Two days later I have made me a few more Thugs on a Rope (Mind Doms) whom I got when I tried to find my way back to my original tower without guides. Carrying an old money chest around attracts the most interesting and stupid of people. I got a near army now and not sure what I am going to do with them to tell the truth.

One thing I do learn is that a couple of my new slaves are someone else's Thralls. One of which is still Fresh so to speak. From him I learn Grendle made a visit to him and that is when he was added to the collection. Grendle is trying to rebuild his power base it seems. Which makes me head over to the Docks and get Jon to introduce me to all the captains and owners. All of whom soon find themselves loyal to me now (Those who can't be Thralled by blood get it from my powerful Mental and Emotional Domination powers.) Before leaving the Dock Area I am in control of it. I also make a point to take over the nearby businesses that service the docks for good measure. This actually turned out to be a good move as Grendle came by the next evening with the same plot in mind. Only to learn he had been out maneuvered. (I got my claws in to everyone who has anything to do with the docks and their business. From buying to selling goods and supplies to even the local slave traders. Some of who had been Gregory's and were now desperate to make a deal with another immortal, even the one who ended their old, highly volatile boss. Though I did make a point of adding in some mind domination to their mix to keep any of them from seeking revenge or betraying me to the other vamps. From a vampires point of view Machiavelli was an amateur.

With my new army of Minions (and apparently the heads of 5 of the 12 leading gangs and Merchants Associates) I meet with the Ladies Gnome Auxiliary, Red Rory and his group (warriors and protectors of Gnomish interest), Master Graggle head of the Alchemist League (and thrall to Grendle I learned from his memories) [I make a point to Dominate the heads of the factions within his League that Grendle or another vampire is not already in control of. That gets me 5 more powerful thralls.], and James Horton Rubyweaver historian of the Gnomes and the one behind the push to keep the tower a 'sewer'. He also does not care that payment was finally made and it turns out he knew about the bodies in the cages and states they deserved what they got. It took all my will power not to End him right then and there. I don't know what he is, but I do know that he is immune to my mind control powers and my telepathy to. I tried all of them on him and he just smirked at me. I was sorely tempted to take him to the tower and drop him in the blue goo then seal it closed again. Instead I looked at Master Graggle and asked him, "Has he been sniffing Blue Sludge fumes or something similar ?"

He glares at me, "It's no longer called Blue Sludge, it's Coolant and no. But he is older than my grandsire. He is some kind of immortal we think and very pushy."

Assistant to Graggle, "Why do you keep calling it Blue Sludge anyway ?"

I shrug, "That is what we called it when it was not packaged properly. See inside a sealed container it keeps it's cold up to 5 times longer than in liquid form. I was there when they made it originally. My father made the very first type, called it Blue Ice back then." I sigh, "That was before the gods 'recruited me' and I ended up immortal and always being sent to places to clean up their messes. This town is one huge mess according to them. Like even I have That kind of power … Sorry, it peeves me that I am still doing their work almost 2000 years later." I been adding up dates and working out how old I am from stuff I learn from the thralls and other sources. I guestimate my age around 1700 or so years. I am one old lady who never gets my promised reward it seems. Just manipulated in to doing work for assorted gods. Well this time I am dragging my feet. I know at least in part why they want me here and I did part of it. Now though I am making a place for myself and figure as long as I put off clearing out Dreth's place then I can avoid Torpor again and loosing most of my memories again. I am only learning about my past from people who were there for parts of it. So much I don't recall but they know I had at least 2 childer and several lovers. None of whom I can even remember having. I just hope those childer are alive and well and doing well for themselves.

