For those of you who haven’t been following along here are the links to the previous chapters:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Eternal Bond By Rachel Rueben

Chapter 3

The first order of business for Elizabeth was a well needed bath.  She had been buried for almost a day and smelled of illness and death.  Three young women were summoned, all around her age, who seemed very excited to see her.  Like ladies in waiting, their purpose was to tend to Elizabeth.

Leading her through the castle, they skipped about in their bright, colored gowns whispering and giggling amongst themselves.  Suddenly they stopped in front of a room that glowed with the morning light.

Once inside, Elizabeth found herself in a room shrouded by steam.  Piercing through the fog was a beam of light that illuminated a small concrete pool in the middle of the room.  Adorned with rose petals, it was extremely lavish, but she dared not complain.  Her baths were usually in a small, cramped, wooden barrel and the water was rarely warm.

The women began helping her out of her fifthly nightgown and into the bath.  The hot water nourished to her frozen joints and before long, Elizabeth could feel her feet and wiggled her toes freely.  The women began soaping up her hair with a strong smelling soap to kill any critter that had taken residence in her hair.  Next, they poured rose oil onto her hair to replace the moisture that was stripped, and cover the fragrance of the awful smelling soap.  Then it was on to her body, Elizabeth was soaped up thoroughly and the dirt on her skin was scrapped.  She was then escorted out of the tub, and rubbed with rose oil.

They presented to her a new pink gown with a golden kirtle.  Decorated with ribbons and trimmed with Bobbin lace, it was the nicest thing Elizabeth had ever worn.  They began pinning up her red hair and covered it in a gold French hood that matched the gown.  When they were all done, she was completely transformed, looking like a member of nobility.

Upon seeing her reflection, Elizabeth politely, did her best to bargain for clothes that were more appropriate for someone of her station.  Fearing scornful looks from the others from her class, she feared accusations of snobbery.  Ignoring her, the women chattered like little girls decorating their new dolly.  When they were all done, they admired their work despite, Elizabeth’s disapproval.

The merry entourage then led Elizabeth down the twisting and winding corridors to her new bed chamber.  As they got deeper into the castle, the darker and damper it got.  Suddenly, the women stopped in front of a large wooden door.

As one of them pulled out a large key, she passed it along to another, who fumbled with the lock until, it finally opened.  When the heavy door swung open it was to another world.  The chamber was a beautiful sanctuary filled with sunlight and warmth.  Fit for a queen, with its delicate draperies and beautifully carved furniture, the place was a contrast to the rest of the castle.

Gasping Elizabeth said, “This cannot be mine!”

Smiling, they grabbed her hand, pulling her inside.  She was seated at a small table in the middle of the room near a huge, roaring fireplace.  They presented her to a private feast accompanied with something called bloodwine.  Asking what it was, they explained it was blood that was fermented for storage.  Disgusted, Elizabeth refused it, even when they insisted, “I am no vampire!” she said in total denial.  Confused, by the reaction, it caused visible tension, and even more whispering.

Taking charge, one of the young women departed the room to seek advice on the matter.  She went straight to the woman who was in charge of the rebirth ceremony.

Upon hearing their dilemma, the elder woman angrily growled, “Put it in her food if thou must Sapphira!”

Immediately, the raven haired woman left to do as she was instructed.

Upon returning to the chamber, Sapphira waited for an opportunity to forcibly feed this new vampirling.  Her attempts to pour the bloodwine on Elizabeth’s plate were blocked several times, because Elizabeth wouldn’t take her eyes off the table.  Trying to get help from one of the others also, proved unsuccessful.  Desperate, Sapphira seized a bowl of stew and took it, pretending to refill it.  While the others distracted Elizabeth, Sapphira quickly poured in the bloodwine.  Carefully, she put the bowl right in front of Elizabeth.

Offering it, she remarked, “Tis most important thou eatest after a black death.”

Suddenly, the women burst into laughter confusing Elizabeth.  Ignoring these silly women, she ate the stew in front of them.  Watching attentively, they were well pleased with the result of their deception.  Soon enough, they were back to laughing and smiling as before.  While, Elizabeth remained blissfully unaware of the step she had just taken.

When Elizabeth was done, she was taken to be presented to the elder in charge of her rebirth ceremony.

Upon seeing her, the woman smiled and remarked, “Good work!”

The merry women all bowed and exited the room in a hurry.

Circling Elizabeth the woman struck up a conversation, “They say ye hath difficulties with thyne new nature!”

Speaking her mind, Elizabeth answered, “I ought be with the saints in glory instead, I roam the Earth like a spirit, tis an abomination.”

Finding her insolence enraging, the woman warned, “Careful as to whom ye cross Clara.”

“My name is Elizabeth!”  She snapped.

