Katrina, The Beginning

Katrina

The Beginning

A Royal Blood Chronicle

By

Elizabeth Loraine

Katrina - the Beginning. Smashwords Edition

Royal Blood Chronicles Book One

Copyright © 2010 by Elizabeth Loraine

We are named in every ancient culture.

You speak of us in every written language.

We have walked beside your ancestors,

just as we walk beside you.

What you don't know protects you.

Those you fear will save you.

I sat very still, staring straight ahead. Sitting for a portrait for the Sanctuary’s grand library was a great honor. My name is Katrina Von Dracek, and I can’t believe it’s been - almost one hundred thirty years. This is the chronicle of my journey, from the beginning.

PROLOGUE

You’re not my Watcher tonight. Not tonight. The raven-haired beauty moved closer.

His beautiful vampire charge was as alluring as ever. She opened her arms, and a knowing smile curled across his lips. The pleasures she offered him were beyond comprehension, and tonight she would bestow the ultimate gift.

Kissing and then holding him tightly, she breathed deeply, relishing that she’d caused him to sweat. Now trailing her tongue over the throbbing vein on his neck, savoring the tangy salty taste of his smooth tanned skin, she felt her incisors lengthen and her mouth fill with saliva. She sank her fangs in deeply this time and when the first flood of thick, warm, coppery fluid flowed over her tongue she moaned. Wasn’t it ironic that what gave humans life, also gave it to Vampires, and the taking of it, for this human would mean death. A death necessary for his re-birth.

She adjusted her bite, sinking her fangs deeper into his neck. He gasped and began to thrash, but her strength was no match for him. Her eyes blazed red as the moment of his death drew near. She felt his heart pounding faster and faster as they both felt his life force leaving him and still she continued. His heart began to beat erratically, then fluttered and beat again once, hesitated, and with one half beat stopped forever.

She looked into his dull and lifeless eyes as he sagged down across the cot. Her head tipped back and with a crazed expression she released a demented laugh that echoed throughout the jagged rock tunnels of the cavern and into the chambers beyond.

Within hours, his heart would surge to life once again, and he would begin his ageless life as a Vampire. He would serve her now in a different way. Together they’d build an army, a force which would put them in power. With an army behind her she meant to end forever the rule of the useless Vampire Council.

She licked the remnants of blood from the corners of her lips. It had begun.

CHAPTER ONE

From my favorite vantage point inside the castle’s west turret, I could see the entire valley. The breeze was cool, no longer holding any threat of winter.

What would the rest of my life be like, I wondered? I grew tired living of life whose main focus was only the constant, long hours of training and now longed for broader purpose. I knew I should be patient, since during my lifetime I would live many of life’s callings. A long life was assured, for a Vampire’s life could stretch over several millennia.

I appraised my surroundings. The night was breathtaking. The star-filled black night looked down across the jagged, sentinels of snow capped peaks, and twinkled across the glassy surface of the lake below and to the thick forest beyond. Even though there was no moon, my enhanced vision made the darkness as clear as the day. I drew a breath and using my Vampire gift detected a stag in the woods nearby.

I’d studied our history. It was true the earliest known members of our race could not tolerate the sun or control their lust for blood. However, like all creatures, the Vampire race, for their species’ survival, evolved, and through the centuries most have overcome their debauched lifestyle and learned to control their bloodlust. And, although some of the clans preferred, as they called it, to stay true to their heritage and continued to hunt and feed on humans, they are a small minority these days, and shunned by most other Vampire.

These days, Vampires are mostly born, not made. Our cravings are satiated by drinking the blood substitute we called Crimson. This life-giving fluid was created by our most gifted alchemists centuries ago to be our lifeblood. With the consumption of Crimson coupled with the hunting of animals our baser urges are satisfied allowing us to evolve as a species and when our women began to breed, our children were also Vampire and Vampire became a race like any other. Free to live their live with the expectancy of peace to raise our families .

These days Crimson is made in a lab, but with the aid of magic. Small amounts of blood is willingly donated from our human Watchers, mixed with an ancient elixir and volumized by magic. The same magic protects the chemical bond and making Crimson immune to bacteria and thereby giving it an unlimited shelf life.

