Rauko Rondo

The house is as silent as a mouse while they finish their meal; everyone is lost in their own thoughts.

Venlian finally looks up and breaks the silence. "Dad, tell Alana about the bear, will you? " Venlian asks, grinning, and puts his cup down. Gmork looks up in surprise. "Why Venlian?" I just told her about it in the harbor. She wouldn't believe me." Gmork sighs and rubs his eyes. "Why did you tell her? Father is something wrong?" Venlian asks concerned. "Gmork I" begins Alana, but Gmork stops her. "No, it is fine. The damage is done already, and it is my own fault to be fair. It's time I start being honest. The bear wasn't just a bear. It was a shapeshifter." Venlian bites his lip. "Dad I am..." Gmork holds up his hand. Alana swallows. A shapeshifter? "Hate his best friend is a shapeshifter. And a damn powerful one also! They say he is the most powerful shifter or skinwalker as they call them also, in the entire land. " "The raven" whisper Venlian and Alana." "If you see a black animal, with red eyes... You know it is him. And if you did, I need to know." Well" begins Venlian but he gets interrupted by a loud bounce on the door. Venlian and Gmork look up. "Gmork, open up. It is the headmaster" sounds outside the door. Gmork shakes his head. "Alana, go upstairs. Venlian, stay with her." "But dad.." Now my child," Gmork says and takes his sword. "Alana dear, whatever happens. Trust Venlian. I am so happy that I got to know you." "Gmork" whispers Alana and takes his hand." "Go my child, I must do what I'm trained to do." Venlian takes one last look at his father and then guides Alana upstairs.

He slowly closes the door behind him and sighs. "Alana I.." Alana looks with big, sad eyes at him." Venlian sighs again. "Look, I cannot sit here while dad is doing whatever he does. Please forgive me. I must see if he is okay. He is all I have left. But if I don't make it back.. You must run to the stables. " "Venlian" she whimpers. "No Alana, please listen. This is important. In the stables, the last one on the left. Stands a special animal. It is waiting there for you, since the day you were born. He can help you. Go to the little village in the north. It is called Lò mol. Ask for the Captain. His name is Mauger. He will know who you are." "The captain," asked Alana. "Alana, I trust you. I know you will do it and I know that you will save us all. Even if I was not there to witness it. Remember... Lò Mol. The captain. Mauger." "Venlian" whimpers Alana. Venlian groans and places his back against the door. Heavy pounding sounds on the wooden door that protests under the force of a strong fist. "Alana go" he says. "No I cannot leave you alone." "Please Alana" groans Venlian. Drive... Drive as fast as the wind. "Venlian, I can't leave you, not you too" Alana replied. "Alana, please listen to me". Alana shakes her head. "Alana please" he whispers. A silver tear rolls from her eye as their lips touch lovingly. He groans and falls on the floor when the door bursts open.

"Alana go" shouts Venlian and pushes Alana behind him. Hate smiles amusingly and looks at the brave boy. "Your villagers are not as loyal as you think", Hate grins with a wink and walks to Venlian. The boy remains silent. "Get out of the way" commands Hate. "Never", Venlian answers bravely. "I hoped you would say that", grins Hate and raises his sword covered with red blood. Venlian bravely defends himself from the demonic force while Alana uses his distraction. She sneaks quietly past the fighting pair. Hate laughs nasty and grabs Alana hurriedly. "Where do you think you're going?" he chuckles and puts his arm around her throat. "Let her go," Venlian shouts angrily. Hate laughs. "Why would I do that?" he mocks. "Because you're an asshole," Alana whispers, pushing the dagger into his abdomen. Hate exhales in shock and takes a step back. "How did you do that"Venlian blows, impressed. "You provided enough distraction and you taught me remember", Alana replies softly. Venlian grins and pushes her past Hate. Growling, Hate drags the dagger from his body and glares at Alana. "Go" Venlian shouts and rushes to Hate. Roaring, he pushes Hate back. They crash through the window with a loud thud. Alana hurries away from the sharp pieces of glass. Shocked, she looks through the window at the pair that landed on the hard ground. "What have you done Venlian", she whispers, concerned, and quickly runs downstairs.

"Oh, my Goddess", she whispers when she sees the two warriors lying on the ground bleeding. She rushes to Venlian and kneels next to him. "Why did you do that?" she whispers crying. Alana carefully takes Venlian's hand and smiles reassuringly. Tears sparkle in her eyes as the dying boy casts his soft green eyes on her." Alana" he whispers again, weakened and coughs deeply. "Shh" calms Alana and strokes his sweaty forehead. Go to the inn, the bloody virgin." Alana nods understandingly.

