Chapter Four -

"Such a pretty face. Why, pretty as a posy methinks. I've got just the doll for you my sweet." A gnome-like voice spoke as I had began to stir there in dungeon.

I was hesitant to make a lot of movement, for I had not known who, or what my cellmate was.

"Wakey, wakey dear vampiress. A penny for your thoughts?" The voice inquired. "Or better yet, a lock of hair and your soul? Muahahahah."

I managed to come to seated position, my hand making its way to the back of my head, where Melchiah had blasted me with his sword. I cringed when I touched it. The floor was damp, and the air was mustier than that of the temple itself. The stench of death and decay brought a look of disgust to my face. My eyes shifted from below me, over to the mortar wall where a rat was feasting on the remains of something that inhabited this cell before me. I began to feel nauseous. As my eyes moved away from the rat and made their gaze across to the left of where I sat, the sound of my cellmate's laughter began echoing throughout the area. I brought myself to sit fully upright, bracing myself against the wall behind me as I turned my head to see his face. I found myself a bit puzzled by the gnome before me. His skin was the palest gray, yet his spiked-hair was as vivid as fire. He was dressed in an overcoat of green, which seemed to be tied behind him, preventing him from moving his arms about. As I looked over his feet, I noticed they were chained together, preventing him from either standing or walking.

"Such a strange creature you are. Tell me, what is your name?" I questioned.

His continued laughter was my only reply. It was clear to me that this little gnome was indeed mad, and that any hopes of conversation should be abandoned. As I stared at the gnome, the door to my cell began to open as the sound of keys banged against its exterior. From the other side, emerged another being from Turel's cadre of lackeys. He was a bit taller than the rest, although not quite the same height as Turel. He was also outfitted in a military wardrobe, bearing yet another puzzling symbol as its crest. I crouched up next to the wall as he entered. Bringing my knees into my arms and resting my chin upon them. I witnessed this new vampire lift the little gnome from the floor.

"His name is Elzevir." The vampire commented. His voice was monstrously harsh. "He is the doll maker of Nosgoth and my master's most prized possession."

I watched as the little gnome began to flail about, his eyes open wide in fear. "No. Put me down. You can't take me! Not from my pretty posy! Nooooooo!" Elzevir screamed.

The vampire carried him off to another cell in the dungeon. I could hear Elzevir causing a ruckus the entire way. Within moments, the door of my cell again opened, and the vampire ultimately returned. "Now, where were we?" He asked as a sadistic grin came over his lips.

My eyes widened and I began scooting myself in his opposite direction. His approach was swift and he managed to take hold of my arm, throwing me to my back on the floor. I tried desperately to keep out of his reach. My arm was bleeding from the wounds he inflicted with his claws. I knew this only enticed him. Within the instant, he was atop me, straddling me with his masculine form. He tore at my clothing, ripping the lavender leather from my body with one easy swipe. I began to scream. Despite my own strength, I was no match for his power. Tears began streaming down my face as the vampire began licking at my flesh. He started at my neck, following it around the shape of my jaw before coming to my chest. He was quick to take the nipple of my breast into his mouth as a newborn would its mother's. Still I tried to get away, but it was of no use. My body fell limp as the vampire began fumbling around his waist to expose himself to me. I closed my eyes, preparing myself for his forced penetration. The vampire stopped his domination. I peeked out of the corner of my eye to find him looking towards the door of my cell. He then scrambled to dress himself and rise, but was greeted with a mystical projectile of some type, that hurled him into the wall of the cell.

"Be gone, Zephon." A sinister voice from the shadows ordered. "Before I do far worse to you than that."



Zephon, my attacker, jumped to his feet and was quick to do what he had been told. I closed my eyes, allowing my cheek to fall to the floor as I breathed multiple sighs of relief. I was startled by fabric which was tossed upon my barren form from the entity in the shadows. I eased myself to a seated position and took the fabric into my hands. The fabric was a white ceremonial dress, woven of the finest silk in all of Nosgoth. I dare not question the offering, instead rushed myself into dressing. I positioned myself in front of the cell door, struggling to catch a glimpse of my company through the darkness. "You have my appreciation." I said.

There was movement in the shadows. I began to slowly back away from the door as it approached me. I found myself to be pressed up against the cell wall, unable to move away further. My breathing became heavy as anxiety plagued me once more. From the shadows beyond the door, emerged a metallic shin guard and a two-clawed foot. I fixated solely on it. Soon, another foot took its side. My eyes scanned upwards to discover a pair of legs outfitted in the blackest leather. Then to an exposed waist, exceptionally toned, however bearing the signs of age. Folded over the being's chest were two arms, the hands of which bestowed three claws instead of five fingers. The arms fell lifeless to his side, revealing his chest, which was adorned with a golden clasp. The clasp held together the crimson cape that the being had draped over his right-shoulder. As my eyes finished their physical study of the being, they fell upon his head and face. His hair was well past shoulder-length, and white as snow. His face was strikingly familiar, but the crests of flesh, which extended from his forehead and around to his ears, threw off my ability to place him properly. My thorough inspection came to a close when my eyes fell upon his. They were bright amber hues, never blinking - never leaving my face. The creature's mouth dropped as I looked even harder into his eyes. In them, I caught a glimpse of the Pillars toppling to the ground. There were also images of the Sarafan Lord, Meridian, and Vorador. Finally, there were images of myself. It was then that I had my epiphany. My own mouth dropped and the only word I found myself uttering was that of his name. "Kain."

He struggled to find the words in which to speak. He was as in awe of me as I was of him. The centuries had taken their toll on the vampire, and evolution had begun to change him dramatically. He was different now - appearance wise. But somehow, as I found myself lost in his gaze, I knew that deep inside he had not changed at all.

"What vile trickery is this, woman?" Kain demanded. "My eyes do not distort the truth. Rather I fear it is you who plays with my mind." He said sternly as he extended his claw to point at me.

I shook my head to return to reality. "Kain. I do not deceive you. I would never."

"Already you lie!" He shouted. He quickly made his way to me, placing his hand around my throat. "Give me a reason not to strike you down where you stand. Your magic is far from amusing."

"Kain. Please. It is I. I am Umah." I pleaded. My eyes began to swell. How could I possibly convince him? Surely he would indeed strike me down if I did not think of something quickly. I unbuttoned my dress and let it fall over my shoulders, where I caught it as it fell to my waist. I turned my head as the tears began to flow from my eyes. I had revealed my chest to him. Kain extended his claw over me, avoiding my breasts, but tracing over the scars he left so long ago. He released my neck and backed away. The look in his eyes startled me. They too were swelling with vampyric tears, and wider than I had ever remembered seeing them before. For the first time in my existence, I could honestly say that I saw a shed of fear and perhaps a sense of joy, in Kain. As I redressed myself, Kain merely continued to back away in awe.

"Kain, where are you going?" I asked him. I watched as he left my cell; not even attempting to close the door behind him.

"I can't." He replied as he simply shook his head. "Not now.not now."

And so he left. Vanishing into the shadows from which he came. I lowered my head, fearful that I had upset him - that I had caused him grief. It was then I decided that I would seek him out to apologize. I wanted to see him and be near him. I had been searching for him since I had first awakened and I couldn't give up my quest this early. I had come too close. I fled the confines of the cell and returned to the staircase leading from the dungeon back into the main temple.