“I’m glad to see you managed to clean up a bit,” Clarence said, having appeared to escort me to the meeting. “The Duke wishes you to be in the room for most of the meeting, but if possible remain as silent as possible. At the end he will ask for your accounting of certain things.”
“Sure, I can do that. Do you know who is going to be there?” I asked.
“Indeed. The Archbishop for the capital area, Justinian. Hunt Meister Gregory shall be representing the hunter’s wing. Legatis Legionis Cornick, the Duke’s eldest son and in charge of the home legion will represent the soldier wing. Don’t think that their relations automatically mean they agree either, the two have had some rather vocal disagreements in the past. And Magi Dominum Farris will be representing the magi. Don’t be fooled by her either. She doesn’t speak much, but when she does it usually ends up shredding those who underestimate her. Ah, here we are. Just sit in the chair by the door for now.”
“Thanks.” I said, slipping in and trying to see if I could determine who was who. The archbishop was easy. He had a small red cap covering his head, and matching red robes. They were trimmed in gold and silver, with the symbol of Solaris on his chest. He was older, and starting to turn a bit more fatty than muscled, but his frame still held quite a bit of strength. He was two seats to the Duke’s right, who was taking the head of the table. He was also the only one who didn’t immediately notice my arrival. Between him and the duke was obviously the Legatis.
He was young, but that didn’t diminish the air of authority around him. His posture was perfect, but it almost seemed as if he didn’t need to bother with it. His armor was black and silver, with a silver and gold cloak. He had removed his helm and hung it on a bit of the chair behind him, so that the large silver plume wouldn’t get in anyone’s way. A slight furrow of his eyebrows for a fraction of a second was the only thing that gave him away, though his eyes seemed to want to pierce straight through me and read my secrets. After a few moments, he turned back to the meeting.
Across from him was the Magi, Farris. Fiery red hair and blazing green eyes studied me as I studied the freckles that dotted her nose and cheeks. Even after the others had long dismissed me, she kept staring, and I knew she was studying me with her magic. As I felt it brush against my skin, I gave a small smile and the barest nod I could. She blinked a few times, before smiling and turning back to the group. Of course, her magic still swirled around me, gently testing me. I let my own magic rise to my skin, but kept it subtle enough that there wouldn’t be any glow. I was the only one who could hear the increased beating of her heart when I did it.
The last person I was trying to ignore, but couldn’t anymore. Hunt Meister Gregory had a grey ponytail, and a scar bisecting his glazed over left eye. He wore hardened leather armor that was dyed in browns and greens, and carried several blades of varying lengths. Where the Legatis was stout like an ancient oak, the Meister had a suppleness to him like reeds bending in the wind. You could slam an axe into the Legatis all day and end up with a chipped axe. If you tried to cut the Meister, he would simply flow around your blade.
The Duke was in a white toga, with red and gold trim. Soon after the trainer and I arrived, he started the meeting. “I want to thank you all for coming on short notice. I was blessed to meet a rather unique individual who wants to aid the kingdom, but the circumstances will require input from all of you. Before we get to that, I hope you don’t mind a little indulgence on my part?” At the shaking of heads, he turned to the Meister, “Meister Gregory, I know you can’t give any locations due to security, but how fares my daughter? We’ve not received word for a while.”
The Hunt Meister smiled and said, “She fares well, your Grace. She completed training not too long ago, and is already working on her third assignment. The first two she completed in near record time and in a commendable manner. At this rate, she will be upgraded to a copper medallion within a year.”
“Ah, thank you. It warms an old man’s heart to hear of the contributions their children attain. Now, to business. Legatis, how fares the front?”
“Rough.” He replied, though he was looking at his father rather oddly. “They will be needing reinforcements as soon as we can get them trained. There are several concerning rumors we have been hearing, but I can’t confirm them with the resources I have.”
