By mid-afternoon Zephon, Zarina, and his officers were heading towards the Sanctuary at a brisk pace on their horses. Scouts from his Clan had been coming and going, updating their lord on where the Sarafan army lay. To Zephon the vampire hunters were getting too close for his tastes; that was why his meeting with Kain would be brief and to the point. Pulling his mount closer to Zarina, Zephon leaned over to look her in the face.
"You did not have to come. My brothers will most likely be there and they will wish to speak to you." She gave him a smile with a glitter in her eyes.
"I cannot avoid them forever, my lord. Sooner or later I would of had to meet them and this presents a perfect opportunity to make their acquaintance." Dressed in a gray riding skirt divided down both sides, Zarina's hair was pulled over one shoulder of her white blouse and tied into a loose braid, shawl still wrapped about her arms. Zephon thought at that moment, even in the overcast sky, that she was beautiful. Of course he would never say anything like that out loud, but all the same he thought she was beautiful. And in that short time of holding her in the ruined study, Zephon felt all the closer to her. He didn't resent having her around anymore; he had gotten use to Zarina and liked her company. Perhaps she felt the same.
"Either way, you could of stayed at the Cathedral." Zephon secretly thought to himself that he rather she didn't come because Turel, always the player, would be there. Turel would immediately turn on his charms and flirt with Zarina. With a start the Clan lord realized he was envious; he didn't want anyone but him to become close to Zarina. She was his consort, not one of his brothers. When did you begin to act like this, a voice chided inside Zephon's head. He brushed it out of the way and turned his attention back to riding his horse. Rounding the last bend of the canyons, the Sanctuary of the Clans came into view.
Riding up to the massive iron gates, the vampire guards saluted to Zephon as he dismounted and helped Zarina off her horse. The two strode through the gates and into the dark halls; a few vampires passed them by and whispered amongst themselves after finally seeing this consort of Zephon. Crossing over wide bridge overlooking a garden below, the throne room's doors finally came into view.
And standing beside them were the other Lieutenants.
"Wonderful," Zephon muttered as he saw Turel point in their direction, the first to notice them. Only Turel, Rahab and Melchiah stood outside the doors; Dumah and Raziel possibly had business elsewhere. Zarina's hands were clasped tightly in front of her but she did not show any anxiety on her face, as she was about to meet some of the most powerful beings in all of Nosgoth.
"Brother Zephon, we are glad to see your face again. And this beautiful woman must be your consort. We finally get to meet this mysterious sorceress that has been the talk of the Clans for the past while," Turel spoke as he took Zarina's hand and kissed it lightly. She smiled cordially at him and took her hand back. "I am Lord Turel, milady. Anything that you need, you only have to ask from me." Turel obviously did not see the dangerous look in Zephon's eyes.
"I am Lord Rahab," the scholar nodded his head towards Zarina and she gave a slight bow back to him.
Melchiah stepped forwards and took Zarina's hand but did not bother to kiss it. He had seen the look given by Zephon and did not wish to stir his brother's anger. "I am Lord Melchiah; it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"And yours," she replied.
"I need to speak to father as quickly as possible," Zephon interjected. "It is of utmost importance."
"Raziel and Dumah are with him at the moment," Rahab replied bitterly. "They have had another one of their disagreements and father has decided to settle the matters once and for all."
"What I must say to him overrides their petty troubles. I need to speak to him immediately."
Turel shrugged his shoulders and gave one of his most charming smiles aimed towards Zarina while he spoke to Zephon. "You can go in if you want to but you will have to pay the price if it truly is not of great significance." Zephon turned to Zarina and whispered something in her ear before opening the doors to the throne room and walking in alone. Turel brushed imaginary dirt from his Clan shroud and walked a little closer to Zarina. Rahab rolled his eyes but did not do anything; she looked more than capable of caring for herself.
"So you were a sorceress before coming here?"
"Yes, and I still am," Zarina tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave a slight smile. "And I heard that your Clan dealt in magic as well."