The captain is a friend of my father's. Tell him Gmork sent you... he'll understand". Alana takes a deep breath. "I can't leave you." "Alana you must. Quick before he comes up." Alana looks carefully at Hate. A single tear slowly rolls down her cheek. "Alana ... be careful. Vampires rule in that village". Alana nods and looks at Venlian " I'm sorry" she whispers as he stares at the sky. A soft smile curls his lips before he dies. Alana sobs and puts down his hand. Why did Gmork and Venlian have to leave her too? The man and his son were so good to her, and now they were dead. Because of her, she thinks reproachfully.

Alana looks up nervously when Hate moans softly. She stands up, frightened, and walks past him. She screams loudly as he grabs her ankle. "No", she begs, trying to pull her foot away. She stamps his face viciously when he raises his head. Hate moans and drops his head again. Alana jumped up quickly. Alana looks tensely at the fishing spear and swallows. Deep in thought, she stares at Hate again. She hesitantly takes the wooden stick and walks back to Hate. "Sorry, but I don't want you to follow me again right away," she whispers and drills the iron hook through his shoulder. She runs hastily to the stables.

"Are we running again" laughs a rough voice. She looks angrily at Vengeance standing next to the stable. "No," she whispers, and backs away. Vengeance grins and slowly walks towards her. "What have you done? Why isn't Hate behind you," he asks viciously. Alana looks up and smiles. "I don't think he will be behind me for the first time," she replies bravely. Vengeance chuckles. Let's change that. "No," she screams and turns around quickly. Vengeance smiles as she walks away. He follows her quietly. "The big man tells me to catch you, so I'll catch you," he threatens. Alana looked around, frightened for something to help her. "The last stable" she recalls. She looks nervously at the closed stable door. How can she get past Vengeance? The slim boy is even too strong for her. Damn Jaspar why didn't you train me. She swears.

"Alana" resounds softly in Alana's ears. Where does that come from? What was that? Was that Hate? No, the voice was too rough for Hate. Frightened, Alana takes a step back when a loud banging sound comes from the stable doors. Alana's adrenaline shoots up abruptly as she stares at the shattering barn door. "fuck" curses Vengeance and rolls his eyes. Distrustful, he takes a few steps back and places his right hand on his sword. As Venlian had predicted. A unicorn appears from the stable on the right. Furious, fed by Alana's adrenaline, the animal rushes at Alana. Distrustful, Alana jumps away from the mighty beast. His long white mane sways in the winter breeze as he runs for Vengeance. "fuck" Vengeance growls again and dodges the mighty animal. Alana looks doubtful when the animal returns and slows down next to her. Hastily, she grabs his strong neck and pulls herself up onto his muscular back. She has no idea where he comes from or who he is, but right now he is the only one who can help her. The mighty beast rushes to the grassy hills. Why did he save her? How did he know she was in trouble? Tears run over her face as she leaves the little river village behind her. Everything that was left now was a memory. Behind her, black fumes rise from the little houses that slowly disappear from this world. Clinging to the unicorn, his long mane, she tries to balance on his back. His fast hooves sounded like thunder. The sun can't warm her face anymore. Every bone in her body feels broken. Her skin feels like ice... Her heart... feels empty. She sobs soft and wipes the tears from her eyes. The noble beautiful animal stops slowly at the feet of a small cottage. His long tail whispers in the gentle breeze while he bows his head. Alana slowly slides from his back. She sighs. Why did everything turn out so wrong?

"Alana" .Alana looks surprised into the animal's lavender eyes. "Did you just speak"? "Alana "..A strong voice appears in her head. "I've come a long way to find you". "You...You're talking to me", she whispers in shock. What is this? Did she hit her head too hard? Is this a dream again? "This is not a dream Alana, I'm really talking to you. I am one of the last pure Unicorn Masters. We are destined to be together, Alana." Alana looks up and strokes the beast's soft pink nose. "But how? Why me? I am no one special at all, nor am I brave or rich." "It was prophesied that I would find you and save you from the filthy demon. I've waited nearly a hundred years for you to hear my voice, Besides, riders are not chosen for their bravery or riches but for their hearts." "But why do I hear it in my head?" "Because only our horsemen are destined to hear our voices. "Horseman" she asks, staring at the diamond horn. "Alana, did the boy tell you where to go?" Alana swallows. "Lo mol" she whispers. "Lo Mol it is. Do you want to go through the valley or through the mountains?" Still shocked that she could hear his voice, she replied, muttering," He said that we had to take the mountains." "Alana, in those stables you will find a blanket and a saddle. Please take it so we can continue." "But that's stealing," she replies. "We don't have time Alana. Think of it as borrowing." Alana sighs. "Do you have a name?" "Daydream". "Daydream" Alana whispers and rubs his neck. "Come on little one," he says softly and pushes his nose against her arm. Alana sighs again and sneaks into the stable.

