“So that was the famous Council of Pure Bloods.” Aodh decided to speak first seeing that neither Terav nor any of his half blood guards had a mind to. “Formidable.”
“The fate of the world is determined within that one Room, formidable then would seem a rather necessary requirement for them.”
Aodh moved up beside Terav as he led the way back outside.
“Fate of the world? Though you are undoubtedly the most powerful beings on our continent, I am sure others might disagree.”
“Oh? Such as?” Terav asked.
“The Dragonkin.”
“The Dragonkin are being dealt with, and they are stranded a whole continent away.”
Aodh said nothing at Terva’s words. Stranded seemed an odd way of referring to those who had defeated and driven away the Vampirii from their homelands.
“Very well then, on this continent, the Dwaelven have strength still, what cities they do have fortified and well defended.”
“The Dwaelven?” Terav laughed, “We have graciously allowed them to keep their cities solely because of our generosity. They create some pretty trinkets for decoration and forge strong arms for battle. Should we get bored of them they would be wiped out in a month. However well fortified or defended you might think them.”
“Very well then, evidently the world does lie in your hands. Seeing as it does then perhaps I might find someone to teach me a little of your language. I wish to learn some of it.”
“No.” Terav stated firmly, before Aodh could add anything else. “We speak your common tongue, you have no need to learn ours. Nor in truth could you, ours is an ancient language, one of complexity and intricacy, far removed from that which you speak.”
“Still, I would like to-”
“No. What you would like does not matter. You won’t be taught it.” Terav spoke softly but by his look Aodh saw it was not something worth pressing.
Outside once more Terav led the way to where the wide avenues of palaces lay. This time they took a different path, leaving behind the main road and taking one of those which broke away from it. They strolled past palaces, moving away from the Council Chambers, the walk gave Aodh the opportunity to examine closer the extravagant homes of the Pure Bloods.
Despite the walls which surrounded them and the guards patrolling outside them, they were clearly built not for defence but for beauty and pleasure. Full of eloquent and impressively manipulated stone which had been made into a vast ensemble of beasts, both strange and wonderful. They resembled none like Aodh had seen before, even within the palace walls the creations were all over, intricately designed and almost frightening in their detail. He made his way slowly, passing one great palace after the next. Though they were all also a deep black in colour they were not like the black stone buildings he had seen thus far.
Each one seemed to glimmer and gleam before him. But he could not make out what caused them to radiate so intensely.
Aodh was led to a palace, significantly smaller though still considerable in size, it was placed at the end of the row of palaces.
As he got close he made out just what it and the others were constructed of and what it was caused them to shine so curiously. Black pearl. The entire building seemed to be made up of it. As ridiculous as that seemed, he had no doubt about that fact.
It was stunning, the black pearls so perfectly put together that no line or blemish appeared on its surface.
Though smaller it had a wall running all around it, and the gate which Terav opened to him was stout and well made. Two half bloods stood either side of it. They stepped aside for Terav and he gestured for Aodh to head in.
“This is to be your quarters. There are three thralls inside assigned to this palace. Should you need something then give a command, they will answer to you on our authority. All food and drink will of course be provided for you. Tonight you may rest, tomorrow you will begin your preparation for what lies ahead of you.”
“And what kind of preparation would that be?”
“That you will learn tomorrow, tonight is all you must worry about. And getting the rest you will need for that same preparation.”
Aodh did feel tired, and was rather eager to be left alone again. After so long traversing through forest and field alone he felt almost bombarded with the amount of people he’d spoken to and seen today.
“Then I shall go rest.” Aodh bowed to his guide. “I presume I shall be here alone, yes? Apart from the thralls”
“Yes, though I suppose if you wanted another elegant lady thrall it could be arranged I’m sure.”
Aodh did not laugh at Terav’s proposal, though the Count clearly found it funny he found the idea of sleeping with a cold, dead thrall as more than unappealing.
“Sleep will be all I need. Goodnight Count Azareel.”
“Goodnight Foxling,” Terav answered.
Aodh made his way inside, he heard the click of the lock but ignored it. He had no intention of leaving in any case. He truly was tired.
The palace was a place of luxury, he felt almost awkward surrounded by such extravagance. Such splendour for what is merely a guest quarters, Aodh reflected as he glanced about at the eloquent water features, the lifelike stone statues, the pure black pearl walls.
