Iiro
To Maximus' credit, Iiro had to admit that he took the news better than expected. He had half expected the Rondrian to execute Lucy right there and then, but nothing of the sort had happened. Right now, they both watched from a distance as the vampire and her former lover spoke in the distance, whispered words in the night. Thea was tending to Lucy's injured mother and sister, while Vittorio and Joanna had taken turns to guard Fredo back in the shack.
“You don't seem happy, Sir”, Iiro stated and Maximus' expression soured. “When I want to hear your observations, Redal, I'll ask”, the knight growled. “But came you blame me? I was taught to kill monsters, to protect the innocent with faith and steel. This situation though... that monster was an innocent girl just a few weeks ago. She hasn't killed anyone, but... I'm certain if left unchecked it's only a matter of time”
“I don't understand much of these things”, Iiro admitted. “Usually, work is simpler than... whatever that is. I get paid to fight someone, I do it well and collect my reward. Sometimes I am sent to kill, sometimes to protect. Of course things are never just black and white, but work is usually straightforward” Maximus narrowed his eyes. “I cannot condone fighting for coin”, he spoke. “But... I share the sentiment. My faith gives me simple duties as well. There is a code of honour, following it is righteous and going against it is disgraceful. It still allows for nuance though, for personal judgement”
“What is your judgement then, Sir?”, Iiro asked. Maximus was quiet and both looked down at Nadim and Lucy. “I don't think she needs judgement”, he admitted. “Healing, perhaps, but she has committed no crime that warrants punishment. The guilt for her condition is on another. As such, I won't kill her, nor will I deliver her to the Church of Praios”
“They'd burn her alive...”, Iiro mumbled, immediately realizing that he had stepped a bit too far as he noticed Maximus' expression. “If the holy inquisition comes to that conclusion, it'd be their right to do so. The truly innocent have nothing to fear from Praios and his servants”, the knight spoke, his tone calm but stern. “But as I said, she needs healing. The Church of Peraine would be my first approach, but I fear her affliction is not of the body, nor of the mind, but of the soul. Healing a soul is beyond mortal means”
“Then what could have harmed her like this?”, Iiro asked. He had heard stories about vampires, of course, growing up in the Meadows meant growing up with the darkest folk tales this side of Maraskan, but they were often contradicting. In some, vampires were weak to sunlight, in others they walked during the day as menacing as they did at nightfall. Some stories said they led wicked lives and were shunned by the gods in return, but nothing he heard about Fredo or Lucy painted them in a particularly bad light. As such, Iiro had come to the conclusion that he couldn't give a rat's arse about those folk tales.
“My church is not known for its scholars, but we know all about those who would harm the faithful. Orks, ogres, goblins and other beasts, but also the supernatural”, Maximus explained. “Vampires... they are rare. I've never heard of two in one place, especially in such an unassuming village. What matters here is that they are creatures of the Nameless One, his greatest weapons and his most pitiful victims”
“Thea implied something like this...”, Iiro mumbled. “I was hoping you'd prove her wrong” To his surprise, the knight gave him a grim smirk. “I won't blame you if you leave us here”, he spoke and Iiro reciprocated the smirk, though his expression was thinner and less genuine. “I never said anything about leaving”, he clarified. “Just wanted to know more about what we're up against. I did not run in Drakesfield and I won't run now”
“Good to hear it”, Maximus replied. “The lioness will not forget your bravery” He looked back at Lucy and Nadim. “I haven't made my decision about her, but I know what to do about Fredo now”, he revealed. “Your advice from earlier has helped. I agree that he has to die” His words should have been a relief to Iiro, but they weren't and Maximus himself didn't seem happy with his decision. “He has killed people, at least one that he'll admit to. Given the opportunity, he will kill again”, the knight explained. “Things are different with Lucy, for the time being, but I see no hope for Fredo. For his sake and for those of his future victims, taking him out as soon as possible is the right thing to do”
“I know...”, Iiro mumbled. “Doesn't feel like it though. Poor bastard never had a chance” Maximus began to walk and Iiro followed him at once. “My judgement will be swift. He won't suffer”, the knight promised. “But my decision is final. Fredo Bregelseam will die at sunrise. If he is truly as regretful as he claims to be, he will accept his death and leave this world with some dignity. If he fights back, I will slay him”
“I'm ready when you need me”, Iiro assured him. Together, they approached Nadim and Lucy. The girl noticed them first, subtly moving behind Nadim, who glanced over his shoulder. His expression was stern, but it grew notably more stressed as he saw Maximus and Iiro. “Is... there anything the matter, Sir?”, he asked and his glance was not so subtly thrown at the knight's sword.
