A Vampire's Tale, Chapter 1 (Chap. 10, 11, Epilogue)

[Chryses]

My name is Kerrin Draonight. I am a vampire who has lived in Morana in the Forests of Acantha for 500 years. The Forests are not a place where many choose to live.

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They are a dark, foreboding territory. Only the very hardy or very violent live here. Or those who were born here and have nowhere else to go. I stay because I belong here; I'm a part of these Forests.

Early in the history of Dagon around Enyo-409 – Bala-550, the prisoners of violent crimes were banished here. They built as much of a home as possible—some died early; some were turned into vampires and werewolves by the local creatures. Many just survived. What worked in their favor and kept them alive, however, was that most of the criminals knew some, if not all, magic. Those who survived stayed and carved out a life.

The Forests are a magical place; no real technology exists as it was never allowed to be brought by the prisoners. Since most people avoid the Forests even now, there’s not much outside influence here. We have electricity, and cars, although both have been adapted to contain magical elements; they do not work here as I understand they do in other parts of Dagon. The same is true of other technological items that have found a way into the Forests.

It's best to keep to oneself, and I’ve always made a habit of doing just that by finding solace in music and art. Over the years I’ve loved many women, but I’ve never made one my own. The women of Morana are beautiful and exotic, more so I understand, than anywhere else in Dagon; but they are also more ruthless and dangerous than anywhere else in Dagon.

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I own a rather popular bar in the heart of Morana. I've been around long enough—not exactly a rare feat in a land of vampires—to have made many connections, and my bar offers alcohol from places far and wide of Dagon. I also, on nights when I’m weary of my own company, play either the violin or piano for the customers.

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Tonight is one such night. Just one more night in an endless string of nights.

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Until I look up to see a woman more beautiful than even the most beautiful of Moranans.

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Despite the fact that she smiles at me as she passes, she seems to not notice anyone else in the bar. Who she came in with, if anyone, I don’t know as I didn’t notice her until she walked by. I tend to get lost in the music, and the world around me fades. But she cannot fade from my memory.

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I watch as she gracefully makes her way to the door and out into the warm night.

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I ask around, but no one seems to know who she is, although, everyone I ask noticed her.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/seaofmoons/SENEIWSfGKI/AAAAAAAAAVE/7AClOeDPw6o/s400/10-kerrin_patron_question.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/seaofmoons/SENEOGSfGLI/AAAAAAAAAVM/GT6xJTx3CZY/s400/11-Kerrin_ask_patron_2.jpg

The only thing I’m sure about is that she’s not a vampire. She is, in fact, a human. Not unheard of, but certainly not the most common species in Morana.

[Ghost sdoj]

You have a great start there. I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Chryses]

Thank you so much Ghost. This story just wrote itself in one day, start to finish.

I have the pictures for the second chapter finished and hope to get them uploaded before the end of the day. But the third chapter is going to take a little longer, forcing Sims to pose is an interesting challenge. :)

[CiaoAlora]

Nice, I can't wait to read more!

[Ghost sdoj]

forcing Sims to pose is an interesting challenge. :)

I know what you mean. I'm having the same problem in my story. :)

(It might help if I could remember to turn Free Will off, but I hate doing that.)

[Chryses]

(It might help if I could remember to turn Free Will off, but I hate doing that.)

I do, but that doesn't stop him from whistling or drumming on his legs. Somehow, that just doesn't fit with his 500 year old persona.

CiaoAlora,
Thank you, I hope you're not disappointed.:)

[Chryses]

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Night after night for the full Season of Summer I've come to the bar, hoping to see her again. I know my break in routine has been noticed by many; but rather than comment on it, they merely come, listen to the music and watch for the beautiful lady. All of Morana has become aware of my desire to see her again.

At one time, this would have bothered me; now I can’t help but think that the more people who are looking for her, the more eyes there will be to spot her. Although I don’t believe the people who've been told she walks above the ground with a gold halo surrounding her, are going to have any luck. Stories do grow with the telling. But then, perhaps I'm wrong; she isn't human after all. Since she no longer seems to be here, maybe she does live with the spirits.

The 1st Turning of Autumn, and I've decided not to go to the bar tonight. I’m well past the age of making a fool of myself for long periods of time. I have, in fact, spent more time at the bar in one Season than I do most often in two.

I have a young woman named Kali who manages the bar quite nicely for me. I only need go once a Season for business; and sometimes a little more when I feel the need to lose myself in the music, and be around others for a short time.

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It's still too warm to light a fire, but a comfortable chair, a warm breeze blowing through the open window, gently pushing the curtains into the room and the latest book by my favorite writer out of Acantha, and I'll be settled for the night.

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Prior to sitting down, I pour myself a drink. The phone begins to ring as I make my way to my favorite chair. A chair I’ve had at least 100 years.

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“Kerrin, this Kali”

“What can I do for you, Kali?” I take a sip of my drink, dread filling me. Kali wouldn’t be calling me unless there was a problem. I look with longing at the book lying on the table next to my chair, waiting for me. I’m sure it’s going to be waiting a little longer.

“Kerrin, she’s here,” her voice is soft, almost a whisper.

