New Blood

Chapter 3

C2: Royal Blood

"Are you entirely sure about this one?"

"The investors have all agreed that he is to be the newest 'gladiator'."

"And heaven help us if we denied the investors."

"Don't get nasty, just send the emissary."

"Fine, but I want my objections to be recorded."

"Done. I'm sure the investors will change their minds when they read them."

"Don't make fun of me, 'Director'. I'm just doing my job, like you asked."

The Hunter came free of his waking sleep as the light of the newly risen sun touched his face through a crack in the boards on the windows. He stood and stretched, then walked to the doors and opened them slightly, listening, smelling, feeling and looking for any beasts without. Nothing stirred. Any scent was dull and cold, and not even his intuition hinted at danger. With guarded relief he looked at the Chapel Dweller, "Let Arianna and the girls know I've gone to find them a new home." He paused, "You're welcome to come along if you like. I know you've grown fond of them already."

The Dweller fingered its shawl, "I'll think about it, Hunter. You've done too much for me already in allowing me to protect those that have stayed here. Who knows, I might need to shelter some other poor soul, he he he..."

The Hunter shrugged, "As you wish. I will return before the day is out. Keep the lanterns lit." The Dweller inclined their head as he strode out and touched the lamp, once again entering the Dream.

He looked up and saw the Doll looking down upon a tombstone, it marked Gehrman's grave. He regarded her in silence before making his way to the stone that would allow travel to Cainhurst, but her soft voice stopped him, "Good Hunter, what am I to do now?" He turned and looked at her, "Simply caring for the dream has been my duty for... a long time. Tell me, good Hunter, should this remain my purpose? Caring for unseen graves in a world beyond?"

"You've never asked me anything like that before. I didn't think you would even want to leave this place."

She smiled that small smile, "Perhaps I do not, but one must have purpose. And you, good Hunter, are all I have left to look to for such."

The Hunter regarded her, considering her words before speaking. The Doll was not quite human, he knew. She would never age, nor would she feel or think as humans did, but still she was close enough to have emotions of her own. Especially after the death of Maria and Kos, it seemed. He spoke then, "I'll think about it. Maybe I do have a new purpose for you in the world outside this one. But that's gotta wait, I need to talk with someone before I make any decisions." She inclined her head and returned to her vigil over Gehrman's resting place as he reached out to a stone and traveled to Cainhurst.

The ancient castle looked the same as he had left it, perhaps slightly more weather-beaten and overgrown, but as immutable and stark as ever. Slowly the Hunter made his way through the dusty halls, passing by the ever diligent maids, who never acknowledged his presence in their ceaseless cleaning. Old tapestries and rugs dotted the walls and floors, their slowly decaying cloth providing a musty scent that tickled at his nose and made him sneeze more than once. Dining rooms and bed chambers slid past him as he made his way to the throne room.

Then he was through the doors, striding down the carpet, and kneeling before his liege, Queen Annalise. She gazed upon him and spoke, "Closest of Kin, bearer of our blood, what is thy wish?" Her voice was filled with weariness, but also a muted pride in her last subject.

The Hunter steeled himself then and spoke his request, the idea that had come to him as he watched over the sleeping Arianna, "My Queen, your halls are cleansed, and the last of the hunters who sought thy blood is vanquished by mine hand. Thou knowest all my works, and even now thou couldst reach into mine thoughts and pluck from me the request that burns in my heart." He could feel her apprehension, undoubtedly assuming he would attempt to propose marriage to her once again. "My Queen, in my hunts I found some few survivors, women and children. A strange personage also I found, who I know only as the Chapel Dweller, as well as another who is not entirely human."

The Queen shifted, her gaze fixed upon the Hunter who had devoted life and limb to preserving her, her lands, and her honor. When she did not speak, he continued, "My Queen, I desire now only one thing. Take from me all regard and hope of higher standing if you will, but it is my deepest desire that thou wouldst allow them shelter in our ancient halls."

She spoke then, her voice soft, "My Kin, great have been thy works in our name and on behalf of Cainhurst. It would be remiss of us to deny such a request. But tell us of this one who is, as you say, not quite human."

Relief flooded him, but he did not allow his manner to change, for the Queen put great stock in proper behaviour, "A Doll, my Queen. Built by the hunter Gehrman in the image of Lady Maria, who I'm sure you know."

Queen Annalise let out a small, sharp breath. The only indication of surprise he had ever heard from her. She leaned forward in her throne, eyes boring into him, "Thou knowest of Maria?" In her voice was both longing and bitter regret.

