Chapter 10: A Little Party
Who's guilty?
Vanstrom spent the rest of the night reading through one of his old volumes. It was a rather dull thing to do and sometimes Vanstrom would find himself gazing upwards questionably, wondering if there was something more productive he could be doing. He knew, however, there was not. As well as he knew that he would be expected at Lord Drakan's little party the next day. He knew all the nobles would be there; Malak, Solomon Lamescus, Ranis, Vanescula… but there was also one little issue that wracked Vanstrom's mind every time he thought about it.
Lady Shadow would be expected to be there as well, showing her status as a noble Vampyre. When she didn't show up, that would certainly wrack some questions. Lord Drakan would wonder where she was and what happened to her after he sent her to Canifis to meet with Malak. Of course, Malak would erase any question of her leaving Canifis. However, Vanstrom had spent much of the night thinking about how he could counteract that little problem and he already had come up with the perfect solution.
Harold yawned awkwardly, looking up upon his master and wondering what would be to come next. The bizarre creature found itself hungry and the guard who awaited quietly nearby was beginning to perk his taste buds ever so slightly. Be it not for Vanstrom's presence in the room, Harold would've already eaten the guard.
Placing his book upon a nearby table, Vanstrom rose from his seat, realizing the party would begin in an hour and he wasn't exactly prepared for such an event. However, Vanstrom thought, what would be need to do? Vanstrom didn't have fancy dress clothing for such events. He always walked about in the same outfit. Lord Drakan had numerously offered up his tailor, suggesting that Vanstrom make something for himself. The tailor had even visited Vanstrom's house, prepared with drawing of ideas for Vanstrom's dress clothing. However, Harold had scared the tailor off before he could proceed. That wasn't Vanstrom's command, though he would've done so regardless. Harold had acted on his own regard.
Vanstrom reached into the bookcase, grabbing hold of a specific volume and looking upon its cover silently for a few moments. He then opened the book, revealing the button hidden within. It was the same book the guard had grabbed, the same one which would open the secret passage to his dungeon, be it Vanstrom ever pressed the button. Part of his yearned to go down into the deepest reaches of the dungeon, to go if only to taunt Shadow of her loss. Yet, he found himself stopping, not pressing the button. Why shouldn't Vanstrom torment Shadow? It wasn't as though she deserved anything less.
Deciding it would lighten his mood to confirm how miserable Shadow was, Vanstrom pressed down on the button hidden within the confines of the book. With a shiver and a creak, the secret passage to the dungeon revealed itself. Vanstrom glanced over his shoulder, watching as his guard stepped idly back from the passage. Very well, thought Vanstrom, I'll simply go by myself. Vanstrom didn't need his guard following him every step of the way anyways.
Even within the deep reaches of Vanstrom's dungeon, Shadow could hear all she needed to. She could hear Vanstrom opening the passage to the dungeon, as well as she could hear footsteps on the stairwell. It shook her out of her half sleep. Vanstrom was coming down, for what reason, she couldn't confirm. She imagined she had been down in the dungeon for an entire night now, bound to the wall and gagged as though she had acted disobediently. She shivered, not from cold, for the chill of the dungeon nor the blackness surrounding it didn't bother her. She shivered because she knew Vanstrom was coming for her. What he would do would be the reaches of his imagination.
Shadow lowered her head as she listened to Vanstrom's footsteps echoing off the stone walls of the dungeon. She didn't want to look him in the eye when he inevitably stopped in front of her cell. The vibrant sound of Vanstrom's footsteps grew louder as he drew closer, but eventually they stopped, signaling that Vanstrom had reached her cell. Nonetheless, Shadow dared not look up.
"Good morning, Lady Shadow." Vanstrom chimed, putting a spiteful emphasis on her title. "Are you enjoying your stay in the dungeon?"
Attempting to ignore Vanstrom and his snide attempts to get a rise out of her, Shadow shifted slightly where she sat, the bright red chains rattling as she moved. Shadow kept her head held low even as she shifted nervously, knowing that looking Vanstrom in the eye would send a fit of rage down her spine.
Vanstrom smirked when Shadow failed to respond to him. He could quite clearly tell she was attempting to ignore him. He knew it and yet he simply wanted to chastise her further, to see if he could get a rise from her. If he could get a rise from her, it would make his day all the better. "What, you aren't going to answer me? You know it's very rude to ignore your host, and such a good host I was too. Why, I gave you the best conditions I could think of. This is my very best cell in my dungeon." He tilted his head ever so slightly to the side as Shadow continued to ignore his commentary.
Nothing he could say would cause Shadow to react to him. Nothing, she imagined. Shadow figured that as long as she ignored him, she would be fine. Sure, it wouldn't change the fact that she was locked in his dungeon, but to know she denied Vanstrom the chance to revel in her anger would make her all the happier. There was nothing he could say. She remained ever so silent.
"Well, then, don't react, but listen to me, if you will." Vanstrom commented calmly and Shadow almost found herself peering up at him. Her eyes rapidly darted back to the dungeon floor. She couldn't look at him. It would only make her anger that much more difficult to control. "Today, Lord Drakan is throwing a party. All of the highest ranking nobles will be there. Ranis, Vanescula… you were supposed to go too. Of course, you won't be able to make it. Naturally, when you don't arrive, it will raise suspicion as to where you are. I have a plan for such overreaction. I'm simply going to blame those you care about, and it will work. How does it make you feel to know that your friends will be to blame for something they had no part in?"
