Author's Note: PLEASE READ BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE STORY.

This is a short accompaniment backstory for If Only. It will only make more sense if you have been reading If Only. Though I am praying to God that I am talented enough to not totally mess it up. This one is about Ziva Nerava, Godric's Maker who appeared in Godric's dream in CHAPTER 19 – Making us, and will form a background for events that led to turning of Anahita. I just figured that there was so much of the backstory of all the characters that I had thought up and roughly sketched, it was about time I started explaining yes? This will be no more than 7 chapters at most.

AS ALWAYS I IMPLORE YOU TO REVIEW. FEEDBACK IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

Damascus : 1305 A.D.

Eric's POV

It was an hour after sunset that we reached the queen's palace. Set atop a secluded hill just on the outskirts of the great city it was surrounded by gardens edged by tall and dense trees on all sides. After crossing the threshold we stepped on to a marble courtyard which almost glowed gold and silver in the dancing light from the flame lit torches that were stationed every few feet on the boundary wall and the full moon that was adorning the sky. It was a vision, a vision I saved deeply into my mind. Feeling that I was so very far from my own home and though I loved it still more than anything I had learned over the centuries to appreciate everything for what it was rather than comparing.

The main elevation of the palaces were dominated by strongly carved arches, adorned with beautiful and geometrical mosaic marble work in whites and reds and greens and blues. I could identify the amount of work that must have gone into it as I had learned carpentry as a human knowing full well that carving stone had to be similar if not more difficult than carving wood. As we entered the building, through beautiful wooden and iron carved doors, I could not help but spin around on my own feet quickly, trying to take it all in one stride. From the courtyard I could see 3 levels of arched balconies upfront. Firelight lighting from inside made them look like arches filled with gold. I could see a few people moving inside , servants or guests? I could not judge. To me it was all splendors. My senses filled with perfume from the gardens surrounding. Plumeria, I smiled recognizing the smell, and night time Jessamine "queen of night… how appropriate!" I whispered to myself now chuckling and noticed a small upward turn to Godric's lips as well. Plumeria was a flower associated in many folklores to vampires and night time Jessamine was also known as queen of the night. The gardens themselves were an introduction to any supernatural entering the premises as to who and what the owner of the place was. Ziva above all was a trickster.

Yes that was why we were here, to see Ziva, Godric's maker. I had always been curious for much of 300 years of my existence to know how was Godric's maker. Despite the obvious reason for my curiosity on the subject there was another reason for it as well. So far on our various travels around the lands I had met many vampires, some old, some young, some very sophisticated, some absolutely barbaric. It seemed no one had anything common with anyone, just like any creed. The only things common would be no day walking, extreme sex and blood. I did not mind the first very much, as the way I spent my nights could rival easily with the jolliest day I had spent as a human, and thoroughly enjoyed the second and third. The only other thing I noticed was common in almost all vampires we came across was the certain respect Godric had amongst them. Godric was 1300years which was old, but during these travels I had come across much older, who still respected Godric. I wondered often why Godric and I in relation were treated with such obvious respect. I did ask Godric on several occasions but Godric just smiled and placated.

During these journeys I also found out how fortunate I was to have a master such as Godric. Even though Godric was no doubt powerful and stern, he was never forceful. Godric understood the wildness in me, my domineering nature, stubbornness and love for a fight very well, and though he had full means to assert himself by force, he chose to do it by understanding and friendship. I came across many vampires who did not have any such fortune. In fact more vampires and makers I came across more I realized what an anomaly to the rule Godric and I were. Godric was my mentor, Father, brother, son, lover, he was my whole world. There was no depth or height to which I would refuse Godric. I asked Godric about this too and Godric again smiled and placated. Usually one for long verbal explanations, the placations on these certain topics made me very curious but Godric also showed me by example and encouraged me to form my own opinions. Not just lust after flesh and blood.

So over the years I learned by actions and examples that my maker was truly a great vampire. Greatest in my opinion. What had lead Godric to be the way he was, I could only judge by my own example. The reason must be Godric's maker, "Ziva".

