Following the woman's voice through the forest, Auric walked for most of the night. The child slept through the entire trek, seemly as lulled as Auric felt. Nothing else seemed alive in the forest, and they met no resistance. That didn't strike Auric as odd for some reason, as if it was natural that this woman would guide them safely to wherever she was taking the two of them.

  "This way," she crooned to his left. Auric emerged into a clearing in the forest with a hedge wall just across the clearing from him. Walking closer, he saw that the hedge gave way to a solid stone wall. It looked to be of dwarven make, sturdy and carved from one solid piece of stone. He looked to his left, then his right, and saw no opening in the wall to enter. Leaning forward and touching the wall, tiny blue runes swirled around where his hand made contact with the stone, and a door appeared, like it had been there all along.

  What is this place? A Dwarven wall in the middle of a forest? And an enchanted one at that.

  Walking through, it was like he'd walked a thousand years into the past. Massive stone buildings jutted out over the sides of the wide cobblestone streets, with hawkers stalls under the overhangs. The only thing that really struck him was that it was completely empty. Everything was in perfect condition, but there was nobody around. There were no lights in windows, no talking, no merriment from the tavern to his right. It was as if the people of this town vanished suddenly.

  "Continue," the voice called from the street in front of him. He thought he saw her cloak flash around a corner at the crossroads. Another few minutes of walking and following her voice brought him to the garrison. The gatehouse doors hung open. He entered, suddenly worrying about a trap, and noticed that whatever spell the woman had put on him, it was no longer in effect. He must be right where she wants him.

  Walking through the courtyard, he spotted a statue to his right. It was of a young woman holding an egg. A shrine to the All-Mother, here? What was this place? Auric stopped for a moment and reached up to his neck, gripping his blue pendant. He offered a quick prayer to the shrine.

  Ahh, my child. You are finally here. The sudden voice in his head shocked Auric. He felt an immense pressure on his psyche, which threatened to crack under the pressure. A shiver ran through him as the pressure lessened, as if responding to his discomfort.

  Who are you? How are you speaking to me in my head? Auric thought.

  The child doesn't recognize me? Poor thing. You've dedicated your life to my service. The world outside doesn't hear my voice much anymore, but I would have thought they kept some records. Ah, it matters not. My Paladin, I have an urgent task for you.

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  Auric was skeptical. This voice was obviously powerful. But was it really Nathet?

  You are my Goddess? Nathet hasn't spoken to the Clergy since the Great Breaking. And now you are communicating with me, a traitor, and have a task for me?

  The pressure on his psyche increased again, obviously displeased with his mental tone.

  You've betrayed nothing, Auric Elvengard. In fact, I think you are the only true Paladin I have left. My Doctrines have been bastardized by your leaders for nigh a millennia. Why would I pit my creations against each other, and outcast those I love? That child in your arms is no less my child than you are, Paladin.

  Taken aback, he looked down at the boy. His was awake, watching Auric intently. His face lit up when Auric looked at him, and his tiny hands grasped at him. It made sense to him. This child acts just like any other he interacted with.

  Your mission, my Paladin, is to stop these needless massacres. I give you this old world kingdom to start. Bring all races together here, and you will be unstoppable. You will be the first King of the Forest in over a millennia. Bring my lost believers back into the fold. Make children with as many of these races as you can. So many are suffering from a lack of males. This is my decree, begin your crusade Paladin. Mae will watch over you and assist however she can.

  The connection he felt snapped closed. He felt like a child who lost his mother in the market. Panic started to set in, but he couldn't pinpoint why he felt so anxious. As suddenly as the feeling came, it was gone.

  "You talked to the mother," the beautiful voice said, coming from directly behind him. "I could tell, I had the same experience."

  Auric turned slowly. The woman hadn't changed since he saw her in the dream, but standing in front of him she was much more captivating. Her scent, lilacs and mint, was warm and just as bewitching as her eyes. She smiled slightly, and he saw the glint of a long canine poke out from her blood red lips. Alarms started to go off in Aurics' head.

  Vampire.

  His sword was out before he finished registering the thought. He stepped back to keep the creature at a distance. It all made sense now. The dreamlike state he was in was highjacked, and he was charmed to come here, to her feeding grounds. He didn't know how she talked to him in his head, but he felt the noose slowly slipping around his neck.

  Her laughter echoed through the courtyard. It was a light, tinkling sound, like windchimes in a slow breeze. At least it started that way. It moved to a throaty laugh as she doubled over, wiping tears from the sides of her eyes. She made no moves to attack him, and he stood, watching her laugh for many minutes.

  "You should see your face!" She squeaked between fits of giggling. "You're pale as snow, male," she said, visibly shaking to hold in her mirth.

  "I won't bite. Unless you ask for it I suppose," she smirked as she said the last part.

  "I'm Mae," She extended her right hand. Putting away his sword, he tentatively took it, Auric realized that he knew nothing and was in for a rude awakening.