Suddenly everything is forgotten, except my drink of which I take a good swallow. “What?” I don’t ask who, Kali wouldn’t have called about anyone else.

“Yes, she came in just a few minutes ago. She’s at the bar, but she’s not talking to anyone. She did look at the instruments to see if you were here, though.”

“I’m on my way.” I set down my drink, turn off the lights and head for the door grabbing my car keys on the way.

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The drive to the bar is just across town; no place in Marona is far from anywhere else. Like most towns in the Forests of Acantha, it’s small. It was a prudent idea to keep the towns small because of the base population of the Forests. It didn’t seem wise to put a lot of criminals in one place. Also, most of them were just interested in starting their own dynasties, and did.

Marona has one, the self-proclaimed leading family of Garnaych. For the most part, I don’t bother them, and they don’t bother me. Lornus, the arrogant heir to the dynasty, comes into the bar, lording it over, and those are the nights I leave early. I won’t fight him, but I won’t tolerate him either.

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As I enter the parking lot, I’m grateful for my own spot near the back door. The place is packed; and I can’t help but wonder if that happened before or after she showed up.

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Inside all I see at the bar are the usual people who haunt it. I glance at Kali who has stopped taking orders long enough to point to a chair near the dartboards.

There she is, as beautiful and exotic as is etched in my memory; and if my heart still beat, it would stop. I give myself a good shake. I’m 500 hundred years old, for spirits’ sake, I’ve been a vampire since I was 25. How, after all these hundreds of years can I be obsessed with one woman, even I don’t know.

As I approach the chairs, Agni, who’s sitting in the chair near her, stands and makes a point of moving to watch the pool players, leaving his seat empty. I know this is for me, as no one else approaches it. Never have I seen a seat on a busy night stay empty any longer than it takes for a person to stand.

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I sit and force myself to watch Israfil and Brighid in a heated competition of darts. All competitions in Morana are heated; it is the nature of the people.

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“Do you not wish to play tonight?” Her voice is as ethereal as the rest of her.

I turn to her; her beauty is of a nature as I've never seen before. If I weren’t so sure she’s human, I would believe her a spirit. Perhaps she is of spirit blood in the ancestry of her family. Though she has retained the unbound beauty, she's now truly human; I can smell the truth of that beyond the delicate scent of lavender she's wearing. At one time, some spirits were believed to take human lovers. That would explain this woman.

“Would you like me to?” I ask.

“Yes, the piano this time.”

“First, you must tell me your name.”

“Lassirra Orisso.”

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I nod and rise as Kali brings me a glass of Absinthe. “Thank you.” I smile at Kali as I take it from her.

Kali returns the smile walking towards the bar where the men and women are calling out for drinks.

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I set the glass on the piano and place my fingers on the keys. As the music flows out of me, reflecting my thoughts of the spirit brought to earth, I'm suddenly surrounded by the smell of lavender and the warmth of her skin. I feel her as she sits on the bench next to me. Watching me.

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We say nothing. I finish three songs following the same theme when I feel her rise and say softly, “Thank you. I will return tomorrow.”

Suddenly, the room is cold, despite the crowd of people, and I am hurled back into the bar; the noise, the smoke of the incense burners that I use to keep the smell of bodies packed together at a minimum.

“She's gone and it’s almost day. You must go, Kerrin, before you get caught by what little sun there is in these spirit forsaken Forests.” Kali’s voice brings me out of the fog I find myself in.

I turn to her, focus on her as she picks up my empty glass. Too bad it’s empty; I could have used a taste of the bitter brew.

I nod, pull my keys out of my pocket and drive home as the last stars of the night fade into the growing light.

[ManaBanana]

I like it. =] A first person story teller isn't rare at S2C's forums...But you've got some talent there. I hope I get to know whats gonna happen next. ^_^

[Ineedalife]

I love it! =]
Its very interesting, I'll keep checking for an update!
xD

[Lunatic Asylum]

I really like this story :D and I love Kerrin!
I want to know what happens next.. looking forward for an update!

[CiaoAlora]

CiaoAlora,
Thank you, I hope you're not disappointed.:)

Don't worry, I really like it so far! ;) I look forward to the next update...

[Chryses]

I have to admit, I really didn't expect this kind of reception. Thank you all so much. :D Although I've been playing since Sims2 came out (and before--Sims 1) and I've lurked for a while, I've only just signed on to the forum.

Once again, thank you all for making me feel so welcome!

Lunatic Asylum, I love Kerrin, too.

As for the update, soon, I hope. Fortunately, the story is written, it's just a matter of getting the pictures together. I'm also doing weekly updates on my Sea of Moons story, so I'm bouncing back and forth between the two.

[Ghost sdoj]

I love this story.

[Chryses]

http://lh3.ggpht.com/seaofmoons/SEwyI_MTmSI/AAAAAAAAAh0/NbTtTUuQhcg/s400/1-kerin_rising.jpg

I arise the next night in anticipation.

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I grab my nightly drink of blood. In a world of vampires it’s as common to buy as going to the grocery store and picking it up in the refrigerated section. There are still some, but not those who live in towns, that drink the blood of animals. I have not done that in hundreds of years, and I don’t intend to start any time soon.

