Chapter 6

• *Ace Sea*
• For three days and nights, the group trekked across the wild motherland. Up and down ridges of rock and snow. Catnapping only when needing to. The pursuit of finding the runaway ship is at the front of their minds.
• Roaring with excitement, “There's the ship!” Alpha Crajor pointed to the cove.
• Drifting in the middle of the seashore was the ship their queen had told them about. Each of them picked up their momentum, rushing down to the foothill. The last thing they had to do was figure out a way to get to the ship.
• Taking off his bag, “I am going to check things out!” Galzat said once the bag was on the ground.
• Rushing across the sea at speeds the shifters have never seen before. They waited for Galzat.
• “Does the vampire know what he is doing?” Morzoro looked from the ship to his father.
• Darkly chuckling, “Galzat was a seaman before the transition.” Timberdreamer studied his friend as he began manoeuvring the boat their way. “You ladies are not scared to get wet?”
• The seawater was bitterly cold, yet not to the point it could be solid. The group began to laugh, "Dropping our draws and sticking our ball sack in the snow is a game for us Northerners." Alpha Crajor looked behind him at his son and clansmen, “This is going to be nothing!”
• The Underground warriors had nothing but smiles on their faces as they studied their travelling companions.
• Turning the ship toward land, Galzat was able to get the ship as close to the shore without getting stuck. Timberdreamer was the next to run across the water and get onto the boat. Together they lowered the life dingy into the water. Rowing the small craft to the land. The shifters boarded the floating device.
• ***
• Galzat told the group the important things that they needed to know to aid him in controlling the boat. Though he could steer the ship and keep it moving. He also needed the men to work the mainsail and Jib. "I can get us to Tydfest River with no issues."
• Alpha Crajor chuckled, "get us their my friend, after that I will be able to get us to Unnash."
• “Pray to the Gods for calm water and plenty of wind.” Galzat yelled at everyone as he took control of the ship. “It is going to take us two weeks to get to our target.”
• “Have I mentioned how much I hate sailing!” Willowrat complained as he held onto the railings of the boat. “This is unnatural!”
• “Spoken like a true vampire!” Alpha Crajor chuckled, “I am going to see what is on this beast. Everyone should find a place to rest their heads. Once we get to the Tydfest River, there will be no resting .”
• *Unknown*
• General Viscarti was at the edge of the woods. Glancing in the direction that his reinforcement should be coming from he grumbled unrecognisable words. Disgruntled, he peered at those who were around him.
• “The army will be here soon. I was informed that they can see the Masi Swamps.” General Vascarti told his kin. “Make yourselves comfortable! Soon we will be attacking the Dark Crystal Tower.”
• Stomping back, the general entered the cave. It was not large but it would do for the now. Once they took over Dark Crystal Tower, the general knew he would have back the lifestyle he was accustomed to.
• "Father!"
• General Viscarti glared at his creation, "Yes!"
• "Is there anything you would like me to do?"
• Glancing around the place, "No!" He continued to walk to the back of the cave chamber. "Until Carbel gets here there is nothing for anyone of us to do."
• *Underground Army*
• Zane had entered the location of the communication centre. “Are there any messages?” He glanced at the workers.
• Standing up, Nimona picked up two slips of paper, handing them to Zane.
• With a nod of the head, “thank you Nimona!” Turning he began to read, pausing in his movement. “She is more responsible than this!” Zane was in utter shock.
• Commander Kleekkel was glaring at his kin, “what is the matter?”
• Hitting the pages off his finger, “my niece … Red Fang is rushing to Dark Crystal Tower. It appears that Balvalur is after Finja. Who is currently … with child!”
• “Is that not good news?” Commander Kleekkel did not understand what was the matter with this.
• “My little ice princess doesn’t allow anyone to get close to her!” Zane turned his bewilderment into anger. “The bastard better have marked her or I will kill him myself.”
• Commander Kleekkel began to laugh, “if your niece is distant as you claim. She will not allow anyone just to fill her up with his seeds.” He patted Zane on the back. “You said Balvalur is going after her. That is what you should be concerned with.” He rested his hand on the back of his neck, “cousin … tell me that note says this Red Fang, individual, will get to her in time?”
• Bobbing his head as he looked down at the notes, “I am second in command, Red Fang is our number one when my niece is not here. He will get to her before Balvalur attacks.”
• Removing his hand from his shoulder, “what does the second note state?”
• Forcing a smile, “Follow me!” Zane motioned his feet down the tunnels. “Little Island needs a visual. They will be getting to their target in …” Zane glanced at the paper, “three days!”
• ***
• “What is the report on the herd?” Zane asked as he strolled into the conference room.
• Mukair, Vygrum and Zairnem all looked up once they heard Zane’s voice. Landing their eyes on an emperor lord. Vygrum tilted his head silently asking Zane who was standing beside him.
• Sighing, “They have passed the Sarde River. It appears that they are going around the Hucordi Swamps.” Mukair replied as his sights were locked on the lord vampire.
