WBM
Chapter Twenty-Four
Vampire Muckery
~SV~
Country Inn, Morning, 677, 29th, October
Grekan wakes in the small country inn. After a quick breakfast, he carries his bags outside. He stops short of reaching the coach as he sees Kolo’s two riders sitting on their horses. Grekan tries to be positive as he bravely decides, ‘Good they continue to follow me instead of Sidonia.’ He even tries to smile, ‘Hopefully, it means that none are near to finding the Princess, as they are wasting their time with me.’ He slowly gets a nagging idea, it worries him.
The Clerk stresses, ‘What if she went to the isles of Greece?’ He looks around in horror, ‘I might be taking them right to her.’ Gareth and Emmett see his nervous glances. Emmett even gets off his horse to go into the Inn to check for the Princess. Coming back out he looks around the street before shaking his head. Angrily, Emmett curses to Gareth, “Is the Librarian just darkly messing with us?” Grekan hears what he caused and gets aboard the coach.
Once safe inside, he smiles, since they cannot see him. As the carriage starts off again, Grekan hopes Sidonia was sincere about not wanting to hide near Greece. He pulls her note from his pocket, carefully rereads the Princess’s letter. He sees that Sidonia suggested he go there, this and her kind words help him relax. Surprisingly, he later drifts to sleep, Grekan wakes after an hour with a start and glances out the window. He sees they are on a steep mountain road.
It all looks very different to him, for he originally traveled to Anthony’s Castle by water, not over the mountains. While he enjoyed yesterday’s travel through the valleys, seeing the little villages, he has always been less comfortable with the forest because of the wolves and mountains as the roads are too narrow and there are far too many steep cliff edges to fall off of.
~*~
The blue misty form comes closer, the Prince steps back, bumping into the Gargoyle’s leg. Again, it frightens him until he sees what it is. The blue mist form puts his hand on Viktor’s shoulder, the boy gasps, “I felt that.” Donatello nods, pointing to the door. The boy whispers, “Yes, I am aware I should not be here. But I have been looking everywhere for you, then I heard of the body! I just had to see if it was you on the gate, because now that I know-.”
Viktor holds in a sob, “-it is you, I know that I am in real danger! And I felt coming up here is safer than going through the garden.” The Shade nods, bowing his head in sorrow. Viktor sighs, “I am tired of hiding and being alone!” The Ghost waves frantically, Viktor sees a guard’s legs under the gargoyle. The guard is nearly in view as Viktor rushes for the door, aware that the fog form has entered with him. He hurries down the stairs and then hesitates.
The Prince stands at the entrance to the secret door, debating breaking another rule his father gave him. Worried the guard will follow and see him, Prince Viktor turns to Donatello saying, “I am going to have to swear you to secrecy.” The Ghost nods, so the boy opens the hidden door, entering he watches Donatello’s Shade follow him inside, then the Prince closes it. Viktor does not speak as they wind through the different passageways in silence.
Once he gets to his bedroom, Viktor whispers, “I figure you are not able to go through walls yet.” Donatello nods. Viktor says, “Sidonia wrote a story for me about a ghost. It said that it takes time for Shade’s to gain their powers, I should read it again, to see if it says how long it will be.” Opening his trunk, he puts on his small chest shield and a scabbard, placing his dummy sword in the sheath. The dark boy scoffs, “It shall not do me much good in a fight.”
Prince Viktor grins as he opens his treasure chest, digging through his valuables until he finds his slingshot and a sheathed knife. Viktor pulls the dagger admiring his own initials etched in its blade and hilt. He then attaches the sheath to his belt and nods with approval, saying, “At least this can be deadly if needed.” Donatello nods his agreement. Frowning, Viktor says, “It seems like a kid’s room instead of mine. Is it possible to grow up in just a few days?”
The Shade nods as Prince Viktor sighs, saying, “I feel I have outgrown my like of most of my things too, just overnight.” Giving the Ghost a sad smile, he adds, “I am glad I can talk to you. I never should have gone spying, without my weapons!” Donatello nods, as Viktor says, “I need more wine and food, this time enough for a few days. I also need to go to the Armory.” The Shade rapidly shakes his head, worrying. Viktor insists, “For my bow and arrows!”
