A castle of grand size. Built of stone and ice. Reaching into the sky the sharp castle’s entrance resided within the clouds. The sun does not reach here, in its place rests the moon high in the sky, shining grey light, creating an ominous atmosphere within this cold castle surrounded by an even colder place,

This castle city resided in cold corner within Eln. It has been long since the fall of the golden age. The war has ended. Leaving medlei battered and broken. Countless dead in its wake. Much of the land poisoned and raked of life. Leaving many survivors suffering in this new age.

I.

Flying within the clouds. Flapping her dark fleshy wings. Adeka headed to the overlord's demesne. Having vampire lord status herself, she had to attend her master’s summons. Flying swiftly manoeuvring through the sharp gloomy buildings in the darkness she soon arrived at her lord’s residence. Along with other lords of her status, they stood before an intimidatingly large door of stone. At each side of the door Stone gargoyles with the visage of devils stood guard.

Declaring the reason for the presence, they were then granted passage into the lord’s house.

Walking along a dark hall, exuding the pungent scent of blood emanating from the drains of lowing blood. They True to their nature gradually became parched. The tongs dry they wished they could take a sip of the finest of blood procured from the finest of Prey.

Finally arriving before the lord’s throne. They walked into a dome-like section of the house at the end of the passage.

Unexpectedly he was not sitting in his throne. Instead, he was off to a corner of the room Sitting on a recent place bench. Drinking a mug of blood beside his Devil servant whom himself feasted upon the liver of some poor sod.

Expecting their arrival, Vaskuhl the Vampire overlord of the cold ones. Beckoned them over.

All went before him and kneeled.

Not wasting words he frankly spoke” The devil wants me. And subsequently you along with our place in medlei.” He drinks from his mug. Ruby red blood slowly flowing from his pale cheek. Finished he continued to speak” We are unable to resist her any further. Soon she will rip us from this realm. To Hell. I have no intention to be under the rule of another. Permanent residence within the realm of hell will only prove to restrict us.”

The lord stands. Towering above our prostrating bodies. “Hence I have decided we shall leave medlei before she takes us. The realm of ice and snow is most suitable for us aside from the realm of the dead. Like myself, I trust that none of you want to go the realm of death.” He waits for an objection. Receiving none he declared” Prepare to depart for the cold realm. We leave before the end of the millennium.” He walks away to unknown corners of the castle. Followed by his well-dressed devil servant. Lingering in the air his words rung within their ears” None of you speaks of what happened her once you leave. Keep your actions hidden and do not allude to our intentions. Failure is death.”  The kneeling lords trembled tremble at his final words.

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II.

After Their lord's departure. They stood. Taking the initiative, Scipus-right hand of his lord authority obtained by his strategic skill and effective administration. Delegated tasks to his compatriots.” The most important task now is stockpiling fresh blood… Traversing realms on such a scale will require great amounts of blood, and fresh blood only comes from living creatures…”Scipus sight. The difficulty of the task before them becoming more apparent.” Well need at least millions of living people”

“The living are not easily subdued” someone interjected.

“I know. And they have proven themselves increasingly resistant to our methods… We…we must prepare for war. Or perhaps we should call it genocide. ”

Someone laughs” so what. When have we ever objected to a bloodbath...we need only to stain the land, sea, and sky of blood”

All agreed. Thus cold corner became lively with nefarious machinations.

…..

“Thank you for your invitation lord Aren. With that said I am eager to know why I am here” Adeka conversed with vampire lord Aren. Within his privet abode in the fifth district of the castle city Velen.

“I appreciate you coming, I have a proposition to make. One I’m sure you wouldn’t refuse.”

“… and what is this proposition” Adeka asked, Wary of the shrewd vampire in front of her.

Aren smiles. The darkroom drowning out sounds. Preventing their words from being overheard.

“Celia. I have a way to steal her away. And I require the help of another lord like yourself… My forces are preoccupied with the harvest. I cannot spear the needed manpower to effectively capture her.”

Adeka’s eyes widen. Shining crimson in the dim glow of the room. Her words fumble from her surprise” has your hind succumbed to rot... She is far and well secured in Edda. The humans welcome her in their domains. But I take it you have devised a scheme to circumvent this.”

“No circumvention needed. She’s now in the dark forest and it so happens I’ve procured some allies among the beasts… I have already sent a small contingent to survey her. Ready to strike at my command. But to do so will compromise some efforts in the harvest. An implication I’m certain you understand.”

Adeka affirmed. She knew all too well what a divergence from the main campaign at this current juncture would result in devastating loses.

Aren continued. “On their own, they can accomplish the task and bring her to us. But-“

Adeka interjected,” but Edhil Wouldn’t stand by and let his child be taken by us… which is precisely why you want me to direct my forces to assist Bazar’s cohorts in vahilla.”

“You are quite astute. But no, that would only delay him. Once you intensify your assault on the human lands aided by well-whispered rumour. We can lure Edhil out from vahilla. With his daughter in danger, he would surely go to her. And there is where we will wait in ambush.”

“You intent to kill Edhil!? Laughable, if it were so easy for lords like us to fell him, he’d already be dead millennia ago.”

Aren smiled. “I did mention that I gained allies among the beasts.”

“And what can mere beasts do against an elder guardian.”

“Not mere beasts.”

“…why me.”

“Because like myself you are inferior to our counterparts. You have much to gain if we succeed.”

Adeka takes a moment to consider. The truth of His last words agitates her. ” very well. You have an ally in this venture.” She agreed. Having more to gain than lose. Desiring her standing amongst her people to improve.

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