“At ease, Umer”, Maximus spoke, before he focussed on the vampire. “I have not made up my mind about you yet. For the time being, I see no reason to kill you” A small, hopeful smile formed on the girl's face and she and Nadim exchanged a long look. “Once I have decided what to do with you, you'll be the first to know. Fredo, however... he seems a lot less collected than you, a lot less...”
“Sane?”, Lucy asked and Maximus gave her a nod. “I presume your mental sanity is tied to your ability to feed. Once you starve, you lose whatever morals you follow. I have felt true starvation before and I know how difficult it is to keep a grip on yourself. As such, it honours you that you have found a different way, even if it could have ended catastrophically had we not intervened”
“I would have never killed my mother or my sister”, Lucy spoke, but Iiro saw doubt all over her face. He had seen the girl... Thea was tending to her now, but without the aid of such a skilled healer, he would have doubted her survival. “Fredo has killed before and he will do it again”, Maximus continued. “So, where I may grant you a chance to prove your innocence, he will receive no such mercy from me”
“He is... he was a good man”, Lucy mumbled. “Please... don't be cruel to him” In the darkness, Iiro saw clear surprise on Maximus' face. “You ask for mercy for him even now?”, he remarked. “To ease your troubles, I can assure you that there is no room for cruelty in justice. Fredo will never harm anyone again, but his end will be swift” He gave her a firm nod. “I promise”, he added, before he glanced at Iiro. “Come now, Redal. Let's give them some room. We'll have to inform Fredo of his fate”
“He won't take it well”, Iiro brought up. The two men turned and left Nadim and Lucy where they were. Both seemed relieved, but Iiro knew that Maximus could change his mind any moment. And perhaps it would be the right decision. Though he had already noticed several inconsistencies between the old folk tales, they had one alarming similarity as well: In them, vampires were always liars. Perhaps so was Lucy. Iiro looked back at her and he had to admit, if she was lying to them to save her life, she was the best liar he had ever seen. He would know, for he had spent the better part of a decade in the Valley of Svelt, surrounded by liars, cheats and traitors.
“I'd be concerned if he'd do”, Maximus spoke. “Accepting one's impending death takes integrity, steadfastness, even if it's a good death for the right cause. If even such a strong soul can fall to the enemy... well, I'm sure you can think for yourself” Iiro gave him a nod. “It'd be... discomforting”, he admitted. “Not that I consider myself all that steadfast, but I'd like to think I'm better than some. I'd like to think that's good for something”
"It is", Maximus confirmed. "But if what Fredo told us is true, even steadfast souls fall victim to this nightmare. The woman he mentioned, Ulgraine... I fear she's the daughter of the Baron of Menzhome, my friend and neighbour. If this happened to such a virtuous and innocent woman of high birth, then it could truly happen to anyone" Briefly, his expression darkened and Iiro could catch a glimpse at how troubling these news have truly been for the knight. "Once this situation has been dealt with, once Fredo is dead and I have reached a verdict for Lucy, we will move on. We will ride swift and hard to Menzhome and we will find out the truth behind this vampire's accusation"
They continued their way through the nightly village of Broonsgorge, past dark houses, with barred doors and shut windows. Innocent people slept there, none the wiser of the nightly horror that had crept over their homes. Iiro had to wonder if it had been similar in Drakesfield. A hundred people, living their lives without even realizing that death had come for them. At least this time, he could do something about it. And though he did not consider himself a hero, not like Raidri Conchobair or Geron the One-Handed from his father's stories, this thought kept him going, to do something equal parts heroic and foolish.
Fredo was still where they left him, in the storage shack, with his eyes covered by a blood-stained piece of fabric. The gruesome injury he had received by Montclair's hand had healed entirely, leaving not even a scar, but the fabric did its duty for now, shielding them from his foul gaze. Even the memory was enough for Iiro to feel sick once again.
