AT MERCY’S END

I didn’t know how long I had been asleep, where I was, or how I got here. I briefly remember seeing Vicente in my room on Darias’ ship. He had come to help me. How did he know where I was? I remember being punched in the face with such velocity that I fell on the floor. I remember his red eyes and fangs and blood covered armor. I remember him making a man literally explode before my eyes and feeling like it was my fault. Of course it is my fault. ALL of this is my fault! I remember Vicente approaching me, kneeling down to put me out of my misery, and everything going dark. I thought that finally the sweet call of death had finally come to my door.

I had been sitting in the spotless room for hours trying to piece the next events together. I don’t know how long I had been asleep. I don’t know if my memories are dream or small spots of reality. I remember being carried to this room. I remember voices but not words. I remember being cleaned and dressed in some fresh clothes. I remember being carried again and placed in this bed. I remember being lulled to sleep but the constant rumbling thunder outside of the door. Of course, it all made sense with the turning of the door handle. I scooted back on the bed as the two men entered, curling my knees into my chest. Vicente, my bastion of death, was accompanied by a Bosmer man.

The Bosmer looked over at my reaction and sighed. "Please tell me you didn't take her by force? You're better than this man!"

Vicente scowled at mer. "This is Lady Vendicci. Isabel. Red, another like myself rescued her from someone as powerful as he is violent. Mercy's End is the only place I can think of that he cannot reach her."

Red rolled his eyes. "Another like yourself you say?" He scoffed, "There are very little men like you Vicente," he looked at her carefully, "but I agree, this seems like a safe enough place."

The Bosmer picked up on my unease. He unsheathed his swords slowly, placing them carefully by the door, then placed his bow and quiver over them. He removed his boots and bracers before turning back.  "So that's why you called me? You needed a guardian dog?"

I squinted through my bruised, swollen eyes to get a better look at the Bosmer, "And, you? You're vampire?"

Red smirked walking slowly to get close to me, but not nearing too much to avoid scaring me. "You can take a closer look my lady."

Untrusting I scoot back a little further on the bed, shaking my head. "I don't trust myself. It, it," I hung my head, "it didn’t work before."

"The one who took her prisoner hid his vampirism. Well, I suppose we all did..."

My eyes snapped to Vicente, "So do you want to use me too then?"

Vicente moved closer, his dead skin and feral eyes revealing what he is without any doubt. The injury and the use of blood magic had drained him to starvation. "For my deceit, I apologize milady. As The Order did, I was bound to do as well."  Vicente shook his head. "No. I only wish to keep you safe until Darias has been dealt with. After that, you are free to do as you wish."

Red nodded to himself. "I see. She fears this is an illusion trick?" He took off his chest piece.  "This might be counterproductive, but, I guess I can show you what the only thing illusion hides on my part is." The shadows hissing, his real looks fell into view while he removed his outer armor. "Only the marks of a torturer like yours." As the magic vanished, I could clearly see he was missing an eye, and half the skin on his body. "I might not be as easy to look as before, but I am definitely not a vampire."

I tilted my head and attempted to enter the Bosmer's mind with no success, cursing myself silently for not being able to focus. I looked at Vicente once more, "Where am I?"

Vicente put his hand on Red's shoulder stepping a little closer to the bed. "This is Red Leafwalker, my closest friend and ally. As you can see, he is no more a vampire than you are. As for where you are, this is my home… a pocket plane of Oblivion known as Mercy's End."

Red smirked seductively, "I will take you for a walk around the estate just as I am right now, in broad daylight, if it is what it takes to prove I'm not like him." He pointed with his left thumb to Vicente, "he will not be able to follow us you know? He'll turn into a pile of ashes otherwise!"

Vicente scoffs with humor at the mer. "More like a slow burn... but yes... something like that, I suppose."

I gently moved to the end of the bed, sitting on my knees in front of the mer. She stared at his face for a long moment. It was a genuine face that had obviously experienced much. I then carefully reached out my hand to touch the wound on his chest with my good hand.

Red took a small step towards me, allowing me to touch him easier. "Go on. You will feel my warmth and the heart pounding under my chest."

I touched the deep scars feeling his warmth, focusing my mind on his emotions. I sensed pain, and truth, and loyalty to Vicente, and I smiled softly at the mer. "You are more beautiful in your natural form," I told him with tears welling in my eyes. The emotions I could sense from him allowed me to drop my defenses. I was not with enemies here. Not even Vicente.

Red raised a brow. "Natural form? This is the form I was born with but less scary and with two eyes, but as natural as it comes."

Isabel smiled. "Yes, I meant your form as it is, right now." I lowered my eyes, blushing a bit, embarrassed by my honesty. "Your scars tell a story."

Vicente spoke up. "In my many long years, I have only met one other as loyal and true as Red Leafwalker."

Quickly, Red jumped onto the side of the bed, making himself annoyingly comfortable. "That much is true. I'm as loyal as a dog," he smirked, "but way more intelligent!" He doubts for a moment, "I think."

I cringed as the mer’s wiggling around to get comfortable on the bed caused my broken ribs to ache. I stared at Vicente. He looked so very tired. I suddenly felt the need to repay his kindness and thank him in the only way I knew. I could do for him what I do for Terezi. I held the upturned wrist of my good arm out to Vicente. "Are you hungry?

