Author's note: Well, here are the next two chapters of The Covenant. I think this story's rating may go up to an R later on, but we'll see. Thanks to my reviewers, hope ya'll like these chapters. But don't expect two here every time, I simply felt they needed to be posted together. Please review, as I am so partial to this story!!

Disclaimer: I only own characters not seen or mentioned in Underworld, in any of its different incarnations. Please do not sue me. Savvy?

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PART ONE: THE LOVERS, THE CLANS

YEAR - 1296 A.D.

CHAPTER ONE: LUCIAN OF THE LYCANS

MOON PHASE - NEW MOON

Sunlight bathed him as he walked across the roof of the fortress, his clothes and chain mail giving him little protection from the cold, harsh winds and he relished the warmth the burning orb sent. It would be setting soon, and he would return to the safety of the halls of Ordoghaz.

Lucian sighed. He remembered when he had been younger, barely over fifty, and had yearned for the peasants to come, to try and storm the castle just so he would have something to do other than try to fend off the death boredom threatened to bring upon him.

Unless insanity came first, which he had often thought would. But he was fairly confident he had been able to retain his sanity and he had grown accustomed to the daily nothingness and silence, the conversations with his brethren every so often, the time to look at the surrounding forest and the Carpathian mountains so close to the castle.

He was nearly one hundred years of age, was finally being considered adult by his fellow lycans at last. The vampires had even given him roof watch now, he had been in the safer position of east tower before, and it had been so lonely there. And cold. Without the sun to burn his back, he would nearly freeze from the stone walls and floor. Yes, he was much happier on the roof, no matter if it made him more vulnerable.

Nobody ever attacked, nobody ever came near. The villagers were too frightened and the travelers to wise. But he didn't care for action so much now. He was learning to enjoy the stillness of his life.

"Would you like a reprieve, Lucian?" asked his slightly older brother, Rendor. He sat down next to Lucian near the edge of the roof, while Lucian simply shook his head.

"No, sunset will be upon us soon enough. Besides, I enjoy it here, so peaceful. And if something were to happen, would never forgive myself for missing any of the action," Lucian said with a wolfish grin.

Rendor rolled his eyes. "You and your desire for adventure and fighting. It will bring nothing but ruin, trust me. Nothing but ruin and suffering." He rose and walked off, shaking his head at his brother's youthful yearning for trouble.

Lucian rolled his eyes at his brother and returned his attention to his watch. He tensed when he saw movement, but sniffed the air only to find it was a deer. He sighed. Only a deer. Although, it did smell delicious.

***

It was a new moon that night, the night the lycans finally granted Lucian adulthood within the pack. All the lycans gathered in the main room within the slaves' quarters, all celebrating the event. They were careful not to disturb their vampire masters, but the warmth and caring of the pack didn't need words.

After the lycan clan had honored and welcomed Lucian into his new status, his father took him outside where they walked to the forest, Death Dealers watching them. One Dealer escorted them to the edge of the forest, then walked off, leaving father and son alone amidst the trees.

"I suppose you know why we are here," his father, Rikard, said softly to the fully grown lycan. When Lucian nodded, Rikard smiled, embracing his son. "We will return in the morning for you, do not wander to far off. And remember, the stars can be guides," he told Lucian.

Lucian nodded grimly. It was the rule, ever since the lycans had been taken in by the vampires, for a male lycan to be truly considered an adult, he had to spend one night in the wild, alone and unarmed and on the night without the moon's protecting light.

"I will be fine, Father," he stated calmly, confident in his stance and serenity in his eyes, assuring his father the statement would prove true.

Rikard smiled and nodded. "Yes, yes you will be." He turned and walked away, the same Death Dealer that had escorted them to the forest escorting the older lycan back to the castle.

Lucian waited until his father had gone back inside the castle before turning away from his home and striding deeper into the pitch black forest. His sense quickly adjusted to the silent, dark night in the unknown terrain and the wolf within him felt free at last, despite his inability to change.

He looked up, gray eyes peering through the leaves and branches up to the starlit sky. His only guides and companions for the night.

***

How I have longed to be here, Lucian thought to himself as he ran through the woods, his senses more alive and alert than ever before, the sounds and smells and sights of the forest invigorating and intoxicating. He ran, each pant breathing in freedom and letting out joy.

He made sure he kept near the edge of the woods, keeping the castle within sight should he turn in its direction. Lucian knew he needed to stay near it, other wise if the vampires found out he roamed to close to any settlements, he and his family would be punished.