Joanna and Vittorio stood guard now. At least the former stood, whereas the latter had lowered himself to the ground, using some empty sack as a pillow, while leaning against the wall. It looked neither comfortable nor dignified and judging by his expression, Vittorio was well aware of this. “Sir”, Joanna spoke, saluting in front of the knight as they entered. “Nothing to report. The prisoner has been quiet. Minimal movement. He replies when spoken to, but remains otherwise peaceful”
“As expected”, Maximus said and as soon as he heard the man's voice, Fredo straightened his back. Even with his eyes covered, he was a grisly figure. Thin, painfully starved, with ghastly pale skin and shaggy hair that fell down to his shoulders. He was unkempt and clad in rags, way too thin for this hellish cold, yet he did not shiver and though Maximus had carved a sword through his eyes just hours ago, he showed no sign of being in pain. “You... are back...”, the man spoke, his voice high-pitched and notably nervous.
“We know what you are, Fredo”, Maximus began and the vampire visibly tensed up. “I am Fredo”, he stuttered. “Just Fredo Bregelseam” Maximus' expression remained hard. “We know you have been turned into a vampire”, he spoke. Fredo flinched and Iiro was not certain he even knew what had happened to him. “I am... not...”, he gasped. “Vampires hurt people. I don't. I never would, I... I just...”
“We know”, Iiro growled. “You just watch them. Like you did with Lucy. We spoke to her, you know” Now, the vampire looked up. Though his eyes were covered, Iiro felt a sick feeling rising in his stomach as he spotted the mere hint of pale, ghostly lights behind the rag. “Lucy, she... that's...”, Fredo began, before he gasped. “No. No, no, no, it cannot be! She... she's been...”
“You had no idea...”, Iiro realized and Fredo gave him a nod. “I knew there was another one nearby, but not that it was Lucy”, he claimed. “I thought she... she was dead... oh gods, what have I done to her?” His voice was stained with tears now and somehow, his sobbing only made him more unnerving. “I hurt her, did I not?”
“You killed her”, Maximus confirmed. “You cursed her. I believe your regret, but that doesn't change the fact that you have no control over your condition. You have killed before and you will kill again” Fredo buried his face within his arms and violently shook his head. “No... no!”, he barked. “I don't want to.. I will never hurt anyone again!” Maximus gave him a firm nod and now, he placed one hand on the hilt of his sword. “There is only one way to ensure this”, he growled. “I will make it quick, you have my word on it” Fredo was silent after this, quietly sobbing, his face still hidden. “Can you make it stop?”, he asked, his stressed voice not more than a whisper. His tone was pained, yet there was faint anger within it as well. “I don't care if you make it fast or slow, as long as you make it stop. Make him stop!”
“Whom?”, Iiro asked and now, Fredo looked up. Actual tears were streaming down his cheeks. “The pallid knight”, he hissed. “I still see him, you know, whenever I close my eyes. I see him right now. He is smiling at me, always smiling” The vampire was trembling as he spoke. “He... scares me. Whenever I see him smile, I remember what he did, not just to me, but to the ones he deemed... un... unfit. He was calm, so calm, so polite, so... terrifying, covered in their blood, tearing them limb from limb, just because he could. When it was my turn, I knew I was going to die, but he... he just looked at me and smiled. That smile will haunt me for the rest of my days. Instead of killing me, he gave me a g... gift. He called it a gift”
“His sight...”, Iiro mumbled, remembering what the vampire had spoken of before. Back then, it had been barely coherent rambling, but now he began to see the connections. Fredo gave him a nod. “His eyes are the same as mine”, he continued. “But he can control it. One moment, they are pale and... and dreadful, they... see me. Even now they see me. The next moment, they get worse. They... hurt me. You cannot imagine the pain”
Iiro frowned, as he thought back of his encounter with Fredo's sight just hours ago. “I can imagine it”, he replied, as he glanced from Maximus to Vittorio. “So, what are we dealing with here? Some kind of vampire lord?” Maximus shrugged, not looking away from Fredo. “It's called arch-vampire, I believe”, Vittorio replied. “They are the most powerful of their kind and that's about the extent of my knowledge”
“So, just to be clear, this one nearly killed us just by looking at us and you say there's more powerful of his kind?”, Iiro growled and Vittorio gave him a grim nod. “To stretch my smattering of knowledge on the topic to its humble limits, I'd say Fredo here is merely a newborn by vampire standards. Arch-vampires are functionally immortal and they only get stronger as they age”
“Of course they do...”, Iiro sighed. He hesitated for a moment, as he closed his eyes. It was true, he was no hero. He was a sword for hire, a killer for coin and his past attempts at doing good have all failed miserably. And yet, something kept him here. There was purpose in what they were doing here. This was greater than him, greater than this group. He had felt the same in Drakesfield and though the memories of this rotten place would haunt him until his dying day, he felt no regret now for having tried to stop Liscom's ritual. “Well...”, he continued. “What are we waiting for then? Let's go and kill an arch-vampire!”
