Chapter 52

Day 209 (cont.):

During the entire trip, John’s mind had been conjuring images of a Count Dracula type, with pale, ugly skin and face, wearing dark, expensive clothes and lounging with a coterie of attendants catering to every whim. Someone with a bloodthirsty arrogance, who’d talk condescendingly to him. He tried to imagine what reason a life-stealing monster would have for meeting him, and came up with nothing. How did this guy even know who John was?

What he got was something very different. Four guards, attired identically were spread around the circular room. The two nearest their entrance closed the doors behind as they walked in. The armored Vampyri occupied purpose-built niches at equidistant points on the periphery. Above their heads, filling most of the ceiling was a giant, glass-clear crystal as wide as a mobile home. It was cut into a rectangular cushion gemstone shape, with several shark-like fish visible, circling in the murky but sunlit water beyond. The blue-brown-tinted light gave the room an eerie tone that reminded John of his time SCUBA diving.

In the room’s sunken center was a large metal grate covering a drain. On the far side sat a raised dais with a plush chair, accented by an iron frame made in the same style as that covering the doors they’d passed through. Resting in the chair was a bleached-white marble statue, wearing a voluminous black velvet robe with gold and silver embroidered trim. The statue was orc-large and humanoid, with a bald head, pointed ears (like Hal’s, not John’s) and sharp angular features.

The statue’s eyes opened, settling on Vorigan first before moving to John. Even the eyeballs were pure white, with a thin red circle denoting the iris, and a red dot for pupils. The target-like orbs flicked across John’s body in a lightning-fast evaluation before returning to the Commander.

The Elder’s voice was a rich baritone, with a hint of sibilant S’s. “This is the one?”

Vorigan moved to the center of the room and bowed until his head was below his knees. John wasn’t sure he could duplicate such a bow without falling over. It’d be a good test of his new agility though.

As he straightened, Vorigan began reporting, “My lord, I present to you John Morgan, who he assures me is in no manner related to the Mage King though they are named alike. He claims to have completed three Challenges, and we found him en route to Amayru for a fourth. He travels in the company of a Dwimar named Master Dulgan Fireshaper, the one called Ironhand. That one awaits your pleasure outside, should you wish to speak with him.”

The Elder began speaking, forcing Vorigan to stop with his mouth open. “John Morgan, I greet you in fellowship. My spies say that you have angered the Mage King enough to place a price on your head. One as large as for any Vampyr, which is considerably more than commonly paid for fugitives. I am curious what you did to aggravate the unnatural ruler so much.”

John bowed, but his greeting was trampled by the Commander.

“My lord,” Vorigan continued, “we also caught him in the custody of the Exile, Xenos. He reports that Kertug was present also, but departed many hours before our arrival. Our conclusion is that the King’s Left Arm intended to Challenge Amayru as well. I have brought the Exile to you, in accordance with your instructions from last century.”

The Elder’s eyes gleamed excitedly. “Xenos? Here? You have done very well my Knight. Do you know why he violated his exile?”

Vorigan bowed slightly, arm indicating John. “From what John overheard, they were ordered to retrieve him. I believe the King is more upset than the reward indicates.”

The Elder’s smile was worse than Vorigan’s. “Then let us hear from him. John, what have you done to upset our enemy so?”

This is the very definition of strange bedfellows!

“I tried to keep some Dwarves from being massacred, after the King’s Legion gave them safe passage through their lines.” John explained. “Killed some of the Legionnaires in the process, then escaped from them after we got above ground. That’s it. I’m not sure why he’s so upset, except maybe because I refused to work for him.”

“He has become selfish and cruel in his great age, short as it has been.” The Elder remarked. “It may be time to construct his downfall, as difficult as that will be.”

It took John a moment to realize that the Elder expected a reply. “Uh, sir I’m not really sure what to address you as. What do you want me to do?”

He got another skin-crawling smile. “I am not a believer in formality. Some address me as Ancient One, in recognition of my maturation into the being you observe today. Others call me Elder, afraid to say my name. Why that is so, I do not care. If you wish to speak to me, I would find it novel to hear my name again, since none have said it to me in many centuries. It is Cain.”

