I walk over to my shelf of various knickknacks and grab an old book and sit back down in my chair. Fighting off
the darkness, I look into the musty photo album. Then Johansen softly knocks. "Yes?"
"Mistress, there is someone to see you."
"Another petitioner, James?"
"No Mistress, it is the chronicler you sent for."
"Thank you, James. Send him in." Johansen and I have an ancient joke between us, He hates being called James
and I abhor being called mistress. I chuckle a little as I go back to my album. Gazing at an old picture, I start
shedding bloody tears as I look upon the face of an old friend who had died to protect me long ago. As Talyn entered
my inner chamber, he looked nervous as he saw the red tears were coming down my face. "Madam Prince, I…"
"Its Brenda." I replied as I wiped the blood from my face.
"But the traditions…" A flash of movement and I send Talyn flying into the wall with a sickening crunch.
"Foolish ghoul! I know of the traditions and I enforce them in my realm as I see fit! I have enough retainers
known for their stupidity. I require an intelligent Chronicler, a…" In my moment of anger the darkness overwhelms
me. After what seems to be an eternity of mental battle I snap back with a start. Johansen is standing in front of me.
"James, I did it again didn't I?
"Yes Mistress, you did. An hour this time."
I look over at the wall where the young ghoul is demonstrating his lack of discipline knowledge, specifically obfuscate.
"Well, Mr. Talyn, we should get started before Gehenna."
"Yes, Miss Brenda." Talyn walks over to the table, takes out his Notepad and audio recorder and sits down to write.
"It begins…with a young girl out too late…"