Joanna smirked at his enthusiasm and even the stern-faced Sir Maximus looked genuinely pleased. “First we must find him”, he replied. “And deal with the vampire we already know of” He looked down at Fredo, who was still crouching at his feet. “I believe that you killed only by accident”, he spoke, his tone by no means gentle, but calm and surprisingly understanding. “But it doesn't change the fact that you killed and that you will do it again. For this, Fredo Bregelseam, I see no choice but to sentence you to death. Accept my verdict and it will be swift and merciful”
“Do we even know if this can kill him?”, Iiro interjected, earning himself a stern glare from the Rondrian. “This blade has been crafted by master blacksmiths and blessed by the Sword of Swords himself, in the name of Rondra, our divine lioness”, he explained, as he placed one hand on the edge of the Rondracrest “It has fought against threats from this world and beyond and I have yet to meet a creature that can withstand its sharpness. My blade will not fail me”
Now, Fredo looked up and fast, faster than Iiro could react, he reached out for Maximus, grabbing the knight by the knee. “Please...”, he gasped. “I don't care if it's fast or slow, gentle or painful... just... make it stop. Make... him... stop smiling at me!” He let go of Maximus, who immediately staggered a few steps backwards. “We will”, the knight promised. “And I swear, we will find the man who did this to you”
“My brother...”, Fredo now mumbled. He was lying on the ground now, both forearms pressed onto the cold dirt beneath him and though his eyes were covered, Iiro recognized the despair in his voice. “Please... I want to go home... one last time. I want to hear my brother's voice” He looked up and the faint lights of his eyes shimmered through the fabric. “Do what you must, but please... I haven't been home since they took me. I want to go home, one last time”
Iiro narrowed his eyes. “No way”, he growled, but he realized that Maximus was hesitating. “I allow it”, the knight spoke, after a moment of consideration. He turned to Iiro, who gave him a surprised look. “Sir, is this wise?”, he asked and Maximus shook his head. “No, it is not”, he admitted freely. “But I will not deny this man his dying wish. A common cutthroat would kill him now, but we have to be better than that”
“I...”, Iiro began, before he cut himself off. “I understand” Maximus smirked, just for a moment, before he looked back at Fredo. “You will keep your blindfold on and you will remain tied up at all times. Try to harm your brother or anyone else at any time and you will suffer my wrath”, the knight growled. His voice was calm, but there was something about him that made Iiro instinctively tense. Maximus meant every word he said. To provoke him now would end badly, even for a vampire.
“Do not worry”, Fredo mumbled. “I do not want to kill anyone. I just... I just want to forget. The pallid knight and his smile, the screams, the blood, oh, the blood... Bring me to my brother so that I can say my farewells” A small, hopeful smile appeared on his face. “Do this for me and I will tell you how you can kill me”, he spoke. “How you can kill the pallid knight and all of my kind if you so desire... he told me. He told me...” He took a deep breath. “I never wanted to hurt anyone”, he mumbled. “And I never will, not again. Make it stop and... maybe I can help you... after all”
It took them another hour until they had fetched Nadim and found some rope to bind Fredo with. The vampire was sickly thin and light as a feather, with Iiro having no problem carrying him over his shoulder. He was barely moving and spoke not a word, not even to Nadim, who was leading them to Cuno Bregelseam's farm. Fredo had lived there with his brother, his sister-in-law and his two young nephews. In a way, it seemed fitting that he would die there too, but Iiro remained wary. All the stories were clear when it came to this, vampires could not be trusted.
It had stopped snowing, but the road was nonetheless treacherous and without a local guide, Iiro would not have attempted this trek in the dark of the night. Even with Nadim, it remained an exhausting journey from Broonsgorge over the entirely snow-covered road that led north, across a small bridge and towards the foothills of the Black Sickle. Cuno's farm was located three miles away from the village, but Maximus would not delay this journey by any means. Fredo Bregelseam would say his farewells to his brother tonight and then he would die. And of course, Iiro had received the thankless task of carrying this creature from the village to the farm.
