Book I: The Three Dynasties
Chapter XIII: A Return to Power
Southern Hungarian Territory, Vorenus Estate: 582 AD
Viktor stood dumbfounded as Amelia lounged confidently in her fathers throne, he had not laid eyes on her since the winter of William's capture, and now she was back. The old Warlords surprise quickly passed "So you have finally come back." He spoke coldly.
"So it would seem." She nodded, adopting a tone just as unfeeling as his.
"Tell me Princess…" Viktor began as he paced the floor before her throne "…Is this just a passing visit, or have you remembered the duties you have neglected for three decades?"
"I have come to rule my Kingdom Viktor." She half sneered "I have come back to defend my families land… although I will admit I am somewhat surprised to learn that I would be defending them from you."
"An unfortunate development." Viktor conceded.
"Will I have to fight you Viktor?" Amelia enquired, showing no fear in the face of her formidable companion.
"Of course not." Viktor conceded "The alliance that has existed between our two great families must endure. We have lived in secrecy for all these years, the mortals have forgotten about us… if our two immortal armies make war on each other then we will risk all sorts of exposure."
"I am inclined to agree." Amelia nodded. "I trust you and I are of the same opinion Viktor…. This fighting must stop."
"I completely agree." Was Viktor's immediate reply "However that may be difficult. We have two immortal armies, they are growing restless."
"Why?" Amelia asked shaking her head "They are fed, clothed, we continue to pay them."
"Exactly." Viktor nodded "These men are fighters… but what are they fighting for? They are not starving, their lands are not under threat of attack, they have already bought everything they ever want. Without an enemy, they grow restless; they look for other enemies, when there are none they will simply turn on each other."
"So as long as our families remain separate entities they will always have two sides to choose from… they will always have an enemy to fight."
"Precisely." Viktor half smiled "If only I had a son… a marriage between the two of you would solve all of our problems. As it is we must find another way to become unified… a completely unified blood line."
"Our soldiers will still need an enemy Viktor." Amelia added
"There are plenty of mortals out there." Viktor shrugged "And since the fall of Rome, this continent has become a war torn place, I see no reason we can not take advantage of that."
"We have quite a task ahead of us." Amelia sighed in an almost defeated tone,
"We do at that." Viktor smiled "Still it is not a task that can be accomplished over night, come…" He spoke warmly as he held his arms opened ", let us converse on more pleasant things." Amelia stepped down from her throne and shared a brief embrace with Viktor "How have you been?"
"Very well." She smiled as she took the Old Warlords arm and led him out of her throne room, the two Immortal leaders were followed at a distance by a group of both their soldiers as they strolled through the ornate gardens of Amelia's estate.
"I hear you have made quite the impression in Constantinople." Viktor smiled slightly "Even in these parts we here whispers of the Magyar Princess that has conquered all that is left of Rome."
"I have had some success." She replied modestly.
"I imagine that has been some what profitable for you." Viktor enquired
"Somewhat." She replied with a devious grin.
"Now tell me will your oldest ally be considered when you tally up your profits." Viktor asked her, hinting strongly as he did."
"Oh come now Viktor, let us converse on more pleasant things."
"Very well." He nodded, hearing her echo is earlier words "You must come and stay with us soon. My daughter still speaks warmly of you."
"I have missed Sonja." Amelia smiled warmly "It would be good to see her again. But there is one other thing Viktor."
"And what might that be my dear?"
"Markus." She said simply "I know that he is in your custody.
Viktor stopped walking and took a step away from Amelia "Markus is under my protection." He corrected her "You and I both know what will happen if he dies."
"I am well aware of that, but…."
"But nothing!" Viktor spat "He is not being mistreated, he lives as well as I do, it is just his stubbornness that prevents him from seeing the wisdom of my actions, I gave Corvinus my word that I would not turn on him, and I have not broken that promise."
"Will I be able to see him when I come to stay with you?"
"Of course." Viktor replied half heartedly.
