With the announcement, an amused murmur circulated amongst the crowd. “What’s the fool up to?”
“Does he believe he brings us news?”
“What does he want?”
Darius cleared his throat to call attention again. He expected his words to have more impact than it appeared. Tiberius’ sons growled impatiently. At least I have the family behind me. “I would ask that the Senate send me back to my people with the aid of the army. At that time, I would bring to an end the Circle’s ungodly practices and bring the druidic peoples under Empire protection.”
A soft chuckled circulated, as the Senate realized what exactly Darius was up to. A balding man in a richly embroidered toga stepped forward. He was one of the men vying for Tiberius’ recently vacant position. His mere presence brought a hush to the bemused crowd. “Darius, is it? Did you not hear the list of concerns that were put forth by Senator Torum before you? The settlements you speak of have been a bane in our existence for over a century. The people there do not want Empire rule, and we are stretched to the limit of our resources to control what we have. Not to mention our concern with containing the war that is coming from other borders. Why would we want to expend troops on attacking a border too far to be profitable and currently causing no trouble?” As approval from the crowd rumbled agreement with the statement, the man continued with a pleased smile. “There is no logic to starting a war on an additional front.”
One of the young Novanus charged forward. “What was my father to you, Gaius?”
The well dressed senator glared down at the young man. “Your father was a mighty general, Marcus. He expanded our borders, as his father did before him.”
A voice from an unseen listener added, “Sometimes at the expense of internal affairs.”
Gaius cleared his throat loudly, stifling the angry murmur of agreement that was threatening to start the rest of the Novanus boys adding to the argument. Attempting to quell the boy’s anger, he tried to continue his diplomatic approach to the situation. “As, no doubt, you will too some day. If given the opportunity. However, even your father was aware of our current resources and our abilities.” The senator turned away from the angry young man.
Darius stepped in front of Marcus Novanus, placing a hand on his chest and nodding to him for permission to speak. Marcus stepped back and moved to console his sobbing mother.
“Senator, must I remind the senate that the Circle possesses knowledge that could greatly aid any army in times of war. The information which could be gleaned from a cooperative Circle I believe you may find, could turn the tides in a failing war or even aid the communities so devastated by the storms you were referring to earlier. There are reasons that your people have been attempting to assimilate my culture for so long.”
The men in the room began murmuring again.
“Who does the fool think he’s dealing with?”
“Wasn’t it already established that the rumors of druid magic were false?”
“Their fake Gods hold no power we can use.”
“But what if we’re wrong?”
“Is it possible they’ve hidden something from us?”
“There are rumors that the assassin was a vampire.”
“No such thing.”
“But what if?”
Gaius took a turn clacking his ring on the arm of the chair. It took some time for the crowd to calm down, and Darius looked far too pleased with the obvious uproar he caused. “Gentlemen.” Gaius’ voice carried through the room and finally silence fell. “Last I knew, there was no secret information hidden by the Circle. Darius, perhaps you could provide us some proof of what you claim? Make it rain? Or maybe bring the dead to life? I know, in the face of all the science we hold dear and the knowledge we possess, which I believe far greater than druid magic rites, perhaps you’ll turn this to gold for us?” Gaius pulled a pewter coin from his pocket and tossed it to Darius.
The chuckle that emanated from the various corners of the room told both men that Gaius had made his point to the senators.
Attempting to resurrect what little credit he had gained, Darius continued. “The Circle has long known that the rites would bring about their destruction. The knowledge was hidden from even our own people and is kept by the elders for times they believe it’s needed. I don’t possess the knowledge myself.”
“Then,” Gaius suggested, “would it be entirely possible that even you in your wisdom have fallen prey to foolish speculation that a quiet group of people hold more secrets than they could possibly possess?” He grinned at Darius as a father would a small child who needed to be taught a lesson. “I merely find it difficult to believe that the culture would live in poverty if they possessed the kinds of powers you suggest.” Gaius turned toward the mourning Novanus family. “I don’t wish to add more unhappiness to your life. Please don’t let this fool sway your house into an action that would only bring about more misery.” Turning toward the senate, he announced in an authoritative voice which reverberated off the walls, “There is no magic to be taken from the druids. They are merely a primitive and impoverished people and this man only wishes to further his own ends. The vote,” Gaius shouted into the assembly.
Men all over the room echoed, “The vote!”
“Vote!”
“Cast the vote!”
“Send an army to follow the druid,” Gaius called out.
Darius stood fuming. It was obvious that he would get no further chance to speak. All that time he had wasted on manipulating Tiberius into a position that may have helped him in his goals was wasted. The fool was dead, after having ignored the warnings about the vampire, and his sons were too young and weak to influence the senate. They have no idea what power the elders keep from us. And they call me the fool.
Young men in plain white togas carrying richly embroidered red velvet bags circulated amongst the crowd. Men rooted in pockets producing chits that were dropped into the bags. Finally the bags were placed on a large table. Senator Torum approached each back and upended it with the tips of his fingers. Gold and purple chits spilled across the table. “No count needed. At least 10 to 1 against,” he announced.
