Current Challenge

The Challenge is to write a short story, less than 5000 words. The goal is to write the story around the theme of the one of the following sentences:

April:

"I can't believe we just saved the world... again."

March:

And the devil smiled, "You know, I couldn't have done better myself?"

The story can be a full blown Gabe and Grace fest, or maybe not... diversity and originality is encouraged. Just remember it must have some kind of link to the GK mythos. Even if it's tenuous, the newsletter people don't care, as long as it's there!

Any stories or questions, just ask the Email ID: gkwriters @Domain: thixo.com.

Bloodbane
A Schattenjäger Mystery
by Phil Colvin

Hailsham House
England

Dearest Lucetta

Once again, my darling, I send my fondest wishing of good will and hope this letter finds you well. I must apologize for not writing sooner, but events have rather overtaken me in recent weeks. I regret that I will not be returning to Rittersberg yet, circumstances have developed which must keep me hear longer.

Although I had no wish to indulge in matters of dark on this visit, it seems the lord has other ideas for me. The daughter of my noble host has this day been taken ill with a violent and evil affliction. The good doctor believes he has never seen anything such as this before. I can only concur with his words, but I know what has struck down this girl, and I know that I failed in my responsibility by allowing this to happen. Therefore I feel I must tarry longer to right my wrongs and do all I can for her, although I gravely fear she is lost from our world. In which case, I will seek to avenge her death. For otherwise, she will be the first of many victims.

I have grave fears about these events. I therefore beseech you to hold these final words true. In the event that I should not return home, I leave Schloss Ritter in your hands as guardian until my son and heir’s twenty-first year. It will then therefore fall upon you to guide Franz, through the initiation rites I taught thee. You must heed these words and continue our line. For if I am to succumb to this evil, it will be because my time has passed and I was meant to walk further upon the path. It will be the time for another to do through the trials. My only hope is that I will be the one who leads him onwards, and that I will be reunited with you.

With dearest and most sincere love,

Christian Ritter, Schattenjäger
21 March 1839

Day 1
19 March 1839

Hailsham House, England

The sunset was blood red, like the scene of some almighty battle. Light was still shining into the drawing room as it dipped below the horizon and out of existence for another night. Richard Penn-Barwell stood by the windows in his evening suit watching the descent. Elizabeth Hailsham walked up un-noticed. She looked blankly at the sky.

"What are you looking at, Mr. Penn-Barwell?"

"Just the sunset."

"Do you find the sky more interesting than the company you keep?" She motioned to the other guests in the room. Richard looked at them and then turned back to the view.

"I find it more agreeable." he remarked. Lizzie giggled and walked back to her mother who was seated under the glow of the standing lamp, engaged in a game of Bridge with the other three of daddy's guests.

"Mr. Penn-Barwell is being frightfully strange, mother. I do find him a trifle odd."

"I wouldn't let it worry you, my dear. All men go through a strange period in their lives when they find the outside world more interesting than the company of a pretty lady. Do not let it discourage you, I have full confidence you two will be married, soon. Isn't that right, Colonel?" She turned to the older man with the monocle. He coughed and spluttered slightly before murmuring something about "...soft lad and should go into the army and make a man out of him." Lizzie giggled again and her mother shot her a glare before returning to her game. She was winning, but the competition wasn't inspiring. The Colonel had long since lost his ability to think correctly, her husband was more concerned with his book to even be playing with the third gentlemen, the stranger, seemed to have little idea of this game anyway. But she persisted, as was her duty as hostess. And this new guest was frightfully intriguing, Bavarian -- she had been informed.

"What say you, Mr. Ritter?" she asked. Christian looked up and glanced to the window. Richard had been acting funny all day. Looking out of the windows, scanning the garden. He was making it very obvious to all he knew that he was concerned about the beast. If he carried on being so indiscreet the ladies might suspect. He turned back to his hostess.

"Maybe he has just lost track of time," he smiled. "I’ll go and call him back to the game."

"Richard, it appears that your absence is being noted."

"Not just my absence, Christian. Mrs. Hailsham might as well be making notes about me." He tried to appear friendly but his mind was elsewhere, scanning the grounds looking for the hunter.

"It is too early to begin looking, it won’t come out until nightfall."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I have noted this creature thoroughly. Over the past week its habits have not changed. You must remain calm, my friend. As I have assured both you and his lordship, both the women in this household remain safe as long as they do not venture out after night. I will do nothing to endanger anybody’s life, I have promised as much."

"But what if your plans do not work and the beast begins acting in a way you have not conceived?"

"Then we will need to become hunters as well. Let us not dwell on that before we need to. I need your confidence now before I need your skills to help me kill it." Christian motioned to Richard. With one final worried glance he turned back to his hosts.

Twilight quickly descended into night, the ladies had departed upstairs along with the Colonel. The library was now dark and quiet. Christian sat in the light of the only candles, reading more from one of the books. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight, it was unusually warm for this time of year, an imbalance in nature’s forces. Normally he would go outside himself, and wander around the grounds to inhale the night air. But not here, not as things stood. He opened his shirt and pulled out the silver crucifix and spun it in the light. He didn’t hear the silent approach of Hogarth the butler.