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Northern Hungarian Territory: Ördögház: 582 AD, one week later
It seemed like a thousand lanterns burned, illuminating the darkest Magyar night with an artificial glow. Years ago a night like this would have been silent, when mortal superstitions that once governed these peoples lives were still applicable. Now there was no more reason to fear the night, for they had become the monsters that the peasants and clergy of this savage land whispered about. The night had become their playground, the night had become their cradle and this night would be the stage for their self indulgence. For accompanying the endless flickers of lantern light were a sea of pale faces, a cross section of a forgotten society. There were soldiers in shining armor, atop mighty steeds, there were feudal Lords and Ladies in flowing silk robes, there were humble maids and laymen hiding in the shadows, all of these people came from very different lives, but there were subtle features that linked them all together, as well as their pale faces they all shared the same magnificent stare, as piercing cobalt blue eyes seemed to glow as majestically as the lanterns, and to those who looked closely, the subtle glimpse of an ivory fang could also be seen. Yet it was not everyday that these people… the Vampyres as the locals had dubbed them came together like this, although a closely knit bloodline, tonight was an extra special occasion for it marked the first reunion of their bloodline for more than three decades… tonight, one of their own was coming home.
In the court yard of his ancestral estate, the Immortal warlord Viktor Teleki presided over his court, he sat atop a magnificent armored steed, as black as the night he now loved so much. At his right hand, flanked by two fully armed soldiers was the man that had given him his immortality, the man who was supposed to be his equal, Markus Corvinus. There was visible tension between the two, even though they both kept up their public pretense, the soldiers flanking Markus were always there, Viktor assured him it was simply for his protection, to ensure that no harm would ever come to him, thus ending the bloodline, but Markus was under no illusion, he had become Viktor's prisoner. Although Viktor and Markus were the only two on horseback they were by no means the only dignitaries invited to this event, Viktor's commanders and ministers surrounded the pair, among them a now very influential Moldovan noblemen named Kraven, and perhaps the brightest light in Viktor's kingdom, his only daughter, the Princess Sonja. As these assembled dignitaries wait amongst a sea of Corvinus and Teleki standards one of Viktor's guards call out. "Standards Approaching."
In the distance a caravan of torchlight approaches the fortified compound, its forward riders bearing the standards of the Eastern Legions that had first come to the savage land generations ago, now they serve as the emblem of another, the last of the Vorenus… Amelia. She sits atop a huge white steed, surrounded by armoured infantry and bowmen who do their best to keep up with her trotting horse, following just behind her on horse back was her weathered viceroy who had served her family since he was a child. Markus felt a lump form in his throat as she approached them; she was not wearing the armour of a Roman soldier as she had been when last they met. Now she sat amongst her soldiers wearing a brilliant white toga, her arms and fingers adorned with gold and jewels. Her fathers golden laurel reef still rested gracefully upon her head, however unlike the traditional Magyar veils that used to conceal her hair, now a thin Persian scarf fell about her bare shoulders, probably a souvenir from her Persian campaign.
As Amelia crossed the threshold of Viktor's estate, and her two male counterparts trotted forward to greet each other. For the first time in more than three decades the three immortal leaders stood together. "My Lords." She bowed slightly.
"Princess." Both Viktor and Markus spoke in unison.
"Welcome back." Viktor smiled warmly.
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Everyone had enjoyed the festivities, one of the greatest celebrations Viktor had ever thrown. Everyone had enjoyed it, everyone but Markus. He had retired to his chambers or his cell as he preferred to call it as the first opportunity. He would hide himself away, he may not have much control over his fate, but he would certainly not be Viktor's jester. A look of frustration came across his face as he heard the sound of his door unlocking "I said I did not wish to be disturbed!" He chastised his guards as he threw himself into a chair.
"Perhaps I should leave then." A haunting voice replied/.
"Amelia…" Markus replied as he stood to greet her "…I did not think that you would want to see me."
"Then you are a fool." She replied dryly
Markus allowed himself to laugh slightly "It does my heart good to see you again Amelia."
"It is not a totally unpleasant feeling for me either." She nodded, as the two descended into an awkward silence.
"So how was Constantinople?" Markus asked nervously.
"Beautiful." She responded "It's alive… not like this God forsaken place."
"Why did you come back?" He asked, taking a more serious tone.
"A war between my army and Viktor's would tear this country apart… I still have responsibilities."
