KARNSTEIN

The shiny red ground effect vehicle bounced along a grass and gravel track that could barely be classified as a road – the only link between a series of coastal villages and the capital city – sending up a spray of stones and dust particles into the parched atmosphere. Instead of slowing to negotiate a sharp curve in the road the vehicle slewed over the cliff edge and skidded down a sharp incline until it reached a sand covered beach. It reversed behind a rock fall, which shielded the overheated and now damaged vehicle from the road above. A fast moving convoy of both ground effect and tracked vehicles thundered along the cliff road, slowed to avoid hurtling off of the dusty track when reaching the sharp bend, and then sped inland.

The dust settled, and only the sound of foaming surf and screaming seabirds could be heard along the beach. The driver’s door, now sporting several dents and scratches on its red paintwork, slid back. The driver stepped out onto the hard packed sand, and kicked off her sandals. Tina Aurora grabbed a hairbrush from the dashboard, and using the mirror on the reverse glanced at the ugly gash on her forehead. She was infuriated at smashing her head on the windscreen, but knew the disfigurement was purely temporary. A gust of wind tugged at her waist length hair causing the blonde locks to trail behind her like a mediaeval banner flying from some high battlement. With a laugh she tore off her flower-patterned dress and hurled it across the steaming engine compartment. Abandoning everything except the hairbrush she gave a yell and dashed down the beach towards the blue foaming waters. With wet sand squelching between her toes she hurled the hairbrush just out of reach of the tide line, then dashed into the surf, and dived through a shoulder high wave. The salt stung the gash on her forehead, and she gave a shriek, but soon forgot her pain as the refreshing water cleansed the wound.

The setting sun over the cliff tops, its half-orb sending elongated shadows across the beach, made the swimmer appear as a giant sea creature when Tina finally left the water. She grabbed the hairbrush before it was swept out with the next wave, and pulling out the tangles from her hair strolled towards the battered, but still sleek red machine. The gash caused by the windscreen impact had already sealed, and only a thin purple line remained. Tina knew by morning that the scar would have disappeared and her features would once more return to normal.

A tall, narrow strip of darkness abruptly enhanced the shadow cast by the vehicle, as if a castle had suddenly sprouted a tower. Tina ceased all movement, closed her eyes, and tried to sense her surroundings. It was a man! Only one man! Tina’s lithe supple body belied the fact that she had the strength of ten. With supreme confidence she continued to stroll towards the stranger. Naked, and armed only with a hairbrush she could hardly pose a threat to anyone.

The stranger raised one hand, with the exposed palm held high. ‘Greetings, Tina Aurora, my name is Karnstein… Mikhail Karnstein.’
‘Have you come to arrest me?’ said Tina drawing closer.
‘Why should I do that?’ said Mikhail, lowering his hand.
‘People usually do,’ said Tina, shielding her eyes from the last rays of the fast disappearing sun. ‘Did you see that column of vehicles a few minutes ago? They were chasing me. A woman, an acquaintance of mine, was killed yesterday. I’m the logical suspect, so I fled.’
‘Was the woman called Marie?’
‘You knew her then?’
‘Briefly,’ said Mikhail, lowering his eyes to meet Tina’s. ‘It is with regret you were blamed for this act.’
‘They suspected me of others, but for once they were all wrong. I’ve been on my best behaviour since arriving on Lexus. Anyway,’ said Tina, beginning to relax, ‘what can you have to do with it? Marie and the others were attacked in the woods outside the city. They all died the same way. Killed by a wild animal of some unknown species. Throats torn out, blood drained, not a pretty business.’
‘Sounds like a werewolf to me,’ said Mikhail Karnstein smiling.
‘Or a Vampire!’ Tina replied, waiting for Karnstein’s reaction.
Tina’s vampire remark did not generate any response.
‘You are very beautiful,’ said Mikhail, in a voice that sounded both cruel and sensuous.
‘So they tell me,’ said Tina, ‘except for this.’ She pointed to the livid scar on her forehead.
‘It will soon go,’ said Karnstein. ‘Tell me, sweet Tina… do you ever think about your mother?’

Tina’s heart juddered and she swayed back and forth. She looked deep into Karnstein’s dark brown eyes. His whole being seemed to encompass her. It was if a vortex was drawing her into his mind. She closed her eyes, and the world grew misty.
‘Darling child,’ said a voice from her past, ‘give your mother a hug.’
Tina dashed across the slate tiled kitchen floor of the ancient woodsman’s cottage, and grabbed her mother around the waist. She felt her mother’s long golden hair on her face, and recalled the smell of roses and wild flowers that always accompanied her.
‘I most go now,’ said her mother, ‘probably forever.’
‘How long is forever?’ said Tina. At seven years old the word ‘forever’ meant little to the child.
‘Too long,’ replied her mother. ‘The blacksmith and his wife will look after you. They are good people. Stay with them as long as you can. You will know when it is time to leave and make your way in the world.’
‘Why can’t I come with you?’
‘It’s not safe. People are hunting me. I can look after myself, but you… you are so young and fragile. I cannot let them destroy you for my sins, so we must part, and you must live.’ Tina’s mother kissed her on the forehead, then on each cheek, and finally on the lips. ‘Remember me… as I will always remember you.’

