Chapter Eleven Worldless
Imbecile! Worthless fool! Son of a dog and a mishkara! Maniskara hissed, blasting Faustus with bursts of frosty wind to punctuate each epithet. Do you have any idea how much energy reanimation requires? If you get yourself destroyed again—!You're the one who wants to use me, he whispered from the ice-covered �oor. I personally don't care much for this existence.
Magnus, chained to the wall by heavy shackles of silver and ice, thrashed against his bonds. No, Faustus! Don't anger her!
Maniskara strode toward the crimson-coated vampire on the �oor and gestured with one bony-�ngered hand, and Faustus rose into the air as if borne on needles of ice. You would do well to listen to your brother, whelp, the Hylden vampire snarled. Her eyes pulsed brighter for a moment, then faded. Next time I am forced to revive your carcass, your punishment will not be light. She let him drop to the �oor and whirled around, stalking away. I am charging you with a new task. All of you. You are to �nd Umah and bring her back here. Sebastian asked weakly. Wasn't she—Sent to slay Kain, Maniskara snapped. But she has failed. I can no longer sense her—a most peculiar situation, as I am able to know where my children are even if slain. Your job is to track her down, subdue her if necessary, and return her to me, that I may discover what force seeks to pervert my agenda.
Faustus looked helplessly around the room at the other vampires bound to the walls. All of them had once served in Kain's army, nearly a millennium in the past, and all had eventually turned against their former commander and been slain by him. The embrace of death, Faustus had discovered, was harsh and unyielding, the limbo in which his spirit existed afterward a dark and timeless void. Yet even a hundred deaths would be better than serving Maniskara. Oh, Mercury, the cold! Always present, always sinking deep into his soul, �lling him with a very unvampirelike sense of dread and pain.
Faustus began, his voice hoarse, I humbly request your assistance in this endeavour. A vampire as old as yourself must certainly possess great—
Maniskara spun around, lightning-fast, and sent Faustus hurtling through the air with a burst of stone-shatteringly cold force. He bounced off the wall, narrowly managing to avoid the misty spikes of ice protruding from it, and fell �at on the �oor, feeling as if every muscle in his body had been frozen and shattered. Don't you EVER dare to call me that! Maniskara roared, her inhuman voice reverberating through the chamber. What thethe mishkarat did to me is beyond description. —I am not a vampire, and the day will come when I have my revenge on those who cursed me!
Faustus kept his thoughts to himself. He had learned, rather painfully, that Maniskara was able to intercept Whispers sent between her children', which made it nearly impossible to conspire. What was there to do? If he rushed into battle and got himself killed, Maniskara would merely reanimate him, and discipline him besides. Despite her hypocritical ravings, she was a vampire, and an incredibly old and powerful one at that. It was unlikely that Kain, even as strong as he must have become, would be able to stand against her.
As you wish, he sighed �nally, shakily climbing to his feet and bowing. I am yours to command.Then go, my pets, Maniskara cried, gesturing and causing the manacles binding Faustus' companions to recede into the walls. Do not return until you have retrieved my prodigal daughter.How does she expect us to �nd Umah if she herself cannot? Marcus hissed, trudging along with his brothers beneath a brooding, cloud-covered night sky.
Did you not hear what she said last? Sebastian said from his position at head of the small column. She told us not to return until we have Umah. That means until we do, we are free to do whatever we choose.No, I don't believe that, Magnus muttered. She'll probably keep track of us and come to set us straight if we wander from the task we were given.Do you want to be free or not, baldpate! Marcus snapped.
As much as the rest of you! the chain-wrapped vampire responded. I just think it would be best if we took utmost care until we were absolutely certain we had a de�nite strategy.You've even less hair than Magnus has, Marcus, Faustus pointed out. How do you get off calling him
Marcus opened his mouth to say something, but shut it again and glared at his brother, who pointedly tossed his long black ponytail behind one shoulder. At least I have both eyes, he mumbled. Not like that stupid-looking rock Maniskara stuck in Magnus' head.I have an idea, Sebastian said, pausing and glancing around. A moment later, he began moving again and motioned the others to follow. Why don't we �nd Kain and have him slay and then raise us? That way, we'll be under his control instead of the Ice Queen's.I was already killed by him once, Marcus growled. As I remember, it was none too pleasant.Even so, Faustus maintained, occasionally glancing behind them, wouldn't another death be nicer than serving Maniskara?
