One week… seven days were not much time. He could not roam in these lands forever; he and his clan would have to leave soon. Great shame would befall any lord who stayed past their welcome, and he would not let that happen.

Still, he could not allow himself to be bested by a pesky human. That ex-rebel was still alive, mocking him with his existence. It was not a matter of keeping his past actions unknown, not anymore. If he brought him down, it would be to maintain his pride.

The two did not seem to be able to ponder and use their brains. If he simply left, they would surely never realize what he did, and never blame him. He did not care. That fool had to die before he left, for the simple act of surviving for so long. No one had ever endured more than one of his ploys; none saw the sunrise again if his claws acted directly. That maggot had lived, however. He still couldn’t comprehend how the poison did not kill him.

His dusky eyes glared at the moon, which loomed darkly above. He promised himself that he would not leave without seeing life fade from that grey eye. It would grow as glazed as his blind one, forever.

Idris moved between arcs, crossing the huge courtyard. He headed slowly for where his clan’s belongings were, in a shadowed corner between walls and structures, far from the gates. His gaze examined their carts, trading materials and… cattle.

He was not surprised when the insurgent they caught glared, finally spotting him in the shadows. There was nowhere to run as he approached, for he was sitting chained in a cage. He circled the small confinement, amused by the hateful expression of the human. This rebel had not been easy to subdue or chain. Once more, he was spat at, but he just leaned away with a smug smirk.

“Still wild and rowdy.” He pierced his prisoner with his gaze, showing his fangs as he taunted him. “Not enough to escape your chains, however.”

The man growled in anger, his blue eyes hinting how much he wished to see him impaled by a stake. Idris just raised an eyebrow for it, snorting. He edged closer to the cage, looking at him like an animal.

“You wish you could go with your rabid herd again, don’t you?”

The human stood and leaned closer as well, gripping the bars strongly. He answered defiantly, unfazed.

“This herd managed to avoid your so called elite, you devil. How skilful of you to only manage to slay a few and subdue me, letting the rest escape easily. I am sure you are secretly grinding your teeth, bothered by the fact that you don’t know where my sisters hid. You wish you had gotten them, yet you only caught me.”

Idris laughed and leaned away, smiling.

“Aren’t you a witty one?” He raised a claw, waving it sideways in faked boredom. “Yes, I regret having lost the rest of you, especially your very tempting sisters… but it hardly matters. I can find more pleasing prey easily, for humanity is not hard to come by. Tell me, did you imagine you would end up caged when you began to fight mindlessly?”

He liked how the human turned around and laid his back on the bars, to ignore him coldly. He taunted, for only a foolish or gutsy man would give his back to a vampire.

“Maybe you’ve been suicidal since birth…”

“Do you enjoy boring your prisoners to death, vampire?”

He had to give this human credit for keeping himself poised near a threat. Most cowered as soon as they saw his fangs, more so if they had seen him bite before.

“I prefer to rip them to pieces when they refuse to be tamed.”

“You won’t win my obedience. So you can-“

“I know you won’t bend unless I break your body.” Those blue eyes narrowed, seeing him eye the bruises of the beating he endured. “If I can’t make you serve, I must ponder what to do with you. Two ideas come to mind.”

Idris laughed, hearing him snarl as he proposed with a merry glance at his sharp nails.

“I could let my men have fun again. Surely, you remember what they did to some of your pitiful comrades…” He let down his claw, growing deadly serious. “Alternatively, you could fulfil a much more useful role, and regain your delusion of freedom.”

That took the attention of his captive. He had noticed his calculative and roguish demeanor as soon as he pinned him to the ground in the forest. One single second after being subdued and he already was thinking of escaping, at any cost. Indeed, there was the questioning whisper, even if wary.

“What do you mean with freedom?”

Idris let out a faked tired sigh, shrugging.

“I know how much you want to reunite with the fools that roam, to keep on killing weaklings. What if I told you, that there is a way in which I could forgive your miserable existence? You would only need to help me end another maggot, more bothersome than you.” Those icy blue eyes watched carefully as he walked a little away, laughing. “I don’t know if you would lower yourself to such level, however! A human helping bring the demise of another… such an act can only be committed in cold blood!”