Turel gave another smile and Melchiah shook his head. He did not know what he was getting into. "So you have heard. Well, my Clan does specialize in magic, but we are all competent warriors. Tell me, do you enjoy living at the Cathedral? What do you think of our brother Zephon?"
"Isn't that a little personal," Melchaih spoke up. Rahab waved a hand; he was engrossed in this little conversation as well.
"I enjoy the Cathedral despite it being a maze at best and my relationship with Lord Zephon is none of your business." Turel's face fell for a moment, then that same grin came right back.
"You much of had many admirers when you lived in the Citadel. One of your looks should have; it is only proper for a lady such as yourself." Rahab elbowed Melchiah in the ribs and the two silently laughed; they knew where this would be going.
"I had no time for such things; I was always busy practicing my magic or helping out around the castle. Either way, when you are a sorceress, there is an air of aloofness around oneself. Most men thought I would burn them to cinders if they asked me a question I did not approve of."
Turel sighed dramatically and crossed his arms over his chest. "Simple fools. If I had known about you, I would of come riding in on a white horse and plucked you from your tower for myself. You are a rare flower, Lady Zarina."
She gave him a small smile and fixed her shawl, showing Zephon's banner. "Too bad that this flower was plucked by your brother, isn't it, Lord Turel?" Melchiah and Rahab began to laugh at the look on Turel's face when he had known he had lost. But he took it in stride, and began to laugh as well.
"I know that we will become good friends, Lady. Rahab, Melchiah, introduce yourselves further to this cunning sorceress."
* * *
The doors clanged shut behind Zephon and he steeled himself for the reprimand that was to come from Kain. Both Raziel and Dumah were kneeling in front of their father with looks of puzzlement on their faces as Zephon walked towards them. Kain retained a mask of neutrality, his eyes looking over his fifth-born with some annoyance.
"Father, I must speak with you about the gravest of matters." Zephon knew that if he were to make his plight known, he would have to say everything quickly. "The Sarafan are marching towards my Territories with a vast army; they are just two days away from my Clan holdings and from the Sanctuary. We need to act now if we are to stop them." There, he had said it. Now all Zephon had to do was wait.
Kain rose from his throne slowly, a deadly grace about him. The father of all vampires walked over to his son and placed a claw on his shoulder. "I already know of this, Zephon. The Sarafan force will be easy enough for your own army to beat."
"My own, father?" Dumah and Raziel exchanged looks between each other, and the first-born vampire spoke.
"Father, the Sarafan are not to be taken lightly. Zephon's army is still recovering from their last encounter and if the humans forces are anything that we have seen before, then he will need help. I will commit my own warriors to this battle."
"As will I," Dumah added. "My Clan has been ready to see battle again for the last year; we are eager to test our mettle against this new force." Kain glared at both of them, a look that told the Lieutenants to be silent or he would silence them himself. In the distance, church bells from the human Citadel tolled.
"Your force will be enough to stop them, Zephon. I have faith in you; you captured the Avernus Cathedral without any help from the other Clans so what does a force of Sarafan mean against your Clan territories? Do you know the size of the force?"
Zephon shook his head. "My scouts have yet to return with an exact number, but they will give it to me once I return to my palace. Father, what makes you so sure that my force will be enough to stop the Sarafan?"
"Because I have complete faith in you, Zephon." Kain gave one of his rare smiles, and then turned to look at Dumah and Raziel. "Your Clans, and your brothers, will not interfere. I have my reasons Zephon, and I expect them to be obeyed. You may leave now. Raziel, Dumah, I still need to have words with you."
The look on Zephon's face was one of bewilderment. Why would Kain just brush off the Sarafan like this? Did he not know what could happen if Zephon's own forces were not enough to stop the humans? His army was mainly composed of foot soldiers with catapults and cannons for his artillery; all of the vampires in his Clan were trained to fight but perhaps the years of peace had made them grow lax. And now Zephon could not even count on his own brothers for support if it was required. Just was game was Kain playing at?
Bowing, Zephon left the throne room.
* * *
"Over fifteen hundred Sarafan," Natarek reported to Zephon, bowing deeply with his eyes on the floor in the large war room. He had seen first-hand what had happened to vampires that brought his master bad news and Natarek wished to keep his head on his shoulders. "One thousand cavalry, the other five hundred foot soldiers. What do you wish, my lord?"