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I enter the bar. Through the people, fewer tonight, and the smoke I see her. This time at the bar, drink in hand. I approach her and ask, “Have you been here long?”

She smiles at me and once again I'm lost in her, “No, just long enough to order this drink, I know you won't be here sooner.”

I turn to Kali as she hands me my drink and smiles.

“Thank you.”

I look at Lassirra watching us and ask, “Which instrument tonight?”

“The violin.”

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I nod and walk to the front near the door where the instruments are kept. As I set my drink on the piano and pick up the violin. Lassirra makes herself comfortable at the piano and joins me. Her touch on the keys is as gentle as she.

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Once again the night flies; and if Lassirra didn’t keep track of the time, I would turn into dust by my own complete absorption in the moment.

A full four turnings of Autumn pass this way.

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Until one winter night, Lassirra stops playing shortly into the evening.

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I put the violin down and look at her. I've grown used to becoming lost in the music, no words between us. Although I have learned to pay more attention to the time.

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“Would you take me home?” she asks.

I’m taken back, never once have we talked about her, or me. In fact, we rarely talk. Now she's asking me to take her home.

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She must see my confusion, “I’m sorry. If that's inconvenient, I can walk. It’s just that it’s very cold, the snow has begun falling heavily and I thought perhaps your car would be warmer.”

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“No, I would be honored to take you home; and I have no intention of allowing you to freeze because I’m some ass who refused your request.”

She smiles and reaches for her coat that she hung by the door when she came in.

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[Chryses]

Hi Everybody,

Wow, I'm happy to be able to get this up. I live in the Mid-West and this has been the weekend from hell. I've been working at getting pictures taken between the severe thunderstorm warnings, we're in between right now. My husband and I shut down and unplug all computers during storms, don't want to lose my precious Sims :)

Everybody else out there where these storms are hitting, sure hope you're okay.

Enjoy this chapter and stay safe!

[Abbey12388]

very nice!!! i like the story

[Ghost sdoj]

Great job with your story!

(I hope you don't get hit too hard by the heat wave that was following the storms here in Virginia. We have a heat advisory in place until tomorrow night. It's going to be 98 today and tomorrow, with heat indexes over 105)

[Elwood]

Great story! It's very well made. :)

[Lunatic Asylum]

OMG OMG!!!! She wants him I know it!!!!! lol and I don't blame her, gosh I love that character :p
loving the story so far 8 D!

i hope there isn't too much trouble with the storms over there

[Chryses]

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It'd been snowing for sometime, but I was too wrapped up in her company to notice. One thing that can be counted on in the Forests, weather is as violent and unpredictable as its occupants. I'm glad she asked me to bring her home, it's become too heavy to walk in, even when she lives this close.

"You shouldn't be walking to the bar, it's not safe to walk at night in Morana," I say as we climb the steps to her door.

She smiles back at me and walks on saying, "I'm perfectly safe, no one has ever bothered me."

I want to argue, but somehow I can't. I believe what she says is true.

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Her home is warm and welcoming. She asks me in and points to a room with a fireplace. “If you would like to light a fire, I can get you a drink. You have time for one before day.”

Nodding, I hand her my coat which she hangs next to her own, and I head for the fireplace.

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I find myself in the very rare state of speechlessness. Normally, I’m speechless by my choice, not because some small spirit-touched woman has made me that way.

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She hands me a glass of Absinthe and points to the sofa. “Please sit for a while.”

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“How long have you been in Marona?” she asks.

“All my life, 500 years.” I smile as her eyes widen. I suspect she didn’t realize I'm quite that old.

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“Five hundred years, what you must have seen.”

I can’t help but laugh. “In Marona, not much more than you have. The years pass, the people change and place stays the same. Marona and the Forests are a place where time has stopped. There are more outsiders than there used to be, and they bring some technology. Three hundred years ago we didn’t have cars, but the outsiders brought them, and we learned to adapt them. When the outsiders first came with them, the vehicles didn’t have magic.”

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“Really, how did they run?”

“Gasoline, or something like that, I never quite understood, and only started using them around two hundred years ago when the magic techniques were perfected.”

“I thought they’d always been here.”

“Have they always been here for you?” Yes, I’m being very transparent. Obviously I want information, but I don’t want to come right out and ask. Perhaps I still believe she's a spirit come from the heavens to live among us.

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“Yes, I’ve only seen twenty Springs. I’m afraid everything I know has always been here.” She smiles softly and takes a sip of her drink. She's not drinking Absinthe, by the color and smell I would say it's something far more fruity.

“Are you from Marona?" I ask. "I don’t recall seeing you before, not that I go far beyond my home and the bar anymore.”

“No, I’m from Bellona.”

Bellona is another small town carved out of the Forest just to the south of Marona. “Has your family been there long?”

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“Since the first prisoner was sent to the Forest.” She sets her drink on the table and smiles. “It has been said, somewhat proudly by my family, that my ancestor was the first prisoner to walk the Forests, and Bellona was the first village established. That all other parts of the Forests have spread from Bellona.”

