Dark Crystal of the Night

Saxony sometime around 600 ad 1

"Will you quit sulking." Keir threw an apple at Bram's head. He easily caught it without thinking about it. The night was cool and while the King and his entourage were out on a hunt, only the two of them remained. 2

"It's been nearly a hundred years. Be a vampire for once. It's not that bad." Keir came over and sat next to him shoulder to shoulder.3

Bram still wasn't very happy with him. Keir was one of the reasons he was a vampire. He had kept her from saving Bram. He had insisted they hunt her down. Luckily, the King disagreed, but by now she was dead, their children dead, only his grandchildren were around and he missed them dearly even though he never even laid eyes on them. Keir wouldn't let him travel back to England to see them. Just another reason to hate the man.4

Keir rested a large hand on his knee and rubbed it. "Forget her, and them." Keir squeezed his thigh. "You know what you need?"5

Bram looked from Keir's hand to his face. His brow furrowed. He hated being touched like that. "I'm not sleeping with you."6

"Haha!" Keir laughed heartily. "You couldn't handle me… Yet." Bram frowned at that, as if he'd ever think about bedding down with a man. "But you do need a woman!" Keir punched him hard on the shoulder then stood. "Let us go find you one."7

"What about the King?"8

"What about him?" Keir sneered.9

"Well, he ordered us to remain and guard the camp."10

"That clotpole can guard his own camp."11

"He's my genitor!"12

"He's a rouge and a liar!" Keir grabbed Bram's shirt collar and dragged him to his feet. "Following him like a loyal dog will only get you killed. I am the rightful King or at least I should be!" Keir spat in his face.13

This was one insult too many for Bram. He tore Keir's hands off his tunic and shoved him hard against a tree. He pounded his fists, one after another into the hard stomach until Keir could move his hands in to block. 14

"Enough!" Once the pounding stopped and Keir caught his breath he laughed, "Now that is why I like you. Your passion, your power! You simply need a way to focus-" Bram threw one last hook catching Keir on the left cheek and knocking him to the ground.15

"Go find another pawn I won't help you and your quest for the throne. You won't seize it. The King already told me about a prophecy to-"16

"Haha… You'll believe anything that fraud will tell you." Keir patted him hard on the back. "No matter. My friend, you really do need to find someone to love and get your mind off him. Come, let us find some fine blood and women. This camp is isolated and safe. We'll return before the King, I promise."17

Bram couldn't deny his hunger. He wanted to deny the other as well. He didn't ever want to admit that his love for her might fade and to sleep with another would do just that. He wanted to love her, and only her.18

***19

The nearby town had three inns and one brothel. The latter was their last visit. Keir oiled Bram's innards well with wine. Now, it was time to loosen the rest of him as they found no other suitable women this late at night.20

Bram sat somewhat melancholic in the cramped room. Several women tried to gain his attention but he wouldn't have them. It's not because they were Saxons and a bit less civilized, he learned years ago where a person was born didn't matter. He could pass himself off as one easily enough. Nothing interested him, until he saw a woman upon the stairs. He watched her walk down with ease. He gazed longingly after her, not because of her stunning figure or flowing blonde locks, it was the sword she held loosely at her side that drew his attention.21

"A sword so beautiful should be held with care, milady. May I?" He asked gently taking the sword from her hand.22

She nodded once watching him with affection. Clearly her interest was in something more carnal. "I'm certain you have a fine sword yourself, gentle knight." She placed her hand over his gently.23

He continued to examine the sword. It was old no doubt, yet still gleamed with the etching upon the hilt hardly touched. If there was one thing he admired about the Saxons, it was their sword work. He must find the smith and commend him.24

He could feel Keir rolling his eyes. What is his problem? Bram wondered. 25

"The woman! Compliment the woman!" Keir pushed in his mind. 26

"You are too beautiful to be found in a place such as this."27

Keir smacked him over the head. Bram wished to pound him for such humiliation but composed himself. Meanwhile, Keir began speaking.28

"What my friend is so inadequately attempting to say is he finds you a rare, flowering beauty and would ask if he may query your parents for permission to court you."29

