I woke up the next night, and to my amazement, my wounds were healed.
I shouldn't have survived that.
What was that light? I was sure you couldn't feel anything when you get staked.
As I was wondering about what happened yesterday, I saw a woman sitting before me, watching the heavens. Peace was radiating from her, soothing my beast.
I immediately got up, trying to put up an appearance. Sadly, I think I have failed to do so.
"Hello there… Have we met before?"
She smiled; "Yes. We met yesterday, when you got impaled through your ass by a Tzimisce."
I sighed; "I am never going to live this one down."
"Probably not. What's your name?"
"Charles Baxter, apprentice of Vitus Aquillus Octavius of the Clan Tremere, at your service."
"Good. I always wanted a servant. That is why I blood bonded you after all.
I blanched.
"Ha! You should have seen the look on your face! Calm down, that was just a joke. I prefer freedom for all, rather than enslavement. Your elders should take a leaf from my book, right?"
"Right…"
"Anyway, my name is Claudia. Nice to meet you, fledgling."
"Likewise."
"So, what is your dream? Your ambition?"
"I don't see how that is business of yours."
"Humor me."
"I want to be the greatest mage Clan Tremere ever produced."
"Get that thought out of your head. You don't stand a chance against figures like Etrius, Goratrix, and Tremere himself."
"I know that! But how can I improve myself, if I don't put great milestones on my way?"
"Fuck them. There are better things you can become, other than a shitty wizard."
"Yeah? Like what?"
"Your own person, maybe?"
I stood there, silent as the night.
"Maybe… Wait, how do you know of the- "
"Etrius? Goratrix? I met them before. Oh, and if you asked this question this late, then perhaps you were embraced by the wrong clan."
"You are an elder?"
"I guess so."
"How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I do mind, you know."
"Humor me."
"Not happening, kiddo. That trick doesn't work on me."
"Damn it… Do you know what happened to the spy?"
"I haven't got an idea, I let her run for the hills."
"Why?"
"You are not the only one who suffered indignity."
"She is an inhumane animal!"
"Perhaps. Maybe she will find redemption someday. Perhaps all she needs is a nudge."
"I would have preferred her dying, but you know what they say, let the sleeping dogs lie. Why did you help me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"That doesn't answer the question."
"Should I have left you impaled there, left to perish in the sun? I could arrange that, you know."
"I'll pass. But seriously though, why? We mages of the Clan Tremere aren't liked much, you know."
"Just an experiment. I wanted to see what happens, when a slave is given freedom."
"What?"
"You didn't realize you are free of your blood bond?"
My mind halted.
"What the hell?"
"Surprise, fledgling. You are free."
"But… But!"
"What are you going to do now? Humor me."
"I… I don't know."
"That's right, you don't. Why don't you try to find out?"
She got up and started to walk. Suddenly, she turned back, a luminous light suddenly appearing in her forehead, erupting from an eye that wasn't there once.
Salubri… demonic Soul suckers of old. Evil to the core. But if that's true… Then why she helped me? The bloodline that exterminated her clan?"
"Remember those words well, fledgling; It is not the blood of Caine that which makes our fate."
"Why did you help me? My clan had exterminated yours ages ago."
"What did I just say, fledgling? It is not the blood of Caine that which makes our fate."
"Then what is it… what it is that which makes our fate?"
"Why don't you find out with your newly granted freedom? Each Cainite has their own truths and perceptions, after all. Farewell."
She suddenly disappeared, without a trace.
I stood there, dumbfounded. Then I got up and started to walk to the city. It was about time to make the most out of my newly granted gift.