Within the main dining hall he found the three thralls mentioned waiting for him. They stood still as statues. Aodh felt ill at ease in their presence. They made no move when he entered, but their dead eyes followed him. It was altogether unsettling. Aodh got the feeling it would have been far better to manage without such servants about him.
He left them but wasted little time examining each of the rooms, merely scanning them before finding his bedroom. It alone was the size of the whole dormitory he had once stayed in at the Manor. The bed was as wide as a carriage and almost twice as long as he was. Making sure to lock his door he settled down into its black and velvet layers and instantly felt his tiredness more keenly. A good sleep was what he needed now more than ever. Already he had so much to take in and consider. By the words of the princes, the month’s preparation would leave him with much more to attend to.
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.
Aodh awoke early, as he usually did. Yet when he went to his quarter’s dining area he found the table had already been set and food laid out for him. All three of the thralls however stood exactly where he had last seen them last night.
Ignoring the fact he was pleased with what was laid out before him. The food, just like his surroundings, was of the finest quality. Aodh had fine cuts of boar, deer and calf amongst a litany of berries and fruits to pick from. From what he knew the Vampirii had no need of food or drink, so having such fine affair again seemed perplexing. Yet he would not complain. It had been a long time since he had eaten so well, and so much.
As good as the food was, it was the drink that truly created a sense of bliss for him. Tralorian wine was the most expensive, most exclusive wine on the continent, and for good reason. Whatever the Vampirii did there was nothing that could compare to the taste and scent of their vineyards productions. Though where they might be Aodh had no idea.
Even finding a bottle outside of Tralor itself was not easy, generally costing the price of a small home to acquire. Only once had Aodh tasted it. Desra was more than fond of the wine. Though generally frugal, his taste for Tralorian wine was one indulgence he seemed to allow for. On rare occasions even sharing some of his collection with the others.
To have a full bottle to himself then was dreamlike. Aodh savoured every taste. Finishing he sat back content. Tralor was growing more beautiful by the moment.
It was difficult to tell just what time it was for Tralor had no sun for him to do so. The only source of light coming from the mysteriously prominent moon and its vivid glare.
It was not long after he had finished his meal and wine when he heard knocking on his door. Dusting himself down Aodh had a quick glance in the mirror before making his way out.
Hurrying over to the door he was surprised to find Prince Azareel smiling at him upon opening it.
“Ahh Aodh. I trust you are enjoying your quarters? And the food and wine along with it?”
Aodh returned the smile, out of any of the Princes, he was glad it was Azareel that was the one to first call on him. Two younger looking vampires stood alongside him, though a little behind along with several warrior half bloods.
“Both are good, though it is the wine that I feel most grateful for.”
The elder laughed, “Indeed, I am not surprised to hear you say so. Our wine has provided a great deal of pleasure to a great many people. Your leader included I believe.”
“Certainly,” Aodh agreed, “Perhaps it is from there that I got the taste.”
“Well, there will be time for more after. For now, I am here to begin your training of sorts. To inform you on what it is we do know about the Dragonkin. You will need every piece of help you can over there, thus it is paramount you learn all you can about them. Now then.”
Ar led the way inside, brushing past Aodh.
“These two fine Princes are my sons, Yoven and Trendal.”
Aodh bowed slightly to the two sons, and they did likewise.
They appeared almost twins, both were brawny, muscular types. They were handsome yes, but heavy set, like their father they had a streak of dark brown in their hair. Yoven had it on the left, the Trendal on the right.
“They are my escort if you will, and here to make sure I don’t forget anything.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you Foxling, both my brother and I plan on touring the continent, once things die down here a little. Whatever some of our compatriots might think, it is our own belief that we should know more of what goes on around us.”
Precisely,” Trendal added to his Brother’s words, “the dragonkin will need aid if they are to attempt to take this continent from us. We will not allow that naturally, but it would be best we know who can be trusted should they come.”
“Wise,” Aodh nodded, “even one small ally can turn a war. Though I do not think it would take much to dissuade someone going against your people. Even with Dragonkin involved.”
“Yes, well that is for another time. For now come, sit Foxling.” Prince Arval took a seat at the head of the table, “So, perhaps you should begin. What do you know about the Dragonkin and their Burned men? You displayed some knowledge on the topic at the Council chambers, what else?”