As I turned to leave, I saw a shadow flash across the meadow. Too fast to be human, it streaked across the field toward the front gate. Alarm tightened in my stomach. I had been up on the wall for hours, and my Vampire perceptions had neither seen, nor heard anyone leave the castle.

I need to find Quinn, I whispered into the darkness.

Quinn, my Watcher and my friend, was one of seven Voss brothers who attended my family. Watchers are the personal guard of the Vampire; human men who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of their vampire families and none were more loyal than the Voss brothers.

I rushed to the stairway leading to the entrance courtyard, but stopped as Quinn emerged from the doorway.

What’s happened?

A courier has arrived. The entire Council has been called to meet in Salzburg, and each family has been directed to include their best young royal representatives in their party. You will be joining your father. The servants are packing your things. See that you have enough for at least a ten day journey and a two week stay at Council. He gave me a push. Hurry. Your father’s wishes to leave immediately and the staff is in a flurry with preparations. The journey is long and the Council is set to meet in just fourteen days.

At Quinn’s urging, I immediately set out to my quarters. As he’d always done, he was seeing to the needs of our family.

He and I had grown up together. In fact, in the last few years we had been inseparable, becoming so close my father had actually warned: "Katrina, Quinn is your Watcher and must remain as such."

Bristling, I’d retorted, "Quinn was also my friend, Father, my best friend."

Later I wondered if it was still the truth. Had I started to feel something more? No, I reassured myself; Quinn was my friend, and of course I cared for him. Yes, maybe even loved him, but I wondered if the love I felt for him as my friend, as the member of our family had morphed into something deeper.

I guessed I would need to sort this out, but it would have to wait, because tomorrow we were leaving on a journey that would take us north and east; a journey which could hold danger. I grew more and more excited at the prospect. The unknown is always both the most frightening and the most exciting part of any new adventure.

My head swam as I realized the size of this gathering. Our retinue would be large enough, and if you multiplied our number by the number of families called to attend, each with a line of wagons filled with provisions in caravan, you could see the impact of Council’s directive was enough to fill a small city.

Father would insist I oversee the packing of our wagons carrying bolts of cloth and boxes of gifts for the other clans and their leaders, especially those for the High Regent.

As I looked down the road and off into the distance, Quinn’s voice broke my reverie. Katrina, you look weak. When was the last time you fed? Did you drink anything today at all?

My eyes widened, Quinn was right. I hadn’t had Crimson or been out to hunt all day, preferring to concentrate on the development of my gifts and military skills. I thought back now, I hadn’t fed since the day before or maybe longer. I realized, I surely was near dormancy and could have gone into that state had I fallen asleep. Dormancy, is a slowed metabolic state, a hibernation which saves us when we need to hide from danger, heal, or survive when food is either not available or tainted for some reason. This dormancy can last hours, days, weeks, or even years. Now that Quinn had brought it up, I did feel weak, too weak to hunt. Why hadn’t I paid more attention? My vision faded, and my temples began to throb. I leaned against the wall to steady myself from an overwhelming dizziness, and then everything went dark.

When I awoke, Quinn was wrapping a cloth around his wrist.

You must be more responsible, he chided. "I can’t be in charge of your feedings too!"

He was angry, so angry his face was flushed, and though I had never bitten a human, the bulging vein on his neck was making me feel something I had never felt before - blood lust. It didn’t help that Quinn was so handsome, and as he kept ranting on about how I was ignoring my training, my studies, and everything else, I couldn’t help admiring the ruggedness of his jaw and the way his dark brown hair flopped onto his face; his beautiful face.

"Katrina, Katrina! Are you even listening to me? Have you heard anything I’ve been saying?"

Snapping out of my reverie felt almost painful; I would have liked to remain there a bit longer.

Katrina? his inflection changed as he strode toward me.

As he neared, my body warmed, my fingers actually longed to feel the texture and heat of his skin.

I stiffened, holding my arms tightly against myself. It was all I could do to resist the urge to throw them around his neck and kiss him passionately. I had never felt like this before, what was going on?

Come to your senses, Katrina. We have no time for your daydreaming.