“But I can, unfortunately,” The archbishop interrupted. “Solaris has sent what help he may, but the auguries are clear. Before a half decade’s time, the battles will be decided. What the decision will be is still unclear, and will remain unclear as all major confluxes are. All we do know is that several major threads of light and darkness will intertwine. Should the dark prevail, we will likely see the rise of the next Sanguine Emperor.”
Gregory leaned forward, “An Emperor? We must do all we can to stop this from happening. Say the word, my arrows are ready to fly.”
Legatis Cornick asked, “Apologies, but I’m not familiar with that rank. I was under the impression that Sanguine Dukes were the highest rank of vampire?”
The Archbishop answered, “In most cases this is true. Even then, the requirements for achieving duke are enormous. Born with powerful magic, they must live for at least a thousand years as a vampire before ascending to the ducal tier of power. In order to achieve Emperor status, they must survive at least five times that long. They may also be required to consume another duke, stealing their power. Only one has reached the tier of Emperor before, but we were lucky. While he was still consolidating his power, the forces of light were able to take him down. King Dorian struck the final blow, but the battle lasted three days. He was assisted by Pope Valorian, though he fell in that battle.”
“I see.” The Legatis nodded. “We should institute a draft, but we should do it smartly. Gather enough for another legion and a half within the next year, training them 5 cohorts at a time. Every six months we can mix in new recruits and get them some field experience, so that we aren’t throwing bodies away. Once the battle begins, we can cut back on the recruiting and assess. I would rather not throw away lives of fresh trainees if we can help it.”
“A fine plan.” Gregory agreed. “I’ll step up my own recruiting, but won’t be using any special drafts. I would ask that any candidates that show willingness and potential be screened and sent our way if possible. We can’t train in mass numbers like you, but we will do what we can.” The legatis nodded and everyone turned to Farris.
“I can’t make magic bloom in the populace. If they come to get trained, we can train them. That’s all I can promise.”
“Fair enough.” The Duke agreed. “And speaking of training, I would like to introduce the person I referred to earlier. This is Brandon Clayson. Recently arrived in the capital, and somewhat of a special case. I do believe the church was warned that he was coming and his circumstances?”
The archbishop nodded, “Indeed. Father Ennarion sent a detailed report, though I would like to hear the story from your own mouth if you don’t mind? That will catch everyone here up on the situation, as well as let us judge the youth’s words.”
I stood up, though I was incredibly nervous now. I could barely talk one on one with the Duke! And now they wanted me to talk in front of the leaders of the branches of the church? To my surprise, it was the Legatis that came to my rescue. “Clayson!” He barked, and I instantly had eyes only for him. “Ignore the others for now. Maintain eye contact with me, and tell me your story. That will do, for now.”
I nodded at him. “Thank you, sir. I don’t recall exactly how it happened, and doubt I ever will. Even now, my memory fades. I do remember waking in a clearing at night, and the hunger. All consuming hunger, and the rage when the first thing I caught died before I could eat. I hunted, and came across a small thing bursting with life. I tackled it in my mindless hunger, but it’s words brought me out of it. My younger sister had gone looking for me, and had she not spoken up she would have been my first meal as a vampire. That bought me enough clarity that I could return her to the village unharmed. A guard managed to tell me of a place I could hide out until the day, with the understanding that if I couldn’t muster the strength to face the sun myself, they would end my misery. There I met a severely injured hunter, who couldn’t muster the strength to even lift their blade.” I altered the story here just a bit, not wanting to undermine exactly what the Duke was planning. “We spent the night in mostly silence, and in the morning I ended her life at her request while helping her see the sunrise one last time. After that, I was reborn as a Sanguimancer.”
Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention, and I saw Farris staring at me intensely. “Where did you hear that term?”
“I don’t recall. I was just told by someone? Something? That’s what I was now and that I wasn’t human. I have to drink blood to live, and once per month it has to be from a sentient. Other than that, I know nothing.”
“What do you know, Farris?” The Legatis asked.
“Not nearly as much as I wish. They were around long before the vampires, but after the vampires appeared they were purged for some reason. They had a unique combination of magics. Say, would you be willing to have a test done? I have an instrument that is a bit more precise than what we normally send out in the field.”