Approaching her slowly the woman said, “Alright Elizabeth, centuries ago, I was a wife and mother but was called to a higher fate.  Given the power over death, no more would I fear it taking me, or my children in the night.  Instead, I would lord over it!  Thou hath been called to do the same child!”

“I shan’t dine on the blood of wretched souls!” Eliazbeth scoffed.

The woman arrogantly replied, “Thou hath already partaken.”

Then with the gesture of her hand, the woman dismissed Elizabeth.

When she left the room, those silly women awaited her in the hall.

Outraged, one of them said, “Art thou mad speaking harshly to an elder such as Apollonia?”

Unconcerned with their fear of a woman that she regarded no more than a witch, she responded, “I have no fear of any devil’s consort!”

They all gasped, and looked at each other.

Then one of them exclaimed, “Thou doth not act like the de…” and before she could finish, a hand quickly covered her mouth.

Sapphira gave the girl an angry look then, calmly said, “Thou must be tutored by Lord Harrison.  We mustn’t tarry!”

In the next four weeks (Clara), was schooled on the ABC’s of Vampirism by one Lord Harrison, a respected diplomat in the king’s court.  Dressed in a dark silken jacket, with a matching cap, he instructed her on the nuances of Vampirism.

First, he warned her the Inquisition was alive and well and they had many interesting ideas on how to smite a Vampire.  He even went on to reveal that that several members of the fold served on The Council of The Holy Inquisition.

“Some of us have gone on to become Popes.” He said with a chuckle.

This troubled Clara deeply, and she began praying for her soul.

After the orientation, Lord Harrison began his first lesson: Debunking myths and unwashing her brain of mortal nonsense.  He had to teach her that she did indeed have a soul, and also, a reflection.  Holding an ivory mirror to her face, he watched as she was startled by the sight of her own image.

“Even in death one must mind their appearance.”  He said stroking his beard.

Later on, Clara was instructed on the fine art of choosing a victim.  She was taught who was suitable to feed upon and who was not.

Instructing her to stay away from the sick and feeble he warned, “The blood of a sick mortal is riddle with parasites.  Those whom haven’t headed, end up fasting for days just to cleanse their bodies.”

Finally, he moved on proper socialization, where Clara was taught the dangers of trying to mingle with the mortals too frequently.  He considered it an unequal yoking of two beings, likening it to mortals and their pets.

“Animals are meant to be enjoyed, but they are not adequate companions.”  He declared with conviction.

For weeks, Clara did her best to wake herself up from this nightmare.  She found it unacceptable that this was now her fate.

So she asked, “How doth one smite a Vampire?”

Laughing he answered, “Such mysteries art not for thee to know.”  Seeing she wasn’t satisfied with the answer, he said, “The loneliness that cometh with immortality doth not last ever.  It shall get better.”

Not comforted at all, Clara sighed.  She knew he was lying to make her feel better.

On the final day of her lessons with Lord Harrison, something odd happened.

As Clara was about to leave the room for the final time, Lord Harrison hugged her and wept “The journey thou taketh will be wrought with peril.  Ye goest among vipers and wolves.  God bless ye child!” he warned her.

Stunned, she stood there confused and when the ladies in waiting showed up to fetch her, their mood was somber as well.

After selling his home and dismissing his servants, Lester returned to claim his bride.  He was given the names of several contacts in Thetford.  There, they would be given brand new lives.  He couldn’t have been more overjoyed.

As they got into a carriage, the driver and his apprentice began securing their luggage.  It wasn’t easy, as some of the trunks were filled with gifts given by the fold and weighed a ton.

While the carriage pulled off, Lester began dribbling on about his plans.  Like a school boy, he smiled and laughed while Clara just sat there unresponsive, wondering when this nightmare would end.

As the horses clopped away along the cobblestone, Clara knew they were still on a paved road, and when they became muffled, she figured they were in the country.  It was the only way she could tell, since the window was covered with a black curtain.

After a few hours, all the swaying to and fro began making Clara nauseated.  Clutching her skirts, she white knuckled her way through the trip.

Being undead was not like she had imagined, the stories of shape-shifting and devil cavorting were far from what she was experiencing.  The vampires she had met so far, seemed almost, normal.  It was unholy nonetheless.  Fully aware of the wiles of the devil, Clara understood it was imperative, to break free before she succumbed to evil urges.

After almost a day of swaying in a carriage, they got to Thetford.  There, Clara made her demands known.

Laughing at her, he told her, “Stop speaking foolishness, you’ve only been different for less than a month!”

Rather mindful of the people around them, he tipped his hat to several young ladies that passed by.  Ignoring her lack of gratitude, he went to a nearby inn to rent a room for the night.

Following behind him, she continued to badger him, “Who’s in charge of undoing this curse!”

Looking around, he said through gritted teeth, “Thy gift was decided by people who can not be bothered by a silly girl.”