• “How fast are they moving?” Zane was studying the map of Dorhelhound.
• “They are running without rest. At this point they will reach the Whispering Hills in two days.” Zairnem growled. “The refugees are placed on code red. All children under the age of four have been moved to safer locations along with their caregivers.”
• Continuing to study the map, “this is Commander Kleekkel … Kin to my family. I know that many think poorly of the emperor.” He glanced up to see three sets of eyes on him. “Now is not the time to stir up drama. We all know now that we are overpowered. This is not the time to bicker and fight.”
• In unison, “Yes sir!” Mukair, Vygrum and Zairnem.
• Vygrum smirked, “how is our empress doing?” He snickered, “it's about time we have a vampire as alpha!” He did not take his eyes off Commander Kleekkel as he said his words.
• “Female? Empress? Alpha?” Commander Kleekkel knew this was a gab at his leader. A way to say they had their own sovereign to lead them and not Emperor Baldwin.
• Zane widened his smile, “my niece! Finja Bloodrose, many have started calling her the new empress while others call her alpha queen. The same niece who is …” Mukair, Vygrum and Zairnem had a smug grin on their faces. “With child!”
• “WHAT?” Mukair bellowed.
• “Oh … for the love of all that is innocent and pure!” Vygrum muttered.
• Laughing, “Oh … barnacles! Red Fang is going to kill the male that dared to leave his seeds in his niece's belly.” Zairnem continued to laugh, “I wish I were a fly on the wall to see this!”
• Zane sighed, “he better have marked her!”
• Zairnem was grinning, “we would have received news that there was already a mating ceremony!”
• It was now Zane’s turn to laugh, “you're right! Red Fang is going to kill him.” Calming down, “Zairnem, get a hold of Little Island and give him a visual so they know what to expect when they reach their target.”
• ***
• With Binoculars, “What are those fools doing now?” Coronel Jaz stood with a group of fighters, keeping an eye on the location where he was stationed.
• “Commander, it appears that Alpha Relzeiros’s testicals have dropped and he has joined the fight.”
• “Jaggar!” Coronel Jaz scolded, “leave the pup alone. The kid never had a chance. Besides this is not his doing, Emperor Baldwin would have made this order. Alpha Relzeiros is far too cautious; he would have known the risks are too high.”
• The Underground fighter remained in the shadows as Dorasea warrior moved around in the woods near their borders.
• “Do they even know where the unregistered vampires are?” Jaggar asked with bitterness.
• “The moment Red Fang found out that Emperor Baldwin landed there, he placed Dorasea in radio silence.” Coronel Jaz shoved his binoculars into his pocket. “Make camp! We will go hunting tomorrow!” He ordered.
• Snickering, "maybe we should give those pups a lesson on how to hunt!" Jaggar said under his breath.
• "We might have too!" Coronel Jez said as they prepared to stay in the woods for the night.
• *Unnash*
• “Llanwater Forest has more activity!” Alpha Zevar told everyone who was sitting in the conference room. “It is believed the feral vampires are coming from Lich Prince territory and Bloodrose ruins.”
• “Are we not going to discuss how you are harbouring a child that is a vampire?” Jokas interrupted.
• Mistress Hel eyed the shifter up and down, “the child is not of your concern.” Curling her lips she allowed her fangs to protrude from her gums. "Remember this shifter, if you don’t like how things are here … leave for the tropics. Never forget that you live in my domain.”
• “The army that was promised should be sailing the Ace Sea. They will march up the Tydfest River. In 30 days they should have reached Unnash territory. It is our job to keep Unnash from falling into ruins and losing everything that our bloodlines have built.” Alpha Zevar glared around the group. “The next group of children and women will be leaving for Ironwood in two weeks' time. Make sure that your family are prepared to leave when their names have been called.”
• ***
• Zylstina was glaring at everyone at the table, “the children are ready to leave.”
• With curled lips, “There is no way I am allowing Zehna to journey the tunnels. Not while she carries my pup.” Howley stated as he held onto his mate.
• Zylstina massaged her hands together vigorously, “This order does not come from your uncle but Mistress Hel.”
• Shouting, “Does she know that my wife is with pup?” Zehna was trying to calm Howley down, “I have spent much of my life making the wrong decisions. Now that I have a mate and pup on the way … I am not willing to lose either.”
• Patting his arm, “I will speak with the mistress. I will plead my case, surely she would understand that such a trip is dangerous for the unborn pup.” Zehna brought logic to the conversation.
• Listening to everyone talking Alore raised her head. “I will speak with Mistress Hel. I have grown a small amount of favour with her. She might hear my words before she will see anyone here.”
• “Have you been able to figure out what the issue is with the processor?” Zehna changed the topic.
• Filling her lungs with air, “I believe the issue is the creaked cover. I am now looking through Finja’s supplies to see if I can find another processor that will substitute the broken on. From there Amuse and I should be able to transfer the system and programs over.”