“Little,” Aodh said sitting down, “I know that there are DragonLords. Each one rules a kingdom of his own. I know that they are huge beasts, enough to cover a large town with their shadows. I know that they can change shape, transform into anything they so wish. And I know that they command vast armies of men, known as Burned men for the mark each DragonLord gives to those he takes control of.”
“Hmmm, well that is a start.” Prince Arval scratched his jaw,
“And what do you know of our own history with them?”
“I know that they…..” Aodh paused a moment, his hesitancy drawing laughter from all three of the Azareels.
“Relax Foxling,” Yoven smiled, “we are not so easily offended, speak freely. What do you know?”
“I know that they defeated you, forced you to traverse the forbidden seas. To leave behind all you had and make you come here to this continent you now call home.”
“It is our continent, but it is not our home Foxling.” Arval shook his head, “I was born on the continent beyond, and I will die there, come what may. Your answer is short but to the point, and it covers the important part. It is true, we were defeated, and here we now are, requiring a Foxling to gain intel on the place we once called our home. You no doubt realise that there are others, more than a few who aren’t keen on us having Foxlings inside our walls. Or anyone for that matter. Yet we have little option left to us. We have tried everything else and nothing has worked. The Dragonkin are not easily deceived. To understand their inner workings we need to have someone inside their lands. You, with your human blood, will be that someone.”
“You heard before that it is necessary for you to receive a burn.” Trendal gestured over his face, “You will become a Burned man of the Dragon Cathach. He holds a minor Kingdom, but commands a considerable army of Burned men. One of those present at the attack on Orbran you will be placed within his city.
He however is only one of the lesser Lords. The Dragons have divided the continent into 14 large realms, each one ruled by
14 DragonLords. Besides them there are 28 others, they are known as lesser Lords. Two for each realm which rule dominions within it. You will naturally be focused on Cathach. But do try and learn what you can of the others, in particular Cathach’s direct ruler, the Dragonlord Svetharv.”
“There are only 42 of them?” Aodh put his cup down, he had expected more. At least a hundred. Dragons or not they ruled an entire continent.
“Only 42.” Arval laughed, but it was a bitter laugh. “You have never seen a Dragon, nor much less fought one. If you had, you would not say only. Do you know how difficult it is to kill something so large as to fill a city, so fast as to be like wind? They do not fall easily Foxling. Hope only that you never have to see them in battle, for should you see that then you will most likely be looking at your death. In any case, we refer only to their ruling class, it is likely there are several more we are not even aware of.”
Aodh was a little surprised, he knew from tales what a Pure Blood could do, if one such as Arval held such respect for the abilities of the Dragonlords then they truly must be formidable. Despite the ominous warning, he couldn't help feeling anxious to see for himself such prowess. It would be a fine sight, if an altogether deadly one.
“And what exactly am I to do there? As a burned man what will my role be?”
“Ah well that will be decided on arrival.” Yosen explained, “the Dragonlords have all but used up the humans native to the continent, almost all of them bound to one of them or another. Therefore they need fresh subjects. Which is why we believe they are striving to break into this land. We know they have already taken from villages, towns far away from our patrols. You will be one of those humans. Those who accompany you on the ship will be responsible for getting you into the city. You will be given all you need to blend in as a city guard. It will be up to you then to convince your new Burned comrades of your legitimacy. Though your burn should do most of that for you. We took some of their Burned men at Orbran. We know already that they sometimes send patrols from one city to the next. You will be one of those guards sent to Cathach’s city. Your company will be attacked along the way, by us of course. You will be the only survivor. You will claim that you and the others were beset upon by chimeras. Trust me they will believe it. Since the dawn age they have killed Burned men and before that our thralls too, in the thousands.”
“Chimeras?” Aodh frowned, “What is that?”
“Only hope you never have to face one,” Yoven puffed his cheeks, “They are everywhere on our continent. They have the heads and bodies of what you call lions, four horns like that of a goat, and a scorpions tail.”
“I see, well clearly you have this all thought out.”
“We do,” Azareel ignored the sarcasm, “Though there will be much down to you. It will not be your combat skills most tested for this. Your contract is one of finesse and espionage, that only. Learn, listen and live amongst our enemy. What you return to us with will no doubt aid us greatly in what is to come. That is…” Arval smiled and wagged a finger at him, “Should you survive. Good. Then, we will leave you for now. I think we have given the Foxling enough to think on.”
