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Standing with their swords unsheathed they both watched as the dark shape in the
parlor stood and gestured them to enter.
“Come in...” a voice said, revealing the man as the count.
D glanced around carefully, then walked slowly toward the count, Kat walking
slowly behind him. As they entered the room the doors closed behind them slowly, not
slamming and a fire roared to life in the fireplace.
“Never let it be said I’m not hospitable to my guests,”the count said with a smirk,
then noting Kat’s sword out also he turned and spoke to her,”Dear do put that away
before you hurt yourself. After all, we can’t have you all sliced up for our wedding night.”
Kat glanced at D then to the count, giving one last glance to D she slowly
complied, mumbling under her breath the whole time. D stopped several feet away as he
kept his eyes fixed on the count.
“Do sit hunter,”the count said as he motioned to one of three chairs by the fire in a
semi circle.
D stood unmoving as he said,”Why don’t we dismiss the formalities.”
Kat stopped just behind D, half hidden as she placed a hand on his arm gently so
the count couldn’t see.
Sighing rather irritably the count said,”You’d rather see me as a tyranical lord
then? Here I was taught to be courteous to guests.. Even somewhat uninvited ones who
act ungentlemanly with my future bride.”
“You seem to have been less than courteous with the villagers. And with Kat. It is
time for you to pay,”D said as the count smirked.
Kat blushed slightly, standing straighter as the count continued,”Yes.. I know what
you two did.”
His voice had no anger to it, rather a sick fascination as he continued,”And as for
what I do. I am lord of these lands. I’ve owned them for thousands of years. The
villagers agreed to my terms when they came here. Now they are dissatisfied.”
“You own them no longer,”D said simply.
He shook his head and walked to a curtained off part of the room.
“I grow tired of this hunter,”the count said, taking a cord in his hands,”I haven’t
time to waste on you when I should be concentrating on what’s important. My darling
little dhampire bride.”
With a sickening smirk he opened the curtains as he continued,”Isn't this a pretty
gown... You'll look so nice in it for the wedding.”
Inside the curtained alcove was an exact replica of her mother’s wedding gown
and when Kat saw it she took a step back, her hand covering her mouth.
D was silent though and with a click he slipped his sword from it’s scabbard an
inch.
“Shall we finish this?”
He asked the count who just turned to look at him.
“What do you think hunter? It seems she’s rather speechless. I mean what do you
think of the dress. I will fight you in due time.”
D glanced to Kat momentarily then back to the count and his mad ravings. Kat
meanwhile had started to speak up from her shocked silence.
“That’s... the dress...”
“Yes.. I was there the day they wed and that other time you saw me there... Pity
your father didn't see eye to eye with my plan though,”the count explained.
Kat stepped forward boldly, her own hand going to the sword on her back as she
asked,”What do you mean?”
“Your father didn’t want to set up an arranged marriage for you like most nobles
did with their children so,”he paused and gave a little roll of his eyes, his tone of voice
letting on that he didn’t care as he finished nonchalantly,”I had him removed from the
picture.”