The Letter

Genevieve makes a difficult decision

“Are you Captain Wells?” Allen asked the man preparing his ship.

The man continued about his business and hardly gave any attention to Allen. 

“I am indeed sorry for bothering good sir but I am in need of passage to Goldenmire Township.”

“Ahh! Who let ya on me ship boy? Can’t ya see I’m busy? Away with ya!”

“If you would help me it would be greatly appreciated. I may be of good use on your ship as well.”

“Ya ever sailed before boyle? Ya ever even seen the sea? Ya no good to me see? Away!”

“Look… Leopold said..”

“Damn it all Leopold! Damn it all to bloody hell! He owes me big time boyle! Ya won't be a dullard on me ship boy! GEOFF! GEOFF WALLACE!”

Suddenly a young man ran up and met the two. 

“Aye sir? What service may I do for you?”

“Ya see this half-wit? Give him a job and make sure he does it or it’s ya neck and his we’ll be keelhauling!”

“Aye sir! Come this way!”

Allen followed him closely and examined his surroundings. Everyone around him looked as though they were in a big hurry. It looked suspicious to him and he wondered if these people were into shady business. 

“Check those lines and make sure they’re secure.”

“How do I know what is proper?”

“You see this knot? That is proper. Check all of them and if they’re not, then secure them. Make sense?”

“I think so.”

Allen checked all the lines and felt that they were well and confirmed with Geoff.

“Good now, help me with this here.”

After a good amount of time passed, Allen and Geoff pulled the crate with his belongings on the deck as well as his horse Rutherford and the small wagon and soon after, the ship began to move on from the port and headed into the horizon. Allen wiped the sweat off his brow and stood for a moment and looked out onto the sea. He smiled and thought of Genevieve and all her beauty. He hoped one day he could take her on journeys around the world. He remained hopeful and could not help but smile in his good fortune. 

“My apologies first hand mate. The Captain aint very friendly.”

“No need to apologize, friend. I would have it no other way.”

“Just stick by me and you’ll get along fine.”

“Do forgive me Geoff but aren’t you a tad young for this business?”

“Never too young to live your dreams. Mine is the sea. Come on then, let’s get your effects and move ‘em below deck before the captain takes them for himself aye?”

The two then moved on and of course did various tasks around the ship. Allen and Geoff became friends during his days aboard and often sat and talked for as many hours as the two could spend. In the midst of their conversations Allen spoke of his parents and his brother and the incident that led him to this moment. Geoff was skeptical about the idea of the undead prowling the earth but had seen his fair share of strange occurrences. Of course when Allen would speak of Genevieve, he would drag the conversation on as long as Geoff could handle. Geoff didn’t mind as it felt good to have a friend to speak with. As the two were mopping the deck on a breezy morning, a man shouted from above.

“LAND HO!”

The two smiled and looked out and noticed the small patch of land ahead. They then did a few more tasks as they helped prepare the ship to dock. When they made it to dock the ship was tied up and after helping with the unloading Allen and Geoff readied Rutherford and the wagon to make way. 

“So you’ll take this trail here straight for about… I'd say about a day and a half. Take no turns and you should reach the woods by sundown. The trees get dense so be on your guard. If those creatures are real then I suppose that’s where they dwell. Good luck my friend”

“Godspeed. I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

“On a sunny day.”

Allen then stepped up and sat upon the wagon and rode off onto the trail. The day waned and the sun began to set. He stopped and gave some food to Rutherford and headed forward.

“Well now, let’s hope this becomes a regular thing Rutherford.”

The horse snorted, which made Allen believe he was agreeing with him. He gave a quick laugh. The land became dark with only the moon lighting the way. Trees began to get thicker as they continued on. Allen lit a couple of his kerosene lanterns and moved forward. The road was not rough so Allen took comfort in feeling that the road was often travelled. Hours passed but no sign of a clearing. Various insects made their strange noises and wolves could often be heard in the distance. On a few occasions, he could hear rustling in the bushes and was becoming increasingly uneasy but he carried on. Soon his eyes became heavy and his head would nod off at times. Many nights he had remained awake many hours with Genevieve but this night was different. He needed the rest and decided to stop on a large part of the road and laid on the wagon and drifted asleep. He often awoke to strange noises in the darkness and sometimes Rutherford would move around and snort loudly. Eventually dawn arrived and the sun began to shine through the trees. Allen awoke and looked around, and laughed as the surroundings became very un frightful to him. Geoff had given them a metal bucket of freshwater so Allen took a quick drink before giving the rest to Rutherford. He then continued on. The afternoon came and went and it was quickly becoming evening. They came upon a hill that seemed a bit steep and once they reached the top, the tops of homes and various buildings of town could be seen close by. 

