NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul Read Online Free PDF Page A

gusto, not leaving a crumb. He washed it all down with a glass of wine.
    Extraordinary, Van thought. That beastly hunger still gnawed at his gut even though he had eaten a large quantity of food. There was something definitely wrong here. Food was supposed to be satisfying. Filling. Yet, the hunger still loomed over him like an unseen entity.
    Van wiped his mouth with a napkin as Saldivar spoke. “I ta ke it the food was acceptable?” he inquired.
    “Very much,” Van rejoined. He put his napkin onto his plate and pushed it away.
    “Now,” Sald ivar said and started to rise, “bring your wine and we will sit by the fire and I will tell you my story and why I am here to help you,” he elucidated.
    Van took his now refilled glass of wine and followed Saldivar into the living area. He sat on a plush burgundy seated chair facing the fire as Saldivar sat adjacent to Van so he could talk to him face a face .
    Saldivar was obviously in no rush to start. He took his time settling comfortably in his chair.
    “Do not interrupt me even though you might find my story unbelievable. What I am about to tell you holds no fallacy,” he explained. “ S ‘il vous plai t?”
    Van nodded.
    Saldivar crossed his legs and thus began his story:

CHAPTER II
     
    “I was born just as you were: from my mother’s womb. I was born with no nobility and our family did not have a lot though we did have some farm land. We did manage to eat every day from the vegetables my mother would get from our small garden. That in itself was a blessing. We had a small home but nothing like you see before you now. Life was pleasant enough but there were still very hard times to be had.
    “I was brought into this world in the year 1200. I know what you are thinking: it’s impossib le that I am still alive. I will explain this to you in time.
    “During this time, Philip II was the ruler of France. His reign began in 118 0 and lasted for forty-three years . Life was somewhat difficult but Philip II had helped develop Paris into a place of culture and learning. Paris was the best it had been in a long time and Philip II was to be credited for this.
    “Now after the Hundred Years’ War in 1453, our people were able to drive the English away. Then King Louis XI had control ove r our country for about twenty-two years. I was there during his speech. He was quite a powerful speaker with a voice held with conviction. He had made it so that France had to be ruled absolutely by French Kings. France roared with happiness that day. We were able to be our own people, if you will.
    “I still can remember when France built the Louvre Palace in the 1200’s. It is one of the largest palaces in the world. It has been rebuilt, of course, around the 1500’s. It is quite a wondrous, glorious sight. People for miles and miles come to see it. They travel from different countries just to see our culture, appreciate our talents. And I imagine that as long as it stands, millions more will walk through the doors of the palace.”
    Saldivar paused t o take a fortifying breath before continuing . “I am giving you a little history of France to help accomplish the truth in what I am saying. I would not lie to you.”
    Saldivar folded his hands over his knee. “As you well know, we are under a different King’s rule. I hear the whispers of some that wish the king would be overthrown. No one knows exactly who these people are. My assumption is they fear punishment for discussing about such things as this.
    “I do not know what the future holds……for them, any way. I know my future as well as yours, if you let me help you.”
    Saldivar took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he was about to say. He closed his eyes and then opened them slowly.
    “My parents were killed when soldiers of our king’s enemy raided our archaic, simple little village. The village did not have a lot of money, so what did they want? Blood? The soldiers were fighting everywhere. There seemed to