"The world as we know it. The twentieth century, the pinnacle of your race. The first downfall of my kind. However, I am not speaking here because I wish to tell you of our coven's fall, I am here to tell you how it began. . . You have undoubtedly read many tales regarding this. Many theories regarding the first coven. The truth is a mixture of lies and truth, and I will be as... forth coming as I can.

Our race started with one man. The first of the Vampires. . . Marcus Corvinus. Certainly there were times before even he became the first vampire, but that is of little concern. You wished the birthplace of the Vampire race. Look no further then Moldova. Here is where it started. Here is where we died.

The grand bedroom of Lord Viktor was silent, the grand stone walls surrounding him seemed to be closing in on the old warlord. The tapestries red, blue and yellow. The colors swayed before his very eyes. He was dying, and my father knew it. Laying in his luxurious four post bed. It was here that he was approached by the son of the first immortal warlord. Marcus.

"Viktor. . ."

"Marcus. . .Why are you here?"

Viktor coughed, his weak and fragile limbs shooting up to his chest as he did so before dropping back down his sides. The old man had let his hair grow in the last months. It's white and gray loosely behind his head and over his shoulders.

"I have a proposition for you. . ."

It was a fine time for Marcus to arrive, perhaps he knew that for Viktor, the next breath meant more to him then silver or gold. And then again, perhaps he was lucky. Either way.

"What kind of proposition?"

Marcus smiled at him, bearing his fangs.

"A cure for your disease. Immunity from death. Immortality."

Viktor snorted, resulting in more painful coughing.

"And what would you ask in return?"

"You and your army. . . They will aid me in killing the Wolves that plague our lands."

I didn't know at the time how much Viktor actually wished me to be there. To be able to see me one last time. Yet here I was, in one of the hallways, walking towards my father's chambers, feeling as if I never would see him again. Perhaps I knew Marcus was there. Maybe it was plain instinct. What I remember was, how quiet the halls were. Me and the army, we both knew he was on death's doorstep.

Did I feel up for leading them? Did I think I was able to keep them from ripping themselves apart? Perhaps, but not on my way to him, not on my way to his chamber. And not when I subconsciously marched towards my death.

"We are not able to move in sunlight, Viktor."

"lord Viktor. . ."

"Lord Viktor."

"It matters little. Now I believe. . . It is time to sell my soul. . ."

Marcus grinned, baring his fangs yet again.

"You are wise, Lord. Hold still. . ."

Sinking his teeth in my fathers throat and drinking my fathers blood, it was not long before he was turned and unconscious.

.

.

.

And this. . . Is where I died. . .

"My lord, are you- OH MY G-"

Further I could not come, for my throat was crushed closed by the mighty hands of my soon-to-be-sire.

"And what do you think you're doing, hmm? Viktor, shall I leave this servant girl to you?"

My eyes were saucers as I glanced to both my father and Marcus' light blue eyes.

"P- please! By the devil, I am not guilty!"

My father's voice cut through the air before I could plead further.

"She is my daughter, she will be given the same treatment as me, Marcus."

I gasped for air like I never did before, I actually felt like dying already, just not in the way I imagined it would be.

"You are certain, Viktor? She doesn't seem useful to me."

"Trust me, she will be. . . In time."

What I remembered was how I screamed for mercy and pleaded him to stop. I remember gasping for breath but finding none. And I remembered what it felt like, having your entire life flash before your eyes, clinging to the diminishing hope one will save you. It felt like dying.

When I awoke I was greeted by a sight I never thought I would see again. I was lying on his bed and at the foot of the bed stood my father, in full health with his sword strapped to his side. Somewhere in the time I was unconscious did Viktor bite Marcus, making him even more powerful and the second elder.

"Our army was reduced from thousands of men to only a thousand. The virus was very deadly and thus did most die in the change. Pity, for they were good men that deserved better. Over the years I was trained by Viktor's personal assassin of the eastern world. Solm. He taught me the ways of fighting. Even though it took me time to adjust, I had all the time in the world."

Walking down the halls of a palace like castle, richly decorated with red and gold tapestries did two figures debate. One a older man with long hair to well below his shoulders, his paleness and pride in his glowing eyes apparent and obvious.

The other...A young looking woman in her late twenties, blond hair cascading down to her shoulders and she too was unnaturally pale. Unlike Lord Viktor, whom kept his head high, the woman next to him seemed to relish his shadow, as the perfect hiding place for her shame.

That was me. The young princess without youth yet with ever lasting beauty. Sometimes I even think over how worthless and submissive I was, how obedient I have been.

"I'm not sure, father. . ."

"You will live, you'll see. Just stay at Marcus' side. He will have as much guards as me."

"It is not me whom I'm worried about. . ."

Viktor looked away from me then, probably to roll his eyes at my comment. Pushing a heavy door open himself that normally took four men was still a sight new to my adjusting eyes. Rounding a corner did I nearly collided with Marcus, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

"My Lord!" I managed to stammer, I was scared, scared beyond belief as I stood before him, a head taller then me. Gazing down upon me lazily. The cold and dark halls made his pale flesh stand out even more as the first vampire narrowed his eyes at me.

"Aha, I was wondering where you were going to, come, you are with me. Apparently."

He turned on his heel, walking towards the armory. It had been five years since Marcus turning of me and my father. And I am still adjusting to the astonishing fact I haven't seen the sun rise in three years. A special suit of armor was made for me, commissioned by Viktor. A full plate fitting around my rather small frame.