An approving rumble enveloped the room.
Darius ap Jos stepped forward, enraged. “You’ll let the Circle assassinate a senator and face no repercussion? You’ll pass up such an opportunity to improve your knowledge and lives?”
“You’re out of order druid,” Gaius growled. “The floor has not recognized you to speak.”
Darius knew the rules of the senate well enough that the tone in Gaius’ voice caused him to back down.
Marcus, the oldest of the Novanus boys stood forward. “If the senate will not send the army then our house sends what troops we have. I would hope that those loyal to my father may seek to send aid as well. My family retires to our domus. We have plans to draw.”
Darius followed the mourning family out of the senate chambers, his disappointment momentarily abated. Perhaps this will work out just as well. This way I won’t owe any obligation to the senate. A child is easily manipulated.
“Fool boy,” someone said aloud.
“Let him send his house guard. His estates won’t last long without adequate protection.”
“Troops don’t work for free.”
“It will be a good lesson for the young Novanus to learn.”
* * * *
Lilith sighed heavily. “And so it comes.”
The runner who brought the news waited patiently to be dismissed.
“A small army is still an army to a people who have none to speak of,” added an old man who sat stroking his beard thoughtfully.
“Agreed,” came another voice.
“But their number is relatively small. Send the vampire.”
They were all thinking it. Speaking the suggestion aloud, however, was a different matter.
“You can go,” Lilith said gently to the now frightened young messenger. “Thank you. Speak to no one.”
; The messenger backed hurriedly from the room, nodding emphatically.
“This is not what the vampire was meant for,” someone said, as the door closed, returning to the topic at hand.
“Can Tiernay take an army?”
“Is he really that strong?”
“When was the last time anyone, save the girl, saw him or spoke to him?”
“From the looks of Mira, it’s not a pleasant task.”
“We have no choice.”
“Darius brings an army. Small as it may be. We sit and allow him to take control of the Circle, or we attempt to fight back.”
“So we gather the men and arm ourselves.”
“We’re philosophers and farmers. They have armor and swords.”
“Words don’t shield from steel.”
“What if we give them Tiernay?”
“Yes, that may stem their anger. Give them less reason to attack.”
“That doesn’t mean that they won’t still come.”
“We’ll not know if Tiernay can handle it unless we ask him.”
Lilith produced a small piece of parchment paper and began writing in her sweeping script. Everyone stopped and waited for the old woman to finish and speak. “The elders alone will reconvene tomorrow eve at the entrance to the vampire’s cave.” That was all Lilith said. Everyone knew that the debate was ended for now. From nowhere, a young woman appeared at Lilith’s side. She took the paper from the old woman’s hand and rushed from the room. Rillan would find it that evening, when he checked the basin where his notes were left.
Chapter 11
Liam insisted on a long walk. He insisted on droning on about how wonderful their life was going to be. When he insisted on kissing Mira, she found that just like everything else she had been unable to deny him, kissing was the same.
Gentle hands slid along her body. All around them birds twittered and a soft breeze rustled in the trees. Far off, the sounds of happy people bustling about their work for the day reminded her that she used to believe this was how she had wanted to lose her virginity.
Liam pushed the shoulders of her chemise off and down her arms. As much as she knew she didn’t want this, she couldn’t bring herself to stop Liam. This is how it’s supposed to be, her mind raced. Accept your new life and your new lover.
Laying Mira down on the soft grass, Liam finished pulling her clothes from her body. She watched, but didn’t really see him pushing his breeches down his thighs and kneeling between her bare legs. Liam leaned down and kissed Mira’s breast, ran his tongue along the edge of her nipple and then drew it into his mouth. He sucked and licked her nipple at length, trying to draw some kind of response from her.
Between kisses, he worked his hand down her stomach and between her legs. He knew that she was no longer a virgin. The vampire had seen to that. He tried not to be resentful of that fact, as his fingers probed between the soft lips of Mira’s sex. Looking up to her face, he found her eyes closed.
“I won’t hurt you Mira. Not like he did. I’m going to make love to you.” Determined to replace any terrible memories of what sex should be in her mind, Liam slid his fingers into her. He stroked her insistently, trying to make her ready for his thick member.
Mira worked hard to turn her mind off. You have no idea what he did to me, she thought angrily at him.
Nothing Liam did moistened her slit. No amount of kissing or stroking affected her. She lay there beneath him unmoving, and cold. Finally he gave up on trying and positioned himself to enter her. His pent up desire to have Mira all these years could not be abated, even in the face of her possible discomfort.
Mira winced as he pushed into her unready pussy. His cock felt like it was ripping into her as he pressed unrelentingly on. Finally her natural responses to the situation gave some relief to his aggression, but not enough to bring pleasure or comfort.