Lester approached the innkeeper and requested a room for he, and his bride.

Clara gasped and exclaimed, “We were never married!”

Grabbing her arm, he explained to the innkeeper, “She’s tired from our travels.”

Nodding his head in understanding, he showed them to their room.  Lester held on to Clara as they went down the corridor.

At the door, the innkeeper handed Lester the keys and whispered to him, “Keep her away from my customers!”

Lester nodded his head in agreement.  When he closed the door, he yelled at her, “As far as anyone knows, you belong to me!”

Not impressed by his theatrics, she replied, “I never belonged to anyone especially, not you!”

He snorted and yelled, “It was only a matter of time before your father sold you like a worthless ass!”

Running his hands over his face, he tried to compose himself.  He was tired and hadn’t had any slept in days.  So he started unpacking and began settling in for the night.

What Lester didn’t understand was that the argument was far from over.

“No matter what you say, I’m going to find some way out of this unholy bondage even, if I have to get the Pope himself!”  Clara yelled.

This set off laughter, “What will your Pope do?  He doesn’t even understand what you are!”  He said mockingly.

That statement confirmed just how much danger her immortal soul was in.  Clara saw escape as her only option.  So while Lester cleaned up and got himself ready for bed, she began plotting her flight.

Flopping down in a chair, Clara figured she could go back to that castle and ask those nice Vampires to let her out of her contract with the devil.  It seemed sensible to her childish mind after all, how could things get any worse?

When Lester came out of the communal bathroom in the hallway, he locked the bedroom door behind him.  He began getting ready for bed though the sun hadn’t set.

After, drawing the curtains in the room, he began taking off his pants.  Leaving only his shirt on, he slipped under the covers and signaled for Clara to join him.  Disgusted by his behavior, she remained in her chair.  Smiling, he blew out the last candle and went to sleep.

For almost two hours Clara sat in total darkness before making her move.  First, she paced the room to make sure Lester was really asleep.  When he didn’t respond, she grabbed the key on the night stand and crept to the door.  Quietly, she inserted the key and turned it to the right, when it clicked, she carefully twisted the knob, then slipped out of the room.

Once in the hallway, she snuck towards the entrance of the building.  To her surprise, Clara found herself in the dining hall during its peak hour.  Weaving her way amongst the customers, she did her best to look inconspicuous.  Inching closer and closer, to the front door, she smiled and nodded, just like she belonged there.  Once outside, she took a deep breath and smiled at her own cleverness.

Taking the only road out of town, Clara went as quickly as she could.  Her nervousness and glee made her heart race as she briskly walked out of town and out of Lester’s life.

There was only a small glow of light left from the sun, putting the landscape in shadows.  Soon, the only thing illuminating her path would be moonlight, and she cursed herself for not bringing a lantern.  Only ten minutes into her journey, the cobblestone road ended.

Realizing she had reached the city limits, she continued on the dirt road straight into the countryside.  This was a harrowing journey for someone who had never left Norwich in her whole life.  She remembered all the stories told to her about witches and thieves who would victimize night travelers.  Nonetheless, breaking this hex was more important than anything, so she pressed onward into the dark countryside.

It wasn’t long before everything was covered by a blanket of thick darkness.  In near blindness, Clara struggled to keep herself on the road.  It took almost an hour before she gained confidence and suddenly the night didn’t seem so terrifying.  Just as Clara was starting to feel good, she heard rustling in the grass just next to the road.

Stopping in her tracks, she heard it again.  Not knowing what to do, she stood there completely still hoping it would just go away.  That’s when she heard the sound of growling directly next to her.  It was a wolf that and it had been stalking her for a distance.

In sheer terror Clara bolted, only further convincing the wolf that she was prey.  Running, she screamed as loud as she could before realizing it was no use.  Trying to wear her down, the wolf casually galloped behind her.  Just when it seemed Clara was doomed to become a chew toy, her salvation came in the form of a sign post which she ran smack into.

Dazed, Clara tried to get back up, but soon discovered her leg was dislocated.  Seizing the opportunity, the wolf pounced, grabbing her by the back of the neck.

Desperate, Clara picked up a stone and started hitting the wolf.  In this demented frenzy she not only killed it, but mauled it.

Within minutes, it was over and the victor stood in silence, hovering over the battered carcass.  Casting the stone aside, she slowly circled the body dragging her mangled leg behind her.

Taking notice of the blood on her hands, she smiled and licked her fingers.  In this euphoria she found herself delighted by her own savagery and in that moment Elizabeth ceased and Clara reigned.

Just in case you missed it, here’s chapter 1

Eternal Bond By Rachel Rueben

Chapter 2

Once home, Lester washed his hands, and began changing his clothes for the funeral.  Looking in the mirror, he began fussing with his shirt.  Frustrated, he pulled on the collar, tearing it.  Angry, he grabbed his Bible and threw it at the mirror shattering it into a thousand pieces.  Today was to be their wedding day instead, he was burying his betrothed.