I was helped by two human servant girls, both just as terrified at my sight.

That was another effect I had on people, I was, apparently, absolutely terrifying to behold. I had yet to find out why, I was a servant in my own eyes. As low as any of them.

"Please... Do not fear me... I fight to protect you, not to consume you... Please don't be scared."

A thing I cared for, friends. I could not associate with vampires any more. They became arrogant after their turning, having visions of being all powerful. Humans I could connect with, they were as confused about us as I was about everything else.

They remained silent and obediently heaved my into my armor, aiding me with the arm pieces and tightening straps. When, at last, I was out of my dress and into my full plate, twin swords at my hips and a crossbow on my back, did I take my helmet of the maiden whom nervously bowed and skittered away, afraid of my very being of existance.

Walking into the hallway was Marcus and his entourage of guards. The ones that survived. Looking me over approvingly and offering a slight glance behind him. We proceeded into the stables, Viktor was already outside, waiting for us. The horses of him and his entourage of men gone as well. Mounting up and riding out did we meet up with our remaining forces that were heading out for our hunt.

Riding out, me and Viktor covering the flanks of Marcus as we drove deeper into enemy territory, the howls of wolves now distinguishable with cries of pain and suffering. Another village we were arriving at too late. I didn't know how much longer my undead heart would be able to keep beating at this rate. Arrival at the scene of horror was nothing new to me any more. Even though our forces we led were freshly rebuild since the last hunt, we were remarkably experienced as we drove into the wolves, beheading heads and severing limbs.

Death was everywhere, but I no longer had to try to focus. Some men were being dragged of their horses. 'Idiots didn't pay attention.' I was slowly making progress, too slow, I flung a throwing star with a flick of my wrist into another wolf as I dismounted, another springing through the walls of a village house. My right hand clutched my sword as the newly turned wolf turned it's attention to me. I spurted forwards, sliding under his swinging arm, severing it before going in for the kill.

Quickly gathering myself I spotted a newer vampire being dragged out of the saddle, however, unlike many, he didn't give in, Quickly bringing his knife up for the kill and drove it into the wolf's head. I spurted towards his hunched over form, intercepting another that was about to get him.

"GET UP IDIOT!"

I spun round and noticed I was alone and surrounded by no less then eight of them. Drawing my second blade I waited for them to come to me. The first that came at me soon lay dead at my feet, headless... Without further due did they come to me, the soldier behind me was gone, battling elsewhere I presumed. I made a somersault over the nearest one, cleaving a path through his spine, blood spilling from the wound kept open from the burning silver on my swords.

The next kill was simple, spurting towards the back of the nearest one, quickly decapitating him sending his head flying to it's comrades. They would follow soon after as I descended upon them. When I was finished I started to notice something was missing. Where were the battle cries? Where were the sounds of clashing men and wolves? I spun round to see the entire company staring at me, most were new and stood there, mouth agape.

I shifted uncomfortably, quickly sheathing my swords and finding a saddled horse. Noticing Viktor was gone I took the liberty of asking a few things.

"How long have you been standing there?"

I rode nearer to them, contemplating on what they might say and how to react. One of the soldiers reacted by opening his mouth. But no sound came out and he just stared at me then back at the ten wolves dispatched singlehandedly. 'Idiots'

"Well I think I've stood here for about five-"

"You could have helped me!"

I snapped at the man, furious. Lost in my temper I didn't notice Viktor and Marcus with the remaining men riding towards me and getting in earshot of my unpleasant shriek of rage.

"Are you COMPLETELY incompetent? How would you survive that situation? I doubt you can take on two at once!"

I hissed at him, enraged and eyes blazing with the same electric light blue that sent the shivers down the new one's spine. Glad It wasn't themselves being shouted at, or partly.

"Calm yourself Amilia!"

The voice of reason cut through the air and I was frozen on the spot. Not daring to look upon my father. He sounded angry. He rode beside me and forced me to look him in the eyes by tilting my head with his hand under my chin.

"My darling... What happened?"

Still glaring at the soldier revealed his nervousness only a little. I calmed myself to the extend that I would be able to keep myself in check before continuing.

"What is your name?"

I was partly angry and partly disappointed in the newcomer.

"Soren, milady."

My eyes still blazing did I speak to him, having neither the courage in my father's presence nor the patience to lecture him.

"Improve on your reaction skill will you?"

I turned to Viktor, searching his eyes. He was quite angry at something, I could tell.

"Was it William?"

He only nodded, his face kept stern as he eyed the soldier I had been 'addressing'.

"Was he here?"

"Yes." His face screwed up in a frown.

"Unfortunate."

"Most."

"Ever think your entire troop of men is incompetent?"

"Why is that?" His face turned as he frowned with an amused smirk

"I'm feeling it right now."

I glared at Soren, then rode off with my father and Marcus. The men whom lost their horses had to run to keep up as we proceeded to stroll through the night time lands of Moldova. It was summertime and the air around us would be cool, had it not been for my own undead state I would actually have noticed.

I Grunted as I noticed Soren conversing with another man, both still had their horses. The man aside Soren shot me hungry looks every time when he thought I wasn't noticing. I looked at my father questionably. Me and dad had a way of understanding each other without second glances or words. It came mighty handy in meetings or on the field. And when in company of Marcus or others, it was very entertaining to watch them trying to decipher what we meant.