Vampire Mountain

VAMPIRE MOUNTAIN

THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN

BOOK 4

PROLOGUE

“PACK YOUR bags,” Mr Crepsley said late one night, as he was heading for his coffin. “We leave for Vampire Mountain tomorrow.”

I was used to the vampire making declarations out of the blue – he didn’t believe in consulting me when making up his mind – but this was extraordinary, even for him.

“Vampire Mountain?” I shrieked, racing after him. “Why are we going there?”

“To present you to the Council,” he said. “It is time.”

“The Council of Vampire Generals?” I asked. “Why do we have to go? Why now?”

“We go because it is proper,” he said. “And we go now because the Council only meets once every twelve years. If we miss this year’s gathering, we will have a long wait until the next.”

And that was all he’d say about it. He turned a deaf ear to the rest of my questions and tucked himself into his coffin before the sun rose, leaving me to fret the day away.

My name’s Darren Shan. I’m a half-vampire. I used to be human until eight or so years ago, when my destiny clashed with Mr Crepsley’s and I reluctantly became his assistant. I had a hard time adapting to the vampire and his ways – especially when it came to drinking human blood – but finally I resigned myself, accepted my lot, and got on with the business of living.

We were part of a travelling band of amazing circus performers, led by a man called Hibernius Tall. We toured the world, putting on incredible shows for customers who appreciated our strange and magical talents.

Six years had passed since Mr Crepsley and me had last been separated from the Cirque Du Freak. We’d left to put a stop to a mad vampaneze by the name of Murlough, who was terrorizing the vampire’s home city. The vampaneze are a breakaway group of vampires who kill humans when they feed on them. Vampires don’t — we just take a bit of blood and move on, leaving those we sup from unharmed. Most of the vampire myths you read about in books or see in films actually originated with the vampaneze.

They’d been a good six years. I’d become a regular performer at the Cirque, going on with Madam Octa – Mr Crepsley’s poisonous spider – every night to amaze and frighten audiences. I’d also learnt a few magic tricks, which I’d worked into the act. I got on well with the rest of the Cirque troupe. I’d grown accustomed to the wandering lifestyle and had been enjoying myself.

Now, after six years of stability, we were about to journey into the unknown again. I knew a small bit about the Council and Vampire Mountain. Vampires were ruled by soldiers called Vampire Generals who made sure their laws were enforced. They killed mad or evil vampires and kept the rest of the walking un-dead in line. Mr Crepsley used to be a Vampire General, but quit long ago, for reasons he’d never revealed.

Every so often – I now knew it was twelve years – the Generals gathered at a secret fortress to discuss whatever it was that blood-sucking creatures of the night discussed when they got together. Not only Generals attended – I’d heard that ordinary vampires could go as well – but they made up the majority. I didn’t know where the fortress was, or how we’d get there, or why I had to be presented to the Council — but I was about to find out!

CHAPTER ONE

I WAS excited but anxious about the journey – I was venturing into the unknown, and I’d a feeling it wouldn’t prove to be a smooth trip – so I spent the day busily packing rucksacks for myself and Mr Crepsley, to make the time pass faster. (Full-vampires will die if exposed to the sun for more than a few hours, but half-vampires aren’t affected by it.) Since I didn’t know where we were going, I didn’t know what to take or leave. If Vampire Mountain was icy and wintry, I’d need thick clothes and boots; if it was somewhere hot and tropical, T-shirts and shorts would be more in order.

I asked some of the Cirque people about it but they knew nothing, except Mr Tall, who said I should pack for snow. Mr Tall was one of those people who seem to know something about everything.

Evra agreed about the snow. “I doubt if sun-shy vampires would make their base in the Caribbean!” he snorted.

Evra Von was a snake-boy, with scales instead of skin. Rather, he used to be a snake-boy — now he was a snake-man. Evra had grown these last six years, got taller and broader and older-looking. I hadn’t. As a half-vampire, I aged at one-fifth the normal rate. So, though eight years had passed since Mr Crepsley blooded me, I only looked a year or so older.

I hated not being able to grow normally. Evra and me used to be best buddies, but not any more. We were still good friends and shared a tent, but he was a young man now, more interested in people – particularly women! – his own age. In reality I was only a couple of years younger than Evra, but I looked like a kid, and it was difficult for him to treat me as an equal.

There were benefits to being a half-vampire – I was stronger and faster than any human, and would live longer – but I’d have given them all up if it meant looking my real age and being able to lead an ordinary life.

