'Hope and light!' The congregation chanted back, all with mindless smiles on their faces. Miracles! They'd seen wonders to tell their grandchildren. Truly wondrous occurrences filled their hearts with joy.
Lord Tenet woke, surprise filling his face. A born warrior, he knew how long it should have taken to recover from the exhaustion of the vampire battle. Stretching his whole body, he found himself free of pain and full of vigor. In the past, he'd never had much use for friars and their talk of peace and brotherhood, but this cleric had saved his sister and healed him.
'Brothers and sisters, let us welcome Lord Tenet and his sister, Lady Larom.'
Awe and respect filled Lady Larom's face. 'I've never met anyone like you. What did you say your order was? '
'I serve hope, the light of truth. If you will permit me, we can talk of the faith in the weeks ahead as you rest and recover.'
'Rest!' interrupted Lord Tenet. 'That's just what we can't do. We're going to ride out of this valley while there's daylight!'
'You will be attacked by minions of the vampire in countless numbers, numbers even too great for your magical blade and battle skills.'
'Then I'll lead you and some of these other men to kill the creature,' Lord Tenet said. 'I've killed vampires before. We must go, now!'
Many in the congregation shook their heads. They knew what the knight was feeling.
'My order and my people are of a peaceful nature.
None of us can stand against the might of the undead Crave. With faith in the light and enough hope in your heart, the monster won't come and attack you again. Won't you believe, Sister?' The friar took Lady Larom's hands in his and smiled down at her.
A shining glow of faith filled her pale face as she turned toward her brother. 'Tenet, I feel so weak. I can't help you with my magic. Won't you wait until I'm stronger?'
'I've weakened the creature. I know it. Now is the time to strike. Won't anyone help me?'
Everyone's head bent down. No one could look into the bold eyes of this powerful man.
'My congregation, be not ashamed that you don't go with this man. None of us are warriors, but all of us do what we can for our families and city. Lord Tenet, if you must go — and I recommend against it — you'll find the creature in the cemetery north of the walls. Crave is guarded by minions who don't fear the light, and by cunning traps. It will know of your coming and will be prepared. May hope and light go with you, my son.'
'Hope and light,' The congregation intoned without conviction.
Lady Larom turned, trying to leave with her brother, but the good friar held her back. 'You can't go with him. I have restored his strength, but you are still weak.'
One hand went to her brow, and a rush of fever overtook her.
'I, I do feel faint. Please, where can I lie down? I need to rest.'
The friar took her into his study, and the congregation let itself out. Lord Tenet stood for a moment, worried about his sister. He couldn't think of a safer place for her than behind the walls of a temple. Holy ground was usually safe from most foul creatures, and especially the undead. Grasping the hilt of his sword with grim determination, the warrior went to kill the foul beast that dared to harm his sister. Looking at the sky overhead, he saw the sun come out of a light scattering of clouds and took it as a good omen.
Lord Tenet easily found the tumble of toppled gravestones that marked the cemetery beyond the walls. Warrior's senses, sharpened from hundreds of battles, searched the area for traps and enemies. Several large mausoleums dotted the fenced area, but a large one in the center caught and held Tenet's attention.
'Why is it always the center one?'
As he had expected, skeletons, zombies, and ghouls leapt out at him as he approached the vampire's lair, but his sword of magical flame made short work of these lesser foes. Holding his flaming blade aloft, he charged the crypt door with quick steps and an armored shoulder. The ancient wood gave way with a splintering crack, and he was inside.
'Crave! I've come to kill you!'
The light of day and the fire of his sword revealed a huge stone sarcophagus in the room beyond, and on the far side of the room, a set of stairs spiraling down into the depths. There was no doubt where those stairs led, but a sound of crying came from beside the stone coffin, in this very room.
As Tenet carefully maneuvered the area, heading toward the sound, he noticed that the lid of the coffin was carved into the shape of a warrior at rest. The stone man in plate mail had a comely form and bold manner. Tenet couldn't help thinking it was in just such a noble coffin that he would like to be buried when the gods saw fit to grant him death.
He rounded the corner of the sarcophagus and discovered a little girl curled up into a ball, sobbing, her hands covering her face.
'Don't hurt me, don't hurt me!' She screamed in panic.
'The vampire must have been keeping you for a snack. You're not large enough for a full meal.' Tenet sheathed his sword and tried to get the spratling to uncurl. 'There, there, little one. No one is going to hurt you. We'll get you back to your parents, but first let's get you into the sunlight, where you'll be safe.'
A gravelly voice erupted from the tiny fanged maw,' No!' Talons reached for the knight.
Suspecting something like this, he'd kept a stake in his hand. Lashing out, in one strike, he put the little one to rest for eternity.
'You won't find me so easy to destroy.'
Lord Tenet whirled as Crave floated into view from the stairway. The foul stench of rotting flesh and ancient blood wrapped around the monster in a dusky mist while dark clouds rolled out from it and blocked the sun's rays.
Twirling in the air, the vampire floated to the top of the arched vault and glared down at Lord Tenet.
The knight drew his sword and blasted flame at Crave.
'I thought we'd decided your magical fire couldn't hurt me,' the creature hissed with a smile. 'Now it's my turn.'
With a few gestures and words, the vampire cast black bolts of energy from its talons, striking the knight in the chest. His armor glowed white for a second, then dimmed. The knight appeared unharmed.
'A magical sword and magical armor? I had no idea you were such an enchanting fellow. I guess we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way. 'The monster hurled itself down on the knight. As it fell, its talons, muscles, and fangs grew larger and larger.
Flaming sword out, the knight pierced the breast of the monster as its talons ripped and tore at his armor. With every blow, the vampire raged at Lord Tenet, but the knight grasped his sword with two hands, causing it to tear and burn at the vitals of the undead thing.
'Yes, it hurts! Yes, it burns! But you'll be dead before your blasted weapon kills me!'
The vampire ripped off the shoulder plates and helm of the knight and sank its fangs deep into his throat. New energy filled the vampire as it hurled away the sword that had caused it so much pain and ripped apart the body of the human who dared to use the weapon.
In one gruesome moment of raining blood, the knight was unmade.
For hours after the battle, the vampire lay gasping for life on the cold stone floor. Shards of the sword were still buried in its flesh, preventing it from regenerating to full health.
Crave could hardly think, the pain was so terrible. It needed more food; it needed the sister and knew where to get her.
Many hours later, it gathered enough energy to turn into mist, then floated into the city, seeking a meal seasoned with revenge.
Sitting by herself at the funeral, Lady Larom seemed fully recovered from the previous day's attack. Several congregation ladies had donated their clothes and other accoutrements to properly outfit her for the temple service. An ivory shawl draped a snowy blouse and creamy, form-fitting skirt. It was obvious to the women that Lady Larom looked good in white things.
Many had sadly shaken their heads at her hair. The lustrous, dark tresses of yesterday were peppered with