"Mr. Ritter? Lord Hailsham requests your presence in the study."

"I understand. Thank you, Hogarth." The butler departed as silently as he entered. Christian looked at the icon one more time. His only protection, and a weak one at that. He gathered his thoughts and departed.

The beast had first been seen five weeks ago, two days after the first victim has been found ripped to shreds in the grounds. He had been a gardener and a huntsman, more than capable of looking after himself. It had been Richard who had recommended calling upon the services of this particular German family; he had read much of them at Oxford. Hailsham had been less enthusiastic. As a war hero he was obsessed with the glory days when men had left their comfortable life to face evil itself on the continent. As far as this shadow hunting was concerned, it sounded like superstitious nonsense. That was until the second body was discovered and the first sighting occurred, a beast with skin as red as blood and eyes a cruel yellow. In the end it had been the possible threat towards his family which had prompted Hailsham into sending a message to the Ritters. It was common folklore that beasts of the night could feed on flesh, but desired more noble victims. An unbroken egg like his daughter.

When Christian reached the study, he found Lord Hailsham already standing and striding around the room. Every so often he would stop and stroke a hand through his mustache or ram his fist onto a nearby object. He was not easily calmed. Richard was seated, smoking a roll of tobacco. He looked uneasy, almost as much as Christian. Hailsham pointed out a chair; he didn’t have to ask Christian to sit. It was nothing less than a demand.

"I don’t know how you Bavarians deal with this sort of thing," barked Hailsham. "But here we take action! And we do it before the threat becomes unstoppable!"

"I understand your anxiousness, Lord Hailsham. However, it is my considered opinion that this matter is best dealt with less haste and more subtlety." Christian rubbed his brow and sighed. He might as well have been addressing the wall.

"Maybe you think you’re on holiday, Ritter! Well you’re not!"

"I agree with Mr. Ritter," Richard stammered out his reply as he looked towards the darkened garden. "We have already lost men from trying to pursue this thing. We now have four victims, each one getting closer to the house."

"But we will lose more if it stays there! Somebody has to kill it!" insisted Hailsham, but Richard continued.

"What if it enters here and hunts Lizzie? Is it worth that sacrifice?" He looked towards Christian, hoping for a word of agreement. The Bavarian nodded slightly but appeared unfazed. Hailsham stomped back up the room and sighed.

"Do you have children of your own, Mr. Ritter?"

"Yes, I have a son."

"And would you ever knowingly put him in danger?"

"He already is. Ever since the day he was born."

"And would you not do everything in your power to protect him from harm if you knew it was close at hand?"

"Of course. But I love him too much to try protecting him until I have established exactly what the harm is. I know you only worry for your family, Lord Hailsham. However, you have asked me here to identify and rid your family of the beast, not to rush in without prior knowledge. Patience, Lord, Hailsham, is a virtue."

"As is love, Mr. Ritter."

"But so too is self-control," added Richard, looking directly at Hailsham. The older man turned back to the window and waved his hand in casual reluctance. There would be no arguments over such petty matters as scripture.

Christian left the study in silence after Hailsham had dismissed him. There didn't seem to be much point arguing with him for the rest of the night, time was getting onwards. On the stairwell he was startled by Lizzie, who was sitting and watching him.

"Isn't it a little late for you, my dear."

"You spend hours in that study with daddy, what do you men all talk about?"

"Oh, politics for the most part. Nothing you should worry yourself about." She sat back down and yawned.

"Did you stay up just to try and find out what we were talking about?"

"I was just curious."

"I think that's enough curiosity for you today, then." He led her up the stairs to her room. He opened the door for her but she did not enter. She put her hand on his cheek and smiled.

"I find you very charming, Mr. Ritter. And mysterious as well. One day we must speak further about you." The silence that followed was most uncomfortable for Christian, because he didn’t want it to end.

"One day," he offered. He didn’t leave her door until she closed it. Under his breath he muttered a silent curse. He knew he had to fight any such personal feelings, everything must be sacrificed for the duties. It had been a long day, a long week sitting here and waiting. But whatever he had told Hailsham, he knew that things were moving onwards. Moving faster than any of them could anticipate. He knew they'd have their chance soon.

Silently, it waited. Above there was a pale moonlight, too much light for darkened eyes. The last of the lights in the windows went out. Now nothing moved in the garden or nearer the hall, everything was as it should be. Slowly it skulked forward, advancing ever closer. Tonight it would find a new resting-place, this time in the very foundations of the hall. Its time was close... Suddenly a door opened. It lurched back, wondered if it had been seen. There in the doorway was a figure, the angelic man. With narrowed eyes it watched as the man walked out into the night, closer and closer towards the inevitable... And then he opened his coat and pulled something out. Cold silver, evil images. The beast cowered back. The stranger stayed for a while, speaking evil chants and trying to tempt him. He was not fooled by this trickery. Soon the strange left, and then came another man... no silver this time. With fury and rage it ran forward, faster and faster towards its new prey... Closer and closer towards the inevitable.