"Responsibilities." Markus smiled slightly before falling into solemnity "You know when I saw you riding towards us tonight, dressed in all the riches of Constantinople, looking so radiant… like one of the Goddesses from ancient myth…"
"Markus don't…" she half pleaded with him
"… when I saw you tonight I preyed to the Gods I never even believed in, that I might be part of the reason you came back to this Hell, even if that was just the smallest part."
"I am sorry." She half whispered as she tried not to make eye contact "I have tried to love you Markus… I have tried to love others… but there is nothing there…I have never loved anyone… it is like I am empty inside and I honestly do not think I will ever find another soul to fill that void… even if I had a thousand years."
"You poor thing." Markus spoke in disbelief "… you know I thought Viktor was the worst monster I created, yet at least he feels, he loves… he hates… but you… you feel nothing do you? Not hate, not love, nor passion nor guilt."
"I feel sorrow." She confessed with a tear rolling down her cheek "I feel the pain that burns at my hollow soul. I think I am being punished Markus, I have forsaken my church for the power of a God on earth… and what's more… I am glad."
"You know Amelia I have never feared anyone, not my father, not Viktor, but you… you scare me Amelia."
"Because I'm dangerous?" She asked searching his eyes for some reassurance.
"Because you are dangerous." He nodded "At least Viktor has been content to limit his power to his own lands, but you, you have gone to Constantinople, the very heart of civilization and given your armies to their cause. You have allowed foolish powerful men to take you to their beds, and you have manipulated these poor fools into doing your bidding. You can do with a whisper, with a flutter of your eyelashes, with a coy smile, what Viktor would need entire legions to accomplish. Yes you are dangerous Amelia."
"I am sorry." She wept slightly
"Are you?"
She paused for a moment to consider his question "My God I don't even know anymore."
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"The night is dying." A hooded figure told his companion as he watched the first flickers of yellow light appear "You know I will not be able to help you."
"I am well aware of that Alchemist." The handsome Merovingian known as Lestat smiled "I have two hundred men at my command, we will not need any help, as long as the information you have given us is correct."
"I assure you it is." Holtz replied firmly, his cobalt eyes shining from beneath his hood "How will you get him out?"
"We have modified one of our carriages, made it completely impenetrable to sunlight, it will not be comfortable but it will be safe. By the time Viktor Teleki realizes what has happened we will be miles away, and we will have all day before any of the Vampyres can pursue us."
"Remember Lestat, only Markus can give you the immortality you seek, do not fail."
"I do not fail."
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Markus and Amelia had been conversing for hours, they did not even realize the passing of time, they had not noticed dawn arrive outside Markus's fortified chamber, suddenly the presense of the dawn became all too obvious.
A tremendous roar of an explosion tore through Ördögház, "What was that?" Amelia asked nervously. Then the sound of dozens of hisses flying through the air, "Arrows" Amelia swallowed hard.
She was correct, fires had broke out all over Viktor's estate as flaming arrows found their targets, and set the vampiric shelter ablaze.
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"Father!" Sonja screamed as she ran to her fathers embrace. "There are fires everywhere!"
"WHO DARES ATTACK MY HOUSE!" Viktor bellowed.
"Mortals My Lord, but they are not local they use different weapons."
"KILL THEM ALL!" Viktor screamed at his guards
"But the sun My Lord."
Viktor faces descended into a cold stare "Release the Lycans."
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As Markus and Amelia speculated as to what was happening a sudden explosion forced them to the floor as a huge hole appeared in what was once Markus's wall, both Vampyres let out a hiss as they scurried into a corner in a desperate attempt to escape the lethal sunlight. Three men stepped through the gap in the wall, they wore strange armour, and markings, two of them carried swords, one a strange ceramic pot. "Markus Corvinus!" The lead man called out.
"What do you want?" Markus demanded as he used his own body to shield Amelia, causing smoke to slowly emanate from his body.
"Holtz sent us." He replied coldly "Apparently you do not wish to be a prisoner anymore."
"You're here to free me?" Markus asked in disbelief.