Suddenly there is a pounding at his door, sensing his Nanny, Viktor whispers, “It is Nusia.” Donatello points to the secret door. She tries the door’s latch, yelling, “You come out of there this instant!” Viktor shakes his head gathering his things. She hisses, “I hear you!” His eyes widen thinking she heard his thoughts; he snickers at his own fear, as it occurs to him that was not what she meant. He laughs with relief, hearing it makes her furious.
~*~
Nusia yells, “I heard you mocking me, and I will tan your hide for being disrespectful!” Viktor shrugs, whispering, “Nusia does not understand I was just laughing at myself.” Donatello motions to the hidden passageway, she fumes, “How dare you ridicule me? Your father hired me to teach you and keep you in line, but you are hiding from me!” The Shade motions again for Viktor to leave. Nusia warns, “I shall tell your father about this!”
Viktor shrugs, as he locks his chest up and is ready to leave, when she accuses, “You are a little thief, I know very well that you stole the Cook’s tarts!” Wickedly, Viktor giggles, as he enjoys the memory of the delicious tarts. Donatello folds his arms, shaking his head at the Prince. The dark boy shrugs. His nanny seethes, “I can hear you laughing at me again!” Viktor opens his balcony door, as Nusia states, “You will not find it funny when I lock this door.”
He frowns, as she scoffs, “I will have a guard put a bolt on the outside of this door, so I can lock you in! Then you will not be able to escape me.” Viktor rolls his eyes. She fumes, “It will give you time, and you need to ponder just how naughty you have been.” The Nanny yells, “Maid! Go get me a guard!” Donatello tries to grab Viktor; however, his mist dissipates around the boy. With a vicious tone, Nusia says, “I assume you will be much more agreeable-.”
Prince Viktor puts the few things he cares for in a bag, as the Nanny coldly laughs, “-after I leave you locked in here all night and the whole long day with no food. If you beg, saying ‘please’, I might let you out. That will humble you! Maybe you will be sorry enough by dinner time tomorrow.” He takes a rope out of the trunk and ties it to the balcony railing, throwing it over the rail, he leaves it dangling. Donatello panics, fearing he intends to go down it.
Viktor comes back, opening the hidden panel, bringing his bag he goes inside. Relieved, Donatello follows into the passageway, realizing the rope was for the Nanny, causing her to think he left that way. As they hear Nusia threaten him, “I am getting the key from your maid.” The boy takes one last look at his room. Seeing nothing else he wants or needs, as Nusia huffs, “Then I can open this door whenever I like! Next time, I will have your door removed.”
She taunts, “Little brats do not deserve their privacy.” It angers Viktor that he cannot return here. Nusia rants, “You are nothing but trouble, a rotten boy!” He closes the secret panel yet hears her anyway. She yells, “I have been too lenient. You need real discipline. I will get a firm switch from the stables and see that you cannot sit down for a week!” Viktor goes quietly through the hidden area. He is proud of his sneakiness, escaping her unjust punishment.
The Prince forces a smirk, ‘I am the fox, she is the hunter.’ Yet, the Nanny’s vicious words hurt. Donatello wonders why Viktor has stopped. From the noise of the staff and pans, he guesses that they are outside of the kitchen. The Prince sits on the landing to wait until they all leave. He opens a spy hole first to check. Quickly he opens the secret door and enters, Donatello goes to the doorway to be a look out. Viktor grabs what he needs, putting it on the landing.
The dark boy motions him back in then closes the door, narrowly missing the staff returning. There is more to carry this time, so he grabs just one bag of food and a bottle of wine; he will come back for the rest later. It is safer than going into the kitchen several times in a day. Viktor has a meal while explaining all he knows to Donatello. The Shade listens as Viktor tells him of Sidonia’s empty room and that Grekan is gone too.
The rest was typical gossip he heard, about why they left the Castle. Viktor returns to the kitchen landing for the rest of his food. He brings it all back to his sitting room; Donatello feels useless until Prince Viktor says, “You do not know how lonely I have been. I am so glad to have you to talk to!” Viktor is disappointed when he sees his supplies are only enough for one day. He says, “It has been a hard morning, I need a nap.” Donatello goes with him.