Red carefully reached over and pulled my hand away from Vicente. "Believe me, he has plenty of blood stored somewhere in the castle.”

Vicente looked to her wrist and shook his head. "I have rules about whom I feed on, milady. You do not fit that description." He offered a slight smirk. "I have enough blood left in me for one last spell. After that, however, I may need to find myself some worthy prey."

I nodded to Red after he moved my write and explained to them both. "I feed my friend, Terezi....”. I started to tell them, but, the memory of Darias showing me the brutal truth of his dinner with Dolorous flashed back to remind me. I covered my face with my hand, and cried. "You should have just let me die," I mumbled.

Vicente moved closer and offered his hand out to me.

I wiped my face with the back of my good arm. "It's all been a lie Vicente. I don't know who to trust, or what to believe."

Red shifted uncomfortably as my tears started. "Perhaps it is better if I find something to eat for both of you," he said slipping on his boots and grabbing his chest piece on his way out. "I will return in a few."

Vicente kept his hand extended, watching me. “Believe in those whom you have been with, Isabel. While the venom of Darias' words still haunt you, he spoke in only half truths."

I tilted my head at him curiously. Now that Red had excused himself, I thought perhaps Vicente had changed his mind about feeding from me. I set my arm in his hand wrist up.

Vicente moved his right hand to the wound on his left shoulder while holding her hand with his other. He pressed his fingers into the wound urging more dark blood to pour out. He closed his eyes and chanted softly in a strange language. His body began to radiate a red aura. After a few moments, the aura moved to me and I watched my cuts slowly heal.

Red returned with a tray of assorted fruits, meats, cheeses and a pair of cups, one filled with wine. He placed the tray next to Isabel, grabbing one of the cups and offering it to Vicente "I don't know what quality the blood on that fountain is, but it's the best I can offer."

Vicente watched as Red brought the tray in, though, his focus remained on me. "Thank you, Red." After a few moments, Vicente lets go of my hand and stumbled back. His body language betrayed his weariness as he looked to Red.

Red shook his head. "You will need more than a drink friend," he sighed. "You're overdoing it." He quickly stepped behind him, supporting him. Red carefully pulled the chair from the desk with his foot over and pushed it under Vicente, urging him to sit. "Here, this is better."

Vicente watched Isabel closely as blood ran from his eyes. "I wish I could do more for you, Lady Vendicci. That is the best I can do at the moment.."

“Thank you, Vicente,” I interrupted him. I had never known a vampire to heal wounds like this. Granted it was only a little bit of healing, but, it was healing nonetheless. I finally approached the mammoth in the room and asked seriously, "Is, is Darias dead?"

Vicente shook his head. "No. However, the pieces have been put in place to bring this confrontation to a head. That is why you are here, Isabel, as this is a place that Darias cannot reach you. And even if he did," he is interrupted by Red nudging the goblet of wine at him repeatedly. Vicente sighed and reached out, taking the wine glass. "You win, Red. I will drink."

"I have a home I can go to. Darias doesn't know about it. It's in Hews Bane. I don't want to be a burden." That was true. I didn’t.

"He may not at the moment,” Vicente said shaking his head, “but that place could still be reached should he discover the location. This place is a bit more… complicated." Vicente removed a ring from his finger and set it on the bed next to me. "Only those who have this ring can get here."

I picked up the ring looking it over. I studied the intricate stones noticing that they moved a bit. "You should probably get this to a jeweler."

Vicente shook his head. "The jewels must be moved into the correct positions for the ring to work. It is yours to keep. Use it should somehow you ever find yourself danger."

Red moved to me, urging me off of the bed with his help. I was wobbly at first, but he slid his arm around me carefully. "Just hold on to me my lady."

I couldn’t help myself but to grin at the mer. "Thank you Red," I said leaning my weight onto him. I slipped the ring onto my index finger.

The two men helped me to get around Vicente’s enormous estate. His decorating choices are not exactly ones I would have made, but, he is a vampire and I try not to judge. His servants are not very friendly and I find myself wondering if they are overworked or just depressed from lack of natural lighting in this place. The three of us engaged in lighthearted conversation for hours and I find the company of them both very rewarding. Vicente has offered to help me with magic skills. I have warned him that this is not my forte’. On our way back to my room I found myself still struggling with my feelings about the Order and the dreamscape Darias showed me.

"Vicente?" I asked softly. "Have you spoken to Terezi? Does she know I'm here?"

Vicente shook his head and reached into his pocket. He retrieved another ring. "I intend to give this to her so that she may see you. I will notify her as soon as possible if that is what you wish." I nodded to this, pleased.

Arriving back to my room I studied the men back and forth for a moment. "If you don't mind, I will retire for the evening. Thank you, Vicente." I reached over and grabbed him in a tight, sincere, embrace. "Thank you for getting me out of there," I whispered into his ear letting him go almost as quickly as I grabbed him.

Vicente froze up as I hugged him, but offered a smile in return. "I promise that you will not be trapped here forever."

And with his words I entered my room, feeling secure for the first time in quite some time.