Day 2

Christian was surprised to hear the knock on the door, usually the house didn't stir until the cock crowed but today there was a loud knocking. He hadn't been woken -- he hadn't slept much that night. He always seemed to have trouble sleeping. The door swung open, Hogarth was standing breathlessly on the landing. His face was red as crimson and his shoes were covered in mud.

"Sir, Lord Hailsham requests your presence immediately in the garden."

"What's happened, Hogarth?"

"The beast has visited again."

The night had been dry but bitter, a small layer of dew had crystallized and it shone in the crisp morning light. Christian could see exactly where the body lay: it was right next to the house. Hailsham and Richard stood by the body whilst one of Hailsham's huntsman was examining it. Christian pulled his jacket closer and walked over to the group. Hailsham didn't turn around, but must have known it was who was there.

"Safer to wait, Mr. Ritter. I believe that was your advice. Is this your idea of safety?" Christian tried to assure Lord Hailsham and the ever more frightened Richard that there was safety in his actions. He bent down to examine the body as Hailsham continued.

"What is there to assume!" he snapped. "The beast is getting closer! Do you see where we are, Mr. Ritter? Right under my daughter's window!" Christian glanced up; the body was very close to the house. But he was sure the spot was just coincidence. The curtains were closed, but surely Hailsham's shouting would wake the whole house. He continued his ranting, "If she opens her curtains then she'll look right down on this mess! THAT is how grave the danger is now!"

"I refuse to accept that until I know all the facts." But Hailsham shook his head and began marching back to the house.

"We hunt it at nightfall. You are either with us, Mr. Ritter, or you can stay and look after the women. Quite frankly I couldn't care less." He slammed the door shut leaving Richard and Christian by the body. Christian could see it was definitely the same creature. The man's face had been slashed and his clothes were ripped. He was face down on the grass; the beast had attacked from behind and broken his neck. There were clues, more than usual. But there again this beast had never been a clean killer.

"This man was a gardener, the hunt-master found him when he came out to inspect the horses," began Richard. "You mustn't blame our host for wanting to act quickly. He only worries for his daughter." Christian however shook his head and made the sign of the cross over the body.

"His personal fears are clouding his instincts. Do you notice how the back of the body is totally dry except for the wet blood? This atrocity was committed only hours before dawn, he will find nothing tonight."

"Do you know what the beast is, yet?"

"I hope to find out." Slowly Christian took out his crucifix and turned the body over. He had wanted to try this since he first heard about the case but this was the first time he'd gotten close to a body soon after death. Carefully he placed the silver icon on the man's pale forehead. After a second, he removed it. Richard gasped as he saw the crimson mark left.

"My God! What in the name of all that is holy can this beast be?"

"It is as I suspected. We are looking at the work of some form of demon. I will need to research this. How soon will somebody be going into the town?"

"The cook will take the cart in this afternoon for preparing the evening dinner."

"Good, without the benefit of my own archive I will have to make do with that which the Town Hall provides. I hope they keep records of such incidents." They walked back towards the house as more men came to take away the body. In the room above, the curtain flicked back across the window.

Christian left for the town in the afternoon, giving Lady Hailsham the excuse that he had some 'pressing business' to attend to. Richard had wanted to come with him but Christian had insisted he stay behind, asking him to keep an eye on Lizzie. Despite his assurances to Lord Hailsham, he was not going to take chances with this sort of foe. Richard obeyed his instructions and took Lizzie into the library for the rest of the afternoon.

"Do you find Mr. Ritter odd?" she asked as soon as they were alone. Richard was pouring a glass of brandy from the decanter and pretended he didn't hear, she persisted "I know you two go off into dark corners to talk to each other. And I've seen you both go into daddy's study late at night."

"You're a very inquisitive girl," he smiled, "It is very attractive that you are both observant and pretty."

"Mr. Ritter has something to do with the strange things that have been happening around this house for the past weeks."

"I'm sure that's just you're imagination, Lizzie." He sat down beside her and put his arm around her. "You're a bright girl but you mustn't confuse yourself."

"I know about the murders, Mr. Penn-Barwell. I don't want you to hide them from me any longer." Richard's smile deteriorated. He emptied his tumbler and walked over to the window, his back turned to Lizzie.

"How did you find out?"

"I've overheard conversations; there has been much gossip around the kitchens. I also saw the body this morning, the one underneath my window. It is very honorable that you should try to hide it from me but it wasn't very hard to miss."

"We didn't want to tell you. We thought it would only worry you, my dear."

"But I am already worried!" she walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. "I have seen the thing which killed them." Richard looked at her; there was fear in her eyes. He took her back to the chairs and they sat down.

"I saw it last night," she continued, "I couldn't sleep and so I looked through the window. And in the bushes I saw two evil yellow eyes, staring out of the darkness. Then a man from the house came out. He must have seen them too, and he ran over to the beast! And then..."

"It attacked him, yes I know. And I'm sorry. Your father and I were concerned greatly, that is why we asked Mr. Ritter to come over from Bavaria. He knows much about these things and we think he can help."

"I'm afraid I cannot share your sentiment, Mr. Penn-Barwell. I saw Mr. Ritter outside last night, just before the gardener was attacked. And although it was dark I'm certain he standing in the bushes and was talking to the beast!"

