Esie sat up on the bed. "Then what now."
"That is up to you." Kain told Esie. "Are you to continue with us?"
Esie nodded.
"Turel, teach her what she needs to know." Kain ordered. "She'll be hungry."
Raziel pushed the tea towards Esie. She drank it, then stood up on her new legs. "It's strange," She mused.
After Turel had taken Esie outside. Raziel turned to Kain. "Are we to continue? We could return to the Sanctuary."
"We could, but that would leave the Hyldens." Kain said. "They have to be dealt with."
"At least send Esie to the Sanctuary. She is only a fledgling."
"Who knows these mountains. She was a strong fighter, for a human. I am curious what she will be like now." Kain said. "We will continue to the mine. Hopefully, her brother will not slow us down any more. If he thinks she is dead, he won't hinder our travel further."
Kain left the cottage, he watched Turel show Esie how to attack while jumping. Raziel followed. "I see Turel has a playmate." Raziel mused.
The next night they reached the entrance to the Mine. It was well defended. Soldiers guarded the entrance not from people traveling to the mine, but from what was trying to get out. They approached cautiously, not knowing who's guards they were.
"Its a mixture, my Father's and my Brother's." Esie said as she studied the men.
"Is there a way around them?" Kain asked.
"What? We can take them all." Turel said.
"No." Kain ordered. "We use subterfuge. We don't want them to send out for more men. We must find that mine, with out them knowing."
"If my Father was telling the truth. The entrance to the city is on the west shaft, but I remember a cross shaft to the east. That might be the more direct route." Esie said.
"For a noblewoman you know a lot about this mine." Raziel pointed out.
"Because I worked here. I wasn't always a noblemen. My Father is actually my step-father. He married my mother, a mine supervisor, to quell an unrest." Esie explained.
"Then lead on," Kain said.
There were no guards on the Eastern cross shafts entrance. Instead the entrance had been brought down to block any escapes. Esie cursed when she saw the destruction.
"Quiet" Kain ordered. He listened. There was no sound from the other side of the rubble. He lifted the Soul Reaver and blew a hole in the top most layer. It was just big enough to allow them access.
The cross shaft was a large straight shaft. It ran parallel to the ground, not turning downwards at any time. Other shafts branched off of it. Mining equipment and tools littered the massive structure. As did creatures. Many were bats, large rats, and toads, they did not bother the vampires too much. But soon larger nastier versions appeared. The giant rats were almost the size of a large dog and very hungry. The toads were slightly larger, mistaking the vampires for prey. The larger bats were the only assistance. Easily charmed they assisted the vampires in crossing large spans of open space, drowned in water.
As they got closer to the West shaft, Kain noticed the ground was cleaner here, the creature were not a prevalent. And the eerie green glow that he had not seen since he last met the Hyldens, was starting to punctuate the darkness. They came to the end of the cross shaft. Below them, was the start of the Western shaft. It was not a battle zone.
Instead there was a new structure, a large fortress like stone giant, directly below where the vampires stood. They could hear voices coming from inside the structure. Talking. All of them jumped down to the uppermost walkway. There was a discussion inside.
"My sister has been taken care of." It was Lowell's voice.
"And the vampires?" A new voice, silky, not known to any of them.
"No one has seen them. Perhaps they went back to their citadel." Lowell offered.
"Make sure. Kain has a way to upset plans of others." the other said.
"And all of his power is in southern Nosgoth not here. We will make this a place not for that kind. They can't cross the mountains. And soon their tainted blood will be gone from our people." Lowell said.
Esie made a move to jump down. Kain held her back. He pointed to the entrance of the shaft. Two Hylden guards stood. Esie moved back in the shadows, scowling. Below them Lowell exited the fortress. He whistled his retainers to leave with him. His guest followed. A large Hylden. For a split moment Kain thought it was the one he had defeated at the gate so long ago. But this one was taller, more slightly built. He walked toward the mine entrance. As he went through a glyph gate went up.
"This time one of you can shut it off." Esie said.
"Raziel, Turel, Make the path safe." Kain ordered.
They jumped below.
"Tell me, who's idea was it to seek my aid." Kain asked Esie.
Esie paused. "It was my father's."
"His reason?"
"He said, that vampires were the ancient enemy of the Hylden. Since you are the most powerful vampire on Nosgoth, it was a logical choice." Esie explained. "You think I was lied to?" Esie asked Kain, before he could point out his suspicions.
"I didn't realize the Hyldens were common knowledge." Kain said.
"No, in fact I never heard of them until we discovered the city." Esie fell silent. Then she hit her fist against the rock wall. "It was my brother's idea to dig that mine shaft. The supervisors told him it was not a good vein."
"I think your brother is more of a traitor than you realized." Kain said.
"He will die." Esie said quietly. "Our laws are very clear on that. He has turned traitor. I will kill him and drink his blood."
"I would not expect any less." Kain said.
"I would do it even if I was still human." Esie said. "It is expected."
Kain looked at her. "So your people drink blood more than just in ceremony."
Esie nodded.
"Interesting." Kain turned to look at the progress of his lieutenants. Turel had dispatched most of the guards. Raziel had just shut off the gate.
"What did you expect, Kain. This land is not the most fertile. We take any food source we can. If that means instead of wasting a sheep's blood, we drink it, than that is what has to be done. It's when the hunger, and the starvation make us turn on each other, only then is there a curse. That is why the Anthrophagites are feared."
"Is that why the rest of Nosgoth shuns your people? I remember when I was still human. We were taught that the people of the mountains were no better than beasts. Of course, humans have a narrow view about the world."
"Lord Kain, I found one that is willing to talk." Turel yelled.
Kain and Esie floated down. Turel had the guard by the neck, when Kain walked up, he tossed the human to Kain. The guard looked at Esie in surprised.
"Steward. I did not expect you here." The guard struggled. "Save me from these creatures." he begged.
"I think not." Esie said. "Answer Lord Kain's questions. Maybe he will be merciful."
"You are an Anthrophagite. The rumors were true." The man gasped.
Kain tightened his grip. Esie had reached for her crossbow, but Turel stayed her hand.
"Where does this path lead?" Kain asked.
"To the city. But only Lowell's men can pass it. Any others are killed." The guard said.
Kain thought for a moment. "The Hylden keep human slaves, are they allowed too?"
"Yes, but you are hardly comely enough to pass." the guard laughed.
"You filthy dog, show some manners." Turel yelled.
"Why so I?" The guard spit at Kain.
Kain ignored the man's insolence, he threw the man to Esie. "I'm sure you are hungry."
Esie drained the guard's blood. She looked at the dead man for a moment, then dropped his body. Turel kicked the corpse across the room.