Chapter 7

• *Emperor Tower*
• “Did you capture the calperate?” The emperor bellowed as he spotted the Ancillae fighters coming in view of his throne room.
• “We did your majesty! The traitor is in the dungeons as we speak being interrogated.”
• Ferrous, “Baptista … What is the damage to our telecommunication?” Emperor Baldwin bellowed.
• Bowing, “Your excellency the damage to the system will take time to fix. I am sorry for my lack of …” Baptista was cut off.
• Emperor Baldwin narrowed his eyes on the female in front of him. “I don’t want to hear excuses, I want to hear how you are going to fix the issue!”
• “Your excellency, we are working on the issue as we speak. The technicians will not stop until everything is completed!” Baptista continued to bow low until she was told otherwise.
• “Get out of my face! Do not come back until you are ready to tell me the damage is fixed!” The emperor roared.
• It had been a while since the last time someone had the audacity to attack the emperor. In a way he was enjoying this, he had been restless for some time. On the other hand, he was agitated that someone would dare come to his empire and directly attack him.
• Glaring at the Ancillae fighters, “if you do not have any useful news get out of here!”
• One of the Ancillae fighters stepped forward, “Lamia has gotten a hold of me, Your Excellency. He informed me that Balvalur has been seen. Recorded and reported to be at Whispering Port. Balvalur had purchased a ticket to Dorasea. As we speak, Lamia is hunting the fugitive!”
• “Rune, is there anything else you have to say?” The emperor inquired if there was any other information.
• Groaning, “there is a rumour that the female that killed Coldfurgus is related to the Bloodrose bloodline or … is a Bloodrose descendant.” Rune licked his lips. “This comes from … a resource that I trust … and it appears that Balvalur is after the female!”
• Emperor Baldwin narrowed his eyes on Rune, “Who is your informant?”
• Runa groaned again, not wanting to answer the question, “Gus of Erolzwald, he is one of my informants.”
• “Your bloodline!” The emperor only spoke two words to make Rune feel smaller than he was.
• “Yes, Emperor Baldwin!” Rune huffed out loud knowing now that the emperor would not take things seriously and would brush this to the side.
• “Rune?”
• “Yes, your excellency?”
• “What have I told you about emotions?” Emperor Baldwin raised his brow.
• “Emotions cloud our mind and we have to go on facts not what we wish!” Rune lowered his head. “I am sorry my excellency!”
• “I understand how you feel. Everyone wishes that the Bloodrose lineage still flowed freely. But the bloodline was lost with Levreh and her dead offspring. Let their memories rest in peace and stop trying to bring to life what is not!” The emperor glanced over the fighters, “if there is no other useful news you are all dismissed.”
• The emperor waited a whole three seconds before he stood up from his throne and left the room. As he left from behind the screen Nirvana followed behind. “I know I speak out of turn but what if the rumour is true?”
• The emperor did not look back, “Nirvana, you know as well as I do that Lamia and Shankha both looked everywhere for their daughter and grandchildren. Leave the dead where they belong!”
• *Erolzwald*
• The people were still slumbering peacefully in their beds as Alpha Zevar and the Ancillae exited out of the east end gate. Directing their feet towards the Whispering Port territory.
• Getting to their first stop, Alpha Zevar pulled out of his pack several bags of blood, “this isn’t a whole lot, but even you need to sustain yourselves.” He gave each Ancillae a bag.
• “Who do we give thanks to?” Damillan opened the bag and began to drink.
• Chuckling, “the good doctor turned his back and told me they haven’t counted the bags of blood since the last attack. If some had gone missing, they would never know.” Alpha Zevar closed up the back carrier, “I will never be able to thank you enough for helping the desperate people of Erolzwald.”
• Sieden pointed to the pack, “by any chance you have more bags of blood?”
• Bobbing his head, “the least I can do, there are six more bags for each of you!” Alpha Zevar patted the pack.