“Sure.” I said with a shrug.
“So, what can we expect from him Farris? Archbishop?” The Legatis asked.
The Archbishop answered first, “According to Solaris, he will grow in strength similar to a vampire. As the first Sanguimancer to be reborn, he was blessed with improved magic. Right now he should be comparable to a fledgling.”
“His magic should center around blood, holy and curse magics. There used to be a catalogue of blood magic spells, but it was lost in the purge. I would assume he should be able to perform and counter any vampire magics we know about.”
Gregory leaned forward, “Look, that’s great and all, but where do we put him?”
“I assume the hunters are making a claim?” The Legatis asked.
“Indeed. He has everything we are looking for. We can best incorporate magic usage with physical attacks, especially if he can counter vampire magics. If he becomes a common soldier, his magic is wasted. If he becomes a mage or a priest, his physical strength is wasted. We are the logical choice.”
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“Ah, but you are forgetting fee will. Solaris gives all who live under his blessing choice. Brandon, what would you choose?” The Archbishop asked, turning to look at me.
“Honestly, I wish to be a soldier. I don’t have the knowledge to be a priest, especially with the runes. And on the way here, I was unable to use magic outside of my body. The only thing I have been able to use my magic for is getting rid of fatigue.”
“That still doesn’t say anything about the hunters. Did you not enjoy the training?” Gregory asked with a slight growl in his voice.
“Initially I lacked the coordination for the training, but that is likely from me not being used to my body’s new strength. But it comes down to a matter of trust.”
“Trust? What have the arrows done to harm your trust?”
“Not the arrows in flight. The knives in the night.” I said, letting my voice drop. “I wasn’t going to push the matter, but you have backed me into a corner here. On our way here, I was drugged by the two hunters who were supposed to be guarding me. I was then branded and hit with a powder that was supposed to destroy my memory. Something about me being close enough to a vampire that it should work?”
“That is a very serious accusation.” The Duke said, holding out a hand to prevent anyone from speaking. “Do you have any proof of this?”
I stood and lifted my shirt, baring the mark of Solaris around my navel. “I assure all present here, this was done with a hot iron brand and is not a tattoo. Magi Dominum Farris, if you wish I grant you permission to inspect it with your magic. I’ll try not to interfere.”
The mage shot across the room, placing a palm flat on my stomach for a half second before recoiling in horror. “By Solaris! That’s not just a brand! It’s been imbued with ritual magic!”
“What do you mean?” The Archbishop asked.
“It’s been imbued with holy magics! And it is tied in to the very magics of the boy himself!” She turned so rapidly her hair flared around herself, pointing a glowing red finger at Gregory. “Explain yourself this very instant! How many of these atrocities have you created?”
Gregory was no slouch, and immediately had a pair of throwing knives in his hand. But he was hindered by the chair and the unexpectedness of the accusations, as well as the point of the gladius that Clarence was resting gently on the base of his skull.
“While I appreciate the seriousness of these accusations, I must insist that everyone maintain a semblance of civility in my master’s home. Hunt Meister, if you would be so kind as to remove your weapons and gently place them on the table in front of you, we will extend guest rights for the duration of your visit here. Magi Dominum Farris, I must ask you to unwind your spell.”
“And what of after this meeting?” Gregory snarled as he slowly started complying.
“Should the council present decide that you need to be taken into custody, I will do so personally.” The younger Cornick said. “And you will live long enough to face your accusers in court.”
After a moment, Gregory agreed with a grin. “Very well. Tell us boy, what can you remember? You say you were drugged and hit with a memory potion. How did you undo it?”
“I guess I am different enough from a vampire that it wasn’t as effective, and my own healing magics could reverse it.”
“Much as I hate agreeing with Gregory, do you recall what went into this memory potion? Or did they just admit it?” Farris asked, still giving the Meister a glare.
I nodded, “I do. Not all of it, and it wasn’t a potion. I know for sure they had some sort of argentum as well as ginkgo ash and rowan dust.”
