried upon the walls, and old broken shackles dangling down the back wall. With no windows and only a small dim flickering light above their heads. The walls were made up of hard cold stone, with no escape they lie in wait, to die one by one.

Brad huddled off in a corner, curling up and shutting himself out of any conversation. His dark brown eyes full of fear, as he ran one hand through his brown hair with red over tones. Thoughts shot through his mind quickly and painfully about his death, an how horrible it could be. He began to sweat as he watched the others effortlessly pace back and forth.

Edward turned to Alison saying, "We must find away out of this death trap."
She replied, "Yeah, you think? But how are we supposed to do that?" She rose off the ground.
Hillary began to cry, Edward came to her, in the far corner of the cell. Wiping the tears away from her soft pale skin, brushing the blond hair from her face, he gazed deeply into her brown eyes.
"It's alright, we're gonna get out of here." He assured her with a weak smile.
"How?!" Asked Annelisa, pacing back and forth hurriedly.
Edward replied, "Well you could at least try."
Alison faced Annelisa, "He's right, we have to."
She responded again in doubt, "How, unless you can walk through walls we're screwed."

Another prisoner spoke up, "She's right, I mean how are we supposed to get out of this?" Adam said roughly.
Latila added, "What else are we doing. I'd rather die knowing I tried everything."
A woman walked over to Brad, placing her hands on his shaking shoulders, looking deeply into his eyes, "My name is Keira."
She waited patiently for his reply, "Brad, my names Brad." He said weakly, shaking.
"Don't lose hope, we have to fight now." She encouraged him.
He looked up at her, her dark almost black brown eyes warm and soothing. She tossed the dark blond hair from her shoulder, smiling again at him, "We'll find a way, don't worry."
It seemed like false hope, but she did put him at ease.

Nicholas stood out, walking in the center of the room, "Maybe when they open the door we can rush out?"
"There's a thought." Said Edward.
Adam added in disbelief, "What? Are you crazy? You'll just end up getting killed!"
Edward replied, "Fine then, you just sit here, like you are now. Unless you have something to contribute sit, and wait."
Adam's hazel eyes grew angry as he ran a hand through his black hair before backing off, for now it had shut him up.
Alison asked Nicholas, "Have you any other thoughts?" She spoke facing him.
He answered her, "I'm thinking. But I know I'm not ready to die like this."
Edward smiled, "That's the attitude we need!"

Keira leaned close Brad and said in almost a whisper, "Have you any ideas?"
He tried to hide his eyes which were now welling up with tears, she lifted his face with her finger until they were eye level with her's. He softly began to cry, tears streaming down his cheeks, as she looked upon him with sympathy.
"I...I don't wanna die." He mumbled shakingly.
She took her hand, wiping away the tears, trying to comfort him with a reassuring smile, "There there, don't cry. You don't have to, if you fight."
And he did, take comfort in her smile, and eyes. Brushing away his own tears, she said, "Can you help us?"
He just stared up at her, stretching out her hand to help him up. And though he was afraid, he took that hand, without saying a word. Though she knew now, he would try, and that was the best anyone right now could do.

Robert sat all alone, peering out the seventh story window of the red room. Beyond the clouds, he looked over the forest, waiting for the slayers and fighters to show up.

He turned, looking over the room. With it's crimson walls, and gold trim. Matching carpet and large bed planted in the middle of the room. With blood red satin sheets and throw pillows. Shaded underneath a canopy above it. He moved towards the dresser beside the bed, staring down at it. Four square doors, mahogany wood with gold handles.

His eyes shuffled over to his left, to the large painting hanging on the wall of a red sunrise. He looked back at the dresser again with heavy emotion. Wondering whether or not, he should open the first drawer.

Down stairs, to the right in the main room. Catharine, George and Camilla stared into the fire. Camilla stood closely to it, wishing she could feel the warmth, but only gaining a chill in return. George sat down in a large velvet maroon chair just off to the right a little ways. While Catharine stood, a strange little smile on her face, "You know, I was worried."
George leaned forward, "Worried? Why?"
She took a few steps forward, "You know how Robert gets around this time of year." She said.
Camilla added, "Yes, so emotional, full of anger and all this pain. He wont hardly leave the castle."
"You're right. I had forgotten in just two days, marks the anniversary." George said looking up at them.
Camilla spoke softly with her smooth Spanish accent, "This year he seems, some what....."
She was interrupted by Catharine, "Vengeful. He's waited a long time for this."
George smiled, "We're so close."
Camilla smiled devilishly, flipping her jet black hair aside, "No honey, we're there."

Upstairs in the red room, Robert sits at the edge of the bed. Playing with a necklace in his hand, a locket, with a 'C' engraved upon it. Fiddling with the silver chain, he slowly opens it. Gazing upon her pretty face, then closes it quickly. Clutching his eyes shut, tightly, trying to block out the pain, stuff it back down. As he recalls seeing her for the last time....