When his servant appeared, he immediately began sweeping up the mess.  Lester, however sat down at his desk in his now tattered shirt and began composing a letter.  When he was done, he handed it to the servant boy, “Tis most urgent, thou musn’t tarry.”

Escorting the boy to the door, Lester watched as he disappeared over the hill.  Leaning against the door post, he sighed, worrying about the response that would inevitably return.

Though he had lived a life of sacrifice and was the most loyal of soldiers, nothing guaranteed his request would be answered favorably.  It also wouldn’t be long before he would learn what his 289 years of service meant.  Sitting back down in front of the hearth, he rested his head in his palms in utter exhaustion.  When he heard the cock crow, Lester lifted his head and remembered, he had to find that damn priest.

Elizabeth’s funeral and burial was simple, only a few people showed, because no one in town wanted contact with an infected corpse.  Only her family, Mother Margery, and Lester were there to see her off.  Wrapped in a simple burial cloth, they lowered her down into the cold and dark earth.  Then Lester and her brother Richard began pushing the dirt pile onto the body until it was completely covered.  When they finished, everyone went to the church to hold mass in her honor.

At the church door, an altar boy secretly passed a note to Lester which, he quickly slipped into his sleeve.  When the priest and altar boys made their way down the aisle, Lester took a look at the note, and quickly slipped it back in his sleeve.

The service was conducted by a senile old priest who struggled to read the scriptures, making the already unpleasant service, even more unbearable.  It took several people to help him find his place in the scriptures and remind him of Elizabeth’s name.

Relieved, when the final Amen was read, the mourners got up from their pews and began exiting the building as though it were on fire.  As they were leaving, Lester excused himself in order to confess.

Once inside the confessional booth, a hooded monk greeted him, “The council will meet with thee regarding this most unusual request.  Before the sun set, we shall convene at the tavern upon the hill.”

Relieved, Lester quietly thanked him and left the booth to light a candle.

Before sun set, Lester went to an abandoned building that was once a tavern and knocked rapidly four times.  A man opened the door just a crack to peep out.  Lester showed him his letter and stated his purpose.  He was let inside, and led into an inner room where several benches were arranged in a square pattern.  Within that square, was a single bench, where he was asked to sit.

Exactly five minutes later, several hooded figures filed in.  As if the hoods weren’t enough, the room was barely lit, making it futile to even try and guess their identities.  It was before this crowd of faceless men and women Lester would argue his case.

A man began the proceedings by asking, “Why should we consider this petition for the girl?”

Carefully Lester answered, “For generations I have served the fold with all fidelity and never burden the council once, even when it was my right to do so.”

“Thou arn’t the only one who hath sacrificed!  Every one of us hath left kinsmen, friends and even lovers, to embrace the grave.  Our affections for them made them no more suitable for the gift of immortality.” a female voice responded rather coldly.

Fearing he had lost them, Lester rebounded passionately, “There was a time when we too were destined to return unto dust, but someone intervened.  We rose above our infirmities and from the very grave itself.  The one I speak of is worthy of the gift and hath the virtue we so desperately lack.”

When he was done, one of the councilmen said, “We shall consider this most unusual request but promise thee naught.”

Lester was then dismissed while they convened.

Out in the hallway he paced, worrying if his pleas were enough.

In less than twenty minutes, a man opened the door and gestured for him.

Taking his spot before the council a voice said, “We allow thee this favour only because of thy service to the council.”

Bowing his head, Lester expressed his gratitude for the verdict.

Immediately a plan was hatched to steal Elizabeth’s body, and bring it to a safe place to begin preparations.

That night, Lester and three men went to the church graveyard in a potato wagon.  While two men helped Lester quickly dig, the other served as a lookout.  Looking over his shoulder, Lester saw the lookout staring up at the sky.

“Our enemies do not liveth among the clouds.” he said rather annoyed.

Stunned, the young man stammered, “Sorry, Milord.”

The others also stopped and looked up.  Pointing, they whispered amongst themselves.  Finally Lester looked up himself, and saw a strange sight.  A bright star, shone in the west directly over the castle.  It seemed like an omen of some sort.

“Tis the sword of judgment.” One of the men said in awe.

Shrugging it off, Lester continued to dig and the others soon followed.

As they brought the body above ground, they wrapped it in sack cloth, and put it into the wagon.  Once onboard, they quickly went to a nearby castle to assemble.  As the wagon approached, the drawbridge was quickly lowered and they all scurried inside.

Inside the castle, they were met by a portly middle aged man who showed them to the servant’s quarters.

In near darkness, they all cleaned up and changed their clothing for the upcoming ceremony.

