Chapter Ten Glimmers

What was that git on about! Aleera demanded once she, along with her sisters and husband, had returned home. Timestreamer! What kind of title is that, anyway?The title given to the guardian of the Pillar of Time, Elsabett explained, surprisingly calm after her outburst. Interesting. I thought Kain had killed them all.Too bad he didn't Aleera grumbled.

Verona said, attempting to calm her second-youngest sister, I wish to speak with you about becoming a dhampir. Vlad, who had begun walking away, stopped in his tracks and whirled around.

Elsabett shook her head. I don't know, Verona. The women I transformed were already dying. It's possible that it wouldn't work on a, um, healthy' vampire.

Aleera perked up. How will you know unless you try?

Vlad stalked back to his wives, bewildered. What are you talking about? he questioned. Elsabett can transform vampires into dhampir!Yes, it seems I can, she said demurely, smoothing her skirts. The craving for turnips had faded, but been replaced by a thirst for blood, which Elsabett assumed she would need to slake in the very near future. unusual procedure, though. It requires sacri�cing some of my blood, and for the child's sake, I probably shouldn't do that too often. Vlad made a shocked noise and muttered something in Romanian.

Well, I did not expect you to grant my request so soon after transforming Kain's brides, Verona said reassuringly.

What? Kain's brides?

The Shadow laughed softly. Did you not see the way he looked at them? Or how he led them away from the Pillars and from prying eyes?Er, no Elsabett murmured, blushing slightly. I, erdon't pay attention to that sort of thing much. She shrugged. On a different subject, I'm going hunting. Preferably for Sarafan. Does anyone want to come?

Aleera bounced forward. I've never seen a Sarafan, she breathed. Or tasted one, for that matter.They look nasty and taste good, Elsabett said with a grin. We'll be back before dawn, Liebling. Try not to worry. She and Aleera kissed their husband on each cheek, then leapt out the window and �ew away. Vlad blinked in confusion.

She really runs this place now, doesn't she? he wondered idly.

Yes, it appears she does, Maris¸ka murmured. I wonder if Kikuchi is still awake I like watching him forge swords. It's quite an interesting process, you see. And his wife helps him. Apparently she's some kind of priestess.The swords are beautiful, Verona agreed, gliding after her sister. Vlad watched them disappear down the hallway and sighed.

I suppose I'll go to my room and worry, then he muttered, striding toward his chambers.

You mentioned that Maniskara was a Aleera said as they �ew over the darkened forest. I think I've heard that word before. What does it mean?

Elsabett sighed. Her sister was ever-so-curious, not satis�ed with just her relation of what had happened less than an hour ago. They're a race of ancient creatures that lived in Nosgoth before humans. I believe that they and the Sephardi were racial enemies for a very long time, and engaged in endless battles.What are they like?I've never seen one, so I don't know. But they probably look quite different from humans.And they hate all vampires?So it seems. It's a bit more complicated than that, though. From what I understand, the Sephardi wanted to end the �ghting between their race and the Hylden, so they used some insanely powerful form of magic to banish every Hylden alive into another world. In retaliation, the Hylden cursed the Sephardi, turning them into living vampires.Ohh. So it's not that they just hate vampires, it's that they hate the Sephardi and what they were turned into.Precisely. I'd wager that the Hylden word for Sephardi probably applies to all vampires, even formerly human ones.How is it you know so much? Aleera asked, sounding a touch jealous.

Elsabett tried to shrug, but found such a gesture dif�cult while in �ight. Well, sometimes I have revelations. Knowledge just sort offalls into my head, like I'd always known it but had forgotten it. And sometimes I just sit and think. I ponder the things I know, and try to �gure out if there are any connections. I'm not particularly insightful, but any problem can be solved if you think about it long enough.Not insightful? I disagree! Aleera said cutely. Didn't you know that we become better in every way when we are transformed? We get faster, stronger, and smarter. I'm sure of it. Before Vlad transformed me, I was just a minor noblewoman, and many people thought I was a �uff-brain because I often wouldn't get jokes or interact with others in a becoming way. When I became a vampire, I felt It was almost as if my mind was a haphazard stack of parchment, that somebody had taken and organised. Everything seemed clearer, and I could understand things that had always confused me before.Now that you mention it, I think my thoughts are a little clearer, Elsabett murmured. How interesting.However, I've noticed that one's mind tends to become a bit lesssharp during pregnancy, Aleera stated. The times I've been with child, I would often forget silly things that I wouldn't have otherwise.How many times have you—? Elsabett asked, surprised.