The man did indeed feel apprehension, but his gaze glinted with consideration when the next words echoed, distant and suggestive.

“You rebels would not even think of ending a servant, one willing to aid those who-“

“Wait.”

Idris turned slowly, grinning far too much as he answered playfully.

“Yes?”

The human had no sympathy for any who surrendered willfully to vampiric rule. Furthermore, he considered his freedom more important than the one of slaves, for he could help humanity more in the long run with his resolve. That was why he asked, coldly.

“Explain.”

The vampire approached the cage again. When he whispered, the human listened intently.

“Gladly.”

———

He tied the ropes around the boxes, carefully. With a grunt, he yanked and secured the knots, all materials expertly piled on the cart. His mare huffed with boredom as he looked over his shoulder, to glance at the two servants that argued nearby. He called them, brushing some sweat off his forehead.

“Are there more?”

They stopped bickering and looked back at him. He was staring down at them from the top of the cart, waiting for an answer with his arms crossed. Of the three, he was the one who carried more supplies out of the storage, due to their quarrels.

They had to deliver these materials to the nearest village before the day ended. He liked to give her a hand, and if he had to put up with others to do it, he was willing. One of the two servants sighed, pushing off his red hood to scratch his hair in thought.

“I think we have to load a few boxes full of timber as well.” He pointed mockingly at his companion, accusingly. “It would be great if this dunce had not forgotten how many he was told to carry!”

The other gasped, leaning angrily to bark back.

“Wait a minute here! I would know if someone had not lost the list we had! Everything was specified there!”

“I dropped it somewhere because of your carelessness! You asked me to help you lift a crate in the storage!”

“You are supposed to help me carry stuff! Don’t pretend you have to supervise me and keep your eyes glued to the notes and records!”

“I still bolted to stop you from dropping the damn thing, didn’t I?”

Bastian raised a finger, frowning as they glared and yelled.

“You two, we should really-“

He was ignored, and not because the servants hated him nowadays. Her human underlings really felt free to express themselves, and the relations between them were no different from the ones of free men.

“You barely held the weight up, you scrawny birdbrain!”

“Well, I don’t gobble everything in the kitchens! You darn fat-!”

There was a louder yell, which finally put a stop to their argument.

“Focus already!”

Bastian sighed tiredly and pointed at the cart, glad to have their attention back.

“Look, we have time to spare, but we have to get the job done.” He pointed at the sky, the sun rising above. “It’s early, so you can go find the damn list, calmly. As long as we deliver these supplies before night, it will be fine. Just… don’t get distracted, figure out what we are missing. I’ll be waiting here.”

The two exchanged a look. They agreed, begrudgingly.

“Right, there’s no point in determining who is at fault.”

“I’m glad that Nerys is not keeping an eye right now…”

Bastian leaned against the cart, rolling his eyes as the two went back towards the storage, surely to fall prey of another senseless disagreement. He did not know what was worse, their past glares and hate, or their current annoying openness. Both humans and vampires were capable of giving him headaches. Only a few people ever managed to breach through his solitary predisposition, and they could be counted with a single hand.

He rubbed his forehead softly, to try to calm down. The silence helped. Everyone was asleep, for the day was beginning. No vampire or servant roamed the courtyard, which was usually packed in the nights.

A smile grew on his lips, for he did find joy in the company of animals. He petted his mare, noting how she was eyeing the gates eagerly, even if she was pulling a cart behind her.

“Just wait a while.”

He received a strong nudge, and there was a little huff. Those eyes seemed to narrow at him, so he leaned his head and laughed, understanding.

“I know, it’s boring in here.” He ruffled her mane, having an idea. “Would some hay compensate the wait?”

There came the slam of hoof, which indicated clear interest. And so, he patted her head a little, humming in agreement.

“Be right back.”