A large map of Zephon's Territories was unrolled across the large table, coloured pins showing the advance of the humans' army. New reports came in from the scouts every few minutes; the Sarafan were moving quickly. Zephon looked with some concern at the map, then traced a claw down one of the lines that marked the canyon the Sarafan were using. "We place some of our scouts here and here and they can make hit and run attacks against the foot soldiers at night; try and cut down the number and instill fear. We will divide the forces at this point, were the main canyon route splits off into two smaller routes towards the Cathedral. Catapults and cannons at both ends, as well as five hundred vampire troops at each point with archers along the canyon walls. One vampire alone makes up for three Sarafan. The remaining thousand vampires will be held in reserve just beyond in the field just in case the Sarafan break through. They will have to divide their own forces when the canyon path breaks."
"My lord," Siglar stated, "why can we not ask the other Clans for assistance?"
Zephon gave him a quick glance and turned back to the map. "Orders from Lord Kain, we fight alone. Besides, we can hold this army and cut them to pieces as we have time and time again with others. The newly created cannons will cut down their cavalry, the catapults will crush the Sarafan from far off and then we will attack. It is a strategy that had always worked. We ride out by nightfall. Natarek, Siglar, Oscot, prepare the forces." The three sub-commanders nodded and left the room.
"Where shall I be?" Zarina quietly asked from the chair she was sitting it. "Will I ride into battle beside you, my lord? My magic will be of great help."
"No, I want you to stay here at the Cathedral. Just in case," Zephon's voice fell quiet and he looked at the map for a moment before continuing, "just in case that my army is smashed, the reserve force will come back to the Cathedral and defend it. I would like you to stay here and shield this palace with your magic if it comes to that."
She nodded and rose. "I understand. I have no regrets fighting against the Sarafan; this is my home now as much as it is yours." She gazed out the window and signed. "Night is falling."
"Then I must prepare. Don't do anything rash that your kind is capable of," Zephon told Zarina. Brushing a lock of her hair out of her face gently, the Lieutenant looked into his consort's eyes for a long moment, and then left the war room. The silent bells of war began to ring.
"You did not have to come. My brothers will most likely be there and they will wish to speak to you." She gave him a smile with a glitter in her eyes.
"I cannot avoid them forever, my lord. Sooner or later I would of had to meet them and this presents a perfect opportunity to make their acquaintance." Dressed in a gray riding skirt divided down both sides, Zarina's hair was pulled over one shoulder of her white blouse and tied into a loose braid, shawl still wrapped about her arms. Zephon thought at that moment, even in the overcast sky, that she was beautiful. Of course he would never say anything like that out loud, but all the same he thought she was beautiful. And in that short time of holding her in the ruined study, Zephon felt all the closer to her. He didn't resent having her around anymore; he had gotten use to Zarina and liked her company. Perhaps she felt the same.
"Either way, you could of stayed at the Cathedral." Zephon secretly thought to himself that he rather she didn't come because Turel, always the player, would be there. Turel would immediately turn on his charms and flirt with Zarina. With a start the Clan lord realized he was envious; he didn't want anyone but him to become close to Zarina. She was his consort, not one of his brothers. When did you begin to act like this, a voice chided inside Zephon's head. He brushed it out of the way and turned his attention back to riding his horse. Rounding the last bend of the canyons, the Sanctuary of the Clans came into view.
Riding up to the massive iron gates, the vampire guards saluted to Zephon as he dismounted and helped Zarina off her horse. The two strode through the gates and into the dark halls; a few vampires passed them by and whispered amongst themselves after finally seeing this consort of Zephon. Crossing over wide bridge overlooking a garden below, the throne room's doors finally came into view.
And standing beside them were the other Lieutenants.
"Wonderful," Zephon muttered as he saw Turel point in their direction, the first to notice them. Only Turel, Rahab and Melchiah stood outside the doors; Dumah and Raziel possibly had business elsewhere. Zarina's hands were clasped tightly in front of her but she did not show any anxiety on her face, as she was about to meet some of the most powerful beings in all of Nosgoth.