The Hunter nodded, "I...fought her within the Hunter's Nightmare, my Queen. Wherein she had been imprisoned by the curse of Kos. Many hunters had been taken there, consumed by blood and sin they were forever doomed to remain. I apologize, your Majesty, but I was forced to kill her. However, to this day I retain the Rakuyo, in her memory." He hoped that this would not change the Queen's stance on his request.

She straightened, "Show me the blade, my Kin." Her voice was sharp and commanding, and he knew better than to hesitate. He brought forth the Rakuyo and held it before him for her to see. Queen Annalise was silent for several minutes before she spoke again, "Yet again I am forced to mourn my kin. Maria was... a special woman, and I sorely miss her, despite her associations with the Church. In many ways the two of you are similar. Thank you for remembering her with such respect, the Rakuyo is in good hands." The Queen seemed to have lapsed into less formal speech, but the Hunter did not press her.

"Thank you my Queen." He sheathed the weapon and awaited her response to his request.

He did not wait long, "You may bring these persons here. But know this, they are only guests. Unless they wish to drink of our blood. But such matters should be saved for later discussion."

The Hunter cleared his throat, "My Queen, one of them already seems to share thy blood. I have tasted it and-" He was startled as she rose to her feet.

"Thou knowest of one that shareth our blood?" Her voice was filled with both fury and longing, "Why hast thou waited so long to bring us news of our kin? What reason doth thou possess in hiding them from me, thy Queen?"

The Hunter remained kneeling, "My Queen, I am not certain of her heritage, and did not wish to give thee false hope ere she died by beasts, which was an ever present threat. Out of feeling for thee did I hide her existence, and even now I do not know for certain if she is of our blood. All I can tell thee is that within her veins is a blood that seems to burn like thine."

Queen Annalise stared at the Hunter, who stayed upon his knees before her. She drew a deep breath before speaking again, reigning in her emotions, "I am displeased with you, Kin. But I understand such reasoning. I shall send forth a carriage for those who wish to stay within our walls. Are there any other secrets regarding those of my blood that you wish to reveal?" The last question held the bite of anger in it.

"Nay my lady. And you have my utmost gratitude for sheltering these." He was relieved, exhausted, and anxious all at once. Eagerness to bring Arianna here filled him as he waited for Queen Annalise to give him leave to depart.

The Queen slowly sat in her throne, regarding her Hunter in silence for a few moments. She tapped her leg with her slender fingers and spoke, "Bring them hence, my Kin. And delay no longer."

The Hunter stood, "My Queen, where shall we find the carriage?"

"It shall arrive before this 'Oedon Chapel' ere night falls, my kin. Do not delay, for I know thou possess a method of travel beyond animals or thine own feet."

He bowed and turned, rushing from the hall in anxious haste to arrive at the chapel before night fell upon Yharnam once more. Both lamp and Dream were passed as he drove forward like a whirlwind, slowing only when he approached the doors of the chapel. One was still ajar from his departure, and within he could hear the voices of both Gascoigne's daughters and Arianna. As he entered he noted that Adella was gone from her seat. A questioning look to the Dweller only earned him a shrug and a look of confusion. He sighed, perhaps that was for the best, however.

He noticed then that the chapel had grown quiet and he turned to see Arianna slowly walking toward him. Her gait was unsteady, but she approached him with a look of conviction he knew would not be dissuaded. Once more the Hunter cursed how close he had allowed them to become, and he cursed his decision to leave her behind. Then she was standing before him, grey eyes locked onto his own.

"You found it? Our new home?" Her voice was soft, and he knew that she was holding something back. Something she could or would not say before the two young girls and the Dweller. The Hunter nodded and she allowed herself to smile at least somewhat.

"The carriage will be here at nightfall." He looked at the Dweller, "Have you decided if you will join us, my friend?"

"How can I leave these poor souls all on their own? Especially when they've been so kind. He he he... I will go, Hunter." The Hunter noticed then a small braided bracelet upon the Dwellers wrist. Those girls were too pure for Yharnam, or even Cainhurst for that matter.

"I'm glad, they'll need someone to watch over them after all." Arianna tensed and looked at him sharply, but he avoided her eyes and instead approached the two girls, "Did you hear that? You two get to ride in a carriage!" He attempted to put as much excitement into his voice as he could. Gods above he wanted these girls to have some peace in their lives.

The younger smiled and he felt himself almost weeping from the purity of it. Her elder also allowed herself a smile at the Hunter who had risen them both from the hellish streets of Yharnam. The Hunter felt the tears stinging his eyes as he stood. His greatest success would always be saving these two innocent souls and sparing them the nightmare that was this accursed city.

