The Bond of Virtue

[Lore Denin]

  Blood oozed from multiple wounds and Lore could feel his strength leaving his body.  He looked across the field and could see the Vampire Freja cocking another arrow.

The fight had been long and grueling, both were injured but neither willing to give an inch.  

 This was his chance, if he could reach her before she was able to summon her healing magics, he could end the fight and the magical spell of binding would take effect.

 Lore charged shield up,  racing to close the distance between them.  

Freja did not blink, a veteran of a thousand battles, she smiled and let loose.  Her arrow flew perfectly, aimed not to kill but to slow, striking Lore below his shield, piercing his armor, entering his right thigh.  His furious charge coming to a sudden halt as he stumbled to the ground.

The words of Tina Tink echoed in his head, "You would not like to meet my sister."

Lore shook his head, trying to remain focused. He slowly rose and continued his charge.

He could see the confident look on Freja's face, she reached into her pocket to summon her healing magic.  She had all the time in the world to play with her wounded toy.

"I will drink your blood foolish Virtue Knight! To think you could bind me to Virtue.  I shall enjoy making you lick my boots as my mortal slave."

 Lore could see it was hopeless, his wounded leg could barely support his weight and he'd never reach her before she summoned her healing magic, Still he was determined that if he should fall this day, he would do so with honor of a Virtue Knight, and so he charged one final time.  

 A less experienced archer might have panicked at the sudden, desperate charge, aimlessly firing and leaving themselves open to an attack but not a veteran like Freja.  She took a calculated step back, and reached into her satchel.  She would heal herself then finish her wounded prey without risking her own unlife...

Freja's eyes widen, not in feat or panic, but surprise.  Her healing agents were extinguished, hadn't she packed more..?  

 She expertly turned and fired an arrow at the desperately charging Lore Denin who despite his condition was closing the gap with surprising speed.  The arrow entered his shoulder, piercing his armor and passing out the other side.  His arm went instantly limp, sending his Order Shield sprawling across the field but now he was right on top of the vampire.

 Lore lurched forward, grasping his kryss with both hands, summoning all the strength he could muster, for this would be his final strike.  Freja held her ground, reaching back into her quiver for one last fatal arrow.

  Freja moved faster then any mortal could;  her hand clasped an arrow, and drew it, expertly placing it on her bow string.  She began to pull back... But Lore was only a few feet away and his Kryss was faster.  His thrust was true, and the blade pierced her armor and plunged straight into the unbeating heart of the dark outlaw.  

 Freja howled in pain, her arrow flying harmlessly into the air.  Her unnatural scream lasted only a moment as the magic of the spell of binding took effect.    

     A blue light engulf them both, the terms of the magical contract took effect.  The Vampire cursed as she felt the magic binding her to the Lore's will; a week of service in the name of Virtue.  Her mind already thinking of how she would make this arrogant knight pay,  for a week was a blink of the eye in the undying life of a vampire.

 Lore lay on the ground still wounded, and barely conscious.  He gave Freja a mental command feeling the effects of the magic take effect, "guard me while I rest...."

 As he began to fall into the darkness of unconsciousness he swore he say a peculiar animal at the edge of the clearing... Lore smiled as he fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of a ferret carrying a stash of bandages between his teeth.