Richard wasn't able to confront Christian until the evening, after dinner. He took him into his father's study as soon as she got the chance. Christian wanted to tell him about what he had found, but Richard wouldn't give him the chance. Of course, Christian denied being in cohorts with the beast. He even denied having seen it the previous night, saying that he had simply gone outside because he couldn't sleep.

"Lizzie would not lie," assured Richard. Christian nodded.

"I did not say that she is. What she saw was a pale attempt by me to try and make contact with the killer. However, I was unsuccessful. We must thank my lucky stars that I did not die for my efforts."

"What are you talking about?"

"Since I saw the ferocity of the attacks it has been my belief that we are not dealing simply with a wild beast, there is nothing in this country which would attack in such away. Maybe if we were back in Bavaria I would consider wolves, but not here. That is why I performed the test this morning on the body to see whether I was correct in my deductions. And then this afternoon, I found what I was looking for in the records office." He opened his leather case and pulled out a large volume. Richard examined it.

"Christian, this is from the archives. It can’t be taken from the Town Hall!"

"Yes, I know. But this is more important and I have the fullest intention to return it as soon as the deed is done. Lord Hailsham has made one correct assumption: somebody does have to kill it. And very quickly."

"Are we in danger?"

"Not all of us." He opened the book onto an old page of manuscript. Arcane symbols, richly decorated, ordained the page and an etching of a creature was placed next to it. Richard didn’t have to ask. This was obviously the beast.

"I don’t have a precise name for what you are looking at. I’m afraid these archives are hideously incomplete. However, I am certain that it is not a wild beast but an intelligent killer sent to complete a task, the murder of young Lizzie." Richard’s eyes widened, a shock of fear ran over his face. Christian sat implacably and continued. "The creature is pure evil, sent from Hell itself I have no doubt. The fact that the last murder was committed under her very window, and the fact she herself has guessed much of our work, suggests it has marked her out as the one to die."

"That’s impossible," remarked Richard sharply. "How could she be the focus of such evil?"

"I do not know, and I feel I may never know. It is the nature of these devils to remain anonymous until even the most bitter of ends. But they are not indestructible, and identifying its target allows us a chance to stop it. We must guard Lizzie, you will stay with me tonight and not go on the hunt."

"Surely we should be going to kill this thing!"

"No, we mustn’t be as rash as his lordship. Remember, Richard, this is not a wild beast, It is cunning and intelligent. When Lord Hailsham rides out with his entourage tonight, his horns will wake very creature in the county. The beast will know he is there, but will not attack..."

"Why not?"

"Because his lordship’s actions will reveal that its intended target is unprotected... Lord Hailsham will be sending the beast straight to us. And we will be ready."

The hunt departed soon afterwards, Lord Hailsham at the front calling some idiotic commands whilst his men followed onwards. The rest of the household gathered in the library to watch them go.

"Why is daddy going out to hunt now?" asked Lizzie.

"I'm sure there are plenty more horrible creatures to hunt in the night," said Lady Hailsham as matter-of-factly as she could, "It is a well known fact that these things are easier to hunt when they can't see, isn't that right Mr. Ritter?" She expected compliance and gratification from her guest, but Christian did not feel in the mood to oblige.

"On the contrary, my lady, it is more unlikely that creatures will be out at this time of night. And it is well known that it is dangerous to ride horses when it gets dark." Lady Hailsham gave him a glare for his impertinence, and went into a corner to speak to the colonel. At least he was too senile to disagree with her on anything.

Christian looked across the room at Lizzie. One question still troubled him, why had the monster chosen her? What secrets could she be hiding under such a beautiful face? It wasn’t until she turned and looked at him that Christian realized he had been staring. She smiled and walked over to him. She whispered in his ear.

"I know who you are, Mr. Ritter."

"Do you?"

"Yes, I know why you are here. I must say I’m impressed with your gallantry." She fingered his cross and looked him in the eyes. "I find you very intriguing. More so than Mr. Penn-Barwell. Maybe it is because you are unusual?"

"My life is perhaps a little more mysterious than his. It extends beyond numbers and politics."

"Yes, you hunt monsters. And protect people from them. Like a knight."

"That -isn’t exactly- what I am."

"Then who are you, Mr. Ritter?"

"Schattenjäger." Christian left the word hanging for a moment.

"Shadow hunter..." she murmured. Christian said nothing removed Lizzie’s hand from his cross. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and ran her hand down his face. His hand did the same to her. And then without a word she got up, walked straight past Richard and out of the room. Then Christian realized he was making a mistake that had been made before. He was falling in love.

Lizzie shut the door of the powder room and leaned back. She had seen the look in his eyes; she had felt his touch. Mr. Ritter was more wonderful than she could have imagined. Not like stale old boring Mr. Penn-Barwell. She wanted to go back and speak to him more, find out about the shadows and his hunting. She wanted to be with him more than she had anyone else before. All thought of the hunt and the beast was gone for a few moments as she looked in the mirror and touched the part of her face where Christian had felt her. Suddenly, out of the night came a shrill hunting horn. But Lizzie ignored it, closed her sense off to the outside world.

