Woven Fates

“Farewell My Son”

Hadley returned to the home of his ruler, Lord Anton who was generally seen as being the father of all vampires. He was not the first of the blood drinkers, that monster hid in the shadows, his hunger relentless. Anton had adopted a title from the other rulers in return for some semblance of control over the vampires.

“Hadley!”, he yelled as Hadley moved through the castle. Lord Anton had raised Hadley and had named him heir to his lands, which Hadley had accepted. He had kept him by his side as he rose to the title of Lord, but Hadley despised all that Anton had become. He felt he had accepted being a lower class for the sake of a title and lands.

“Yes Anton”, Hadley said rolling his eyes.

“If you will not refer to me as father, you will refer to me as Lord Anton, do you hear me?” Anton roared. “I took you from the streets, a lowly animal and I made you what you are today”!

“And not once in the 1000 years since have you let me forget it, right father?” Hadley spat at him.

“I have had yet another report of you being at Aldrich’s castle. If you think for a moment, I will not take your fangs you are sorely mistaken!” Anton roared. “Stay away from the woman, if she was ever yours, she certainly is not now!”

“Are we done?” Hadley walked out of the room and down the hallway towards his room.

Hadley hated Anton. He had found his beloved, a young vampire that refused to drink the blood of humans. She had turned him soft and there was no room for soft vampires in his world.

Anton and his young partner had wanted to add vampires to the other races as equals and looked to tame their wild ways. They encouraged vampire couples to have children instead of turning humans so that no one person would have the power over those they had turned.

At some point that woman would have to go. Everything she did went against the natural order of the vampires.

Hadley needed to hunt, he needed to do something to soften the rejection he had felt from Ingrid. How dare she speak to him that way! He had cursed her mutt son and he would make her beg him to take the curse away. He would kill the child anyway and end Aldrich’s bloodline once and for all!

For now he must sleep….

***********************************

“You must hide your child away My King. It is the only way to keep him safe”. Olga watched her broken King as he held his newborn son. Ingrid cried softly beside him.

“Who do I trust with my greatest treasure Olga? Who can protect him better than I?” Aldrich asked quietly.

“I will My King,” Olga replied quietly. “I can mask him with magic to keep him safe. No more than 10 people know he exists and all who do are trustworthy. Nobody can identify him if they see him because none outside the castle know of his birth.”

“And where would you take him?” Ingrid asked quietly.

“I would hide him in plain sight”, Olga smiled. “If you happened to be in the same place at the same time you could watch him grow. None would be the wiser.”

“You would do this for us Olga?” Ingrid asked quietly.

“I would My Queen. Your son is important to the Prophecy. I have had many premonitions about this. He must live”.

“No, how can I give up my child?” Aldrich asked Ingrid.

“Because he will survive if you do”, Ingrid replied gently.

“My King, you know where you can find me. I have a neighbour, a lovely woman who has lost her mate before she was able to have children. He was one of your warriors”, she began quietly, “She would love your son as her own. I can see her home from my kitchen window and I can extend the wards on my house to her property”.

“See that this woman has all that she needs to be comfortable, if not prosperous.” Aldrich nodded.

“My King”, Olga bowed as she left the room.

They sat staring at their son in silence. Aldrich’s parents joined them as they took their turn holding their grandson.

“The test of s true king is whether he has the resolve to do what is need to ensure his bloodline my son”, his father said quietly. Aldrich nodded his head.

Olga returned shortly after. “I will take him now”, she said quietly, taking the child from his grandmothers’ arms. She turned quickly and left the room as Ingrid broke down, her sobs filling the hallways of the castle.

“Farewell my son”, Aldrich whispered as he held his sobbing mate.

************************************************

Hadley awoke with a start. Something was amiss, he had felt a shift. It was dark as he arose and got dressed. He walked out into the living room to find Anton with his new pet curled up on his lap.

“Hadley, why don’t you join us son?” Anton called out as Hadley went to leave.

“I am busy Anton”, Hadley muttered.

“I have asked you Hadley and now I will tell you. Stay away from the werewolves. No good can come from this”, Anton said quietly.