“Hello good sir!”

A sudden voice startled Allen but was quickly comforted by the fact that the woman calling his name was completely unthreatening. She was dressed in a simple white shirt and faded blue long skirt. On her head was a bonnet and not much more seemed interesting. She was a typical towns woman you would see anywhere around the average marketplace. 

“Good afternoon Ms. I am curious to know if this is Goldenmire Township?”

“Yes! Lovely isn’t it? Now may I ask you something?”

“By all means.”

“Are you Allen Slade?”

“Who wants to know”

“Oh dear heavens. You just revealed yourself. May I catch a ride back into town with you?” I’ve been waiting for you here all day and the previous three days.”

“My God woman! Hop on.”

Allen helped her and sat her down by his side and they set off towards the town. There was a moment of silence before she began to speak again.

“So, Mr. Slade… allow me to thank you first hand for arriving here. You came highly recommended by Leopold. How is the… Ol’ boy.”

“Ha! You know him apparently.”

“Apparently yes, he’s my brother.”

“I see. My apologies.”

“Haha! At least you have a sense of humor. Well… my name is Gwen by the way and in all seriousness, this town has a problem. I believe many of the creatures have taken up residence in the forest areas.  I’m sure you’ll know how to find them and of course it will be 500 a head with 20 percent going to Leopold, which I will deduct for you.”

“Will you be joining me on my hunts?”

“Heavens no! Why do you ask?

“500 a head… you will need to see the heads. They turn to dust at daybreak.”

“You will have to work fast then. And you will take residence at the church grounds. I have arranged a room there for you.”

Allen sat for a moment and contemplated the situation. He wondered if he would effectively find these residences without Genevieve guidance. He felt a bit small, lost in his own mind as Gwen continued to speak. He began to think of Genevieve and wondered what she was doing at that moment and hoped above all things that she was thinking of him as well.

Genevieve was lying on her bed staring into nothing. She was lost between deep thought and the darkness of an empty void. Every so often she would walk around and imagine herself on her wedding day. She pictured being fitted for a dress and veil with a long aisle shrouded in flowers. At the end of the aisle was Allen waiting for her smiling proudly watching his soon to be wife walking, yet almost dancing down the aisle. After some time she sat at a desk in her room and began to plan the day. She spent hours scripting each detail but most of the time trying to perfect her vows. She would often write something in the moment but crumble the paper and dismiss it as juvenile or not enough and other reasons. Days passed, sometimes they would go quickly and others seemed to drag on. On one evening she had left her room to stretch her legs, hoping to avoid her brother at all costs. While walking through the long hallways, she began to feel weak. She noticed herself becoming thin from the lack of blood. Strangely it was then she had thought of the perfect vows. She rushed as quickly as she could to her room and locked the door behind her. She quickly wrote them, muttering them as she wrote each perfect word. When she was done she stood and recited them over until she could say them without the paper. She stood proudly and recited them like a thespian before an eager crowd. Then suddenly a knock came at her door. She bowed her head and sighed. 

“Yes?”

“It’s I, Paul, your servant. May I enter please?”

Paul had been tending to her for some time. He was a very nice and humble man, who had been serving under Demetri for many years. 

“Just a moment.”

She locked her vows in a drawer within the desk and unlocked the door. Paul then walked in with a large smile on his face. The smile turned to a look of concern.

“Your Grace! You are absolutely skin and bone! Here, take my blood.”

“You’re too kind, Paul.”

Genevieve bit into his wrist and began to drink the blood from him. When she was finished, his skin was pale and seemed weak, which was usually the case. These  servants gave themselves willingly to them.

“May I ask you something Paul?”

“Of course your Grace. Anything.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Oh I’d say uh… 25 years now.”

“And… Do you enjoy this life?”

“Well it has it’s dull moments but It will certainly be worth it once I receive my fangs.”

“Yes, yes of course. So tell me… do you miss the life you had… on the outside.”

“No one has ever asked me that. You see... Hmm there are… things I miss of course. The sunshine, the theatre and things I don’t, like taxes for one. I even had a beautiful young wife at one time. You see, I was a poet and we tend to be a bit pessimistic and one day I looked at her and thought… one day she’s going to die and I’m going to die. That stuck a thorn in my side and I sought eternal life and of course that led me here. She wouldn’t come with me. I became depressed and then I realized that… I’m going to get to see the world in 500 years! Can you imagine that? Of course you can and you have but that to me outweighs everything I could have had in one lifetime. I miss her, yes, but my journey will outlast hers and I’ve made peace with that.”

