Loyalty

by Charles E Yallowitz

  “Stare any harder at her and I might become jealous, dear,” Nadia teases before planting a gentle kiss on his cheek. Examining a jagged slice that runs down her arm, she peels away the charred edges that have been hampering her recovery. “Those bastards came in with a lot more holy power than we could have imagined. Good thing they fell apart or we wouldn’t have been able to control the situation. Don’t worry so much about Nyte. The damage was minimal and the dead have already been burned or buried. We can revive our forces with a few outings to the neighboring villages and the cities. Perhaps we can finally start recruiting from the council’s armies? Seriously, dear, I don’t understand why you’ve been so quiet the last few days.”

  “There is a new situation that plagues me,” Xavier finally replies as he runs his finger around the lip of a half-full bottle. His eyes look out at the pool, but he is too focused on his inner thoughts to notice what is before him. “I witnessed the emergence of a creature that is stronger and more powerful than any vampire in history. He was awe-inspiring at first, but my emotions quickly turned to fear. At the time, I thought he could be our salvation and I helped him escape. Now that I have had time to think, I wonder what would happen if he decides to fight for himself. Do we have the ability to contend with such a monster? Maybe I am worried for nothing since all I saw was that it . . . Clyde was immune to sunlight. Yet, there has to be more to what he is than that. The massacres he has done on our behalf hint at an incredible strength and bloodlust, which I ignored because they pushed my goals. If he desired it, he could level Nyte without much effort. There are other questions on my mind. Where does Mab fit into this? Is she like him? Could there be more of them or even some who are working for the council?”

  “Dear, you’re letting your mind run away without your common sense,” his wife says, her voice trembling slightly. Walking to the edge of the pool, she dips her bare foot into the blood and purrs at the warmth that borders on pain. “Clyde has always been our friend and that will only change if we give him reason to turn on us. I will admit that what you are describing is unexpected, but he did go through a great trauma. We both knew there was a chance he would be different if Mab was right and he returned. The only thing we got wrong was that he came out of the ground stronger instead of weaker. Considering he asked you to keep this a secret, I doubt there are any more of his kind. If there were, we would have seen signs of them already. Not unless Clyde has been amassing an army behind our back, but he isn’t the type. He has his gang and that has always been enough to make him happy.”

  Nodding his head, Xavier joins his wife and takes her arm to watch the ugly injury fade away. “He never had any political ambitions, which does put my mind at ease. It may be that I am still in shock and wondering where they went. I hope Clyde does not think the Duragians came for him and he is staying away to keep Nyte safe. That will cause our own plans to fall apart because we need him. We’re so close to putting an end to this war and uniting the vampires under one flag. I will be damned to the Chaos Void if I let the council be the ones to rule our world any longer. Their time ended with the Great Cataclysm.”

  A high-pitched scream causes the nobles to jump away from the pool, which churns and froths. Standing in the middle of the swirling liquid, Stephanie stares at the ceiling with her arms stretched as far to her sides as they can reach. Her head repeatedly snaps back for her to shriek in a garbled language that strikes all who hear it with waves of nausea. Twisted horns curl from her head before falling off, the sharp protrusions bursting into flames that ripple beneath the pool’s surface. With a loud sucking sound, the blood rushes into the vampire’s body, which develops a beautiful crystalline sheen. Stephanie cocks her head to the side and black tears drip from her eyes, the hissing droplets carving grooves down to her heels. Unleashing a final howl, the seer falls back and spews the blood from every pore to refill the large basin. The flood carries her to solid ground where her blinking eyes gradually return to their normal yellow. Standing between Nadia and Xavier, she looks down at her body and begins licking the thick ichor off her skin. Her tail remains puffed up and upright, a sign that she is still anxious.