Looking around, she grabs the black leather saddle and bridle. "That's one" she mumbles and walks to the wool blanket. "I could use some help" she grumbles. A soft chuckle appears in her head as Daydream trots closer. "I'm so glad you find this funny," she growls, and lays the blanket on his back. Daydream shakes his head. "I'm sorry little one". Alana laughs and shakes her head. "Okay, maybe that was a bit funny", she grins and tightens the saddle. "A little" he replies amused. Alana chuckles and pulls herself into the saddle. "Come on a daydream, ride like the wind" she commands. Whinnying, Daydream rears up.

As Daydream races across the grassy fields, Alana remembers Venlian's words. "The captain is a friend of my dad." What does he mean by captain? Pirates? Or is he a soldier? And why does a captain hide among the vampires? Doesn't it make sense for him to hide in Pirate City if he's a captain? How does Jasper know these people? Or maybe Jaspar had only known Gmork. How can this Mauger know what she means by simply saying Gmork's name? It seems that this contingency plan was agreed upon long before Alana grew up. Why did Jasper never tell her anything? Why had he waited so long? She could have saved Katinka from her fate if she knew this. She could save Rodehanthe. Oh, Rodehanthe, she thinks again and bites her lip. Maybe he survived? Maybe he escaped? How is that possible if Hate was here again? No one escapes him. but Alana was also able to escape his grasp. With help, of course. Maybe someone helped Rodehanthe? Alana sighs and stares at the setting sun. Stop tormenting yourself. Alana thinks disappointed and shakes her head. Again, the image of Rodehanthe appears before her eyes with his friendly smile. His soft voice. The way he looked into her eyes when he kissed her hand. Alana sighs and drops her head into Daydream's neck. "I'm sorry Rodehanthe", she whispers, and continues: "I'm sorry Katinka"

"Stop wriggling", shouts Heinrich, and grabs the ropes around her upper arms again. Grumbling at the rope between her teeth, she places her foot in front of Heinrich, causing them both to stumble to the ground. He hisses arrogantly as he hits the ground. Katinka scrambles up helplessly and stares into the boy's deep eyes. Godfrey gently puts Wolfgang down and sighs. Heinrich stared at the young girl her grassy eyes. Full of fear and torment. Her pink lips around the rope are broken, while her long red hair flutters past her pointy ears in the winter breeze. "Give it up girl" growls Godfrey as she tries to avoid Heinrich. "We are practically at the castle". Katinka stares in defeat at the dark formation that looks coldly over the plain. Growling, Heinrich grabs her better. "You have no choice. Either you walk or you die," he whispers and pushes her forward. "Just a little while, Wolf" whispers Godfrey and supports Wolfgang again." Yes, Wolfgang grumbles and uncomfortably pulls in his injured leg. Albrecht sighs and stares at the castle. "You better think about what you are going to say," he mocks, and continues, "I'm sure someone is hopelessly waiting for it." Katinka softly squeezes herself between the creaking ropes and panics. Why had she done this? What should she tell? Fortunately, Alana escaped. Or could she have been caught? What if it was all for nothing? Come on Katinka keep hoping she bites herself and squeezes again into Heinrich's grasp.

Katinka stares silently at the castle. The dark thick gates that adorn the high stone wall swing open slowly. "Come on" Heinrich grumbles and pushes her through the dark gates. Katinka looks intently at the stone pillars that adorn left and right along the muddy gravel road. On top of each pillar rests a detailed silver dragon gazing at the once beautiful castle. Branches are now creeping their way along the stone-cold walls as if they had been left behind for years. Even the short grass that graced the winding path had turned brown. As Heinrich pushes her further, Katinka casts her gaze on the green pine trees that adorn the edges of the courtyard. She had heard so many stories. But this... she never expected this. Katinka looks intently at the gray fortress. The tall lampposts that adorn the entrance are neatly polished, and their windows are as immaculate as the castle windows that are present in great numbers. Katinka looks at the seven steaming chimneys and returns her gaze to the heavy wooden double front door, neatly finished with a golden lion's head as a door knocker. The bell that adorns the center tower chimes loudly as the gold hand slowly shifts.