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A shadow crosses her face as the clock nearby chimes the hour of six. I set my glass on the coffee table, and rise reluctantly. No matter how much I don't want to leave my beauty, I must.

Crossing to where our coats are, she hands me mine, saying, “Thank you for the ride home. I would've made it, but I would've been sitting closer to the fireplace.”

I smile taking the coat from her soft hands. “You’re welcome, and you would've been standing on top of the fireplace not just sitting near it.”

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She faces me, her large, pale lavender eyes looking into mine.

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Without thinking about it first, I bend to gently take her lips for a quick kiss. I pull back; the air softly fanning my lips as she lets go of the breath she’s holding.

“Goodnight.” I don’t dare say more as I turn and head for my car. I race to beat the sun home, making it just as the light starts to stream through my bedroom windows.

[Chryses]

Hi Everybody,

I'm really glad you're all enjoying the story. I love telling it.

Thank you all, I live in an area that doesn't usually get hit too hard by passing storms, but a small town just north of us where someone I work with lives had the main street, commercial, trashed by winds. Now the weather's great. Go figure.

A small heads up, if you like to read like I do at work, you might want to be careful of the last picture in Chapter 5--coming soon. Your co-workers might just raise an eyebrow. :)

Enjoy.

[Lunatic Asylum]

OH I just passed by before going to sleep to see if there were any updates... and LOOK WHAT I FOUND lol...
I liked this chapter they're finally getting to know each other :D

[Ghost sdoj]

I'm still loving this story!

(But why does a vampire have bedroom windows? My vampires don't like windows unless the windows are in someone else's house.)

[Chryses]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/seaofmoons/SEx2WZbiQJI/AAAAAAAAAlM/9nndC9ZkI2U/s400/28-many_nights_bar.jpg

Winter Season passes in the same manner. Nights start in the bar and end in her home. The tender kisses at the end of the night have turned into something more passionate. I find I’m falling in love.

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Damn, I realize I was in love the very first time she smiled at me; I just didn’t know love anymore.

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By the end of Spring, a full year has passed, and our love has grown mutual and more passionate. Some nights we don’t go to the bar at all, just her home or mine.

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By the 3rd Turning of Spring, I find myself not only spending the nights with her, but in bed with her as well.

I've talked of joining, but she doesn’t wish it. Even after a year, I don't know much about her or her family. I know only what my heart tells me.

[Chryses]

(But why does a vampire have bedroom windows? My vampires don't like windows unless the windows are in someone else's house.)

Wow, Ghost, I've been thinking how to answer for days. :)

I guess I see vampires as people. Outside of the blood and night only thing, they like the same things as everyone else; want the same things. They want to love and be loved, to feel a cool breeze on a warm summer night. To look out the windows of their home at a star studded night.

Which, by the way, is also why I simply love the angst ridden vampires.

[Chryses]

Lassirra has asked me to meet her at the bar as she wishes to play the piano while I play the violin. We haven't done this in many Turnings, and I find myself looking forward to getting lost in the music once again. I’m so obsessed with my spiritual beauty, that I find I need to clear my head. Only for a short time, however. Our love is my greatest joy.

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I'm startled as I enter the bar to find her not at the piano, waiting for me, but laughing with Lornus Garnaych instead. They both have a drink, and I can hear the lilt of her laughter as it floats across the room over the sounds of the usual chaos.

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Lornus glares at me. Not surprising. Just by the nature of all things, Lornus couldn’t look friendly if he wanted to because he's not.

Lornus is the eldest son of Silanos Garnaych. The Garnayches are the oldest family in Morana; they call themselves the founding family. Whether they founded Morana or not is undocumented. What they did found is most of the illegal trade in and around the town.

The man is cruel by nature as well as family.

"I haven't seen you around in a while, Lornus," I say as I approach them.

"No, I've been putting together business ventures in Jayanti. But I see you've been doing quite well for yourself while I've been gone, Vampire. The beautiful Lassirra was just telling me that she's here to play with you tonight.” The spin he puts on the word "play" is almost lecherous.

I don’t like the way Lornus looks at Lassirra; there's something possessive about it. I can't imagine what the look means and find it unsettling. Sharper than I intend, I say, “Come Lassirra, let's get started.”

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Her expression makes it clear that she doesn't like my tone as she walks to the piano.

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I pick up the violin as Lornus’ laughter fills the bar.

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The night passes and it’s late by the time I get Lassirra home. We spent too long in the bar and our time together is too strained to make love.

[Lunatic Asylum]

woo another man in the story.. not good for Kerrin XD
and why does she know him :confused:
oooh can't wait for more!!

[Chryses]

woo another man in the story.. not good for Kerrin XD
and why does she know him :confused:
oooh can't wait for more!!
Ah, Lunatic Asylum, where's the story if all goes swimming along fine? :) Trust me, your questions will be answered; and remember, I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. ;)

[Ghost sdoj]

I guess my vampires are too accustomed to the idea that windows in your bedroom mean that a vampire hunter has less trouble getting you into the sunlight while you are still responding to an attack. Obviously Kerrin has less to worry about on that score.

