Date:         Mon, 13 Feb 1995 15:27:47 -0700

Good Knight, Nicholas
by James Walkswithwind

        Year, 1342  Place, a large home, inhabited currently by three
vampires taking a break from their traveling.

        Nickolas stood up- it was no use.  He couldn't sleep, no matter
how much he fluffed his blankets or turned on the mattress.  He padded
silently out of his room, and down into the main living area.  The thick
stone walls and curtains kept any hint of sunlight out.  He navigated the
room with ease, avoiding on stepping into or onto anything so the noise
would not awaken his friends.
        He sat down and stared into the empty fireplace.  Thoughts began
to crawl out to amuse him, to worry him- the thoughts which were no doubt
responsible for keeping him awake.  Memories of his family, of his life
before.. thoughts about what the future held for him.  None of them
disturbed him, really, but they filled his head anyway, and kept him from
sleep.  He sighed, and rested his head on one hand.  It would be a long day.
        Behind him he heard, "Nickolas?"  He turned to see LaCroix coming
down the stairs.  Nickolas said nothing as he came over.  "What's wrong?"
LaCroix put his hand on Nickolas' shoulder, and felt the tension in his
mind and body.
        "I couldn't sleep."
        "Worried about something?"  LaCroix sat down in a chair next to him.
        Nickolas shook his head.  "No, I.. not really.  I just couldn't
stop thinking about things.  I couldn't fall asleep."  He said the last
with a slight shrug.  He didn't *feel* worried.  He just couldn't sleep.
        LaCroix reached over and brushed his hand through Nickolas'
hair.  "Are you hungry?"
        "No."  They had all hunted the night before, and Nickolas had fed
as much as the others.
        "Hmm.  Would you like to talk about these thoughts which are
bothering you?"
        Nickolas looked at him, a bit confused and a bit anguished.
"They aren't bothering me.  That's the problem- I don't know why they're
keeping me awake.  I'm really not worried.. I just can't sleep."
        LaCroix knew he told the truth.  He stood up, with a smile on his
face.  "Well, then, perhaps I can help you fall asleep."  Nickolas gave
him a quizzical look, and when LaCroix held out his hand, he took it and
followed LaCroix back upstairs and to his room.  LaCroix motioned
Nickolas towards the bed; he laid down and watched LaCroix, wondering
what he was going to do.
        LaCroix sat down beside him, leaning against the wall, and pulled
Nickolas over to rest against him.  Nickolas leaned in, and let his head
fall on LaCroix's side.  LaCroix waited until Nickolas was comfortable.
Then,  "A long time ago, in a place very far away, there lived a man who
had two very beautiful daughters."



Gila James Walkswithwind
gila@jbx.com                 "As long as we don't disappear, 
                                we're all right."  -Egon