“Cain.” John repeated, bowing again. “You brought me here; what do you think I could do for you against Morgan? I saw him throw a bolt of lightning from a mile away. It killed an entire Dwarf clan in one shot. I’m not remotely in that weight class.”

Cain drummed his fingers on the armrest. “That is more power, over a greater distance than we’ve ever heard about. His completion of Gyor’nych’s Challenge has made him bold, and more dangerous than ever.”

“My lord,” Vorigan spoke up, “if I might suggest a course.”

“What do you think, my Knight Commander?” Cain invited.

“We have the Exile here. Xenos awaits your Judgement.” He glanced at John. “Rather than a final severing, we should use him as our weapon.”

What fucked up shit is he planning? John mused silently.

The Vampyri have a ... power over each other. Duin explained. I’ve never seen it created, only the result.

“You propose the Hell of Total Domination?” Cain asked, amused.

Vorigan bowed again. “I do. It is not my place to...”

“Never mind that.” The Elder waved that away. “How would it work? I cannot exercise sufficient control to account for every possible situation from here. And if I depart, the so-called Patriarch will surely hear of it and move to take control of Blackwater for himself. Throwing away our home would defeat the reason we want to eliminate King Morgan.”

One vamp smiling was disturbing. Two doing so as they conspired, about something that John guessed was as heinous as everything else about them, was downright terrifying.

“I can do it my lord.” Vorigan announced.

Cain’s brow wrinkled. “Can you? Your Evolution has reached such a level?”

“It has.” Vorigan assured him. “I had thought to use it against one of the House Lords who scheme to undermine you, but this will be even sweeter. The King’s own servant as his downfall, and the Exile will suffer great torment for his crime.”

“This I must see.” The Elder remarked.

He addressed one of the guards. “Go, and fetch the prisoner.”

As the guard moved for a normal-sized door, ninety degrees around from the main entrance, Vorigan spoke up.

“He should be in the Elder’s Judgement cell by now.”

The guard raised a hand in acknowledgement as he left.

“John,” Cain looked at him, “please wait outside. Non-Vampyri are not allowed to observe this.”

“My lord,” Vorigan bowed again, “the Exile killed the entirety of John’s Dwarf allies, death-feeding on one in front of him. As well, Xenos moved himself to another host, possibly killing an ally in the process. He desires to kill Xenos himself. Would it be possible to allow him to know how great a punishment we intend to impose? If he slays the Exile in revenge before our plan can succeed, it would be counterproductive. If you wish to ally with this man for our plan, let him remain and see.”

The Elder considered this for several minutes in silence. Before he could reply, a bell rang and Cain signaled for two guards to open the main doors. Vorigan motioned John to step aside because the guard who’d left, along with Strix and Niall (Captain of Vorigan’s most trusted troops) escorted a still-chained, naked L’vira into the room. Though her razor-nail gloves and hooded robe were Challenge rewards, and returned each evening, Vorigan’s troops methodically pinned and undressed her immediately afterward every day. She froze dead when she laid eyes on the Elder. Her guards had to lift her up and deposit her in the room’s sunken center. She collapsed to the floor, face pressed to the grate in prostrated submission.

The other guards closed the doors and resumed their posts. At Vorigan’s signal, his servants moved to flank the doors themselves. An uncomfortable, pregnant silence descended. The Elder regarded L’vira silently for another few minutes.

“John,” Cain looked over at him finally, “I will allow you to stay. But understand this: no one living who is not one of my trusted servants, or a highly evolved Vampyr has ever laid eyes on what we’ll do here. Should I hear of it being discussed outside the Vampyri community, I will know that you were the source and take action. Do you understand?”

John bowed, since that seemed to be the custom with these folks. “I will stay silent; I give my oath.”

Cain inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Also, as a condition for staying, you must swear not to take your vengeance on this one until I give permission. Though you have not seen it yet, I give my own oath that this punishment is severe. Perhaps more so than a mere final severing.”