(Of course windows are also a problem if you get bored in the middle of the afternoon and climb out of the coffin to read a book or look through the telescope. Which was why I removed the windows, bookcase, and telescope from their bedroom.)

[Chryses]

The next night I arise with a feeling of foreboding. The summer heat weighs heavy on me as I shower preparing for the night.

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As I step out of the shower, the phone rings. Grabbing it on the second ring, the feeling grows stronger.

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“Yes,” I growl.

“Kerrin?” Lassirra’s voice is unsure.

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“Sorry, yes, just had something on my mind. What do you wish, love?” I try to lighten my mood, but even she can't do that. In fact, my feeling of unease grows, overpowering me.

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“I can’t meet with you tonight, I've been called back to Bellona for a family matter, and I don’t know when I’ll return.”

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The dread finally finds root and plants itself. I try to sound supportive; I don’t want to beg her to stay. “Fine, take all the time you need, I’ll be waiting here for you. Just call when you get back.”

“I will.” I begin wonder if I’ve missed the sound of the phone disconnecting. Suddenly her voice fills the silence, “I do love you, you know.”

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Stunned, I have no chance to speak before the connection breaks with a soft click.

Summer passes and I speak briefly with Lassirra once. She tells me that things are going to take longer than expected, and she doesn’t know when she’ll be able to return. No words of love pass between us. She doesn't give me a chance.

Warm nights turn to the cold and rainy nights of Autumn.

Finally the 1st Turning of Winter arrives. I've stopped going to the bar, except to take care of business. I've lost the music. I find my nights filled instead with paints and canvas. I used to paint, almost to obsession many years past, but when I found music, paints faded. Now my home smells of oil paints and solvent.

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The subjects of my canvas reflect my mood. At first they were light and colorful. Work I was able to sell to the local art dealer.

Although I’m sure Halcyone doesn’t make her money from the few local artists she sells, but from buying and selling on the black market. I only care about her buying my paintings, not what she does on the side. If I worried about what the people of Morana did on the side, I would spend all my time going to the authorities. There's too much and no one cares.

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Now I paint dark, tortured subjects.

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Halcyone has stopped buying my paintings. She claims she can’t sell them; no one wants to be reminded of the bleakness of Morana. So I throw them in a pile in an unused room.

[Ghost sdoj]

Poor Kerrin!

[Lunatic Asylum]

oooh kerrin :( .. why did lassirra leave him all by himself? poor thingy :p
I love Halcyone's look though, and her name xD
I'll be waiting for more!!

[Chryses]

The 2nd Turning of Winter and I can no longer stand my own company. I grab my keys, driving without thought until I find myself in front of Lassirra’s home.

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To my bewilderment, there're lights on inside and the door is open. How long has she been home and why she hasn't called me?

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My confusion increases as I watch Lornus appear at the open door, gently pulling it shut behind him. His smile sends a sense of panic through me.

It's not until I see the red lights of his car, that I realize it’s parked in front of her neighbor’s home.

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I don’t wait; he hasn’t even turned the corner before I’m to the door. It’s unlocked, something I’ve never known her to do.

I slowly open it; fear filling every fiber of my existence. The door isn't fully opened when I’m assaulted the stench of blood and sex.

I’m frozen to the spot, and then I hear it, the low, almost inaudible, sound of sobbing.

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I take the steps two at a time; but when I reach her door, I hesitate. For the first time in my life I’m terrified to open a door. The sobbing stops; and the sudden silence is even more terrifying. I push the door open expecting to see the worst.

I’ve seen many atrocities man commits on man, but nothing has ever prepared me for what I see and feel when I open the door.

Blood. Everywhere blood. I can’t believe she can even be alive, but she is, I can hear her shallow breathing and her faint heartbeat. Fighting the natural urges assaulting me by the blood; I race back down the stairs and call the emergency vehicles. I can’t save her, I don’t know how, and she needs medical attention now.

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I enter the room once again, more slowly this time. I’ve told the emergency people the door will be open and she’s upstairs so there's no need to wait for them. I have nothing but comfort to offer her, so I sit carefully on the bed next to her, and hold her.

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Lornus is an abomination beyond measure to destroy such radiance; but to my amazement, even he couldn’t touch her beautiful face. She looks at me and for a moment I see such love shining in her eyes, and then the light fades. I can no longer hear her labored, shallow breaths, or her heart dearer to me than life itself.

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A primal cry tears from my throat as the paramedics rush into the room.

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I am torn away from her by the strongest of the attendants.

The paramedic works no more than a few minutes before the woman looks at me and says, “I’m sorry Kerrin. There’s nothing that can be done for her now.”

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The law enforcers, what laws there are in Morana to enforce I’ve never been sure, but I think murder is the only one, enter the room and take me aside.

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The smell of Lassirra’s blood is driving me insane, along with my own sense of loss.

“Kerrin, Kerrin, you must listen to me. It'll be light shortly, and although I’m not fond of vampires as a rule, I do like you.”

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Finally, her words penetrate and I look at the officer standing in front of me, shaking me. Kore’s been a patron at the bar for years, and I do like her. There’s such sympathy in her brown eyes that I have to turn away from her.