She laughed spiritedly at this and it endeared her to him. Bram sensed in her an attraction to him. He could also sense easily that she was not a whore nor a patron of this establishment. He quickly discerned the woman's status.30

"I apologize most profoundly for my comrade's inappropriate behavior. He neither realizes your situation nor if he had, would care."31

This intrigued the woman, Bram saw in her mind that not only did she like his odd quirkiness but also respected him for his insight. She did, however, enjoy being difficult.32

"And what do you know of my situation?"33

"Only that you desire a divorce but God does not allow for such things, nor…" he handed her sword back to her with dignity and a bow, "does he condone murder, even of unfaithful husbands."34

Keir gave him a questioning look that told Bram he didn't look deep enough into the woman's mind, nor saw the man peeking around the corner looking both angry and afraid.35

"You are a blasphemous warlock, sir!" 36

"No dear lady, merely observant." He pointed to the stairs where the man's head promptly disappeared as he knew he'd been found out.37

"That heathen!" She hissed and pushed her way between them. She fumed as she'd been found out as well. Yet, Bram felt her hand linger slightly as she brushed against him feeling his tight muscles. He couldn't help enjoying the brief fantasy that ran through her mind. 38

Strange feelings rushed through him, whether from wine or hunger; he believed he liked this woman. He knew he'd feel differently later. At that moment he did wish to have her. She was beautiful, smart, healthy, and a fighter, much like his wife. Oh… How he missed her, her body, her laugh, her fast sword…39

"Her husband's leaving, now's your chance. Meet him outside."40

"What?"41

"Must I tell you every step?" Keir shoved him towards the door.42

No, there was no need. The thought was in his mind the moment he had seen her memory of her confrontation with her husband and the prostitute. He probed the man's mind and was sure she wouldn't survive the night. There was only one solution.43

***44

Bram's day was restless; he hardly slept at all. The hot sun filtered through the heavy cloths no matter how hard they tried to improve them. If they were not in need of traveling often to run from hunters they could build a sun proof home. Or at least find a cave system to settle in. Yet the heat came from within. For the first time in nearly a century, the flame of lust warmed his loins. 45

The moment the sun slithered behind the horizon he threw off the oppressing blankets and silently crept out of the camp. He could hear Keir's mind arguing with the King's, he didn't want to know what they argued about as it was a never ending conflict between the two. 46

Someone sat speaking with her in her home when he approached, a priest he assumed. The man consoled her about the recent loss of her husband and did not seem to know about the infidelity. Bram forced the man to wrap up his sermon. He wished to be the one comforting her.47

He hid in the shadows as the priest passed and didn't let the door close before he snuck in. The small single room home held only a table, a couple of chairs, and a small, fur lined bed. She stood hands flat on the table trying to handle the multitude of emotions within her. Bram knew other than shame, happiness and hatred that there was an underlying sadness. No matter how much she despised her husband for what he did, she still felt love for him.48

"It is a shame what happened to your husband." A small part of Bram wanted to hold her and tell her what happened, but he suppressed it. She was short, slim, with green eyes and blonde. In other words the total opposite of his dead wife, and yet… He found her strangely appealing.49

His sudden appearance shocked her and she didn't quite know what to say.50

"What is your name?" he asked.51

"Crystal," she muttered still taken aback by him, but now fascination creeped in.52

"Could you use a friend to talk about it with?" He tried to project concern and softness. She smiled at his offer and nodded. He knew he had her when he saw her hugging him in her mind. It was cheating but he liked knowing she did want him. He moved slowing making sure it was her idea. He sat on the chair farthest from the bed.53

"They don't know what killed him," she said softly. "The healer thinks maybe his heart gave out." She shrugged. "I think the devil just claimed his prize." 54

She knows more than she thinks she does, he mused. 55

"He did not seem like that good of a man, or a husband."56

"No, he wasn't." She laughed derisively. "He never treated me well, but I always was a good wife. Until tonight. While leaving the church, I saw him entering that house of ill repute. He told me he was in a meeting with another merchant. I was so upset. I retrieved my grandfather's sword and went after him. He didn't even argue with me. But I couldn't kill him.57

