STORIES
204 - Undead
2016
Shichi Zyfan Karanthir Usagi
Tuesday evening, in Zyfan and Karanthir's room ...
SHICHI:
… Excuse me, Zyfan?
ZYFAN:
Oh - I must have fallen asleep.
SHICHI:
Forgive me for waking you. I just wanted to see if he’s any better.
ZYFAN:
He is the same, which is not good. He sleeps and sleeps, then he
wakes up with aches of pain. Syrrah is searching for answers
but has yet to find any. I feel so helpless.
SHICHI:
Perhaps my sister can help? She’s familiar with the maladies of
vampires. She’s waiting outside the door. I’ll call her - Usagi come in!
ZYFAN:
Greetings. Do you think you can help Karanthir?
USAGI:
We shall see. I must get a clear reading on him. Shichi you may go.
We will talk more later. Zyfan stay, I need you to be his voice.
Then …
USAGI:
How long has he been like this?
ZYFAN:
It has been a few days, all of a sudden his head began to ache.
USAGI:
He is much too warm for a vampire.
ZYFAN:
Perhaps that is because he is only half vampire.
USAGI:
I have never encountered such a thing.
KARANTHIR:
Lower and with more confidence.
USAGI:
You are awake?
KARANTHIR:
I am now. I was in the middle of the most sensual dream. You were
in it. You too my prince. Who is this Zyfan? I like her.
ZYFAN:
She is Usagi, sister to Shichi. She may know of a cure for you.
KARANTHIR:
Then you're a welcome sight Madam. Have you a way to stop
this incessant pounding in my head? It's most debilitating.
ZYFAN:
That is what I am hoping for too.
USAGI:
When was the last time you fed?
ZYFAN:
He has not desired food for three days.
USAGI:
Food! You do not live on blood alone?
ZYFAN:
That is correct, but since his illness began, Syrrah insisted he take
onlyblood. There was another time, when he ignored the vampire
in him, and he suffered similarly. Since then, he has been
extra careful to consume all that we purchase.
USAGI:
You purchase blood?
ZYFAN:
Yes, it is common in this land to do so.
USAGI:
Perhaps this purchased blood was tainted?
ZYFAN:
That cannot be, for Esmodonti drinks it too and she is fine.
USAGI:
There’s another vampire among you? Just how many undead live here?
KARANTHIR:
Undead?
ZYFAN:
Just the two. She is a full vampire. Does that matter?
USAGI:
Possibly. His is energy suggests a condition known as First Blood.
ZYFAN:
You have seen this before?
USAGI:
Yes. It affects only the newly turned. When dealing with the undead …
KARANTHIR:
Just who is 'undead'?
USAGI:
… blood is usually the answer. Once he's fed, the blood will heal him.
ZYFAN:
But he has fed and it has not helped.
USAGI:
This doesn't surprise me. I sense a barrier in his body that is
preventing the properties from being absorbed. An
ointment should fix it. Now I will speak to him alone.
ZYFAN:
Of course. Did you hear that Karan? You shall feel
better soon. I will be right outside the door.
KARANTHIR:
I must admit your diagnosis intrigues me. After all,
a simple ointment is all that's needed?
USAGI:
It is not simple. I have a list of herbs and ingredients that are
needed. However, once absorbed it'll rid your body of impurities.
Then, when you feed, the blood will do as it's meant to, in a vampire.
KARANTHIR:
My brother Fin’s an herbalist. He’ll supply you with
whatever you need. And, I’m only half vampire.
USAGI:
So I've been told. I see no reason for that to make a
difference. I've never met one of your kind before.