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I stumble to the door and somehow find my way to my car.

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I drive home arriving just as the sun begins to rise. I must run to reach my coffin in time, and still, I feel the drain of the sun long before I reach it.

Just because I'm forced to lie in a coffin during the day doesn't mean I die each day. I do sleep, but also, I can just lie there, as I did this day. The sun drained me and I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. When I finally do, I jerk awake with the sight and smell of Lassirra on me.

[Chryses]

Hi Everybody,

I wasn't going to say anything, just let the story tell itself, but I think I need to add something here.

Remember, this is a Fantasy story, and in the words of Joan Wilder in Romancing the Stone, "I'm a hopeful romantic."

Just stay with the story, there's more to come, the worst is over.

[Chryses]

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When night fills the skies, I arise, exhausted.

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It doesn’t help that I didn’t have time to remove the clothes on which her blood has now dried. I must remove them; I have never been thrown into the despair I now feel. Her death consumes me.

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I tear them off and walk naked to my backyard where I start a fire and burn them. I watch as the flames consume the blood that once flowed with life within my loved one.

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I stumble back into the house, crawl into the tub and think only of her. Of our nights together.

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I've finally known love after hundreds of years, now I must live forever more without it. Lornus has taken it away from me. I can no longer ignore him.

There is only one answer.

He must die.

If I'm caught, I will be put to death, this I know. Yes, a vampire can be put to death for murder by Morana’s laws. This law was initiated to protect the non-vampires many Times of Change past. A vampire is chained to a stake with magic and forced to remain through sunrise. It doesn't take long for one to become no more.

I'm pulled from my plans for revenge, relishing the thought that it may bring about my own death, by a knock at my front door. Dragging myself out of the tub, I stop at my dresser and pull on the first thing I find.

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Standing on my doorstep is Kore, once again dressed in her police uniform. Next to her is her partner, a man I’ve seen a few times in the bar. His name is Gopala. A ridiculous sounding name to be sure.

“I’m sorry, Kerrin, but we must speak with you.”

“I understand. I know you have to investigate, and my being there makes me suspect.”

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We sit and I wish I’d had time to get a drink. But for once in my life, I know it's important I keep my head. I know what I want to say, and I must be clear about it.

Gopala smiles as he looks around my room, obviously interested in how a vampire lives. Apparently disappointed when he doesn't see any open bottles of blood lying around he turns back to me, “Actually, we don’t suspect you, despite the fact that you were there.”

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I’m surprised, I'm known for my temper and distance from people. “You don’t?”

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Kore shakes her head, “No, we talked to a neighbor who looked out his window when he heard a car pulling away from in front of his house. He can’t say who was in the car, or what the car looked like, but he did see you just getting out of your car and running to Lassirra’s.”

“There wasn't enough time for you to kill Lassirra before you called us,” Gopala added.

Well, that's informative, and I’m more glad than ever I decided to keep my wits about me. I’ll have to change my story a bit.

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“Did you happen to see who it was?” Kore asks, clearly hoping to put the person who did this behind bars. It's plain that the damage Lornus did to Lassirra has deeply affected the woman.

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I shake my head. “No, I did hear a car, but I didn’t pay attention to it. The door to Lassirra’s home was open, and I was more concerned with why than what was going on around me.”

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There's disbelief in Gopala’s voice, “You suspect something's wrong, and yet when you hear a car you don't look to see if it’s related?”

“No, I’m sorry. When it comes..,” I clear the knot that has formed in my throat, “Came to Lassirra I failed to notice anything but her.”

I look at Kore, she sees the truth in this. My suspicion that Gopala may even be aware of my feelings for Lassirra are confirmed when I look at him. Apparently, he too, has been at the bar when I was there with Lassirra.

“I’m sorry, I know this is hard for you,” Gopala says.

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“Even harder because you won't be able to attend her funeral.” Kore adds. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Kerrin.” I realize she truly means the words when she wipes tears from her eyes.

“I am, too,” I can't help saying.

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Gopala clears his voice and continues with his police work. “You’re sure you can’t help us put this bastard behind bars? Or remember anything?”

“No, I’m sorry. What I do remember most about last night, you do too. Truthfully, I must've called an ambulance, but I barely remember doing it.”

What I will never forget about last night, is the look on Lornus’ face as he pulled the door shut.

They stay a short while longer and then leave, once again saying how sorry they are for my loss. No words can ever make this loss easier to bear. It will be with me forever.

Actually, I want to be caught because then I can die. I don't believe I can kill myself, but killing Lornus and then dying through the justice of law, that I can do.

[Chryses]

For the next three Turnings I follow Lornus everywhere he goes and I learn his routine. Not too difficult, the man is nothing if not predictable.

Watching him on the 1st Turning of Spring, I know he will soon be on his own as he loves to walk through the park at night. What he does in there I don’t want to know, but I do know the park’s not widely populated. Most people are smart enough not to put themselves in danger by walking in dark, empty places at night in Marona.

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Soon my time comes, and I get out of my car as Lornus enters the park. I follow him until I know we’ve gone far eough no one will see us, although who would be out, I don’t know.