Liam thrust into her for what felt like an eternity. His grunting disgusted her, and beads of sweat on his forehead dropped onto her face. She thought he would never finish. Finally he rammed into her several times and his body trembled. Mira felt his hot member throbbing inside her, and then he relaxed.
Panting for breath, Liam rolled off to one side and lay on the ground silent for a few long moments. When he sat up and looked down at her there was a mixture of concern and shame in his eyes beneath his furrowed brow. He helped her up and the two of them dressed in uncomfortable silence.
By the time he took Mira home, the sun was already setting. “Mira, with all the upheaval and distress that has been plaguing our people, a celebration of any kind would be well received.”
“So soon?” Mira tried not to sound upset, but knew that she was failing miserably.
“You’ll see.” Liam refused to be put off. She had agreed. Nothing could possibly break his good mood. “I’ll speak with my sisters about helping you,” he added, knowing she had no real family. “And I’m sure if you tell the other girls,” he said, nodding to the curious faces who were watching as he left her on the doorstep of the round house, “you’ll find plenty of other willing hands.”
There was some giggling as the girls realized a secret was being kept.
Liam kissed Mira sweetly on the cheek and disappeared into the night. Mira found it strange that she felt more awake when the sun set than she felt with it up. She couldn’t seem to get her body to go back to living in the sunlight. All I wanted when I was in his caves was to see outside. Now I have it, and it doesn’t feel right any longer. I wonder how long it will take for me to adjust.
More girls gathered to see what was going on, now that Mira had returned. She found that she was somewhat of a celebrity. Most of the girls in the current generation of sacrifices knew her before she went into his caves. No one ever expected to see her back alive. When it became clear that he sent her back to train the new generation properly, they all began following her around waiting for her to be ready to start teaching. The elders insisted that the girls leave her alone for the time being. Even so, not being allowed to ask her questions didn’t preclude watching and waiting. They were all curious about what they would face and excited that someone survived. Mira gave them hope.
“What was Liam talking about Mira?” They may not be able to ask about Rillan ap Tiernay, but no one said anything about Liam.
Mira hesitated. Something about actually saying it out loud made her stomach turn a bit. She cleared her throat. “Liam and I are to be handfasted.”
A squeal went up through the room, and the girls began murmuring excitedly. Mira felt as though she was in the middle of a bad dream.
* * * *
Rillan read the note three times; then he read it again. He had never been summoned to a meeting with the elders before. Whatever their problem is, it must be complex. There was no hint of the issue to be discussed. Rillan considered, with a grim kind of acceptance and relief, that this could mean the end of this era of his life. This may be why a new girl hasn’t been sent yet.
Rillan spent most of the next day taking into account the possibilities that the note and the meeting presented. For the first time in a long while, he was at a loss for the right answer, and there was something oddly nice about that.
Approaching the cave entrance, Rillan could see the druids standing about nervously long before they could see him. Although he never met her, he easily picked out the one who must be Lilith. He had read enough of her notes to know that the woman must be ancient by now. Over the years her handwriting had grown in size and became steadier with each name she wrote. The white haired, wrinkled woman in the plain brown skirt and soft white chemise was the only one not fidgeting.
Rillan walked into the lantern light without hesitation, causing all of the elders to take a step back. He knew that they weren’t expecting what they saw. Perhaps I should have come to them as the demon, he thought sardonically. Rillan held out the note he had received. “My curiosity at this meeting is without bounds.”
“Lord Tiernay,” one of the men squeaked
out.
Grinning at the man, Rillan exposed his fangs, amused when the man flinched. “It’s unlikely that I would be anyone else.”
“Yes, I suppose—“
“Enough,” Lilith said with the exasperation of a woman who obviously wanted to carry on with business. “Lord Tiernay, we currently are faced with a situation we are unsure of. It seems that one of our own has turned to the Empire for assistance in removing the Circle from power. He approaches with an army. Our options are to turn you over and surrender or to find a way to fight them. Unfortunately you are our only line of defense. In order to make the decision as to what we should do next, we need to know if you are capable of fighting a small army.”
For a moment Rillan was taken aback. “Of all the reasons I considered which could cause you to call a meeting with me, I must say that I never expected this.” He contemplated the situation. “I suppose that my ability to fight this army depends on how much time I have, how many there actually are, and how good they are.”
“We have little information save that they are coming.”
Rillan nodded. “I would prefer to die fighting, if given the option.”
“Understandable. However we have lives to consider,” Lilith said. Rillan was impressed with the way she held herself and the bravery with which she spoke to him. “Is there any possibility that you’ll attack them and only succeed in angering them so that when they get here we have no protector, and they’ll be interested in revenge?”
“I can’t answer that with the little information I have been given. If I only knew numbers, then I would be better able to give you a response.”
“Well we can tell you that the Senate has refused to send the Empire troops. We know that house Novanus and a few loyalists created an army from their house guard. That is what’s coming. But we have no numbers and no way of knowing their skill.”
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