31 Ender

Ender had spent the rest of that day preparing to leave the castle for their journey to Ravin-Sha. His blood had been boiling after the altercation with Lucian. Thankfully the vampire was able to calm himself rather quickly since having fed earlier. He felt himself less on edge when his appetite was satisfied.

Ender knew his brother was right, which he realized was likely the most infuriating part of the exchange. Ender had lied to Caroline, permanently binding her to himself for a lifetime. Without being fully aware of the ramifications, the girl had signed the contract. He would need to tell her eventually, or else find another avenue for breaking the agreement.

There will be time to discuss all matters, he knew. Both he and Caroline had expanded lifespans due to the nature of their supernatural abilities. Nothing needed to be rushed, yet he couldn't help feeling a weight on his shoulders. The burden of carrying the truth was substantial.

He sought out Horath in the practice field and discussed the armory reports and how to handle the varied ways the vampire received information regarding incoming threats. After spending the afternoon preparing the human for his absence, the vampire decided to find Silas.

Ender left the practice field and meandered through the city streets until he stopped in front of the familiar sign of the Wilted Rose. After passing a quick word with Abram, the barkeep, who asked after Caroline before letting him known Silas had not yet been into the tavern today. Ender knew his friend must still be at home.

Silas lived not far from the Wilted Rose, in a modest two-story home with a small craft shop attached. Ender would often find the human there, fashioning something lethal. Silas specialized in sword making and small knives, Ender had acquired many from his friend over the years.

He found Silas sitting upon a stool at the workbench. The older man was leaning over a long ornate dagger in the final stages of crafting, meticulously honing the sharp blade in the quiet of the studio. Afternoon sunlight filtered through a few small windows, illuminating the many tools surrounding him.

"Silas, the afternoon is drawing on, you should be drunk by now," he said as he entered through the wood frame door that had been left ajar.

Without looking up, the old man replied while adjusting a pair of spectacles that had slid down his crooked nose, "Boy, I will be buying drinks for all of the Wilted Rose when I receive payment for this commission."

Ender removed his cloak, hanging it on a peg next to the door and made his way over to the older gentlemen. With weathered hands, Silas lifted the blade from its perch on the workbench and handed it to the vampire for inspection.

Ender took the blade and turned it over in his hand several times before inspecting the edge. He drove the point into the air with a few small jabs. "This is a fine blade Silas, some of your best work. Aye, I am sure you will fetch a small fortune for this work." He told the man returning the blade carefully.

Silas nodded, placing the dagger carefully back on the bench and removing his spectacles. He ran a hand through the shock of gray hair, lining his forehead and motioned Ender to sit. The vampire shook his head slightly at the gesture. Silas knew Ender preferred to stand but still performed the courtesy.

"I am not staying long, friend, I came to tell you I will be leaving the city soon. My presence has been requested by the King." Ender said simply while leaning against the grainy wood wall that lined the small shop.

"Boy, you are in the thick of it now," Silas said, shaking his head, worried wrinkles creased around the older man's eyes. Silas leaned forward on the three-legged stool. "Between your brother's forked tongue and the witch, it seems events are moving quickly. Keep your head about you, son."

"I always do, Silas. I was hoping you would join us on the journey to Ravin-Sha. I will need keen eyes traveling through troubled lands. I could bring some of my men with me, but..." Ender trailed off, looking for the right words to complete his thought.

"You don't trust any of them." Silas finished for him. Ender nodded slowly. He knew that his men were loyal and capable, but few of them had the experience Silas did. A part of him knew the old man was right though, there were few he could really rely upon in this world, and while he could heal exceptionally quickly, Caroline could not.

"Aye boy, I will accompany you but only to the capital. I will not breach its gates. I'm fairly certain I am still banned from the city, something about a bounty on my head..." The old man mumbled to himself.

Ender let out a short laugh. He did not doubt the man had run afoul of the city watch in his day. "Thank you, I will send word of when we are to depart."

"Fancy a drink at the Rose?" Silas asked while picking up some of his smaller tools at the bench.

"Not today, I'm afraid," Ender replied, picking his cloak up from the peg. He was glad Silas did not pry into the reason behind the visit to the King. Ender himself was not entirely sure of the King's motive, only that it must have something to do with Caroline.

"Suit yourself, son," Silas said, clapping him on the back as the two exited the small studio.

They walked together to the Wilted Rose, and Ender nodded to the old man watching him disappear into the dim interior. He had to admit he felt better knowing Silas would be joining their party, the roads to the capital were undoubtedly lined with brigands and thieves. While Ender was confident he could handle any threat that came their way, Silas would be able to scout ahead and keep eyes on the roads as well as any vampire from his years in the royal army. The man might be advanced in years, but his skills were unrivaled.

Ender returned to the castle to find Caroline worse for the wear after her training with Aniyoh. He knew he should have let the older witch lead Caroline to her room and care for the girl, but there was an urgency in him; he could not explain to look after the girl. She was, in a way, his responsibility now, the vampire told himself, regardless of how he felt for her. Which was still an unfamiliar feeling in and of itself.

Carrying her up the stairs had been a test of his willpower. Her scent filled his nose as her hair nuzzled into his shirt, and while the temptation was great, he found that when she spoke to him, he was able to stay focused on the task at hand. Her voice was able to steady him and drags his thoughts away from the immediate satisfaction that would occur should he feed on her.

Ender was taken aback when she asked him about his extended lifespan, did she not know witches also were granted a longer life as well as vampires? It would not surprise him to learn that was another piece of information that had been kept from her. He tried to keep the anger from rising within him, rationalizing that her grandmother must have had a sound reason for doing so but found the task difficult.

As much as he wanted to leave the room, he also didn't. Her smell was tantalizing and tempting even though he just fed earlier that day, but he found himself saying he would stay as soon as she asked.

The vampire had intended to leave as soon as her breathing evened out into the rhythmic cadence of sleep. He watched her for a time, her skin glowing a soft luminescent gold in the moonlight. The vampire wondered how the magic affected her in such a manner. He stayed that way, observing the tiny woman as she softly snored while pondering the journey ahead of them for what felt like only minutes.

It was only when Ender looked out the window and saw that the sky outside had faded into gray dawn that he realized how much time had passed. Caroline began to rustle atop the blankets, still clothed in the blue gown from the day before with blonde hair fanned out around her that he made a hasty exit from the girl's chamber.

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