• Norrix picked up the pack, “since you were considerate enough to get us what we need, the least I can do is carry the weight. Plus you will be able to run a lot faster.” He pointed out a fact.
• ***
• By the time the sun had begun to shine down on the land of Erolzwald did the citizens began to stir, placing their feet on the floor, getting ready to begin another day, with no expectations and dread.
• Beta Morris was showered and dressed long before his wife arose, “I have to leave and get the list of things done that Alpha Zevar has ordered to be done.” He kissed the top of her head.
• Ire moaned, not ready to open her eyes, “how long are you going to be gone?” She said groggy.
• “I am hoping to be back for the midday meal. Though if I am not at the dining hall, eat without me” He kissed her forehead lovingly. “I will make sure I am done by the time the last meal is served.”
• Beta Morris glanced back at his sleepy wife one last time before he closed the door to his chamber. Passing maids and kitchen servants, he directed his feet to the location he knew Straightarrow was occupying. Knocking on the door of Finja’s family home, Straightarrow opened the door.
• “Took you long enough!” Straightarrow opened the door wide so that Beta Morris could walk in. “My wife is making breakfast for everyone, do you want something to eat?”
• Beta Morris was about to answer when he saw the house was filled with many Erolzwald warriors. With his mouth gaped open the men began to laugh. “Well this makes things easier for me. I came here to see if I could get a list of the elite warriors Rimvan trained.”
• The Applefinger brothers glanced at each other and then at their beta. “No offence beta but you should have come to us when the vampires got here. I know you are still recovering, but your feet don't seem to be broken enough to walk all over Erolzwald.” Davder said with a bit of attitude.
• Beta Morris groaned as he realized that Davder was correct, “It is a pill that is hard to swallow. I was praying to the fates that this was a mistake and the words Finja said were not reality! But we can not walk around any longer pretending there is nothing going on.”
• Firxis stood up, “what really brought you here?”
• “Sit down Firxis!” Straightarrow commanded, “in my house you will display respect and restraint.” He glanced over his shoulder at the beta, “we all know why Beta Morris is here. Now we can play the blame game or … we can carry on Rimvan’s legacy and do what he trained us to do. What is the plan Beta Morris?”
• Beta Morris calmed himself down, knowing that any aggression would not solve the issue, “Alpha Zevar is heading northwards to warn everyone of what is going on and hopefully to get aid. The law states we can not invoke the emergency act to evacuate Erolzwald. Thanks to Coldfurgus’ law changing ideas, we have to be attacked before anything can happen.” Beta Morris pushed the air from his lungs out his nose. “As you already know the financial institute closed their doors, meaning there is no gold here. Everything had been bled dry. The Ancillae’s are going to Whispering Port to get some funding. They are also going to see if more shuttles can be sent our way. When they get back … Those that donate blood, they are going to pay for their fare to get on to the shuttles.”
• The group of 14 men had their jaws wide open not believing what they were hearing.
• “They can not feed off of the people …”
• Beta Morris pinched the bridge of his nose, cutting Straightarrow off, “they are not going to feed off of the people, but get the nurse and doctors to take their blood and bag it up for later consumption!”
• Everyone at the same time said “OH!”
• Straightarrow’s wife had her hand on her heart, “that is a lot easier to handle than the lord and Ancillae’s feeding off of the people. I know it is customary from where they live. I am not uneducated, but that system is best left there and not broughten here. It is a bit too much for me and many others to digest.”
• Jendrich Fuller one of the elite fights added his thought to the topic, “at this point when there are more people and families that are ready to shake hands with the grim reaper then go another day in this shit hole,” He glanced at Straightarrow’s wife, “sorry for my language, but there is no other word best to describe what we are living.”
• “No offence taken!” She dismissed his ill language.
• Jendrich continued, “what is the difference if someone donates all of their blood to get their family out of here. It is better than a blood sucking feral vampires getting a hold of them … and us!”