“Farris?” The Duke asked, as she seemed lost in thought.
“Well. Activated argentum and rowan dust would fight against anything vampiric, that’s simple enough. Ginkgo would as well, but much better in its. Natural. Form.” She started trailing off at the end of her sentence, before lighting up. “I’ve got it! They don’t want ginkgo for the vampire aspect, they need it for memory! Gingko extract boosts memory, which is why it is effective against vampires. They are reminded of the sun, and it weakens them. But by burning the ginkgo, you are turning it from a memory restorer to a memory blocker!”
“That’s one against you Gregory.” The Legatus said. “Do you know anything about the ritual branding?” He asked, turning to face me.
“Yeah. While the iron heated, they told the story of Solaris coming to our world and bringing his four blessings to the world. Light, warmth, flame, and stability. After they told the story, they branded me around my navel. Something about linking Solaris giving life to the world and my mother giving life to me. It was a bit over my head at that point, and I was in incredible pain.”
“To think that our teachings could be used in such a manner.” The Archbishop was shaking his head.
“But, that isn’t what the flames are supposed to represent, are they?” The Duke asked, confused.
“It is the original story.” The Archbishop clarified. “Now we find I easier to call each flame a different member of the pantheon, united in serving life.”
“Oh please, and just why are you listening to a commoner brat from the middle of nowhere over an esteemed member of the Hunters?” Gregory growled.
“To start, he has a convincing story. How many farmers do you know that would have knowledge of advanced alchemy?” The Legatus asked.
“Or he could be a plant, sent here to weaken the Hunters. It wouldn’t be the first time the priesthood was fooled.” Gregory snarled, staring at the Archbishop.
“It also isn’t the first time today that you have lied, is it Gregory?” The Duke asked, finally allowing his grief to show. “Tell me. At the beginning of this meeting, you were assuring me as to my daughter’s health. And yet the woman Brandon met in the cave was my Laura. Dying of wounds inflicted by a large nest of vampires. Brandon was kind enough to head here immediately upon his arrival to the capital with her effects. How was it that word could reach me from, where did you say? Ah, yes. The middle of nowhere. Word could wait a week for a caravan from the middle of nowhere and make it here in person before I was informed of her death. How is that, when we all know damn well that you keep vivere stones of all your hunters? You’ve known she was dead for at least two weeks, and not once have you sent word. What else are you hiding?” Despite his rage, the only thing you could see from the Duke was a slight shaking of his clenched fists and a tear tracking down his cheek.
“Lies and slander!” Gregory snarled, starting to stand only to find the point of the Legatus’ own sword at his throat.
“Sit. Down.” He ordered in an icy voice, sending shivers down my spine though it wasn’t even directed at me. Clarence snapped his fingers, and two servants came in carrying separate boxes. In the first was Laura’s clothes, bloodstains and all. In the second was her sword and signet, again not having been cleaned. The tip of the sword wavered just a bit as the boxes were opened, but that was all.
“Hunt Meister Gregory. Under my authority as Legatus Legionis of the Praetoria Cohort, I hereby place you under arrest. So far the charges are unlawful kidnapping and torture of a civilian, unlawful use of mind altering alchemy, and possible treason. Do not resist.” I wasn’t surprised when two more praetorian’s entered and bound the Maester’s hands, though I was a bit surprised when Farris added a bit of magic.
“Just to make sure he doesn’t try and escape,” She said before turning to me, “As for you. I know you wish to be a soldier, but I hope you aren’t opposed to learning magic. If I send over a tutor this afternoon, would you be willing to work with them?”
“I would be honored.” I said with a slight bow, getting a chuckle from her.
“Excellent. Now, if you’ll excuse me your Grace but I’ll be needed to undo that spell when they place Gregory into a cell.”
“Of course. Thank you for coming.”
“I’m afraid I must excuse myself as well. There are things that the church must immediately look into, one of which is a possible cleansing of the hunters. Your Grace, I humbly thank you for bringing this to our attention.” With that, the room cleared out rather swiftly.