She was alone, she was vulnerable. And now was the time. Without so much as a breath, it melted through the very walls of Lord Hailsham’s stronghold and into the room next to her. It looked her up and down, inhaling the scent of her perfume and examining her form. Whilst her eyes were closed, it changed shape. Molded and formed from its usual self into a new image. Not the beast, not the killing, not this time.

"It’s strange. I came in here to look for a beast, and instead I find a beauty." Lizzie heard the speaker and spun round in shock. She knew the voice; Christian Ritter was standing in the room. She spun around to the door, it was still locked.

"How...?"

"Don’t be afraid, Lizzie. I did tell you that I have mysterious ways." Her panic stricken face turned into a smile.

"Didn’t anybody tell you that sneaking up on young women is not done? If my mother were to find you in here then we would both be punished!"

"Punishments do not worry me. Nothing in this world does, not whilst I have my guiding light... and the light of the company I keep." She didn’t respond as he moved up and held her in his arms. "You are the most beautiful and charming woman in this world, Miss. Hailsham. If any man ever says otherwise then he must answer to me."

"What do you want from me, Mr. Ritter?"

"I’m sure you already know. And I’m sure you want it too." He kissed her; she didn’t know what to do. Should she pull away..? But Christian’s hands felt strong and secure. Safe from everything else. And so there she stayed, and put her arms around him...

Richard had now begun to get worried. First Lizzie had disappeared, that was twenty minutes ago. And then Christian had gone out; he’d mentioned something about stealing some fruit from the kitchens. That had been before the horns had sounded, before the hunt got underway. He knew that Christian had wanted to be there to see what happened. Why hasn’t he? He decided to go and look for them. But as he opened the library door, he heard a blood-chilling scream. He froze. Lady Hailsham stood up, the Colonel spluttered out some brandy. There was silence.

"What the devil...?" the Colonel fumbled for his monocle. Richard ran out of the room.

"Maybe the young ones are..." Lady Hailsham struggled for the right word, "playing at wars?" She took her leave from the Colonel and followed as quickly as she could.

Richard ran towards the hallway. Where had the sound come from? Frantically he shouted out Lizzie’s name but to no avail. Suddenly a door swung open and Christian ran out holding a half-eaten apple.

"Did you hear that?" shouted Richard. Christian nodded and pointed at the parlour room door.

"I think it came from in there." Richard ran towards it and knocked loudly. By now, Lady Hailsham was standing in the hall as well looking very confused.

"What is going on out here?"

"I think something’s happened to Lizzie!" shouted Richard frantically as he looked for the key. Christian tried to force the door but it was locked tight. He picked up a large bust from the table nearby and began hitting the door with it, much to Lady Hailsham’s horror.

"That’s a priceless heirloom!" Christina said nothing. Richard joined him and together they rammed the door again. It splintered inwards, the bust smashed. Richard took one look inside the room and froze.

"Oh God, no." Christian walked in and knelt by the body, Lady Hailsham appeared in the doorway. Her hand clamped against her mouth, aghast at the sight. In the middle of the room in a growing pool of blood lay Lizzie, her dress ripped and tattered. Christian began to feel for signs of life, breath and the beatings of her heart. As he did his eyes were directed towards a glittering in the blood, a silver cross now stained crimson.

Day 3

Christian offered Richard another brandy but he declined. He would have offered one to Lady Hailsham, but she still had the same shocked look on her face that had been there since they found Lizzie. Lord Hailsham would probably shoot him dead if he even looked at him. Nobody could comprehend what was happening anymore, not now with no more secrecy or doubt.

The door opened and everyone turned towards it. The village doctor shuffled in. He had been called out that morning and had been with Lizzie for over two hours. Christian had objected to him at first, wanting to examine her himself but not even Richard would back his words anymore. He had failed them all. The doctor was at least sixty years old. He bumbled his words and stammered repeatedly.

"I've... been with the girl, as you know. And I'm.... I'm..." He stopped and rubbed his glasses, "I am unable to conclude what is wrong with her." There was the usual silence among the group.

"What do you mean?" barked Lord Hailsham, "She’s lying on that damn bed hotter than hell and you can’t bloody work out what’s wrong?!"

"I have never seen anything like this." He simply shrugged and shuffled out of the room. Christian immediately stood up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To find what is wrong with Lizzie."

"You?" scoffed Lord Hailsham. "Don’t you think you’ve done our family enough damage without trying to play the healer?"

"I have not wronged you, or her. Now let me try and do my duty."

Lizzie’s bedchamber was quiet and dim, lit only by the scented candles around her bed placed there by the more superstitious members of the household below stairs. Christian walked over to her side and held her hand, it was like ice. Her face was white as death; bruises were clearly visible on her sides. The attack had been vicious. Christian tried to overcome his feelings, to devote himself to diagnosing her affliction. Slowly he opened her eyelid. It took only an instant for the truth to be revealed.

"Have you found anything?" Richard had entered the room behind him. Tears were on his cheeks as he walked over to her side.

