Chronicles of David
Chapter 9: Babysitting

Copyright© 2006 by D A Porter

As the ladies became absorbed in the program, Tom vanished again. He reappeared in the Library apartment with Bitsy and the children. He shooed the little ones into the gymnasium and told them to play and have fun.

Pulling Bitsy aside, Tom had a few words of advice for her. "Take the time to read and study while you are here. Remember, time does not flow here as it does elsewhere. And some of the children could use some study time too. Especially Mrow. Like it or not, you are their teacher for the time being. I will send someone to help you, so please don't fry them when they show up."

With that Tom vanished again.

A few moments later, Bitsy felt a tremor in the fabric of the world. Then the door of the apartment suddenly grew taller. The doorknob turned and the door opened.

"Hello there Little One! I hear you need my help again?"

"TUCK!" Bitsy squealed happily. She flung herself at the giant and hugged him as tight as she could. Bitsy led Tuck over to a huge chair and made him sit down, all the while, she kept up a stream of chatter, trying to bring the giant up to date on what was going on.

Tuck listened to it all and let her run down with an amused smile. She would calm down soon enough. And the old Hermit had told him that there would be plenty of time here.

At last, Bitsy led Tuck into the gym to introduce him to the children. When they returned to the apartment, it had expanded to contain separate bedrooms for each child and for Bitsy. Tuck would sleep on Bitsy's dragon sized sleeping ledge. And the kitchen area was much bigger to accommodate several tables and a much larger pantry.

The next morning, Staffet went and collected basic books on reading etc. for the children, and gathered more advanced magic books for herself.

Tuck turned out to be an excellent teacher, with a good rapport with the kids. The kids learned to read and write with phenomenal speed. Their minds absorbing knowledge like so many sponges.

It was a few weeks into the stay at the library when Lady Shadow and Bitsy's moms came to visit. Lady Shadow made a big fuss over Mrow and how well she was doing. And she also hugged and talked to the other kids. From things 'Lyssa said to Bitsy, she could tell that only hours had passed in their world. Still, Bitsy was glad for the company.

Then the mothers all left again. Bitsy and Tuck went back to learning and teaching. Still, Bitsy wished that she were with her father having more adventures.

Who Needs Van Helsing?

David winked into existence about 30 feet above ground. He wanted a good look at the surrounding area before he landed. Aside from a rather extensive graveyard that covered the ground as far as he could see on all sides except the single road, there was just the fortress. The only being moving was a person approaching the fortress on foot.

David landed, careful to remain on the road. The person approaching turned out to be a young human woman. David stepped to the side and waited for her to get to where he was standing. When the girl was within a few yards, David doffed his hat and bowed. "My name is David Porter. And I am new to the area."

The girl stopped a few feet from David. "My name is Moira." She said. "And 'tis plain you are a stranger. I have never seen you before."

David gave her what he hoped was a winning smile. "I am seeking the Mistress of this fortress. Could you tell me if I am on the correct road, and if I might find her at home?"

Moira frowned prettily, "Most folk who find Lady Deathmist do not survive to regret their encounter."

"Alas," David said, "I have urgent business with Lady Deathmist and must see her in person."

"On your own head be it." Said Moira sadly.

"How is it that you walk this realm unafraid?" David asked.

"None here would offer to harm me for fear of incurring the rage of Lady Deathmist. She needs me alive and healthy to care for her estate."

David bowed again. "Would you do me the courtesy and honor of escorting me to the fortress? I fear that I should have a difficult time entering if I approached alone."

Moira smiled and nodded. "Getting in would be as easy as simply asking for admission at the gatehouse. Exiting however might prove much harder, and I may not be able to assist you then. Provided that you live through your visit with Mistress Deathmist."

Offering Moira his arm, David walked with the pretty girl toward the fortress. Moira was indeed a beauty, with long red hair and emerald green eyes. She had very pale skin that went naturally with her red hair. She appeared to be about 18 or so. However things she let slip as they walked gave David the sense that she was a bit older than she looked at first.

In due course they arrived at the gatehouse. "'Tis your last chance to turn away. You can leave now safely."

David shook his head gravely. "I must speak to Lady Deathmist. It is a matter that could affect her survival and rule."

Moira blinked at this. "It seems that you must see her after all. I hope for your sake that the interview goes well."

She turned to the guards in the shack. "Open up the gates ye turnip heads! I am late and this gentleman has a message for Lady Deathmist."

The guards scrambled to open the gates for the couple to enter. David grinned to himself, yup, that was the redheaded temper in action.

Moira led David to a large room dominated by a massive ebony throne at one end. "Wait here." Moira said. She vanished through a side door that had been concealed by a tapestry.

David turned slowly around; comparing the tapestry that concealed the door the redhead had just left through to the others hanging on the walls. Unless he was mistaken, there were at least 6 other doors in the hall, and he suspected that the spaces beyond them were packed with troops ready to defend their sovereign.

