There was no enemy activity for several weeks after the battle, so my troops took the time to rest and sharpen their weapons and make more arrows. On the first day of the first of the three weeks, a vampire appeared to us, leading a militia of five hundred armed vampires. When she met our army, she looked in disgust at our human soldiers, but questioned them as to who was their leader. I was in my cave at the time, preparing for the next battle, in which I intended to challenge the leader of the guards and defeat him. When she appeared to me, I was amazed. Her long blonde air flowed down to the middle of her back, and her blue eyes gazed deep into mine. Her facial features were captivating, and I almost couldn't look away from her eyes. She wore a dark red suit of armour, which made her pale complexion stand out. At her left hip was a long steel blade, with a golden hilt. She smiled at me, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling back. "Are you the one they call Marius?" she asked, in a voice that was soothing. "Yes I am. And who might you be?" I asked. "I am Kathleen." She said, holding out her hand, expecting a handshake. I took her hand gently in mine and lightly kissed her knuckles. She grinned. I smiled at her and gave her a wink as I stood, and I could tell she was flattered. "Charming." she said, still smiling. I grinned. "So what brings you here Kathleen?" I said, offering her a seat on one of the few wooden chairs huddled closely together in the center of the cave. "I have come to aid you in fighting the enemy. I offer you the services of all five hundred of my vampire troops. They will serve you well." She said. I frowned in confusion. I didn't know word of my rebellion had spread, but apparently it had, to other vampires in the country. If they knew I was fighting for them we might gain an army larger than I had thought, if they decided to fight with me. "Thank you. Now, this place doesn't look like much, but it serves as a command center and my room. I can make it available to you if you would like somewhere to stay." I said, motioning towards the empty cave. She continued grinning. "Thank you. I would appreciate that very much." she replied, and I grinned as well. I packed up what little things I kept in the cave and transported them to the larger one that my fellow vampires slept in. Once completing that, I walked back to the command center and aided Kathleen in putting her belongings in, and settling in. Afterwards, instead of sending scouts out to survey the land and watch for approaching enemies, I went myself. I still had at least six hours before dawn, and I was bored. All the plans were made as well, so I departed and walked alone. Over the next few days I saw Kathleen quite a bit, as she used my command center for her sleeping quarters. We talked for hours at a time during the night, and when I left to go scouting and walk around in the dark by myself, she would come along and continue talking to me. During the second week we grew much closer. Whenever I passed her she would smile at me and I would smile back, and she would become angered if anyone disturbed her from doing so. I'd normally grin, wink at her and then continue walking, and soon she'd fall into step beside me and start talking to me. It was amazing. I had suffered through years of war and loneliness, and when my last campaign came around I met someone wonderful like Kathleen. I found myself captivated by her, and she by me. During the third week we grew even closer than we had during the first two. I found myself walking her to the command center before we both slept for the day, waiting for her before I left to scout out the land. We would walk all night talking about things, going even beyond the area we were supposed to scout, before quickly returning before dawn. On the last night of the third week, as I sharpened the blade of my sword alone in the command center, she entered and headed straight for me, wearing a white gown that matched her complexion. Her appearance took me by surprise, and I sent down my sword and the tool I was using to sharpen it. She settled down on a rock shelf close beside me, and looked deep into my eyes. Our eyes closed as our lips met. Time seemed to stand still for a moment or two as she kissed me lightly on the lips. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. Her arms looped around neck neck, and our lips departed. She looked deep into my eyes again, and rested her head on my shoulder. We sat in silence for a few moments, and Inekwar entered the cave as well. He stopped and looked at me, but I looked at him over Kathleen's shoulder. "What is it?" I asked. "A long range scout came back. A large army is advancing towards us. It should be here by tomorrow night." he reported. I nodded slowly, being careful not to hit my chin off of the top of Kathleen's head. "Thank you Inekwar." I said softly, and he turned and left the cave. I looked down at Kathleen, and she looked up at me. I kissed her again, and as dawn came, we rested on that rock shelf in each other's arms.