Viktor barricades the secret door to his bedroom. The Prince lays down with his sword. He holds his dagger in his hand. Yawning, the Prince says, “Sorry, I need to rest. It has been tiring to spy and try to stay out of danger.” Donatello nods, sitting by the door, glad that he can at least be company for the Prince rather than haunting the garden. Exhausted, the boy falls fast asleep.
~*~
Mystical Realm, Dark Elf Castle, Morning, 677, 29th, October
Earl Edmund Trulov wakes to noises outside in the hall as it nears their quarters. Edmund sits up from where he was sleeping on the couch that he had pushed against the door. He stands hearing more footsteps and goes to wake one of their squads. He tells two brothers, “Stay here. If it becomes a fight, Dorian, you wake Anthony.” Dorian thumps his fist to his chest, nodding. Edmund says to Fabian, “You go for my brother first.” Fabian salutes.
He instructs them. “Afterward you both go and wake our other squads. Is that clear?” They reply, “Yes Earl Trulov.” Dorian and Fabian position themselves at Anthony’s and Ormando’s doors. Edmund says to the other ten in the squad, “As I go out the door, you will file out behind me to stand at my back.” He says, “Half of you shall look the opposite way. I do not want anyone sneaking up on us from down the hall. Even though we should hear them in time.”
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The Squad nods. Earl Edmund Trulov tells the squad, “I know this will be hard; but unless attacked or I give the signal, I want you to do nothing other than prove we can be awake. I will take all blame and consequences. This is more about teaching them that they cannot win, even during the day.” The Squad salutes. As he opens the door, Edmund goes out first into the wide hallway. He sees they are holding a short battering ram, an oil barrel, and a torch.
The Dark Elf Guards are startled to see their sudden appearance. One yells, “They are awake!” Edmund smirks, “Did you think I cannot rise during the day? Silly baby elves, we are not new vampires. Muck around with us… and you should expect some deadly ‘Vampire Muckery’ back!” Earl Trulov blurs through them, breaking the necks of the first six before they can see him coming. Edmund slows to let the rest of the Dark Elf Guards see where he is.
Edmund prefers they comprehend what he is doing, and how easily he does it, giving them horror. He wants them to feel the fear of what is about to happen to them. Edmund enjoys the terror in their eyes and shows no mercy as he kills five more, ripping their limbs off; a few manage to react enough to flee. He glares at the rest as he rips open a guard’s throat with his teeth, it is the one with the torch. As the elf guard dies, he releases the torch, Edmund easily catches it.
He tosses the torch past them, hitting two of the furthest elf guards who were running away; they catch on fire, causing all to scream as they run past their burning mates rather than stopping to help or to put out the flames. The Earl goes back into his quarters, warning Dorian and Fabian, “Stay alert. I am going to speak to their king.” Bolting the door, Edmund mists under it. The Earl leaves five of his men in the hall; they stay to guard their quarters.
Edmund grabs the torch from the stone floor, handing it to the vampire squad leader. Earl Edmund Trulov easily picks up the barrel that four of their men had carried, bringing it with him. As Edmund blurs down the hall, the other five in his squad attempt to keep up with him. Instead, they are following the trail of moaning dark elf guards who are scattered across the hall floor. Edmund had simply bumped into them as he went by.
It was enough force to toss them into walls and each other, even knocking some out. The Strigoi Squad comes to a halt in the Throne Room and stands at attention in a line against the wall. The Vampire Squad has cold grins, seeing that Edmund has already dowsed every elf guard present, as they are all covered in oil, including their Dark Elf King and his throne. Carelessly, Edmund drops the empty barrel then blurs over to his squad leader.
Taking the torch from him, he is back in front of Haldir before any of the elves can blink. Edmund points the torch at the King, asking, “How many words of an apology can you utter before I set them and you ablaze?” They gasp in horror. Grinning, Edmund smirks, “Shall we see?” Haldir blurts out, “Wait!” The Dark Elf King gets a slight grin, “I am innocent of this.” Edmund sneers, “What you fail to realize is that I have been itching for a fight.”
Edmund waves his left hand, “And here you offered me one on a silver platter, with all the justification I could possibly desire. Do you assume even your army can be a challenge for me?” Haldir whimpers, “But, you do not understand. I have no idea what has angered you; I did nothing and gave no orders to cause your rage.” Chuckling, Edmund tips the torch towards Haldir, making him squirm, as he questions, “Is that how you want to address this act?”