• Beta Morris cleared his throat, “since you put it so elegantly like that the other option is much better. But they will not be able to get everyone out of here, and it is just a matter of time before the war starts.”
• Davder crossed his arms over his chest, “stop beating around the bush and ask your question?”
• “Lord Ascelius wants to meet up with the leader of the elite’s” Beta Morris asked his question to the group.
• Davder stood up and held out his hand, “first thing comes first, we no longer work for the alpha king, we are our own master. If Finja had …”
• Beta Morris was grinning from ear to ear, “technically Finja still is the next to be crowned and not Zevar, but continue!”
• “Formalities to the side,” Firxis started, “we will talk about our payment, once all of this hogwash is dealt with. I know personally I want land!”
• Beta Morris began to laugh, “we are about to go to war, and all you want is land!” He laughed harder. “I would be asking for a lot more, Rimvan warned the alpha’s that I know of. Coldfurgus would not shut up about Rimvan and how he is a nuisance.” He huffed out loud, “if we get out of this alive, if I were you I would ask for land and a lifetime of not paying taxes!”
• Davder snapped his finger, “that sounds like an idea!” He laughed. “For the issue pertaining to Lord Ascelius, we will meet him at the training grounds at our scheduled time to train. We have taken the area for an hour and half each day after midday meal. If you can muster it up, bring some recruitments as well.” Shaking his hand, “until the Longarms come back, I am taking control over this portion of the group. My brother Firxis is my second and Straightarrow is third in command.”
• ***
• Lord Ascelius walked up and down the rows and columns of the Unnash warriors and the specially trained Erolzwald fighters that Rimvan had worked with. Sneering, “I guess this will have to do!” He glared at Beta Morris. “Get them ready for training! We will go through a few easy drills, then your fighters will go up against my fighters.”
• The two walked into the fighting pit with the 470 fighters, 28 of them had been recently recruited by the beta, he personally had tight ties to each of them. Beta Morris took his fighters and went through their basic drills and warm-ups.
• While Lord Ascelius and two of his fighters stood off to the side watching them. Snickering and commenting how much they do not miss the days of being human. The Ancillae even claimed that they were better off as a vampire, much stronger and faster than any shifter.
• “Once we have the first 28 trained for the basics, we will recruit the others.” Beta Morris sighted. “This is a shit show!”
• Julius was the first Ancillae to go to the centre of the fighting pit. Beta Morris sent his top fighter in, “show them was Rimvan taught you, do him proud Firxis!” He had a smug grin on his face.
• Over 15 years, Rimvan had his own squad of special forces trained in the art of killing feral vampires. With the special training strategies that Firxis had learned over the decade of training, he had little issue defeating Julius. “Impressive little wolf, your Rimvans best?” He spoke with no emotions.
• “One of Rimvan’s top ten fighters!” Firxis responded.
• “I have only heard the best of Rimvan Longarm,” Nodding his head, “I wish I had the chance to meet the man, he sounds like someone I would have been able to call a friend.” Julius maintained his composure.
• Davder laughed, “didn’t know vampires could be friends with dire wolves.”
• Julius gave him a toothy smile, “I am selective!”
• “Well if you like the product that Rimvan created then you will like his daughter, Finja.” Beta Morris was getting ready to take on the next opponent.
• “When will Finja be back here?” Astaroth asked.
• Davder lowered his head along with the other elite fighters, “the Longarm family had left for Unnash, they should have finished the burial rights for Rimvan and his bloodline. This is all that we know.”
• Lord Ascelius took a step forward, “I heard that, but what bloodline do they stem from?”
• “Finja never said a thing to me!” Beta Morris scratched the side of his head, shrugging his shoulders.
• “No one dared to ask!” All of the warriors glanced at each other shrugging their shoulders, “ask Zane Hunter, he is Rimvan’s bloodline!” Davder suggested, “but no one knows where he is!”
