Into The Shadows, page 7
"Well, considering that you have very little to go on for what we could qualify as experience together, I suppose your accusation could be correct."
Hera smiled and diverted her eyes for a moment. She felt strange with him staring at her like that, smiling, being so polite, so sweet, and so completely unlike how she had imagined him to be. She bravely glanced over at him again.
"I wanted to thank you again for… for what you did for me last night. I thought for certain Dracula was going to kill me."
Velkan took a few steps toward her.
"I'm honestly surprised he didn't," he replied. "He never plays with his food. He's usually very quick and to the point, if you get my meaning."
She chuckled grimly.
"Unfortunately, I do," was her response and she made a face.
"You get used to it after a while."
"You mean I'll reach some sort of morbidity threshold when it comes to Dracula? I can't wait."
"It's not so bad."
"Yes, I suppose so. I mean living an entire lifetime with vampires always threatening your existence. You're in your, what? Late twenties?" she asked. Velkan sent her a curious look and she covered her mouth, realizing what she had said. "Oh gosh, forgive me for being so forward. I keep forgetting that things now and things back then, or rather things in my time and things here in the present are completely different."
The gypsy prince sent her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry about it, Hera. Actually, I like your forwardness. It's refreshing, and different from all the habitual respect and treatment Anna and I tend to receive. Tell me, are all women in your time as familiar with strangers as you appear to be?"
"No, there are some that are much more familiar than I."
"What are women like in your time?" he asked curiously as they fell into step with one another, wandering about the library together.
"Well, they're not at all like women of this time. Women in the future are, by comparison anyway, very outspoken, liberal minded, and, for the most part, very open when it comes to things like sexuality. They try to act like men a lot of the time, and most are incredibly self-reliant."
"You mean men and women are more like equals?" he clarified.
"Yes. Exactly – or at least, that's what we continue to strive for. We still have a long way to go, however – centuries of traditions and poor thinking habits to undo."
For the next hour or so Velkan would ask questions and Hera would answer them the best she could. They spoke over a hearty breakfast, which turned out to be far more delicious than she had anticipated, considering the rumors she had heard that most Romanian food during this time was bland; wasn't the case at all.
Velkan was fairly knowledgeable in the topics that would suit a prince cursed to fight an ancient evil, but outside of weaponry, the art of hunting, and the history of his country, Velkan wasn't the kind of conversationalist Hera had often found herself craving. She enjoyed talking with him, but their discussion never extended out of the topics he knew best, and though he was naturally curious about her time, he lacked the sufficient understanding of basic sciences and philosophy to really grasp or appreciate what Hera was saying.
He was never unkind or impatient when they spoke regarding subjects that were beyond his expertise, and though Hera could tell when Velkan had grown disinterested with any given topic, she appreciated that he at least tried to appear intrigued. But the fact remained – the only thing the Valerious family worried about or truly cared about was the war with Dracula.
Velkan found Hera's vast and seemingly endless knowledge of the world a bit unnerving, quickly realizing that what she shared with him was a mere scratch on the surface of just how intelligent and academic she was – something that was very odd to the prince, as most of the women he knew were ignorant and had little interest in things like history, politics, science, or the arts.
Truth be told, he soon found himself wondering how a woman of five-and-twenty could have so much information crammed into her head. She was a marvel, and the more he and Hera spoke, the more Velkan realized how crucial it was to keep this woman from Dracula.
Eventually, the two wound up in the armory during Hera's tour of the house. Velkan would show her a piece of weaponry and for the most part she could, on the spot, date how old it was, what it was made of and used for, and what nationality it came from.
"This one is Turkish, specifically Ottoman… late 15th century," Hera explained, running her fingers over the hilt of a beautifully crafted sword. "From the single edge and moderate curvature of the blade, the way the tip flares out, I'd say it's a kilij saber."
Velkan nodded.
"You're right again," he replied. "Tell me Hera, you're obviously very knowledgeable in the history of weaponry, but have you ever wielded a sword?" he asked, handing her the hilt.
"You mean can I duel? Ha! No, no, my father never allowed me to take up swordplay, although I've studied the art enough to have a general understanding of the technique," she explained, returning the weapon to him.
When he took the hilt, his fingers gently, although unintentionally, brushed against hers and he watched as the cool blade ran between her fingers.
"I'm afraid the extent of my knowledge derives from the strictly academic realm – the things you can find in books, like history, philosophy, the sciences, et cetera," she continued. "I can talk war and weapons until I'm blue in the face, but I lack the hands-on experience of a seasoned warrior."
Anna suddenly entered the room, intruding on the little moment between her brother and Hera, having heard, however, their entire conversation.
Eavesdropping and spying clearly ran in the family.
"That's rather discouraging," Anna interjected. "How do you expect to survive if you can't defend yourself?"
"Anna, for heaven's sake, let it go," Velkan pleaded, embarrassed by his sister's tactlessness. Then again… that was Anna. Could he expect anything less from her?