Vorigan’s breath hissed beside him.

John arrested his move back upright. “Thank you, Cain. I’ll not do anything to her until you order it.”

“Very well.” Cain’s head inclined once more. “You may remain. Please stay silent.”

His target-like eyes returned to the prisoner. “Xenos, what do you have to say for yourself?”

The Exile didn’t reply.

Cain’s face hardened. “You say nothing? After what you’ve done?”

L’vira laughed, though she didn’t look up. “For all your vaunted age, Ancient One, my King is already more powerful than you. He’d done five, yes five! Challenges. I watched him destroy a good portion of the Southern Clans who stood against him. He did so all by himself. He will one day rule this world from Hell’s basin to the impassible Neck. Where will you be then? Still hiding in this hole? Or bowing to the first Archmage ever?”

“Your words do not move me.” Cain warned. “Am I to fear an upstart who perverts our power to prolong his own life? He may be a danger, but it is not him who bows before me this day.”

“Perverts our power?” L’vira sneered into the floor. “He merely learned to use dragons’ rewards in a way not seen before. How is that a perversion?”

“And who taught him how to do this?” The Elder asked angrily. “Was it not you who introduced him to the idea? Was it not you who tutored him until he could steal another’s life force and use it for his own? How did you know to do this? Because of your Vampyr nature, that is how!”

“If you kill me, you risk a war with the most powerful man in the world.” L’vira warned quietly.

Cain laughed. “I will say this, though I hold your life in my hand, I hear no begging. But I have no intention of killing you. Oh no, I have something much better planned.”

L’vira looked up then. “What do you mean?”

For the first time, John heard real fear.

Cain gestured at Vorigan. “My Knight Commander has agreed to give you a gift, instead. Vorigan, you may proceed.”

The Knight Commander pointed at Strix, who stepped over to his superior.

“Lift her with your weapon, from the front.” Vorigan whispered.

Strix nodded, then stepped between L’vira and Cain. His odd pole arm dropped to point at her face, which she ignored to glare at her captor in hatred.

“I’ll remember this!” She threatened. “I’ll—g”

“Xenos,” Cain boomed, his voice filling the chamber as Strix’s spear caught her throat and lifted her clean off the floor, “for violating the terms of your exile, and for teaching a non-Vampyr secrets that you knew were forbidden, I sentence you to Vorigan’s Total Domination. May your soul writhe in torment under his authority for all the rest of your nights.”

L’vira’s feet kicked, and a gasping gurgle erupted from her throat as she tried to lift her hands. Vorigan clasped her face with both hands. His thumbs hovered over her eyes.

“Open your mouth.” Vorigan ordered. “Or I will remove an eye and use that opening instead.”

After a few tense seconds, her lips parted. Strix lowered her just enough so that Vorigan could place his mouth onto L’vira’s. Whatever he did next looked disturbingly like an obscenely distorted French kiss. There wasn’t anything remotely erotic about it. His throat worked, and cheeks puffed. Then her jaw flexed, opening even wider as something moved from the Knight’s mouth into hers. She shook violently for a long minute, before falling limp with eyes unfocused. Strix held her in place for a moment more, until Vorigan spoke.

“Ah ... there you are...” The Knight sounded disgustingly pleased. “Hello, traitor. Kneel and give me your obedient attention.”

Strix dropped her to the ground, stepping aside to resume his spot by the door. L’vira knelt, with a knee down and her head at the other one’s level.

“My ... lord ... I am ... your obedient ... servant.” She hissed out.

“There will be an adjustment period.” Cain advised Vorigan. “Take him to your chambers, and teach him his new station.”

Vorigan turned and bowed to the Elder. “I will do as you command, my lord. Do you wish me to return?”

Cain frowned. “No. This is your first Domination. You will need to discover its uses and ... shortcomings. Return when Xenos is a truly obedient slave.”

“Yes my lord.” Vorigan acknowledged.