“More than enough.” Aodh rose to his feet with his guests.
“I would like for you to attend a dinner my brother and I are hosting tonight, at our House palace. There are many subjects of the continent we wish to discuss with you. Think of it as an unofficial welcoming Party.”
“I would be honoured,” Aodh was both surprised and pleased by Trendal’s offer. Perhaps there he too could ask questions about the Vampirii.
“Very well then,” Trendal continued, “we shall send someone over for you at the due time.”
“You are fortunate Aodh, few have ever attended a Pure Blood’s Ball.” Arval winked at him as he made his way out, “Make the most of it.”
“Ahh, a moment Prince.” Aodh got back to his feet and followed, though the two sons of Arval were present, this seemed as good a time as any to deliver his message.
“I have a letter. From Desra. He stressed that I should give it to you. And to you only.”
Arval raised a brow but took the letter and quickly hid it in the folds of his flowing cloak.
“I shall read it as soon as I am back within my own palace.”
WIth that they made their goodbyes. Aodh felt as if he had learned more in one conversation than he had in months, the information he’d been given would no doubt be pivotal to his future contract. But more than that, he knew Desra would be greatly interested in learning all he could on it too. There was no piece of information on the Vampirii or Dragonkin too insignificant for him. All was documented, all he kept track of. He and the other Foxlings outside the Manor repeatedly reminded to buy and acquire any books or sources they found while on the road.
Already he had much to tell.
Aodh rested and waited for the evening. He had been left a dresser full of clothes to pick from. Yet they were all foreign to him. It was not often he was without his armour. Already he felt conspicuous in the presence of such beauty and extravagance. Not only for the fact that he was a Foxling, but for his rather inadequate level of style compared to his hosts. It was quite glaring. Though there was a wide selection to choose from Aodh decided to keep it simple, he had seen enough of the Princes to have an idea of their style.
The Houses themselves each had their own colours, most from what he had seen were black or silver along with another colour, generally dark also. Since both seemed to be the most prominent colours within the city he went with a black and green ensemble. He only hoped he was not inadvertently displaying one House colours over the others.
The outfit for the males at least consisted of a jacket, breeches and a vest, with a large elegant cloak that clasped around the neck to finish. All of which made Aodh feel constricted but he decided he should try and comply with the style of his hosts. Elegantly tailored it was as if each piece of clothing had been made for his exact size.
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Though he still felt out of place, after having a wash and shaving Aodh felt a great deal more confident once he was finally called to his door. There three household guards of Azareel waited for him. No words were spoken, in fact Aodh was not entirely sure they could speak. Every order he’d seen issued by a Prince or Terav happening wordlessly. They merely stepped aside and Aodh was directed to walk between them.
They passed back down through the palaces to where one of the larger ones stood shining a little brighter than the others. Though all of the palaces appeared similar at first glance there were differences in both style and design not readily noticeable at first glance. Azareel’s Palace was made of the same black stone as the others, but now up close he could see veins of red flowing through the blackness.
At this door his three guards left him for those evidently guarding the palace. The sound of many voices and music came to Aodh as soon as he entered inside the grounds.
Here he was led through quite astounding gardens. Like all Foxlings, Aodh was well versed on the plants, herbs and flowers of the continent. He was quite astounded then to see whole groups and species of flora that he had never seen before, in person or in books.
He didn’t have time to admire, the two guards guiding him so close that he was forced to continue lest they run into the back of him. They only allowed him stop once he had reached the doors to what was clearly the great Hall. There, another half blood, dressed not for battle but as a steward awaited him.
From here Aodh could look out into a huge and open ballroom. There were Princes and Princesses, Counts and Countesses everywhere, at least a hundred. Thralls, dressed identical to the three back at his own quarters, went about with great plates of food and drink. In the corner music was emanating from several strange lute-like instruments, again played by thralls. The scene was like that of a dream, full of beauty and glamour
“Ah yes, Ser Foxling. My masters wished for me to direct you to them immediately on your arrival. If you would be so kind as to follow me.”