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Her eyes are near lifeless as he holds her close to his chest. Her arms, dangle to the side, she is no longer moving. Gazing down into her hazel eyes, she whimpers then smiles weakly up at him. Blood dripping from her open veins, she comes closer. Pulling herself nearer with what little strength she bears. Wrapping her arms around him, fear and despair quickly filling his eyes. Her mouth now to his ear, as she whisper into it....

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Robert shoots up from the bed, holding the necklace tightly, kicking the small square dresser in front of him. It's then he hears a knock on the door. In a panic, he rushes to the drawer beside the bed, safely tucking the necklace away once more.

He heads over to the door, opening it softly to find a Creature standing in his midst.
"Master, they're ready for you." It says to him.
Robert, still with a look of pain showing across his face replies, "Thank you. They're in the rooms I requested?"
The Creature answers, "Of course."
"Alright, you may go." He says, dismissing the monster, closing the door to be alone once more.

With his back to the door, he stares blankly at the ceiling whispering under his breath, "I'll get them all....they'll pay." After he regains composer, he turns, opening the door again and stepping out. Ready to greet the two sacrifices, who will soon meet their demise in what will be to him, a greater purpose.

In the cell, the nine prisoners pace and think. Some of them unsure, most of them feeling fear. With very few, in mind of survival. Annelisa stood, flipping her long red hair aside moving towards Edward.
"This is ridiculous!" She shouted.
Edward urged her to be silent saying, "Listen to me, I told you, if you wanna die then just sit in the corner and wait!" In one powerful whisper, she angrily stomped away.

Latila stepped forward to Alison, "We can't stay here. My Brother, I saw he was taken here days ago. I'm sure he's down here."
Though she had hopeful eyes, and Alison didn't want to, she had to tell her what she though, "I'm sorry, but he's probably dead."
Tears filled her blue eyes as she brushed her light blond hair away from her face, "But how can you be sure?"
Edward, trying to have faith came to her, placing one hand on her shoulder, "What is your name miss?"
She smiled lightly, "Latila." She answered.
"Listen Latila, we're going to get out of this. When we do, we're going to get some help, and they'll come down here and search everywhere for him." Edward explained.
With a weak smile, she gazed happily into his eyes, wiping away a single tear, and then standing up against the wall, "There must be some way...to get out."

Brad paced hurriedly, thinking. He knew there had to be a way out, but wasn't sure how they could do it. The door was sealed shut, from the outside. Keira came to him, seeing the look of frustration in his eyes.
"There must be a way." He mumbled to himself.
She placed her hand on his arm, "Nothing yet?"
He looked up at her, "I'll think of something." He said, not in complete focus.

Nicholas said, "What about this ball and chain on the wall?"
Before anyone else could speak, Adam replied, "What about it, wanna chain yourself up and wait to die?"
Edward snapped back, "What like you!?"
Nicholas explained, "What if we bang around, you know. Make a lot of noise. Get some of those things to come in and..."
he was interrupted by Annelisa, "Ring the dinner bell you mean!"
Edward shouted, "Quiet! Go on Nicholas."
He continued, "Well, when they open the door, maybe we could try and get passed them?"

Alison, looked over at Edaward. Sitting in silence, Nicholas waited for their reply.
"Yes.....I believe that might just." Edward stopped in his sentence, looking over at Brad.
His ear was to the door, with a look of fear, yet hope in his eyes. He spun around to face the other eight people in the room with him.
"We wont even have to do that." Brad said.
Hillary asked, "Do what?"
Brad walked closer to everyone, "I over heard one of the Creatures. Some ceremony is about to begin, they're using us in this.....this...whatever it is. They'll be coming for us soon."
Alison added quickly, "I'm not about to find out what they want with us."
Edward chimed in, "Neither am I. Still, Nicholas idea is our best bet."

In anger Adam moved over their way, "So what? You just want to run at all of them? They'll kill you!"
Keira shouted, "Well whatever their going to do to us in this ceremony at least we'd be spared from." Her lovely English accent, unshaken.
Hillary asked, "Do you think we can do it?"
"We're going to try." Said Latila.
Edward responded, "I'm sure some of us will get away."
"And the others?" Hillary's eyes showing her fear and youth.
Annelisa spoke simply, "They'll die."
In anger Alison's eyes trailed to her, "Don't worry about it." She told Hillary.

Keira looked over at Edward, "How shall we make it passed them?"
"We'll need some kind of plan." Brad said.
Edward replied, "He's right. Doesn't have to be a big plan, just some order. Some way, maybe even to trick them."
"Perhaps we shouldn't go that far?" Said Hillary.
Brad added, "She's right. Whatever we do, just has to be simple."
Alison said, "Who here can fight?"

They began to talk and work over ideas, all accept for Annelisa and Adam. Who stayed as far away from the others as possible, and kept to themselves.

Meanwhile, high on the eighteenth story of the castle, Robert walked. He came to a large square wooden door, at the end of a long, straight hallway, with dark green carpet. The moonlight lit his path, through the windows covering almost every inch on the walls down that hall.