Shadow snarled slightly, finding her fury at its boiling point. It could boil all it wanted, though, as long as it didn't spill over the edge. She turned her head to the side, attempting to shake Vanstrom's vicious words out of her head.
Vanstrom didn't feel at all that he was failing to anger Shadow. In fact, he took note of how she bit down hatefully on her gag. He was slowly winning and he knew it. "Lord Drakan will think you ran away with your little friends. You ran away from your duty as a Vyrelady, Lady Shadow." Once more, Vanstrom hissed her title, making certain Shadow could hear the mockery in his voice. "So tell me, Shadow, how will it feel to have failed your leading lord?"
Every word Vanstrom spoke was like poison lacing gracefully over his tongue and each word stung with a viper's bite. Finally, Shadow looked directly up at Vanstrom, coming to the infuriating sight of his smile. She jerked forward, attempting to snap the chains she was bound it. The chains rattled loudly as the rings bumped against one another. Shadow attempted to scream vulgarities at Vanstrom, to remind him of how wrong he was. However, just as the chains failed to snap under her pressure, the gag failed to allow any words to be released. All that was heard was muffled nonsense.
This was what Vanstrom had been waiting for. He knew she would eventually fall victim to his precisely placed trap and just like a foolish bear steps into the jaws of a bear trap, she too fell right into his trap. "What? I'm sorry, but I don't believe I can hear you. You'll have to speak up."
That served to infuriate Shadow even further. She attempted to lash out viciously, wishing to tear Vanstrom's tongue from his mouth and feed it to the hungry rats. Unfortunately, the weakness in her body and the strength of the chains refused to allow her to so much as approach Vanstrom. She screamed and howled at Vanstrom, but all to no avail. His day already feeling more cheerful and his spirits risen by Shadow's fury, Vanstrom laughed mockingly at the furious young Vampyre. As Shadow screamed at him and struggled fitfully in the chains, Vanstrom turned on his heel and departed, having achieved what he had come down to the dungeon to do.
Vanstrom reached the top of the stairwell, the door to the dungeon closing shut behind him. He glanced over as he heard a vibrant knocking on the door. Harold peered up questionably, throwing an uncertain glance at his master as he wondered whether or not he should go to meet the unknown visitor. Vanstrom then turned his gaze to his guard, who shrugged uncertainly.
"Who in the name of Zamorak…?" Vanstrom hissed, trailing to the window and throwing a glance out it. Standing outside, waiting patiently near the door was none other then Lord Drakan's tailor. Vanstrom groaned loudly. "Oh gracious not him again. I told him a thousand times that I wasn't wearing his crap. Come, Harold, we have a visitor to greet."
Harold perked up at the sound of his name, wondering what his master could need him for this time. Before Vanstrom could make it to the door, Harold scrambled past him, waiting at the door.
Vanstrom pulled open the door, glaring hatefully at the young Vampyre tailor as he stood cheerfully in the doorway. "Good morning, Vanstrom Klause." the tailor greeted and unhappy Vanstrom. "I thought I could help you prepare for Lord Drakan's party." The tailor took a nervous step back as Harold approached him. He peered at the creature uncertainly, wondering what it was going to do.
Completely ignoring the tailor, Vanstrom walked right past him, acting as though he wasn't even standing in the doorway. He turned back and for a moment the tailor though he was turning to face him. However, Vanstrom looked straight past him and threw his glance instead to the guard. "You, you will watch my house and everything in it while I am gone. Do you understand me?"
The guard knew immediately that Vanstrom's comment translated to watching Shadow and making certain she was as miserable as possible. Of course, he said nothing to confirm such, for he didn't want to tailor to hear. Instead he simply agreed, "Can do, Vanstrom." He purposely kept out the title, for nobody except Vanstrom, his guards, and a few other random people knew that Vanstrom had his guards label him as a lord. Far as anyone was concerned, Vanstron simply existed.
Vanstrom continued to ignore the tailor as he closed the door to his house behind him, leaving Harold unhappily on the other side. Harold looked upwards at the door hopefully, but Vanstrom failed to return for his malformed pet. Realizing that Vanstrom wasn't going to come back for some time, Harold wandered back beside the guard, sniffing heavily. He then laid down next to the guard.
"Can't I help you…?" the tailor began to ask Vanstrom as he purposefully wandered past him, ignoring the young Vampyre.
"Go bother someone else you insolent little twit." Vanstrom answered before the tailor could finish his sentence. "I've been wearing this red cloak for as long as I can remember and I have no intention of taking it off." The tailor lowered his head unhappily as Vanstrom ignored him. Even though he now realized that Vanstrom wasn't going to allow him to do anything to him, it still left the tailor feeling down. Giving up, the tailor turned and departed the opposite direction which Vanstrom had gone.
