THE GATHERING: III -- ADOILE
The pale orange of morning had begun to bleed into Nosgoth's eastern sky. Adoile had finished with her duties for the night, and she stood in the door opening of Raziel's library. After his officer Kemuel had left, he had spent the remainder of the night there, pondering.
"Will you not go to sleep at all?" she asked. He looked up.
"No, not today, Adoile. You may though. You must be tired."
"Not really," she answered, "all the more intrigued. Are there truly Rahabim in Darheim?"
Raziel smirked. "I see you have not lost your talent for knowing things you ought not." She met his gaze without shame.
"It is part of my duties to be aware of what goes on in your keep, is it not?"
He chuckled, and, walking past her, briefly put a hand on her shoulder. "Yes, Adoile, it is. It just worries me how good you are at it."
"What I don't understand is how they could possibly remain unnoticed there. Darheim has always been loyal to you, why did they not warn us?" Anyone else might have bit back the question, afraid of seeming impertinent. Adoile did not fear her Master. She knew him well enough to know what would incite his anger, and what would merely amuse him. Generally, she merely amused him.
"You forget, humans have no knowledge of our conflicts," Raziel explained. "To a mortal man, a vampire is a vampire, and any vampire is his master. Don't you remember?" he added with a sly smile.
"No, I don't." Adoile answered tersely. She did not like to be reminded that she had been mortal only a few decades ago. Generally, she tried hard to forget what hazy memories she had of that existence. Raziel had opened the polished wooden cupboard in the main room and took out a glass-and-silver pitcher filled with blood, as well as a cup.
"Do you wish to see this?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, gladly," she answered, surprised. He took another cup out of the cupboard, and she hurried to the door to get her hooded cape. She accepted the pitcher and cups from him, and followed him out of the room.
"We should have a good view from the western wall," he said cheerfully.
.
"I must say my respect for Tagas is growing. I was not expecting this." They were making their way up the steps onto the outer wall, and Raziel glanced over his shoulder briefly. "You know who he is, I take it?"
"One of Rahab's knights, isn't he?"
Raziel nodded. "He leads the Rahabim in battle, although he is a better tactician than a warrior. He tends to stay away from the front lines, but is no less dangerous for it. He has surprised our troops more than once. He must have been gathering his forces for weeks for us not to have noticed. He knows that he would not stand a chance against our keep if we had time to prepare. So he gathers his camp in a place where we will not see it, even though it is right under our noses."
They had come out on top of the massive castle wall, and stood between the battlements, looking out over Raziel's lands. From here, they could clearly see the broad grey walls of Darheim, the largest city in the territory. Its mortal inhabitants were under Lord Raziel's protection, and, in return, they paid taxes: in coin -- and in blood. It was a common arrangement in Kain's empire, and both Darheim and the Razelim had prospered by it. On the road to Darheim's main gate they could see Kemuel's army approaching.
"Tagas didn't count on us finding out though, and the daylight will bother them much more than us," Raziel said with a satisfied smile.
"You expect an easy victory then?" Adoile asked. He considered this for a moment.
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But all our best warriors are away to catch those thrice-damned zealots." Adoile nodded gravely. A band of self-appointed vampire hunters had claimed a fair few of their number recently. Not just fledglings, but some of Raziel's most valued children, including his deputy, Lord Konrad. "Sir Kemuel has a good name, but he's never had more than thirty men under him."
"How many does he lead now?"
"Around three hundred." Adoile could not suppress a giggle. That was almost all of their remaining troops. The stakes on this game were higher than ever.
"That's quite a step up," she said.
"Kemuel said he would consider it a chance to prove his worth," Raziel answered. "Let us hope that that is indeed something worth proving."
The sun had risen above the cliffs to the east. It was visible through the smoke-clouds as a pale dish of white light; not strong enough to burn, but bright enough to bother. Adoile turned up her hood, and gathered her cloak up over her hands. Raziel leaned against the battlement wall, bare chested; the rays of Nosgoth's feeble sun had long ceased to bother him.
The army had arrived at the gates, which swung open slowly. Adoile set out the two cups on the low wall before them, and poured out to both of them. Raziel took up his cup and toasted,
"To Kemuel."
