The Wise Man's Aid

A man fights for his daughter's life and his own.

The wild snow hit the man's face like tiny little pellets from a BB gun. there was a soft wailing up ahead and the snow blinding the eyes and chilled the soul. The wailing pierced the man's soul, but he did not falter. He moved steadily forward and kept his brisk pace up. His face was beginning to tense up and his knew he would freeze to death soon. The mountain was a deadly place and he had been warned not to make the crossing alone. He had been given every precaution, prayers, blessings, and different religious items that he now carried in his satchel. There was still hope yet, just keep moving and keep breathing. He had made camp the night before, fed himself well, and was no preparing to make it to the spot that had been described to him. A cave. There was only one place that he pictured in his mind, and the wise man would be there. The wise man would help him in this time of need. He needed to know what he could do for his daughter, stricken with illness and with only days to live. The blood poured from every crevasse that it could and there was no stopping the agony. The wailing started up again, only louder this time. Keep moving and keep breathing. The cave was in sight now through the drifting snow and legs nearly collapsed. He was extremely tired, gasping for air and praying for more time alive, only a few minutes would do. The cave was not lit and there was no sign of life. Slumping down at the entrance, the backpack was slung down off of the shoulders and the face slowly started to thaw. Keep breathing. The wise man was supposed to be here, living out his life in solitude, but there was no person present here. Maybe he was near the back of the cave! That was it! Maybe he was hiding, praying like most wise men did. His daughter wasn't going to live much longer and time was short.

"Why is it that you move so quickly through the cold?" The voice echoed off of the walls and sent a shiver down the man's spine. There was yet no person present in the cave, only the voice.

"I come seeking your help and your counsel. Please do not deny my humble words, for I am short on time."

"You seek herbs to cure your daughter's ailment. I see you have traveled far and you are very cold." A fire speared instantly and the man sat before it, rubbing his hands together with ecstasy.

"Whos fair voice do I hear? Pray come and speak with me." Nobody answered. The fire roared with such intensity as if the gods had lit it themselves.

"You already know who I am. I require a sacrifice before I reveal any more to you."

"What must I sacrifice? I haven't much with me!" The man pointed to his bag, which was nearly empty.

"You must sacrifice for those you love. If you wish to see your daughter restored to full health, you must give up your strength in order to save hers."

"But I have traveled a long way and I have very low stamina. My strength is certainly gone."

The fire roared and nearly reached the ceiling. "I was once a medicine man for your village. I was exiled here because I failed to save the one I loved. She has died because of me. If you will not give in, you will suffer the same fate."

"How do you know such things will happen? Can you see what I cannot see?"

"If you return to the village without the herbs you require, your wife will leave you and your daughter will die. You will be deemed unworthy if you fail in your quest. A blood offering is required for you to gain the medicine you seek."

"Oh provide me a dagger so that I may give you this offering oh wise one. Let me kneel before your humble self."

A dagger appeared before the man who quickly cut his arm, allowing the blood to flow. It pooled on the ground and nothing happened in response at first. Then the creature appeared, a glowing angel from hell itself. It was at this point that the man knew he had been tricked by the villagers who worshipped this horrible abomination. They sent him here as a sacrifice himself! They knew this evil entity would stop coming in the middle of the night to take their children if they sent this docile man up to the cave to die! The vampire was right however. He would have to give up his strength, his heartbeat, his blood, and his daughter. He would be a servant of the devil and would never return from this horrid place. Many other vampires began to follow the first, extending their arms toward the blood. They screamed and hollered, closing in from all directions. There was no escape and when they were finished, there was no blood remaining within his veins.