Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ Full of Life ( Chapter 8 )

Full of Life

 

Demetriov hunted alone. He had long ago forsworn the company of his companion on hunts. When Daniel joined him the infuriating man stayed quiet and aloof, almost judging him as he fed. His eyes were cold, and the message in them was unmistakable. Don't let it take over you. It is dangerous; if you let your guard down it will overwhelm you. He knew this all too well. He was aware of what he had been before he had met his reluctant companion. Really he detested the man, but his company had kept him sane. He knew so little about him, but considering the distance he enforced between them it was his own fault. He didn't blame Daniel when he had made Alicia one of them; she he knew even less of. He sighed; would he ever come to know them?

 

He wandered the streets lost in thought. Their travels had brought them to England, but everywhere seemed the same at night. He found that he had stopped alongside a tavern, he didn't understand why, but he felt drawn to the place. The glow of the candle lamps was giving off a gentle heat he could sense, and he savoured it with relish on this cold night. The cold did not bother him but we all like to feel warm. He looked inside, peering through the window scanning the faces he saw there. They were the usual type, some of whom he would probably feed on in the coming months. Nobody missed the peasant drunkard when they died. They presumed disease or punishment from god.

 

Something caught his eye at one side of the room, a flash of bright colour that shouldn't have been there. There surrounded by people, well women more accurately, was the source. A peacock of a man who could not have been a peasant. His attire marked him as a man of high standing and yet he was so young, barely twenty. It was unlikely that he would govern at this tender age, more likely it would be his father that had rule here. He was so full of life that he shone in this place and would do so in the meanest rags. It was this youth that had drawn him to this place, so young and yet he had not been more than a couple of years older when he had taken up government of his own lands.

 

The youth had a young girl on each arm cooing softly over him. Hardly surprising considering his stature but he did not lack in looks. He was dark haired with astonishing green eyes, slight but firm of build and of mid height; in short he was handsome which made the girl's fawning so much easier no doubt. The youth revelled in their company. Demetriov laughed quietly. Had he been so enamoured of the local girls when he was young? He found it hard to recall. The hunting accident in which his father had died had changed his life forever, changed him. Hunting accident, who was he trying to fool? He knew damn well that his father had been assassinated and had only narrowly avoided that fate himself on more than one occasion. He had the good fortune to be born quick of wit as well as a noble.

 

A sound behind him roused him from his thoughts. He turned to see a woman, young and yet a widow, heartbroken and desperately unhappy. She bore the burden of her grief and he could sense that she wished for her end. She bore bruises, the marks of the man who would make her his wife and most likely her husband's killer. Death to her was an escape, a doorway to happiness where she would be reunited with her love. He sighed, hung his head and decided to grant her wish. He approached her softly, watching as she turned sensing his presence.

 

“Who are you?” She asked quietly without fear.

 

“A friend if you will.” He replied gently. “I know what it is that you want. I am here to give it to you if you so desire.”

 

“You would do this?” Her eyes were wide with amazement.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Will it hurt?” He mind turning to her violent suitor.

 

“No. If it does it will only be for a moment. It will be over soon.”

 

She nodded nervously, Demetriov holding his hand out to her. She took it and he drew her into his arms, feeling her tremble against him. He was as swift as he had promised and she noticed no pain. He picked her up and carried her inside, laying her down on the straw mattress that served as her bed. He looked at her for a moment; she looked as if she was resting peacefully, almost smiling. He hoped that she had found happiness. For a moment he envied her; she had loved, been loved and chosen her peaceful end. He sighed and wondered if he would ever know that peace, or even love.

 

He wandered once more until dawn approached. He lay down to rest, sleep coming to him slowly as the dawn rose. He lay there in thought as he slowly drifted into sleep, filled with the image of the flamboyant man in the tavern

 

* * * * *

 

Over the next few weeks the image of the young man would not leave him and he found himself lingering where the young man walked. He thought about his own past and how much he was reminded of the man he had been in his youth. Perhaps that was what drew him, the longing for what had gone before and been lost. The halcyon days when his father had been alive, the two had experienced much pleasure in each other's company. His father had been a great man, far greater a leader than he. Did he see the chance to relive some of those moments with this youth?

 

He found himself picking up on gossip about the flamboyant character; there was plenty of it. He was touted as a womaniser, and too educated for his own good. His passions, other than the young daughters of his father's tenants, were for books and the theatre. Always up to some mischief, though Demetriov suspected this was an exaggeration, but the girl's fathers were obviously tired of his antics. Petition his father as they did, the youth took no guidance from him. The more he heard the more he was intrigued.

 

And so it was that he decided to meet him. He acquired clothes to fit the local style, similar to his quarry's though not as gaudy. He planned to attract his interest with this attire and set them on the level of equals, allowing them to talk more easily. He took a deep breath before entering the tavern, careful to guard his eyes, aware of how they shone too much if the light caught them. The place fell quiet, strangers rarely came and due to his attire he was a surprise to all.

 

“Good evening.” He addressed them in his accented English. In his travels he had learnt several languages but still spoke with the Germanic accent of his homeland. “I trust I have not disturbed you.”

 

“No indeed, you have not.” Came the reply from the youth in the corner. “Come, join me and ignore these brutes. They are not fond of those of higher birth.”

 

“Are they not?” Demetriov asked sitting opposite him, his back to the light.

 

“I fear it is my fault.” His companion murmured in hushed tones, yet another young girl in his lap, though this was a tavern whore.