Aodh nodded, surprised by the polite tone and speech of the half-blood. What experiences he’d had with others of their kind had always been unfavourable. Arrogant, overbearing and self-righteous he had never imagined one being so amicable. He was fast learning that those half bloods beyond Tralor were a kind of their own. Outside they acted with an impunity he had not yet witnessed within. It seemed the Pure Bloods had thralls and Half bloods for every purpose.
Aodh made his way through the crowds after the steward, he did his best to keep his eyes to himself as he passed beauty after beauty. All he had seen before now paled in comparison to his first sight of female Pure Bloods. He forced himself to keep his eyes directed straight ahead.
He had never even seen a female half blood, yet alone a pure blood. He knew that their beauty was something to behold, but even still he found the words taken from his mouth.
The ladies before him were the most beautiful things he had ever seen in his entire life. Each one tall and sleek, but their body seemed far beyond perfect to him, indescribable visions. He wasn’t sure if all the talk about just how beautiful the Vampirii Pure bloods were had affected him, but not in his wildest imaginations could he have ever pictured anything so flawless as the images that surrounded him. Even that which made them so different, their dark wings and almost silver skin and hair, it only added to the allure. They seemed almost sisters, only small differences seemed to separate them. It was impossible to tell just what age they were. All were bewitching however, he knew that.
As he made his way deeper into the room his presence was noticed more and more of the Pure Bloods began to point him out.
Aodh was led over to where both Yoven and Trendal were busy entertaining a group of about six other Pure Bloods. There were three females amongst them. Up close Aodh was mesmerised.
“Ahh Foxling, you have arrived. We were just discussing you,” Trendal clasped Aodh’s arms and dragged him into the middle of the group.
“Allow me to introduce to you the Princes Intror, Rensra and Colwrath. And the Princesses Vensar, Lusdan and Lonedrar. Heirs and Heiresses all.”
A little overwhelmed, Aodh attempted to acknowledge each of them one by one.
“You have no drink?” Yoven asked, “We shall need to change that.”
Aodh was rather abruptly handed a glass of wine. He stared down at the cup of red. Tralorian wine, he knew.
“You like our wine?” One of the three females asked. She had distinctive purple hair, causing her to stand out quite dramatically.
“Hmmm….” Aodh shook himself awake, surprised to find himself so affected, even in spite of their looks. He had thought himself prepared.
“The wine. You like it?” She smiled at him.
“Ahh the wine, yes. It is…exquisite. Like many things in this city.” He smiled at the Princess. Trendal had named her as Princess Vensar. Even amidst such beauty she stood out to him, her eyes held his and he had to force himself to look away. He could have easily imagined staring into them all night.
You were discussing me?” Aodh turned instead to direct a question to Trendal trying to maintain a sense of levity.
“Ah yes, I was just saying how you were the human’s greatest creations. Made by Alacrand himself if I am not mistaken.”
“I was no human creation, I was born after their destruction. But yes, it is true that the first of our kind was made through the Maegist Alacrand. He was the one responsible, though he never got to see more than one of our kind. Desra was the first and only Foxling he ever saw.”
“Yes, Desra.” Yoven clicked his fingers, “He is the Leader I was telling you about. I assure you, Beastlings are quite an interesting subject.”
“How many of you are there?” One of the group asked, a young looking prince with close cropped silver hair much more modern than anything Aodh had seen so far.
“Us Foxlings?” Aodh shrugged, “Perhaps five hundred now, though it is hard to say.
Aodh took a long drink as he ignored the stares, five hundred might have been a little too adventurous a number, though he thought it better to go too high than to give the Vampirii his people’s exact numbers.
“Five hundred. That is quite considerable,” another of the females present stated, one with light blue lips and blue eyeshadow decorating an elegant face.
“And you Foxlings work solely on contracts? As mercenaries for hire? You have no Kingdom of your own?”
“We are more than just mercenaries. We are trained killers, assassins. And all we do we do for the whole. Our entire people’s history is not yet two hundred years old.”
“Little wonder then you are how you are.” She bit her lips, “Wild, untamed. How exciting to see a culture and people so young.”
“And what of the Pure Bloods?”
Aodh turned away from her, she looked at him the same way he looked at meat, and not in a good way. Her hunger looked solely on eating him then engaging in anything else. “How many of you now exist?”
“Ahh, but that is not important Aodh Rua. Do not worry on such things.”