The vampires did not want to draw unwanted attention, and a running, roaming stranger would certainly catch someone's eye should he stray to far from the fortress. While the vampires had always been generous to his kind, clothing and feeding and teaching them, they were known to hold strict laws and punishment for lawbreakers, even to their own kind.

Besides the fact that he would do anything to avoid bringing judgment upon his family, he did not want to repay the vampires' mercy with disobedience.

Jumping over branches and fallen logs, Lucian ran along the edge of the forest, then he carefully began to walk deeper into the darkness, making sure he stayed close enough to be able to see the castle walls and the faint glimmer of the torches.

After what must have been hours, though it seemed like minutes only, he finally let sleep come, lying down on the soft, cool grass damp with dew. Morning was close, he could smell it, could hear the first chirps of the birds. Soon his father would be back for him, and he would finally be an adult within the pack.

He smiled as he relaxed, the ground firm yet comfortable beneath him. He wondered if he would find a mate soon. Most of the lycans mated only a few years after their first century and earning adulthood. He did not think so, after all, he had not met any female that sparked his interest. Perhaps though, that was because he never actually got around the females.

"Quit worrying, you'll find a mate someday," he told himself. "No need in hurrying to it, enjoy your freedom." With a wolfish grin, he closed his eyes and drifted into slumber, waiting for the morning's light and his father's arrival to wake him.

***

"Lucian, Lucian time to wake," someone was whispering. The words and voice became clearer as the young lycan began to drift back to consciousness, his eyes blinking a few times before he looked up at his father.

"Is it morning?" Lucian asked groggily.

Rikard nodded. "Yes, the sun is already rising and the vampires are impatient to get you back inside the castle walls. Come," he said, helping his son to stand, "time you came and joined the pack as an adult." Rikard smiled at his son with restrained pride. "It seems as though you enjoyed your night in the woods, you're clothes are quite filthy."

Lucian nodded, grinning sheepishly. "I was running a lot, it was invigorating," he explained, his father smiling.

"I know," Rikard agreed, his soft, gray eyes, bluer than Lucian's, twinkling, and Lucian knew his father had done the same thing only two and a half centuries ago. "Now come, you're mother is even more impatient for us to return than the vampires."

Together, the pair of lycans walked back into the castle of their vampire masters, talking of when they may be allowed to leave the castle again, this time together for a while with Rendor along as well.

Fate would not make that trip a pleasant one.

CHAPTER TWO: SONJA OF THE VAMPIRES

MOON PHASE - HALF MOON

Silvery light bathed the large room as Sonja entered her mother's bedchamber. She quietly walked over to the balcony where her mother stood. Aurelia gazed at the moon, her pale features and midnight hair glimmering in the torch and moonlight.

"You sent for me?" Sonja asked as she approached the stately vampire.

Aurelia turned and smiled at her daughter. "Yes, I wanted to talk you about something." Leading her daughter over to the bed, she and Sonja sat on the edge of it. "Sonja, you know that your father will be awakened soon, and that you are of age," Aurelia began, but Sonja rose and walked back to the balcony.

"I know, Mother. I know quite well. And I refuse to marry," the young princess firmly stated, folding her arms over her chest. "And Father agreed," she reminded her mother.

Aurelia nodded. "I know, but Sonja, you must marry soon, for after your father's next rule, I will slumber with him. The council has agreed that I may be permitted to do so," she informed her daughter. She sighed when Sonja showed no sign of giving in. "Sonja, I love and trust you, but I don't want to leave you alone."

"You and Marcus would have me marry Soren or Obi, behind Father's back it seems!" Sonja accused. "And even if I wanted to marry, I couldn't do it until Father was woken. He should be here."

"Sonja, I'm not asking you to marry before he is awaken, I'm simply asking you to choose you a husband," Aurelia explained. Once Viktor awakens and sees you have chosen, he will agree to it, of this I am certain."

"You say it as if I wanted it to happen," Sonja muttered sourly. "I simply want to fall in love and then marry, like you and Father did." She gave her mother a pleading look. "Can't you understand that? You and Father, you're so happy together. Is it so wrong for me to want that as well?"

Aurelia's shoulders sagged in defeat. She walked over to her daughter, embracing the young vampire. "No, it is not wrong. Forgive me, I only want what is best for you," she told Sonja. "And you are right, that is love." She smiled, thinking of her husband and that she would see him soon. "Love is the best thing for anyone and everyone."

Sonja smiled. "Yes. I only hope I find someone who makes me as happy as you and Father make each other."

***

Sonja walked through the halls of Ordoghaz slowly, her arm outstretched so that her fingers ran along the stone wall. She thought about the talk she'd had with her mother, remembering what her mother had told her would happen a little over a century.