"Look at me, telling you everything I couldn't even tell Father Patrick. I don't even know your name."58

"Bram." He smiled warmly.59

"Bram." The name sounded like angel wings on her breath. "Have you ever lost someone close to you?"60

He nodded slowly. "My wife." God, why did she have to bring up that subject? Thoughts of his wife floated through his brain and a wave of guilt washed over him.61

"Does the pain ever go away?" She unexpectedly broke out into tears. She'd been so strong in her hatred for her husband. But now his guilt doubled as he realized he took away a man she loved. 62

"I'm sorry," he said from his heart, but she thought he meant about the pain not going away. She flung herself at him and he held her tightly in his arms. Her sweet lilac scent filled him and he fought the desire that began in the back of his mind. He could not compound his guilt by taking advantage of her in this condition.63

She cried for nearly an hour, sitting in his lap. Her tears thoroughly drenched his tunic and when she lifted her head for a breath she saw the stain. "What have I done to your fine tunic? Let me wash it for you." She began unlacing it without his approval. 64

"Lady, please, it's not necessary," he protested but her hands kept moving. She brushed the tunic off his shoulders and his skin melted under her sultry touch. She didn't stop there; she kissed his collar bone and he just about lost all self control. "Please!" He stood quickly nearly dropping her to the sawdust floor.65

"I need comforting sir! Without my husband I will not be able to pay taxes and I will become the property of Lord Samuel. I need a man to take care of me and protect me. A… A knight." She said it as if she knew what he had been once. He broadened his chest unconsciously with a proudful air. He missed those days.66

"My lady, I shall protect you." She looked up at him with happy tears in her eyes. Her lips, pink with the warm blood flowing through them, enticed him. He didn't even realize he was kissing her until her tongue slipped about his lips.67

His carnal instincts started taking over and he walked her over to the bed never letting go of her. He entangled his fingers in her hair with one hand as he untied her dress with the other. It all happened so fast, even for him. 68

"We mustn't do this milady," he whispered into her mouth.69

"I have already sinned in thought and my heart aches for me to sin in deed as well." She gripped his buttocks hard and he realized he enjoyed it and her attitude. She was fiery, much like… No. No more thoughts of her this night. He focused his mind solely on Crystal.70

He laid her gently on the bed, her dress slipped off in the process, and he disrobed completely. He hadn't seen such a beautiful creature in ages and found his hunger went deeper than blood lust for the first time in decades. He had to have her.71

He covered her body with his and she wrapped her arms and legs around him. Her soft skin tasted so appetizing he nipped her here and there. She moaned in appreciation and before he suffered anymore he entered her. She gasped at the size of him but quickly adjusted. He tried to be gentle and allow her time to relax into it. Her slick heat around him only made him swell. As he moved slowly, her moans deepened. 72

Soon he could hold back no longer and began moving with quick thrusts and her bouncing breasts and pink cheeks brought out his need for more. With a soft kiss he prepared her neck where it met her shoulder. What a sweet taste her skin had. He knew her blood would be more so as he could smell it even through her skin. 73

Without hesitation he bit down into her. Her body froze in that moment, but in complete ecstasy. The second she relaxed, the blood poured from her veins and he fought to keep it all in his mouth. He neared an orgasm himself and the blood pushed him over the edge. 74

He drank freely from her as he made her scream for more release. The harder he sucked and thrust the more she begged.75

When he finally allowed his own release and closed off her wound, he realized she no longer moved. 76

Her eyes stared dully up at the ceiling the lone candle in the room flicked lifelessly off her unmoving chest.77

"No!" He felt for her breath but knew he would find none. Her soul hadn't passed to him so he knew he hadn't killed her. She would die soon enough if something wasn't done.78

He didn't even think about it. He just acted. He ripped at his own wrist with his teeth tearing a part of his flesh from it. He growled in pain. It didn't matter. Only her life mattered. 79

He dropped his bleeding wound to her mouth. He squeezed until blood poured from it like a crimson waterfall. His heart pounded in fear. She did not deserve this, nor did she deserve the death he brought upon her. Their sins had caught up with them.80

