Page 94 of Dawn Caravan
“I think it’s bedtime for you, kiddo.”
“It’s not though. It’s dinnertime almost.”
“Broccoli again?”
She nodded. “Are you sure you have to eat it to be a vampire?”
“Yes,” Ben said.
“Absolutely not,” Tenzin said. “That is not necessary.”
Ben quickly muted the call. “Tenzin, I’m trying to get her to eat vegetables.”
“By lying to her?”
“Yes. It’s a solid strategy. Trust me.”
Tenzin reached over and unmuted the call. “Sadia, you do not have to eat vegetables to be a vampire, but youshouldeat them because they will make you healthy, and your health is important for future training.”
Sadia’s eyes were wide. “What training?”
Ben just sat back and watched them.This should be interesting.
“Swords mainly. The nutrients in vegetables like broccoli will be important for building lean muscle that will enable you to wield weapons more effectively. Your natural body type does not indicate a particularly muscular frame, so you will need to be deliberate in your diet and exercise regimen.”
Sadia’s eyes were the size of saucers. “Real swords?”
“Yes.”
Oh, he’d be hearing about this one from Giovanni and Beatrice, but what could he say? It was Tenzin. And honestly, she was probably right. Sadia would probably start learning the basics of sword handling by her early teens like Ben had.
Sadia’s face brightened. “I can eat broccoli.”
“Good.” Ben jumped in. “Just eat the broccoli. It’s good for you. Don’t tell Baba and Mama about the swords.”
“Okay!” She turned and yelled, “Dema, Tenzin is gonna teach me swords!”
Tenzin bit her lip to hide the smile. “Well, she didn’t tell Baba and Mama.”
Sadia turned back to the screen. “Okay bye. I love you, Tenzin.”
“I love you too.”
“Hey,” Ben protested, but the screen went dark. He turned to Tenzin. “Nice.”
“Don’t be jealous. You didn’t offer to teach her swords.”
* * *
He spreadhis notes on the table in the caravan. “I don’t have a board here, so we’ll have to make do.” He stood and taped a paper with Darius’s name on it to the cabinet on the far left. “Darius.”
“Old but not ancient earth vampire.” Tenzin stared at the name. “I’d say maybe fifteen hundred years old. Near East. He knows about the goblets and their significance. I don’t see a motivation for him to take the goblet though, even if he had opportunity. He’s not hungry for power. If he took it, it would only be for sentimental value, and that’s a dangerous play with Radu.”
“Okay.” Ben stuck another paper up. “Madina.”
“Verypossible,” Tenzin said. “She’s been ruling Samarkand and the surrounding territory for nearly one hundred years, but Arosh became annoyed with her and now she’s out.”
“Out of what? Territory? Time? How much did she piss Arosh off?”
