(AN: Here is the second chapter. Hope you enjoy it.)
Hershel never thought he would meet anyone as annoying or irritating as Lord Haledon.
More then once he was glad his poker face was unbreakable, otherwise he would have bared his fangs and hiss at the frustrating male Harpy.
The minute that the gathering for all the Harpy Community came to, the Harpy Lord started boasting, saying how soon Evita would be his when found and Adel was finished for good. He wasn't all that bad to look at, with his yellowish coloring, with dark yellow eyes to match, but his personality left quite a bit to be desired.
Frowning, but saying nothing, as the plan was to stay low, Hershel gritted his fangs, keeping down the urge to slaughter.
But with the way things were looking, it looked like nobody knew where Evita was or what she was up to. They also didn't know that Adel was up and about, seething from underneath the cloak Don had provided him, to hide him. Don had done quite a bit of shopping for the family and Hershel, seeing as none of the Harpies could go out right now, and the Vampire was clueless about most of the outside world at the time. The clothes reminded Hershel faintly of those from the Victorian era of England. He was wearing a simple, white dress shirt with a dark brown cavalier vest over it, a classic straight cravat with tan coloring, and brown slacks under his black cloak.
While Dongle had wanted him to go in much finer and expensive clothing, Layton had refused, arguing that the clothing would just get destroyed. Besides, as he had no status or standing in this world, it was not necessary for him to go in so needlessly fancy. He had only agreed to dress as finely as he did because he was representing Adel as his Second Honored, thus a need to dress elegantly. Still, Hershel couldn't help but want to cringe, knowing that the expensive clothing he was wearing was soon to get destroyed.
As the Vampire watched the proceedings, he was interested to note that he wasn't the only non-Harpy to be at the meeting. A smattering of Warlocks and Witches, a few Brownies, a Fae or two, and even other Vampires could be seen and smelt all over the ballroom. At first, Hershel had thought it was an all Harpy meeting only, but was quickly corrected by Don. It seems that Harpies didn't just bond with each other, sometimes choosing to bond with those outside of there species for a multitude of reasons. It would have been an insult to those families of Hybrids if their bonded were not allowed to come, as at meetings important events happened that could affect the whole family.
So for Layton to be there, it would not be too odd, others thinking he was either someone's lover or was invited.
Thinking over the plan, Hershel couldn't help but think back to the planning session.
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Hershel paced thoughtfully in the den, waiting for Evita and Adel to put the young to sleep. It still amazed him how fast Harpy young grew compared to humans. Already around nine month in age, they were the equitant of a five year old human.
From what Dongle had told him, Harpy young matured fast due to the time they are in eggs, the nutrients they ate giving more power to their bodies and brains. Due to the nutrients, their brains and bodies where able to get stronger and mature faster, before slowing down as they entered the 15 month mark, where they would be the equitant to a ten year old.
"Hershel, the young are asleep now, so lets get to business." Evita said, coming into the room, calling the Vampire to attention.
"Have you three ironed out the plan? I know you three have all been quite… vocal in all your disagreements." Hershel asked, looking at Adel, Evita, and Dongle. The three had been at each others throats the past week, each with different opinions on how the challenge should be met. Needless to say, when they had tried to force the Vampire to pick a side, he had severely stripped them down and set them straight with his harsh, but serious words. He had then proceeded in ignoring them until they all finally got the idea and worked together to make a solution he could agree to. While Hershel didn't mind them making the plans, since he barely knew much of the world around him, he would tolerate them trying to use or manipulate him in any way.
"We have, sorry that you had to be in the middle of it all." Evita said, sounding a bit sheepish as she did.
"We truly do regret not involving you, then expecting you to pick a side like that, especially when you are at the center of said plans." Don said, sincere in his words.
"May the past be past?" Adel asked, looking imploringly at the vampire.
"If I find the plan agreeable, then all is forgiven." Hershel conditioned.
"Alright then, here's the plan: First, when the meeting is in progress, we will wait patiently for the Organizer of the meeting to ask about offenses. When he does, Adel will stand and claim offense, and since his offense is legitimate, it will be carried. Now, Adel will call for a Second Honored, and you Hershel will have to claim it first, as friend of our immediate kin. Do not let anyone else claim it first, as they might just throw the challenge in order for their family to gain an ally with a Lordship." Evita explained, seeing if Hershel agreed so far, his nod showing that.
"Now, in this challenge, as it could only be a death challenge, not only is your life on the line, but so is Adel's, as he was the one who challenged Haledon. So you must be careful, and follow the rules for this type.
There are few rules for this type of challenge. Both competitors can not leave the ring or throw the other out of the ring. You can not commit suicide while fighting, nor can you trick your enemy into doing it. And you can not kill the other in a move that would kill yourself, as that would collide with the previous rule." Dongle said, taking up the rest of the explanation.
"Is this agreeable to you?" Adel asked, looking over worriedly at the thoughtful vampire.
"It is, I find it works out well… We should all retire now, this week will be rather hectic, what with it being the week before the meeting. I wish you all good night." Hershel said, nodding to each of the three respectfully, then leaving for his room
Adel, Evita, and Dongle let out the sigh of relief at those words, going to their room themselves.
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"Order, order everyone. I must say that it is a delighted to see everyone here today-" The Organizer, who was an elderly harpy, judging by the fact that he looked around his 40's, said, getting Hershel's undivided attention. The Harpy trailed on and on about the news that was needed to be known in the community, quelling some rumors, while fuelling others as he did so.