It was a freezing night and the wind was howling around them. Iiro couldn't help but envy Thea and Vittorio, who had both stayed behind to look after Lucy and her family. Meanwhile, there was only him, Nadim, Joanna and Maximus to deal with the vampire. He was not the praying type, but right now that was all he could do, pray to the gods that Fredo would keep his end of the bargain. The vampire was scared, yes, allegedly not of them but of the man who did this to him, but Iiro wouldn't just take his word for it.
Iiro faintly remembered this road from his journey. Back then, they had taken the road east, south of the river, now they were crossing the frozen water, heading north and towards the mountains. The trees that had once stretched across both shores of the Broonswater had been cut down here to make room for farms, but even then only few people dared to live on their own homestead so close to the dangerous Black Sickle. The village of Broonsgorge offered some degree of protection, but it was not hard to imagine that the threats of the mountains, goblin raiding parties, wild animals, bandits, even orks if the rumours were true, would threaten the few farmers who dared to live here, especially in these cold months. Usually, there would be border outposts and ducal soldiers patrolling the road every now and then, but of course this was impossible under the bandit baron.
Cuno Bregelseam's farm was still comparably close to the village, only a mile north of the river and with the moon shining down on the snow, Iiro saw it quickly after crossing the river. It was a generous estate, especially for a farmer in this poor part of the world, consisting of a two-story farmhouse flanked by two barns, all surrounded by a small palisade, though there was no gate to protect it. Surrounding the palisade were wide snow-covered fields where wheat would grow during the summer months. All in all, a respectable fortification for a single farm, but nothing that would keep out the larger raiding parties Iiro was used to from the Valley of Svelt.
There were candles burning in the upper windows and the place seemed well-cared for, but at this late hour, no soul was up and outside, save for Iiro and his group of fools. Having noticed the candles as well, Maximus walked behind the palisade and towards the farmhouse. “Cuno Bregelseam!”, he roared, his impressive voice carrying through the night with ease. “We have come to speak to the farmer Cuno Bregelseam!”
Now, Fredo tensed up on Iiro's shoulder and the sellsword himself could see movement behind one of the windows. They had been seen, at least. Maximus remained standing in the centre of the courtyard and with a handsign, he ordered his companions to remain by his side. Fredo raised his head and began to squirm in Iiro's grip. “Let me down...”, he vampire hissed. “He's there, isn't he? Please, let me down!”
“Who's there?”, a hoarsy voice called out from the inside. “I stand under the baron's protection, so if you lot have come to cause trouble, you can piss off right away!” There was another shadow, this time at one of the lower windows, right next to the door. Maximus raised his hands. “We mean you no harm, good man!”, he barked. “Sir Maximus Montclair, with the Church of Rondra. Those are my companions. Please, open the door, we need to speak to you”
“Cuno...”, Fredo mumbled and there was pain in his tone. “Please... let me down... I need to speak to him” Now, the door got opened, only a little bit and a man glanced outside. He was young, perhaps in his early thirties, tall and lean, with short, dark hair. In one hand, he held a storm lantern, the other was clenched around a pitchfork. “What do you want?”, he growled, as he carefully inspected the odd group that had gathered in front of his house. His eyes widened as he noticed Montclair. “I... by the gods...”, he stuttered and pushed the door wide open. “A priest of Rondra on my humble farm, I... please, forgive me, Sir, those are dark times and I...”
“Let me down!”, Fredo growled and he began to twist and squirm in Iiro's grip. The sellsword staggered at the sudden weight and surprising strength of the vampire, but as he looked to Montclair for help, the knight only gave him a nod. “Do it, Redal”, he spoke and immediately, Iiro let go of his scrawny captive. Fredo landed on his feet and in the light of the moon, he was visibly trembling.
By now, Cuno Bregelseam had stepped out of his home, still clinging to the pitchfork with one hand, though he hadn't raised it against them. Instead, he raised his lantern, shining warm light upon the crowd that had gathered in his yard. His eyes widened as his brother turned towards him. “Fredo?”, he gasped. Now, the pitchfork fell from his hands and nearly the lantern too. He looked from his brother to Maximus as if he expected a cruel jest, with wide eyes and a look of fear deep within them. “What is the meaning of this?” His words were a stutter now, his breathing fast and irregular. “Fredo, what happened to you? Why is he bound?”
