Perceval sat before the great fireplace in the main room of his stone estate. Winter had come to the mountains and the wind had a chill that cut like a knife though it had been many centuries since he had felt chill. The vampire lord had been brought across ages before when mankind was nothing more than a loose configuration of warring tribes and over time he had watched Europe develop and grow around him. He had been a smart man and with ages of experience and wisdom he was a virtual genius now.<br/><br/>But immortality is indeed a curse. Over time he had lost all he might have called friend or lover. And though his wealth and power were nearly incalculable it had grown into a horribly lonely and hollow existence as all he had ever known had turned to dust. That was in spite of the fact that he still possessed the long blonde hair of youth and his thin and wiry frame was still possessing of the musculature of a man in his late teens or early twenties. His striking glacier blue eyes stood out on his pale face and displayed the intelligence of an ageless being. Of course truth be known his intellectual pursuits were all that kept him sane most nights.<br/><br/>That was why he felt the loss of William the Magistrate so deeply. William knew his nature and had not judged him because of it. William also had an incredibly keen mind and a knowledge of ancient secrets that rivaled his own. Perceval was so impressed with the mortal that he had even considered bringing him across. Something he had never done in all of his years especially in light of the fact he thought most of his kind embraced on mere whims rather than true consideration. But ultimately he decided that would be doing his friend a disservice. That was part of why it hit him so hard when the Magistrate's daughter had contacted him and told of his passing. I mean he was a mortal, but it was still sudden. And the man had even cared enough to leave a dark lord books in his will.<br/><br/>Of course the lass was also left in a pickle. She was short of money, unwed, and without any real prospects. So it was that Perceval agreed to buy the books that were his by inheritance at an extraordinary price. And thus settle his old friend's estate and look after his spinster daughter. But the lass insisted on delivering them in person. He did not know if she knew his nature or not nor did he really care. But at the end of the night he was a predator who preferred females and would rather not be tempted by his late friend's child. But she insisted, so he crossed and uncrossed his tight breeches clad legs as he was mildly agitated and felt his inner urges stirring. In another unusual gesture he straightened the ruffles on his white silken shirt as he waited for his servants to tell him of the young woman's arrival. He only hoped the old maid was nothing special so as to make it easier to control his nature.