Trendal’s dismissal was somewhat frustrating but Aodh decided it best not to say anything. After all, it was his banquet.
“What of Tralor then? What do you make of it?” Blue lips asked.
“It is a wonder, of that there is no doubt.” Aodh did not like how self-content the Princess looked, asking her question, “Though there are other wonders on the continent.” He added.
“Surely none that can contend with Tralor?” Yoven frowned at him.
Aodh shrugged, “Have you been to Vies Diem? A wonder of building and architecture. I would not say it is greater than Tralor but….. I mean it is understandable after all. Vies Diem is a city that outlives Tralor by thousands of years. Little wonder then that it inspires such awe on viewing.”
“And Tralor doesn’t?” Yoven seemed amused by Aodh’s attempt to divert.
Aodh feigned disinterest, “No, no, it’s wonderful, spectacular even, only….”
“Only what?” Another of the Princes asked, Colwrath maybe.
“Well, the city is rather empty, no? In Vies Diem there are elves and dwarves naturally, but humans, satyrs and beastlings besides. It is a furnace of people and creation.”
“A furnace of crime and poverty maybe, we have no wish for Tralor to be polluted by such creatures.”
“I am a Beastling.” Aodh fixed his gaze on Colwrath.
“Yes.” The Prince finished his cup and reached for another. He smiled, “I know.”
Aodh smiled in return. “Well perhaps you are right. Most of those creatures you mentioned could not live as you do. Like me, they wish to explore beyond the walls of their palaces. It never bores you? I must admit I would likely feel….trapped in your situation.”
The Prince Colwrath tutted and shook his head, “Careful Foxling. Remember where and who you are. You are an instrument for us to carry out our goals, nothing more nothing less. An instrument. A tool.”
“So you admit that you need a creature like me to carry out your goals. There is humour in that.”
“Humour?” Colwrath moved so suddenly and with such speed that Aodh did not notice it until the Prince was right behind him. He felt the dagger tip pressed against his back and a small trickle of blood seeping down his back.
“You do not appear to know who it is you are talking to Beastling.”
“Oh tame yourself Calor.” The Princess Vensar looked at Colwrath with disgust, “Must you be so dramatic.”
“Easy Calor, we are having a discussion.” Yoven took a step towards them, Trendal moved similarly.
Colwrath let out a laugh and slowly moved his blade away, raising his hands in mediation he backed away.
“A jest, that is all. I merely wished to show our guest just what it is to be a Prince.” He looked to Aodh eagerly, with eyes wide, “You understand now yes? Should I ever wish to do so, I could kill you a hundred times over before you could open your mouth. Before you could even utter a single word.”
Aodh wiped a hand across his back, he smiled, “Had I only one word I know what it would be. Dramatic.”
He was pleased to hear laughter, Colwrath glancing at the others did join in, though his was too loud, forced.
Trying to appear confident, Aodh found himself another drink. In truth however, he had been shocked by the ease with which Colwrath had moved into a position to kill him. He had been helpless. He is right, Aodh realised, “Should any one of them want to kill me, then they could do so with ease. That thought was a sobering one.
“And what is it you people think of the Vampirii? Of us?”
Aodh regarded Trendal closely, grateful for his question to break the growing and uncomfortable tension.
“You are the ultimate power. You control the continent. What is there to think about? Especially seeing as we so rarely see your kind abroad. When people think of Vampirii, it is the half bloods you send out that they imagine.”
Yoven and Trendal nodded at his words and by the glance they cast to the group Aodh could tell it was an opinion both were aware of.
Aodh picked up a dessert of some kind on a thrall’s tray as it passed. “Here is one thing I desire to know. Why this food and drink? From what I heard you do not need it?”
Aodh’s words brought out another chorus of gentle laughter.
“You are right Foxling, neither are something we need,” Trendal answered, “though so the same is with alcohol for your kind yes? Though you do not need it you indulge in it, sometimes to a great extent?”
“Indeed,” Aodh finished his second cup, the wine was almost too good, he would need to have a care for how much he drank. “Some more than others.”
“Precisely, well so too for us with food and drink. Though we are content and more than capable of living upon the thralls we have here with us, it is nice to have a change every now and again. Creates a sense of variety.”
“Variety?” Aodh raised a brow, “I am sure it does.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion away to the left of them.