"We have a special carriage for you, but you will have to be quick if you wish to escape the sun…" Before the mysterious warrior could finish his sentence Markus's door was flung open, only to have the two vampiric soldiers forced back by the sunlight. The lead soldier nodded to his man holding the ceramic pot, who immediately hurled it at the door, it smashed causing another explosion and spreading a roaring fire throughout the room.
"What sorcery is this?" Markus demanded
"It's Greek fire." Amelia screamed as she scurried across the floor to get away from it like a frightened animal, only to be caught by the sunlight "It's Greek fire!"
"We have to go now My Lord" The lead soldier spoke firmly.
Markus looked to the soldiers and their hole to freedom, and then to Amelia as she sat terrified in the corner, surrounded by flames. He walked over to her and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders "Here cover yourself." He spoke frantically "It will offer you some protection, as soon as I am gone I want you to run to the door and get as deep into the fortress as you can."
"No don't leave me here!" She pleaded.
"We have to go now!" The soldier screamed at Markus.
"Markus grabbed Amelia's chin and kissed her lips forcibly before standing to take his leave "I love you." He breathed before leaping past the soldiers and out of the hole,
"MARKUS!" Amelia screamed as his cries of pain could be heard, he ran across the open gardens of Viktor's estates like a blur, but not fast enough to escape the sun, his smoking skin began to blister and flake finally he made it to a hole in the outer wall where a soldier in the same armour as the others threw a cloak around him and bundled him into the back of a carriage slamming the doors behind him.
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"Markus!" Amelia screamed as the human soldiers who had guided him to freedom finally left the burning room, she covered as much of her body with the blanket as she could and made a dash for it, with flames lapping at her feet she headed for the door which was in direct path of the sunlight, with smoke bellowing from her usually magnificent form, she flung the door open and desperately scrambled into the corridor, tripping over the body of one of Viktor's guards as she did, there were still fires all around her, as Viktor's ancient home began to burn, she kept running until she found herself face to face with her fathers old ally. "Viktor." She cried, as she fell against the old warlord.
"Amelia!" Viktor barked as he caught her in his arms, and looked upon her burned body "What happened?"
"They took Markus." She whimpered slightly, "He left me in that burning room and went with them."
"Markus." Viktor sneered.
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Markus let out an agonized moan as his sill blistering flesh continued to sizzle, he had never felt such agony, he lay on the floor of his pitch black carriage in excruciating pain, but at least he was free. Then something drew his attention, there was a flicker of light coming from within the carriage, at first he panicked, he thought it may be the sun, then he realized it came from a lantern. He strained his eyes towards the light and managed to make out the handsome features of a stranger.
"That must hurt." The stranger smiled slightly
"It will heal." Markus breathed heavily "Holtz sent you?"
"In a manner if speaking, you have something I need."
"And what might that be?" Markus winced
"Immortality."
"Of course." Markus laughed slightly "How many men do you have with you?"
"Two hundred… well considerably less now, those lycanthropes did quite the number on us."
"I noticed you were not involved in the fighting." Markus observed dryly as he managed to sit up.
"No." The stranger smiled "I am an artist, not a fighter."
"Viktor will come for us." Markus warned him gravely
"Yes I rather suspect he will." The stranger nodded "Still we have a head start."
"I trust you are taking me to my brothers prison?"
"No, going to Dacia will take us further into Viktor's territory."
"William is the only thing that can protect us from Viktor now, it will take days for me to turn all of your men."
"All the more reason we need to get away, we need to put as much distance between him and us as possible."
"So where are we going?" Markus asked anxiously.
"To Gaul" The stranger answered, "We will be able to raise more men there."
"Your master lives in Gaul?" Markus enquired.
"He is King."
"So you are a Merovingian?" Markus nodded "I have a proposition for you Merovingian, forget about your masters in Gaul, serve me, and I will make you my Regent, you and your men pledge your loyalty to me and you will have wealth and power beyond measure."
"Immortality?" The stranger asked.
"Immortality my friend." Markus answered him.
"What is your will… My Lord?" He bowed slightly
"Take me to my brother."
"Going to Dacia is too dangerous." He repeated himself.
"I did not mean William." Markus spoke coldly, "I meant my other brother, take us to Pest… we will be safe there for a time."