  “I saw death, destruction, and the blood of vampires flowing,” Stephanie whispers, her hands trembling as they reach for Nadia. She relaxes when her master wraps her in a soft robe and a tender embrace, the comfort making her visions more tolerable. “This was not what I meant to see when I went looking for Clyde and Mab. I could not tell you why it happened either. There was no clear cause of the disaster since it was moving so quickly. All I could tell is that it wasn’t the Duragians who were attacking us. I’m sorry, Lady Sylvan, but I failed to locate those who are missing and instead came back with such a nightmare.”

  “Don’t worry, Mistress Talon,” Nadia says, delivering a kiss to her servant’s forehead. The taste of befouled blood forces her to delicately spit to the side and she feels one of her teeth rot into sour pulp. “Whatever your vision, it is a warning that something terrible is coming. Stop trying to eat that stuff because it is toxic and will ruin your fangs. Clean off with a towel, take this bottle of young halfling, and get some rest. My husband and I will discuss your vision while you recover your energy.”

  “But there has to be a connection between this fate and Clyde,” the ritualist insists, her panic steadily returning. Wriggling free of Nadia, she jumps towards the pool, which abruptly hardens beneath her feet. “I don’t want to believe it, but this whole thing with him not being one of us might be a warning. He is certainly still a vampire, but you both have said that he is much stronger than us. A new breed inevitably replaces the old one, which means he could become a danger. The only way to survive is to strike first.”

  “Stop being ridiculous!” Xavier bellows with enough force to shatter the blood. He catches Stephanie by the hair and angrily throws her into a chair. “You are asking us to risk everything and turn on a creature who could easily destroy us if he wants. More importantly, Clyde is still a friend and should be given a chance to explain himself. Vampires have always existed outside the laws of nature, so do not speak of those standards as if they will hold true. There is a history of unique undead appearing without destroying previous species. That is why you have zombies, ghasts, and ghouls instead of only one type of flesh eater. For now, I want to believe that Clyde will do the same and not be a threat to us.”

  Disliking the tension, Nadia steps between the two vampires and locks them in place with a paralysis spell. “There will be no fighting amongst ourselves. That goes for how you treat each other and what we do about our friends. Forcing a worst case scenario means we will be the architects of our own demise. If it does appear that these new vampires are a threat then we will act accordingly, but we need proof first. I am truly sorry, Mistress Talon, but vague visions do not count this time. You could have seen that the council wins if Clyde does not return and he is as much a victim as we would be.”

  “Right as always, my love,” the Lord of Nyte replies with a bow to his wife. Approaching Stephanie, he carefully helps the calico up and casts a spell that erases the tainted blood from her body. “You have my apologies. I let my fear and anger get the best of me. To say that your suggestion has not crossed my mind would be a lie. I do worry that Clyde is a sign of our time becoming limited. Yet, we know very little about his condition. Perhaps he will be the only one of his kind or eventually transform back. There are too many mysteries surrounding him for us to make a final decision. Do you forgive me, Mistress Talon?”

  “Yes, Lord Tempest, and I appreciate you being honest with me.”

  “Please get some rest and we will talk again later.”

  “Thank you, but I would rather remain here.”

  “Why is that?”

  Stephanie nods her head at the doorway an instant before it swings up and Kai Stavros walks in with a slight limp. The spymaster is covered in dirt from his investigation of the tunnels and the surrounding forests. A packet of notes is under his arm, the b
undle bound by a crimson cord that is kept in place by a wax seal shaped like a close-mouthed mask. When he gets closer, his masters realize that he has lost some of his bulk and his skin has tightened around his bones. Kai goes down on one knee in front Xavier and waits until he is given permission to stand, his bad leg shaking from having worked without rest for the last two days. Accepting a goblet of blood, the vampire takes a long drink that allows his body to return to its natural state and heal the old injury. Hunger sated and mind steadily clearing, the spymaster offers his notes to Nadia, but refuses to let go when she tries to take them.