He always took good care of his horse and the grouchy crow in his room. With a small tug at his tied hair, he eyed his surroundings, pondering. There was no hay he could take from the stables, for it had already been distributed and given to the horses.

He looked at the far end of the courtyard, where commonly used materials were piled for easy access, by two walls. It was an area he avoided these days, because the other clan had left their belongings and carts there. Still, no vampires roamed at the moment, so he approached slowly.

He could not avoid but scowl, noticing the cage between the carts. It was easy to ignore before, for it had been empty, due to the fact that slaves always stayed by their oppressors. However, now he found it difficult to disregard, because it held someone captive again.

Bastian snarled, keeping his gaze averted, having caught a glimpse of the prisoner. There was some hay nearby, luckily far enough from the cage. He intended to get some and head back promptly to his horse… but then a faint call echoed.

“Psst!”

All ever slowly, he dared look. Of course, the prisoner was eyeing him intently, clearly the one who had whispered. He doubted to acknowledge him, unnerved slightly by how he was beckoned.

“You there.” The man leaned against the bars a little more, nodding his head with a deep frown. “Please, can you…”

Bastian tensed, seeing what he had motioned at, a small cup of water. It was out of reach for him, even if it was near the cage. The man looked beaten; he had a black eye and there were claw marks on his face.

For a moment, he doubted to approach, and it was something the prisoner noticed. In the end, however, he sighed deeply and obliged. No vampire was nearby, so he could do something without repercussions. He crouched slowly and grabbed the cup, to then hand it with a dejected scowl.

“Here.”

There came the relieved whisper, which he hated to have to hear.

“Thank you.”

He stood again, feeling nothing but apprehension. His heart was conflicted, for he was seeing a human locked away like an animal, and he was doing nothing against it. The water was quickly gone, and the cup was dropped with a frustrated snarl.

“One would think these beasts understand thirst…”

Bastian crossed his arms, commenting bitterly.

“Oh, they do… They know well how it hurts.”

The man smirked at him, and for some reason he shivered.

“You are right; it is not indifference, but spite. After being locked away and suffering their scorn, one should not expect anything else.”

He did not like being here, at all. This kind of conversation was far too poignant for him to stay calm. He had to leave, so he raised his hand to excuse himself, fidgeting as he stammered.

“I must get going. I wish I could be of more help, but-“

“Wait.”

Bastian clenched his teeth and closed his eyes shut, taking a deep breath as he found himself halting. He did not want to, yet he still listened when the other proposed something dreadful.

“You could help me.”

The words struck a nerve, one he was very self-conscious of.

Goddammit…

He slowly turned again, anxiously.

“L-look, I will try to smuggle you some food later, but now-“

“No.” He knew it, that look told him well that it was not food what he wanted. “There’s a key.”

He followed his nod fearfully, his eyes fixating grimly on the key of the cage, which rested on some nearby crates. There came the suggestion, whispered.

“They left it away carelessly, right there.” The prisoner smiled calculatedly, his icy eyes almost piercing him. “You could open the cage, help me out of this.”

“I- I can’t-“

Bastian flinched, because the man gave him a condescending look, letting out a bitter laugh. He said the next words while he leaned away, giving him his back in an accusing manner.

“Ah, right, my mistake. You just give aid to those beasts, don’t you? There is no reason for you to help your kind survive, for you can’t care any less if we fight for freedom, far too contented in your servitude.” Bastian’s eyes hinted contained rage, because the man was eyeing him down, even if he was beaten. “They could rip someone apart for all to see, and you would not move a finger, too afraid to care.”

He was not a coward and no traitor. Vampires did not have his loyalty. He looked into those fiery blue eyes, finding them very different, but as indomitable as her ochre ones. She could be the one there, imprisoned. Someday, she could be caged and bruised, in need of help.

If he ever found her in chains… he would not be able to leave her behind. He would never give her his back.

I would not.

He could not ignore what he once was. No matter what, there were some beliefs he could not surrender. He would help anyone in need, for he was not a cowardly animal, but a human.