It didn't take much walking for Vanstrom to arrive at Castle Drakan once more. It was only yesterday that he had been to the castle, yet it felt like so much longer. The outside guards strayed their attention elsewhere when they spotted Vanstrom, recalling from the previous day where their friendly remarks had gotten then. When Vanstrom approached the door, they obediently opened it for the Vampyre noble and said absolutely nothing to him. Vanstrom found himself quite pleased that they were keeping to themselves. He realized just how much he must have startled them the previous day and knew in his heart that they had learned from experience just to keep to themselves around him.
Vanstrom passed quietly through the halls of the castle, moving with a purposeful skip in his step. He kept moving at a decent speed, a speed which any human would find difficult to maintain. He passed many other Vampyre of all different ages. He even found himself unlucky enough as the pass by a Werewolf while in the castle. He found himself spitting hatefully at the sight of a Werewolf in the castle. He knew Lord Drakan used them as servants for his own purpose, but why he chose Werewolves was beyond him. Nonetheless, Vanstrom continued through the halls of the castle, ignoring anyone which he passed with an ignorant bliss. He finally arrived at the doors to the dining hall, a hall which Lord Drakan rarely used. It was only ever opened up for his parties and once those ended, Lord Drakan would simply close it up again. Two purple winged Vyrewatch guards stood at the door. Vanstrom didn't recognize either of them, but that didn't surprise him, for he didn't waste time learning the names of the Vyrewatch. There was simply too many to bother doing so.
"Welcome, Vanstrom." greeted the guard on the right hand side. She spoke a trifle nervously and Vanstrom realized that his presence must be frightening to her. He reveled in it, however, for he liked to know that he scared even the other Vyrewatch.
Vanstrom approached the two guards, realizing that as he drew closer to them they were both female. They were also both dressed in old Vyrewatch attire, which confused Vanstrom quite masterfully. "Your welcomes are not desired. Simply keep your mouths shut and open the door for a Vampyre noble when you see him."
As usual, Vanstrom was being highly unfriendly, something he did rather well. The guards heaved harmonious sighs and shared a glance or two with one another. "Of course, Vanstrom." the other guard sighed dejectedly, realizing that their friendliness would get them nowhere with a black hearted creature like Vanstrom.
Vanstrom entered the room quietly, stopping in the main entry way as the doors slammed shut behind him. A long table was set up, as usual. There weren't any plates or silverware set out, for Vampyres didn't eat human food. Instead there was simply a glass at every seat, and from the smell of it, Vanstrom could sense each glass was filled with high quality blood. Vanstrom found himself drowned in the scent of blood and he reveled in it, for it was a scent which brought him great joy.
Sitting at the head of the table was Lord Drakan, who was still dressed in the same attire he had been when Lady Shadow had met with him. He appeared to be tapping the table impatiently, attempting to distract his mind while he waited for his guests to arrive. Vanstrom couldn't help but tilt his head ever so slightly to the side, interested in the new attire which Lord Drakan was donning. Upon hearing the doors creak open, then closed again, Lord Drakan glanced up, his vicious red eyes locking in on Vanstrom and most importantly, staring him right in the eye.
"Welcome to my party, Vanstrom. As usual, you're the first to arrive." Lord Drakan greeted Vanstrom and unlike with most others, who he completely ignored friendly greetings from, he smiled at Lord Drakan, knowing to decline his greeting would be to sign your own death warrant. "Come, take a seat. I made my servant, Dmitri set up the cards."
First, Vanstrom glanced across the room, where an uncertain man stood nervously, trying not to look Vanstrom in the eye. From the scent, Vanstrom could tell Dmitri was a Werewolf, which seemed rather normal for Lord Drakan. He inwardly wished the Werewolf would leave, but he knew there was nothing he could say to cause such an event to occur.
Upon closer inspection of the table, Vanstrom noticed there were indeed cards set up with each of the invited Vampyre's names on them. He paused for a moment to observe where Lord Drakan was seating his fellow Vampyres this time. Naturally, he found himself sitting up front, his card placed just off the right of where Lord Drakan was sitting. Across from his was Lady Vanescula's name, and beside him was Ranis. He glowered as he caught sight of Shadow's name, which was placed beside Lady Vanescula's card. He found himself laughing inwardly at such poor placement of the cards. Vanescula and Shadow didn't get along very well and he could only imagine what would've happened should Shadow arrive and see she was sitting next to Vanescula. Of course, Vanstrom knew Shadow would never arrive. Malak was placed on the other side of Shadow and across from him was that vile monster Dessous. Vanstrom still couldn't believe Lord Drakan invited Dessous to his parties, however, there was nothing he could do about it.
Vanstrom delicately took his seat where his card was placed, reaching forward and gently folding the card forward once he was seated. He leaned his elbows on the table, something which he knew he could get away with at Lord Drakan's party. "So let me guess, your tailor happened." Vanstrom began conversation with Lord Drakan.
Realizing his clothes were being taunted, Lord Drakan lowered his head in embarrassment. He then looked back up at Vanstrom and responded, "You would guess right, Vanstrom. My tailor finds it very amusing to dress me up in these ridiculous outfits. I heard he was going after you. What happened?"