He gestured for Niall and Strix to attend him as he moved to the side exit. L’vira staggered to her feet and fell in between them as they departed.

“Now, John let us discuss future plans.” Cain said.

“What is it you want from me?” John asked respectfully. “It looks like you’re well beyond anything I could do.”

Cain smirked with his lips only. “Turning the King’s servant against him will help, but I do not think Xenos alone will be sufficient to kill Morgan the life-stealer.”

“Can I ask what you mean by that?” John wondered.

“Do you understand that though we drink the blood of men and orcs, we do so as a way to draw the victim’s life force into our own?” Cain confirmed.

John nodded. “Vorigan explained that, yes.”

Cain continued, “With the Exile’s help, King Morgan discovered a new way to use the powers he gained from completing Amayru and Kyet’sol’s Challenges. He does the same, without needing to consume blood. He drains his victims completely of life, leaving them little more than a dead husk. This is how he extended his life so long.”

John shuddered. “So, he’s killing people to stay young?”

Cain nodded once. “Yes. And though Vorigan said Xenos killed one of your friends while feeding, know this. We do not normally do that to our slaves. A living person can provide many meals to us, if given enough recovery time between feedings. Paying for slaves is expensive. Killing them indiscriminately is both inefficient and stupid. Morgan cares nothing for this. He sentences some unfortunate subject to death, and uses that excuse to steal their life. He is an abomination, to you as well as to us.”

“He does sound pretty bad.” John agreed.

“Though I have not left this city in centuries, I am quite aware of how you and others view us.” The Elder admitted. “We are the stuff of nightmares; a blight upon your world. You fear and hate us, for our practices and our seeming immortality. If you were forced to choose, even knowing what he is, you would likely side with the King over us. But he is already your enemy. Would you refuse our aid in fighting him?”

This doesn’t make me a dirt bag. John told himself. He wished he believed it.

No. Duin said. It makes you a practical war leader. Once King Morgan is defeated, you needn’t remain allies with this ... thing.

The Dwarf is correct. Vafthundryr seconded. Take their assistance, for now. Your friends are far away, and too few to fight the Legion.

And you may discover more weaknesses, over time. The Tooth supposed.

John sighed. “No, I’ll not refuse. But how can I fight such a large army?”

Cain waved that away. “The King is not his army. If he falls, he has no heir designated. His generals, and others will be consumed with fighting over the kingdom. You only have to kill Morgan, and the rest will no longer be your concern.”

John wasn’t so sure, but Cain was right about the King being his true enemy.

Well, and Kertug; that guy has to die too.

Agreed. All three of his voices chorused.

“How do I kill him, then if he’s running around with ten thousand troops surrounding him?” John asked.

Cain turned that scary smile on him. “You must catch up. Vorigan says you have done three Challenges. Is this true? Will you allow me to know which ones, and where you head next?”

That info wasn’t secret. “I did the Diamond Dragon, up north. Then Typhon’s Tower and the Ruby Dragon. I was headed to do the uh, Bone Dragon next.”

“You did the hardest Tasks?” Cain confirmed, continuing when John nodded. “And what rewards did you receive?”

John held up the Tooth, and patted his chest. “Two pieces of armor, and this ax. Plus, I’m immune to cold and fire, and Evolved into a, uh Warlord.”

The Elder studied him for a bit. “There are few who could boast of such an accomplishment, and you tell it as though it means little. I see you, Warlord and will not make a mistake in dealing falsely with you. Do the same for me, and we will never be at odds.”

John decided a bow was called for. “As you say, Cain.”

“I wonder at your attitude.” Cain said. “You act like no Nord, nor Fey I have ever heard of. Where do you come from, that you stand before the oldest, most powerful Vampyr remaining in the world as calm as at your own hearth?”

John indicated the side exit with his nose. “Do you know why Xenos switched bodies?”

Cain’s eyes flicked to the door in question. “I do not. The slave had no great age, but was far from our youngest. Why he would choose to restart his host’s Adaptation is one of the questions I will put to him before he departs on our plan.”