They arrived at the village midday the next day. The village was surrounded by natural cliffs that formed an impressive defense. Kain expected the villagers to run with fear. Instead they were coming out to look at the vampires. It was a strange sort of relief. A distinguished looking man walked up to the group.

"Steward, We are glad you have returned." He said bowing.

"Thank you. Is my home ready?" Esie asked.

"Of course, this way." The man bowed again.

They were taken to a large log cabin. It looked like a hunting estate, creatures heads were mounted an placed on the walls. Tapestries covered the outer walls, offering more insulation. Weapons lined the wall with the fireplace. The fireplace was massive. Large tree trucks filled the fire pit, not small fire wood.

"Welcome to my home." Esie said to the vampires. "There are rooms prepared if you are in need of them. We will rest here, and plan our next move."

"What about our meals." Turel asked.

Esie turned to the man, "Ronald, did the prisoners arrive?"

"Yes, Steward. Yesterday in fact." Ronald bowed again.

"Condemned prisoners. They were to be executed anyway." Esie explained. Before any of the vampires could protest. "I can't have you hunting the very citizens I wish to protect."

"Seems you thought of everything." Kain pointed out. Studying a tapestry along the north wall.

"By the way," Ronald interrupted. "Your brother has come to speak with you."

Esie's face turned stony. "Did he say about what?"

"Yes, our visitors." Ronald said in a lowered voice.

"Thank you Ronald. I will see him in an hour." Esie said. Ronald bowed and left the room.

"What does this represent?" Kain asked Esie.

The tapestry was abstract. One central figure held a child. His wings surrounded the countryside. The entire tapestry seemed to made up of words. Small, all embroidered in different colors.

"It tells a story. About what, I do not know. The language has been lost through time." Esie explained.

Raziel joined Kain. "It looks like Janos Audron." Raziel said in a low voice.

Kain nodded. "Interesting."

Ronald shouted. "She said she would see you later."

"She will see me now." Shouted another voice. A human male barged into the room. "So you did succeed. I'm surprised you weren't the main course at a state dinner."

"That is uncalled for Lowell." Esie said stepping between him and the vampires. "Kain and his lieutenants are guests here. You will treat them as such."

"Am I now? You may have convinced father that these creatures are needed. But you have not convinced me." Lowell said bringing his voice lower.

Turel growled.

"You see, animals." Lowell said, glaring at Turel.

"You are acting very brave. But I know all you want is for my guest to attack. Then you will be right. Put your pride aside for a moment. We need them." Esie almost pleaded.

But it had worked. Her brother reacted as if he had been caught. "We don't need anybody. We haven't for centuries." Lowell push past her to leave the room.

"Times change, Lowell." Esie reminded her brother.

Kain heard Lowell's response, Esie couldn't have. Lowell whispered. "Times will change."

"Typical!" Esie said after her brother left. "He only thinks of politics."