Oh, I don't know. I sort of lost count after the twentieth child, the redhead replied offhandedly.

Twentieth—! But—you're so thin! And—and where are your children? Did— She stopped herself. Oh, entschuldigungmaybe I shouldn't—

Aleera laughed. It's all right. I'm undead and Vlad is undead, so our children are born dead. We'll animate them soon, don't worry. And as for the thinness, I've had many, many years to get back in shape.

Elsabett shook her head. I don't know, Aleera. I mean, it makes sense, butto think of bearing dozens of stillborn children Ye'el, that's so sad. the Bright mused. But there are some things in unlife that you can't readily change, so you just have to accept them and move on.No wonder you're so cheery, Elsabett chuckled. Nothing weighs you down! No unpleasant memories or anything You're very lucky, you know.Ah, but you're so young. How painful could your life have been so far?

Elsabett said nothing for a few moments, feeling white-hot anger seethe in her heart. she �nally spat. I loved my father. I remember him playing with me when I was still too young to walk. He always tried to do the best he possibly could for my family. Sometimes, after he �nished his shifts, he'd stop at a town and buy us all little presents. A sob suddenly escaped her throat. I saw so little of him before they killed him! He was working so long and hard to support us all. All he ever wanted was for us to live in happiness, and now—he's gone—

Aleera manuvred under her little sister. Are you all right? she asked. Do you need to land?I—I'll be all right, Elsabett whispered, rubbing her eyes with her sleeve. I just intend to �nd out why the Sarafan killed Vatti, and then kill every one of them.

A loud-seeming Whisper, as if broadcast over half of Nosgoth, suddenly �lled the minds of the two women. OH FOR THE LOVE OF BLOOD! SOMEONE SAVE US!

What was that! Aleera cried, spooking and hovering. A vampire in danger somewhere! Elsa, were you able to recognise who it was?

SOMEBODY GOUGE OUT MY EYES! came a second Whisper, from the same place as the �rst but from a different vampire.

RAZIEL, YOU DIRTY TRAITOR! WHERE HAVE YOU GONE? shrieked yet another vampire.

Elsabett whispered. It's Kain's lieutenants! They must be being attacked by the Sarafan! Take my hand, Aleera, and we'll jink there. Oh, Ye'el, if only Kain had said something! Could it be he's already— She cut off that train of thought and took her sister with her to the Pillars, where her eyes lit upon something that was probably the exact opposite of what she had expected.

Didn't I tell you fools to set up a tent! Kain roared, clad in only his hair. Elsabett squeaked and whirled around, feeling her face heat.

WE DON'T HAVE A TENT! Dumah wailed.

Why are you watching, anyway? Nikhelda demanded, raking her �ngers through the Lord of Nosgoth's hair, which caught the pale moonlight and seemed to shimmer. Ohh, so softIt's so horrible, I can't tear my eyes away Rahab moaned.

Zephon rushed forward and threw himself at the Ingénue's feet. Lady Elsabett! Save us!Oh, my, Aleera whispered. Vlad could learn a few things from this fellow. I didn't know it was possible to— Whatever completed her observation was subsumed in Turel's wail of anguish. Elsabett had a sudden mental image of her son and a pale-haired dhampir-girl laughing together, followed by another vision of two black-haired young dhampir, one clad in pink frills and the other with long pointed ears, playfully kicking Melchiah's head back and forth between them like a football.