Magnus idly tugged at the steel chain that ran from his pierced eyesocket to the hoops thrust through his ear. Maniskara seemed to dislike him the most out of all her children', probably because his Dark Gift was related to �re. I can think of a problem with your plan, Sebastian, he said quietly. considers us traitors. It may be that he would rather leave us to suffer like this than show mercy by transforming us.You may have a point, Marcus put forth. Kain really isn't known for his kindness.Unless he's changed in the last—what has it been, eight hundred years? Nine hundred? Faustus asked, then laughed mirthlessly. Still, I'm willing to risk it. I'll take any chance to escape this torment.We are supposed to head for the Pillars, correct? Sebastian asked, abruptly leaping to the top of a spruce and looking around.
Yes, I believe that's what she said, Faustus sighed. It's only a few thousand leagues to the south. Shouldn't take long at all, eh?And we're supposed to walk there Magnus grumbled.
What? It's not as if we're alive and can become fatigued, Faustus maintained.
Fatigue is not what concerns me. It's the speed. It may be summer by the time we reach the Pillars!I don't think so. If we keep up a steady march— Magnus glared at the crimson-coated vampire over his shoulder. What? I was a soldier once, and there are some techniques I learned that can actually be useful in certain situations.Soldier. Pah, Marcus mumbled. I don't believe it for a moment. What army were you in before Kain's?The Imperial Roman Army, Faustus declared proudly, lifting his chin. We swept across Nosgoth like an unstoppable tide. There were few who could stand in our way.You're not Roman, Marcus protested. There's no way. Faustus muttered in response.
What? Ex-course? the black-robed vampire queried, and barely managed to avoid Faustus' sharp-clawed thwack.
You have a Roman name and you don't even speak the language, barbarian? Faustus roared. Sebastian whirled around.
Be quiet, fool, or you'll bring every vampire-hunter in Nosgoth down on us!Why are you the leader, anyway? Faustus sneered. You think you're special just because you're wearing armour! Well, for your information, it's very ugly and tasteless. I can't see any articulation anywhere! How d'you move!Oh! This from someone who, by his account, once wore sandals and a feathered helmet into battle? If you're really a Roman, where do you get off calling my armour stupid-looking! Sebastian yelled.
It was horsehair, not feathers, and only of�cers wore those helmets, fool! I never— His brothers looked at him, and Faustus cleared his throat. Ah, that is, I never wore mine. It would have terribly mussed up my hair, don't you know.
After a few moments of angry silence, the four vampires began moving again. So you're not only an inept and effeminate bastard, Marcus growled, you were only a grunt soldier in life? No wonder you haven't amounted to anything in unlife.It's not being effeminate, Faustus said coldly, it's an aspect of my personality and the lifestyle I follow.
Magnus gave him a wide-eyed look. You mean you'reAnd proud of it!
Marcus cried out and took off ahead, knocking Sebastian out of the way and through the rotted trunk of a long-dead pine tree. It gave way with a mighty groan, and toppled over on the desperately-�eeing black-robed vampire, who found himself nearly impaled by both sharp branches and ancient desiccated needles.
Oh, Gods, no! Keep him away from me! DON'T LET HIM SODOMISE ME! Marcus wailed, �ailing helplessly. Faustus made a disgusted noise and leapt over the mass of deadwood and undead.
Be serious. I wouldn't lay with you if you were the last vampire in Nosgoth, he snapped, trudging on ahead. Marcus blinked in confusion as Magnus and Sebastian picked their ways over to him and began clearing away the fallen tree.
Should I be comforted or insulted by what he just implied? he wondered.
You should shut the &#! up and help us! Sebastian growled, ripping branches from the lifeless tree-crown and �inging them away.
You know, I hate to be the voice of reason Magnus began, but we're really going to get nothing done if we continue quarrelling with each other rather than concentrating on the mission we've been given.What's your problem, cripple! Marcus shouted. You want to serve Maniskara! Magnus roared back, and burst into �ame for a split-second. I want to �nd Kain so he can kill us!
Faustus landed on the ground in front of them suddenly, glancing around. I think we've caught the attention of the locals, he muttered, gesturing over his shoulder to where bobbing torchlights were visible between the trees.
Sebastian swore, and �exed his claws. Still, it has been quite a while since I've been able to kill anything.No, no, Marcus barked, pulling himself free. Allow me to handle this. A lone villager, scouting ahead of the others, broke through the underbrush and began yelling in the incomprehensible local dialect. Marcus concentrated on the fool's pathetic living mind and forced himself into it. We need fast transportation. Get us some.' The man staggered back, the old sword he had been clutching falling from his limp �ngers to stick in the soft ground.
the human said slowly, and whirled around, gesturing for the vampires to follow. He led them in the opposite direction of the other villagers, who by this time were shouting in anger and confusion at having apparently lost their quarry. Less than an hour later, Marcus and his companions were inside a horse-drawn carriage speeding for the Pillars of Nosgoth.