The fearful blank kind of stares I am getting from everyone but the Historian, who looks miffed at not being the oldest person in the room anymore, kind of slows these peace talks for a bit. Does make it easier for me to take over the minds of those I want / need under my power though. With that bit done and the Historian voted down (and held down when he tried to leave early. They know his tricks at manipulation and keep him from doing any for now.) I offer to turn him to stone if that would help, but they don't think it would work as he has proven immune to magic in the past, "Oh I did not mean via spell, I was thinking encasing him in Concrete." That actually got a few smiles from the rest of the group and a terrified look from the historian. Immortality inside of stone is No fun.

The end result is the tower now being private property as given by the Council means that I have a legitimate claim to it and by giving them the money's the original owners promised the vendetta they had been maintaining was voided.

When they learned where the money was and how easy it was to get though. They had a hard time not trying to lynch the Historian. Turns out he had the key to the tower all along.

He smugly tells me, "Well when that door closes again you won't be able to open it."

I look blankly at him, "Door, what door ?"

"The one you magicked open to get in to the tower of course." he snidely replies.

"I disintegrated it and several feet to either side. I am an Archmage after all." he actually pales. Even if the 'door' reappeared it was only 4ft wide, and I took out a 10ft wide space. So there would be 3ft space open to either side of it, causing it to either fall over or making it pointless in any event. He is very put out that I worked around his trick for trapping people inside the place.

"I also sealed off the pipes leading from the sewer lines to the bottom and sealed off the tops of the stairs leading down to the 3rd floor underground as it was full of sludge and other nasty chemicals. Nothing is coming through the combinations of walls of force and stone I used to keep that area closed off. Once the wind spells finish airing the place out I can begin refurbishing the place and making it useable again. I think I will use it as a way to help the poor around here get healthier and better lives all around."

He does not like that either. Though the other gnomes are all for it, it turns out. They would rather have helpful more industrious neighbors than the poor that surround them now.

About an hour after the end of that meeting I get a summons from Grendle to come to the Council Hall. I have no idea where it is and the messenger just smirks and leaves. So of course I don't go. This brings another messenger, just as smug as the 1st to repeat the summons. He won't tell me how to get there either. Saying if I don't know I better find out fast if I know what's good for me. Then he leaves to. Had they not both been thralls and prepped against others mind control it would have been easy to learn but they were so I don't.

3 hours later an armed escort arrives and tries to take me by force. The last one, mostly unbroken I have penned to a wall, "So why the attack ?"

"We were sent to bring you to the Council Hall by force if necessary."

"Necessary means after being told you can attack, not beforehand." I point out.

"The messengers said you were stubborn and would not obey the summons." he grunts.

"The messengers seemed to think it funny that I don't know where this place IS and would not tell me how to get there. Ergo I have not been able to get there as none of the locals know where it is Either." I point out before making his comrade's get up and lead me to this hidden location.

As we enter a hidden passage under the city proper (via what looks like an old sewer grate no less) I note a side area with an even larger content of guards being formed up. The first one in my group leans against the wall, "She is with us. Those two idiots thought it was funny not to tell her how to even Get here. That is why she never showed up."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Big guard, reddish armor, "What happened to you ? I thought this new vamp was a fledgling ?"

I lean around the corner, "Hello, I am a Methuselah, not new at this at all. Unless your messengers got the wrong vamp or are just terminally stupid."

Big guy, "I am leaning toward Stupid Mam. You’re the one Abigale's people said is the new owner of the Towers right ?"

I smile and nod, "Yep. Right big mess of problems they are proving to be to." several of the guards all nod in response to that.

The damaged guards limp me to the council chambers where they tell Grendle what occurred and how the messengers are up to their tricks again.

Grendle and 6 other vamps (3 of which I recognize) are all in attendance.

The others all listen and a few look annoyed or just bored with things. Which is normal behavior in any court I have ever been in.

Grendle ask, "What happened to your group ?"

The guard nods at me, "She did sir. She is the one the messengers sent us after, told us to attack first then bring in her unconscious body. That proved a bit on the impossible side sir."

I grin, "I was feeling generous, so I did not kill any of them, just taught them the error of their ways."