• “We need to continue our training!” Lord Ascelius told everyone. “This discussion can continue during the last meal of the day.”
• Davder and Firxis smirked at each other and brought their attention to Julius, “I hope you have a lot of time on your hands.” Davder commented. “Saddle up ladies, the new recruits need a crash course on how not to die.” Firxis studied Beta Morris and his 28 recruits, “Beta Morris go out and get more recruits, we have a day of fun and we want to share the wealth.”
• Beta Morris beamed from ear to ear, “Funny!” He walked over to the door and opened it up for a horde of trainers to stroll into the location, “I got Gus and Straightarrow to gather our best.”
• “You never fail to disappoint me beta.” Davder said. Both Davder and Firxis carried a chest full of weapons to the centre of the training field. “Forget about shifting, you will be dead in a matter of seconds.” Davder opened the lid, “we are not going to waste time on different strategies on how to trap and kill feral vampires.” Firxis spoke as he drew out a short sword. “We are going to teach you how to kill a vampire and move onto the next.” Davder flipped the bladder around between his hands. “How to reserve your energy and increase your stamina.” Firxis added to the topic as everyone was listening.
• Lord Ascelius stepped towards the brothers taking out a blade, and examining it, “this will do for now but they need to be sharpened.”
• Davder began to laugh, “this is the practice batch, the real deal comes later. These fools need to learn how to live longer than three minutes.” He glanced over at his brother, “the ones that can’t last in the ring for three minutes get to sharpen all of the blades?”
• Firxis chuckled, “three minutes might be too long!”
• Davder glanced over at the men that were strolling in, thinking they knew what they were up against, “we have a lot of blades!”
• Glaring at the men, “Lieutenant Ardan lasted 15 minutes before he fell and he is still a boy. If they can’t last at least three minutes in the ring, how will they survive what is coming this way?” Lord Ascelius nodded his head, “did Rimvan teach you how long it takes for a unregistered vampire's poison to take effect?”
• Firxis narrowed his eyes, “personal experience, one minute if the feral vampire has a hold and does not release. If it is a quick bit, three minutes then the person is paralysed, best result, the victim is slowed down. It really depends on how much venom is in the system.”
• Nodding his head, “how do they hunt?” Lord Ascelius asked.
• Tapping the blade in his hand, “they are solitary hunters unless they belong to a coven.” Davder answered. “They prefer to attack from a high spot, verses from the ground.”
• Lord Ascelius kept his expression like a washboard, “at least you are not completely idle. I want to see what your skills are, please continue!”
• *Whispering Mountains*
• The routine had been set, every 30 miles the group would rest to replenish the supplies they had used up in their travels. Pulling out the compass to make sure they had not gone off course. Pulling out the map, “we are roughly here!” Alpha Zevar showed Melantha, “the closer we get to the hills and mountains … the more of a chance that the feral vampires could be hiding there.”
• “We will need to keep our eyes and ears on alert at all times.” Damillin told the group, “Sieden and Norrix, you are the fastest, I want you to scout ahead for any signs of vampires. I don’t care if they are registered or not, if they are there they will be questioned. If they attack, kill them on sight!”
• Sieden and Norrix nodded their heads once to indicate they understood the task given.
• “Melantha and Valinia, you are our strongest trackers. You both will scout the terrain for any sign of movement.”
• “On it boss!” Both of the females said at the same time to Damillan.
• Alpha Zevar closed up the map and placed the items back in his pack. “The rest of us will be ready to attack if danger should come our way! Tomorrow we should reach the mountains and hills of Whispering Port. At this point, we have been running parallel, and now we are heading to the hills and mountains. After that it is a day's travel, then we should be at the tracks.
• “Are you ready to move alpha?” Melantha asked as she placed the empty bag in her belongings making sure the hint of blood could not alert any vampires to their locations.
• “We have close to six hours of good light, we should get moving.” Alpha Zevar and the rest of the group got themselves ready to place more distance between them and Erolzwald.