Even though Evra and me were no longer as close as we’d once been, he was still my friend, and was worried about me heading off for Vampire Mountain. “From what I know, that journey’s no joke,” he warned in the deep voice which hit him a few years ago. “Maybe I should come with you.”

I’d have loved to jump at his offer, but Evra had his own life to lead. It wouldn’t be fair to drag him away from the Cirque Du Freak. “No,” I told him. “Stay and keep my hammock warm. I’ll be OK. Besides, snakes don’t like the cold, do they?”

“That’s true,” he laughed. “I’d most likely fall asleep and hibernate till spring!”

Even though Evra wouldn’t be coming, he helped me pack. I didn’t have much to take: spare clothes, a thick pair of boots, special cooking utensils which folded up neatly so they were easier to carry, my diary – that went everywhere with me – and other bits and pieces. Evra told me to take a rope — he said it might come in handy, especially when it came to climbing.

“But vampires are great climbers,” I reminded him.

“I know,” he said, “but do you really want to hang off the side of a mountain with only your fingertips for support?”

“Of course he does!” someone boomed behind us before I could answer. “Vampires thrive on danger.”

Turning to see who it was, I found myself face to face with the sinister being known as Mr Tiny, and my insides instantly froze with fright.

Mr Tiny was a small, plump man, with white hair, thick glasses and a pair of green wellies. He often toyed with a heart-shaped watch. He looked like a kindly old uncle but was in fact a cruel, dark-hearted man, who’d cut your tongue out as soon as say “hello”. Nobody knew much about him, but everyone was afraid of him. His first name was Desmond, and if you shortened it and put it together with his surname you got Mr Destiny.

I hadn’t seen Mr Tiny since shortly after joining the Cirque Du Freak, but I’d heard many tales about him – how he ate children for breakfast, and burned down towns to warm his feet. My heart tightened when I saw him standing a few metres away, eyes twinkling, hands wrapped behind his back, eavesdropping on Evra and me.

“Vampires are peculiar creatures,” he said, stepping forward, as though he’d been part of the conversation all along. “They love a challenge. I knew one once who walked himself to death in sunlight, merely because someone had sneered at him for only being able to come out at night.”

He stuck out a hand and, scared as I was, I automatically shook it. Evra didn’t — when Mr Tiny extended his hand to the snake-man, he stood, quivering, shaking his head furiously. Mr Tiny merely smiled and withdrew the hand.

“So, you’re off to Vampire Mountain,” he said, picking up my rucksack and peering inside without asking. “Take matches, Master Shan. The way is long and the days are cold. The winds that gust around Vampire Mountain would cut even a tough-skinned young man like you to the bone.”

“Thanks for the advice,” I said.

That was the confusing thing about Mr Tiny: he was always polite and amiable, so even if you knew he was the sort of man who wouldn’t blink in the face of great evil, you couldn’t help liking him at least some of the time.

“Are my Little People near?” he asked. The Little People were short creatures who dressed in blue robes with hoods, never spoke, and ate anything that moved (including humans!). A handful of the mysterious beings almost always travelled with the Cirque Du Freak, and there were eight of them with us at that time.

“They’re probably in their tent,” I said. “I took them in some food an hour or so ago and I think they’re still eating.” One of my jobs was to hunt for the Little People. Evra used to do it with me, until he grew up and demanded less messy chores. Nowadays I was helped by a couple of young humans, children of the Cirque helpers.

“Excellent,” Mr Tiny beamed, and started away. “Oh,” he paused, “one last thing. Tell Larten not to leave until I’ve had a word with him.”

“I think we’re in a hurry,” I said. “We might not have time to–”

“Just tell him I want a word,” Mr Tiny interrupted. “I’m sure he’ll make time for me.” With that, he tipped his glasses at us, waved farewell and moved on. I shared a worried look with Evra, found some matches and stuck them in my bag, then hurried off to wake Mr Crepsley.

CHAPTER TWO

MR CREPSLEY was snappish when I woke him – he hated rising before the sun went down – but stopped complaining when I explained why I’d disturbed his sleep. “Mr Tiny,” he sighed, scratching the long scar which ran down the left side of his face. “I wonder what he wants?”

“I don’t know,” I answered, “but he said not to leave until he’d had a word with you.” I lowered my voice and whispered, “We could sneak away without being seen if we hurried. Twilight’s not far off. You could stand an hour or so of sunlight if we kept to the shadows, couldn’t you?”