.
Adoile drank deeply. Being up this late did in fact tire her, and the sunlight hurt her eyes. She would be damned if she'd let Raziel know though. The blood they drank was strong and sweet: the blood of her own kind. She smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying it to the fullest. Her position as Raziel's personal servant brought her these privileges from time to time, and they were not wasted on her.
The breeze carried the sound of bells to the tower; the alarm had sounded in Darheim.
"So much for the surprise element," Adoile remarked. Raziel nodded.
"I would say the odds are roughly even at this moment." He leaned his elbows on the low wall and settled the way he might settle himself if he were watching a chess-match. Adoile's eyes were drawn to the smooth, veined skin of his shoulders, cut neatly in two by the narrow ponytail resting between his shoulder blades. Then she followed his gaze to the gates of Darheim. Most of the army had entered the city, but a small group lingered outside.
Along with the sound of the bells, the wind now carried a roaring battle cry she knew well. Raziel chuckled. "Do you hear that?"
She smiled with pure joy, and raising her fist in the air, shouted along with her clansmen: "Raziel!" The fight was on. She felt elated, proud to be kin of those warriors, to be Raziel's daughter, to be alive. She laughed, and shouted again. "Raziel!"
.
The band still lingering outside had surrounded the open gate, and were attacking anyone who came out. Raziel pointed.
"He's closed the city. Put them on dying ground."
"Was that smart?" Adoile asked.
"It will not make the fight any easier, but if he wants to capture Tagas, it will probably be the only way." He laughed gently. "Wouldn't that be amusing, to capture the army leader?"
"Rahab would not be impressed," she answered, but Raziel waved his hand dismissively.
"Rahab has nothing to do with these games." He poured himself another glass. "He's too busy mouldering." The hint of a smile curled his lips, and she laughed. In the distance, she noticed a single figure dropping down the side wall.
"There, he's getting away," she shouted, unable to contain her excitement. "Get him!" She was not the only one who had seen it. Two men broke the formation around the gate and pursued the running figure. Soon, they were upon him. Adoile laughed out loud, but Raziel had noticed the rising smoke.
"A fire," he said, with some worry in his voice. Adoile watched, a thin cloud rose slowly from inside the city walls. It grew, and pretty soon she could smell it on the breeze. Burning flesh.
"What are they doing?" Raziel growled. "I have been clear about this."
Adoile could only agree. It happened from time to time in battle, that the bodies of the losing side were burned. It was considered dishonourable because it kept them from being resurrected, and devastated their numbers. Whether Rahab was involved in these 'games' or not, he would not take it lightly if half his men were burned to ashes. And by the shouts that still reached their ears, it was not the Razelim burning. Adoile grew quiet, and watched the rising smoke.
Raziel cursed loudly, his claws digging into the battlement wall, and then she could see it too. The fire was spreading.
Inside the stone city walls, most of the human's buildings were wood and thatch. A big fire could devastate an entire city. They could hear the call on the wind: "retreat!" Adoile wondered if it wasn't too late, when she realised something else was wrong.
The group of people at the gate seemed to grow, but they were still fighting.
.
"They're still holding the gate," Raziel said, incredulous. It was true. The Razelim, dressed in red, were attacking anyone who came out of those gates, Rahabim or human. Bodies were tossed back into the main street. Adoile felt as if her chest was a dark hollow in which hear heartbeat echoed without answer. She knew what was happening. She could see the same dismay in her Master's eyes. Drunk on blood and violence, these men were doing as they'd been told, keeping everyone inside the city even as it turned into a raging inferno. Adoile watched the fire jump from roof to roof, faster than she could have imagined. So many would be killed...
At long last, what was left of the army retreated a ways from the gate. It was too late, no one came out anymore. The Rahabim and the mortals had all been killed in the fire. Adoile could feel the anger emanating from Raziel. She stood very still, knowing better than to do anything that could turn her Master's rage on her. But it was not her name that was on his lips, as he watched his brother's army burn to ashes, along with the lionshare of his own herd. It was the name of one of his sons, and he spoke it as if it was a curse.
