text: Gaust looked me up and down inquisitively. “Is that stick supposed to protect you?” He chortled. I put my hand across my back and felt Ithilus’ cold steel. I felt his spirit leap out towards me like a flame, yearning for a fight. The spirit of my ancestors inside me yearned to fight too, but it was a time for temperance. “It is meant to kill.” I shot back at him. He didn’t seem shaken, but continued on nonetheless, flanked by his Kearne lapdogs. They looked down on me from the steeds as I stood beside mine, fixing him with a saddle. I watched him continue down the line, barking orders at my companions, testing my restraint. Behind him followed a stream of others from the castle that I had not seen for a long time. House Dunkan lead the pack on their war bears. The towering beasts lumbered with each step, panting heavily. It was Dunkan custom to tame them from youth and ride them into old age. They travelled to far Scandinavia in order to find the most fierce and territorial bears in all of Europe. They had an incredible bond with these animals, along with an undying loyalty. The grey mane of their leader Roy billowed in the wind as he rode his black grizzled war-bear up to meet me. His red eyes flashed in the night, matched by the red of his bear. His snout was full with scars, and one of his eyes was completely white, blind from a puncture wound. “Roy!” I shouted. “Do you think we are invading France? This is a fool’s errand by Cailan to deal with a few hunters!” “Hah! Always the joker, Rathiel. Have you not heard the news?” He grew more downcast and tempered his tone as he approached. “Those few who were hit on patrol didn’t make it. Well, one did, but he is with Lazarus in recovery.” A warm feeling mixed with sorrow hit me squarely in my chest. To have lost any vampire to a mortal was something that had not happened in recen memory. Usually the dread we struck into the hearts of humans was enough to keep them at bay. But the one survivor gave me hope that this new threat could be overcome. Perhaps Lazarus would be able to tell me more about his condition once we returned. I looked around cautiously to see if anyone had heard. Luckily, the rest of Houses Duncan, Ulmer, Alnwick & Kearne were off fraternizing near the castle gate. “Truly a terrible loss.” I began solemnly. “But that is the entire point of this hunting party. I still feel the King has gone too far in his pursuit of justice. We stand at about fifty strong, for some duine”? My sudden use of the ancient tongue left a slight look of surprise across his brow. “Ah, yes... But regular men they are not, my friend. To kill not just one, but two of our kind, is something that is worth looking into. This is the rare occasion I am with Cailan despite his...” He took on a hushed tone, looking around quickly. “Paranoid delusions.” Unfortunately, I agreed with him. I made sure Ithilus was fastened tightly on my back, and with a quick nod towards Roy, I jumped up on Raven. The black leather saddle welcomed me, hugging my body after so much use. I pulled the reins shortly and urged Raven towards the rest of the group. &#x200B; Not a minute had passed before the booming voice of Gaust cut across the small-talk that had erupted amongst the Houses. “LISTEN.” Everyone immediately stopped talking and turned to pay attention to the General. “I am sure most of you have been informed as to why you are needed here today. The humans to the south have made their move against us. They attacked Craven’s patrol a few days ago.” He spat on the ground. “Two of our men are dead. Lazarus cannot bring them back.” There were a few gasps among the crowd that were quickly stifled. “They were weak. To die to humans is a complete dishonour. But we cannot allow such transgression to continue to stain the name of the King. The other clans will see this development as an opportunity to attack.” A murmur of agreement rang out amongst the crowd. Gaust paused suddenly, as his nostrils flared, and his eyes narrowed. There was a sudden cry from atop the battlements. “ARRGH, Git off me!” A voice that was not one of our own. There was a wisp of smoke, and the body of a human was flung towards us. He hit the ground with a thud, which surely resulted in several broken bones. “Tch. Imbecile.” A rumbling voice came from the shadows nearest the castle gate. There was a vampire with a blue twinge to his skin, cloaked in all black peasants clothing. “This is one of their scouts, I’ve been watching him for an hour now on orders from Roderick.” Said the mysterious figure. None of Roderick’s agents names were ever revealed officially, so they couldn’t be tied back to us in their operations. He quickly leaped from the shadows and flashed a blade at the human’s throat. “Should kill you...” A warm fizzling sound came from the man’s chaps, he looked absolutely terrified. The agent looked towards Gaust. “There were no others with him, I made sure of it.” Gaust nodded. "Take him to Roderick then." His murderous smile reappeared, pushing the corners of his mouth to inhuman proportions. The spy screamed. “Bravo!” One of the Lieutenants from House Ulmer roared. Muted approval and nods came from the crowd once again. Vampires weren’t much for celebration. “Now...” Gaust carried on, as if nothing had happened. “By the grace of Absalom, we should arrive unnoticed.” Absalom was a Vampire deity, the King of Kings. To invoke his name was to bring a blessing upon our hunting party. “It need not be said, but for the more dull-headed of you I will do so.” He nodded towards the Ulmers, who shouted their displeasure. “We will go to the hamlet nearest the ambush location, in Swansea. The journey is a few days by human measure, but much quicker for us.” He gathered his reins in his hands. “I will not be joining you, King Cailan has only tasked me with directing you... unfortunately.” He looked the closest to sadness I had ever seen, which given the context, was disconcerting. “Go to the village marked on this scroll.” He handed it to the Kearnes, who took it with glee. “You will find them there. Find out where their base of operations is, then destroy it. Do not kill anyone until you know where they come from. These rats have been highly organized, and the Spymaster suspects some involvement from the English Royals. We must know how deep this goes.” The Kearnes moved forward. Cian spoke. “You heard the General!” He shouted with the most incredibly high-pitched and nasally voice that made several of us recoil. “We’re in charge here. Follow the Kearne caravan through the southern gate.” The party lined up as they were told. House Wren took our places at the rear. I nodded at Micah and Layla. Silas and the others came in behind us in formation. The Kearne bannerman shouted and we urged our mounts forward, pressing on into the darkness with no guarantee of return.