Yoven clapped his hands and waved over to where a troupe of Azareel half bloods were entering the Ballroom. Four humans came with them, chained and in separate cages. In each cage was a human male and female.
“Ah yes, our entertainment.”
Aodh frowned. The two cages were left down opposite each other, right in the centre of the room.
The Princes and Princesses gradually dispersed to create a wide space around both the cages. Yoven waited patiently in the centre for all to be into position.
“Tonight we have a special spectacle. Here we have an evolutionary Battle, a war of the primitives.” Yoven’s eyes shone bright red, “But no ordinary Battle this. In honour of our Foxling’s arrival and his imminent departure for the Homelands, we have procured two humans from those same lands. A couple. Just as we have acquired two humans, another couple, from this land. So, this is not just a battle of wills, but a battle of love. And of evolution. Which human has developed further? Those of our homeland, they are certainly stockier, stronger yes, more durable? Maybe. Or those humans who once went so far as to dominate these lands, tall, lean and with some level of thinking.” Yoven shrugged, “I believe there is only one way to find out.”
With a casual flick of his wings the Azareel Prince raised himself into the air and the ground below him began to fold in on itself.
The floor transformed into walls for what was clearly a fighting pit down below. The cages and the part of the floor they resided on were lowered after. As they passed down Aodh finally got a chance to see those inside.
The cage closest to him must have been that of the humans from the other continent. Aodh tried not to stare hard, there were two of them, dressed in extravagant black and red dress, a nod to the House perhaps. Though they were undoubtedly humans, they were not like any Aodh had ever seen. They were squat, with a heavy build. Their faces protruded out and their noses were much larger than any normal humans. They were shorter too, at least a hand shorter than most humans and both had long, wiry auburn hair that was far more prevalent on their bodies.
In the cage opposite were two more humans evidently from Aodh’s own continent. They were indeed tall and lean, the male had short blond hair and a fair complexion, the female had deep brown hair, long but tied at the back.
Aodh would have thought that in such a circumstance both couples would have been almost paralysed with fear. The opposite was the case. The two males howled and tore at the bars as they were lowered down, seemingly sensing that the time of combat was near, while the females screamed and glared at each other. Aodh focused in on the eyes of both pairs of humans. Even at a distance he could see they were enlarged and bloodshot, they were salivating at the mouth and their bodies twitched and moved incessantly about their cages.
“What were they given?” Aodh asked Trendal beside him.
“Given?” The Prince did not take his eyes off the cages.
“To make them act that way?”
Trendal shrugged, “I don’t know, they are human.” He gave a quick glance at Aodh, “Without any genetic manipulation or ability. They act that way because it is in their nature.”
Aodh frowned. There were few if any humans he had ever met that would act in such a way without something to make them do so. They are made to act as the Pure Bloods need them to, to be mindless savages they must act like mindless savages, Aodh thought. The Princes and Princesses spoke in hushed tones, but there was an obvious sense of excitement in the air. Not one seemed surprised by the spectacle nor the caged beings before them. Aodh was no stranger to fighting pits. He’d seen men and beasts fight to the death. But this already felt different.
Yoven glided over the cages, raising his hands high he surveyed over the entire room, waiting, building up the moment. Finally he gave a wave of his hand.
Instantly the cage doors opened. Both men went charging out, no hesitation, no momentary pause to evaluate. Just a straight charge. They smashed into each other, drawing great roars from the crowd above. The women came after, but no less violently did they meet in the centre.
There was no finesse, no strategy, it was brutal, savage. Exactly how the Pure Bloods intend, Aodh supposed.
They had no weapons, the men rolled and wrestled, the smaller more robust other continent man was getting the best of it from what Aodh could see. As he watched the squat man manoeuvred himself on top and with hammer fists began to rain down blows on his stricken opponent.
The ladies were no less fierce in their exchanges, each had gripped the other firmly by the hair but the taller female had raised herself above the other to scratch down at the exposed neck.
Aodh turned away.
He had no love for humans, he’d seen many killed, and killed savagely. But they had been slaves destined for the fighting pits.
They had some skill, some appearance of knowing what they were doing and why they were doing it. They were given weapons and names, it was bloodthirsty yes, but there were at least some boundaries. Not here.