"Oh your tailor most certainly arrived at my house, no doubt trying to goad me into wearing something as ridiculous as what you're wearing." Vanstrom responded, wondering where the tailor had gone when he had been denied. Eventually, though, Vanstrom realized he didn't care. "I, however, had the audacity to tell him what I think of his clothing and leave."
Lord Drakan heaved an irritated sigh, knowing that Vanstrom had him beaten in one area. Lord Drakan found it impossible to deny his tailor, no matter how many idiotic outfit's the young Vampyre put him through. He knew there was nothing he could say or do that would change that either. "Yes, well, it seems I have the inability to deny my tailor."
Vanstrom tilted his head to the side, finding it difficult to believe that Lord Drakan was incapable of telling his tailor no. "It really isn't that difficult. Simply tell him you've been wearing the same clothes for hundreds of year and that you have no intention of taking them off."
"I never thought of that. It's so simple, yet it may actually work." Lord Drakan mused, running his hand through his hair, which had been well-taken care of. "Sometimes I wonder where I would be without your advice, Vanstrom."
"Who knows, my Lord, who knows." Vanstrom responded kindly, taking the moment of awkward silence to take a sip from the glass of blood which sat in front of him. "I've been giving you my advice for hundreds of years, yet you ruled just fine without it. You're an intelligent man, my lord. There is no doubt about that." Vanstrom took another sip of his blood, to stop himself before he said something that sounded highly ridiculous. He licked his lips as he sat the glass down, eyeing Lord Drakan questionably.
An awkward silence fell over the two Vampyres as neither had anything constructive to say to the other. Vanstrom observed as Lord Drakan opened his mouth to speak, only to close it before any words could come out. Soon the two of them were just staring awkwardly at one another, waiting for the other to start any conversation so the silence would be broken. Many times did Vanstrom take a drink from his glass of blood in hopes of Lord Drakan saying something, which he failed to do. Eventually, Vanstrom reached down to take a drink from his blood only to find that in the awkward situation he had fallen into, he had anxiously drank every last drop of blood inside the glass. He sat the glass down loudly on the table, trying to hide his frustration. For a couple more moment, no words were spoken between the two of them, then Vanstrom eventually broke the silence.
Vanstrom picked up the empty glass in his hand, lifting it up for Lord Drakan to see. He then inquired, "Is there any chance of getting a refill on this?"
Lord Drakan laughed vibrantly at Vanstrom's uncertain question. "You emptied your glass already?" Vanstrom nodded silently. "You never cease to amuse me, Vanstrom. Dmitri, refill Vanstrom's glass, will you?"
Vanstrom glared darkly as the Werewolf rose from his spot, approaching Vanstrom very slowly with a pitcher in his hand. Dmitri found himself highly frightened of Vanstrom and he badly didn't want to have to near the darkly Vampyre. Nonetheless, he approached Vanstrom, even if done so slowly. He then quickly poured more lustrous blood into Vanstrom glass, backing away fearfully as soon as the deed was done. Vanstrom could see the relief in the Werewolf's eyes as he returned to his corner.
"You frighten Dmitri." Lord Drakan observed kindly, taking a moment to glance over at his Werewolf servant.
"I apologize for that, Lord Drakan. I didn't mean to frighten him." Vanstrom replied innocently, though he knew inwardly that those were exactly his intentions. He wanted that insolent dog to be afraid of him. Fear meant he would be ever so obedient. Obedience was the key to ruling.
Lord Drakan, however, shook his head, throwing a smile at Vanstrom, which was rare for the Vampyre lord of Morytania to do. "Oh, don't worry about it, Vanstrom. I don't mind if you frighten him. He's nothing more then a worthless Werewolf, after all. He needs to be reminded of his place every once in a while. He is just a servant." Vanstrom threw a victorious smirk at the Werewolf servant, who clenched his teeth and turned his head away, realizing that he was losing.
Vanstrom was moments from speaking when the door opened up, Ranis and Vanescula entering side by side. Vanstrom couldn't help but grimace at the sight of them. They were the only two things in the way of him being Lord Drakan's second in command. Vanstrom was only fourth in command. Ranis was third in command and Vanescula was second. He narrowed his eyes at the two Vampyres, trying not to reveal to Lord Drakan the obvious rivalry which the group shared with one another.
Ignoring Vanstrom, Lord Drakan called to Ranis and Vanescula, "Welcome, Ranis and Lady Vanescula." Vanstrom noticed the dejected look on Ranis' face as he was denied a title. Vanstrom somehow felt pity for Ranis, knowing the feeling quite well. He didn't have a title either. Sometimes people would give Ranis the title sir, as Vanstrom had come to know, but that was quite rare. Usually, he was just Ranis, just as Vanstrom was only Vanstrom. "It's so wonderful to see you here."
"I hope we're not late, Lord Drakan." Vanescula said cheerfully, guiding her brother across the room as though he were a lost little child. "I had to wait for Ranis to finish preparing. He spends more time on his hair then I do. It's ridiculous."
Lord Drakan laughed aloud, something Vanstrom decided against doing. "I certainly know the feeling. I spend far too much time on my hair too. It's funny how things like that work." When neither Ranis nor Vanescula made any further comment, Lord Drakan added, "Why don't you take your seats? You're not late at all. Vanstrom was just early. We're still waiting for Malak, Dessous, and Shadow."