“I could have my beloved by my side Anton”, Hadley replied.

“Dammit Hadley, she is not yours!’ Anton roared. “What makes you so sure she is yours? She bears the mark of Aldrich, if they were not fated mates marking her would have killed her! You can not force the bond!”

“SHE IS MINE!” Hadley screamed, walking out the door. His army were waiting outside. “Come”, Hadley began.

“We cannot sir, we have been ordered not to approach the castle again. We can not go against Lord Anton’s word”, one of the vampires stated. “Why don’t we go to the human world to feed Sir?”

Hadley roared in anger. “Fine”, he sulked. He would deal with Anton and Aldrich……

18 years passed. Todd grew into a mountain of a man. Olga had certainly made a great choice in the woman she chose to raise him. The woman had no idea her son was actually the Prince of their realm and had raised him to be a farmer. They had been approached by the King to raise herds from the human world, horses, sheep, goats and Alpacas. Todd often ventured into this world for advice or to learn about medicines and care for the animals.

The King and Queen rode by regularly to check on their herds, the King showed particular interest in the horses. He had often spoken to Todd of the hunting trips he and the other Kings had undertaken in the human world, hunting deer mostly. One day he had told Todd of the story of how he had met the Queen in the human world. It was widely rumoured that the Queen had never conceived because she had not been fully turned to a werewolf, that something had gone wrong.

The King and Queen would often bring a picnic or gifts for them and would often stay for lunch, though they always refused dinner invitations and ensured they were never out after dark. The Kingdom knew of the vampire Hadley’s infatuation with the queen and never questioned their King and Queen staying inside the castle walls from dusk til dawn.

One night a woman came knocking on their door. It was late and Todd’s mother, Ana, looked at him across the dining table. Todd had been out late settling the horses and had only just returned to eat his dinner. He stood from the table and went to the door. A beautiful woman stood before him with a smile on her face.

“I’m terribly sorry to disturb you this late at night, I have been going from house to house trying to sell my grandmothers baked goods and jams. She was cooking later than we expected and I have only been able to get out in the last hour or so.”

Todd smiled warmly, “please come in”, he said as he stepped aside for the woman to enter. The woman smiled as she looked around the room. It was large but comfortable. A woman sat at the table, and she rose as she entered the house.

“Welcome”, she smiled as she came forward. The woman noticed a beautiful ornate mirror over the fireplace. She saw the reflection of the woman and her son in the mirror, but not her own.

“I must be quick”, she murmured to the people of the house, “My grandmother will be waiting for me”.

“Please show us what you have. I am sure there will be something to our liking”, Ana smiled warmly as the woman began to unpack her basket. The pies looked amazing and Todds mouth watered as he inhaled their smell.

“Its getting late”, Ana began. “Why don’t we take them all and let you return home.”

The woman’s face lit up; she couldn’t believe her luck! “If you’re sure”, she smiled at Todd. ‘What a waste’ she thought to herself as she took in the young man. She could have had some fun with him, but she had her orders.

Ana handed the woman some gold coins and began to put the pies aside.

“Thankyou so much, I hope you enjoy them”, the woman smiled as she walked outside.

“Can I walk you home?” Todd asked suddenly as he stood in the doorway.

“Oh, we don’t live to far away, I’m sure I’ll be fine”, she smiled as she walked down the path.

When she was out of sight of the house, she turned toward some trees on the side of the road.

“It is done my King”, she whispered as Hadley stepped out on to the path.

Hadley smiled. “Very good”, he murmured. The young man bore such a striking resemblance to the king. Hadley had never believed the child had died, although somehow, they had broken his curse. He had to be the child of Aldrich and Ingrid. Hadley had noticed that guards often patrolled out this way and it had taken some time, but he had found one of the magic folk who helped him see through the wards. Now why would anyone go to the trouble of setting up wards if he wasn’t the son of the king?

As soon as he saw through the wards, he had smelled her. Her scent had changed after her mating, but he had caught it one night as he had levitated out by their bedroom window. He had smelt it again at this house.

He had waited long enough. He had spent 18 years amassing an army of turned humans. He had now sired more vampires than Anton. He was strong, stronger than Anton could ever be.