He knew humans of all beings were not deserving of pity. Still, he did not like to see such entertainment. The sounds of pained screams pierced through the air. Aodh peered down once more, he was eager for the affair to finish.
The human more familiar to him had managed to crawl away from under his foe, the smaller squat human was holding his eyes. Blood seemed to be streaming out of them as he screeched out, his hands desperately trying to stem the tide. The taller male did not hesitate long, charging back before launching several kicks down on his now blind enemy. The smaller man fought on, though the pain must have been almost unbearable. Vainly he tried to get back to his feet, scrambling wildly in search of his attacker. The taller man easily sidestepped away and came behind to grab the man by the neck. With a savage wrench he snapped the man’s neck before falling away from him. His own cries mixing in with the paralysed but evidently still alive smaller man.
It took some time before the blind human stopped kicking, stopped fighting, stopped gurgling. But eventually he did.
Aodh did not see how the females battle had played out, he only saw the squat woman standing alongside the taller female. Looking closer Aodh saw the marks around the lady’s neck and the blood and cuts on the victorious female as she stood above her fallen rival.
No time was wasted on seeing both duels brought to a conclusion.
“A draw. One for the humans of our own continent, and one for the humans of this. What now, shall they be freed?” Trendal gestured to the crowd, inviting on replies.
“Perhaps they should mate?” A voice called out.
“Rutting beasts, give them some wine and they are sure to follow through.”
Laughter and general amusement filled the Ballroom. Worse than that however was the fact that many had already turned away. Bored already by the human slaughter, they sought out more drink and discussion, the fights nothing but a minor sideshow.
Ignoring the clamour and shouting around him Aodh peered down.
Both survivors were exhausted.
Whatever they had been given was starting to wear off, that or the horrors of what they’d just participated in had awoken them from their stupor. A wave of understanding seemed to wash over them. They both fell to their knees weeping, two different strands of human, male and female they acted with remarkable similarity.
The Vampirii did not like that. Groans of disappointment and annoyance rang out around Aodh as the male began to crawl over to where the female was. According to Yoven, both of those killed had been the lovers of the two survivors. Yet they did not lash out now. Instead the male wrapped his arms around the smaller female and they wept, both consumed by grief.
Mutters of disgust broke out.
The humans were not supposed to act with any notion of civility, they were ruining the entire show.
Trendal grimaced and wiped a hand across his face. With a hurried wave the doors of the floor began to close. He gestured off to the side and the music soon started up one more, the Princes and Princesses taking back the centre. It seemed as if the humans and their deathmatch had never happened.
“You don’t approve Aodh?” Yoven’s eyes were unblinking as he fell in alongside him, there was a challenge in them.
“I prefer to see real fights. Not untrained matches between two drugged up prisoners.”
“You feel for them?” Yoven asked. The idea seemed to surprise him. “You, whose people were bred solely to serve as slaves to those same humans?”
“Not those humans. I do not brand them all the same.”
“Why? If one of their kind is capable are not all?”
“No, not all. Whatever you might think, humans have free will. They may, it’s true, direct that towards evil, but they may also direct it towards good.”
“And in which direction do they most oft direct it? In what direction was it aimed for with Beastlings. Or with the Elves, Dwarves, Satyrs and Giants when they attempted to annihilate them? They had not one ally, but sought to destroy all.”
“Did you Vampirii not do the same?”
“No, we conquer, we rule. But we do not exterminate.”
“For some extermination would be the preferred.”
“For some, but not most. Most are not near so brave as that. Whatever songs they might sing.”
The sound of the music rising interrupted anymore of their discussion, it rose quite suddenly and the ambient atmospheric tones of before were replaced now with a powerful if elegant orchestra of noise.
With a great deal of decorum and elaborate movements both the Princes and Princesses began to meet at the centre.
“Ahh, it is time for dance. Come Foxling, let us find a partner.”
Aodh waved his cup, “I have a worthy one already.”
Yosen laughed, “Then we will have to continue later, for now I must dance.”
Still smiling, Yosen left Aodh to make his way onto the dancefloor, a few Princesses already seemed to be waiting for the handsome heir to House Azareel.
More used to tavern jigs than any formal dance, the scene was a pretty if unusual one for Aodh. He watched on as most of the Ball’s attendees took to the floor, though some remained at the edges focused instead on drinking and discussion.