"Yes, I believe I have. Lizzie has been cursed by a terrible affliction..." He could see Richard wasn’t listening. He was looking at Christian holding her hand. He said nothing but it was obvious his pain wasn’t just at Lizzie’s fate. He gathered his thoughts.

"Then you must tell the family."

Lord Hailsham stomped in front of the windows as Christian began detailing the specifics. The colonel had fallen asleep; Lady Hailsham still had the same look upon her face.

"She has been cursed with an affliction which is known as Bloodbane. As its name suggests, the mixing of infected and pure blood contracts it. In this case, that of the beast and Lizzie during the attack. It passes through the vessels of the body, attacking and destroying them like an invading army. I am sorry to say that the victim almost certainly feels great pain as such evil passes through them, I wish I could say better."

"Will she...die?" The tears welled in Lady Hailsham’s eyes. Christian shook his head slightly.

"There is no cure for such an affliction. I have never heard of one, in any case."

"You seem familiar with this affliction, Mr. Ritter." Lord Hailsham’s eyes narrowed as he spoke, "Am I correct?"

"I have read of this, yes. In several cases of attacks a similar affliction was described upon the victims who survived. But I have never seen it myself before now."

"How convenient. If I were not such a rational man, Mr. Ritter, I would think you had something to do with this mysterious ailment which nobody except you seems able to define."

"Please, darling. Don’t do this now." Lady Hailsham took her husband's hand; he snorted and let her go, almost recoiling at the show of affection. He looked pointedly at Christian.

"I have heard enough of you. Mr. Ritter, you have already destroyed my family and now I am expected to take your word that my daughter is as good as dead?"

"Lord Hailsham, please..."

"Get out. Get out of my house."

Richard argued with Lord Hailsham for as long as her ladyship would allow before she shouted at them both to think of Lizzie. In bitter anger, Richard stormed out of the house. As he passed the door of the huntmaster’s lodge, he saw Christian standing inside holding a pistol.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to hunt the beast."

"You said it could not be hunted."

"Not by his lordship. But my methods are different. For one thing I shall hunt in the day when the beast is not protected by shadows, and I feel that the beast will be more easily found this time. In fact, I believe it will come to find me."

"What have you not told us? What are you hiding?" Christian carried on preparing the gun. Richard grabbed his arm and held it. Christian stopped.

"There -may- be a cure for Bloodbane. One of my ancestors developed a theory after witnessing the affliction. He never saw another case and so never got a chance to put it into practice."

"What is this cure?"

"Expelling the evil from Lizzie’s body. Some people call it an exorcism, I believe. I must find the beast and kill it. That way its influence will die along with its body, and she will be saved. However, I do not expect the beast to be forthcoming to help me with this. My life will almost certainly end in this struggle." He removed Richard’s hand and continued preparing his gun.

"Do you love her, Christian? Is that why you are taking the risk?"

"I am protecting Lord Hailsham’s family. That is what you asked me to do when you contacted me."

"You have not answered my question."

"I respect her intelligence, her strength but most of all the fact she is a living person. I owe it to her to do everything in my power to protect her. Whatever my personal feelings, they must not overcome me. And the same must apply to you, Richard." He put the gun in his belt and handed Richard a sealed parchment.

"If I do not come back before nightfall then you must send this to Schloss Ritter. I pray I will come back alive."

Christian had never been a hunter, although as the name suggested the noble art had passed through the family for generations. In truth he disliked the forest for its darkness. His father had told him that those feelings would pass, and as he grew as a man he would learn to use his skills in the forest more and more, to acquire a taste for the hunt, but here and now those words meant little. He felt further from his father than he did from the house itself. He was walking towards his death, and he knew he deserved no better. His feelings for Lizzie had left her vulnerable, unprotected from the evil that came upon her. His feelings had betrayed every oath he’d ever made, betraying every trust he had gained. He was not going to die with the assurance that he would save Lizzie, but the assurance that maybe this one act of selflessness could in some way redeem him. Like the sick animal, he was walking alone into the forest to die.

It had been waiting for this moment, more so than for the girl. It had tasted the last of the blood; the night’s meal was over. Nothing compared to what was to come, anticipation and wonder filled its mind. Closer and closer towards the inevitable.

"Schattenjäger." The rasping sound came from deeper in the trees. Christian pulled his gun up sharply and waited. The noise came again, "Schattenjäger." This time behind him. Slowly the bushes parted and the fiend slinked out. Huge back legs supported the colossal red body. Front claws still stained red from whatever had been its last meal. Maybe there was a mouth upon its hideous visage, but only two slits of a par of eyes shone any light. Pale and yellow.

"Greetings, Schattenjäger." It quickly moved around Christian who turned with it. Even at stalking pace it could easily outmaneuver him. "I have waited long for you."

"Speak your business, beast."

"My business? You know my business. Do not be fooled by the form I take, for I have many forms. Many faces. I am the darkness and the light. I am the fire below. I am he who is to rule."

"Let me see your true face. I will not deal with a monster." As he watched, the beast began to change. Its face crumpled inwards and it slouched on its legs. New limbs sprung outwards from the mass, two arms and two legs. And then a new face, clearly visible and defined. The beast was now human. And its face was that of Christian Ritter. The devil walked face to face with Christian and quietly replied with a churl mocking.

