“It began when I was your age. My father like me, had a fondness for
the gypsies. To us, they were a misunderstood people who had been
given gifts beyond common understanding. Listening to their stories
we learned the truth of their lives and beliefs. For the most part,
they were indeed believers in a faith both innocent and pure. Only,
due to superstitions and false beliefs, those around them took it as
evil,” my father said softly. “As a result, we became hated for
trusting these people and opening our homes to them.”
“Father,” I asked softly as I shook my head “why are others so
ignorant towards others they don’t understand?”
“They are ignorant because they choose not to listen or understand
that which they do not know. For to do so,” he sighed “is to admit
that there are things in this world you do not know. Those with
simple minds cannot admit to this.”
Nodding, that I understood, my father continued.
“Amongst those that I had befriended, was a young boy name Antonio,”
he said with a smile. “Like me, he had a pension for getting into a
great deal of mischief.”
Laughing, I could picture in my mind my father being taken over his
father’s knee as his hide was tanned.
“For years we were inseperable except when he went into the village
on errands as my father had me taken to the study for studies,” my
father explained. “It was during such a time that my mother was
teaching me how to read and write not just our ancient tongue but
that of the common tongue used by the villagers.”
Taking a moment, he closed his eyes and paused.
“If it is too painful,” I began, but was met with my father’s hand
being placed gently upon my face.
“It must be told so that you might fully know and understand the
truth,” he said seriously. “I was finishing my lesson when Antonio
came to us as a huge commotion reached our ears. He told us that men
had come to kill my father, mother and I for being loyal to the
gypsies and being under the spell of the dark one. We fled to the
tunnel that led to the forgotten crypt where you saved my life. In
time, my father came to us carrying Antonio. He told me that he had
to be taken to the healer as an accident took place. While in the
heat of fighting for his life, my father blindly struck out at the
one who tried to save him. When Antonio died, the curse was put
upon my life. For years, my father did all he could to prevent the
curse from taking hold of me, but the old gypsie died before she
would reverse the curse. Upon my birthday when I came of age, I
entered the battle to save our lands from an invasion from the
northern lands. Victory was at hand when my world was changed.”
Getting up, my father walked over to a small wall and removed a
brick. Within the hole left was an object wrapped in a dirty cloth
that was marked with stains as if of blood that had long been dried.
Coming back over to me, he handed it to me.
“Open this up my daughter and gaze upon the instrument that changed
me forever,” he said coldly.
As I removed the cloth, I saw an old dagger much like the one I used
to kill the man who was going to drive the stake into my father’s
heart.
“A warrior of the enemy had charged my father and was going to stab
him in the back. I ran and shoved the man away and in the struggle,
killed him. Going to my father’s side, everything happened so
quickly. Before he realized it was me, he turned and drove his sword
through me. When he had pulled the sword away, he mumbled the
gypsie’w word that when I was of age a terrible death I would meet on
the battlefield. For there was no greater death than that to be
killed by your own parent. I felt cold as death took me and was
placed in the crypt far below the grounds of the castle. For three
days and nights I lay there lifeless and then awoke. Fighting to get
out of the crypt, I broke loose the grate that led to the underground
paths and made my way blindly back into the castle. Upon seeing me,
my father wept in horror. The next night, I found him and my mother
both dead. During the day, a servant who had learned that I had
returned cursed had murdered them as they slept. From that day on I
struggled with who and what I was until I met your mother,” as he
paused, he looked at me and pulled me to him as he saw the tears
flowing from my eyes.
“It must have been awful for you to have gone through all of that,” I
said through my tears.
“Yes my dear one it was,” he said “only it was not until your mother
came that it became worthwhile.”
“How so,” I asked unsure of what he meant.
“I was returning from the castle of another like to myself named
Count Felix VanBrueher. His wife had just bore for him twin sons.
The first born was named Tristan and the second was named Draco. I
had gone to see the children for Felix was sure that one day, I too
would have the honor of such a gift although I myself doubted it
completely,” my father smiled. “On the way back, we were passing by
the old ruins of a peasant home near the crossroads when I heard the
cries of a young woman in great pain. I ordered Klove to stop the
carriage and followed the sound to see a group of men brutally
beating and raping a young woman dressed in the colorful clothing of
the gypsies that performed in the village at festivals.”
“What did you do,” I asked intense on hearing the details of my
mother’s rescue.
“I used the stones of the ground and branches of the trees to fight
the men until I could get to their weapons. Once I had, the men were
either killed or ran away into the darkness where their cries were
heard as the wolves made dinner of them,” my father said coldly but
held onto me so I would not be afraid. “Once they were dispatched
of, I took her back to the castle where I tended her until her wounds
were healed. It was not until she was well enough to speak that I
recognized her. When I learned that she was the beloved daughter of
my best friend and colleague in the mountain village did I lose my
heart. For upon escorting her home, did my friend offer her hand to
me. I did not wish to force myself upon your mother or make her
think that she was a reward for my saving her. So I asked her if she
would have me. Upon her saying yes, we were married and she soon
became pregnant with you.”
“So why did she have to die,” I asked feeling a great longing for her
come into my heart.
“There were some that believed that you were the child of the devil
because of what I was. As a result, they felt that if they poisoned
her, it would leave you abandoned and left to die for I could not
take care of you during the long hours of daylight. Instead, when
they poisoned your mother, Klove’s wife at the time took you to her
breast as she had lost her own child at the time of birth. So she
nurtured you until other forms of nourishment could be given. When
you were three, she grew ill and died, but Klove has never stopped
loving you as his adopted daughter since. In turn, he watches over
you by day as I watch over you by night,” my father smiled. “Though
I must admit that with your growing into an adult, it pleases me more
and more that we get to spend more time together. Although it makes
me just as happy that you can spend hours awake in hot warm sunlight.”
Gazing at the sky, I saw that hour would soon be approaching when the
sun would rise.
“Thank you for telling me of the past father,” I said embracing him
and felt the tenderness of his kiss upon my forehead. “Only now I
fear that we must go inside. For the sky tells me the dawn will be
coming fast.”
“You are right my daughter,” he said taking my head as we headed
inside.
“Master,” Klove said seeing us returning inside “there is a matter I
must quickly disguss with you before you retire.”
“What is that my friend,” my father asked seeing the concern on
Klove’s face.
“I have received word that a dear friend of mine has taken ill and
seeks my company for his life has grown short,” Klove began. “As
such I must go to the village to be with him.”
“Go,” my father said understandingly.
“What about the safety of yourself and our daughter,” Klove asked
with great concern.
“Fear not,” my father said with a smile. “It is time for our
daughter and I to both rest. We will retire to the secret chambers
and rest.”
“Very well,” Klove said kissing me on the cheek. “Good night to you
both.”
“God speed on your journey,” I said softly “and may angels watch and
keep your friend that instead of death he is met with increased
health.”
Nodding, Klove left as my father and I made our way to the secret
chambers. Once inside the room, I lay by my father’s side as sleep
took us until the early hours of the evening.