• ***
• Alore strolled the halls of the palace. It took a lot of convincing and negotiation but she had managed to convince the mistress that it was in the best interest to allow Zehna to remain at Unnash. Once her sister had stopped bleeding, she and the pup would have to leave the location and join the other at Ironwood Keep.
• Alore sighed out loud as she neared the alpha’s quarter.
• Mistress Hel had given her and Amuse two weeks to get the processor working or they would be joining the group that was to leave next. Alore had informed Mistress Hel that her brother was going to be the issue. Amuse has always been very protective of Fiathuen. Alore suggested that Amuse would leave with no fuse if their niece left at the same time.
• Amuse had become paranoid that the Goddess was after their niece and he was not going to leave without Fiathuen. What Alore had not told anyone was the conversations she and the Goddess had had. Nor the conversations she had overheard Shankha, Lamia and Mistress Hel had while she was working on the processor and they were speaking in the vampiric language.
• Unbeknown to them, their father had made sure they learned the vampiric language as they grew up. Their father always said that the chances of vampire interaction would be high. To understand their way would also speak their language.
• Mistress Hel was convinced there was foul play, she demanded that Shankha and Lamia find out who had lied to her.
• Alore could see the alpha's office door. ‘Tell me about your sister Finja?’ Alore recalled the mistress asking her as she worked on the processor.
• Smiling, ‘Finja … is private! She doesn’t like much attention.’ Alore recalled that she had stopped working. ‘It is kind of funny … you and her … very similar! But it is the eyes! I never thought about it until now, but Red Fang and you have the same eyes. So does Finja!’
• ‘You say your sisters?’ Mistress Hel may have kept her facial features soft but it was her eyes that were ice cold.
• 'Well of course!' She thought about what she was going to say next. 'My mum may not be Finja mum by blood … mum adopted Finja when my father won full custody over Finja. But … you would never know! Finja and I have more features that are similar.”
• ‘I see!’ Mistress Hel held her stare, ‘you miss your sister a great deal don’t you?’
• ‘She holds all of us together. My father always said Finja would be the one who will change the world. She will bring back the balance that we all so desperately needed.’ A tear rolled down her face, ‘not being able to hear or see my sister … we need her to tell us what to do.’
• Mistress Hel placed her fingers under her chin and raised Alore’s head, ‘who is Finja’s mum?’
• Alore recalled how she motioned her head back and forth, ‘father would not mention her. Only called her the viper! Saying that she got what she deserved for what she did to Finja.’
• Mistress Hel then kissed the top of her head, ‘do not worry! I will be making sure Finja is taken to Ironwood once she is found.’
• Signing Alore knew that Fiathuen was not Mistress Hel’s interest, Finja was!
• Knocking on the door, Alore waited three seconds before opening the door.
• Howley stood up, "what did Mistress Hel have to say?"
• "Zehna will remain here until the pup is born. The moment she stops bleeding, then they will have to leave!" Alore took a seat, "you have no idea how hard it was to convince Mistress Hel this was the right thing to do. It was when I told Mistress Hel that my mum had a hard time making it to full term with her pregnancies, did she agree."
• Howley stood up and hugged Alore. "what about you and Amuse?"
• "I have two weeks to get the processor to work or I have no purpose for being here. Since Amuse has become even more paranoid over Fiathuens protection. Fiathuen will be leaving with Amuse." Alore folded her hands on her lap.
• Alpha Zevar thought about things, "did you not mention you have the gift?"
• Smiling, "Mistress Hel has her own seers."
• *Dorasea*
• Addan looked up from the clipboard of names of the possible runners. Standing beside him were his brothers.
• Addan had his finger beside the first runner, “Podder!”
• Trakas had the timer in his hand, “Go!” he yelled. “5.0 seconds!”
• Addan glanced over at the alpha, motioning with his head once yes. Alpha Relzeiros, motioned with his hand for the young male to come to him. Whispering in his ear, the youth smiled and jogged out of the location.
• “Brander!”
• The youth got himself ready, waiting for Trakas to give the signal for him to dash the distance required.
• “8.3” Trakas yelled his final results, glancing at the alpha he shook his head no.
• Again Alpha Relzeiros motioned for the young man to speak with him. Placing a hand on his shoulder he had to tell Brander that he was not selected.
• Paddor, Smasher, Goat Chewer, Parroter, Black Kettle, Armour, and Chopper were added to the list of runners. Each of them ran with a time under 6.5 seconds.
• A messenger jogged over to Alpha Relzeiros, glancing over the note, “the Ancillae fighters are back!” He told the emperor's sons.
• Addan glared at the alpha, "get everything set up! Once the suns ray is visable, we leave Dorasea."
• The task a head required more planning and organizing. Alpha Relzeiros knew that getting to their destination was going to be the hard part. "We could leave now if you wish. I already have the supplies and men set."
• "If there is one thing you can do right that is organize and get things done." Trakas commented, "give it time pup, we will make a great alpha out of you yet!"