Janos cried, landing near the Pillars with Ladmira close behind. We came as quickly as we—— Oh—umm He turned away and spread his wings in front of Ladmira, probably attempting to block the event taking place on Kain's throne. Ladmira huffed and pushed past him, and her eyes widened ever-so-slightly.

Oh my, was all she said.

Janos sighed and looked very sad for a moment. Elsabett crept over to him, limping slightly due to the wailing Zephon wrapped around her ankle. Is something wrong?I wish we could have children, he said quietly, stroking Ladmira's cheek. But part of the curse the Hylden laid on our race makes us barren. A vision �ashed through Elsabett's mind, of three lavender-skinned children giggling naughtily as they ran from an angry Janos, who had a large slimy slug wrapped around his waist instead of a belt. She couldn't help laughing suddenly, being reminded brie�y of the fun she'd had with Karl when the two of them were much younger. Janos gave her a hard look, and Ladmira raised an eyebrow. Ah, sorry, sorry. I had a vision, is all. You're going to have lovely children. Three of them. Janos sputtered, and Ladmira grinned.

she said, squeezing her lifemate so hard he squeaked.

Can't you people leave us alone! Kain bellowed. Nikhelda, please do something about them she replied. Only a moment later, she appeared in Elsabett's peripheral vision, �oating a handspan above the ground. Who wants to go hunting? I understand there's a Sarafan forti�cation not far from here. Ladmira nodded and sent Janos a signi�cant glance.

Do some good hunting for your babies, she said with a smile. He sighed.

You're so much better than I am at killing, though. Can't you at least come with—

The Pillar of Time �ashed, and Moebius appeared in a burst of light. Swinging his staff as if to beat off a wild dog, he charged at Kain and Umah, yelling at the top of his feeble old man lungs. Curse you two! Stop that! Stop it right now! Kain growled, shifting position so he could blast the Timestreamer away.

Go ± yourself, Umah snapped.

I most certainly will not—do anysuch thing, Moebius retorted, trying to hide his confusion at Umah's very unladylike choice of words. I came here to stop you, and I intend to do so.Do you want me to kill you again? Kain asked, starting to get up. Umah took �rm hold of one of his arms and glared past him.

I have very good aim, my love. Are you willing to be a missile?Why do you want them to— Elsabett began, but was tackled by Kain's lieutenants.

No, no, no! Let him! We can't bear to watch anymore I'm scarred for unlife! Aaahhh Elsabett shot �ames from the tips of her �ngers, causing the lieutenants to jump back with wails of pain.

Why? Why? I'll tell you why, impertinent girl! Moebius shouted, pointing at her with his staff. This, again, is your fault! You didn't let Umah die like she should have! Because of your actions, she and Kain are going to conceive a whelp that will usurp my position as Timestreamer! A slash opened in the air behind him, and a dhampir stepped out, with frosty-pale hair and cold violet eyes. Elsabett recognised the young woman from visions she had had, and realised that she must be the whelp' about which Moebius was talking.

Mother, Father, she said, gritting her teeth and not looking in their direction, don't worry. I'll take care of the time-git. Kain and Umah cried in unison, starting to leap up. The frosty-looking girl gestured in their direction.

I want to exist, and I'm not going to let this bastard keep me from it. Moebius whimpered, spinning around and frantically pointing his staff at the advancing dhampir. You fool! That toy of yours doesn't affect dhampir! She suddenly leapt forward and tackled him, knocking him to the ground and pulling the staff from his grip. Do you know what a bomb is, Moebius? Have you ever wished to see one? She smiled coldly, and they disappeared in a cascade of violet sparkles. Kain and Umah stared at the place she had been, blinking in confusion. She reappeared for a moment, eyes averted. Don't stop! You'll make me not exist, and Moebius will be the Timestreamer forever! Kain squawked in horror, and went at Umah with new fervor as the frost-haired girl vanished. The lieutenants began wailing again, and Elsabett growled and pulled on a strand of magic to blind them all.