Grendle nods then to the guard, "This is not the person we wished brought here tonight. There is another dark skinned woman with dark brown or black hair. Conflicting reports on that. Came in via ship and was last seen in the dock tavern area. That is where they should have found the one we wished to speak to."

I grin, "I was in that area this evening actually. I guess the one you were looking for are better at hiding and so they went to me."

Grendle humphs, "You don't hide. You move through like a bull. You are easy to keep track of."

I nod, "Oh I can be quiet and unseen when I want to be. Just don't see a point to it when not hunting."

Little girl looking one, "idiot." she says to Abigale, who suddenly finds a reason to move over and talk with Lady Patrick. The other unknown but pointy eared vampire also moves away from the girl. She notes this and looks confused. Grendle does not even turn around to admonish her, "She can hear you Clara, whispering does not help around one like her."

Clara suddenly comprehends why she is now alone. If I take offense it's best not to be in the line of fire.

I just grin, "I am not an idiot child, just too old and powerful to care overly much. Besides I have been putting myself out there as a Mage. The more powerful the mage the more Bull in a Glass shop they act like."

The pointy eared one (can't decide if it's a clan thing or he is a half elf) snickers, "True. Mages are very good at the arrogant ways and disguising your powers as Magic is a good trick."

I nod, "I can work a form of magic as well. It's my Art you see. I am a Toreador." A couple suddenly look interested. The scared one now looks surprised at my having beaten the guards. I turn to him, "Why so surprised ?"

"Torries are not known for their combat skills." he states simply.

I grin, "I was not always a mage. I was trained in combat by my father who was a Weapons Master when I was young. I took up magic later, then became a thrall to a lovely woman who many centuries later embraced me when I took a poisoned arrow in the back for her. Though she was nice and asked me first if I was willing to go through the change."

A very sexy voice snerks behind me, "You change that story ever so slightly every time you tell it."

Turning I see these 3 dark skinned, raven haired beauties (one in chains and harem outfit) and behind them a man flanked by two wolves and a raven or other large bird on his shoulders, hard to tell as it has a hood over its head.

The 3 vamps are watching me carefully while the thrall in chains looks absolutely thrilled I am alive.

It was the warrior woman who spoke.

Grendle looks mildly interested, "I take it you know each other then ?"

The woman shrugs, "Maybe. There was a lot of damage to her head the last time we saw her. She was slipping in to torpor even as we placed her in a cave deep under this town. She always preferred caves over tombs. Something about them being less permanent reminders of what we are."

I look at them. They are all very pretty, but I have no idea who they are. Except, except I can Feel them along the blood ties of my clan. I Know them but I don't. It's very confusing and giving me a powerful headache.

Grendle looks at me, "So do you know them ?"

I focus, "No and yes. I can feel them inside me. By the blood. Of my line I think. But I can't remember. It actually Hurts trying to remember."

The middle one nods, "We were afraid of that. " she looks at Grendle, "We are some of her childer actually. We were here when she received a grievous injury to the head. Actually lost some of her brain but did not die. Her body went in to Torpor using spells she set up previously in case of a great injury. Going to war such a precaution was wise."

Grendle looks at the man, "You her child to ?"

He grins, "No. I am a Gangrel actually. But I am an ally of hers from back in the day. When we heard she was up and about we came with undo haste to see her. These two have been using old blood spells to track her. That is what she is speaking of. She tends to work magic in to her chosen children, connecting them in special ways. I have seen her work these magics and yet they are beyond me in how they work."

I am looking at the women when the middle one tilts her head in a certain way, looking sideways at the Council with the 'Eye of Ra' tat very visible when a flash of light and pain in my head opens an old memory and I blurt out "Techie Alma-Tep!"

The girl slowly smiles, "You have never explained why you call me Techie." she states happily.

"Techie was the name of a character in a story. He had this strange ability to attract interesting people who both wanted to kill him and yet keep him as a sex slave."