"I'm merely speaking the truth Velkan," she insisted. "Tell me Hera, when you come face to face with death again, as I'm sure you shall, how do you plan on getting yourself out of that predicament? How are you expecting to survive if you can't defend yourself?"
Hera shrugged as she began to examine one of the smaller guns on display while Anna took the Turkish blade out of Velkan's hand so she could put it away.
"Psychology has always worked for me," Hera shrugged, smiling over at Velkan. "I can usually talk myself out of anything and everything."
Anna rolled her eyes.
"You'll soon learn that here in Transylvania, it takes skill to survive. Brains are only good for strategies to destroy an opponent. That's it."
Hera, although calm on the surface, was growing weary of Anna's belligerence. She never imagined the gypsy princess to be so inconsiderate and rude. Suspicious and untrusting, sure, but not so confrontational. Apparently, she had been wrong in that assumption.
"And what if you don't have a sword at the ready, Anna? What then? What happens when you're stripped of your weapons and all you have is your wit and intellect – or the lack thereof?" Hera challenged as casually as she could.
She could see the warning look Velkan was shooting her, but it was too late. Anna had already turned to confront her.
"You can't fight Dracula with words," Anna snapped irritably. "The man can only be defeated through action."
The sound of a loud bang suddenly resonated within the confines of the armory and Anna yelped in surprise and covered her ears in a futile effort to protect them from what sounded like a gunshot.
Velkan and Anna both noticed that Hera was completely unmoved by the sound. In fact, she had the very gun that had gone off in her hand and it had been blindly aimed at a large and now very dead rat that had been scurrying silently across the floor, and no one had even noticed it, except Hera.
Anna looked up at the woman in astonishment, realizing that what she had assumed was an ignorant stranger admiring a handgun had actually been the stealthy loading and priming of a weapon by a very intelligent and observant woman maybe a year or two younger than she. Anna had never seen the rodent in the first place and Hera's gaze had always been on the princess' eyes whenever she had been speaking.
Hera had been so unassuming, Anna had never even suspected.
A silent conversation of looks took place between the Valerious siblings as Anna realized, just as Velkan had, how important it was to keep someone like Hera away from Dracula. Anna may not have been entirely convinced of the woman as Velkan clearly was, but throwing her to the wayside would have been extremely stupid.
"I take it back," Anna said at last, eyes finding Hera again. "It would appear you can handle yourself."
"I'm honored to have your approval, since it is apparently so difficult to earn," their guest replied with noted mirth and the princess chuckled.
"Can you blame me?"
"No, I suppose not. I can appreciate your skepticism, but I hope you can at least give me the benefit of the doubt now."
"Of course," she replied sheepishly. "I think it's safe to say that you've earned at least that."
"You'll have to forgive my sister, Hera," Velkan explained. "Anna has always preferred to test a person's skills and allegiances before giving them the time of day."
"That is very understandable, considering your circumstances," was all Hera said on the matter, and Anna was grateful for the understanding.
"I just posted a letter to father this morning while I was out," Anna announced. "Until he returns, you're to stay with us."
"I'd like that."
"The room you slept in last night will be yours for the duration of your stay. And I'm assuming Velkan has already given you a tour of the house."
"The more important rooms, anyway," Velkan explained and Anna nodded in approval.
"Once we find you some more suitable clothes, I'll inform the housekeeper that you'll be staying with us. For the time being, I think it would be best if you remained on the grounds of the manor, until we get everything else sorted."
"I appreciate the consideration. Thank you, Anna," Hera nodded with a smile and she watched as the icy façade that shrouded the gypsy princess began to melt.
"If you'll come with me, I'm sure I have a few things that you could wear. You have nothing against trousers, I assume?" and she motioned for Hera to follow, leading her towards the door as Velkan watched the two women leave.
Anna's guarded civility towards Hera would gradually dissipate into genuine regard over the next three days as the princess came to realize that this woman from the future was a far greater blessing to her family than she had initially anticipated. Not only was Hera understanding and intelligent, Anna secretly felt a strange kind of relief in having a friend who was of the same gender as she. The princess had never had many friends outside of her family and as the days progressed, Hera was rapidly proving to be the exception.
Velkan, on the other hand, was still trying to organize his feelings for the newcomer, but he was certain of one thing: Hera Garret was an amazing woman and she created the most peculiar and astonishing things inside of him. Her beauty left him oddly spellbound and her hidden depths captivated him. Unlike the shy and flirtatious women in the village, Hera was warm and open, opinionated, and feisty when provoked.
Hera spent most if not all of her time with Velkan and Anna, and within the corresponding two to three weeks that followed, she had become fast friends with the Valerious siblings, particularly with Velkan, who took it upon himself to make sure Hera was never alone.
The young woman also became well-known amongst the people of Visceria, although no one had any idea where she was from. All they knew was that despite her peculiar accent and bewildering sense of familiarity, she was a delight to be around. There was hardly a waking hour that went by when Hera and Velkan weren't doing something together. He started to teach her how to fence, although she still preferred firearms to steel.