Well, since I'm apparently not as needed here as I thought she remarked, spreading her wings, I think I'll just continue on my— A scream from the forest interrupted her. Oh, for the love of Wurst—! What now!Damsel in distress? Ladmira wondered, taking to the air for a better look. Elsabett's danger-sense suddenly activated, and she leapt after the red Sephardi and pushed her aside just as a burning arrow shot past, singeing her skirts. Ladmira's eyes narrowed, and she twisted away from Elsabett to wing swiftly over the treetops.

You fools! roared a male voice from deep within the trees. Incompetent little— Can't you hit one �eeing girl! Malek would be ashamed to even think you exist! A terri�ed young woman, long dark hair in a wrist-thick braid, burst through the trees and halted, nearly losing her balance. She looked around, panting and �ushed, and the blood drained from her face. Lort! The Pillars—! she hissed, starting to turn back. Ladmira dropped from the sky next to her, and the girl screamed and tripped trying to �ee.

It's all right! Elsabett yelled, running towards her. We don't mean to hurt— One of the missiles �nally hit its mark. The young woman looked down at the burning tip thrust through her heart and collapsed with a moan as a trickle of blood fell from her lips.

Her pursuers burst through the forest behind her, and Elsabett's anger rose as she recognised the Sarafan-issued armour they were wearing. The leader, more heavily-armoured than the others, looked around. Well, what do you know. The Pillars of Nosgoth. He kicked the young woman to make sure she was dead, and advanced on Kain, who had risen from his throne and wrapped himself in his crimson half-cape.

You vile bastard. What do you think you're doing here? the Lord of Nosgoth snarled. My lieutenants and I will tear you apart!

The Sarafan commander laughed. I think we have you outnumbered, Kain, he declared, gesturing behind him to where a full band of twenty knights waited at attention with �aming arrows and swords ready. Elsabett allowed the blindness she had placed on Kain's sons to wear off, and they looked around in confusion.

Where the hell is Raziel? Kain snarled, glancing up at the sky just as the Sarafan commander noticed Elsabett.

Hmm, you look familiar, he mused, taking a step forward. She tensed herself, ready to spring at a moment's notice, and pulled a pair of knives from her sleeves. You must be Erik's daughter.

She bared her teeth at him. What do you know of my father!Only that he was prophesied to father a powerful vampire, so the Lord had him killed, the commander said in a coolly arrogant voice.

Elsabett roared. She �ung one of the knives at him, but he calmly threw a hand up in front of his face and let the blade stick harmlessly in his gauntlet. Aleera suddenly began looking around in surprise, as if only just noticing her surroundings.

What did this child do to anger you so? Kain demanded, extending a hand and levitating the limp body toward him. Did she, perhaps, dare to criticise your noble works'? He cradled the corpse in one arm and used the other to slash open his wrist, dripping a steady �ow of dark blood onto the woman's lips. Elsabett sensed eldritch but familiar forces coalescing around the two.

That girl is a witch! the Sarafan leader shouted, pointing at her with his broad-bladed sword. She can control the forces of nature! It is our duty to destroy those who use powers man was never meant to possess! He took another step forward, and the dead girl suddenly opened her eyes and gasped. Kain helped her to her feet as the Sarafan watched, struck dumb in horror.

What's your name? he asked quietly, as the young woman looked down at herself in shock.

she whispered.

I am Kain, the Lord of Nosgoth, and I have given you the gift of immortality. Do you wish to exact vengeance upon those who slew your mortal body? she whispered, taking a shaky step away from him and facing the Sarafan. The commander gestured to his archers, and they let loose a volley of �re-tipped arrows. Avital extended her hands in front of her, and a ring of wind abruptly rose around her, whipping her hair and skirts about and sending the missiles careening into the sky. The commander, fazed for only a moment, shouted for them to �re again. However, before they could nock, several reddish bolts of lightning shot down from the mostly-clear sky and struck among the knights, sending men and earth �ying.

Elsabett whirled around to see a smiling Aleera. I think I've found my talent, the Bright said gleefully.