  “There is an unexpected guest for you in the courtyard,” Kai says, a curious glint in his obsidian eyes. He finally releases the packet and rolls his hand to pull a scroll out of his sleeve, the tiny page no bigger than his palm. “He wanted me to relay this message, which is slightly embarrassing. It is rare that the great Gregorio Roman leaves his lair, so he would appreciate it if his favorite daughter did not keep him waiting. He also requested that you greet him in the proper manner . . . with hugs and smiles. Are you sure he is of sound mind? He sounds less and less like a vampire every time I meet him.”

  Nadia pats Kai on the cheek while walking by the confused spymaster. “I will be sure to let my eccentric father know of your concerns.”

  *****

  Gregorio crouches at the edge of a large hole that is still steaming with holy magic, some of which he collects in a jar. Clipping the container onto his belt, the gnome wraps his night cloak around his body and backs away from the opening. He squints in the midday light and puts on his thick, tinted glasses, which press against his head to create a perfect seal around his weak eyes. Wanting to figure out the course of the battle, he follows the strange markings that were left by something grinding against the ground. Gregorio kneels to discover that the surface is polished beneath a thin layer of dirt, the glistening surface bright enough to pierce his thick lenses. Coming to a damaged wall, he finds the same effect and presses hard enough to crack the surface. The stone crumbles to powder once its outer shell has been broken, so he avoids stepping on any more of the grooves. His investigation stops when he hears crunching footsteps and a familiar perfume touches his round nose.

  “It is so good to see you, father,” Nadia says as she gives her maker a hug. Knowing the type of embrace he enjoys from her, the tall woman picks the gnome up and spins him. “You are the only one who can make me act so unlady-like. Please come to one of our guest rooms since this is no place for a reunion. It is rare that you leave your lab, which means this should be a time for treats and celebration.”

  “Thank you, daughter, but I want to be brief and to the point,” Gregorio states while shaking Xavier’s hand. Sensing tension in the air, he smiles and pretends to start the casting for a complicated illusion. “On second thought, this isn’t the time or place. You may have heard, or at least assumed, that Clyde and Mab came to me long ago about his condition. It started with a heartbeat and has grown from there, but nothing too extreme. Even so, we agreed to keep it a secret until we understood more. Now, I’ve learned that you two are aware of what he is. My visit is simply to get your thoughts on the matter.”

  “We are still coming to terms with it,” Xavier admits, his eyes narrowing into slits. He is about to step forward when a cold sensation runs up his leg and he notices that one of the stones is covered in frost. “I see you are still nervous and paranoid when out of your lair. I cannot blame you since that has kept you alive for so long. There are not many vampires today who match you in terms of age and experience. So, this business with your son must be bigger than I imagined if you are willing to take such a risk, Master Roman. To bring the question back to you, what are your thoughts on the situation?”

  The gnome removes the elemental charges from the ground, each one becoming an orb that circles his body. “My thoughts are that we need more time and research to determine the long-term implications. Clyde is an entirely new creature that one could say is a combination of vampire and mortal. Most would expect such a beast to be weaker, but he is stronger than all of us. I can see how that would worry anyone in power. Don’t try to deny your own apprehensions and fears. It’s only natural to consider that he can turn on you, but that is emotional paranoia talking. Once you work through that, you may realize that Clyde is a godsend to our people and a precursor to better times. Although, there is the possibility that he now has a mortal lifespan or these powers will vanish one day. I’ve discussed these possibilities with him and we are keeping both of those scenarios on the table.”

  “I’m confused on why you’re sharing all this with us,” Nadia admits after placing a calming hand on her husband’s shoulder. Feeling him tense, she digs her nails into his skin to prevent the noble from speaking bluntly. “In fact, your words are only increasing our worries. Do you wish for us to be afraid of Clyde? That would go against your statement that he is a godsend to our people. As my husband said, we are still coming to terms with this revelation and we need time to consider what it means for our future.”

  “I am simply stating what I know is in your hearts.”

  “Well, stop doing that and advise us on what we should do.”

  “Now, daughter, you know I don’t get involved in politics.”