“At ease, good man”, Maximus spoke and though his voice was calm, his hand hovered close to the hilt of his sword. Iiro knew what the knight felt right now. He himself wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating Fredo either. Though the vampire had not tried to resist them yet, he had felt it. Fredo was monstrously strong and he could kill just by looking at them. On top of that, though there was clear regret in his voice, the vampire was indeed notably less collected than Lucy. Where Iiro was willing to risk trusting her in some limited capacity, he wouldn't do the same with Fredo.
As such, it was no surprise for him when the vampire stretched his arms and snapped his bindings with ease. It had been good rope, Iiro himself had made sure of it before tying the creature up, but he had gotten a taste of Fredo's power as he was carrying him and he knew, they couldn't have held him against his will. Maximus clearly didn't expect this and for once, the usually stoic knight was taken by surprise. In one swift move, he had drawn his sword, only to hesitate when Fredo turned towards him, placing one hand on the rags that still covered his eyes. Beneath them, there was a dangerous shimmer.
“I never wanted any of this, Sir”, the vampire spoke. “I never wanted to hurt anyone, but the pallid knight made me! Please, just... look. I know what I have to do now” His voice broke as he spoke and slowly, Maximus lowered his sword. Fredo looked back at his brother, who was staring at him, his expression an odd mixture of horror, joy and grief. “We've been looking for you all over, Fredo”, Cuno Bregelseam spoke. “I thought I'd never see you again...”
“Don't!”, Joanna barked, as Cuno spread his arms. She tried to dash between them, but Maximus held her back without looking away from the vampire. “What are you doing, Fredo?”, he asked and now, a thin, sad smile formed on the creature's face. “I never had much in my life”, he spoke. “I wasn't as smart as the others or as strong or as rich. I don't know if I had a good life here on the farm, but it was mine and I liked it. Never asked for much. Knew there'd never be a wife and children for me, that I'd never be one of them heroes the bards sing of” He shook his head. “All I wanted to do was to live in peace and quiet. I was content with just... watching”, he continued. “And he had to take even that from me. The pallid knight is cruel, cruel... cruel” He clenched his fists. "Let me help you avenge us...", he added. "Let me make up for... what I did"
As he spoke, he stumbled towards his brother, only to sink into his outstretched arms. “Fredo...”, Cuno mumbled. “What happened to you?” The vampire hesitated for a moment, before he wrapped his arms around his brother's back. Briefly, as he did so, he flinched. “I was lost, big brother”, he muttered. “And scared. I am... so scared. But I'm here now. It will be good. It has to be...” There was something else now. His voice broke again, the moment he touched his brother, but this time, it was not sorrow, but pain. "I am home"
“Fredo...”, Maximus growled, as the vampire looked into his direction. “You want to know how to kill us? How to kill the pallid knight?”, he asked. “That's what he's doing... what he did to me. He takes that which brought us joy and he uses it against us. He takes that which we believed in and makes it our weakness. That's what happened to him so long ago” His legs gave in beneath him, but his brother held him. Cuno's eyes widened. “Fredo, what is happening?”, he gasped.
“It's all good, big brother...”, Fredo mumbled. “It's all good now. I'm home...” To his side, Maximus' eyes widened. “The gods...”, the knight realized. “Travia...” Fredo nodded. “What other goddess would I pray to, Sir?”, he asked. "What else would bring me joy, but family?" His brother tried to let go, now in horror, but Fredo held him back. With all his strength, the vampire pulled him closer. “Don't...”, he whispered. “It's all good. It's all going to be good. Just... hold me”
“What is going on?”, the farmer yelled, his voice shrill with panic. He tried to break free from his brother's embrace, but Fredo would not let go. In the light of the lantern, which had fallen to the ground now, Iiro could see that the vampire was trembling in agony. “Fredo, what is happening to you?”, Cuno added. By now, a violent cough forced its way out of Fredo's throat and with it came blood. “Family... my family...”, the vampire mumbled. “All I had... all I... wanted”
“Fredo!”, the farmer exclaimed. He still clung to his brother, but there was fear on his face. “Please, are you... are you ill? What can I... how can I help you?” Fredo sighed, deeply so. “I'm dying, brother... I have been for a very long time”, he mumbled. “Just... hold me a little longer...” His voice was stained with tears now, but he looked up at Maximus, at least into his general direction. “The pallid knight wants me to kill you. I can see him smiling at me”, he hissed and there was a dangerous growl within his voice, made all the more feral since he was clearly in pain. “I hear him, urging me to... tear and rend and drink, drink, drink... The people who took me tried to make a monster out of me. Even now I feel it... the hunger, the greed... more, more, ever more... I won't let that happen... I'm having enough of it!”