Those blue eyes blinked, because a snarl echoed. The prisoner watched as he moved fast, snatching the key and shoving into the keyhole furiously.

“Listen up, very carefully.” He glared at the lock, his voice growing firm as he turned the key strongly, opening the cage. “There are only a few guards, and they are keeping watch over the fields from the towers. They can’t see us here, but nothing will evade their sight by the gates. I can’t just let you walk out… So, do as I say. Got it?”

The man grinned, nodding calmly.

“Yes.”

Bastian looked anxiously over his shoulder, checking twice that nobody was watching. Once he was sure no one had seen him use the key, he let the door of the cage open. He stepped aside, frowning as he saw the other move out weakly, limping.

Even if beaten, the determination was there. The prisoner stood tall and met his eyes, questioning their next move silently. There was hay nearby… and a sharp mind was quick to consider its possible use in their evasion.

“I think… I know how to get you out.” He raised a hand, commanding with a cautious whisper. “Wait here.”

If anyone found out what he was doing, he would be in dire trouble. He could not ask Nerys for help, not for this. She could not risk gaining the hate of that clan. He could not involve her. There was only one viable choice, which he would face alone. By playing his cards right, he could make it look like the prisoner had escaped all on his own.

Soon, he had laid down a big pile of hay on the cart, between all the boxes. It was enough to hide something big, or someone. Once it was arranged, he ran back to the cage, wearily. The man looked at him attentively, listening as he urged.

“Alright, time to run off… Well, you will not move much, actually.” He pointed at the cart, explaining carefully. “I need you to hide in the hay and lay still like the dead. In a while, I will leave the castle, and head for a nearby village. Don’t you dare get out or make a sound until I say so, understood?”

A grateful nod was his answer, the man’s voice strangely calm.

“Clear as water.”

Bastian looked around one last time, and then took a deep breath, making up his mind.

“Let’s go…”

He helped him walk to the cart, quite easily, considering how painful his limp looked. Even if he was bruised and beaten, he was all ever determined to get out, pushing forth strongly and barely needing his hold.

When the fugitive hid as instructed, he made sure to conceal him as much as possible with the hay and boxes. He acted cautiously, keeping a close eye on his surroundings, grateful that the guards were not paying much mind to the courtyard.

He had to wait for those two to come back with the last supplies, and it was discomforting and exhausting, even if he just had to sit idly. He kept expecting a vampire to get out of the castle and notice the empty cage. That would surely trigger a search, and he would be interrogated because he was close by.

Luckily, everyone was sleeping. But the minutes kept passing, and he could only eye nervously the cart, the sun, and his mare. When those two finally came back, he let out the most relieved of sighs, even if they were bickering loudly.

“I knew it was only one box!”

“Shut up and hold it tight…”

Bastian jumped off the cart and approached them with a jog, trying to keep his anxiousness veiled.

“I thought you would never get out.” He pointed over his shoulder at the cart, trying to sound natural. “D-drop the box in the left corner, far from the hay; there is more space there…”

He prayed they would not question his suggestion, or why there was hay in the cart now. It was a good thing that the two were still angry with each other, because they focused more on their quarrel than in the task at hand.

“I can’t wait to get away from you.”

“We share the same quarters, you dolt.”

“Oh, shut it. Let’s just get this done.”

He watched tensely, carefully. They did indeed set the box far from the hay and the body hidden there. As soon as they moved away, he jumped onto the cart and grabbed the reins. The two did raise an eyebrow when he urged his mare to move with a yell, setting off fast through the gates without further word.

“What’s the hurry?”

The other shrugged, watching as the cart went away through the road, every second more distant.

“He surely got tired of your stupid rambles.”

Bastian was not there to see them go at it again. He glared at the fields ahead, his hands impossibly tight around the reins. A smile grew on his lips, even if not a cheerful one. He whispered when he was sure no one could hear… apart from the fugitive he was helping.

“We’re out.”

As he had instructed, there was no answer or movement. The castle was still near, and they would take an hour to reach the village. That was not his main objective, however. There was a forest, not very far from it.