Preternatural Prophecy Chapter 3

A few days’ later Laurel and Tatiana were standing outside the hut stretching. Their swords sat in the hilt swinging wildly as they exercised. Laurel stood up and cracked her knuckles before pulling her sword from the sheath.

“Tati, are you ready to practice?” Laurel asked waving her sword back and forth. Tatiana nodded and drew her sword as well. Laurel was the first to swing. Tatiana quickly blocked her swing and grabbed her twin’s wrist. In a fluid motion she disarmed Laurel and catapulted her over her shoulder. Tatiana heard a crunch from behind her as Laurel hit the ground hard. She looked back to see Laurel standing up and dusting herself off. Laurel retrieved her sword and hugged her sister.
            “Tati, that was an amazing move. I hope you use that again if we get in a tight spot.” Laurel let go of her sister and re-sheathed her short sword. She walked back over to the hut and slid down the side. She sighed and put the back of her head on the hard wood. Tatiana came over and sat down next to her.
            “Laurel how much longer before we leave? We have been here almost a week. Wendel should be ready to go by now and we need to head out if we want to find this Brimstone blade thing.”
            Laurel nodded her head and said, “We leave at dusk tonight. We need to get on the road before the new moon. Wendel will be drained of all energy after the new moon until the full moon if the ancient legends are correct.” Laurel got up and went back into the hut. She gathered up hers and Tatiana’s things.

She came back out of the hut to see Tatiana with her falchion drawn. Aiden stood facing her smirking. Laurel looked him over. There was no evidence that his leg had been cut off. It was still there even though the twins had seen it being cut off. Laurel dropped her things and went for her short sword. A hand grabbed her from behind and held her tight. The face of another vampire appeared beside her. He smiled devilishly at her and breathed the knockout gas into her nostrils. Laurel collapsed onto the ground. Tatiana stood petrified looking at Laurel.
            “What have you done to my sister?” Tatiana screamed. Aiden laughed harshly and started evilly at her. He took a step forward. Tatiana attacked throwing her entire weight towards Aiden. Aiden flinched back and was caught off guard. The cold metal cut deeply into his shoulder. He bellowed in pain and pulled the blade from his shoulder. He pressed down on his wound heavily.
            “Delano, kill the girl.” The second vampire lunged at Tatiana. She quickly sidestepped him and he jumped right into Aiden. They both turned into shadows and disappeared. Laurel stirred on the ground.
            “Laurel, don’t worry I’ll get the old women.” As Tatiana said that she sprinted out of the village and into the woods to find the old women.

            Laurel awoke to see the old woman sitting above her. She got up and looked around. The old woman said nothing but left. Laurel saw no one else around so she exited the hut. Tatiana stood outside cleaning her sword. Tatiana looked up at her sister and smiled. Tatiana then got a twinge of pain on her face and looked down. She had cut her finger slightly on the tip of her blade. She lifted her finger up and sucked on it. Laurel shook her head. Laurel looked away and walked along through the village.

            She looked out into the distance to see Wendel sitting in a tree following after a deer. She gazed at him for a few minutes watching him stalk his pray out of sight. She drifted towards the edge of the village trying to find him again. She at last caught sight of him as he pulled back the bow string. He placed his arrow on it and took aim. Laurel kept moving forward as if she was in a daze. From underneath her she heard a twig snap. The doe looked up and saw her. It dashed away as Wendel took his shot. The bolt missed by a hair. It made a slight thrum as it stuck into the ground. Wendel shot a dirty look over at Laurel and swung into the next tree in search of other prey. She shook her head and looked around.
            She slowly walked back to the village wondering what had come over her. She met up with her twin and began to pack up their things. The old woman appeared at the twins’ side. “Well, well leaving so soon?” the old woman said.
            “Yes, unfortunately we must be off. There are more things ahead of us we must face and hard times that we must get through if your prophecy is true. Thank you for your entire help old woman we appreciate it.” Tatiana said placing a hand on the old woman’s shoulder.
            “Tatiana, Laurel before you go I have a present for each of you. Tatiana for you a necklace carved from the most pure silver.” She pulled a small amulet out of her robe and handed it to Tatiana. Tatiana placed it around her neck and the charm hanging on the necklace glowed. “That is a sign that the charm has chosen you to be its bearer. The charm will allow you to turn to a shadow like the vampires do, a trait given long ago by the gods so they could move about in daylight. And for you Laurel the most important thing I have.” From the sleeve of her robe she pulled Laurel’s short sword. “I took this from your bag while you were asleep. I fixed it for you with my magic and placed a spell on it which when used can heal or harm people. Use it wisely for it is a dangerous weapon now. If it were to get into the wrong hands then it could mean the end of the world. Also I gave Wendel herbs for healing. Use them wisely and sparingly. You may need them in the near future. ” As she said those words Laurel took the short sword in amazement. Both twins thanked the old woman for their gift and headed into the forest.

            They met up with Wendel a short time later. He sat under a huge oak wiping down his knife. A blood stained cloth sat beside him. He slowly rubbed an herb up and down the blade. The twins stood in front of him waiting for him to stand up. He looked up at them and then resumed rubbing the plant along the sharp side of his knife. The twins stood there for a second. Then Laurel said, “Wendel we are leaving now. Let’s go to the next town and pick up some more supplies.” Wendel nodded and stood up. He tossed the rag into his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He held onto his knife and walked eastward. Tatiana shrugged and followed. Laurel let out a sigh and tagged along behind her sister watching the sun fall slowly to the horizon.

            The old woman watched as the trio headed down the trail. A body materialized next to her. She ignored it until the three were out of sight. She turned to the body. It was an older man. He stood erect and with a stone face. He watched the old woman’s every movement.

            “You have given them the prophecy?” He asked in a low voice.

            “I have. Be patient Oras. There will come a time when they will succeed. The immaterial God has told us so.” The old woman replied. She looked directly at him. “All we need is to wait. Then it will all happen. Everything will be done. We will not have to wait any longer.