Tina opened her eyes and realised she was shaking. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she tried to brush them away.
‘I did not mean to upset you,’ said Mikhail, stroking Tina’s hair. ‘Perhaps my life has coarsened with time, for indeed time weighs heavily upon me.’
‘Did you know my mother?’ said Tina, attempting a smile.
‘I met Miracali before you were born, and again a few years later.’
‘I’ve never heard my mother’s name spoken before,’ said Tina, musing. ‘Miracali… Miracali…’ A mixture of thoughts raced around her mind. ‘Then you must be…’ Tina’s voice tailed off. She had often wondered what would happen on this day. On the day she would meet a similar being.
‘Your mother and I are distant cousins,’ said Mikhail, looking across the sun reflecting waters. ‘She was so proud of you last time we met. She had hoped that the Karnstein curse would not carry another generation, but alas it has. But no matter, for now I have finally met you, and realise it was all for the best.’
‘Is my mother still alive?’ Tina whispered, not really wanting an answer.
‘I hope so, and indeed expect so,’ said Mikhail. ‘We Karnstein’s are a long-lived family. Our genetic mutation is rare, and when I was young was unaware it could only be passed on from generation to generation, and not by other and more violent means.’
‘I understand,’ said Tina. ‘My mother, what did she look like?’
‘Like you, so much so, that you could be twins.’
‘I’m pleased,’ Tina continued to whisper to Mikhail, half hoping and half dreading what the next answer would be. ‘And my father, who was he?’
‘A fine man,’ said Mikhail, kissing her gently on her scarred forehead. ‘A human of course, much loved by your mother.’
‘I’m pleased,’ said Tina, relaxing a little, and pressing her body hard against Mikhail.
‘Did you think I was he?’
‘It crossed my mind,’ said Tina, snuggling her head against the tall man’s chest. ‘Are you an uncle then?’
‘Many times removed. We share the same family tree, that is all.’
‘I’m so, so pleased,’ said Tina, hugging him even tighter. If she could arouse the hidden passions in him then it was possible he might stay.
‘Have you ever heard of the planet Earth?’ whispered Mikhail, passing his long fingers slowly through her hair, stroking her neck and upper back with hands that were soft, cool and sensuous.
‘Most people have, I think.’
‘I thought that once, but the further away I travel the fewer remember.’
‘Like Paradise and the Promised Land, it’s just a story to amuse children, and make people feel content with their lives,’ said Tina, looking into those dark brown eyes, trying to discover what was really behind them.
‘Not so,’ said Mikhail, squeezing her shoulders. ‘It exists!’
‘Truly?’
‘Truly! For I was born there!’
Tina gasped! Could this be true? Did the legends attributed to planet Earth really exist? ‘Please tell me more? Please Mikhail!’
‘When I was born, travel to the stars was becoming the latest craze. Everywhere companies and nations were building starships and hoping to conquer the universe, or at very least the galaxy. My family remained aloof in our castle, and dealt little with the outside, but science and time was against us. We knew we would finally be discovered, and when that happened be either destroyed or imprisoned. So when I was thirty I signed up for a one way journey to Sirius, and as they say – never looked back.’
‘And your family?’
‘Our family,’ said Mikhail, caressing her hair. ‘Some had gone on before me, and I hope others left after me, but your mother and you are the only ones I’ve discovered in three thousand years.’
‘I… I never realised you were so…’
‘So old?’ Mikhail smiled.
‘You look forty, or maybe,’ she looked closer into his eyes, and at the slight lines around them, and at the dark hair greying at the temples. ‘No more than fifty, anyway!’
‘You’re most kind,’ said Mikhail, ‘and you look no more than twenty-five, and yet you must be...’
‘It’s considered rude to guess or ask a ladies name,’ said Tina with a laugh.
‘In that case twenty-five it is.’ Mikhail looked deep into Tina’s eyes. ‘It’s strange to think that our family was very rich and all were titled, and now we exist as poor excommunicated travellers scattered amongst the uncaring stars.’
For a minute they stared at each other, neither wanting to speak in case the spell was broken.

A cool breeze ruffled Tina’s hair. ‘Could someone as experienced as you love someone so… young?’ she said in all seriousness.
‘Time is short,’ said Mikhail, ignoring the question. ‘I discovered your shuttle parked out by the desert dunes. Go to it this very night, and leave this place for good.’
‘I do fear it’s become unserviceable. It’s very antiquated, I’ve used it for at least a century.’
‘I’ve inspected it,’ said Mikhail, kissing her cheeks, ‘it will hold good for another lift off. I suggest you trade it in for something more suitable at your next port of call.’
‘Please stay with me,’ said Tina, kissing him fiercely on the lips, ‘I’m so lonely, and I need you.’ Tina was aware that her beauty and powers could entrap men in seconds, but what of Karnstein? This being came from a different mould to the others, and may not be swayed so easily.
‘If I stayed, sweet lady, even for one short night, I’d never want to leave. You know that is the truth.’
‘I know,’ said Tina, kissing him again, and again. ‘Please say you desire me? Please?’
‘I desire you with all my heart Tina Aurora, but now I must go!’

Tina released Mikhail and stood back brushing her hair once more before throwing the hairbrush into her vehicle. ‘Will we meet again?’
‘Yes! Of that you can be sure. Travel to the Rainbow Cluster, and seek out a planet called Caris 4. Overlooking the inland sea there is a castle known locally as Karnstein. You see I have not idled away all my years! Wait for me there. If I don’t arrive within a standard year then go on your way if you wish, but leave a destination with my retainers so that I can follow you.’
‘I will,’ said Tina, wanting to hold Mikhail close once more. ‘I promise I will.’
A flock of seabirds lifted up from the beach with a mixture of screams and clacking of beaks. Tina looked away for just a handful of seconds. When she looked back Mikhail had disappeared.
‘Mikhail! Mikhail Karnstein, please come back!’ Tina yelled his name over and over again, but only the seabirds screamed in reply.

In the distance Tina noticed the largest bird she had ever seen. It wheeled high above the cliffs, catching the final rays of the setting sun. As it turned inland the enormous black wingspan resembled a flying reptile, or perhaps, with some stretch of the imagination, a giant bat.