Raziel appeared suddenly, furling his wings and landing on the marble slab next to Avital. Sarafan! Here! he hissed, crouching as if to spring. The commander of the band took a step back, face pale and livid.

It—it can't be! he bellowed. Raziel, the leader of the Holy Order of the Sarafan during its greatest days, now reduced to an unholy walking corpse! Raziel's eye twitched, and he lost composure for a bare instant. Unfortunately, the Sarafan commander took that opportunity to strike, leaping forth with blinding speed and slashing at the eldest lieutenant with a wicked curved blade on his forearm. Elsabett had a momentary vision of human Raziel in ornate blood-red armour, worked with the symbol of the Sarafan, using a similar weapon to cut Janos' still-beating heart from the screaming Sephardi's chest.

LASS IHN ALLEIN! she screamed, rushing at the Sarafan commander, vaguely aware of others descending on him as well. The knight was yanked off his prey and torn limb from limb by the vampires around him, and Janos ripped the blade off the human's wrist and snapped it in two.

I remember that weapon all too well, he growled, and Ladmira gave him a look and thrust her hand into the Sarafan's chest. Elsabett pushed the others away from Raziel as the red Sephardi tore the knight's still-steaming heart from his body and offered it reverently to her lifemate, who took it from her hands and squeezed the blood into his mouth as if eating an orange. he muttered.

Raziel? Raziel! Elsabett cried, touching the lieutenant's face. He had gone rigid, and blood leaked from the ghastly wound on his chest. An unfamiliar vampress, of human stock yet possessing great feathered wings like a Sephardi, landed on the ground next to him and dropped to her knees.

Raziel whispered, barely audible. Son of a Elsabett yelled, slashing her wrist without a second thought, �lling her mouth with her blood, and planting a kiss on Raziel's lips. The blue-winged vampress made a sudden noise of indignation, but did not interfere. Raziel thrashed, his eyes blazing for a moment as if lit with golden �re, and slumped back, breathing heavily. The unfamiliar woman gently nudged Elsabett off of him and scooped him up.

she said quietly. Hey, you. Come on. Are you all right? He smiled weakly.

I will be, he said hoarsely, putting a hand to his rapidly-healing chest. Avital chose to ignore the touching scene, instead conjuring a whirlwind of jagged ice-shards that shredded the remaining Sarafan, who by this time were attempting to �ee into the woods. None of them reached more than a hundred paces from the base of the Pillars.

The new �edgling turned to Kain and brushed hair out of her face. Now what? she asked.

Now what? Kain asked, with a slight smile. Now you are one of my children.

She blinked. Hey, we have a sister now! Dumah laughed. Simply splendid, Zephon observed, walking around her and staring at her clothes. I think she and I are of a size Glorious. Kain glared at his second-youngest son, but he ignored the evil look (and Avital's bemused glance) and it bounced off his spiky-haired temple and fell to the ground. Kain muttered something and turned to Raziel, still tightly clutched in the winged vampress' arms.

So who might this be, Raziel? My

The winged woman placed Raziel on his feet and bowed. I am Astrid the Illusionist of the Chaos Clan, she said formally.

Kain repeated, arching an eyebrow. In response, Astrid whipped a silken scarf from off her waist and wrapped it around her neck, and suddenly another Kain was staring the �rst in the face. Astrid-Kain grinned, apparently quite pleased with real-Kain's speechlessness, and removed the scarf, dispelling the illusion.

Melchiah crept over to Elsabett and looked at her pleadingly. Can you make me into a dhampir? he asked. I was the last lieutenant raised by Kain, so I'm the weakest. Sometimes I fall apart. I think that if I were to become a dhampir— Elsabett jinked to the top of one of the Pillars, unwilling to hear the end of his sentence. The thought of transforming him, at least with the technique she had been using, sickened her. Raziel, still on the ground, backhanded Melchiah and yelled something at him that couldn't possibly have been nice. Elsa watched the scene below her, pulling a strand of Knowledge close so she could better hear what the others were saying.