I spun away to gather myself, and tears filled my eyes. I am not someone easily moved to tears, and had to wonder, what was wrong with me? A jolt surged through me when Quinn placed his warm hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him. At the sight of my tears, the fierceness in his eyes and the tightness of his jaw relaxed. His eyes widened and I saw something new there, but it was gone in an instant. His features hardened again, he frowned, dropping his hands from my shoulders and stepped back. You must be more careful.

He strode away. I felt abandoned. The need to have him close rose and I was filled with a strange longing.

In a fog of emotion and spinning thoughts, I made my way down the stairs and through the familiar passageways of my childhood home. I sought the refuge of my room. All I wanted to do now was to sleep.

The door to my room had never been so heavy. Once inside, I was thankful to see the bed turned down and a meal of sweet bread, butter, and a glass of Crimson on the table. I sighed in appreciation. Sarah, my handmaiden and confidant, responsible for the bed, the food and the Crimson, had been with me since I was a child. I had never known my mother and for me, Sarah had always occupied that place in my life and in my heart. Over the years our relationship had grown to one of mutual love and respect and I’d found I could always count on her calm good nature, wry humor, and wise council.

I wolfed down the food, then kicking off my boots, I climbed onto my bed, propping myself up with the pillows at its head. From this comfortable position I drank the Crimson, taking my time to enjoy the coppery scent of it. Choosing to savor it’s sweet, and salty taste as it lingered on my tongue before I took another sip. I finished the entire goblet, but my thirst was still not satiated.