“Do not be thinking you’ll be eating all of that”, Ana said to Todd as he eyed off the pies.

“I wasn’t going to eat ALL of it”, he smiled.

“I’m sure you can wait til tomorrow so I can serve up a full pie to the King and Queen”, Ana laughed, slapping at his hand. "Between you and the King I’m sure nothing will last to long.'

Todd smiled. “I’m kinda tired anyway, I might head off to bed. Early start tomorrow”.

“Good idea”, Ana smiled at her son. She had always thought of him as her son, although a blind man could see the resemblance between her boy and the King. Rumours had abounded for years that the King and Queen had had a son early in their mateship, although no one could ever account for why they wouldn’t have shared such blessed news. Still, since taking Todd on as a baby she had known happiness and prosperity way beyond what the childless widow of a warrior might have known. Todd was the reason she had survived losing her mate.

Ana quickly cleaned up the dining table and covered the pies before turning in herself.

The following day was warm. Todd had been up early to check on 2 of the mares that were with foal. One had birthed their baby overnight and the other was close. The king and queen would be riding out today to check on the progress of the horses. Todd and the king spent hours on them, often doing work that could be delegated to the stable hands.

The king and queen arrived mid morning with their guard who made themselves scarce. They spread out around the property, ever watchful. It was well known the greatest threat came at night, but the monster Hadley seemed to have given up on claiming the queen. Still the guards were ever vigilant.

Todd met them at the door and the king and he walked around to the stables to check on the new foal. The 2nd mare was fussing but still not showing signs of labour. It seemed like it could start at any moment.

They were interrupted by the queen, who called them for lunch. She smiled as she watched her husband and son together. Goddess knows the gift Olga had given them by keeping their son safe all this time and they could not have picked anyone better than Ana to have raised him. The boy had known hard work from a young age, never a bad thing for a future king.

Ana and Ingrid had organised a huge spread for lunch. Something about the open air seemed to double Aldrich’s appetite, so they always brought plenty of food.

The two men walked back to the house and sat at the table. The women laughed as they filled their plates with food and began to eat. They discussed the foal and their plans to breed a young stallion next season. He was a beautiful horse and they had chosen a couple of mares for him already. They soon emptied their plates and Todd eyed the pies hungrily. Ana laughed, the boy never seemed to tire of eating!

She cleared the table and brought out the pies. There were 3, so she placed one in front of the king and one in front of Todd. It just seemed easier. They were about to start eating when they heard the distressed call of the mare.

“Its time!”, Todd got up excitedly from the table. Aldrich stood but Todd raised a hand. “I’ll go, it will only be the start. Please eat, I can have mine later”. He smiled as he walked out the door.

Aldrich shrugged and picked up his fork. The pie looked so good……

It was hours later and with the foal delivered that Todd returned to the house. The king and queens horses were still grazing at the front. It would be dark soon and it was unusual for them to still be here this late. He walked in the back door, removing his boots and went straight to clean up. As he walked into the dining room he saw his mother laying on the floor, blood dripping from her mouth. Her eyes were wide open, staring blankly. Todd ran to her screaming her name as he dropped to the ground beside her. He looked around for any sign of the king and queen.

“Todd”, the queen whispered. “Get Olga”.

Without thinking Todd ran to the house up the hill from theirs and was there in minutes. He banged on the door, screaming her name until she answered. One look and she knew, her premonitions were coming true. Todd turned and she ran behind him. She could never keep up with him as he ran through the open front door.

“Olga”, Ingrid whispered.

“Get the cart lad, hitch the horses from the front. They are fast”. Todd nodded and went to get the cart ready.

“Protect him”, Ingrid whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.

“I will save you all” Olga replied. She had brought her medicine bag with her and was making a tonic. She looked at Ana sadly. She had known Ana would meet this fate when she had brought Todd to her. Olga saw the king on the floor beside the table, an empty pie tray where he had been sitting.

“Is he alive?” Ingrid whispered.