  “If you were really so neutral, why would you keep Clyde’s secret?”

  “Because he is not a noble and his secret transcends politics.”

  Nadia’s response is cut off by Xavier shooting out his arm and firmly pushing her behind him. Fixing Gregorio with a steely glare, the silver-haired vampire quietly searches him for signs of a trap or betrayal. The mere presence of the hermit strikes him as odd, but the conversation has pushed him to the edge of his patience. Regardless of his worries, Xavier tries to see things from the gnome’s perspective and understand what he means. The silent struggle causes his eyes to twitch and his fangs to protrude from his mouth. On the verge of giving in to his primal instincts, Lord Tempest sends an electric burst through his own body to snap himself out of his looming bloodlust. The bolt flies from his finger and pulverizes the fragile stones beneath his feet, but he remains floating over the gap.

  “I will make a final decision on Clyde when I get a chance to talk with him,” Xavier says, his voice starting low and rising into his natural tone. Seeing that the nearby guards are standing ready for orders, he waves for them to go back to their assigned posts. “He is not the type to seek power, but that could change now that he has some. I know that you always look for the best in your children as any maker should. Yet, I cannot ignore the possibility of him being a threat. Not until I see with my own eyes that he is the same man I have trusted with my life and throne. That is the best I can do.”

  “That is a wise decision since working off fear would complicate things,” Gregorio explains with a low bow. When he rises, the gnome sees that the nobles are trying to hide matching quizzical expressions. “All I mean is that you don’t want to drive him away while battling the council and Duragians. Perhaps it would be best to leave this situation alone until you can afford to handle it. I know this borders on political advice, but I am thinking of the overall future of our people. You don’t want to make a mistake when it comes to something this sensitive. Even if Clyde is not one to claim power, he is an essential ally. Any threat that rises against the vampires will have to contend with him. Best to make sure he is willing to fight on your behalf.”

  Lord Tempest nods his head and walks to the edge of a nearby hole, the holy magic charring his nostrils when he sniffs at the fumes. “You make a good point. One that I was hesitant to consider since I prefer to focus on problems as they appear. There is no telling what awaits us after the Duragians are pushed back and the council is destroyed for treason. A void will be left that something will step in to fill. Even if it is me who rules the vampires, the absence will be too big for one person to handle alone. A new council could solve many of our problems and Clyde may agree to be a member as long as we
do not tie his hands.”

  “He would never agree to that,” Nadia mentions with a dainty laugh. Ignoring the scowl that she receives from her husband, the noblewoman billows out her night cloak and takes a seat on a piece of debris. “I am sorry, but we know he has no interest in such things. Putting Clyde on a council is like locking a troll in a room full of pixies. Inevitably, the wild beast will lash out and make a mess. What about letting him be? That seems like the safest path.”

  “It is good to hear you speak with wisdom, my daughter,” the gnome admits before sprinting to her side. Giving her hand a kiss, he spins around to face Xavier and does another bow with more of a flourish. “This is what I wanted to achieve with my visit. My fear was that you would act impulsively now that the secret is known. Thank you for taking the time to talk. Though, I would have liked something to eat since I traveled so far. My old body doesn’t enjoy the journey as much as it used to. So many more hills since my last outing.”

  Before the Lord and Lady of Nyte can call for a servant to bring the old vampire a bottle of blood, a strong wind erupts from beneath Gregorio’s feet. The gale whips around the courtyard and causes the fragile stones to crumble into powder. Nadia grabs Xavier by the arm to avoid falling into the tunnels below, her husband still floating above the empty space. With a loud roar, the elemental spell surges into the gnome’s boots and lifts him into the sky where he disappears among the clouds. In his wake, two bags of gems fall onto a nearby guard’s head and leave the unsuspecting vampire dazed. The money is summoned to Nadia’s hand and she puts it in the pocket of her dress, which nearly falls off due to the weight. Casting her own levitation spell, she hovers next to her husband and alters the magic to counter the heavy bags.