As the weeks passed, Hera remained blissfully ignorant to the fact that she was being watched from a distance, day and night. During the day, particularly when it was cloudy out, it happened to be by three sets of eyes that observed from a safe distance.
But it was in the night, when she slept in the comfort and seclusion of her own room in the Valerious manor that a different pair of eyes watched her, and these were far more intrigued by her than any other that had ever examined her from near or afar. And Hera never knew, though she suspected at times, in the back of her mind when her imagination would run wild.
The provincial lifestyle she had adopted was soon to alter, however, as the alliance that had once seemed so simple and harmless – so neutral – would be quickly turned upside down.
VI
The Fragmentation of a Concubine
Jovial sounds resonated off the high ceiling within the dining room of the Valerious manor as tears streamed down the company's faces. They continued laughing heartily in their seats, some clutching their stomachs in attempt to dull the pain of aching muscles, others covering their beet-red faces.
Hera couldn't remember the last time she had laughed this hard; in fact, the experience almost seemed foreign to her as she wiped the tears from her flushed cheeks, struggling to regain her composure. Velkan continued to chuckle as he motioned toward his hysteric sister.
"Anna, I cannot believe you," he exclaimed, finally managing to calm down. Anna, however, was still struggling. "Could you imagine what would happen if you said that to the Count's face?"
Hera chortled before taking another sip of her wine.
"I think she's too hysteric, Velkan, to even care," she pointed out.
Anna wiped the tears from her cheeks as she attempted once more to regain her composure.
"I just can't believe I had a dream about him… and in that setting, of all settings!" Anna replied. "I mean seriously! He was in a dress, Velkan! A dress!"
Hera started giggling once more at the thought of the dream Anna had shared with them over dinner. She could still see in her mind's eye, Velkan shooting wine out of his nose when he had first started to laugh and that mental image made Hera's laughter even harder to control.
"Anna, I think you've had too much to drink," Velkan teased, earning a playful smack from his sister. Eventually though, the merriment died down and they continued to eat once more.
"So," Hera began, not exactly a fan of the silence, "it would appear that Count Dracula is much more than your family's enemy. He is clearly an excellent source of entertainment as well."
"That monster has played a very personal role in every Valerious' life," Velkan said between mouthfuls of food. "There have been some ancestors of ours who were never killed directly by him, but were driven to madness because of him."
"You mean, some of the deaths in your family have been indirect," Hera clarified with a more serious tone.
"Yes," Anna replied. "There was one particular ancestor of ours, whom legend tells was driven so mad by the Count that he believed his wife was Dracula's lover and that his son had been conceived in an orgy involving the vampire's brides. He killed his family while they were sleeping, driving wooden stakes through their hearts and then chopping off their heads in their own beds before killing himself by ingesting poison. No one found the family until three days later when someone had passed by and complained to the local magistrate of the smell."
"Please Anna, we're eating!" Velkan insisted, but nobody seemed to hear him.
"He killed his own family?" Hera replied, too astonished to believe it.
Anna nodded her head grimly.
"That's just one of the tales," she answered, taking another drink while Hera sat back in her seat, finishing off the potatoes on her plate.
"How is it that you have all managed to stay sane through this? I mean, being hunted since birth, never really enjoying much of a normal childhood…"
"It sounds rather grim, yes, but when it comes down to it, all this family really knows is death," Anna explained.
"But we have had our share of pleasures in life, despite our legacy," Velkan added, not liking the pessimistic mood in the room. "There were moments, when our country needed it most, when Dracula proved to be a great ally in the times of war against the Turks and other invaders. But when Transylvania enjoys relative peace, that's when the feud starts up once more."
"Supposedly, the Count is a military genius," Anna added. "Everyone is surprised that it's taken him over four centuries to finish off our family."
"Perhaps you prove a greater challenge than he initially anticipated," Hera offered, completely unaware of the small smile and thoughtful staring of Velkan, aimed in her direction.
"How much do you know about Count Dracula, Hera?" Velkan suddenly asked, the question catching the woman slightly off guard.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean just that. How much do you know? What do you know? Do you only know about just the legend of Dracula, or do you know the history of the man himself?"
Hera sat back in her seat for a moment or two, looking rather thoughtful as she pondered his question before answering it.
"I know a great deal about both subjects, to be honest, but I find it's always been rather difficult to distinguish what is fact and what is mere folk-lore. Which reminds me of a question I wanted to ask you two – how did this whole feud begin? I mean, there are several versions of the story; I'm just curious as to which one is true and which isn't."
Anna and Velkan glanced over at each other and both shrugged.
"We don't really know how it began, to be honest with you," Anna replied. "It's just been somewhat of a 'family tradition,' if you will. I'm sure the whole story is up in the family archives somewhere. You're welcome to check it out, if you wish."
"I'll probably take you up on that offer," Hera replied with a slight smile.
When they had finished eating, the servants came in to clean, leaving the three to congregate in the library where the brandy was then distributed.