“You would feel it if he were not”, Olga tried to smile. She heard the sound of horses as the kings guard came to a stop at the front of the house. The guards ran in shouting. Olga shooed them out again, they were a nuisance until Todd had the cart ready. Minutes later the cart was pulled up at the front and Todd jumped out. He ran to Ingrid who he could see moving and picked her up. He carried her to the front and placed her in the cart. The guard stood beside the cart as Todd raced back in to check on the king. He was alive but weak. Olga had given him the same tonic he had given the queen. Todd looked briefly at his mother.

“She’s gone Todd”, Olga said sadly. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save her”.

Todd nodded and carried the king out to the cart. He jumped up on the seat as Olga climbed up and they left towards the castle, the guard spread out in front and behind. It was getting dark, if they were still out when the sun set they would undoubtedly face Hadley. Only he would be evil enough to do this.

The castle came into sight just as the sun set over the horizon. Todd had pushed the horses to exhaustion but still they galloped, almost as if they recognised the importance of their role.

“Todd, faster”, Olga whispered. “You must go faster”.

Todd’s heart was pounding in his ears and it almost drowned out the sound in the wind. “What is that sound Olga?” he whispered.

“Vampires”, Olga responded.

“Take the reigns Olga”, Todd shouted as he stood up and moved aside, holding the reigns out. Olga moved into the seat, taking the reigns. Todd stood over the king and queen, a pitchfork in his hand. His anger felt like it was pumping through his veins. He saw a flash of light before his eyes and shook his head to clear his vision. A bone breaking crunch came from his leg and he looked down to see his leg had changed. Hair began to cover his skin as he watched and his other leg suddenly cracked.

“Olga”, he yelled, “What’s happening?”

“Have you never shifted?” Olga yelled to him.

“No, I’ve just turned 18”, he shouted back

“Go with it Todd. It will be painful but your wolf is powerful”.

Todd dropped to the floor of the cart as his bones cracked and reset. The pain was excruciating, blinding him momentarily. He lay on his side, watching the sky as the sound grew closer. Suddenly his eyesight became clearer, his hearing heightened. He jumped up, standing over the king and queen. As he got his bearings something came at him with great speed. It knocked him over the side of the cart, as he tumbled and regained his footing. He looked around to see the guards desperately trying to cling to their horses while being attacked. He could see the gates of the castle open as the cart came closer and wolves run out to protect their king and queen. They ran at the people around him and that is when Todd realised – they were vampires!

Todd roared as he leapt into the air, landing on one of the vampires. His large paw held the vampire down as he ripped at its throat. Blood poured from the wound and Todd spat it out as he turned toward another. He took the vampires down, one after the other. The guards had come to fight beside him. Through his haze he heard a sound in his head, a voice.

“Protect the Prince!” Todd looked around confused. Where was the prince? He ran towards the castle, the guard running alongside him. Vampires continued to attack and they continued to lay waste to one after the other. He looked up to see the empty cart just beyond the gate. He continued to run, flanked by the guard. He had to find the Prince!

Todd heard howls that seemed to raise an alarm as more wolves came from the village surrounding the castle. Some poured out through the gate as Todd ran in and continued the fight outside. Todd ran through the cobbled streets, towards the inner castle gate.

“HEAR ME!” a voice roared. Todd looked up. Directly above him he saw a man he had not seen before. He held something in his hand and was that…. The Queen!

Olga stepped out in front of him before he could move, her hand up.

“SHIFT!” she demanded, Before he could stop himself Todd began to shift from his wolf form.

“Todd, you must stop”, she began.

“The Prince, I must protect the prince”, Todd said impatiently. “Move Olga!”

Olga put her hand on Todd’s chest. “You are the prince” she whispered.

“NOOOO”, Todd roared. He heard a scream from above as something dropped at his feet. He looked down to see the Kings head. He knelt down, tears falling freely down his face.

“My father?” he whispered touching the cheek of the king.

“Todd, we must go”, Olga hissed. “Before anyone realises who you are”.

“I must save my mother”, Todd replied. As he stood to his feet he heard a scream. As he turned his eyes upwards he saw his mother falling. She landed with a thud beside his father’s head. Her eyes were closed, blood trickled from her mouth.

He heard Olga mutter some words he couldn’t understand and then all went black.