Dark Realm 64
Moonlight illuminated the tower in an eerie gloom. Cold air whistled through the trees making the blooming nocturnal flowers sway back and forth, the sweet scent wafted on the breeze. On a high balcony, a tall slender woman stood on the stone veranda pressing her hands against the precious stone. In the distance, a shrill echoed on the night gust. The mysterious woman lifted her arm to allow a blackbird to perch on her arm. “How are you, my love.” She cooed at the bat. The bat chittered in response. “Ah, really.” Elizabeth kissed the bat. “The race for humanity is about to be fought. Let the fun begin.” The woman cackled turning on her heel to strode inside. She waved her hand lighting several hundred candles on the walls as she padded silently down the hallway. Her bare feet padded without a sound. Elizabeth walked into her throne room as a large raven cawed as it settled on its perch. “Bring him before me.” The woman sat in her high-back chair. Moments later two skeleton-like ghouls pulled in a mumbling centaur. “Who are you?”
“I was lost… yes, I told her.” The centaur mumbled to a being only he could see.
“Who are you speaking with?”
The centaur glanced around. “Where am I?” He glanced around nervously. “Got out. I’m free.” Slobber dripped from the side of the centaur’s mouth Ottoline.
“You escaped from where?” The woman slipped from her throne.
“From the blaze. I hid. After I saw what she did to Keir. I hid.”
“What is your name?”
“My name. My name is Ottoline.”
“Where did you escape from, my friend?”
“Isle of Magnesia.”
The woman chuckled; the loud sound caused Ottoline to flinch. “You are safe.”
“Who are you?” Ottoline asked in a child-like voice.
“My name is Elizabeth. I will keep you safe, would you want that?” Elizabeth circled Ottoline. “Who are you running from?” She rubbed Ottoline’s weary hindside.
“From the one.” Ottoline shook uncontrollably. “I saw what she did to Keir. She tore him in half without touching him. It rained blood and flesh.”
“Really now,” Elizabeth smirked. “Did she see you?”
“No, no, I hid in the caves. I got lost. I don’t know how long I wandered around trying to find my way out.”
“Not to worry. Are you hungry, my new friend?”
“Yes,” Ottoline nodded.
“Hope,” Elizabeth called out.
“Yes, my countess.” Hope shuffled inside the room.
“Bring our friend some pheasant.”
“Yes, countess.” Hope never lifted her head as she walked from the room.
“Ottoline, tell me everything.”
“There is a new evil rising and everyone started to panic until they arrived.”
“They?”
“It was a daughter of Van Helsing and the other one.”
“A true Van Helsing?” Elizabeth rubbed her palms together.
“Yes.” Ottoline nodded. “Shut up, I’ll tell her,” Ottoline said to his invisible friend. “With the evil rising the balance needs to be corrected.”
“How did the women make it by the guardians of the doorway?”
Ottoline shrugged. “Maxwell had a deal with a wendigo named Asher in the human realm. He swore he could kill them, but they killed him.”
“Alone?”
“No. Dwarves helped them.”
“Dwarves, huh?”
“Yes, that’s what I heard.”
“Eat.” Elizabeth gestured to the steaming plate. “Go on.” Elizabeth went back sitting on her throne. She intertwined her fingers watching Ottoline eat. “How are you feeling now?”
“I am well, my queen.” Ottoline kept glancing around the room muttering under his breath.
“I love where your thoughts are, but I am not your queen. I am the Blood Countess, do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand. I am here to serve you.” Ottoline bowed his head.
“Good. I have something I want you to do.” Elizabeth pushed off her chair. She walked over to the centaur. “Meet my babies.” Elizabeth held up her arm to allow a huge raven to cling to her arm. She stroked the bird with loving care. “See, they are my eyes outside this castle. They told me the gypsies were harboring a stranger. I want to know if the woman who killed your friend is with the gypsies. Do nothing. Just watch them. You must not be seen. Do you understand?”
Ottoline nodded. “For you, my countess, anything.”
“Good. Now leave from my sight.” The countess shooed him away. “Stay safe, my love.” Elizabeth cooed to the bird. She stepped out onto the balcony to allow the cool breeze to whip through her long dark hair. “Pyramus, you have been a thorn in my side for far too long. I will end your life the same way I killed your beloved Leonora.” The countess rubbed her palms together.