He didn't stop pouring his blood down her throat until he felt woozy himself and fell to the bed beside her. He must have dozed off for the next thing he knew her arm was across his chest and she purred softly in his ear.81

"You are wonderful. My husband never made me feel this way." His eyes darted open. She lived! "It's like I can feel you inside my heart. It's strange. I can almost sense your feelings. But why are you afraid?"82

He backed off from her slightly, examining her. She was alive and healthy. He knew that look in her eyes; a deep thirst.83

"Come, we must leave." She held onto him as he tried to get up.84

"Why the hurry? I'm ready for you to have me again."85

He shook her off and dressed quickly glancing frantically out the window. The moon was near the horizon. He'd slept longer than he thought. "We must go before the dawn."86

"Why, where must we go?"87

"I don't know how to tell you this…," he began and knew he didn't need to finish when he saw the look on her face.88

"What have you done to me?"89

"I have committed a greater sin than you ever could. Please forgive me. It was the passion that drove me. I couldn't resist your taste so-" She cut him off with a finger over his mouth. She looked up to him with respect and love.90

"I don't care. Right now I feel more alive than I ever have. Do not hate yourself for this." She pulled herself up to him for a kiss and he reluctantly met her lips. At that moment everything washed away. His guilt, his hatred, all his emotions save for one.91

"I love you," he said softly as he took her in his arms.92

"I can't believe it took all this to find the man of my dreams." She kissed him again. "I love you." She looked around her small home and he knew she decided to leave it all behind. "Take me wherever you please."93

***94

They returned to the camp only an hour before dawn. He should have run. He knew they'd face death going back there. And yet something drove him there that he could not explain. All seven others stood on the edge of camp waiting for his return. Keir looked angry, as if Bram had betrayed him. The King, however, appeared severely disappointed; his brow furrowed deeply. That is what made Bram hang his head in shame. 95

Crystal took his hand and stepped forward with him. She silently communicated that she was with him no matter what happened.96

"Sir Bram, You know well the laws of our gens. To bring a human through subortus without permission is punishable by death." The breath caught in Bram's throat, hearing the words made it seem much worse. 97

"Death?!" Crystal gripped Bram's arm.98

"Your Majesty," Bram said fighting to keep his voice strong, "though I admit what I did, I did in haste. However, your grace did say we needed more familiae."99

"By my doing only!" The King roared. 100

Keir cleared his throat. "May I remind the King of our agreement? You will forfeit your rule if you suboriri another-"101

"Yes, I know," he hissed. They seemed to communicate silently for a minute or so. Bram was not skilled enough to know what passed between them. "Very well, we have decided upon a suitable punishment which Keir will administer." Relief washed over Bram, but only a little, as he felt Crystal's tension and fear. "This woman-"102

"No!" Crystal cut off the King which seemed to astound everyone. "I will take whatever punishment is meant for him. This noble knight saved me from my husband and saved my life."103

"You are still set for death," Keir sneered at her. She backed up slightly. Even while Bram stood before her protectively he noticed the King's eye wandering over her.104

"There is nothing special about your case, Sir Bram, and I would normally not pardon the rules. As you have so appropriately pointed out, we do need more familiae and had you only asked for permission it would have been granted for this… exquisite woman. She has spirit, and I believe will be a boon to our gens. Punishment in this case is remitted. Be wary that you never cross any line again. I will not be so lenient the next time." He turned his back then and disappeared into his tent.105

She hugged Bram hard and he finally allowed himself to breathe, though Keir watched him with an angry eye.106

"You were just supposed to have sex with her then leave her." Keir's voice in his head sounded very indignant.107

"Jealous Keir, of not being allowed any progeny of your own?"108

"No, but maybe I'll share yours." Keir moved in close and cupped her chin. She stood looking him fiercely in the eyes. No longer fearing for her life, Crystal became rather headstrong.109

"You couldn't handle me." The look on Keir's face confused her, having his own words thrown back at him, but Bram laughed heartily so she joined in. 110

Tension broken, Keir patted Bram on the arm then took her hand and kissed it in a gentlemanly fashion. "Welcome to the gens, Dark Crystal of the Night."111