"Brother Zephon, we are glad to see your face again. And this beautiful woman must be your consort. We finally get to meet this mysterious sorceress that has been the talk of the Clans for the past while," Turel spoke as he took Zarina's hand and kissed it lightly. She smiled cordially at him and took her hand back. "I am Lord Turel, milady. Anything that you need, you only have to ask from me." Turel obviously did not see the dangerous look in Zephon's eyes.
"I am Lord Rahab," the scholar nodded his head towards Zarina and she gave a slight bow back to him.
Melchiah stepped forwards and took Zarina's hand but did not bother to kiss it. He had seen the look given by Zephon and did not wish to stir his brother's anger. "I am Lord Melchiah; it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"And yours," she replied.
"I need to speak to father as quickly as possible," Zephon interjected. "It is of utmost importance."
"Raziel and Dumah are with him at the moment," Rahab replied bitterly. "They have had another one of their disagreements and father has decided to settle the matters once and for all."
"What I must say to him overrides their petty troubles. I need to speak to him immediately."
Turel shrugged his shoulders and gave one of his most charming smiles aimed towards Zarina while he spoke to Zephon. "You can go in if you want to but you will have to pay the price if it truly is not of great significance." Zephon turned to Zarina and whispered something in her ear before opening the doors to the throne room and walking in alone. Turel brushed imaginary dirt from his Clan shroud and walked a little closer to Zarina. Rahab rolled his eyes but did not do anything; she looked more than capable of caring for herself.
"So you were a sorceress before coming here?"
"Yes, and I still am," Zarina tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave a slight smile. "And I heard that your Clan dealt in magic as well."
Turel gave another smile and Melchiah shook his head. He did not know what he was getting into. "So you have heard. Well, my Clan does specialize in magic, but we are all competent warriors. Tell me, do you enjoy living at the Cathedral? What do you think of our brother Zephon?"
"Isn't that a little personal," Melchaih spoke up. Rahab waved a hand; he was engrossed in this little conversation as well.
"I enjoy the Cathedral despite it being a maze at best and my relationship with Lord Zephon is none of your business." Turel's face fell for a moment, then that same grin came right back.
"You much of had many admirers when you lived in the Citadel. One of your looks should have; it is only proper for a lady such as yourself." Rahab elbowed Melchiah in the ribs and the two silently laughed; they knew where this would be going.
"I had no time for such things; I was always busy practicing my magic or helping out around the castle. Either way, when you are a sorceress, there is an air of aloofness around oneself. Most men thought I would burn them to cinders if they asked me a question I did not approve of."
Turel sighed dramatically and crossed his arms over his chest. "Simple fools. If I had known about you, I would of come riding in on a white horse and plucked you from your tower for myself. You are a rare flower, Lady Zarina."
She gave him a small smile and fixed her shawl, showing Zephon's banner. "Too bad that this flower was plucked by your brother, isn't it, Lord Turel?" Melchiah and Rahab began to laugh at the look on Turel's face when he had known he had lost. But he took it in stride, and began to laugh as well.
"I know that we will become good friends, Lady. Rahab, Melchiah, introduce yourselves further to this cunning sorceress."
* * *
The doors clanged shut behind Zephon and he steeled himself for the reprimand that was to come from Kain. Both Raziel and Dumah were kneeling in front of their father with looks of puzzlement on their faces as Zephon walked towards them. Kain retained a mask of neutrality, his eyes looking over his fifth-born with some annoyance.
"Father, I must speak with you about the gravest of matters." Zephon knew that if he were to make his plight known, he would have to say everything quickly. "The Sarafan are marching towards my Territories with a vast army; they are just two days away from my Clan holdings and from the Sanctuary. We need to act now if we are to stop them." There, he had said it. Now all Zephon had to do was wait.
Kain rose from his throne slowly, a deadly grace about him. The father of all vampires walked over to his son and placed a claw on his shoulder. "I already know of this, Zephon. The Sarafan force will be easy enough for your own army to beat."