Vanescula was first to take her seat, glancing across the table at Vanstrom. Vanstrom couldn't read the expression on her wicked face and a part of him was fearful of that. Vanescula was a highly mysterious Vampyre. It was probably safe to say that more was known about Lord Drakan himself then was known of his younger sister. Sometimes Vanstrom found himself unnerved by Vanescula. As she watched him, he turned his head aside, trying to ignore her blatant gaze.
Ranis then took his seat next to Vanstrom, immediately groping from his glass of blood. He took a heavy gulp from it as he glanced between Vanstrom and Lord Drakan, ignoring his sister completely, for he wasn't amused by her presence. Vanstrom found himself glancing at Ranis at the same time the unlikely Vampyre glanced at him. Unlike with Vanescula's stare, Vanstrom gazed upon Ranis for a while, not daring to turn his gaze.
Vanstrom somehow felt like the odd one out now. Ranis, Vanescula, and Lord Drakan were all siblings, family, a relationship which Vanstrom could not share. He held no family relationship to Lord Drakan, not as far as he knew, anyways.
For a while the four Vampyres chatted to one another, taking occasional sips of blood between the chatter. Vanstrom eventually fell into line with Ranis and Vanescula, talking between the three Drakan siblings as though they were just three random people. They spoke about many things and there were many times when Vanescula's opinion was not as what the other three were. That didn't stop her, though. She unconsciously sipped at her blood as she listened to the three boys arguing with one another over her being wrong. They kept a conversation going for a long time while awaiting the arrival of the other welcomed Vampyres. Like with Ranis, Vanescula, and Vanstrom, when the others entered, Lord Drakan stopped all conversation to greet them. Soon both Malak and Dessous had arrived, the only seat left empty being Shadow's.
Lord Drakan found himself gazing several times at Shadow's empty seat, wondering where she could be. "Lady Shadow hasn't arrived yet." he finally commented, breaking the conversation between him and Vanescula to make such a comment. The other Vampyres glanced up upon hearing Lord Drakan's comment, all eyes falling on Shadow's seat.
"Lady Shadow is always late to your parties, my lord." Vanescula said, turning her gaze off Shadow's seat so she could look at Lord Drakan instead. It was always polite to look at the people you were speaking to. "You shouldn't worry about that."
"She's probably tired from her trip back from Canifis." Malak added, all eyes falling upon him as he spoke up on Shadow's behalf. "It's a long trip across Morytania, even for a Vampyre. She's probably just falling behind because of exhaustion. Just you wait, she'll be here."
Lord Drakan nodded at Malak, sharing a glance between Malak and Vanescula before he made any further commentary. "I do guess you're right. She'll be here. I'll simply wait until she arrives." He then turned back to Vanescula and fell back into conversation with her. The other Vampyres turned back to their companions to speak with one another.
Vanstrom hid his smirk as people begun noticing that Shadow hadn't arrived yet. He absolutely loved their confidence. They seemed so certain Shadow would arrive in due time. Yes, it was true that Shadow was always late to these parties, but as Vanstrom had mentioned to her before, this would be one party which she wouldn't be arriving to. Shadow would be far too busy slowly rotting in Vanstrom's dungeon and that brought further amusement to him. He smiled slightly, which caught the attention of Ranis, who had previously been attempting to converse with him.
Tilting his head to the side, Ranis inquired, "What are you smiling about, Vanstrom?" He canceled out his previous conversation to ask this of Vanstrom and for a moment, Vanstrom didn't even notice he was smiling.
"Oh, it was just something funny I heard earlier today." Vanstrom lied in response, knowing inwardly that it was the pleasure of knowing for certain that Lady Shadow was trapped down in his dungeon, no way out for her. "I would tell you, but I'm not very good at setting up jokes."
Ranis shrugged, and for a moment Vanstrom was worried the Vampyre noble wasn't going to believe what he said. However, Ranis eventually responded, "Alright then, whatever you say." He then began speaking of what him and Vanstrom had previously been speaking about and Vanstrom could feel the relief washing through him. He too fell back into normal conversation with Ranis.
An hour passed as the Vampyres chatted one another up. It appeared that everyone had something to say to someone else. Vampyres were shifting from one another, speaking to each other about all kinds of different topics. Lord Drakan constantly threw uncertain glances at Shadow's chair and many times it took everything whoever was speaking with him could muster to get him to pay attention. Lord Drakan's constant glancing at Shadow's chair and the door gave away to Vanstrom that soon someone would have to speak out for Lady Shadow's location. The nearby clock chimed as the top of the hour was reached and Vanstrom noticed the concerned way Lord Drakan turned his eyes up to the clock and away from Vanstrom, who he was currently talking to.
"Can I refill your glass, my lord?" Dmitri asked Lord Drakan, noticing that he had emptied his glass. However, Lord Drakan wasn't paying attention, for he was instead glancing up at the clock.
Vanstrom nudged Lord Drakan forcefully. He didn't use enough force to knock Lord Drakan from his seat, but just enough to catch the Vampyre lord's attention. He glanced away from the clock, instead looking at Vanstrom. "Hmm?" he asked.
