Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.
Dracula and Avram are on their way, having been provided with safe passage by Father Gunther. Think Dracula is grateful? See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!
Avram had
intended to remain awake, in case Nico should want him for something. But the
gentle rocking of the boat, coupled with the warm sunshine that spread through
his weary limbs like an old familiar friend, lulled him into a dreamless sleep.
The flapping of wings woke him with a start. He opened his eyes to find Andrei sat next to
him, a large loaf of bread in his hands. As Avram watched, the man would break
off a piece and toss it onto the rail, after which a large pelican would swoop
down, snatch it up greedily, then fly silently away, no doubt to await the next
morsel.
“Feel
better?” Andrei swiveled his head toward Avram before helping himself to some
of the bread. Avram noticed a fair-sized hunk of cheese also rested on the
man’s thigh.
Avram
nodded. “How long was I asleep?” Avram’s first thoughts ran to Dracula, feeling
almost guilty that he’d not managed to stay awake. But he knew if his employer
wanted something, he would make his wishes known—the vampire was not shy in
that regard.
“Not long.
Maybe an hour.”
Avram sat up and stretched his back until he
felt it crack. The floor of the boat was not exactly the most comfortable of
beds. Not that he wasn’t grateful to both Gunther and Andrei in assisting Nico
and himself into removing themselves from a difficult situation. Matters could
have ended much worse. He was not one to kvetch, unlike certain vampires he
could name.
“Want
some?” Andrei indicated the bread in his hand. Avram’s mouth watered at the
sight. It did look good. He nodded and
Andrei passed him a hunk of the crusty bread. It wasn’t warm, of course, but it
tasted delicious, considering he hadn’t eaten since the night before, when he
was at the alehouse with Gunther. This would certainly hold him for a good
while, but it was Dracula he was worried about. Not that the vampire fed every
day, and not like he couldn’t control his appetite when he chose to, but he didn’t
want to find out what Nico’s limits were, either. He’d have to find a way to
get him some blood, or at least have it near at hand should it be required.
“Do you
want some… for him?” Andrei asked. He never used Dracula’s name, Avram had
noticed, as if by not doing so, he wouldn’t be acknowledging this current Count
Dracula as his sovereign and ruler of the area. Sadly, Dracula had little actual
authority beyond Bistritz and its inhabitants. That was one of the reasons why
he was poor, although you wouldn’t know that by observing his spending habits.
Avram knew
he had to be circumspect with regard to Dracula, as if he were an ordinary
mortal embarking upon an ordinary journey (despite the fact they were stealing
away in the middle of the night). A very
spoiled and despotic mortal, but human nonetheless. Besides, this might tide
him over at least until Avram could obtain proper nourishment for him. “Thank
you,” he said, accepting the generous offer and setting it aside for Nico.
Andrei
rose, dusting bits of bread from his pants. He put his finger in his mouth,
wetting it before holding it up in the air. “Ah, a westerly breeze. Perfect.” He quickly set the sail and
adjusted the tiller before flopping back onto the deck. He cocked his head as
he regarded Avram almost quizzically.
“Tell me
something, Avram.”
Avram gave
him a cautious glance before replying, “And what would that be?”
“Is he
always like that?”
Avram
chuckled in relief that the question was no worse, and also not unexpected. There
was no doubt that Nico had been rather dramatic the night before. It was a
wonder that they hadn’t been discovered before they’d even begun. Haply, they
had been blessed with good luck and none the wiser of their departure.
“No, just
sometimes,” he admitted. “I know you don’t really have reason to know him, but
he isn’t normally as bad as that.” Usually just when he doesn’t get his own
way.
to be continued
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