Mature: Desert Moon

[Soran Nightblade]

The girl turned back to him thoughtfully. "We are not prisoners. We are keeping Master warm," she indicated simply. She peered at him. "Do you keep your master cold? If so, you should not be in the warm place."

More shapes began to emerge from the deep shadows cast by the firelight. All small as the girl in front of him, approaching with skeptical curiosity like skittish foxes. They watched the strange outsider intently.

[Emora Deen]

Talon paused, like the girl had just slapped him. Did he keep Vlad cold? Vlad had to stay cold at the moment, yes... He would die if he heated up. So what would happen if...

"What happens if you can't keep Master warm?" Talon asked, his gaze flickering to the people emerging from the dark.

[Soran Nightblade]

"We are many. He is one. Of course, we can warm him easily," She said proudly. "You are only one," she murmured. "You must be very cold."

[Emora Deen]

"Like ice," Talon smirked, his fangs glinting. "Why does Master need to stay warm?" he rephrased the question, but he thought he already had an answer.

[Soran Nightblade]

She raised her brows at him. "We are reptilian. All reptilians crave heat. Master gives us all the heat we want, and lets us stay in the warm place in exchange for our help.

[Emora Deen]

Talon nodded. "Ah," he replied. "That's very kind of him to share his heat with you. Never took him for having such a soft heart." He almost choked on his words. Talon scratched his cheek while he thought. "Well, thank you for the conversation. Would it trouble you if I came to visit again tomorrow? I enjoyed your company."

* * *

"I can't see anything," Tenele growled, holding onto the rope around her waist and the reigns to her horse. "Atul, I can't see you anymore and you're right in front of me!"

"I'm here, just keep following the tug of the rope," the King ordered. "We'll find shelter as soon as we get across the ice."

Tenele tucked her chin down. It was so cold. So, so cold. She just closed her eyes and let the pull of the rope guide her. She struggled to keep her horse moving, but it seemed to be unwilling to keep walking. She pulled forcefully on the reigns to keep the beast trudging through the snow, afraid that if she gave it a moment's peace it may lay down and die.

[Soran Nightblade]

The girl considered him for a moment. "Yes. You are amusing," she said approvingly.

[Emora Deen]

Talon smiled. "See you tomorrow," he replied as he turned back up the stairwell. Talon waited until he returned to his room before he let his excitement really show. If he stole that bastard's fire he'd freeze to death. Of course, it also meant that the girl and all her friends would freeze. Talon shrugged his shoulders at the thought. "So be it," he muttered.

He stepped to the window looking out over the courtyard, his eyes falling on the figure strapped to the table. "Soon," he whispered. "We'll end this soon."

[Soran Nightblade]

When dusk came, Vlad twisted onto his side as the straps were released. He melded limply to the metal and drew breath in rasping heaves. Each time Maxwell scolded him, it only roused a low, sadistic chuckle from the otherwise agonized vampire. What could Maxwell do? What more could he possibly do to him without killing him? There was nothing left to threaten him with, and he was reveling in it. Maxwell ignored the vampire's behavior and checked his vital signs and temperature. "You're running too hot. Remain here for the night," the man said flatly. "Do not use your powers."

The scientist twitched as a test tube cork smacked him in the side of the head. Vlad snickered, tears leaking from his eyes. "I'm serious. No magic. This petulance will not earn you reprieve tomorrow."

Vlad wiped at his face like he'd just had a good laugh. He pulled himself off the table and let himself fall to a heap in the shock-cold snow. He shoved himself deeper into it and shivered uncontrollably, hoping to keep himself alive through the night. The snow quickly melted against him, soaking his clothes.

Maxwell ignored him, packing up and returning toward the house.

[Emora Deen]

"I don't think the horse can carry that much weight," Tenele told Atul as he piled what was left of her things onto his horses back. She cast a sad glance down to her own that had fallen victim to the cold.

"You can't carry it," Atul told her sternly. "The horse will carry it."

The snow had calmed, but now dark was upon them and they still hadn't found shelter. The cold was worst. Bone chilling. Her extremities were growing numb, and the numbness just seemed to edge further.

"Atul," she groaned. "We should just camp, just start a fire. Neither one of us will make it very far in this cold."

"Just a little further. We'll find a place to rest, I promise." He tugged the horse forward, and Tenele followed.

They walked for what felt like forever until they came to a rocky overhang. It jutted out just enough that there as very little snow tucked under the deepest part. Atul tied their horse off to a tree and drug the packs from his back. He stacked them like a barricade around a clear space. Then, he built a fire.

Tenele tugged her boots off and propped her feet close to the fire.

"How angry do you think Vlad would be if we rescued him, but I lost my feet?" Tenele asked curiously as she focused on wiggling her toes. Atul sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He rubbed her arms and shoulders and sides, trying to bring the warmth back to them. He was lucky. His body handle the temperature a great deal better than hers, but he wasn't doing nearly as well as the undead.

"I'd say he'd be pretty pissed off," Atul muttered. "So would I."

"Maybe this was a mistake," the King murmured after a long silence, pressing his forehead to the icy hair at the back of her head. "If you die... this will be for nothing. Vlad will never recover and your daughter will be motherless. I promised Sinead I would drag you back if it got too dangerous."

Tenele frowned. "You won't. We've come too far. Its just as dangerous to turn back as it is to press onward," Tenele whispered.

"Yes," he agreed. "But, that doesn't mean I can't hate myself a little for not opposing you. I should have locked you in my palace and let you wait out the year. Vlad would have wanted me to do that.

Tenele smiled. "You always let me get my way."

* * *

When dark came Talon went out into the courtyard for Vlad. He spotted the vampire curled in the melted snow near the table, and he knelt next to him quietly. He didn't ask whether Vlad was okay. He knew better than that. Anything else would be insulting.

"I may have found a way out," Talon told Vlad quietly. "I'm going to tell Tenele."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's eyes lifted slowly. A tender, condescending smile rose to his lips. One look at those dilated red eyes was proof Vlad didn't believe him. "My Blood," he whispered quietly, touching his cheek. "Be safe."

[Emora Deen]

Talon frowned. He took Vlad's hand and held it. "I will be safe," he replied. "And you'll be out of this. I don't know how close she is. But, they're coming for you. It could be tomorrow, or the next day. But, they are close. I'm going to call her... Talk to her. Please."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad shook his head slowly. "He will take it from you again. I am not strong enough to buy it back," he said through a sandpaper throat.

[Emora Deen]

Talon frowned. "We'll just tell him I was talking to her," he told Vlad. "He doesn't seem to mind if its me."

All he needed was to tell his sister his plan. To let her know he knew a way to weaken the demon holding her husband prisoner. Whenever they were close they could make their move. But, if the pendant was taken he would have no way for Tenele to warn them that they were ready for the attack.

Then, again... If Tenele used the pendant to contact them Maxwell would know something was happening.

"Do you want me to tell her anything?" Talon asked as he twisted the stone between his fingers.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled and clenched his eyes shut. "Tell her I trust her," he said breathlessly.