When properly dressed, the man showed them to the reception area by lantern.  There, a large party had assembled for the event.  Keeping with the motif, most of their faces were covered by hoods.  Members of the group took the body from them and led them into a chapel deep within the castle.

Surprised, Lester saw a chapel aglow like an early dawn with hundreds of candles surrounding the altar.

Placing the body down on a marble slab they began the ceremony.

Confused, Lester looked about him at what was supposed to be a simple ceremony.  Not wanting to incur their wrath, he held his tongue.

Taking his place next to the body, Lester waited to play his part in the ceremony.

As he stood there, an elderly man appeared, assisted by two younger men, all dressed in monks clothing.  Carrying a Bishop’s staff, he used it like a cane as he made his way down the aisle.

His appearance stunned Lester.  He had never seen a vampire that old before.  Immediately everyone stood in attention as though at a wedding.  When he got to the altar, the onlookers sat down in unison.

With a gesture of the hand, the decrepit old man dismissed Lester, like a servant.

Thinking the old man had dementia, Lester started to explain, and was immediately silenced, “Boy, I’m not senile!  Taketh yer place amongst the others!”

Perplex, that is exactly what Lester did, although, rather hesitantly.

Soon the master of ceremony began a fervent sermon, “In the beginning, our kind was venerated and rightly so.  When our brethren Lilith, Kali, Osiris, and Camazotz, walked the Earth it trembled.

After the fallen ones failed to guard the garden, t’was our intervention that was their salvation.  Our minds guided their hands as they subdued savage beasts and commandeth the earth to bear its fruit.

T’was with those very hands they rageth against us and covet our immortality.  Now we are hunted by the very creatures that emerged from the dust beneath our feet!”

With that said, the elderly high priest traded his mantle with one of the young men who assisted him to the altar.

Curious, Lester sat at the edge of his seat completely lost in the ceremony.

Walking back over the pulpit, the old man stretched his arms above his head and cried, “Oh Morning Star, our eyes hath searched wearily for the sign of thy reckoning.

And tonight, our faithfulness hath been rewarded.  Tonight, we lift this precious soul up to thee and beseech thee Oh Holy One to accept this offering.”

Looking over at the one of the young men, he nodded his head.  Immediately, the young man began unwrapping the burial cloth revealing Elizabeth’s lily white corpse.

“After this, I shall no longer be with you, take care of the flock.”  He commanded them.

Everyone in the room arose and responded, “Rest in blessed peace!”

Lester then watched in horror as the old man knelt down and bit Elizabeth.  Leaping out of his seat, he tried to rush the altar, but was held back by several men in the crowd.

The priest looked towards the sky and said, “I can now sleep that dreamless sleep given to the faithful.”

“What manner of blasphemy is this?” Lester yelled, his voice echoing throughout the chapel.

Lester watched in revulsion as the old priest grabbed his chest, and began gasping for air.   Within seconds, the priest fell with a loud thud onto the cold marble floor.

Still struggling with his captors, Lester screamed, “Tis heresy!”

Finally, feminine voice spoke up, “Fear not Lester, this ceremony had to be performed differently.”  From among the crowd a blond haired woman appeared before him.  She needed no introduction, it was Apollonia, a highly revered member of the fold.

While she spoke, the others began wrapping the old man in Elizabeth’s burial cloth and carried him away.

Dressed in red velvet robes, Apollonia went to the front of the chapel and took over the proceedings.  That’s when the ceremony got back to normal and Lester began recognizing the rituals.

Since precious moments had been lost, there was an urgency to get the ceremony underway.  In a full day’s time, the spirit would depart from the body and return to its origins.

With incantations they began calling unto Elizabeth’s spirit, and with prayer, they kept demons at bay.  It took hours of repetition before they got any response.

First, a twitch then, full body movement.  Everyone breathed a sigh of relief including, Lester.

When Elizabeth opened her brown eyes, Lester’s grin was the first thing she saw.

“Welcome back my love!”  He simply said.

Confused by her surroundings, Elizabeth slowly sat up on the altar.

Looking around, she saw the candles, hooded figures and asked, “What manner of evil is going on here?”

With tears in his eyes Lester answered, “Thou hath returned unto me!”

When he reached out to touch her, Elizabeth screamed and jumped off the altar.  Bare foot and still dressed in her burial gown, she ran past them out of the chapel doors, through the secret wall.

Stunned, to find herself in yet another chapel, she paused in utter confusion.  Thinking she was in some awful nightmare, Elizabeth went yet again through the next set of chapel doors.  This time, she was met with success, and made it to a corridor of the castle.  However instead of relief, her eyes and skin were assaulted by the rays of the rising sun as she turned the corner.

Dropping to her knees in agony, Elizabeth covered her eyes with her hands.  Turning away from the light, she found Lester right behind her.

