Dark Ages Clan Novel 10꞉ Gangrel by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Format: epub
Published: 2013-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Twelve

Qarakh awakened. Swaddled in the cool, comforting embrace of earth, he was tempted to stay there, to close his eyes and return to sleep and hope that there would be no more memories, no more dreams that changed all too easily into nightmares. A sluggish weariness settled into his body. His limbs felt heavy, leaden, as if they were no longer flesh and not quite stone, but rather some transitional state between. An overwhelming sensation of peace welled up inside him, and he felt himself slipping away. But before awareness completely deserted him, Qarakh realized what was happening: He was surrendering to the same torpor that had claimed Aajav.

With a supreme effort of will, he surged free of the earth and stood once more in the open night air. He felt dizzy and weak at first, but with each passing second, vertigo ebbed and strength returned to him.

“Is something wrong? ”

Qarakh nearly sprang upon the Nosferatu standing in the forest glade and holding the reins of three horses, but then he remembered—this was Malachite, their new traveling companion.

“No. ” He couldn’t believe how easily he had almost given in to the temptation of torpor. It had felt so natural, so right, so effortless to allow himself to sink into the oblivion it offered. Is that what it had been like for Aajav? If so, Qarakh could understand now why his brother had so far refused to wake from his sleep within the sacred mound of the Telyavs.

Malachite evidently had been in the process of readying the horses when Qarakh appeared, for the three mounts were already saddled. The Nosferatu must have noticed Qarakh’s scrutiny of the horses, for he said, “I fed them, too. ”

Qarakh glanced upward at the patches of sky he could see between the overhanging tree branches.

The sun had gone down, but not so long ago that the stars were visible. “I’m surprised you had the time—that is, unless you have discovered a way to walk in sunlight. ”

Malachite gave Qarakh a thin smile. “Not quite, but the tree cover in this part of the forest is especially thick, and members of my clan are skilled at keeping to the shadows. When the forest gloom became dark enough, I rose and—since both you and Deverra remained sleeping—I decided to put my time to good use and prepare the horses for travel. ” When Qarakh didn’t respond right away, Malachite frowned. “I hope I haven’t done something wrong. I know little about your customs, and if there is some proscription against someone else touching your horse. ”

Qarakh waved away the Nosferatu’s concerns. “I am glad you did. The sooner we start riding, the sooner we shall reach the current campsite. ”

Malachite opened his own mouth then, presumably to ask a question, but before he could speak, Deverra emerged from a nearby oak tree, separating herself from the wood as easily as another being might move through air. She gave Qarakh a smile. “Sleep well? ”

He found himself wishing that Deverra had used her magic to connect their spirits during the day.

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