Having Lord Drakan's attention, Vanstrom pointed innocently to Dmitri, who was patiently awaiting a response from Lord Drakan. "Can I refill your glass, my lord?" Dmitri repeated, holding up the pitcher of blood for Lord Drakan to see.
"Oh, sorry. Of course. Go right ahead." Lord Drakan responded, holding up his glass as Dmitri poured more blood into it. The moment the Werewolf finished pouring the blood for Lord Drakan, the Vampyre lord brought the glass up to his lips, sipping playfully at the liquid inside. His eyes then immediately darted back to the clock, which he watched intensely. Vanstrom found himself astonished that Lord Drakan had bothered apologizing to the Werewolf. Why should it matter how long the Werewolf had to wait for a response? The Werewolf should be prepared to wait hours if he had to.
Vanescula glanced quietly at Lord Drakan as he stared at the clock again, ignoring the conversation her, Malak, and Dessous had been holding. "Lord Drakan, is something the matter?" she asked, making her the first person to build up the nerve to ask him to obvious question.
"I've waited an hour and Lady Shadow still hasn't arrived." Lord Drakan responded straightforwardly. It very unlike Lord Drakan to be so honest in his answer. Usually he beat around the bush, an avoidance strategy he used to avoid having to admit anything about himself. "I don't doubt Lady Shadow is a late person, however, this is insane. Doesn't anyone know where she is? It's unlike her to be this drastically late and not send a bat to explain why." He sat his glass of blood down on the table, turning to face the other Vampyres. "Does anyone know where she is?"
"I haven't seen her since she left to Canifis." Vanescula admitted first, making herself the first one to respond to Lord Drakan's question.
Ranis shook his head, denying that he knew anything about her whereabouts. "Sorry, I fall under the same area Vanescula does."
Dessous leaned forward and a hopeful look entered Lord Drakan's eyes. Unfortunately, Dessous was not giving Lord Drakan the answer he was hoping for. "I sssssaw her when she was heading for Canifisssss. However, I have no ssssseen her since." Lord Drakan's head fell in depression when the third person to speak up knew nothing about Shadow's whereabouts either.
"I saw her at Canifis, but I also saw her leaving Canifis." Malak admitted shamefully, wishing he could answer his leading lord better. "I haven't a clue what could have happened to her."
With Vanstrom being the only person not to provide an answer, all eyes fell upon Vanstrom. Vanstrom, however, did not overreact at having everyone gaze at him. He remained as calm as could be, feigning an innocent expression as though he hadn't done anything wrong, which he knew in his mind he obviously had. "Vanstrom, do you know where Lady Shadow could be? You wander about Morytania often." Lord Drakan asked Vanstrom, leading on the false hope that Vanstrom's aimless wandering would mean he had the answer. Vanstrom knew it was true. He was well known for aimlessly wandering Morytania, going to all sorts of different places for reasons only he truly knew. It only made sense that Lord Drakan would assume he had the answer to Shadow's whereabouts. He knew not to overreact. He knew to remain calm. Vanstrom already had a plan, a plan which would play out now.
Vanstrom glanced about the room, knowing that everyone was watching him, waiting to see if he would confirm Lady Shadow's whereabouts or give another uncertain answer. "Well, the other day I was out at Canifis when I saw Lady Shadow coming out of the Hair of the Dog Tavern. She headed towards Paterdomus, so naturally, I followed, wondering where she could be going. I saw her meeting with the Lance boy. The two of them crossed a weak area of the River Salve and left Morytania. I was going to stop her, my lord, but I thought you should know of this treachery first."
"This is something you should have told me immediately upon entry, Vanstrom." Lord Drakan responded angrily, beating his fist down furious on the table. The wooden table cracked under the pressure of his fist, leaving a small hole where he head beaten down the table. The rest of the table shook, nearly knocking over the other glasses.
Most of the other Vampyres jumped at Lord Drakan's fury, but Vanstrom remained calm, for he knew that Lord Drakan would react as such. In fact, he liked that Lord Drakan was reacting so poorly to such news. It meant he believed what Vanstrom said. It meant that Vanstrom's plan was proceeding wonderfully. Lance would take all the blame for Vanstrom's actions.
Closing his eyes and turning his head ever so slightly to the side, Lord Drakan winced, not wanting to believe that Shadow could perform such treachery on him. However, he found that he wasn't angry at Shadow, but that he was furious at Lance. "Are you certain of what you saw, Vanstrom? I need to know that you are absolutely certain of what happened."
Vanstrom nodded in an assuring fashion at Lord Drakan. "I know what I saw, my lord. Lady Shadow and Lance crossed the River Salve. They left Morytania. I was standing right there when it happened. My guards saw it too. They can confirm it, if you feel the need to confirm."