"Kemuel."
The pale orange of morning had begun to bleed into Nosgoth's eastern sky. Adoile had finished with her duties for the night, and she stood in the door opening of Raziel's library. After his officer Kemuel had left, he had spent the remainder of the night there, pondering.
"Will you not go to sleep at all?" she asked. He looked up.
"No, not today, Adoile. You may though. You must be tired."
"Not really," she answered, "all the more intrigued. Are there truly Rahabim in Darheim?"
Raziel smirked. "I see you have not lost your talent for knowing things you ought not." She met his gaze without shame.
"It is part of my duties to be aware of what goes on in your keep, is it not?"
He chuckled, and, walking past her, briefly put a hand on her shoulder. "Yes, Adoile, it is. It just worries me how good you are at it."
"What I don't understand is how they could possibly remain unnoticed there. Darheim has always been loyal to you, why did they not warn us?" Anyone else might have bit back the question, afraid of seeming impertinent. Adoile did not fear her Master. She knew him well enough to know what would incite his anger, and what would merely amuse him. Generally, she merely amused him.
"You forget, humans have no knowledge of our conflicts," Raziel explained. "To a mortal man, a vampire is a vampire, and any vampire is his master. Don't you remember?" he added with a sly smile.
"No, I don't." Adoile answered tersely. She did not like to be reminded that she had been mortal only a few decades ago. Generally, she tried hard to forget what hazy memories she had of that existence. Raziel had opened the polished wooden cupboard in the main room and took out a glass-and-silver pitcher filled with blood, as well as a cup.
"Do you wish to see this?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, gladly," she answered, surprised. He took another cup out of the cupboard, and she hurried to the door to get her hooded cape. She accepted the pitcher and cups from him, and followed him out of the room.
"We should have a good view from the western wall," he said cheerfully.
.
"I must say my respect for Tagas is growing. I was not expecting this." They were making their way up the steps onto the outer wall, and Raziel glanced over his shoulder briefly. "You know who he is, I take it?"
"One of Rahab's knights, isn't he?"
Raziel nodded. "He leads the Rahabim in battle, although he is a better tactician than a warrior. He tends to stay away from the front lines, but is no less dangerous for it. He has surprised our troops more than once. He must have been gathering his forces for weeks for us not to have noticed. He knows that he would not stand a chance against our keep if we had time to prepare. So he gathers his camp in a place where we will not see it, even though it is right under our noses."
They had come out on top of the massive castle wall, and stood between the battlements, looking out over Raziel's lands. From here, they could clearly see the broad grey walls of Darheim, the largest city in the territory. Its mortal inhabitants were under Lord Raziel's protection, and, in return, they paid taxes: in coin -- and in blood. It was a common arrangement in Kain's empire, and both Darheim and the Razelim had prospered by it. On the road to Darheim's main gate they could see Kemuel's army approaching.
"Tagas didn't count on us finding out though, and the daylight will bother them much more than us," Raziel said with a satisfied smile.
"You expect an easy victory then?" Adoile asked. He considered this for a moment.
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But all our best warriors are away to catch those thrice-damned zealots." Adoile nodded gravely. A band of self-appointed vampire hunters had claimed a fair few of their number recently. Not just fledglings, but some of Raziel's most valued children, including his deputy, Lord Konrad. "Sir Kemuel has a good name, but he's never had more than thirty men under him."
"How many does he lead now?"
"Around three hundred." Adoile could not suppress a giggle. That was almost all of their remaining troops. The stakes on this game were higher than ever.
"That's quite a step up," she said.
"Kemuel said he would consider it a chance to prove his worth," Raziel answered. "Let us hope that that is indeed something worth proving."
The sun had risen above the cliffs to the east. It was visible through the smoke-clouds as a pale dish of white light; not strong enough to burn, but bright enough to bother. Adoile turned up her hood, and gathered her cloak up over her hands. Raziel leaned against the battlement wall, bare chested; the rays of Nosgoth's feeble sun had long ceased to bother him.
The army had arrived at the gates, which swung open slowly. Adoile set out the two cups on the low wall before them, and poured out to both of them. Raziel took up his cup and toasted,
"To Kemuel."