“I could,” Mr Crepsley agreed, “were I given to fleeing like a dog with its tail between its legs. But I am not. I will face Desmond Tiny. Bring me my finest cloak — I like to look my best for visitors.” That was as close to a joke as the vampire was likely to come — he didn’t have much of a sense of humour.

An hour later, with the sun setting, we made our way to Mr Tall’s caravan, where Mr Tiny was regaling the owner of the Cirque Du Freak with tales of what he’d seen in a recent earthquake.

“Ah, Larten!” Mr Tiny boomed. “Prompt as ever.”

“Desmond,” Mr Crepsley replied stiffly.

“Have a seat,” Mr Tiny said.

“Thank you, but I will stand.” Nobody liked sitting when Mr Tiny was around – in case they needed to make a quick getaway.

“I hear you’re casting off for Vampire Mountain,” Mr Tiny said.

“We leave presently,” Mr Crepsley confirmed.

“This is the first Council you’ve been to in nearly fifty years, isn’t it?”

“You are well informed,” Mr Crepsley grunted.

“I keep an ear to the ground.”

There was a knock at the door, and Mr Tall admitted two of the Little People. One walked with a slight limp. He’d been with the Cirque Du Freak almost as long as me. I called him Lefty, though that was only a nickname — none of the Little People had real names.

“Ready, boys?” Mr Tiny asked. The Little People nodded. “Excellent!” He smiled at Mr Crepsley. “The path to Vampire Mountain is as hazardous as ever, isn’t it?”

“It is not easy,” Mr Crepsley agreed cagily.

“Dangerous for a young snip of a thing like Master Shan, wouldn’t you say?”

“Darren can look after himself,” Mr Crepsley said, and I grinned proudly.

“I’m sure he can,” Mr Tiny responded, “but it’s unusual for one so young to make the journey, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Mr Crepsley said curtly.

“That’s why I’m sending these two along as guards.” Mr Tiny waved a hand at the Little People.

“Guards?” Mr Crepsley barked. “We do not need any. I have made the trip many times. I can look after Darren myself.”

“You can indeed,” Mr Tiny cooed, “but a little help never went astray, did it?”

“They would get in the way,” Mr Crepsley growled. “I do not want them.”

“My Little People? Get in the way?” Mr Tiny sounded shocked. “They exist only to serve. They’ll be like shepherds, watching over the two of you while you sleep.”

“Nevertheless,” Mr Crepsley insisted, “I do not want–”

“This is not an offer,” Mr Tiny interrupted. Though he spoke softly, the menace in his voice was unmistakable. “They’re going with you. End of story. They’ll hunt for themselves and see to their own sleeping arrangements. All you have to do is make sure you don’t ‘lose’ them in the snowy wastelands on the way.”

“And when we get there?” Mr Crepsley snapped. “Do you expect me to take them inside? That is not permitted. The Princes will not stand for it.”

“Yes they will,” Mr Tiny disagreed. “Don’t forget by whose hands the Hall of Princes was built. Paris Skyle and the rest know on which side their blood is buttered. They won’t object.”

Mr Crepsley was furious – practically shaking with rage – but the anger seeped out of him as he stared into Mr Tiny’s eyes and realized there was no arguing with the little man. In the end he nodded and averted his gaze, ashamed at having to bow to the demands of this interfering man.

“I knew you’d see it my way,” Mr Tiny beamed, then turned his attention to me. “You’ve grown,” he noted. “Inside, where it matters. Your battles with the Wolf Man and Murlough have toughened you.”

“How do you know about that?” Mr Crepsley gasped. It was common knowledge that I’d had a run-in with the fearsome Wolf Man, but nobody was meant to know of our fight with Murlough. If the vampaneze ever found out, they’d hunt us to the ends of the Earth and kill us.

“I know all manner of things,” Mr Tiny cackled. “This world holds no secrets from me. You’ve come a long way,” he addressed me again, “but there’s a long way yet to go. The path ahead isn’t easy, and I’m not just talking about the route to Vampire Mountain. You must be strong, and keep faith in yourself. Never admit defeat, even when it seems inevitable.”

I hadn’t expected such a speech, and I listened in a daze, numbly wondering why he was sharing such words with me.

“That’s all I have to say,” he finished, standing and rubbing his heart-shaped watch. “Time’s ticking. We’ve all got places to be and deadlines to meet. I’ll be on my way. Hibernius, Larten, Darren.” He bowed briefly to each of us in turn. “We’ll meet again, I’m sure.” He turned, headed for the door, shared a look with the Little People, then let himself out. In the silence which followed, we stared at one another speechlessly, wondering what all that had been about.