Bantering on, he said, “It’s quite Biblical, our Lord himself rose from his grave!”

At this point, Elizabeth was hysterical.

Stuck between Lester and a winding staircase she yelled, “I won’t allow you sorcerers to cast your spells on me!”

Then in an act of insanity, she jumped off the staircase, three stories down, landing with a loud splat on the concrete floor.

Expecting this kind of response, Lester gingerly walked down the stairs.  When he reached the bottom, he walked over to Elizabeth where she laid motionless, her eyes still.

He waited until she started blinking again before he continued, “We all go through this, one day, thou art mortal and the next day, thou art not!”

As Elizabeth tried to move, the sound of breaking bones could be heard as she attempted to return to a normal posture.  Lester assisted her by snapping her neck back into place.

From then on, Elizabeth said nothing and just wore a dazed look on her face.

Bringing her back into the chapel, the others renamed her: Clara and began lavishing her with gifts.  Bowing, one by one they presented her with perfume, gold and precious stones.  Thinking this was a gesture of appreciation, Lester happily accepted them only to have his hand brushed away.  Stunned, he watched as the others bowed before Elizabeth and bestowed upon her honor that even he didn’t have.  He couldn’t wait until this whole bizarre thing was over and he and his new bride could leave this backwards place.

It wasn’t until later on that Lester was given instructions to take Clara to Thetford and begin anew there.  Happily, he went back home to make preparations to leave Norwich.

 

 

Eternal Bond By Rachel Rueben

Chapter 1

Faithfully they emerged from the shadows like spirits conjured by a sorcerer’s spell.  Fighting against the elements, they came by foot, cart and even horseback to attend this most unusual service.  Nervously, they sat in the pews hooded and damp waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Lightning flashed and the winds howled as nature railed against the church walls.  Inside the chapel, the drafty windows barely protected those within.  As the shutters bashed against the wooden frames, they seemed destined to come unhinged with each blast of wind.

Suddenly an old man appeared dressed in scarlet robes and a fine linen tunic.  As he marched towards the altar, those in attendance stood in attention.

Wasting no time, the old man got to the pulpit and announced, “Most exalted ones, the day is finally upon us.  The day which our souls hath yearned for, and the one which our flesh abhors.  My children, the end of all things draweth nigh!”

Those in the pews gasped and looked at each other in disbelief.  None of them ever dreamt they would hear those words uttered during their life time.

In dramatic fashion, the high priest rose his hands and let them fall down with a loud bang upon the wooden pulpit.

“The first horror is over, but the second is upon us!” he said, his silver hair glowing in the candlelight.

Continuing the spiritual caveat, he presented cases of plagues, wars and even celestial chaos to prove they were not living in ordinary times.  Cross referencing recent events with their most sacred texts, he combated any and all unbelief in the room.

Staring into their souls with his fiery jade eyes he went on, “The battle ahead is great, and our numbers— few.”  Pointing his boney finger at them he said, “Behold, many shall proclaim to knoweth the secrets of our circle but deny the power therein.  And many within the fold shall be found unworthy.  On that day, ye must not be found unworthy!”

It was a threat to those in the pews as well as a warning.

Grabbing a sword that was laying upon the altar, he pointed it at them and said, “Trust no one, not even ye own kinsmen!”  Just then a flash of lightening illuminated the entire room giving it a most unearthly glow.

With that, he concluded his sermon.  Those left in the pews were dropped back into reality swooning.  With the ceremony concluded, everyone quietly filed out of the chapel and slipped back into obscurity, to await their appointed hour.

Meanwhile, less than a mile outside of Norwich, lived a girl named Elizabeth Rothchild.  She was 17 years old and on her way to a convent in Derby.  That was if she could only convince her parents it was God’s will.  Ever since she was small, she wanted nothing more than to commit her life to the work of God.  Her eldest brother Richard, laughed at her silly schemes and couldn’t see why she behaved so childishly.

“Either way, it’s labor for the convent, or for thy husband.”  He said, not seeing any silver lining in the matter.

Elizabeth was not the least bit deterred however, not even when her father brought an eligible bachelor home named Lester.  The young accountant from Norwich caught his eye when registering for the royal census.

Lester was connected, and it was only matter of time before he became wealthy.  Sensing this, every young woman in town blatantly tried to attract his attention, but he had eyes only for Elizabeth.  It was a mystery to everyone especially his friends, who couldn’t figure out why he preferred this thin red headed girl.  She was average looking at best, and wasn’t even nice to him.  Nonetheless, Lester finagled his way into her family’s good graces and before long, he was making frequent visits to her home.  Even though, Elizabeth despised the very idea of marriage, she made nice, so as not to anger her father.