.
Adoile drank deeply. Being up this late did in fact tire her, and the sunlight hurt her eyes. She would be damned if she'd let Raziel know though. The blood they drank was strong and sweet: the blood of her own kind. She smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying it to the fullest. Her position as Raziel's personal servant brought her these privileges from time to time, and they were not wasted on her.
The breeze carried the sound of bells to the tower; the alarm had sounded in Darheim.
"So much for the surprise element," Adoile remarked. Raziel nodded.
"I would say the odds are roughly even at this moment." He leaned his elbows on the low wall and settled the way he might settle himself if he were watching a chess-match. Adoile's eyes were drawn to the smooth, veined skin of his shoulders, cut neatly in two by the narrow ponytail resting between his shoulder blades. Then she followed his gaze to the gates of Darheim. Most of the army had entered the city, but a small group lingered outside.
Along with the sound of the bells, the wind now carried a roaring battle cry she knew well. Raziel chuckled. "Do you hear that?"
She smiled with pure joy, and raising her fist in the air, shouted along with her clansmen: "Raziel!" The fight was on. She felt elated, proud to be kin of those warriors, to be Raziel's daughter, to be alive. She laughed, and shouted again. "Raziel!"
.
The band still lingering outside had surrounded the open gate, and were attacking anyone who came out. Raziel pointed.
"He's closed the city. Put them on dying ground."
"Was that smart?" Adoile asked.
"It will not make the fight any easier, but if he wants to capture Tagas, it will probably be the only way." He laughed gently. "Wouldn't that be amusing, to capture the army leader?"
"Rahab would not be impressed," she answered, but Raziel waved his hand dismissively.
"Rahab has nothing to do with these games." He poured himself another glass. "He's too busy mouldering." The hint of a smile curled his lips, and she laughed. In the distance, she noticed a single figure dropping down the side wall.
"There, he's getting away," she shouted, unable to contain her excitement. "Get him!" She was not the only one who had seen it. Two men broke the formation around the gate and pursued the running figure. Soon, they were upon him. Adoile laughed out loud, but Raziel had noticed the rising smoke.
"A fire," he said, with some worry in his voice. Adoile watched, a thin cloud rose slowly from inside the city walls. It grew, and pretty soon she could smell it on the breeze. Burning flesh.
"What are they doing?" Raziel growled. "I have been clear about this."
Adoile could only agree. It happened from time to time in battle, that the bodies of the losing side were burned. It was considered dishonourable because it kept them from being resurrected, and devastated their numbers. Whether Rahab was involved in these 'games' or not, he would not take it lightly if half his men were burned to ashes. And by the shouts that still reached their ears, it was not the Razelim burning. Adoile grew quiet, and watched the rising smoke.
Raziel cursed loudly, his claws digging into the battlement wall, and then she could see it too. The fire was spreading.
Inside the stone city walls, most of the human's buildings were wood and thatch. A big fire could devastate an entire city. They could hear the call on the wind: "retreat!" Adoile wondered if it wasn't too late, when she realised something else was wrong.
The group of people at the gate seemed to grow, but they were still fighting.
.
"They're still holding the gate," Raziel said, incredulous. It was true. The Razelim, dressed in red, were attacking anyone who came out of those gates, Rahabim or human. Bodies were tossed back into the main street. Adoile felt as if her chest was a dark hollow in which hear heartbeat echoed without answer. She knew what was happening. She could see the same dismay in her Master's eyes. Drunk on blood and violence, these men were doing as they'd been told, keeping everyone inside the city even as it turned into a raging inferno. Adoile watched the fire jump from roof to roof, faster than she could have imagined. So many would be killed...
At long last, what was left of the army retreated a ways from the gate. It was too late, no one came out anymore. The Rahabim and the mortals had all been killed in the fire. Adoile could feel the anger emanating from Raziel. She stood very still, knowing better than to do anything that could turn her Master's rage on her. But it was not her name that was on his lips, as he watched his brother's army burn to ashes, along with the lionshare of his own herd. It was the name of one of his sons, and he spoke it as if it was a curse.
"Kemuel."