“You said they had no pyromancers!” I shouted at the snivelling weasel in my grip.

I noticed that I was choking people a lot lately. But that can hardly be my fault, everyone keeps failing me. An example must be made or sniveling little rats like this would continue to fail me.

“Please don’t kill me lord, I gave you everything I had!” The man droned on like a mewling animal.

I would silence him if he still didn’t have a purpose. The pathetic wretch was a spy in the castle, managed to escape before the lockdown and sold everything he knew to us. We know how many wizards they had, what each wizard was capable of and even the presence of a summoned greater demon.

But honestly, I was still dubious on that account. Sure my future wife is a competent conjuror, the praise she received aside. There is no way in all of Astlan would she ever be able to summon and control a fourth-order demon.

Shaking my head, I had enough of this cretin. “Begone from my sight less I drain you dry for lunch,” I commanded, being far too merciful in my opinion.

The balding little man fled from the command tent, tripping over the entrance before scurrying away. I sighed as I watched the stumpy little man flee and so collapsed into my chair. This entire ordeal was draining and not in a fun way.

“Father, do you want me to send for someone?” My darling daughter suggested.

She stood to my side, all grace and virtue. I never regretted siring her, dhampir’s are very useful, but my daughter has always gone above and beyond for her father.

“Maybe later, I am not in the mood right now.” I replied, pinching the bridge of my nose and performing my mantra.

I will not kill all these people, I will be merciful, I will be benevolent, I will allow all these wretched wastrels to keep their blood.

That seemed to work, I was slightly calmer and didn’t feel the need to hunt that man down and drain him dry. I had his scent, I could do that. But I didn’t, does that not make me the most merciful lord in this pathetic excuse of a barony?

“I swear I don’t get enough credit for not killing people, my daughter.” I complained.

“Yes father, mortals are so inconsiderate.” She agreed as she always did.

“Exactly, all I ask is obedience and competence. That is not too much to ask, but still they foolishly fail me again and again. They try my patience!”

I would have complained more, but low and behold another wretch entered. Well, the more accurate term is thrown in. Titus was sent to grab the little wayward Sven. Erik had been punished and was recovering elsewhere, but Sven needed further discipline.

The young vampire curled up into a ball at my feet, scared witless and sobbing. I looked at Victoria with an incredulous expression. “What did you do to him?” I asked.

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“Oh a number of things, would you like me to list them?” She offered with a predatory grin.

“Maybe later, but whatever you did seems effective.” I inspected the vampire, his body was unblemished but he couldn’t stop shaking in terror.

“Sven!” I commanded, putting a little force in my words.

Light returned to his eyes and they turned to me, finally acknowledging where he was. The moment our eyes met, he swiftly rose to his feet and then stumbled to bow.

“My lord, please forgive me!” He pleaded, rather pathetically.

Perhaps he would now learn to obey orders and not go off and turn the first harlot that made his fangs wet. I bared down upon him, he shrank under my gaze. He could see I was not happy with him. It was taking everything I had not to gut him and feed his pieces to the dogs.

I wondered what vampire meat would do to my pups. Maybe they will turn into vampire dogs? I had not thought of turning animals before, something to consider.

“Your forgiveness will be hard earned.”

“Whatever you need my liege, I will do without hesitation!” He said with a shaky resolve, that would not do.

I bid him to approach and kneel, he did so without hesitation. Leaning forward, cupping his face in hand, he remained still in my grip, frozen still and locked in my gaze.

“Is that so.” I said. “And what if I were to command you to, let’s say.” I pondered all the gruesome things I could think of. “Command you to go to that harlot of yours.” I looked to Titus. “Is she still in her coffin?” I questioned and the forever loyal man nodded.

Turning back to Sven I continued. “And had you open it, the moment of her awakening, so that the first thing she see’s is your face. Then have you tear her apart from head to toe, slowly and painfully. Would you do it?” I asked, but really I demanded.

He hesitated for a second, that was a strike against him. Eventually, he spoke, shakily but clearly. “Yes whatever you need done, I will do!” The little vampire capitulated and I rejoiced at his submission.

“Excellent.” I threw him to the side before continuing. “Go get Erik and the two of you command the second wave. I want that wall sufficiently weakened before I send the rest.” I commanded before looking to Titus. “Has Erik healed from his ordeal.” I asked.

“He was given a goat and that should heal him enough to function.” Titus answered in that monotone voice of his.

If only all my subjects were so reliable, I wish I had a hundred of him. I could conquer the entire duchy with that many. I shook my head, like that would happen.

“Take Sven to Erik and have them assault the wall. I want them hurt for daring to deny my claim!” I commanded, seeing my will done.

The two left the tent and I leaned back pondering my next move. Shifting to the side, I leaned on Victoria’s arm, it always comforted me. I felt less murdery when I did that, it was comforting and the many victims I spared should be grateful.

“Is it wise to send them?” Victoria asked.

“They maybe foolish children, but I need to get some use out of them. Or else, why bother turning anyone.” I explained, shrugging. “The two of them seemed like good candidates. Sven is a well accomplished necromancer and was worth consideration at the time. Erik on their other hand was improvisation, I needed a soldier.”

She nodded, seeming to agree and why shouldn’t she? I leaned back and caressed my hair, it relaxed me. The tent went quiet until Victoria spoke again.

“Do we really need this baroness? Father?”

I knew what she was asking, it was something that came up every once and a while. When we started this venture, I revealed my plans to her. One of the things she took issue with was the need to marry Baroness Ephemia of Narfalon. I always suspected her true issue with the idea was getting a stepmother and demoting her own mother to a mere mistress.

Not that her mother minded the situation, she knew what she was getting into when I made her the offer, all those years ago. I got a dhampir and she would want for nothing.

“We have talked about this, the baroness is key to our plans in the barony. Once married I will officially enter the Tregfeldian nobility and that is one step closer.” I explained again that, I don’t know how many times.

“As you wish father.” She faltered and agreed like a good daughter should.