She laughs, "Oh ok, that does explain Quite a bit."

The warrior nods, "Oh yeah, the wrong sort of person is always deciding she is Perfect for them. Now days she eats most of them, but back in her mortal days things got interesting around her."

Slave girl, "Well One of those times worked out or she would not be here today."

I look at her, "Food ?"

Warrior woman shakes her head, "Used to be one of your favorite toys actually. Stubbornly won't let anyone turn her either. She was so certain you would remember her. I am Isabella Child of Robina of the Shadows, my blood sister is Alma-Tep and the thrall is Allana the ever willing." Allana nods. I look for a moment like I am recalling something but it slips away, "Just for a moment, but it's gone now." I sigh, "I hate not remembering stuff. Oddly I have skills I don't recall gaining and can still work some magic but I don't recall how much I knew before."

Clara hopefully ask, "So are you here to take her away ?"

Alma-Tep looks at the girl, "She is our Sire, so she is in charge of us. So unless she wants to leave, no."

Grendle sighs, "Oh well. Looks like you are now a Primogen Robina, as your clan came looking for you. I just hope they are more sane than you are."

Isabella smiles, "Oh we are not the clan. We are just two stubborn childer who came when we felt her wake. The majority of the clan is spread all over the world. We are like our Torrie cousins, very social and very prolific."

Grendle looks confused, "I thought you were Torrie."

I shrug, "I don't know. I don't Remember much. Shadows of the Torries was a name I recalled."

The other two nod, "She was made by a combination of the First Toreador and the Blessings of 4 Gods. Beauty, Luck, War, and Chaos. Dame Fortune is the one who has the most hold over our lives while War and Chaos seem to be in the wings, waiting. Beauty, well we all tend toward that at least physically."

I grin, "I got good taste it seems in that department."

Abigale grins and nods while Gebralter just shakes his head.

Grendle looks at Isabella and Alma-Tep, "I have but 1 request of your two. Release your hold over those in the Dock region of my city."

They look properly blank, "I am sorry, we don't know what you are talking about. We have only arrived yesterday and are still learning the lay of the land. All we have is a single ship."

Now he looks concerned, "If you're not the ones who have taken over that area …"

I raise my hand, "That would be Me. I got the docks, the merchants, the stevedores', the Owners and The Captains all under my power as well as several of the larger gangs and Gnome leaders. Except the Master Alchemist whom is yours and that infernal immortal Historian of theirs." I grin very wickedly, "I may not recall much of my past but I do know how this game is played. I plan on sticking around a while, so I am making sure I have a power base to stand on while I do it."

The scarred one and the pointed eared one are both grinning at Grendle, "You gave her the Towers to bind her here and she went and took over the sudden vacuum that tramp of a vamp made before she was destroyed. You also set up the rule that the one with the greatest controlling interest over the city is the prince."

Grendle looks miffed.

Abigale explains it to me, "Works this way. All the rest of us have small areas of interest with Lady Patrick holding a close second place to Prince in wealth and man power alone. I run the gambling and Entertainment areas while Gebralter holds power over our military. IE the guards we use for our own protection. Michael, the fellow with the ears, he runs the farms and woodlands areas keeping the forest from being clear cut and animals from being hunted to extinction. And Dartmouth runs most of the slavers, and the minor merchants while Grendle kept control of the city leaders, gang leaders and such. Your just taking over the Dock area and all its shops and support areas just put you on equal footing as Him in the way we have things set up. So his making you a Primogen."

I conclude, "Is his way to keep me from becoming Prince. Not that I want that job. I got to many other things going on to have That headache to. I just wanted to have enough power so I can ignore him if I felt like it. Which I pretty much do. I will fix up the towers and work with the Owners and maybe I will even play some politics if I get bored enough."

With that I turn and walk out, "Oh and if you want me, send a letter. Your messengers are dangerously stupid. I find Stupid is tasty."