Movement behind the throne alerted David to new arrivals. He turned to face the throne about 10 steps away. First came a squad of walking skeletons wearing pieces of armor and bearing maces and swords. Then came a pair of humans wearing traditional wizards robes. Finally a tall slender woman with black hair and ruby lips came from behind the throne and seated herself. "I am the Lady Deathmist." Stated the lady on the throne, showing an impressive set of fangs as she smiled. Moira came to stand next to David silently. "What message do you have for me." asked the vampire on the throne as she curled her legs up under her and leaned on the arm of the throne.

"Lord Charnel is on the move." David said. "Your old liege is slain and Lord Charnel intends to take his place."

"And of what interest is this to me? Why should I concern myself with Lord Charnel's antics?" The vampire on the throne narrowed her eyes. "And why do you bring me this news at such risk to yourself?"

"It is yourself that is at risk My Lady." David said.

The Vampire laughed. "ME at risk? How do you arrive at such a ridiculous conclusion?"

"Simple," David said. "Lord Charnel has been gathering the allegiance of many lesser undead. And he will soon be the strongest leader in this domain, at least militarily. And he cannot afford to have any rivals approaching his level of power. Thus he will seek to destroy you as soon as he feels capable of it. Lord Charnel cannot take the chance of offering you a true alliance. He would always have to fear you taking control away from him."

The vampire in the throne nodded thoughtfully. To David's surprise, Moira was nodding as well.

"And how does warning me of this benefit you?" The vampire asked.

"Also simple." David said. "Lord Charnel wants to take over rule of the entire realm. I would rather not see this happen."

"And how do you suppose I am going to stop him? You said yourself that he is probably stronger militarily than I." the woman on the throne asked.

"It was my forces, led by my wives and daughter that slew the Lord Canis and his cohorts. And I would throw my support behind you to help you gain uncontested rule over this domain."

The vampire on the throne sat up straight in shock. Moira took a couple of steps to the side and turned to face David. "And what do you gain from my accepting your offer?" Moira said.

"Lady Deathmist I presume?" asked David. "I gain your loyalty to my rule. I do not interfere in the internal running of your domain. And in exchange, you gain my aid in defending your domain from external threats. You would be expected to sign and obey a charter that will be drafted to deal with disputes between domains."

Moira/Deathmist waved her hand in dismissal to her retainers. She called to the lady vampire who had impersonated her. "Katherine, I need you to call together those vassals that remain loyal to me. I need to know also which ones have gone over to Lord Charnel's camp. We go to war."

"Not what ye expected?" Moira asked David with a sassy grin. "I am still young enough to recall my humanity. And your courtesy to one you took for a common maid showed your decent heart."

"I am glad to know that what others have told me of you is true." David said. "And what would that be?" Asked Moira, showing just a hint of fang in her smile now. "Why, that you were the best choice to rule this domain, and that you were very intelligent."

"Flatterer." laughed Moira. "'Twas Lord Charnel himself that robbed me of my life and loves and made me the monster I am today. I owe him a debt black as sin."

"We shall do our best to see that debt paid in full, with interest." David vowed.

"Will you join me for a meal?" Moira asked. Then she giggled like the young lass she had been when she saw the look David gave her. "Oh, if you could only see your face just now." She bent over laughing. "Ye great goof! I meant a regular mortal type meal."

David nodded with relief.

Moira led David to a large dining hall. The meal was roast beef and a savory stew accompanied by steaming hot crusty loaves of bread fresh from the oven. To David1s surprise, Moira dug right in and ate as heartily as he did. Moira noticed his surprise and guessed the reason. "I suppose you have read all that Blarney about vampires not being able to eat real food." David nodded, his mouth being too full to speak.

Moira dimpled a smile at him and continued. "When a person is first brought over to the undead, food tastes nauseating and blood is the only thing that seems to want to stay down." She made a face at the memory. "But I was stubborn, and decided that I would eat just like I always had, drinking the blood only when I absolutely had to." She paused to take a bite of bread. Moira spoke through a mouthful of food, "So now my appetite has returned for the good old foods, and the tastes help remind me of the Before time."

"And what other items do the books have wrong?" David asked when he was able to swallow the mouthful of beef he had been chewing.

"'Tis true that sunlight can harm us, but crosses and suchlike have no effect. We can be killed by decapitation, by burning, or by destroying enough of the body that we can't regenerate. Wooden stakes don't work, but silver causes us pain and can be fatal if we are hit with a weapon made of it."

Moira shivered, then, "Some of us can change into other creatures, but that is simple shape shifting. We can all turn to mist, but we are vulnerable in that form. A stiff wind can disperse us beyond recall, however we can attack in that form, pulling the blood out through the pores of the skin, the eyes and other openings." She held up a thick metal goblet and crushed it like tinfoil in one hand. "And we are strong."

David shook his head. "I am very, very glad that we are going to be friends."