"When I came upon her last night. I used this face." Christian’s eyes widened and in shock he fell to his knees. The devil continued. "This is the true nature of Bloodbane. It is an affliction of sin, not disease.... Do you still want to make deals with me now, Schattenjäger?"

"Why?" whispered Christian quietly as he held his head in his hands at the thought of the reaches of his failure. "Why not just have your kill?" His guilt was slowly being overcome with anger and rage directed at the devil who stood before him in his own visage. He grabbed the devil by the collar and pushed him against a tree.

"What did she do to you?! What could she have done to deserve such a fate!" The shrill sound of a hunting horn came from outside the wood.

"You will soon find out" replied the devil.

Only seconds later the sound of horses could be heard, Christian continued to hold his foe as two steeds galloped in. Their riders were Lord Hailsham and Richard. They stopped and looked from one identical figure to the other.

"What the hell?" Hailsham breathed. "What the devil is going on?"

"Nothing but you -- the devil you know," replied the Christian doppleganger. Christian noticed that as Hailsham had appeared, the devil had become less boisterous, a lot quieter. There was a connection between the two... but Christian couldn’t make it out. Whatever the case Hailsham was still apparently confused.

"The devil I know? What in blazes is that supposed to mean?" The devil by now had brushed Christian aside and was standing beside Hailsham. He circled him as he had done with Christian.

"Schattenjäger!" he rasped, "You wanted to know who is responsible for Lizzie? This man is the one! He is the man who gave her to me!" Richard and Christian looked towards Hailsham. He stood confused, evidently knowing not what he was being accused of. The doppleganger continued.

"Over twenty years ago, I made an agreement with a soldier at war in Waterloo. I assured him of his safe return back to England and a secure future for himself and his family. In return, he offered to pay me any price. I told him I would collect at some point in the future. We have not met again until this point." Now Hailsham’s eyes showed recognition, but not acceptance.

"I made no deal with you!" he bellowed, "I was once asked by a fellow soldier how much I would give to be free of war and back home. I told him I would pay any price for such a boon. But I made no deals with anyone!

"I was that fellow soldier. Your words were as good as any binding contract, since you were tempted by the thoughts of home. And I have chosen my price, the eternal soul of your daughter. And I have already taken her, there is no escape from Bloodbane."

"I will not allow it! You cannot take her!" Hailsham was beginning to stammer, his hard resilience had become the whimpering of a deeply confused man. "All these deaths, all the suffering my family has faced, this was all part of the deal? Why did you not just kill her and be done, you fiend?"

"Everybody who meets me must suffer. It is the way of things." Christian hung his head; this was the hardest trial he had ever faced. Now it was clear, Lizzie’s fate was more evil than anything he could have imagined. And there was no escape from it.

"Then it ends here," he said when he finally spoke, "You take the girl and leave. There is no reason for more suffering." It was the hardest thing he had ever had to say, to let go of the one he loved. But the devil would not move.

"No, Schattenjäger. It is not only she who will suffer. Every one of you will be mine, including yourself. You are not strong enough to escape me." Christian was going to shout an objection, to tell his double that he would use his strength to save the rest of their souls. But then he saw Richard in the corner of his eye, tears streaming down his face. He had wept as he heard the conversation. Richard loved her with all his heart, and nobody had the right to destroy that. In his mind, Hailsham was directly responsible.

"Richard, no!" Christian tried to reach him but it was too late, Richard picked up his rifle and aimed straight at Hailsham.

"Murderer," he whispered. A shot sounded. A silence filled the clearing along with the smell of gunpowder. And then Hailsham was on the ground, murdered and bleeding. And the devil smiled,

"You know, I couldn't have done it better myself."

The devil reveled in his own handiwork, now three had sinned. Only the Schattenjäger remained as a threat to him.

Christian knelt by the body looking for any signs of life, but he knew there would be none. Richard was still pointing the gun; he probably didn’t even realize what he had done yet. And no amount of shooting would bring Lizzie back.

"Their fates are decided, Schattenjäger. Now what about yours?"

"I will never join you. I will never give myself up and I will never knowingly sin..." He looked down upon Hailsham’s body and then at Richard.

"But I am willing to offer myself in Lizzie’s place. Take away the affliction, let her live, and then I will end my own life, thereby giving it to you." The devil pondered, weighed up the decision in its irksome mind. Finally it nodded.

"Very well, I am always willing to take noble blood." Christian nodded and removed the cross from inside his shirt. Richard came to his side.

"Christian, what are you doing? You can’t destroy yourself for her! Not the Ritters!"

"The Ritters have been destroyed before, Richard. And this is the duty for which I was called, to protect Lizzie. Once he makes an oath over the cross, he is bound to the agreement." Richard could only watch as the devil put his hand over the icon. Christian closed his eyes and began a silent prayer, and then took out the pistol and placed it against his head. Richard turned away, too terrified to watch.

"It is done," said the devil, finally. "There is no more Bloodbane. And now for your part..." He moved closer to Christian, but instead he laid the pistol on the ground and backed away. He turned and walked over to Hailsham’s horse, motioning Richard to follow his lead. The devil watched curiously.