"No, I believe you, Vanstrom." Lord Drakan responded, and Vanstrom expertly hid a smirk. His plan was working just as he had wanted it to. None would be the wiser that Vanstrom was actually to blame for Shadow's disappearance. Nobody had even seen Shadow. It was Vanstrom's word against those who had little expertise in this area. Vanstrom was winning. "I'm just rustled at this treachery. I don't blame…" He shook his head once more, shaking his previous sentence out of his mind. "I took away that kid's Vampyrism because he was not worthy of such a gift. However, that doesn't change that his loyalty should still lie with me. If he did perform such treachery, and I do believe he did, I want him to stand in front of me. I want him to either admit what he did with Shadow and return her to our homeland…"
Lord Drakan's sentence died as he was forming it. Vanstrom, however, was interested to know what the ending of that sentence was, thus he leaned forward and plainly asked, "Well, my lord, what if Lance denies that he ever performed such treachery with Lady Shadow?"
Lord Drakan once again banged his fist furiously upon the table. It wasn't as violent this time. No holes were punctured in the table, the glasses barely shook, and this time nobody was spooked by his reaction. "If that kid dare denies what he obviously did… If he dares to say to my face that he did nothing of the sort, he will rot in the dungeon for all eternity. I'll make certain he spends the rest of his days in misery. He'll learn never to cross me. He'll beg every night for death, but I won't give it to him." Eyes focused on Lord Drakan as he smiled, imagining what it would be like to imprison Lance so mercilessly. Vanstrom smiled too, for he found now was the only time he could smile and get away with it. "If Lance denies he treacherously removed Shadow from Morytania… you'll have a new human to torture, Vanstrom."
"Wonderful." Vanstrom replied with a smirk. Vanstrom found that he couldn't wait for Lance to arrive. Of course, he wouldn't admit to taking Lady Shadow because he did nothing of the sort. However, it would be Lance's word against Vanstrom's and everyone would believe Vanstrom. There would be nothing Lance could do to save himself from being guilty.
"Someone get me a parchment and a quill." Lord Drakan yelled loudly, rising from his seat. "Everyone leave! This party is over."
The other Vampyres rose uncertainly from their seats, throwing concerned glances at Lord Drakan as they fled the room. Even Dmitri fled the room. In fact, the Werewolf servant was the first one out of the room, sneaking through a door he was standing by. One by one the Vampyres left the room. Vanescula, Ranis, Malak, and Dessous all departed. Vanstrom found himself being the last one to leave. He stopped at the door, glancing back into the room at Lord Drakan.
Lord Drakan was standing by the door which Dmitri had fled out. He yanked the door open, screaming into the room, "Dmitri, get your pathetic rear end out here, now!" Vanstrom observed as Dmitri ran in a panic from the room, facing Lord Drakan despite the raw fury which he was releasing.
"Yes, my lord?" Dmitri asked nervously. Vanstrom could sense the fear in his question and the doubt with which he asked with.
After having caught Dmitri's attention, Lord Drakan furiously responded, "You are my servant. You will get me quill and parchment right now."
"Can do, my lord!" Dmitri quickly agreed and ran across the room, running into another room and leaving Lord Drakan by himself.
Right before Vanstrom was about to leave, Lord Drakan glanced his way. His expression was totally unreadable and Vanstrom couldn't tell if Lord Drakan was angry at Vanstrom for failing to leave when asked or if he was still feeling the raw fury of treachery. Either way, Vanstrom quickly departed, leaving Lord Drakan to his problems. Moments before Vanstrom departed, he heard Lord Drakan scream for someone to get his bat.
Vanstrom quickly departed from Castle Drakan, leaving Lord Drakan behind to deal with what he had just learned. The entire way out of the castle, Vanstrom couldn't help but smirk at what he had told Lord Drakan. The Vampyric lord of Morytania had believed him so easily and Vanstrom could only imagine what would happen when Lance actually arrived. What would Lord Drakan write to him? So many thoughts writhed through Vanstrom's mind that it was phenomenal. As he wandered the halls, he could hear other Vampyres speaking of the treachery Lance had performed. It was amazing how fast news spread around the castle. How long before even those on the other side of Morytania heard of this news? Even as the guards pulled open the doors for Vanstrom to leave through, the same thoughts repeatedly swarmed through his mind.
Soon Vanstrom arrived home. He pulled open the door to see his guard was still sitting in his special chair. Harold, however, was sleeping right in front of the secret entrance to the dungeon and that gave away to Vanstrom that the guard had probably gone down there at least once. Harold awoke at the sound of the door being opened and rose when he saw Vanstrom standing there. The malformed creature ran to greet his master, excitement dripping out all of his pores.
"So, how did the party go?" Vanstrom's guard asked him as he entered the house, lowering the book which he had been so intensely reading.
Upon being spoken to, Vanstrom turned his eyes away from Harold and instead over to his guard. "Oh, it went lovely. Everyone arrived except Shadow. When Lord Drakan asked where she was, I told him it was all Lance's fault. He believed every word I spoke too." Vanstrom smiled as he spoke, for he still found amusement in the chaos which he had caused. "Lord Drakan wishes to have Lance appear in front of him. As we speak, he is writing to the human now."
"Then it went well?" the guard asked rhetorically, a question to which he earned a nod as a response. He went back to reading the book, figuring that Vanstrom was done speaking to him.
Vanstrom wasted no time in going down to his dungeon. He couldn't wait to inform Shadow of what he had done at the party. It would make her day all the worse, which would make Vanstrom feel a thousand times better about himself.