~*~
Satan’s Spit Forest, Late Afternoon, 677, 29th, October
Sidonia rides behind Xiko. Instead of the dark girl focusing on the Warg, Darciana’s warning is haunting her. She has discounted Rorik’s guilt in the past, due to his age. She fumes, ‘Just because Rorik is not mature, does not mean he is incapable or unwilling to harm me. He will try to capture me, allowing Kolo to kill me.’ Sidonia points to where the Warg turned, Xiko goes north.
~*~
The Earl glares, “You wish to deny our attempted murder?” Haldir pushes back in his chair, shaking his head. Earl Trulov states, “Are you certain you do not wish to explain of your own free will?” Edmund taps the torch to the barrel, bursting it into flames. They all gasp at this visual threat. Haldir nervously wipes the oil from his forehead and eyelids, fearful of what Edmund might do. The Dark Elf King seethes, “Alright, I apologize for the actions of my men.”
Haldir fumes, “However, I knew nothing of it, not a word. Clearly, it is a misunderstanding. I can only guess my guards were avenging my honor.” Edmund shakes his head, “Lies.” King Haldir rushes to convince him, “They must have decided they wished to defend me.” Edmund mocks, “You are, helpless.” Haldir huffs, “Witnessing Anthony’s attempt to humiliate me last night likely caused it. I imagine they took it personally as an insult against all.”
Smirking, Haldir adds, “Especially after we invited you here to keep the peace, not kidnap the Light Elf Queen.” Earl Trulov scoffs, “Asked us? You demanded we come to these discussions.” Haldir rushes on, “You cannot deny that, without warning, Anthony has taken the Light Elf Queen Vanna!” Earl Trulov laughs, “Why would I? Except, I will state it was not against her will that Anthony assisted her, unlike your suggestion of how she can save her son.”
Fearful, the Dark Elf King is annoyed and mystified that Edmund is not intimidated. Haldir hates Edmund’s look of amusement. Haldir urges, “When I questioned the High Lord’s actions, he became hostile, which my guards took as a threat on my life.” Edmund says, “It was not just a threat.” Haldir clenches his jaw, almost grinning, “I apologize for them killing Anthony, your brother, and it appears a couple of your squads of vampires.”
Edmund shakes his head, Haldir gloats, “However, it is still the High Lord’s own actions which caused their deaths.” Edmund understands the fool king is not grasping that no vampires died. He only guesses Anthony and Ormando would be here if, they were still alive. Edmund is even more furious. Earl Trulov glares into Haldir’s eyes as he whispers his command, “Enough lies, you will now tell the truth.” The power of it hits against The Dark Elf King.
To Haldir’s great horror, he complies, finding he is unable to deny Edmund’s will, “I told the Captain of my guards to go execute his own plan for how to respond to Anthony’s disrespectful acts. I told him not to reveal it to me.” Edmund grins, commanding in an amused tone, “And? Tell me all.” Haldir fights the compulsion and fails; Edmund’s command forces the Dark Elf King to reply, “That way I could deny all knowledge and not be held accountable.”
Edmund releases his gaze. Haldir hisses, “To Nifl with you, demon of filth! How dare you compel me in my own Castle? I am a Dark Elf King! You have no right to use any power against us! How do you have this ability from that distance, where is your cowardly Mage hiding?” Edmund chuckles, “You foolishly demand our presence here, without knowing who we are or bothering to learn our capabilities? You are a pathetic waste, as you sit on that throne.”
King Haldir shakes his head, “How dare you speak to me like that, in my throne room! Do you mean those lies about Demons? They are only tall tales.” Phasing, Edmund roars, shaking the room, “Tales? I lived it!” They scream, a few Elf Guards faint at the dark monstrous sight of Edmund’s blue mist, darkened eyes, and veins. He points to his own visible scars, turning so all can see, Earl Trulov seethes, “This is what it means to have fought Demons!”
The Earl blurs into their faces as he seethes, “You should show respect for your elders!” More scream, a couple collapse. The Earl seethes, “Did you assume you can kill Old Ones so easily, are you just pathetic or an imbecile?” Edmund compels him, “Answer me truthfully.” Haldir gasps, “Oh, demons of the Dark Realm, no! I assumed the Old Ones was another fable, like demons, dragons, heaven, nifl, and unicorns. I was just trying to save face.”