"-and that should conclude the announcements. Now, as I must at every meeting ask, what offenses have been committed? Remember, it must be a recent offense, and not one that has been in the past. Anyone?" The Organizer said, looking around the room.
When no one else stepped forward, Hershel saw Adel do so, calling everyone's attention as he did so, then easily claiming it as he called out to the Organizer.
"I claim offense against the Lord Haledon for the torture he had put me through, and the attempt at destroying my line. If this offenses be false, I will gracefully bow in apology to his Lordship… But if the offense be true, then I claim a challenge to the death! May the ring appear if my claim is true." Adel called, now right before the Organizer. As he finished his words, he pulled his cloak off, allowing everyone to see who challenged the Harpy Lord.
Many gasped at seeing Adel Cross up and about, mutterings and mumblings going around as the ring did appear. Lord Haledon, while pale, seemed rather confidant as he came up, smirking at Adel as he walked into the ring.
"You must be rather foolish to take me on in the state you are in. I dare say you couldn't win against a human now." The Lord taunted, smirking as he regarded Adel with distain in his eyes.
"Which is why I ask for a Second Honored, one who would fight in my place, to ensure a fair fight." Adel called to the ballroom, regarding Haledon with absolute loathing.
Before anyone could even think of accepting the honor, Hershel was right next to Adel, bowing at the waist to the dark Harpy male.
"I claim this honor as a friend of the Harpy's bonded, as long as it is agreeable to him." Hershel said, reciting what he was to say, word for word as he bowed.
"I accept your claim. Your reward if you shall win will be decided in private. What is the competitor's prizes to the Second Honored if he should claim victory?" Adel said, before turning to Haledon with the question.
"Ha! If your Honored wins, which is doubtful, I will grant him Lordship!" Haledon said, laughing as if the thought of him losing was preposterous.
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Dongle let out a light gasp, shocked at how foolish the Lord was. If he were to lose, his family would lose everything, it all going to Hershel with the title of Lord. Pride certainly goes before the fall, and what a fall this would be.
But if Hershel were to claim that title, he wouldn't need to register in the Vampire Community, which none of the Cross kin wanted for him. When Dongle had decided to help Hershel with his research of Vampires, he didn't realize just how harsh the laws were on those who had been turned. If Hershel were to sign in, he would be stuck with limited options with what he could do, and he couldn't interact with other species. He would be suppressed, depressed, and alone, as he would be forbidden for him to bond with others. And if he wasn't careful, he would be made a slave to higher ranked vampires, who would do who knows what to him.
Fortunately, they had found a loophole; the only ones who needed to register were those whoneeded aid to help take care of themselves. If one could take care of themselves, they had no need to seek aid from the community, thus, no need to follow their laws. It was interesting to find that most Purebloods and Noblesse used this very same law to avoid registering; the only ones who did were those who actually did need help for whatever the reason. If Hershel could get the title as Lord, he would be free of the community, as long as he didn't squander his titles.
"Then let the challenge proceed." was suddenly announced, surprising Don as he hadn't been listening after Haledon had said what his prize would be. Looking to see that Evita was hiding in the shadows quite well, her children gathered about her as they watched their pseudo-Uncle begin to fight. The Brownie noted that while all of them seemed worried for Hershel, Theo had the most confident look on his face, as if it were obvious that the Vampire would win.
Frowning, a suspicion entered his mind, before his attention turned to the fight again when he heard a gasp.
From what the Brownie could see, the two fighters had been circling each other, before the yellow Harpy lunged for the Vampire, missing when Hershel nimbly avoided the attack.
As he watched more and more, Dongle was slightly amused. With Hershel dodging all the attacks at him, Haledon was getting more and more frustrated, shrieking at the Vampire. As Haledon had only fought against other Harpies like himself, he was not used to Hershel's methods. Another Harpy would have attacked back already, but Hershel was just dodging, not even paying attention to the slander Haledon was spitting at him.
It took the Brownie a bit to realize what Hershel was doing; he was gauging the Harpy's abilities, his weaknesses, and his strengths. Watching as how the silent Vampire regarded the Harpy he was fighting with such a calculating and disgusted look, Don felt a shiver go up his spine.
While Haledon was not the strongest Harpy, nor the most experienced, he was still plenty powerful and cunning, winning most challenges with those who fought him. While Adel may have beaten him in what seemed an easy win, Dongle knew that his master had just been pretty damn lucky. He had earlier in the fight delivered a punishing blow to the Lord's wing, which had crippled him greatly and costing Haledon the fight.
To see that Hershel wasn't even fighting seriously yet made Dongle really wonder just how powerful the Vampire before him was.
Suddenly, in a blur of speed that made Don slight dizzy, he gasped as Layton had Haledon in the air by his throat, the Harpy's wings and hands seemingly broken and bleeding heavily.
"I sincerely hope that wherever you end up, you suffer greatly for every wrong you have ever done." The Vampire said, a deadly handsome smile on his face, the usual dark black eyes Don knew bleeding to a crimson color.
Then, just after he said that, Hershel shoved Haledon to the ground, never letting go of his neck as he did so, making sure the Harpy felt every bit of pain. And the last thing Haledon would ever see was the malicious grin on the blood thirsty Vampire's face.
Dongle shivered, glad that Hershel was on his Master's side; he didn't think Adel would live long if Hershel was against him.