 

“And why is that?” Demetriov smiled gently.

 

“You see, I have had my way with most of these men's daughters.”

 

Demetriov chuckled appropriately.

 

“What is your name friend?” His companion asked jovially. By the flush in his cheeks he was already a little drunk.

 

“Demetriov.” He replied, bowing his head respectfully.

 

“Torin. Now my friend, what will it be?”

 

Demetriov smiled, knowing his reply would have to be flawless.

 

“I couldn't, I barely know you. Besides, I have had my fill already this evening.”

 

“Really? It doesn't show. You must have a strong constitution.”

 

Demetriov laughed heartily. Torin pleased him as he had suspected he would. Torin leaned toward him a cheeky smile on his face.

 

“Then perhaps it is the likes of Sara that you seek.” He murmured, slapping the girl on the rump as she rose, Torin laughing at her consternation.

 

Demetriov grinned. For a moment tempted but shied away from that. “She is pretty enough, but not tonight.”

 

Torin sat back puzzled. “Then man, why are you here?”

 

“Company.” He replied gently. “I am a stranger here and it does get lonely on your own. The company of women is nice enough, but sometimes companionship is what a man needs.”

 

“Well then I shall provide so long as you do not mind my drinking. I have money and intend to enjoy it. I shall have little time to enjoy anything when I take over my father's lands and his tenants.”

 

“I understand.” Demetriov replied.

 

“I thought you might. Where are you from? Your English is excellent but you do have an accent.”

 

“Western Europe, but your name, it is unusual.”

 

“Irish, my mother you see, may she rest in peace. She died so long ago. Family name from her side I believe. Father doesn't talk about them much. They blame him for her death, he resents it…”

 

“They don't get on.” Demetriov summed up.

 

“Indeed, but I don't want to talk about my family, don't get on too well with them myself you understand.” Demetriov nodded. “I've never travelled, so tell me about your home.”

 

“I must confess I have not seen it for some time, I have been travelling.” He pondered. In all honesty he had never been back. “It was so beautiful, dense forests and masses of green, mountains with crystal clear waterfalls and delicate blue skies. It had some of the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises I have ever seen in my life.”

 

“You miss it.” Torin said, his gaze piercing Demetriov in a moment of clarity.

 

“More than you know.” He whispered in reply.

 

“Why don't you go back.” Torin said frankly sitting back.

 

“There is a lot barring my way. But that is not something you want to hear about.”

 

Torin chuckled. “I can see you are going to be a mystery.” Demetriov smiled in return. “Are you going to be around for a while? I feel I would like to get to know you.” There was a twinkle in his eye that Demetriov loved.

 

“For a while.”

 

“Good, then you will meet me here tomorrow, I would be glad of male company that doesn't want to have my guts for garters. I had best find my bed before I get too drunk.”

 

Demetriov nodded, rising. It had been late into the night that he had finally plucked up his courage. Torin extended his hand, Demetriov taking it gently, his companion grasping his hand between his own firmly. The gentle contact warmed his heart. How long had it been since he had experienced this gentle human gesture? It was this that stayed with him when the two parted. He returned to his resting place, sat in quiet contemplation till as dawn approached Daniel and Alicia returned.

 

Alicia carried on to the room she shared with Daniel, while Daniel hung back. He turned to Demetriov who looked up puzzled.

 

“Be careful Demetriov.”

 

“What?” It was unusual for the two men to say more than two words to each other but this looked to be a case out of the ordinary.

 

“I was watching you earlier. Befriending mortals is a tricky business, be sure you mind your secret well, mortals could destroy us if they knew.” He paused; Demetriov seemed resentful of his interference. “I know you will take care but there are other considerations.”

 

Demetriov looked up at his companion expecting to see the disdain he was used to, but was surprised to see genuine concern. Daniel sat down opposite him.

 

“You need to watch yourself, watch your feelings.”

 

Demetriov was fast becoming intrigued. “What do you mean?”

 

“Be careful that you don't become too attached to him, that when the time comes that you find you can't bear to let him go. It is the usual fate of mortal companions to become vampires.”

 

“What are you saying?” Demetriov was stunned by Daniel's sudden gentleness.

 

“Be prepared that it could be the eventuality of your relationship with this man. Be sure that this is someone you would be happy becoming your life long companion. Mistakes do get made.”

 

Demetriov hung his head; he knew that he was a poor choice of companion for Avéa. She had set her heart on him and here they were. As he looked Daniel in the eye he realised that something similar had occurred for him.

 

“Things between you and Alicia?” He asked cautiously.

 

“They go well enough. It isn't burning passion, but I suspect it will last the years. That is what I need. I remember too well my own maker. I loved her, but after my change… I know you understand. I wasn't ready for this, and she was not ready to do what it took to get me through. That is what you need consider. I know you have only just met him, but be careful. You could get hurt, we all could.”

 

Daniel left him and went to rest. Demetriov thought on his words for a while. It was the most he had said to Demetriov in many years. His warning was sincere and heartfelt; he could see it in his eyes. He knew first hand of the dangers he had described. He sighed and went to his rest as the sun rose, thinking over and over of his own desires and his companion's warning.

 

 

 

Author's notes:

Okay, maybe not my strongest chapter but trust me; things are going to start picking up from here. We are going to start getting some pretty interesting developments. So bear with me dear readers and ever onward. After all, how will Torin react when he discovers his new friend's true nature?