"What is this, Schattenjäger?"

"I've changed my mind. You were right, I do not want to make deals with you."

"But you already have! She is saved!" Christian smiled at the devil’s discomfort.

"Thank you for your assistance. I would consider myself imbedded to you had you not been responsible for her condition in the first place. In any case, I have decided that I do not wish to be damned for eternity and you cannot do that to me yourself."

"But what about Lizzie!" Richard shouted worriedly, "Will he not go back and kill her?"

"If he does then he will not take her soul. Not unless she sins again, and I believe that she won’t. Not once I am gone. The devil can tempt, but he cannot bring damnation upon others by his own will. That is what my family has always believed, that is where our power comes from." With nothing further to say to the devil, he simply turned his horse and trotted away. Behind him, his doppleganger was overcome with rage at being tricked, but knew as well as Christian that there was nothing he could do. Richard turned and watched as he sunk down into the ground silently and defeated.

The family mourned for the passing of Lord Hailsham. Christian told them of the tragic hunting accident and his lordship had died bravely attacking the beast and injuring it in such a way so that it would never pose a threat to the family again. Richard became withdrawn during the mourning, only speaking to Christian and not attending the burial service. Apparently he had seen his lordship’s death at close quarters and had been affected deeply.

There was joy, however. Lizzie’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous and the doctor could offer no explanation. She had simply awoken as if from a deep sleep, but had remained under watch until her strength was regained. She had lost a lot of blood, Christian told the family that this was probably the reason for her recovery. Whatever evil had been inside her had flowed out in the bad blood. On the third day after the funeral, he came to see her. She was still white as snow, but smiled at his arrival.

"Mr. Ritter, I have been waiting for your visit."

"I have wanted to come as well, but I felt I could not leave the family... I'm sorry about your father’s death."

"They told me he was killed fighting the beast. But my family has a habit of concealing the truth. Is that what really happened?" Christian walked to her side and smiled.

"Yes, I was with him when he died. His dying words to me were to tell you that he loved you dearly. And that he was sorry for not protecting you in the past." She nodded with satisfaction. Christian knelt down and took her hand.

"Lizzie... what do you remember of your attack?"

"Nothing very much, I'm afraid. I went into the powder room but the beast somehow managed to come in and attack me. I heard it approaching, but it was too late. But I cannot remember what it looked like... Did you see anything more?"

"No. You have remembered it exactly as it occurred."

"I remember something else, Mr. Ritter. In the drawing room, when you touched me... I still remember it." She held his hand tighter. He wanted to kiss her or show affection, but instead he let her go.

"I came to tell you that I am going back to Bavaria. With the death of the beast, my work here is done."

"Oh, I see... Is it because of me, Mr. Ritter? Do you not love me?"

"Yes, I love you. But I am only a danger to you, as I am a danger to everyone here. Evil has a way of following me. That is why I stay away as often as I can. Once I am in Schloss Ritter, there is no danger to anybody. I think we are all safer that way."

"How can I feel safe without you at my side?"

"You will have Richard, he shall be a wonderful husband." It was then that he turned and saw Richard in the doorway. He kissed Lizzie’s hand and left her. He didn’t look back.

"I didn’t realize you were going home," said Richard. "Is it because of me?"

"I have finished my duty, Richard. There is nothing more for me to do here."

"You love Lizzie, why not stay?"

"I cannot return her love. I only put her in danger. You, Richard are the man she is betrothed to. You are to be her guardian and her husband."

"I am a murderer, Christian. I am already damned."

"I believe you will be saved." He put his hand on Richard’s shoulder. "I believe that you will love her purely and she will do the same. That will be enough, I feel. The beast will not return in the same form. And it will not be this family it attacks, it will be mine."

"Family?"

"Yes, Richard. I have my own wife and child. The two families are the same. We are both open to attacks by these evils; we both must be on our guard. Even with my influence Lord Hailsham’s family were not safe from the affliction of sin. The devil takes those he can, and his lordship allowed every member of his family to be left open in that way. But I assure you; Bloodbane will not flow through this family line any further. When you join with Lizzie in marriage, your two families will make the bond stronger. You will stop any evil which troubles you." He turned to the door and looked out of the window. "The sun is bright today, there will be a beautiful sunset soon. Be with Lizzie when it happens." He walked away.

"Christian! Wait! You have forgotten this." Richard passed him the letter he had written days ago. Christian folded it and put it in its pocket.

"One day I fear someone will have to send it," he sighed. "By the way, Richard. I have left the books from the archives in my room. You must return them. I am sorry I did not put them to better use. I believed that we were threatened by a killer, only seeking one death to fulfill its desire. I assumed it only had a taste for blood. But truly, it had a taste for sin. And not just one person's, but the sins of us all. The worst kind of evil."

"You were able to discover that in the end, Christian. You saved us all."

"Not I. Anyone who is saved has been by their own virtues. That is the only wonder of sin. The devil cannot destroy you, and in the same way I can not save you. I can be your guide, I can combat evil. But only from the shadows." And with a final handshake the two men parted back to their own separate worlds.