Free RBC06.50 - Marcella, Vampire Mage by Elizabeth Loraine Page B

doubts, let us settle them here, and now.”
    Gunter gave a surprised look to Thomas, and slowly rose from the seat he had just taken by the fire. Looking around at the others, he shrugged and said, “All right, little brother, let’s see what you’ve learned.”
    As I backed into the open part of the courtyard, Gunter drew his sword. As we prepared to fight, the fire reflected off our blades and made them seem to jump in our hands. We circled first right and then left. Gunter lunged, his sword held high. When moments before I felt tired and weak, I was now invigorated by both my anger and the thought my brothers would try to leave me behind.
    I countered Gunter’s move, our swords sparking in the night. Out of the corner of my eye I could see servants and my other brothers gathering. Guards were now yelling encouragement from above.
    “That’s it, lad, don’t let Gunter push you about!”
    Gunter was strong, but I was fast and that easily made up for his extra years of training. I had always been a quick study and even before I was allowed to train with my brothers, I had mirrored their movement in mock battles over and over again.  Although Gunter had trained all of us, his eyes showed surprise at my proficiency; and at something in me he hadn’t seen before: pure rage. The rage brought an adrenalin surge that made me stronger, quicker, and more alert. We fought across the compound. Then Gunter made a mistake, and I seized my chance. As he lunged, I easily jumped aside. As he whirled by me, I whacked him on the back of his head with the hilt of my sword.
    Gunter grunted, turned and swung for my head, but I ducked. With the newly found power of my anger, I hit him in the gut with my fist. Gunter bent over in with a gasp of pain and shock, and as I backed away the crowded courtyard erupted in cheers and laughter.
    “I guess your little brother showed you a thing or two, Gunter,” a guard said from above.
    Gunter raised his head, his hands still on his knees, and yelled, “Don’t you all have work to do? Be gone, morning comes quickly!”
    Still breathing hard, I remained in an attacking stance, ready to continue if I must, the adrenalin still rushing though me would enable me to take on all of my brothers one by one if I needed to. I would not be denied. The coming journey was my destiny, now more than ever.
    Gunter slowly stood and put his sword back in his scabbard.
    “Well, little brother, you’ve learned well and I have obviously misjudged your skill. You have just earned the right to join us. So it will be the two of us, plus Thomas and Simon. Be ready, we leave before dawn.
     
~~~~
     
     
    I rose with a start, not even sure what day it was. My head throbbed, and just as I was about to ring for Sarah, she rushed into the room, a full breakfast tray in her hands.
    She dragged me out of bed, peeled me out of my rumpled dress, and helped me wash, all the while bemoaning the state of my beautiful hair. While I ate, Sarah told me about a fight the night before between Quinn and Gunter. What started it she didn’t know, only that Quinn had seemed to win and that everyone had survived intact.
    By the time I had finished my huge breakfast, plus a large goblet of very fresh Crimson, Sarah had finished braiding my hair back, away from my face.
    I rose and dressed myself in a simple, functionally tasteful traveling outfit of the softest lambskin leggings, riding boots, and a beautifully embroidered emerald green over-tunic. Sarah then pushed me in front the mirror, a gift from my father on my seventeenth birthday. Had it been so long since I looked at myself? I hardly recognized the girl in the mirror. The tall young woman looking back at me looked surprised too!
    I had to admit, as Sarah often told me, I was pretty. My golden brown hair shone in the candlelight, and my green eyes, full of wonder at my appearance, complemented my outfit perfectly. I felt strong and ready for whatever would come.
    The Vampire as a