“Well, that went better than I had hoped. Nicely played Brandon.” The Duke said as he stroked the sleeve of his daughter’s shirt.
“I’m sorry your Grace, but you make it sound like that was planned?” I asked, thoroughly confused.
“Oh it was. Father Ennarion didn’t just inform the church, but he sent word to me as well. I’ve long distrusted Gregory, he seemed a slime through and through. I managed to slip a spy into your group. I trust Carl taught you well?”
“Carl? You? But?” I stammered, completely at a loss for words. Carl was a spy? Why was he spying for the Duke?
“Hah! Oh, I love that look of absolute confusion on some people’s faces. Let this be your first lesson in politics boy. Everyone and everything can be a spy. If you wish something to remain a secret, you must be the only one that knows about it. Now, I do have some important things to take care of since the wheels are in motion. Clarence will answer your questions, and properly introduce you to your trainer.” With that he strode out of the room as I slunk down into my chair.
“Surprised?” Clarence asked.
“Stunned. I had no idea.” I nodded, waving my arms to indicate everything.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. The Duke is very good at what he does, and has been practicing politics for nearly twice as long as you have been alive. If he wasn’t able to fool a farm boy from the country with that much practice, he would have fallen to his enemies long ago.”
“Listen, this has been rather enlightening and all, but my time is precious.” The trainer said.
“Right. Brandon, I present Trainer Volgan. Trainer, this is your pupil Brandon. Should you need anything, simply ask.”
“I suppose he did well enough that I could take him on as a student. Tell you what, you get tomorrow off while I set up a proper training area. One that should take into account your abilities. You will train with me every six days, and take the seventh off. Don’t even think of strength training those days, either. At most you will slow practice forms, or I will never teach you a thing again. Are you willing to commit to that?”
“Of course sir.” I said.
“Excellent. See you in two days. Sunrise in the practice yard.” With that, Volgan strode out of the room.
“So serious. You really should count this as a blessing. Usually Volgan has a group of students to train. He decided to cut back for a bit before taking on the Praefectus Castrorum role.”
“Praefectus Castrorum?” I asked, confused.
“Military rank. Highest a commoner can go, but in the training camps it is a bit different. Usually they are third rank in a legion. Instead he will be in charge of training all the cohorts of the new legions. I am a bit worried about you though, or at least the Duke is. You are taking on a lot of stress, are you sure you can handle it?”
I nodded, “I am. I can get by with only four hours of sleep a night, though five or six seems to be best. The one thing I am concerned about is drinking from a sapient. We didn’t go over that in the meeting, and I am getting close to my deadline.”
“I see. I’ll let the Duke know then. Both him and the church are aware of the laws. I’ll have someone here tomorrow afternoon to teach you about what you are allowed and not allowed to do with regards to drinking from a sapient. How is your regular blood supply?”
“Starting to get low, but that can be fixed with a quick trip to any butcher shop. Is there any chance that someone could escort me around town tomorrow? I’ve no idea where anything is, and that needs to be fixed. I should also buy something that doesn’t scream to everyone that I am a poor country farmer.”
“An admirable plan. I’ll arrange some extra pay for one of the off duty guards, they should be more than capable. Might I suggest a quick lunch before magic studies? And be prepared to go through a lot more food than you, er, blood, than you thought possible. Both physical and magical training will be draining your bodily resources at an amazing pace.” He paused for a moment, eyes staring off into the distance as a memory struck him. “Charles, the Legatus, always used to tease Laura when she went into training. Said she was going to bankrupt the Duke with all that she ate. Of course, he stopped when she tried to bludgeon him with the leg bone of a turkey she had just finished eating.”
“Oh, that must have been funny. I can see her giving him a glare as his only warning, before launching her assault.” I chuckled. I noticed Clarence wiping away something from his eye, and he simply gave me a nod before heading off to do whatever he was planning on doing. I headed straight toward my room, noticing for the first time that my stomach was twisting in hunger pangs and not just nervousness.