I've lived this moment many times over the past Turnings as I’ve watched him go about his business, knowing how he violated Lassirra.

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“You forced yourself on her, why did you have to kill her, too?” My voice is loud and clear, no trace of emotion. I really do feel dead inside.

He doesn’t seem surprised to see me, and I wonder if I’m the reason he's entered the park each night. It’s as if he's known I’ve been following him and wanted to get me alone.

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His tone is cold as always, “Because she belonged to me, Vampire. When she told me you’d planted yourself firmly in my stead, I killed her. I’d never share her with anyone. Let alone the abomination of your kind.”

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“She belonged to you?” I didn’t even know she knew him except that one night in the bar.

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“Yes, my ancestor was a great sorceress and Lassirra's a wizard. They were banished together many Times of Change past. They joined and declared that every third generation would join, thus keeping the line intact. For countless Times of Change this tradition has gone unbroken."

"Until now."

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"Until now. We were to join the 1st Turning of Summer this year. But when we all gathered at her home in Bellona, she told me she would not join with me, as she loved only you. I had no intention of letting her leave me. Most particularly not for an undead creature such as yourself. Death is the only way to justify breaking tradition.”

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"Her death, not yours."

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"I didn't defy tradition, Vampire. Besides, by right I owned her. Had owned her my entire life."

“You would destroy her rather than give her her freedom.” It's not a question, it's a statement of fact because I know his nature, and I know he would do nothing less.

“Yes. Without thought, without grief, without self-recrimination. A possession is nothing more than that. I do not share or give away what's mine. I could not abide betrayal by a possession.”

He walks on moving farther off the path. Unwilling to let him get away, I follow. Stopping in an unlit area, he turns and pulls a wooden stake from under his coat, lunging at me.

Quickly, I draw my sword, blocking his thrust, causing the stake to go flying. “How well do you do when your target can defend himself?” I ask.

He seems surprised, but quickly recovers and pulls a sword from under his coat.

I step back and give him a chance to position himself asking, “Just how many weapons are you carrying?”

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He ignores my question and lunges; once again, I block his attack.

It pleases me he brought his own weapon; I don’t have to give him the extra I brought along. It seems only right to let him think he has a chance.

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It doesn’t surprise me he can handle himself well with a sword. A man such as he will do no less than keep up with the use of weapons, but I'm older and better. I play with him for awhile.

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As the night moves on and I grow weary of the game, I take the killing lunge.

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I watch as he falls. I remove my blade from his heart; his face momentarily registering surprise. Did he not think I would kill him? He was a fool as well as evil. An even more dangerous combination than I expected of him.

[Chryses]

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As the snowfall increases, beginning to cover the ground, an old man walks into the area and kneels next to Lornus startling me.

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Looking toward the sky, he chants, too softly for me to hear clearly; and even if I could, I don’t believe I’d understand the archaic words.

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Rising, he approaches me. “Quick, son, we must leave. Now before it gets light.”

I look at the old man I didn’t see until he keeled next to Lornus, and recognize his violet eyes. This man can only be one person.

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“Come before you are caught.

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I have a trailer with me, I was planning to use it to empty Lassirra’s home of her belongings, but we can use it to put your coffin in and transport you to our home where you’ll be safe until you can make more permanent plans.”

I stare at the man not really seeing him. I'm distracted by the smell of Lornus’ blood as it pools onto the frozen ground. Even the earth doesn’t want to take any part of him.

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“Come, Lassirra loves you; she does not want you to die.”

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Something in his tone pulls me back to the here and now, and I pick up Lornus’ weapon. Carrying his and mine, I accompany the old man to his car.

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He hurries in to the driver side and rushes me home. We enter the hall just as the old clock strikes six.

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I look at him in the clear light of my home and say, “You’re Lassirra’s father.”

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“Yes, yes and I’ve been following Lornus for days, I was planning to find proof that he killed my daughter. No, no don’t look at me like that. I'm a seerer, I saw him kill my daughter through a vision; but I was not able to get here from Bellona in time to stop him.” The pain that fills his voice and eyes is almost tangible.

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“I’m sorry, I arrived at her house too late; she died in my arms."

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He hurries me to my coffin where he watches as I climb in.

The old man has more magic than just a seerer; as I know he moves my coffin himself. There’s no one else in the room. I can hear only him breathing.

Exhaustion takes me. The rocking of the trailer as the old man moves me along to I don’t know where sends me to sleep.

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When I feel that night is once again upon us, I wait for the old man, hoping he will come to tell me the way is clear.

A moment after the thought leaves my mind, the lid lifts and he looks at me.

“We are here,” he says softly.

I rise and look around at where I have been taken, wondering if I’ve put my trust in the wrong person. Exhaustion has caused me to be less than cautious, and it's still very possible I may pay for my crime after all.

We are no longer in Morana that I know. It feels different, smells different. If it's possible, we’re even deeper into the Forests of Acantha.

“This is where my wife’s family home is. You can stay here for now, and be safe.”

I look at the old man seeing much of the goodness of Lassirra reflected in his pale violet eyes. I'm prepared to thank him; sure I haven’t done that, when he interrupts me.