By the looks of it, Elizabeth’s father seemed to adore Lester more than any of the girls in town.  In utter disgust she watched as her father laughed and carried on with her betrothed.  They shared the same hatred for the king’s new property tax and loathed the town’s French Bishop whom her father swore was a spy.

“With all these miserable wars, won’t be long before we’re all speaking French.” Her father said holding his ale.

“Our king isn’t as strong as his father.” Lester agreed.  “The boy is only interested in recapturing the titles of his mother’s ancestors, his heart is not with England.”

As Elizabeth sat quietly in the background, she was nearly brought to vomiting.  Seeing her father breaking bread with this bull’s pizzle¹ made her angry.  What was the big deal about him?  She just couldn’t understand it.

Right in the middle of her thought, her mother tapped her shoulder and pointed towards the opened door.  Outside the threshold were several young girls peeking inside and giggling.

“Out you silly hens!” Her mother said shooing them away.

It wasn’t uncommon for young girls of Norwich to take to the street, to catch a glimpse of the wind running through Lester’s wavy black hair and why not?  A Lester sighting was like a cool sip of water on a hot summer’s day and the townswomen sipped frequently.

Finally, the dreaded day came when Lester formally asked for her hand.  Without hesitation, her father accepted, embracing Lester.  Elizabeth’s mother nearly leapt out of her chair with a huge smile on her face.

Hugging her daughter, she wept saying, “May the Lord, bless thee with a happy home like ours.”

Knowing time was of the essence, Elizabeth’s parents began setting the wheels in motion for a summer wedding.  When she protested, they reminded her it was her duty to her family’s posterity that this marriage take place.

Unfortunately for them, Elizabeth had no intention on marrying Lester, let alone fulfilling any obligation to her family’s posterity.  Elizabeth was also setting the wheels in motion for her big escape out of this mess.  She had a little money saved and was making plans to run away.  Knowing her cousin Rebecca would be visiting soon, Elizabeth figured she could sneak away with her.

Unfortunately Rebecca, had no idea about Elizabeth’s plan.  When she arrived, Elizabeth was extra nice to her and even shared her beloved leather shoes with her.  Elizabeth idolized Rebecca, and enjoyed her visits.  Though she was her age, she was more much more well traveled and educated than her.  Since Elizabeth had never ventured outside of the county, the stories Rebecca told held her attention during many a dull evening.

Rebecca was a magnificent storyteller, captivating her audience with reenactments of her adventures.  Dancing around the room she recalled the pomp and pageantry of Lord Guildford’s winter banquet.  It had everyone in stitches when she knocked down a candle and nearly set herself on fire.

However, not everyone was amused, Elizabeth’s father thought Rebecca was just a silly spinster.  Behind her back, he would talk about how shameful it was that she ran her family’s estate while her brother drank himself into a stupor.

“Tis unnatural, women have no mind for business.” He would say.

What they didn’t understand was Rebecca was just trying to keep a roof over her head, not defy tradition.  If it wasn’t for her, the family estate would be in shambles.  These visits she made to their house were just a stopover on her way to the family vineyards.

Just one year ago, the great pestilence struck her town taking both her little sister, and her mother.  In fear, her father sent the remainder of the family away when he too fell victim. Rebecca’s brother tried to run the estates, after his death but slipped into hopelessness and depravity.  Now he spent most of his time and money on drink and prostitutes.

Though, Elizabeth felt sorry for Rebecca, she envied her position in society.  With her brother incapacitated, Rebecca was accountable to no one.  But what Elizabeth didn’t understand was that Rebecca didn’t visit them on her way to the vineyards.  In fact, Norwich was far from her destination.  She came to her uncle’s house to escape the harsh realities of her new and harsh adult life.  At her uncle’s house, Rebecca had chores like the other children, and was even required to attend mass every evening.  In return, there was peace, and order which was more than she could ever hope for at her home.

Sadly, that peace and order would soon become fleeting in the Rothchild home.  For in the month of May, life as they knew it, ceased.

It began with nagging coughs, and fevers.  Then next phase would set in, headaches, sores, and the coughing up blood.  Within a week, those infected were dead.  Everyone knew what it was, but dared not say a word.  Believing a bad confession was a gateway for the devil, they remained terrified into silence.

Despite their confessions, or lack thereof, the body count continued to rise.  As it swept through Norwich, fear immediately gripped the hearts of the townspeople.  As things continued to get worse, the finger pointing began.

Those who were pious naturally assumed sin was at the root.  So in a desperate attempt to restore God’s favor, the church declared a day of fasting and prayer.  That day soon came and went, but absolutely nothing changed.

This stirred the church to launch an investigation.  Everything and everyone was examined.  The clergy even began monitoring new births in town.  Midwives were to report anything unnatural about a child.  Extra fingers, deafness, or any feeble mindedness could be signs of demonic forces at work.