He took out the key in the left pocket of his dark blue suit coat and unlocked the door before slipping it back into his coat. Slowly he turned the knob, and opened the door, not making a single sound of warning for the young girl inside.

Robert slipped in quickly, unheard as he shut the door quietly behind him. He stared at her, sitting with her back to him on the bed. Staring forward.

She was looking straight ahead, watching the white sating curtains a ways away from her, blow past the open windows in front of the small balcony outside. With only the light of the moon, to shine in on her. She sat under the light green canopy on the bed, which shaded her more, resting on the comfortable matching silk sheets.

Robert walked across the soft dark blue carpet his footsteps so silently carrying him towards her. The room was very dark, and all that he could see were blueish rays from moonlight.

The wind blew passed her dark brown hair, as her matching eyes gazed off into nothing now. The white dress she was wearing danced freely in the air, as she waited. The dress came down to her ankles, backless, the straps wrapped around the back of her throat, and was open and V shaped in the front. The material was softer then silk, and very light weight. She was glowing.

He could smell her sweet skin, and feel the heat coming off her as he drifted, almost floated towards the bed where she sat. She still hadn't sensed his presence yet.

It wasn't until she felt the cold icy fingers of his, trickle over her shoulder, that she realized she was no longer alone. Sitting up quickly she spun around to face him. Back away towards the balcony. She still hadn't seen his face, it was hidden in the shadows. For now all she could see were his pale hands, and his legs, dangling off the bed.

She looked to her left, and when she turned back, he was gone. It was then she felt him from behind, take her in his arms. Causing her to gasp, he slipped his arms around her waste. Drawing her nearer to him, so he could feel her fear and trembling figure. He was so cold.

Soon he released her, which sent her running back to the bed, and all the sudden she heard a loud pop sound. Quickly facing her right, she saw a fire place which was now lit. She hadn't noticed it before in the darkness and while she was distracted he came upon her once more. Right in front of her.

When she saw him, she backed away, further onto the bed. She remembered him from before, and how much he'd frightened her. He watched as he took a couple steps closer. His heavy eyes never leaving her gaze. Wide eyed with a look of great distortion on her face, he finally stopped.

It pleased him greatly to see and smell the sweet intoxicating scent of her fear, and now he could hear the loud pounding of her heart beat.

"Do not be frightened." He smiled slightly, placing one hand firmly on the oak bed post.
She breathed heavily, and was surprised to feel slightly calmer by his deep husky voice.
"You must be Katlin?" he spoke softly, like a whisper on the wind.
She uttered shakingly, "Actually, people call me, Katie."
His dark eyes wondered up and down her dress as he replied, "Of course, I'm Robert." He swiftly moved closer taking her hand in his and kissing it gently. She felt her heart skip a beat, as his frozen lips pressed against her skin.

"W..why have..I been brought here?" She asked with a stutter.
Robert walked near the fire, with his back to her, "Do you really want to know?" He asked.
She slowly slid off the bed, taking a few tentative steps closer to him, until she stood beside him, "Yes." Katie replied.
"I haven't felt the warmth over a fire in centuries." He spoke with longing in his eyes.
Katie stared at him strangely before he turned to her, "You're here to serve for a much greater purpose."
"What is going to happen to me?" She asked, afraid.
Without batting an eye, he replied, "You're going to be used as a sacrifice, that is greater then yourself."

She could feel tears, stinging in her eyes, as he spoke those words. She was so afraid, "Please, I don't want to die." She pleaded to him. He looked deeply into her eyes, and then she fell before him upon the ground. This kind of anguish usually pleased him, but when he looked down over her, something seemed different...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A tear streamed down her cheek, as she gently brushed his face, "Please, I don't want to die. Make this go away." She wept. He held her tightly, standing perched on the edge of a tall balcony, several stories up. Gazing upon the full moon. Never had such a night, felt so different. Her arms around him, felt so safe and new as he ran his fingers through her light blond hair whispering, "Alright my love, alright."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Robert came to from his recollection, only to find Katie still weeping at his feet. Angry at himself to have such feelings and traces of regret, he lifted her off the ground. Looking into her eyes, one last time before turning away in disgust with himself. Then he stepped out of the room, locking the door behind him.

Before he could get a grip on himself and his emotions, he saw Nadia walking towards him. Her long red dress and light brown hair blowing in the wind, as her light blue eyes smiled at him.

"The ceremony is being set up as we speak." She explained.
Robert, still a little on the edge, tried to smile saying, "Excellent, call on me if there is any trouble, and send someone to tell me when it is time." He walked passed her, "I'll be in roaming the grounds after I visit Chantal's room."
Nadia faced him. Able to see that something was amiss in his eyes, "Is something wrong?"
He stopped, "Nothing, please, see that Katie is prepared for the ritual later on. After that, you may leave her."
"Of course Robert." She said, watching him until he disappeared into the darkness.