Once more Shadow could hear the sounds of Vanstrom descending into the dungeon. She groaned inwardly, wondering what exactly he could wish to tell her this time. Last time Vanstrom had spoken to her, she had let her anger get the better of her. She knew that this time she couldn't give Vanstrom such a solid victory. She sighed, pumping air out her nose instead of her mouth, since her mouth was gagged. Shadow then lowered her head, closing her eyes as she did so to make certain she didn't look at Vanstrom. She could hear his footsteps growing closer and she knew he was closing in on her. However, she continued to keep her eyes closed. Even in chains, she tried to relax her muscles as well.
"Good afternoon, Lady Shadow." Vanstrom greeted, once again emphasizing his hatred for her title. She was no lady, thought Vanstrom. She didn't deserve such a title. "Perhaps you'd like to know how the party went."
Not really, thought Lady Shadow. She hadn't been there and she could care less what Vanstrom had done during the party. No doubt he was going to gloat about himself or something amazing he had done. However, Shadow had no idea what he was about to say. She could have never guessed what would come out of his mouth next.
"When I arrived at the party, Lord Drakan waited over an hour for you to arrive. Of course, you never came." Vanstrom began and Shadow already knew she didn't care. She didn't open her eyes, she didn't tense up. She simply kept her head held low and her eyes closed. "Lord Drakan was pretty upset that you never showed. However, not as upset as when I told him where you were. I told him you and Lance crossed the River Salve together, abandoned Morytania, just like I told you I would. I told him of the treachery that little rat of a human committed. Now? Now Lord Drakan furiously writes to Lance. Oh if only you could have seen how furious he was when I told him of such treachery." Vanstrom placed a single hand on a bar, wrapping his twisted fingers around the bar. "He wants Lance to stand trial in front of him and admit he took you, tell him where you are. Of course, Lance won't be able to tell him of such. You know what will happen? Lord Drakan says that if Lance doesn't admit his treachery, he will be locked down in the dungeon for all eternity, forced into a state of suffering and misery."
Shadow felt her eyelids close more forcefully upon her and she listened to Vanstrom. She had never thought in her life that he would come up with such a devious plot. Vanstrom could sense every little motion she made, however, and even as she tried to remain calm, to prove to herself that she could stand up to Vanstrom, he could sense her weakening with every word that came out of his mouth.
Vanstrom's grip grew tighter around the bar as he held it. He wanted Shadow to react to him. "You want to know what else Lord Drakan said, Shadow? He said that Lance would be mine to torture if he ended up in the dungeon, which we know he will."
Shadow's eyes shot open as Vanstrom made his next statement. She didn't want to believe him. She wanted everything he said to be a lie. Yet, she had come to know Vanstrom very well and she knew that Vanstrom was in fact not lying. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she knew that Vanstrom was telling her the honest truth. Unwillingly, she looked up into his vicious red eyes.
Quickly did Shadow turn her head away from Vanstrom, trying adamantly to hide the tears which were welling up in her eyes. When it came to Vanstrom, even his words could sting like a bee. She could only imagine what kind of physical torment he could apply to Lance. She didn't want Lance to be forced to endure Vanstrom's torture.
"You try to hide it, Shadow, but I can see the wetness in your eyes." Vanstrom mocked, unwrapping his hand from around the bar. Shadow didn't watch, but could hear as Vanstrom unlocked the cell, stepping inside of it. "You're crying. You cry because you don't want Lance to be condemned. You care about him. That will make torturing him all the more fun for me." Vanstrom took a cautious step forward. "How do you feel about that?"
Shadow suddenly lurched forward in her chains, hoping she could reach Vanstrom now that he had dared to enter her cell. The chains rattled loudly as they clacked together. Even with Vanstrom in the cell, she still found she was unable to reach him. Nonetheless, Shadow fought furiously to reach Vanstrom, so she could inflict the same pain upon him that he had inflicted to her. So she could make him feel miserable. Unfortunately, she was unable to do anything of the like.
"You're pathetic, Shadow." Vanstrom taunted, watching with amusement as Shadow struggled in her chains to reach him. "You let your emotions get the better of you and you actually care for the likes of a pathetic, worthless human. You should find his misery amusing." Vanstrom turned around, closing and re-locking the door behind him. "You don't act like a Vampyre, Shadow, and that's why you'll never truly be one." He stopped, turning around to face her. He looked her straight in the eyes when he said, "Maybe Lord Drakan should take away your Vampyrism the same way he took away Lance's."
Vanstrom laughed vibrantly as he left Shadow behind in her cell. Once again he had gotten a reaction out of Shadow and that's what he looked for. Nothing could make him feel happier then Shadow's misery. Making her miserable was what he did best. He left her struggling hopelessly in the chains and attempting to scream from a gag which would not allow a single word to escape.
Finally, Vanstrom reached the top of the stairwell, the door to his dungeon closing behind him, hiding the fact that his dungeon ever even existed in the first place. Vanstrom couldn't wait until Lance stood trial before Lord Drakan. Telling Shadow about that would be one of the best moments in his life. He smirked at such a thought.