So finally after so many decades of my curiosity being unsated we made our way to Damascus, the metropolitan of the Muslim empire. One of the biggest and most vibrant cities in the world and why? To see Ziva. Why? Because I had requested it as a payment to a wager I had won from Godric in a game of dice. Godric had agreed to it very easily and I suspected that it was because Godric was already planning to visit her in Syria any ways. She was the vampire queen of Syria as I understood. Perhaps one of the richest vampire monarchs. I'd found these little tidbits of information over the year we were travelling. It explained some why Godric was so highly respected. It had taken us almost a year to make it to Damascus from Constanta Romania, through land and sea but the journey was long and the company was impeccable, not to mention food, the thrill of the hunt, not to mention the wealth and luxury the Muslims enjoyed being the most powerful civilization of the time. Godric shook his head, when I said so one night, saying he had seen it all before, and one would think Humans would learn from each other's mistakes, but no such thing. I did not agree, my love for life did not let me ask the bigger questions especially related to humans. I was not one anymore and as far as I was concerned, life as a vampire did not get any better than this I thought, as I was about to give myself to the sun, covered with a heavy silk coverlet surrounded by the soothing sinewy arms of my maker who whispered beautiful poetry in my ear in his own ancient language which I did not understand a word of in a light-tight basement of a resthouse along the road just on the outskirts of the great city of Damascus.

Damascus was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was vibrant, beautiful, bountiful, a metropolis. A masterpiece of Muslim wealth, military stealth and modern architecture. The court of the Malmuks was the ultimate statement in luxury and it showed in the rest of the city as well but all the breath-taking beauties of Damascus went to background once I'd met Ziva. Ziva was a force of nature. Born a princess to one of the biggest Slavic tribes almost 1800 years ago. , she was the only sister to 12 warrior brothers. Hence dubbed a warrior princess, during her human life and it showed clearly as a vampire as well. The warrior part and the princess part as well.

I noticed that Godric though looked impressed, was not anywhere as awed by it all as I was. We were finally lead inside through verandahs to a large hall which were decorated with the most beautiful mirror mosaic work I had ever seen. The hall more than a sitting area for guests waiting was a show of beautiful possessions and wealth of the owner of it all. The place was huge, the ceiling vaulted and domed. Priceless rugs and soft cushions over them were spread out through the room on the floor. In the middle of the domed ceiling hanging was the biggest and most beautiful metal and glass chandelier I had seen peppered with covered candles, the lights from the candles reflected on the mirror work of the domed ceiling in such a way that it set every nook and corner in the hall alight. To me it felt like pure magic, so much glitter and shine that every inch of the walls seemed to be but a piece of jewel. The hall was divided in 3 parts by beautiful light silk curtains of many different colors. As we sat down on the beautiful silk floor sitting, as was custom in the Muslim culture, I noticed a small beautifully carved water fountain also fashion out of marble and mirror work in one corner, its ledged carved into a bench like shape. On one side was a 2 feet high platform made out of marble and surrounded by a low wood carved fence. Godric told me when I asked that it was an area separated for the musicians, since Ziva was extremely fond of music and dancing she has them performing almost every night she is at court.

" I do not think I have seen any room this beautiful!" I to myself also sounded like an awestruck child, but I couldn't hold back.

"just wait till you see my Palace in Cordova." Said a female voice from the opposite end of the room from where we had entered before. Godric was already standing behind me, and I also got up swiftly from my Seated down position, looking in the direction the voice had come from. There she stood and the room just faded in comparison all of a sudden.

She was draped in a beautiful bright orange and golden silk gown. Her long hair were a very beautiful dark brown color loosely tied back, on top of her head was something extremely odd. It looked like a little gold plate and attached to it were long gold chains that descended down and got lost somewhere in her hair making a beautiful web of gold covering her full head of hair. In her ears where large gold flat hoop earring which had ambers molded into them. Her beautiful fiery bright orange gown was peppered with a woven motif and had a beautiful delicate embroidery from the neck line to the waist, where the gown was tied around with a gold belt. The long sleeves of her Gown were made of a different kind of cloth and were wide enough to sweep the floors with her hands were fair like the rest of her skin, but her finger tips were dyed black so was a large spot in the middle of her palm. As I observed and catalogued everything of this creature's apparel to my memory, I finally looked at her face. She was not beautiful, not in the conventional sort of way at least. No, I found that face was not easy to look at, not because it was ugly but because the power this person yielded was so clearly apparent on the face that I thought I would only look upon it when ordered to. Her high cheek-bones and broad face should have made her look manly, but that was not the case. There was no doubt regarding this Vampire's feminity, she was a woman, her straight and domineering nose balanced off her broad face very nicely. Her lips were soft looking but her mouth was wide and her jaw was strong and square, but what took precedence over everything else were her Large sparkling bright honey-green eyes and they were fixed on me with an expression that I deciphered as amusement. She was making her way towards us with an easy yet very authoritative gait. Her broad and perfect structure all regal and important. Her sizeable breast bouncing lightly underneath the silk gown. She was a vision to behold there was no doubt. As she neared us I felt Godric descend to his knee and I followed obediently.