Mr Crepsley wasn’t happy but he couldn’t postpone leaving — making it to the Council on time was more important than anything else, he told me. So, while the Little People stood waiting outside his van, I helped him pack.

“Those clothes will not do,” he said, referring to my bright pirate costume which still fitted me after all the years of wear and tear. “Where we are going, you would stand out like a peacock. Here,” he thrust a bundle at me. I unrolled it to reveal a light grey jumper and trousers, along with a woolly cap.

“How long have you been preparing for this?” I asked.

“Some time now,” he admitted, pulling on clothes of a similar colour to mine, in place of his usual red attire.

“Couldn’t you have told me about it earlier?”

“I could have,” he replied in that infuriating way of his.

I slipped into my new clothes, then looked for socks and shoes. Mr Crepsley shook his head when he saw me searching. “No footwear,” he said. “We go barefoot.”

“Over snow and ice?” I yelped.

“Vampires have harder feet than humans,” he said. “You will barely feel the cold, especially when we are walking.”

“What about stones and thorns?” I grumbled.

“They will toughen your soles up even more,” he grinned, then took off his slippers. “It is the same for all vampires. The way to Vampire Mountain is not just a journey — it is a test. Boots, jackets, ropes: such items are not permitted.”

“Sounds crazy to me,” I sighed, but took the rope, spare clothes and boots out of my bag. When we were ready, Mr Crepsley asked where Madam Octa was. “You’re not bringing her, are you?” I grumbled — I knew who’d have to look after her if she came, and it wouldn’t be Mr Crepsley!

“There is someone I wish to show her to,” he said.

“Someone who eats spiders, I hope,” I sniffed, but fetched her from behind his coffin, where I kept her between shows. She shuffled around while I lifted the cage and placed it in my bag, but settled down once she found herself in the dark again.

Then it was time to go. I’d said goodbye to Evra earlier – he was taking part in that night’s show and had to prepare – and Mr Crepsley had bid farewell to Mr Tall. Nobody else would miss us.

“Ready?” Mr Crepsley asked.

“Ready,” I sighed.

Leaving the safety of the van, we cleared the camp, let the two silent Little People fall into place behind us, and set off on what would prove to be a wild, peril-filled adventure into lands cold and foreign and steeped in blood.

CHAPTER THREE

I WOKE shortly before nightfall, stretched the stiffness out of my bones – what I wouldn’t have given for a bed or hammock! – then left the confines of the cave to study the barren land we were journeying through. I didn’t get much chance to study the countryside while we travelled at night. It was only during quiet moments such as these that I could pause and take everything in.

We hadn’t hit the snowlands yet, but already we’d left most of civilization behind. Humans were few and far between out here where the ground was rocky and forbidding. Even animals were scarce, though some were strong enough to eke out a living — mostly deer, wolves and bears.

We’d been travelling for weeks, maybe a month — I lost track of time after the first handful of nights. Whenever I asked Mr Crepsley how many kilometres were left, he’d smile and say, “We are some way off yet.”

My feet cut up badly when we reached the hard ground. Mr Crepsley applied the sap of herbal plants that he found along the way to my soles, carried me for a few nights while my skin grew back (I healed quicker than a human would), and I’d been OK since.

I said one night that it was a pity the Little People were with us, or he could have carried me on his back and flitted. (Vampires are able to run at an extra-fast speed, a magic kind of running, where they slip through space like eels through a net. They call it ‘flitting’.) He said our slow pace had nothing to do with the Little People. “Flitting is not permitted on the way to Vampire Mountain,” he explained. “The journey is a way of weeding out the weak from the strong. Vampires are ruthless in certain aspects. We do not believe in supporting those who are incapable of supporting themselves.”

“That’s not very nice,” I observed. “What about somebody who’s old or injured?”

Mr Crepsley shrugged. “Either they do not attempt the journey, or they die trying.”

“That’s stupid,” I said. “If I could flit, I would. No one would know.”

The vampire sighed. “You still do not understand our ways,” he said. “There is no nobility in pulling the wool over the eyes of one’s comrades. We are proud beings, Darren, who live by exacting codes. From our point of view it is better to lose one’s life than lose one’s pride.”

Mr Crepsley often spoke about pride and nobility and being true to oneself. Vampires were a stern lot, he said, who lived as close to nature as they could. Their lives were rarely easy, and that was the way they liked it — “Life is a challenge,” he once told me, “and only those who rise to the challenge truly know what it means to live.”