"My own, father?" Dumah and Raziel exchanged looks between each other, and the first-born vampire spoke.
"Father, the Sarafan are not to be taken lightly. Zephon's army is still recovering from their last encounter and if the humans forces are anything that we have seen before, then he will need help. I will commit my own warriors to this battle."
"As will I," Dumah added. "My Clan has been ready to see battle again for the last year; we are eager to test our mettle against this new force." Kain glared at both of them, a look that told the Lieutenants to be silent or he would silence them himself. In the distance, church bells from the human Citadel tolled.
"Your force will be enough to stop them, Zephon. I have faith in you; you captured the Avernus Cathedral without any help from the other Clans so what does a force of Sarafan mean against your Clan territories? Do you know the size of the force?"
Zephon shook his head. "My scouts have yet to return with an exact number, but they will give it to me once I return to my palace. Father, what makes you so sure that my force will be enough to stop the Sarafan?"
"Because I have complete faith in you, Zephon." Kain gave one of his rare smiles, and then turned to look at Dumah and Raziel. "Your Clans, and your brothers, will not interfere. I have my reasons Zephon, and I expect them to be obeyed. You may leave now. Raziel, Dumah, I still need to have words with you."
The look on Zephon's face was one of bewilderment. Why would Kain just brush off the Sarafan like this? Did he not know what could happen if Zephon's own forces were not enough to stop the humans? His army was mainly composed of foot soldiers with catapults and cannons for his artillery; all of the vampires in his Clan were trained to fight but perhaps the years of peace had made them grow lax. And now Zephon could not even count on his own brothers for support if it was required. Just was game was Kain playing at?
Bowing, Zephon left the throne room.
* * *
"Over fifteen hundred Sarafan," Natarek reported to Zephon, bowing deeply with his eyes on the floor in the large war room. He had seen first-hand what had happened to vampires that brought his master bad news and Natarek wished to keep his head on his shoulders. "One thousand cavalry, the other five hundred foot soldiers. What do you wish, my lord?"
A large map of Zephon's Territories was unrolled across the large table, coloured pins showing the advance of the humans' army. New reports came in from the scouts every few minutes; the Sarafan were moving quickly. Zephon looked with some concern at the map, then traced a claw down one of the lines that marked the canyon the Sarafan were using. "We place some of our scouts here and here and they can make hit and run attacks against the foot soldiers at night; try and cut down the number and instill fear. We will divide the forces at this point, were the main canyon route splits off into two smaller routes towards the Cathedral. Catapults and cannons at both ends, as well as five hundred vampire troops at each point with archers along the canyon walls. One vampire alone makes up for three Sarafan. The remaining thousand vampires will be held in reserve just beyond in the field just in case the Sarafan break through. They will have to divide their own forces when the canyon path breaks."
"My lord," Siglar stated, "why can we not ask the other Clans for assistance?"
Zephon gave him a quick glance and turned back to the map. "Orders from Lord Kain, we fight alone. Besides, we can hold this army and cut them to pieces as we have time and time again with others. The newly created cannons will cut down their cavalry, the catapults will crush the Sarafan from far off and then we will attack. It is a strategy that had always worked. We ride out by nightfall. Natarek, Siglar, Oscot, prepare the forces." The three sub-commanders nodded and left the room.
"Where shall I be?" Zarina quietly asked from the chair she was sitting it. "Will I ride into battle beside you, my lord? My magic will be of great help."
"No, I want you to stay here at the Cathedral. Just in case," Zephon's voice fell quiet and he looked at the map for a moment before continuing, "just in case that my army is smashed, the reserve force will come back to the Cathedral and defend it. I would like you to stay here and shield this palace with your magic if it comes to that."
She nodded and rose. "I understand. I have no regrets fighting against the Sarafan; this is my home now as much as it is yours." She gazed out the window and signed. "Night is falling."
"Then I must prepare. Don't do anything rash that your kind is capable of," Zephon told Zarina. Brushing a lock of her hair out of her face gently, the Lieutenant looked into his consort's eyes for a long moment, and then left the war room. The silent bells of war began to ring.