"Mistress," Godric said most reverently

"tut! Tut! Godfrey! What did I tell you about kneeling my love? Rise this instant!" she said in a deep feminine voice. Sounding offended.

Godric had hardly straightened up when she almost grabbed his face and laid a spray of kisses all over it, whispering in some ancient language that I did not know, but apparently Godric did very well, as he held on to his mistress impassively and answering her back in whispers while he received what must have been a hundred kisses on his face and neck. I was still kneeling but was watching the whole exchange with extreme curiosity. I noticed that the mistress looked sad and elated at the same time and a red tear had escaped her eyes which I then saw Godric lick most discreetly. For the first time I noticed there were other people that were following Ziva as well. A party of 5 people stood some distance from them. 2 vampires, a male and a female. Dressed in just as colorful and luxurious attires as the queen, and 3 humans, all females dressed in identical ivory dresses with gold chains in their necks. All three women looked native, with their golden skins and dark hair and dark eyes and they were all focused on me.

"Erikir?" Godric called my name and gestured me to stand up.

I stood up and bowed to the mistress, who was still holding Godric's hand and now looking at me with a very friendly expression. Her eyes sparkling again.

" Mistress Ziva, this is my child Erikir." I bowed deep again.

" Erikir! What a treasure you are child! Stand tall, let me see that face." She said in the same deep voice as she came closer towards me. I did as I was told.

" By the Gods! Godfrey! Where did you find such a beautiful creature?" she was tall enough for a woman but she still came no higher than my shoulder. She stretched her hand forward and traced a finger across my cheek and then travelled down slowly to my lips, where she probed her finger between in my lips as if asking for access inside my mouth, lightly.

"Show them!" she asked fixatedly and she moved her body closer. I felt a little awkward, it had been a long time since I was treated like a new born. I was almost 300 years now, but I nonetheless complied by opening my mouth a little and letting my fangs slip down as I did I heard 3 identical gasps coming from the human girls. Ziva took no notice apparently and traced them with her finger, making me quiver a little with pleasure. I still could not control when that happened. Ziva smiled at my reaction and as she retreated her finger she cupped my cheek with what seemed like affection. She took my hand next, and said a single word before turning her back at me and starting to walk. Her hand holding mine

"Come."

I looked at Godric bewildered, who nodded at me to do as I was asked to do.

I followed Ziva alone as no one followed us out of the hall, and into a corridor which was again well decorated with marble and wood and mirrors and what not. Ziva walked very quickly, faster than a human but slower than a vampire all the while pulling me behind her. She gave me a little chance to observe my surrounding and lead me from one corridor to another and then to another, rooms, halls, pavilions and courtyards. Finally she came across some steps and started climbing. Her dyed silk and leather sandals making no noise on the stairs, I followed. Finally she lead me into a room at the top of the 4 flights of stairs. The room was dark as there were no candles illuminated but there was a huge window on one side which had moonlight pouring in and lighting up the whole room. I looked around and saw her standing next to the window on one side watching me very intently.

" remove your clothes child." she said. I complied, this to me was less awkward than her probing my mouth looking for my fangs. I slowly removed my iron and leather belt from my waist that held my sword and then white silk tunic, dropping both on the wooden bench sitting on the other side of the moon lit window, my bare torso glowed in the moon light, I next bent down and removed hmy leather sandals from my feet and as I straightened up I noticed she was no longer standing by the window but right next to me. Now, I had a fair idea where this was leading. I knew she would want me to pleasure her and I was fairly confident of my skills in the department. Even as a human I was famous or rather infamous for my Sexual prowess so as the number of objects covering my body decreased, my confidence increased. I looked intently at her as if asking permission and at the same time warning her to prepare herself for what came next. She nodded at me, now her eyes sparkling with mirth. I slowly untied the leather laces that held my leather trousers on my waist and slowly peeled them off myself, making a show out of it. As I slowly straightened again and looked at her I noticed she was back by the window again and was watching me intently.

" So you come from the North sea? A Viking?" she questioned.

" Yes, Mistress." I answered. A little confused now as she made no move towards me. My arousal was apparent due to my anticipation.

" And what were you as human?" she asked casually.

" I was my tribe's chieftain's Son, next in line to become chieftain as my older brother died in battle." I answered cautiously.

"You were a warrior? A raider?"

"Yes mistress, every Viking is a warrior first and foremost."

"Yes, and I think you still are one."

"First and foremost mistress"

"This pleases me, but also intrigues me Erikir" she said finally taking a step towards me.

I nodded in deference.

"Are you a lover of women Erikir?"