text: We make our way down the hall, through several winding corridors and arrive at the keep. It is vast and full of pillaged goods from the surrounding counties and lords. Before our coven, there were legitimate English nobles that enjoyed its riches. In our case, it was passed by force, and the previous occupants didn’t have the privilege of staying alive. Its entrance is flanked by two great statues of knights holding their shields upright, signaling the importance of the figure who lay within. I continued up the lavish walkway that lead to the King’s throne, shaking my head in disbelief. I could see him there -- a man of over 300 pounds yet, somehow -- an extremely gaunt face. His eyes were drained of life and he stared over our shoulders as if we weren’t even there. The pale white of his once youthful skin had turned a shade of blue. He wasn’t the man he was even twenty years ago. He was flanked by his two most decorated Generals. Their names were Roderick and Gaust. Their eyes betrayed no sign of weakness. They pierced us with their gazes and immediately put me on guard. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up involuntarily. Gaust was particularly notable. Even among Vampires, he had a reputation for being unnecessarily brutal and depraved. His last kill was a young mother walking along the country road. He decorated the nearby trees with her entrails. This was far from his worst offense. He stood towering over the King at 8 feet tall, an amalgamation of Vampire bloodlines that had granted him immense physical prowess. He is a force to be reckoned with. Roderick is far more diplomatic than his counter-part, and he preferred to let his enemies stew in their confusion before he delivered the final blow. Aside from being the King’s Bodyguard, he is also the Spy-master. He spearheads all covert operations against the Vampire Hunters and is a crucial tool in the fight against them. He stood a much more meager 6 feet, but had a look of serene intelligence behind his eyes. He was also quite muscular, albeit in a more functional sense than his counterpart. I made a short mental note to keep him alive when we took this place by force. “My King, they approach.” Gaust grunted in the direction of the throne. “...Wha, huh...” King Cailan raised his head, startled. “Oh... Yes, yes of course. I have requested you here today... Representatives of House Wren. Because... Because...” he started to trail off. I looked at Micah quickly and tried to convey the urgency that he not acknowledge the obvious deterioration. He nodded back in understanding. “Yes, my King. We are here to serve.” We both bowed deeply. “Very good... As I was saying. You have been called here for a very important reason. It goes without saying that this cannot leave these chambers.” He gestured around the room in a moment of unexpected lucidity. “Of course.” “Good, good. Well as you know we have had our hands full with these blasted Hunters always meddling in our affairs. Today, they took a step too far. During one of the regular patrols -- you know the ones, by Kynnisgrove -- Craven and his clan were ambushed. I gripped my fist instinctively. Although the Hunters had been making life miserable for us, they had yet to make a move this bold. Usually their methods circled around propaganda and disinformation. The blood dripped from my clenched hand. The King didn’t notice my reaction, and pressed on. “The casualties were significant. A hail of silver bullets hit the group as they went through an underpass. They were cornered on all sides. Three lie in the infirmary with clogged respiratory systems, unable to regenerate. The situation is dire, we are not sure if they will make it.” My mouth hung open in spite of itself. Three of us had been mortally wounded? By HUMANS? How was this possible? “Understood sir.” I said in my most obedient tone. “What would you have us do?” Cailan sighed dejected, throwing his hands up. “Gaust?” said the King. “Your excellence.” He bowed. “We require House Wren to join the hunting party that will strike at the village where this band of vigilantes hole themselves up. We will then deal with them as appropriate. Your vicious blood thirst will be an asset in this regard.” He nodded to Micah. Micah smiled in return. “That’s well and good Gaust, but how many others are putting themselves on the line?” “It should be reason enough that your King is calling upon you for this task.” Micah bit his tongue. “But, you will be joined by Houses Dunkan, Ulmer and Alnwick.” A wave of relief washed over me. All reputable houses who were less than content with the way this coven was being run. Perhaps there would be an opportunity for co-ordination. “...Oh and House Kearne as well.” The relief stopped there. The Kearnes were loyal to a fault, lapdogs of the King. Their family had served the Cailans for centuries. This was certainly an attempt to stifle and kind of insubordination on our part. No matter, we had a job to do. “I am glad to hear we will be supported by such strong Houses in our task.” I said with a grin. “Surely a band of Vampire Hunters will stand no chance” “My thoughts exactly.” Muttered Cailan. “To be sure, Gaust will be leading this assault.” “Understood.” I said, dripping with honeyed false respect. “Will that be all?” “That is all. House Wren will be commended for their efforts to protect the coven.” I laughed inwardly. “House Wren owes its life to the Cailans. Reward is not necessary.” He waved us off, and with a turn Micah and I had left the King’s quarters, feeling uneasy about this new turn of events.