“He is paler then I recall, he could do with a tan.” I joked, noting my most hated rival, strolling up to the gates on horseback, along with his entourage.

He radiated smugness as if this was all beneath him. His armour looked good though, dark plate mail with a hood. I should take note of the style and make sure to make something better. I should not be outdone by this pathetic cur in any way.

“So this is the infamous Lord Drelem I have heard so much about.” Lady Ephemia said from beside me.

“Yes, the putrescent corpse has deigned to grant us an appearance.” I spat, seething at the very sight of him.

Oh, how I would love to rip out whatever excuse he has for a soul and stuff it into something worthy of such a low character. Perhaps I will place him in a worm and keep it as a pet.

“He is shorter then I expected, but that could be the distance.” She observed, puzzled.

“Go ahead, mention his height. He will love that.” I added.

“Perhaps for the sake of diplomacy, I won’t be mentioning.”

I shrugged, her loss because I had no intention of being diplomatic with my most hated enemy. I watched with gritted teeth as he haughtily rode up to the castle gates. Atop his undead steed, which looked quite well preserved I might add. He announced in that irritating high high-pitched nasally voice of his.

“I am Lord Drelem, vassal to his lordship Baron Xavier of Narfalon. I hereby command whomever is in charge of this rebel keep, to hand over her ladyship, Ephemia of Narfalon, into my custody.” He paused as if waiting for a reply. When none came he continued. “The rest of you must lay down your arms and surrender the keep. I shall claim it, in the name of the baron as my own fiefdom and thus shall be your new lord.”

“Into my custody?” Ephemia said and from the look on her face, she was concerned.

“Hand over my betrothed, Lady Ephemia of Narfalon or face the wrath of my army.” The vampire gestured to the camp at his back.

The moment he said that the lady's metaphorical jaw dropped. She seethed angrily, her face flushed red, she looked like she was ready to burst. Only the calming hand of her knight seemed to quell her inner rage.

“We expected this my lady, your vile brother would have likely offered your hand to whomever came to conquer us.” Sir Felmun explained, calmly.

“I know, but to have it so brazenly said, commanded even. It stresses my control far more then anything.” She was furious, on the edge, but was held back by her knight.

“Perhaps throwing a fireball at the man will soothe you my lady?” I suggested, secretly hoping to see the man burn.

She chuckled at the idea. “While that sounds rather nice, I have no pyromancer in my employ.”

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“Was not your demon a self proclaimed pyromancer?” I asked, recalling the conversation.

“He did claim such, but I would rather keep him and his demons in reserve.” It was a prudent measure.

“What say you?” The undead human waste demanded, all although phrased like a question.

Silence descended as the two sides waited for someone to speak. Finally, it was broken when Ephemia boldly strode to the battlements and gave a reply.

“I would rather be damned to the deepest circle of the Abyss then ever be wed to a waking corpse like you!” She proclaimed and it was music to my ears.

No one spoke for a minute before the talking corpse with the face of my old rival, made his will known.

“Your cooperation would be appreciated, but it is not required my bride. You are mine, your brother has already made the arrangements.” He countered as if the matter was settled.

“Is this the only way you could get a woman? To purchase the lass from her brother and then seige her castle.” I shouted.

My rival had an odd look, puzzled yet happy. He examined the battlements, possibly activating a sight-based spell. Eventually, his gaze locked on me and he smiled broadly, showing fangs. The Wizard light beside him grew brighter, shining unnatural light across the field.

“Is that you old fart? I would have thought you would be dust by now.” The cretin spewed.

“I’m still here little bloodsucker, I’m not dead yet!” I replied, cursing him and his ancestors.

“Impressive, I would have figured you would have held on. Mortals have such small lifespans that it’s amazing you have lived this long.”

“I still have enough life left in me. Enough to ensure you end up dust way before I do.” I threatened, standing as straight as I could. My back was killing me, but I would never allow him to see it.

“Sure you can, but you forget, I am immortal, I can out live you old man. Just give it time, assuming you survive.” He chuckled and his entourage joined in.

“Immortal, don’t make me laugh. You are a little vampire bitch, how is it bending over for your master?”

“Keep talking blood bag, see where that gets you!” He threatened.

“At least I have a pulse, unlike your limp dick self. Must be difficult to find a woman with your unfortunate inabilities. No wonder you resorted to forcing a marriage upon Lady Ephemia.” I was taking this a bit too far. But that smug leech needs to be taken down a peg.

“I can have any woman I want. But no woman would want a wrinkly old man like you.” He countered, thrusting his finger at me.

I glanced to the side, noting the shocked faces of Ephemia and Felmun. They likely didn’t expect such a battle. I turned to the entourage, noticing a very attractive woman among them.

“Who is she, some woman you absconded with? How uncouth of a supposed married man.” I directed everyone's attention to the beautiful young lady to his left.

“That’s my daughter you half wit!”

“I don’t believe it, she is far to beautiful, one such as this would not be beget by you.” I expressed disbelief without reservation.

That young and beautiful woman who could not be a child of my most hated rival, stepped forward. Proud and strong, adorned in equally impressive black plate armour, she announced.

“I am his daughter, you should show respect necromancer.” The clearly delusion woman confirmed.

“If that is so, then you have my sympathises child. Please convey them to your mother, she surely needs it.”

That did not go well with her, she seethed in anger, ready to draw her blade at any moment. She was only halted by a calming hand from her father.

“Enough Belus!” Drelem shouted before turning to Ephemia. “You have until tomorrow night to surrender. If you do not, I will tear down this wall and take what is owed.” The vampire proclaimed, haughtily turned away without an answer and led his procession back to the camp.

I snorted as the coward left, watching his back fade into the distance of his camp.

“You know for men of such age. You two are surprisingly childish.” Ephemia observed.

I turned to her with a grin. “I am young at heart my dear.”