The King's Right Hand

The vampire, Rathgar Bane, stood in the front hall of the castle, wrapped in a long, black cloak and black jacket and breeches. His black boots were covered in snow while his barely concealed sword hung loosely at his side, positioned just so he could draw it at any moment should the situation arise. His long silver hair hung loosely across his broad shoulders, cascading down his back and down to his waist like a platinum waterfall. The tattoos visible on his face glittered dangerously under the lights from the chandelier lending him a mythical ambience that was both bewitching and terrifying.

He had been talking to King Kerrigan moments before, but his attention was soon captured by the sight of Princess Serena descending the staircase with her brother, Prince Kheelan.

He couldn't quite see her face which was partially hidden by her hat and veil but he noted her full, red lips and tall, slender figure visible only where the dress and frock coat she wore hugged her curves. Under the lights from the chandelier hanging in the center of the ceiling, her hair, pinned up under her hat, appeared black as the night.

She had reached the bottom of the stairs and although Rathgar could just see her eyes beneath her hat, she kept her gaze averted as if not wanting to make eye contact. Leaving her to bid farewell to her family, he had gone outside to wait for her by the carriage. She stepped out of the castle sooner than he had expected, her appearance, calm and composed.

Expecting hesitation and fear, Rathgar was quietly surprised when the princess took his hand without pause and allowed him to help her into the carriage. He could hear her heart beating steadily in her chest and she showed no outward signs of fear. She was not anything like he had expected, he had prepared himself to deal with a pampered and spoilt princess but Serena seemed to be nothing of the sort.

The vampire rode alongside the carriage while the rest of his men rode in front and behind, ensuring that the princess was protected from all sides. Rathgar was fully aware that the safety of the bride of the Vampire King was paramount, his life depended on it.

The journey lasted two days and two nights with brief stops at night to rest the horses. The princess took her meals in the carriage during the day and at night, in the tent the vampires erected for her. She did not complain nor did she expect any special treatment but rather remained silent and compliant with whatever arrangements were made for her.

As the journey took them further north, the weather became colder with constant snow and blustery winds. The roads turned, winding upwards through the mountains with steep cliffs and ravines on either side. The carriage rocked and jolted over the snow as they climbed higher into the mountains.

Throughout the journey, Rathgar constantly monitored the princess's vital signs but each time her heart beat remained steady and her breathing normal. On occasion,when he asked after her condition, his question was met with a soft but firm, "I am fine, thank you"

Rathgar couldn't help but admire her strength and perseverance in light of the harsh conditions of the journey and somewhere inside of him, he secretly hoped that the human would succeed in becoming a fine queen. He had convinced Ivar to accept a marriage alliance with Mordach, believing that it was time the King took a queen. Ivar had passed many centuries without a wife by his side, choosing instead to immerse himself in wars and bloodshed, to fill the empty void inside. While he took countless women to warm his bed and provide him with an unlimited supply of blood, his heart remained cold, becoming frozen over time.

Rathgar hoped that the warmth of a human bride might thaw the ice around Ivar's heart and provide him with a reason to live, rather than merely existing.

Inside the carriage, Serena sat silently her tears long since dried and the pain in her heart had now subsided to a dull ache that she thought might never go away. She refused to allow the vampires the satisfaction of seeing her emotional distress and physical discomfort, choosing instead to outwardly portray a stoic and unyielding facade. But now on the morning of the last day of her journey into the unknown, she could feel her resolve beginning to weaken.

How much longer before we reach this confounded castle? Serena thought to herself as every bone in her body screamed in protest at the carriage lurching along the rocky, snow-covered road on which they traveled. She had not had a proper bath in days, only able to wipe herself down with a damp cloth at night, inside her tent. Her hair kept coming loose from being jostled around inside the carriage forcing her to fasten it into a braid and pin it securely under her hat. Her back and stomach hurt from the corset that she couldn't remove and her entire body ached all the way to her bones.

Staring out of the carriage curtains at the endless white landscape, she felt that she may well perish right here in this stark wilderness and it would be a kind mercy. Better perhaps than to die a slow, torturous death at the hands of the Vampire King. But then again, she was already being slowly tortured to death from the agonizing pain of this infernal corset. Sitting back against the seat, she closed her eyes as the tears threatened against her eyelids again. She thought that she might gleefully strangle the Vampire King herself, for forcing her to endure this abominable journey, which she was sure was entirely intentional on his part.

Outside they had rounded a steep corner of the mountain and emerged onto a plateau with a road leading to the castle. The castle was massive, sitting at the center of the plateau, and surrounded by a woodland valley that was now covered completely in snow. The road here was smooth, having been recently ploughed and swept, and a wave of relief washed over the group of travelers.

Feeling the change in the road conditions outside, Serena sat forward and peered out of the curtains. The carriage had just straightened and was headed to the castle, now directly in front and Serena caught her first glimpse of Senka Castle.