It was decided that they would set out the next morning to King Sauwran's estate. Again, they could not teleport, so it would be a long journey to Esie's Father. After hearing some updated reports of the mine, they would head to the mine and see how bad it was. The day started off good. The weather was overcast, but otherwise not foreboding. Turel would scout ahead. He came back, stopping the group.

"Up ahead there is a perfect place for an ambush. I thought I smelled a pipe." Turel reported.

"It could just be a woodsmen." Esie suggested.

"Or not." Kain said.

They went ahead. Turel had been right. They were ambushed. The vampires separated and quickly ended their attackers lives. Esie looked over one of the fallen.

"One of my brother's men. I don't think we are suppose to make it to my Father." Esie said dryly.

The rest of the path was just as bad. Every where they turned another attack would come. The made it to a water fall. The path continued behind it. Esie swore. The water fall was not suppose to be there. A dam had been recently broken.

"We'll have to take the old path." She informed the vampires.

The old path was up the rock face to the top of the water fall where the dam was busted. Esie went ahead to check for any traps that would throw the vampires in the water. When they reached the top, a volley of arrows hit them. Esie went down with one through her leg. Leaving the vampires to take care of their attackers. After the attackers had been dealt with. Esie tried to stand up.

"No good." She moaned. As she fell to the ground.

Surprisingly Turel picked her up.

"How far now?" Kain asked.

"Not far. Wait." Esie pointed.

Coming towards them was a group of horsemen carrying blue flags. Esie sighed. "Good, it's my Fathers retainers."

The head horseman came up. "Our scouts said this dam had been destroyed. Esie are you well?"

"Yes, we have been attacked."

The horseman rode up to Turel and took Esie from him. "We should leave quickly."

They were escorted to King Sauwran's castle. The castle was an old structure. Parts had been added to it over the years making it a patchwork of styles. They were lead into a bed chamber, not the main hall. The King was very ill. The horseman carrying Esie placed her next to her father.

"Thank you for coming." The King said from his bed. Although he sounded strong, he did look very pale. "There isn't much time. Another secondary shaft fell to those creatures."

"Father, we were attacked by Lowell's men on the way here." Esie informed the king.

"He is trying everything to make sure he is named successor." The King said. "Most of the Hetmans know that. They will not stand for any of Lowell's tricks."

"We did not come here to discuss your politics." Kain told the King.

"No, of course not. Like I said another shaft has fallen to them. My men tell me that the auxiliary entrance has not fallen to them yet. You might be able to sneak in there. Their city was broken into with the latest dig."

"I know the shaft." Esie said.

"You have fought them before." The King almost asked.

"I have a long history with them." Kain said.

"Take what you need. Men, supplies, anything. I trust our terms were sufficient." The King said.

"Father don't worry, we have an arrangement." Esie said in a hurry. "I must get my leg attended to."

The King dismissed them all. When the vampires were alone, Raziel turned to Kain. "I take it that the terms she offered were changed." Raziel said.

"How did you guess?" Kain asked.

"You're more interested in what that tapestry was about. Then saving her people." Raziel said.

"Of course, You really think we are here because of my benevolent nature." Kain said.

Turel snorted.

"What did she say that pique your interest?" Raziel asked.

"We would have come for the Hylden regardless." Kain said. "But then she said an oath. She promised to allow us to hunt in her kingdom. 'By Janos,' is what she actually said."

"Janos Audron?" Raziel asked.

"The same. She did not know the history. It is not taught anymore. But she will lead us to someone who can tell us why Janos is a deity here." Kain said.

"They are not frightened of us, either." Turel noted.

Kain pointed to an ornate cup. "Can you read that?"

Turel picked the cup up and looked at it. "By our blood we seal it." Turel looked at Kain for an explanation.

"They drink blood." Kain said dryly. "Not like us. They drink blood during certain ceremonies."

"Did she tell you that?" Raziel asked.

"She did, but rumors and legends have reached my ears before about these people. I think there is more to them, than even they know." Kain said.

The castle had grown quiet. A few of the guards were still patrolling. Kain walked out to the outer gallery to look at the pass that they would be moving through the next day. Esie was there. She was standing in the dark with just a cloak around her.

"Cold night," She said. "But then I suspect you do not feel the cold."

Kain turned to her. "Not the same way you do."

"My father's retainers have hear reports that my brothers men will be a head of us. I am beginning to have my doubts." Esie said.

"About what?" Kain asked.

"I think I am being used." Esie told Kain. "I am telling you, because if my suspicious are correct. I do not want your vengeance against me."

She was about to say more, but Kain heard a sound behind them. He drew the Reaver and plunged it into a curtain. A man fell. Esie pulled the cloth off the man's face.

"One of my brother's men." Esie said. "We should leave now."

"You're still injured." Kain pointed out.

Esie shook here head. "We heal quickly."

"Who knows where we are going?" Kain asked her.

"Just you and I." Esie stood up. "I cannot even trust my Father. Meet me at the North town gate." She ran down the gallery stairs.

Kain turned to return to his lieutenants. Two guards held they pikes out to bar Kain from walking.

"You're to stay here." One of them said to Kain.

"Oh really why?" Kain said getting ready to fight them.

"Because I want to make sure you do not leave this place." It was Lowell. He stepped out of the shadows. "Too bad my sister is too smart for her own good."

Kain raised the Reaver to swing at Lowell. One of Lowell's men suddenly fell forward. Crossbow bolt in his back. Lowell turned surprised. Esie pointed her crossbow at Lowell. Lowell ran off, with his guard following.

"North Gate?" Kain asked.

Esie nodded.