No matter what the cause, it was indiscriminate, both saint and sinner ended up sharing the same grave pits.  All day, every day, people were dying.

At dusk, a wagon would come by to whisk the dead off to their new abode.  The collectors would yell, “Bring out yer dead!”  Then one by one, people would slowly emerge from their homes dragging out their loved ones.  Stacking them neatly on top of the other corpses they watched quietly as the wagon pulled off for the next town.

As the stench of death perfumed the air, those who were once upright, became so despondent that they fell into immorality.  It wasn’t uncommon to hear a once pious person utter the phrase, “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we shall die!”

Sinners however went to the other extreme and began flagellating themselves in public to atone for their transgressions against God.  The hysteria, guilt, and confusion forced people to reach for any and all possible solutions.

Being an opportunist, Elizabeth decided to take up nursing duties at the church’s infirmary.  She was immediately taken under the wing of a young, twenty year old mother superior who took a likening to her.  Mother Margery was thrust into her post when her sixty year old predecessor succumb to the plague.  Overwhelmed, Mother Margery was dying for a conversation that had to nothing to do with church, or death which Elizabeth happily supplied.

Soon, life at church crushed any fantasies Elizabeth had about a quiet life of contemplative prayer.  She learned that a life committed to God was filled with sacrifice and difficulties.  One had no say in where they were stationed, or what your duties to the church would even be.  It was a revelation that had Elizabeth reconsidering her calling.

In the meanwhile, Rebecca became indignant about all the time Elizabeth was spending with her new friend.  Condescendingly, she would say,

“Tis foolhardy to spend so much time at that nunnery.  The only women there are lunatics, outcasts, and feeble widows!”

Elizabeth, knowing her mother was nearby, seized the moment and piously replied,

“Our Lord himself said, [Matthew 19 verses 10-12] ‘There are many reasons men cannot marry:  some because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; and others do not marry for the Kingdom of heaven.  Let those who can accept this teaching do so.’”

Looking out the corner of her eye, she wanted to see if anyone caught wind of her performance.

Instead of applause, her mother rebuked them both for inviting discourse into the house.

“Stop yer blathering, it invites the wrath of hell on us all!”

It was not the review Elizabeth was hoping for.

This went on for almost the entire summer until, one day Elizabeth came down with a fever and chills.  Her mother was the first to let out a mournful groan.  Her father became silent, and spent a lot of time out of the house, tending to one chore, or another.

Rebecca was no help either, whenever Elizabeth would try to convey her last wishes, she’d snapped, “Don’t give me any of that dying foolishness!”

The only one she could depend on was her brother Richard, who hardly ever left her side.  She began instructing her brother to take care of the family after she was gone, telling him, “Thou shall be man of the house one day, so walk the narrow path.  And pray for my soul, thou cannot trust a priest to be about the Lord’s work these days!”

Elizabeth then told him her favorite Psalm that was to be read at her mass, because she knew she wasn’t going into the grave pits.  Her parents simply wouldn’t allow it.  They would give her a Christian burial even, if they had to conduct it themselves.

When news spread that Elizabeth was stricken, the town elders came to visit their home.  After giving their condolences, they painted a red cross on the front door to warn others of the illness within.

When Lester heard the news, he braved the danger to be at Elizabeth’s side.  Holding her pale, thin hand he said, “Thou mustn’t fear, all will be well.”  But Elizabeth was no fool, she knew she was dying.  Even though she was woman of faith, Elizabeth understood there would be no miracles here.

Feeling the disease progress day by day, as it took away her life’s essence all she could do was wait for death.  Meanwhile her family had to watch as the illness left nothing but a frail, ashen figure in the bed.

When the final phase set in and the purple blotches began to form, Elizabeth began having trouble breathing.  All day long, the only sound that could be heard in the house was silence and weak gurgling as Elizabeth drowned in her own blood.  The only mercy the illness bestowed upon its victims was its speed, because within four days, a priest was called.

The priest, or rather, the man impersonating one, arrived armed with his anointing oil and wooden crucifix.  Since there was no available clergy to administer last rights, common lay folk heard confessions and gave last rights.

Elizabeth strained to offer up her last confession and receive benediction.  When she kissed the crucifix, she rested her head on the pillow and closed her brown eyes, safe in the knowledge, she was ready to leave this Earth.

In less than twenty four hours, she was comatose.  That’s when her mother began openly weeping.  Fortunately, Rebecca was there to lend a shoulder to cry on and even began taking up her aunt’s chores while she held vigil at her daughter’s bedside.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s father and Lester began the dreadful task of digging a grave.  Choosing the only spot left near the edge of the cemetery, they began toiling in absolute silence.  Before they returned home, dirty and sweaty they received the news, Elizabeth was gone.  Without any prompting, Lester went to find the priest, but before he did that, he had business to take care of.