The Chaos Clan, is it? Janos wondered at Astrid. Are all of your tribe winged?

Astrid shook her head. Probably not. I think it's only my sister and I who have wings. Stroking Raziel's bat-like �ight-limbs, she continued, I'm quite pleased that my Raziel has come to this point. I knew he would someday. Elsabett �uttered down from her perch and dragged a few dead Sarafan into the woods, liberating them of their blood.

You in there, Astrid called into the trees. I'd like to know the name of the woman who saved my love from an untimely end.

Elsabett used strands of Fire to burn the shrivelled Sarafan corpses into ash and strode back out into view of the Pillars. I am called Elsabett the Ingénue, she said with a curtsy. I am the queen of the Dragon Clan.A pleasure, Astrid said with a smile, dipping her head. Although your method was a bitkinkier than I'd prefer, I can't argue with the results. She smiled warmly at Raziel, who began examining himself in confusion.

I think my heart's beating he muttered. Am I really a dhampir now?

Ladmira approached Elsabett. You must be quite powerful, she said quietly. How do you do such things?

Elsabett shook her head and spread her hands. I justmanipulate magic, she explained. Sometimes I can cast spells that I might never have thought of, but it seems later like I'd always known them. Ladmira murmured. 'Tis a most impressive talent. Many powerful sorcerers I knew ages ago were unable to break curses. With a glance at Janos, she leaned closer to Elsabett in an almost-conspiratorial manner. Three children, you say? You had a vision? Elsabett nodded. What colour were they? she answered.

Ladmira spun around and laughed. Told you! she said triumphantly, and Janos looked crestfallen. He thought that if we had babies, some of them would be blue and some red, she explained.

Aleera began bobbing impatiently. she called, are we going to go hunting or not?

Elsabett sighed. We are, she huffed. But before we go, I'd like to ask something of Kain— she turned to him— tell your lieutenants that unless it's a legitimate emergency, such as an entire battalion of Sarafan or an army of musket-wielding Hylden, that they are NOT to broadcast-Whisper again! That must have confused every vampire in Nosgoth. Janos nodded in agreement, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Yes. Well, in the future, I think I shall take greater steps to ensure my privacy, Kain said, and looked around at his lieutenants. Raziel, get your brothers together. We're going to build a palace.Ooh, wonderful! Avital gushed. Can I draw the blueprints? Kain gave her an odd look, but nodded.

Nikhelda �oated higher into the air. I can help by keeping watch from the sky, she called.

You can �y, too, Dumah responded. You can help lift things. Nikhelda made an indignant noise. You're going to help, right, Kain? And your other wife?

Umah folded her arms. Didn't you hear Moebius ranting? I'm pregnant now. That means I'm exempt from working. Kain chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders.

You heard the woman. Get moving! Kain ordered. Dumah scowled and stomped off, collecting with his brothers and sister to discuss architecture.

Let's get moving as well, Elsabett said to Aleera, and they took off.

The Sarafan knight whirled around just in time to see the bolt of lightning shoot towards him. He cried out as it tore through his chest, ricocheted off the stone wall behind him, and bounced around the room, electrocuting those unlucky enough to share his shift.

Aren't you going to join in, Elsabett? Aleera asked, conjuring a ball of lightning and sending it down another hall. There was a loud crack like thunder, followed by screaming.

Oh, I don't know, the Ingénue replied. I had some blood earlier, so I'm not too hungry now. Besides, sitting out gives me time to think. AboutWhat that commander said, you mean? the Bright asked, hauling up a dead guard by his gorget and draining him of blood. You don't really believe him, do you?Well, that's the thing. The Sarafan aren't supposed to lie. (Then again, they aren't supposed to kill their own men, either) I've been wonderingwhat if it was me to which that prophecy was referring? Aleera spun around and stared at her, surprised. If I'm to �nd out for certain, we'll probably have to �nd whomever the Sarafan use as their oracle.