He was in pain, he had to be in horrible pain just from touching his brother and all Iiro could do was to stare at him in horror, as he still clung to the other man as if the world depended on it. Even Maximus failed to remain calm, but there was understanding on the knight's face. “I know what to do now, Fredo. You have helped us a great deal”, he spoke and a smile formed on the vampire's face, even as blood was gathering in the corner of his mouth. “May the Twelve have mercy on you. May you find peace in Boron's Halls”
“Boron is not the one waiting for me, Sir Knight...”, Fredo mumbled. “But this is good. This... has to be...” He looked over his shoulder, where Nadim was standing and though he clearly couldn't see him with the blindfold, he was nonetheless smiling into his direction. “I am... sorry... for... Lucy...”, he managed to press through his teeth. “I... never wanted to...” He opened his mouth to gasp. “Farewell... Cuno... love you... big brother”
With these words, he finally let go of his brother, who sunk to his knees. Fredo himself collapsed immediately. Where his brother had held him, deep, scorched burn marks where visible through the rags. Cuno himself seemed unharmed, but after a moment of shock, he clutched his brother's body, as a panicked wail found its way out of his throat. “Fredo!”, he screamed. “No... no!” But there was no doubt about it. Fredo's body had gone limp, his soul had moved on, but Iiro couldn't even guess where to. And yet, though the vampire had died in great agony, in death there was a smile on his lips.
Quietly, the knight walked up towards the grieving farmer, still holding his dead brother. Iiro clenched his fists, as he looked at Fredo's corpse. In the end, the young man had chosen his own death over becoming a monster. Iiro couldn't rightfully say that he would have done the same, but he had to respect Fredo for it. “Your brother was a brave man”, Maximus spoke and though his tone lacked any warmth, his words were genuine praise.
“I thought I'd never see him again...”, Cuno mumbled, as he looked up and at Maximus. “What happened to him?” The knight shook his head. “You don't want to know”, he growled. “He fell victim to a terrible curse and it was his dying wish to come home one last time” The two men looked at each other, before Maximus reached for his pouch. “This should pay for a decent funeral. You may wish to have a Priest of Boron bless his grave”
With these words, he placed the pouch on the ground next to Cuno. As he turned around, the farmer called out for him again. “Thank you, Sir...”, he spoke, his voice heavy, but surprisingly composed for a man who had just lost his brother. Then again, Fredo had gone missing months ago. He had mourned for him a long time ago only to see him die now. “I... I saw him, you know. Once, shortly after he went missing. It was night, I was out there searching... He was sitting there, pale and sickly thin and he was looking at me from a distance, just for a moment. None of us spoke, until he turned around and left. I... knew in this moment that he was not coming back. That he wanted it this way” The farmer shook his head. “But you brought him back home”, he mumbled. “And that... I think that was a good thing”
Maximus gave him a nod. “Farewell”, he spoke, as he approached his companions. Iiro could only stare at the dead vampire, while Joanna was still tense. “Well...”, she spoke, her voice shaky and nervous. “At least now we know that they can die” This comment earned her a sharp glare from Montclair. “A man just died, Joanna”, he growled. “He deserved better than that, so show some respect”
His harsh words took the woman by surprise and as he walked past her, her eyes widened. “I... I didn't mean to...”, she gasped. “Apologies, Sir” Iiro understood her, though. She was nervous and so was he. In contrast, Maximus was unnervingly calm. But not everyone could have the discipline of a Priest of Rondra. What had happened just now, it had been a foul thing. Fredo, the vampire... he had been dangerous and unnatural, but in the end, his decision had been made to protect others, from him first and foremost. Anyone would be shaken. Anyone except Maximus, it seemed.
“Are you alright, Umer?”, the knight asked, as he placed one hand on Nadim's shoulder. The guardsman stood near the palisade, staring at Fredo's corpse with wide eyes. “Fredo, he's... oh gods...”, he gasped. “No... I don't think I'm alright” Maximus gave him a nod. “I understand”, he replied. “Come, let's give this man some peace. We have done enough work for tonight”
They left Cuno Bregelseam there, with his brother's corpse and a pouch of gold, as they began the march back to Broonsgorge. It was still dark out there, but Iiro knew it wouldn't be far until dawn now and he felt it in his tired bones. This day had taken a strange and frightening turn, but he was certain that the days to come would be no better. Somehow he had gotten himself into another situation as terrible as the one in Drakesfield and all he could do was to quietly curse his luck.
