13 Bonding with his half brother
1295 Words
Tavek watched with interest as Marek turned pale. The cocky smirk that had graced his face since Tavek stepped into the great hall disappeared. His eyes bulged in horror as the stranger who’d bust through the doors approached him. The stranger looked dishevelled and there was blood on his clothes. His body sagged in on itself with every step he took. He faltered and crumbled to the floor with a pain filled groan. Vampires regenerated quickly. He must have been in a serious fight if he was this weak, Tavek thought staring at the fallen vampire.
“Sal?” Marek moved like a blare and knelt next to him.
“I’m sorry, my lord. The Froxard,” he said panting every word. “They attacked us from nowhere.”
“Did they take the barrier?”
“Not yet. I was sent to find you.” Sal clutched Marek’s sleeve as though to convince himself he found him. “My brothers will give their last breath defending it.”
“I know they will.” Marek got to his feet, his face drawn tight in anguish. He turned to Tavek. He could see regret written all over his face.
“Please forgive me, my prince. It seems we have to postpone our bonding session.” Marek said. He leaned down and helped Sal up. He slung the injured man’s arm over his shoulder.
“You should have been there,” Keegan’s voice filled the great hall. Everyone there could hear the derision in his voice. They watched on saying nothing. “I told you to go back to your duty of guarding the barrier, but you insisted on coming here.”
“I wanted to meet my brother.” Marek said looking down. He looked so defeated that Tavek felt something pull in his stomach. He was his brother. The resentment and annoyance he’d felt earlier dissipated.
“As if that couldn’t wait. Our prince has just woken, that means we’re vulnerable until he fully acclimates and the Forxard knows that. You’re… ” Keegan began, but he was not allowed to finish.
“Enough!” Tavek softly said, but his voice sounded like thunderclap. He moved close to his brother. The human was talking to Marek like he was nothing. And the horde of vampires was bearing witness to him ridiculing their prince. In the olden days that wouldn’t happen.
Fuck! He hated this new world. “Keegan take Sal to the infirmary so he can recover comfortably.”
Tension filled the room. Tavek turned to Keegan. He stood there, his shoulders tense. Tavek could tell the man felt insulted and wanted to refuse his command.
He turned to fully face him. The sword felt light in his hand.
He was ready to spill blood tonight. It could be either human blood or Forxard. Tavek didn’t care which.
Keegan quickly moved to take Sal from Marek. Tavek placed his free hand on his brother’s drooped shoulders.
“Let’s go spill some Forxard blood.” Tavek gave Marek an evil smile. “I’ve been itching for a fight.”
“You were going to kick my ass, weren’t you?” Marek asked smiling at him. The mischief Tavek had seen within him returning. He liked his brother like this. He was a refreshing sight from the confining gloom he’d suffered since his awakening.
“I would have broken a few limbs and pulled out a few of your internal organs.”
“Gruesome,” Marek quipped.
“I like to bathe in my victim’s blood,” Tavek returned.
“I wouldn’t say that out loud if I were you,” Marek laughed shaking his head slightly.
“Hmm, I’ve notice that you all have turned soft. A little blood and they cry murder.”
Tavek felt laughter bubble in his stomach. He was so unused to the sensation that he coughed when it reached his throat. He stared at his half-brother, he was liking the man a bit more.
Don moved close to them.
“My prince,” he said. “I’ve sent the army to the barrier. We should follow.”
“Of course.” Tavek said and traced to the barrier.
The barrier was located in the wasteland that separated the Kabi forest from the Rocky Mountains where the Forxard dwelled. The area was harsh with cold rough winds that could strip the skin off. They traced to what Tavek could describe as paddocks – four walls of grey stones divided into sections that represented the kitchen, living area and what he presumed were bedrooms. There was no comfort. His brother was living like a soldier.
No wonder he resented him. He was the pampered prince.
They heard low grunts as they reached the inner rooms.
Marek rushed forward. Tavek traced in front of him.
“You can’t fight without a sword. Go find one,” Tavek said as he rushed towards the fight. The paddock was large and slightly confusing like a maze. But Tavek followed his nose. The stench of blood was high in the air, and that distinctive smell of the Forxard was unmistakable.
He barrelled into a room. He could tell that a blockade had been set to block the door, but the Forxard were relentless creatures. They didn’t stop until they caught their prey.
Tavek turned a corner and came face to face with the creature - half men, half beasts with long razor sharp claws and thick spiky hair on the body. The face was in the shape of a man with long sharp canine teeth. The Forzard had one of Marek’s men cowering on the floor, his face bloodied.
Tavek saw the moment it noticed him. It sniffed the air and then turned to him. Its red eyes focused on him with a malicious glow, he felt his own respond in kind.
Tavek fought like he f****d – hard, dirty and fast. His muscles coiled as energy thrummed within him.
“Bring it,” he said bracing his body for the charge he knew was coming. The Forxard used brute force. They levelled their opponents first before they ripped them from limb to limb.
Tavek allowed it to get close. It moved fast, faster than its large size should allow.
His body shook as it landed the first hit. He grunted swinging his sword in an arch that missed its target by an inch as the Forzard turned in mid-air to sink its claws in his shoulder.
Fuck!
The motherfuckers have improved. Tavek gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. He held onto the Forzard’s hand and slammed into its nose with his head. It reeled taking a few steps back. Before it could recover, Tavek swung his sword and cleaved its head.
He watched it plop to the floor in a spray of blood. His blood burned hot.
He felt so alive.
Don appeared next to him.
“There’s still more?” he asked not ready to stop fighting.
“Yes. The army is dispatching most of them.”
“Lead the way,” Tavek said feeling the thrill of the fight intoxicate him. It was much like Robin’s blood – it thrilled him as it filled his veins. His fangs throbbed in his mouth. He let them punch out of his mouth as his thirst mingled with his need to maim and kill.
He roared as he followed Don into the melee.
- Writer
