laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Soft greys picked out the roof tops, gatehouses and main keep as twilight introduced the small hamlet to another day. Echoing within the tightly formed streets and avenues roosters crowed in harmony with that dim light as he ran for his life. Through the still darkened canyon bordered by thatch rooved homes he could hear their tireless pursuit as the stack of crates he pulled in front of the door crashed onto the flagstone. Panting, he pushed himself harder knowing that he had to reach the bell tower of the church before they caught him. It was the highest point and where she told him to run to if he ever got caught.

Leather soled shoes pounded the damp stone beneath his feet as he pumped down the long avenue towards the church whose tall, majestic front could be seen. Two lamps hung to either side of the door and his heart beat faster knowing he was within sight of his goal. Muscles screamed as he clung to that hope of escape. He stole a backwards glance to notice their eyes of white hot fire not that far behind him. A sight that prompted him to push harder for the fear of being caught by them was worse than any nightmare he had ever had. As he reached the front door, he frantically pulled on the large, wrought iron rings - locked. He nearly screamed in exasperation as he heard one of them laugh.
He glanced upward; it was his only hope. Leaping up to the first handhold, he climbed as fast as his hands would pull him up.

“Come on, Aodrenig. Give it up,” one of them yelled. His deep, inhuman voice sent shivers down the young man’s spine as he reached for the foot of a statue and pulled. Sweat poured down his face, body soaked to the bone in his desperate attempt to reach the top. Suddenly, one of them leapt to the head of the statue he was now climbing and stood over him, mockingly glaring.

“Quit this stupid game and I’ll give you a merciful ending,” the darkly clothed beast in human form offered.

In a moment of defeat, Aodrenig looked into the eyes of this demon as he stood within the narrow alcove the statue had been placed, then nodded as he sighed. His companions laughed hungrily as the vampire leaned down, his fangs protruding from thin lips. With a yank, the young warrior grabbed his arm and threw the beast off of the building, sending the surprised man into the air.
With a renewed vigor, he pushed off of the elder’s stone arm and continued his climb. As one, the four beasts of the night roared in anger nearly giving the noble’s son a heart attack as the echo thundered down lonely streets. No one would come to his rescue as they feared the night here in Jedburgh, and rightly so. Pushing with his feet, he neared the first, bullet shaped window and a possible way into the sanctuary which would give him some respite as he hoped their pursuit would be stalled by holy ground. With a mighty swing, he punched the stained glass which only fractured. Claws bit at the stone and mortar below him as the evil quartet raced up to him with amazing speed.
Instead of wasting his time, he pushed upward towards the bell tower which was only feet from him now. It’s open, four sided arches would allow him not only a place to fight but, also the coming sunlight. The only ally he would have this morning.
As he grabbed the bottom of the arched opening, hands latched onto his right ankle and pulled, nearly tearing him from the church’s face. He gripped with all his might and pulled himself upwards, fighting the threat from below with all he could muster. Falling within the small, open aired room, one of their hands came within the sunlight’s gaze and began to burn. Crying out, the vampire let go and dipped back out of sight as Aodrenig pulled his booted feet within the bell tower.

“You’ve only won a short respite to your destiny, boy,” one of them promised from below.

“You’ll not have me the way you’ve taken so many others,” he pushed himself up and stepped to the edge, looking down to the four sets of glowing eyes.

“Jedburgh is owned by us,” their captain revealed. “All who live within it’s walls are our cattle. You, your family. Jessica as well.” The mention of his love’s name turned his initial fear into rage.

“You touch one hair on her head and the next vision you have will be of my smile as I kill you all.”

“Then come do it now, coward.”

He smiled and stepped back from their view. “Rest well,” he knew the building they frequented and hunting them to their lair would be today’s first priority. In his mind, he heard the older one’s voice. ‘I look forward to it.’ Nervous adrenaline pumped as he moved to the ladder and climbed down into the safety of the church. Arhus would protect him from their plan, he was sure of it.