He felt Arianna's hand on his arm then, and turned to her, still avoiding her eyes, "Dear Hunter... may we speak before we go?" The Hunter could not say no, trapped as he was between her and the girls. So he merely nodded and allowed her to lead him to one of the Chapel's alcoves. He waited for the questions he knew would come, but she surprised him by saying nothing. Eventually he looked at her and saw tears in her misty eyes. He hated himself for causing those tears, hated that he would cause her more sorrow after this.

Then her hands were cupping his cheeks and she kissed him deeply. He froze, unable to respond as she continued. Then she pulled away and looked into his eyes once more, "Darling Hunter...please..." Those three words tore at him inside and out. He felt his willpower fading before her as her eyes continued to plead with him. Hating himself, yet celebrating at the same time, he placed his hand behind her head and drew her back, their lips meeting once again.

He felt her closeness, her heart beating strong and fast, her quickening breath. He reveled in it even as he was filled with guilt. Arianna's hands drifted down to his shoulders and his own arms wrapped out her in a tightening embrace. The Hunter had ached for this closeness for so long, but had refused it out of duty. Now that duty was gone and he let himself get lost in her.

What felt like hours passed and Arianna finally withdrew, her eyes bright and her face flushed, "Darling Hunter..." Her whispered words caressed his ears as she rested her head against his chest, feeling safer than ever in the arms of the one who had fought so hard to keep her alive.

Deep within, he hated every second of what he was doing, knowing all this did was make leaving harder. But the rest of him took hold of the simple grace that was human contact and wrapped him up in it. For so long he had gone without so much as a touch upon his brow, and now this feeling threatened to overwhelm all his convictions to set himself apart from her. He looked down at her and allowed himself to simply enjoy their embrace, closing his eyes.

Then he heard the rattle of wheels and the clatter of hooves upon stone and gently pushed Arianna away, "Your carriage is here... Take the girls and the Dweller. I'll meet you there, I promise." She looked at him to protest but he placed a finger over her lips, "Trust me, please." She nodded, although her eyes bespoke her unhappiness, then turned to gather her things before leaving. When she looked around again, the Hunter was gone.

He stepped into the Dream and fell to his knees, beating at the ground with his fists, "Fool! Weak-minded buffoon! I should be cursed for allowing such a thing to happen!" He raised his face to the sky and howled in agony, crying unto the dead moon.

Then the Doll was there, her cold but gentle arms wrapping about him and holding him against her. "Good Hunter, what troubles you so?" Her soft words drifted to him like a feather borne by the wind. He continued to howl into her until his voice became hoarse, then he began to weep, shaking and sobbing as regret and guilt tore through him more viciously than any beast. The Doll held him until his weeping subsided.

His voice rasped as he spoke, eyes stinging and body shaking, "I swore to myself that when this hunt ended I would depart and never again return. I swore that in order to keep those I cared about safe, should I become a beast." He gripped her skirt until his knuckles went white, "I attempted to guard my heart against attachment, I tried so hard to keep myself apart... And now..."

"Have you fallen in love, Good Hunter?" The Doll's hand ran through his hair as the simple question hit him like the fist of God.

The Hunter struggled, then bowed his head shrieked in the agony of truth, "Yes!" He wept at the pain of admission, howled in self-loathing, and trembled with sorrow. All the while the Doll held him like a mother would hold a broken-hearted child.

Time passed and his weeping slowly ceased. The Hunter looked up at the Doll, who regarded him with that inscrutable expression she almost always wore. He choked on his words as his torn throat agonizingly allowed him to speak, "Thank you."

"Of course, good Hunter. I was made to assist you. And have I not always done so?" He slowly rose, with her help, and wiped his face.

He stumbled to the pool of water in the Dream and drank deep, feeling the soothing coolness alleviate his pain. The Hunter then stood once more and looked to the Doll, speaking slowly he said, "I have new purpose for you." He saw her smile and continued, "My Queen has agreed to allow both you and the survivors I have found to stay within her castle. I know it's nothing like what you've done here but..."

She bowed her head slightly, "I am pleased to have purpose once more, good Hunter."

"I'm glad you accept. I've... always felt like I haven't shown you the gratitude you deserve. You've always been here for me, at my weakest and my strongest. You're...almost like the mother I never had." He let that last out with some trepidation, unsure if she would approve.

The Doll simply smiled once more, "Such appreciation of my nature is unnecessary, good Hunter." She curtseyed then, "But I am pleased you feel so."

The Hunter stepped forward and looked to the Cainhurst stone, "Is there anything you need before you leave with me?" She shook her head, pale hair drifting through the air, "Alright. Take my hand then, and I'll take you to my Queen."