“Thank you Paul.”

“My pleasure. Oh and your brother has some announcement he is needing to make in the throne room tonight. He expects you there, but I understand if you refuse.”

Paul stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him. Genevieve sat on the edge of her bed for a moment and thought about his words. Still she didn’t quite understand why someone would willingly give themselves to this life. Her Brother expected her there in the throne room and she still did not want anything to do with him. This, though, seemed to be important if it was taking place in the throne room. Only events of great importance took place in the throne room. She thought perhaps Demetri’s ego may just think that everything he has to say is of great importance. Nonetheless she dressed in a purple ceremonial gown and made for the room. She was greeted by many pure-bloods to which many of the males smiled and kissed her hand. She felt as though they had an eye for her but she would not dare give them a chance. She made her way to the end of the long aisle to the base of the platform where the three large thrones sat. Standing before them was none other than her brother speaking with other elders Benjamin Bathory, Elliot McClain and her friend Gabriel Cross. She steps up and greets each one, and they return with a friendly greeting themselves. 

“Genevieve Giovani! As gorgeous as ever I see.” Benjamin says to her.

Genevieve rolls her eyes and turns her face from them. To Genevieve’s dismay, Samuels steps up and begins to address the crowd.

“Your attention if you please! All hear my voice and please take thy seats. Thank you. Let all ears be open and all attention given. Undivided. To his excellency… Demetri Giovani!”

All applauded as he stepped to the forefront and motioned his hands to silence the crowd. The three elders sat on the thrones and Genevieve stood next to Gabriel and listened intently.

“It has been many moons since we have heard any word from our Lord Amadeus Adamos. Not unusual. With the emergence of traitors among us… we inquired upon his wisdom and most importantly his safety. To our horror… we discovered evidence that suggests his passing. Yes Lord Adamos… is dead.”

Many of them gasped and spoke amongst themselves. Genevieve began to feel nervous. Gabriel glanced in her direction knowing full well that it was her who killed him. He felt disappointed but not surprised. He began to wonder if he should reveal her, however he could never betray someone he cared for. 

“Now now. Not to mention his elder blade, The Homicida… stolen. Murdered by a hunter. Taken in a moment of weakness. Any hunter will be shown no mercy and any traitor will suffer a lifetime of punishment. No matter who they may be. Alas, as per our code, we shall have a time of mourning. And as his heir, I will take his place as Lord, when the time comes. It may be years but we all must do what we can. You have the elders to look to, at this time. May his memory live on. Now we feast in his honor.”

The crowd feeling the sadness made their way to the room where a grand feast was prepared. Genevieve sat at the head beside her brother. She was given a fine chalice of blood and served delicacies  of all sorts. She did her best to remain calm and hold conversations with those around her. After the feast was over she rushed back to her room. In the hall just before, Gabriel grabbed her arm. She looked into his eyes, knowing that he knew. She began to breathe heavily and placed her face into his chest and began to weep. He held her for a short time before she pulled away and looked him in the eyes.

“You know what you have to do.” He said quietly

She nodded and rushed past him. She entered her room, locked the door and sighed. She unlocked the cabinet and pulled her wedding plans out. She took a candle and lit them on fire. She watched in sadness as her hopes burned along with them. She took the ring Allen had given her and placed it in an envelope. She sat and began to write a letter to Allen, letting him know that she could not be his wife. She felt as though she had to confess to what she was. Feeling somehow that he would still have her, she made a vow that she would not have him. She shed a tear onto the letter as she read it over once more. There was not enough paper nor ink to describe how she felt in that moment, but her love for him was enough that she felt no choice but to let him go. She placed the letter into the envelope with the ring and kissed it. She stepped out and handed the letter to Gabriel.

“I’m sorry my dear. In your place, I would do the same.”

He placed his hand on her shoulder and smiled before walking away with the letter. Genevieve could only watch as he walked away. She returned to her room and unfolded the paper where her vows were written. She looked at them and smiled remembering the moments they had shared. When she first saw him asleep on the bench, watching him read with intent. She thought of the music he would play on his violin and the dance at the festival. She remembered his face the last moment they spent together before she returned to the wretched palace. She was grateful for each moment they shared and knew that she would see him again, and above all things that made the sorrow melt away, if only for a short time. She folded the vows and locked them in the cabinet where they would remain for the rest of her life.