A tall, whip-thin vampire entered the dining hall through a door near Moira. David's hand began to glow softly, and the crosshairs appeared in David's vision. "Moira..." He began. Then things moved very fast. The tall vampire drew a short sword from under his cloak. David had time to notice that the hilt was thickly wrapped in silk, and then the blade was flickering towards Moira's neck. David's hand flared instantly to sun bright brilliance and a burst of energy lanced from the fingertips to impact the sword blade before it could touch Moira's skin. The sword was blasted back and away from it's intended target. Then David deliberately shifted the crosshairs in his vision to arm holding the intruders blade. Another blast of energy and the whole forearm dropped smoking to the floor, the sword ringing on the flagstones. In quick succession, David deprived the male vampire of his remaining limbs by the simple tactic of blasting them off at the knees and elbow. The male vampire was in shock from pain and could only lay helplessly as the glow from David's artificial hand dimmed to a soft aura. David turned to Moira, who now looked the part of the vampire her fangs fully out and her eyes glowing blood red. "I trust you can contain him and keep him alive and right here until we can question him?"

"Aye," Moira snarled. "Then the turncoat will pay dearly for his treachery."

She knelt over the downed vampire and forced him to look her in the eyes. David could not hear what passed between them. Then Moira stood up. Shaking with rage, she picked up the dropped sword carefully by the silk wrapped hilt. "Silver." She spat. Then she knelt again and struck off the traitor's head with a single stroke.

The vampire's corpse burst into a heatless flame and dissolved into smoke. "That was far better than he merited." Moira said in disgust.

She hurled the sword through an open window a good dozen yards away.

"Lord Charnel has taken Katherine." Moira growled. "I doubt me not that he will wring from her what he can, and then slay her slowly for the "amusement" of it."

"Can you sense where she is?" David asked urgently.

Moira looked up at him curiously. "Aye, I have a link with all of my vassals when I chose to exercise it."

"David held out his hand. "Do you trust me?"

Moira looked at him steadily. Finally she made her decision and reached for his hand. "Aye."

"Then let's go get her back." David said.

"But he will have her in his castle, and that will be warded by all the sorcery at his command. And he will have his best creatures there to defend him." Moira said hopelessly.

David smiled mirthlessly. "I doubt he is expecting ME to come dropping in." He gave her a wicked grin, "Ever hear of a HALO jump?"

Commando Raid

Before Moira could ask what the hell a HALO jump was, David swept her into an embrace and teleported them both. David had set the teleport so that they would exit about 300 feet up and a good quarter mile from the castle on an upward trajectory. Moira muffled her yell of fear against David's shoulder and vowed to make him pay for scaring the bejabbers out of her, IF they lived through his madness.

David had planned the harebrained stunt well all things considered. Their ballistic arc carried them silently over the castle walls and down into the courtyard. Just when Moira was sure that they would hit the ground and be splattered like so much strawberry jam, David tightened his arms around her and exerted his will in a burst of levitation, depositing them neatly on their feet next to an open door. For the moment, it appeared that no one had noticed their arrival, the teleport exit had been far enough away to avoid detection unless specifically looked for, and the levitation had been too brief.to zero in on the location.

Moira swayed a bit, dizzy from her unexpected fall. When she regained her equilibrium, Moira smacked David on the shoulder, "Damn ye for a jokester and a rogue for scaring the life out of me." she said in a whisper. David chuckled softly and leaned close to whisper in her ear. "A bit late for scaring the life of you, although you made a pleasant armful as you wriggled a minute ago." David grinned wider, he hadn't known that vampires could blush.

Motioning for Moira to follow him through the open door and into the room beyond. It proved to be a storeroom, empty at the moment. There was another door on the far wall. Listening at the door, David could hear no movement. He turned to Moira. "Do your mist trick and seep under the door, unlock it from the far side if possible." Moira nodded and concentrated. Her body dissolved into a mist that flowed under the door and vanished. A short while later, the lock clicked and the door opened. Moira stood there smiling brightly. "Piece of cake." she said.

David took the lead, guided by Moira's hand on his back. They made their way down to where Lord Charnel had his dungeons. They encountered only a few beings, choosing stealth and hiding rather than direct confrontation. Their mission was rescue, not destruction and killing.

The few occasions when they had no choice, they killed, quickly and silently. Moira proving to be a deadly and skilled fighter. At last, they came to a well-lit guardroom. David counted over a dozen guards of various undead types. Pulling back to a safe distance, David whispered to Moira. "We can take them out, but it will be noisy and sure to draw attention that we can't afford right now."

Moira said simply, "leave it to me." She abruptly strode down the hall and around the corner into the room. David heard her voice raised in an angry tone. He could not make out the words, but to judge by the stream of undead fleeing the room, she was on her high horse.

Finally Moira appeared at the corner and beckoned to David. He hurried to her side. "That lot will be running fools errands until dawn." She chuckled. "No lesser undead would question a vampire, nor refuse the commands of even a strange vampire."

 
There is more of this chapter...

When this story gets more text, you will need to Log In to read it

Close
 

WARNING! ADULT CONTENT...

Storiesonline is for adult entertainment only. By accessing this site you declare that you are of legal age and that you agree with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.