Godfried gently lowers Wolfgang onto the wooden bench that adorns the wall and sighs in relief. "We're finally here" he blows. Wolfgang grumbles something unintelligible and watches the heavy door open. Of course, the demons wouldn't give him their blood; they hadn't even helped him get here. Vengeance silently walks down the stone steps and brutally grabs Katinka from Heinrich's arms. Without saying a word, he pushed her into the amazingly bright hall. Katinka stares in surprise at the marble hall and swallows. This is so spacious and neat, she thinks surprised. An oval arch adorns the wall leading to two double dark doors. There's no doubt there's nothing good behind the doors, she thinks, looking at the large window that adorns the stairs on the first floor. Golden pillars adorn the left and right of the upper stairs to match the generous wooden railing that curls gracefully along the marble staircase. Two round brick walls adorn the left and right of the oval wall opening around which the staircase curves gracefully.

Vengeance pushes Katinka through the arc. Scared, Katinka thinks he will lead her through the double doors but instead opens a heavy door located in the left wall. Katinka takes a deep breath when she finds herself in a cold stone hallway. The copious warmth and light from just are gone when he closes the door. Katinka looks down at the brick curved staircase. She was previously impressed by the prosperity in this fortress, but now she is coldly reminded that it is a dark place. Vengeance pushes her down the short stone stairs without saying something. Katinka looks sadly at the rayless staircase. She knows where he will take her, there must be something she can do. She must try to escape. She looks intently at the stone floor with the honeycomb pattern. She cannot reach the flaming torches that adorn the stone wall. They are too high. A wooden double door in the stone hall adorns the rear. Where will it lead, she wondered curiously. Vengeance pushes her through the oval wall opening under the stairs and leads her down a dark, long corridor. Heavy wooden doors adorn left and right. Burning torches are attached to the wall with iron rings. Katinka shudders at the sight of these doors. The cells... Vengeance stops in front of the last door and takes his dagger. A playful smile appears on his lips when Katinka closes her eyes. He cut her ropes silently. Katinka gently licks her full lips as he pulls the rope between her teeth. She stares fearfully into the boy's dark eyes. Silently he takes a leather bottle from his belt and places it on Katinka's lips. The cool water slides down Katinka's dry throat and soothes her irritated tongue. Katinka nervously rests her teeth on her lips as he removes a copper lock from her face.

"You'd better watch out. Copper is Hate his weakness" he finally begins. She takes a nervous deep breath and stares into his young face. His shoulder-length dark blond hair curls gracefully over his shoulders and his muscular longer body, desperately looking for something to use, she runs her eyes along his body. She stares at the black leather belt around his abdomen and the black leather boots. The short beard that forms around his lips and along the lower edge of his jaws or the sturdy long sword with the silver knob. What can she use? Or do? "And what's yours?" she stammers. Vengeance stares deep into her slender face and smiles. "Feminine beauty", he answers carefully. Katinka smiles softly, and it works. "He falls for it. Well.. Vengeance isn't it?" Vengeance nods eagerly. "I can't say you're not a handsome guy." Vengeance smiles and rubs the young temptress on her cheek. Katinka waits patiently until he is close enough. She kicks him viciously with her knee in his crotch. When he collapses coughing, she finishes it with an elbow to his neck. "How stupid can you be," she whispers as she pushes her knee under his chin. Hastily she makes her way through the dark corridors looking for a way out. "Idiotic demons" she curses aloud. Behind some doors, helpless screams resound. "Damn it" she curses, and looks at the new tear in her dress. Growling, she runs further, afraid of the demon behind her. As fast as her legs can carry her, she runs up the stone steps to the outer door, but Vengeance is too quick. Screaming, she defends herself when he grabs her tight. "You dirty arrogant bitch," he hisses and grabs her throat. Squeaking, Katinka stares at the young warrior as her heart throbs like mad. How can he get up so quickly? She had hit him with all her might! She scratches his hand while her lungs scream for air. He looks into her eyes, filled with fear. "Vengeance" she whimpers. The strong boy, his hand is closed tight around her throat while he pins her to the wall. You have no idea what you're asking for," he laughs viciously and throws her to the ground. Katinka whimpers. Vengeance smiles maliciously and pulls her down again. Katinka sighs. It was true, there was no beginning against the demons. The monsters from the deep... Vengeance hisses and drags her back to the cold cells. "Honestly, I didn't mean to do anything at all," he growls and continues: "but now". Katinka shudders when Vengeance pushes her to the wall. "No" she begs, and tries to get away from under him, but she is no match for the strong demonic force. "I'm sorry" she shudders as he grinds his teeth into her neck while she relentlessly penetrates her. Vengeance growls briefly and sucks the blood from her wound. Why did she try anyway?