Edmund seethes, “How dare you swear by things you do not believe in or know to be true. You should have added vampires to that list as you show no knowledge of us either.” Haldir is forced to continue, “I felt when Bailey sees I killed you-.” The King chokes trying to stop himself from revealing any more of his stupidity, “-he will finally beg for forgiveness.” Trulov hisses, “You fool. You are accountable for the intentions and actions of your people.”
The Earl taunts, “As you initiated them! It was your order to be carried out by them; ultimately you gave them your permission as much as commanding them! As their king, you are always responsible for your people. What was your plan once the fire was going?” Haldir shrugs, and Edmund scoffs, “Did it occur to you, it would have burnt this Castle to the ground? Likely killing your wife, daughter, and you? Perhaps even your entire Kingdom.”
Haldir rages, “I had no idea they were using fire. I told you it was not my command nor plan. I never would have risked my life and whole Kingdom.” Edmund sneers, “Then, you should thank me for saving you.” Haldir’s face reddens as he looks to find the Captain of his Guards, so he can yell at him for risking his life. Guessing, Edmund says, “I am certain he is one of the dead now, I killed and injured a couple of dozen who intended to kill us.” Haldir goes pale.
The Dark Elf King does not see a single mark on Edmund. King Haldir looks to see his few living guards are now limping in. Edmund coldly states, “I accept your displeasure at my methods. I am informing you that this is the end of our service to you, as arbitrators. We shall leave after dark.” Haldir gasps, “No wait! You cannot leave. I need your presence to keep the Light Elf King from getting what he is asking for and insure I get what I want from him!”
Grinning, Edmund says, “Now you have learned that your actions have truly dark consequences. Silly King, you thought you had none.” Without consideration, Haldir fumes, “I am a king I do not have consequences, not by you, nor anyone else! I will not release you from this trial.” Edmund is suddenly in his face. It causes Haldir to scream with fear of his own bad temper getting him killed. The torch’s flame prickles Haldir’s skin, he tries to blow it away.
Haldir wants to push Edmund back, yet fears catching on fire. Haldir begs, “Please, get back! Get that flame away from me!” Earl Trulov shakes his head, “I advise you, to never seek our help in further concerns.” Haldir nods, “Fine, I accept.” Edmund adds, “Good, as we shall not reply.” Haldir pleads, “Just stay until I can end this.” Earl Edmund Trulov seethes, “No.” Haldir begs, “So I can get what I want. Please.” Again, Edmund states, “No.”
The Earl cautions, “This is your only warning. Any further act of hostility, will be met with the annihilation of your guards, army, and you.” Edmund drops the torch into the fiery barrel, then he and his squad disappear from their sight, going back to their rooms. Once Edmund arrives in their quarters, his phase has receded. He writes a short note, giving an update.
There was an attempt on our lives by King Haldir. In my response, a couple dozen Dark Elf Guards were killed, by me. As many more were injured, by me. I informed King Haldir that we shall leave at dark. Any further attempts will be met with the guards, his army, and Haldir’s death. It seems unwise for us to abandon the Light Elves, when we go, since the matter between them remains unresolved.
Edmund Trulov
Edmund touches the tattoo on his arm; it becomes mist and then solid as his falcon Missive Messenger grabs his note. It flies into the Dark Window which Edmund opens. He closes it, getting each of his men a drink. Raising his cup, Edmund toasts them,
To lying, killing, and drinking.
Lie only for your friends.
Kill only to save their lives,
Afterwards, make sure as Nifl,
That they buy all your drinks!
The Vampire squad grins and raises their cups, “Salute!” Once they down them, Edmund says, “Thank you, now go rest.” Pouring himself another, he sips it as he slides the couch back in front of the door with a slight bump of his boot. Earl Edmund Trulov sits down, ready to recline, when a dark window opens and his Missive Messenger flies in, dropping a note.
Edmund touches his arm, it causes his falcon to become mist and return to be a tattoo there. Edmund opens the response, and reads it,
We arrive at Midnight.
Earl Trulov gets a dark smile. Knowing Anthony, his good friend and their leader as well as Ormando, his older brother, well enough after six centuries to imagine they will also smile at this note. Grinning, Edmund lays down and closes his eyes.
~WBM~