Then, too exhausted to ask for more or even put on the dressing gown left out for me, I slid down. The last thing I remembered was picturing the fleeting look in Quinn’s eyes and wondering what it meant.

~~~~

Quinn:

Entering the courtyard of the Watcher compound, I found three of my brothers - Thomas, Simon, and Avery, seated around the roaring fire. The smell of venison and red cedar firewood made my mouth water and I realized I hadn’t eaten since yesterday. I needed to take my own advice and have a meal.

The food brought back to mind what had just happened with Katrina. My heart raced. It beat so hard, the blood rushing through my ears pounded loud enough, I felt certain everyone could hear it. I had seen something different in the way she looked at me and I was sure it wasn’t only because I had yelled at her. Was the fact I’d cut myself and let her feed directly from my wrist the reason she’d regarded me that way? After all, I had never had to hand-feed her before. Since she had not awakened until afterwards, I felt confident she couldn’t know I had given her blood from my arm, or that she had actively engaged in a direct feeding.

I knew, of course, it was strictly forbidden for a Watcher to give blood directly, but when she fainted she was clearly in danger of dormancy, so I acted. My only thought at the time was getting fresh blood into her as quickly as possible. As my knife opened the vein on my wrist, the scent made her nostrils flare and the same instinct which has kept Vampires alive for centuries kicked in. She grabbed my arm and began to feed. The movement was so swift and powerful, I wasn’t sure I could have stopped her even if I’d wanted to.

The feeling I had while she was feeding could only be described as euphoric, and only the sound of my brother coming up the stairs made me break the bond. I picked her up and rushed her to a side room to recover. "Break the bond." Why had I thought of it that way? Was that it, the reason for Katrina’s look? Had that short feeding changed everything between us?

I calmed as I began my meal. My heart rate returned to normal and I began to make a mental list of preparations to be done for the journey. I refilled my plate. The extra protein would help fortify myself as my brothers and I would be called upon for giving and storing blood for our charges. Although Baron Von Dracek would surely hunt along our journey, in the event there was no game available in the high country, the added availability of Crimson would be needed. Nothing gives strength to a Vampire like the human blood found in Crimson.

As I sat by the fire, my oldest brother, Gunter, approached.

We missed you at training today, Gunter groused at me. Don’t let it become a habit. You don’t want to become the weak link.

I was the youngest of seven brothers, something the other six never let me forget.

It was exciting to think I would now have a chance to prove myself on this journey. As Katrina’s Watcher, I was bound to protect her no matter what might happen, even if it meant giving my life for hers, something our family had done for generations.

Quinn. Gunter started to pace. Only four of us will accompany the Baron and Katrina on this trip, and I’ve decided you are too young and untried in battle to be one of the four.

Enraged, I jumped to my feet and pulled my sword from its scabbard, gripping it tightly at my side. I looked Gunter in the eye and through clenched teeth declared I dare any of you to try to keep me from my duty. Katrina is my charge and if she is going, nothing will keep me from this journey, including you, Gunter. If you have any doubts, let us settle them here and now.

Gunter’s eyebrow rose. He gave their brothers a surprised look and slowly rose from the seat he had just taken by the fire. Looking around at the others, he shrugged. All right, little brother, let us see what you’ve learned.

As I backed into the open area of the courtyard, Gunter drew his sword and we prepared to fight. The fire reflected off our blades and made them seem to jump in our hands as we circled first right and then left. Gunter lunged, his sword held high. Although tired and weak moments before, I was now invigorated by my anger at the thought my brothers would try to leave me behind.

I countered Gunter’s move, our swords sparking once, then twice. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw servants and my brothers gathering around us while guards yelled encouragement from above.

That’s it, lad, don’t let Gunter push you about!

Gunter was strong, but I was fast which offset his extra years of training. I had always been a quick study, and as a child, even before I was allowed to train with my brothers, Katrina and I been constant observers and had mirrored their training moves over and over again as they fought their mock battles. Although Gunter had trained each of us, it had been years since we’d sparred and his eyes now reflected surprise at my proficiency and at something in me he hadn’t seen before - pure rage. As adrenalin coursed through my body, I grew stronger, quicker, and more alert with every movement as we fought our way across the compound. Then Gunter made a mistake, and I seized my chance. He lunged, and I easily jumped aside. As he whirled by me, I whacked him soundly on the back of the head with the hilt of my sword.

Gunter grunted, turned and swung. I ducked his blow. Too late Gunter realized his mistake; his momentum had brought him closer than he wanted. With the newfound power of my anger, I pulled the fingers of my free hand into a tight fist and pounded it into his gut. The strike was hard enough to lift Gunter off his feet and send him with a thud to land on his backside in the dirt.

He gasped for air and raised his shock-filled eyes to meet mine. I backed away and the now crowded courtyard erupted in cheers and laughter.

I guess your little brother showed you a thing or two, Gunter, a guard shouted from above.

Gunter had risen but was bent over, his hands on his knees. He raised his head, and yelled, Don’t you all have work to do? Be gone, morning comes quickly!

Still breathing hard, I remained in attack stance, ready to continue if I must. The adrenalin still rushing through me would enable me to take on all of my brothers, one-by-one if needed. I would not be denied. The coming journey was my destiny; I felt this now more than ever.

Günter groaned as he retrieved his sword and shot me a look as returned it to its scabbard.

Well, little brother, you’ve learned well and I have obviously misjudged your skill. You have earned the right to join us. So it will be the two of us, plus Thomas and Simon on this journey. Be ready, we leave before dawn.

~~~~

I rose with a start, not even sure what day it was. My head throbbed and as I opened my mouth to call Sarah, she rushed into the room, a full breakfast tray in her hands.

Hurry now. There is much to do. She dragged me out of bed, peeled me out of my rumpled dress, and helped me wash.

While I ate, Sarah told me about a fight the night before between Quinn and Gunter. There was quite a commotion at the Watcher compound last night. I heard that Quinn gave Gunter quite a sound beating in a sword fight.

I had to frown. Really, what was it all about? Is Gunter all right?

They are both fine. Boys being boys I suppose. Nothing to worry your pretty head about.

By the time I had finished my eggs, sausage and a full stack of pancakes and gulped down a large goblet of fresh Crimson, Sarah had finished braiding my hair, styling it tight to the sides and behind my head.

Energized from the Crimson, feeling refreshed and now headache free, I patted my full belly, rose and dressed in a simple, functionally tasteful traveling outfit of the softest lambskin leggings, riding boots, and a beautifully embroidered emerald green over-tunic.

Sarah pulled me to stand in front the large ornate mirror, a gift from my father last year on my seventeenth birthday. Had it been so long since I’d looked at myself? I hardly recognized the girl in the mirror. The tall young woman looking back at me looked surprised too!