“Was there truly no other way?”, Nadim asked after they had left the farm behind. Maximus shook his head. “He was too far gone”, he replied. “It honours him that he realized it in the end, but it doesn't absolve him” The young man frowned and Iiro knew what he was going to say even before he opened his mouth. “Will it be similar with Lucy?”, he asked. “Is there no other way for her too?”
“The difference is that she hasn't killed anyone”, Maximus replied, almost immediately. “I find her way of survival questionable, but it is better than what Fredo did. Feeding on the willing, only as much as she needs... time will tell if this means her soul can be saved. It's likely that higher authorities than me have to make that call. As far as I'm concerned, we have to give her a chance until then”
Relief flashed over Nadim's face. “Perhaps we should take her with us when we move on”, he brought up. “I want to come with you, but I also want to keep an eye on her. To make sure she won't endanger herself or others” Joanna immediately threw him a surprised, but stern glare. She exchanged a look with Iiro, before she shook her head. “Absolutely not!”, she growled. “I get you're concerned for her, but we're not going to take a vampire with us. You've seen how unhinged Fredo was. Yeah, he made the right choice in the end, but he said it himself, even then he had to fight that urge to just kill us”
“The same could happen if we leave her here”, Nadim brought up. “At least the four of us, as well as the mages, can deal with her. What if she loses control when it's just her mother and sister around? If we want to save her, we need to keep her close” Once more, Joanna shook her head. “Honestly... we got better things to do than risk it all on one vampire. If what Fredo said is true, then there's a... what did the mage call it... an arch-vampire out there and who knows how many of their kind by his side. The last thing I want is to worry about your girl ripping out my throat at night. You've seen how strong Fredo was and he was practically starving”
“She won't do that!”, Nadim growled, now with sharpness to his voice. “Besides, would it be such a bad thing to have her on our side? Yes, I've seen Fredo's strength. Lucy is the same when it comes to that. She's strong, fast, she never tires...” Before he could continue, Joanna cut him off. “She consumes fresh human blood or else she starves”, she replied. “Are you going to donate yours every other day? Weaken yourself and our mages who have to stitch you back together?” Her voice was downright agitated now, but she seemed to notice it as well, as she took a deep breath right afterwards. “Listen... I get where you're coming from...”, she continued, calmer now. “But there is too much at stake. Maybe you're right and she'll be an asset, but we do not know that. She's dangerous at the very least. We cannot burden us with that”
“Excellent points, from both of you!”, Maximus interjected before Nadim could reply. “I too would like to keep an eye on her, but Captain Walter has brought up a good argument. Lucy is dangerous, possibly an asset of great value, or possibly a disastrous threat to our actual mission” He narrowed his eyes. “In the end, it won't be your call to make, but mine and I'll live with the consequences”
The look in his eyes was sharp, the kind that did not allow for any arguing. Joanna recognized it at once, since she saluted in front of the knight. Nadim meanwhile was hesitating, but finally gave in with a slight nod. Only then did Maximus turn to Iiro, who had quietly watched the debate between his companions. “You're not getting involved, Redal?”, he asked and Iiro shook his head. “I don't like to argue”, he growled. “I'll form my own opinion, but I'm not going to question your decision, if that's what you're concerned about”
“I'm not”, Maximus replied. “You're a blade for hire. Men like you rarely question an order when the pay is right” There was criticism in his words, but his tone remained calm and polite. “But your advice has been sound before”, he added. “That's why I want to hear it again before I make my decision. You have heard Nadim, full of concern for the woman he once loved. I agree that having accompany us could help with keeping her on the right path. At the same time, Joanna's point is excellent as always. Lucy remains dangerous and having to keep an eye on her could jeopardize our mission”
He looked at Iiro as if he was judging him. The sellsword had seen this look before, coming from the man who had taught him how to swing a blade. “I am curious what you think about it, what you would do if this would be your decision to make”, Maximus continued. “Lucy could be a great asset or a terrible burden. Would you burden yourself with her if we were to take her along?”
[Take Lucy with you] [Leave Lucy in Broonsgorge]