What would it be like, living without her mother and her father? She was used to being without her father, sadly, as he had been in sleep for nearly two hundred years. She missed him terribly. What would she do without both of her parents? At least Amelia would rule then, and not Marcus. She would be able to confide in her aunt, Amelia had always been kind and understanding. Marcus, Marcus was a warlord and not even related to her by blood. And he wanted her to marry Soren, his pick for a regent should they come to need one.

Not a very good choice, if any one asked me, she thought idly. He's a good Death Dealer, and is very smart in the military field it seems, but he's just not a leader. He may be loyal and a good fighter and good to his men, but he's better at taking orders then giving them.

Sonja sighed. It was useless, she was simply telling herself things she already know. It wasn't like any of the others would listen to her or take her seriously. Except for her father. Not even her mother listened to her when it came to how things should be. Of course, that was partly because her mother did not care for such things as much. Sonja smiled, remembering the main quarrel her parents had.

Her mother felt that her father was turning her into a man sometimes, instructing her in the ways of war and leadership. She laughed softly, one of her mother's complaints still ringing in her ears.

"If you keep this up, soon you'll be teaching how to use a sword!" her mother had cried, of course, her father had smiled and of course his reply had not appeased her mother at all.

"Actually, I was planning on starting her up with training today."

"Something amuses the princess?" the familiar, slightly cocky voice of Lord Marcus spoke from her side and she turned, startled, to see he was now walking beside her. Marcus was nearly as old as her father, though he looked many years younger. His whitish blond hair was long and came almost to his shoulders, while his eyes were constantly the light blue of a vampire, like her father's. He was tall, towering over most of the vampires, and especially her. The Elder smiled, revealing white fangs, and he looked like a mischievous youth instead of the ruling vampire.

Sonja bowed slightly acknowledging his station , then nodded.

"Yes, Lord Marcus. I was simply thinking of how good it will be to see my father again," she told him softly.

"Ah, yes. You seem to be very close with him, that is good. But my dear, does this mean you are unsatisfied with my rule?" Marcus asked teasingly. He smiled at her. "I can understand the longing to see your father again, as I myself long for the calm and peaceful rest his presence will allow me to take."

Sonja smiled softly. "You shall be missed, I am certain. Although I must say you attempts at marrying me off will not be."

Marcus let out a loud laugh at that, throwing his head back. "Oh, my dear Princess, you are refreshingly outspoken, you know this I am sure though." Marcus grinned. "You would make an excellent ruler all on your own. Of course, I believe your father has been trying to make it so."

Sonja nodded. "Yes. I believe he would prefer that I never marry, and that I be able to take care of myself through the ages alone, and our people, should I need to."

"He is being the typical father. From what I have seen, they never want their daughters to marry," Marcus stated. He stopped and bowed. "Well, Princess Sonja, I must bid you farewell for now, as I have matters to attend to. But if any other female could make a good leader, it is you. You are of the same blood as Viktor and Amelia, after all."

She smiled and bowed as well, waiting until he had walked away before resuming her stroll.

But what if I do not wish to be a leader? What if I merely wish to find the right person to lead?

***

Sonja frowned as she walked beside her mother towards the throne room. It was time for Marcus to make an announcement. She knew one would be that her mother and a small entourage would be going outside the palace for a short while the next night, but she did not know if there were any others.

Usually, she was in higher spirits, but she had never been found of her mother's trips outside the castle. Perhaps she was simply becoming as paranoid as her father, but it worried her that her mother so often put herself in such a vulnerable position, no matter the Death Dealers and lycan guards she took with her.

"Sonja, at least try to smile when we get there," Aurelia whispered, and Sonja sighed. She smiled as best she could and Aurelia nodded without even turning around. "Thank you. I know you do not wish for me to go, but when your father is not awake, I must do something to keep my sanity inside these walls."

"I know, Mother, I know. I just, I worry for your safety," Sonja whispered back. She noticed her mother lightly stroke the small, elegant pendant the hung from her otherwise bare neck as her hair was held up in a tight bun.

Whenever her mother sorely missed her father, more than she normally did at least, she stroked the pendant. Her father had given it to her mother the day of their wedlock. It was beautiful and crest shaped, like the crests in the throne room and all over the fortress.

Sonja placed a comforting hand on her mother's shoulder. "Only a few more years, not even ten. If we can last nearly two centuries without him, we can last a few more." She smiled a genuine smile at her mother's grateful gaze. "Now we should hurry, you know Lord Marcus hates late arrivals."