You look lovely. The picture of a young royal on her first journey to council.

Sarah often told me I was pretty, but now as I looked my reflection up and down I had to admit it was true, I was pretty. My golden brown hair shone in the candlelight. I smiled as I noted the green of my eyes, full of wonder at my appearance, were perfectly complemented by my outfit.

I felt strong and ready for whatever would come. Sarah’s voice rang in my mind. Stand up straight, head up, shoulders back. Look people in the eye when speaking to them. The years of Sarah’s training , my education in the way to behave like a lady of the court was finally going to pay off. My body was trembling with excitement. I longed for an opportunity to make my father proud and I even secretly hoped that sometime during the journey, there would be a chance to use what we’d learned during the long hours of sword training and battle tactics.

As I continued to twist and turn in front of the mirror I thought, it occurred to me that what I saw reflected would be what I would look like for many, many, years to come. Through centuries of evolution the Vampire race had developed the ability to slow the aging process. Beginning in our seventeenth year, a gene, dormant until then, turns on caused our cell regeneration to go into hyper drive. The byproduct of this was our aging process slowed to a crawl. For the next hundred or so years my body would undergo only subtle changes, but would look essentially the same; unless of course I continued to forget to feed.

Quinn was right to be angry with me and I would have to apologize to him. I also wanted to ask him about the fight. However, I didn’t want to risk make him angry again by asking about it, so maybe it would be better to let him bring it up, I decided. If he wanted to tell me about it he would. I took a deep breath and made my way out of my quarters down to the central courtyard where everyone would be waiting.

The sun was peeking over the mountains and beginnings of sunrise made the eastern sky glow with soft bands of pink and orange. Waking birds were singing and going about their business. It was May in Germany, and although mornings were still cool, by mid morning it warmed and the soft mountain breeze would be sweet with hints of jasmine in the.

I closed my eyes and drew a deep breath. In my mind I heard my father’s voice asking, "Use your gifts, Katrina. What do you ‘see’ daughter?"

When I was small, I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but knew that I had an innate ability of detection that stemmed somehow from my sense of smell. My father recognized my gift and soon the purpose of his oft repeated instruction became clear.

My extraordinary sense of smell, one much, much stronger and more refined than the normal Vampire’s, gave me mental pictures of every I could smell. That’s why my Father asked me to take a deep draft of air and then ask me what I could ‘see’. My olfactory sense worked on everything, but was most useful when looking for humans, vampires, and animals and was sensitive enough that I was able to discern their numbers.

Father said if I was patient and practiced diligently, my gift would become a very useful indeed and I found, with experience I, was able to harnessed it, and grew proficient in identifying individuals, recognizing each being’s unique scent (not always pleasant). I soon learned once I found and identified a scent, I was able to retrieve the stored memory of it for reference later. To my knowledge, I have never forgotten a scent..

With practice I was capable of differentiating differences between animals, horses from mules, dogs from wolves, sheep from, goats, and the like.

When outside the grounds, I added my acute hearing to the mix, sensing, not only the kinds of animals or people, but also how far away and in what direction they were.

Katrina, my father called as he walked towards me. Tall and regal, he looked handsome in his all-black attire, which included a hat and a cape. His slightly graying hair fell to his shoulders, and I couldn’t help thinking how lucky I was to be his daughter.

Yes Father? I replied, as I hastened to meet him.

Are you ready? Did you have our gifts for court packed?

Although it was customary to give gifts of friendship to his Lordship the High Regent and his wife the Lady Margarite, I had also ordered Sarah to pack extra trinkets and baubles in case extra tokens were needed.

Yes Father, everything is in order.

Seeing the line of wagons fully loaded and prepared to leave, the magnitude of this journey finally impacted me. It must have taken all night for the servants to complete all the preparations.

Then let us be on our way. The journey is long and we know not what awaits us. Why his Lordship demands such secrecy of this journey I don’t know, but I’m anxious to go, to arrive early and have some time to seek counsel with others before everyone else arrives. He pulled on gloves and strode toward the waiting