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“No, do not thank me; I do this for my daughter and for you. You’ve given us more justice than the law would, it’s the least my family can do for you.”

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He hands me a note and says, “This is how you can reach us, should you ever need to, but please give it a while. It would be best if we’re not seen together right away. Also, you may rest here until you feel well again; I can see the exhaustion of the past days in you. Even vampires need rest; you are immortal, not indestructible.” His smile is slight, but I can see a man of humor behind the pain of loss.

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“Thank you,” I don’t know what else to say even though he has asked me not to.

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He shrugs. As he walks to the door, he says, “When you feel ready to move on, contact my friend in Mist Hollow in the Sea of Moons. He’s assured me he’ll be able to help you with a place to live.”

As the door closes behind the old man and my last connection with Lassirra, I look at the paper he’s given me. It has a phone number for he and his wife and one name, Donar Dra’ton. Acanthan as indicated by his last name and a number where I can reach him when I am ready.

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I walk to the refrigerator somehow knowing I’ll find blood. Taking a long swallow, slowing feeling restored, I look around the room; the house is small, but comfortable, much like Lassirra’s.

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I look out the window and watch as the old man’s car moves slowly down the long drive. When he reaches the end, a shape steps out of the shadows and looks towards the house. The lights of the car momentarily light up the figure.

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I hear the crash of the glass as it hits the floor, but I cannot take my eyes from the spirit-touched woman as she looks straight at me before entering the car next to the old man. I'm going crazy when I swear I can smell the delicate scent of lavender from here.

I shake my head and turn to find something to clean up the blood.

I won’t be staying here long as it reminds me too much of my ethereal love.

[Chryses]

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“I am so sorry, Father, to have brought such shame on the family,” Lassirra says as she and her father sit in the living room of their home. She’s still very tired and weak. Her father’s a talented Death Waker, but there’s nothing he or her mother can do to overcome the toll that losing so much blood has taken on her.

“No, my Daughter, love never brings shame with it.”

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“But, I was promised to Lornus. I should’ve honored that promise. The honor of our family name shouldn’t have been tarnished.

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“There’s no honor in marrying one such as Lornus Garnaych. Even if you had loved him; and most especially since you did not. The man you chose to love is a man of great honor.”

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“Yes, Kerrin is noble and honest, and my selfishness has now destroyed him as well.” She looks at her father, fear in her eyes. “What if I’ve doomed him? Now that he’s killed Lornus, Silanos will not let that go. I’ve killed not only myself, but Kerrin as well.”

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“No, my child, Kerrin will be protected in The Sea of Moons, I will see to that, as will our great friends Donar and Chryses.”

“You’ll put a protection spell around him?”

“Donar’ll see that he moves onto a protected island, yes. And Chryses’ll keep the spell in place. There Silanos cannot find him and no Death Waker can bring Lornus back, I’ve seen to that ”

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“But I must not go near him either?” she says as a tear slides down her cheek.

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“No, my child, you must not. You are bound for Acantha and in Acantha you will stay. You are forever dead here and to the man you love. Your mother and I will visit you. It’s not strange for us to go into Acantha.”

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“I shall miss Kerrin with all my heart, Father, and I shall love no other. You raised me from the dead, and I love you for the thought; but life without Kerrin, I’d rather have stayed dead.”

She smiles at him a tired, sad smile, and he rises from the sofa. “Rest, child; we’ll leave for Acantha as soon as the moons have set.”

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She lies down and he watches as her breathing calms and he knows she’s truly asleep.

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Putting his hand on her forehead, he says in a softly chanting voice. “Sleep my child, when you awake, you will remember only that Lornus killed you, and that he is now dead, killed by fate. You are released from your vow of joining. You’ll remember nothing of Kerrin Draonight. You will go to Acantha to live and you will never return.”

As he removes his hand, he has a sudden vision that his daughter will not stay in Acantha, and that love may find a way, after all.

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He walks away, smiling. He shouldn’t smile, but he knows that even his spells cannot defy destiny if the Spirits so wish it.

[Lunatic Asylum]

:weep: this is the end?? it is sad, poor Kerrin!! but I loved the story it was really romantic and lornus is dead mwahaha..

Great story! :bow2: I've enjoyed it very much! will you do a second part?? LOL

[Chryses]

Hi Lunatic Asylum,

I'm soooo glad you liked it, I really enjoyed doing it. :D Hey, remember what Master Wizard Orisso said, even he can't fight destiny.

Okay, confession, this is my very, very first attempt at using the Sims to tell a story. Until recently, I've only played Maxis Neighborhoods, but never Maxis characters. I'm hoping another story tells itself to me and I can do this again. I've been writing for years, sooner or later someone will tell me their story and I'll be back.

Will it be Kerrin and Lassirra? :shrug: I don't know. Maybe someone else just as romantic, but maybe I'll leave killing the heroine out, that seemed to not go over real well. :blink:

[Lunatic Asylum]

Not all stories can have a happy ending XD, it's more interesting that way. And I liked this one, I'm a romantic too lol..

the great thing about the sims it's the possibility to illustrate your stories and all the cc helps a lot. Anyway I'll be waiting for another of your stories :p