I think we need more artwork, Vlad. This castle is justa bit dreary. Where can I go to commission paintings?
Dracula slumped against the wall and heaved a sigh, but had realised by this point that Elsabett was truly the ruler of his demesnes and there was nothing he could do about it. Not that everything she wanted was bad, of course. He had been living with the same décor for the last four centuries. Oh, I don't know. Haven't been out much recently, you see. I suppose you could try Florence. I remember hearing that some family, the—the Medeci, or something like that?—they've been �nancing some up-and-coming new artists, like that young Botticelli fellow. Elsabett corrected, and that was in the �fteenth century. I rather doubt that I'd be able to �nd any of those artists now. Aleera pointed out from high on the wall, Florence is some distance away. I wouldn't want to try �ying there even if fully rested.
Vlad spread his hands and looked up helplessly. What do you want me to do! There's only so much I can—! From the adjacent room came the sounds of crackling electricity and pained howling. Igor was harassing the werewolf again. Vlad glanced over his shoulder, calling, Igor, why do you torment that poor creature so?
The pale, lank-haired lab assistant, with a face that looked as if it had been bloated from �oating in stagnant water for weeks, poked his head into the room and activated his shock-lance a few times for effect. It's my job, he answered.
And why do we have the werewolf-torture chamber right next to the main hall! Elsabett demanded, throwing her hands in the air.
Hey, Lady, you don't like it, you can hang out somewhere else, Igor grumbled, starting to shuf�e off. Elsabett's needle-thin ray of �re caught him in the rear like a goosing, and he let out a shriek.
Really, dear, I don't know why you don't just get rid of that creepy little bugger, Aleera muttered, stepping off the wall and landing next to her husband. He wasn't even that useful to Dr. Frankenstein, and he's certainly no help to us now. Can't we just
Vlad gave her a look. I don't want to touch him long enough to drink his blood. I suppose if you can tolerate it, you may go ahead. Aleera shuddered and stepped back.
Elsabett began, and turned to Dracula. Liebling, isn't your weakness werewolves?
He blinked a few times, surprised. Er, yes. Why do you ask?Oh, I just think it's a bitsilly to have servants capable of killing you. But perhaps that's just me
He rushed to her side and soothed her. There's no need to worry, my love. I possess an item that can remove the curse of lycanthropy, so that in the unlikely event of one of our servants turning on me, I can render him harmless.
She made an indignant noise. Yes, if you react quickly enough.
Vlad sighed. I understand your concern, Elsabett, but werewolves are simply unmatched when it comes to matters of brute strength. It doesn't make me comfortable to have them around constantly, but they are useful, and unless I �nd another option, I'm afraid we'll have to stick with what we have.
Aleera huffed and stalked across the room. I want to go kill some more Sarafan. And why doesn't Kain come with us? He's our ally, so he should be aiding us, shouldn't he?What about Kain? Maris¸ka asked, passing by.
Just— Oh! I forgot to tell you! Aleera gushed, rushing to her older sister. I found my talent! I can control lightning! Maris¸ka repeated, her face brightening. Do you know what this means, Aleera? We don't have to worry about duplicating Dr. Frankenstein's monster anymore! Aleera pondered that statement for a bare split-second and then squealed in delight.
Ohh, you're right, you're right! Let's go right now! She blew a kiss over her shoulder to Dracula, and the two vampresses rushed down the hall and launched themselves from a window.
what was that about? Elsabett wondered, confused.
Oh, it's the children, Vlad explained. You see, since we vampires are undead, our children are stillborn and must be animated by some outside energy source.Oh, my, Elsa whispered. I remember hearing Aleera say something about that. —But if you don't mind my asking—justhow many children have you and your other brides had so far?
He shrugged. Too many to count. Most—most of them aren't here, though. We've relocated them to the castle I lent Dr. Frankenstein, where we were intending to use his creation as a means of animating them.Yes, yes. A marvel of technology. Victor was a brilliant scientist, and managed to assemble a man-like creature from the parts of corpses and then bring it to life with lightning. She rubbed the back of her neck. That's, ahtoll, I suppose But what does it have to do withAh, right. My brides—well, the others, anyway—and I intended to use Dr. Frankenstein's monster as a conduit through which we would send electricity through all our inanimate children, thus bringing them to life. Or unlife, as the case may be.Hm. I don't know, Vlad. It sounds like a lot of work. Are you sure the creature is even necessary?Well, we've tried using humans, a werewolf, and even Dwerger as conduits, but none of them worked. The childrenfailed to animate properly.Maybe you don't need a conduit at all. Maybe if you just let lightning strike a tower or something—or maybe Aleera can do it, since she controls lightning—
He smacked his forehead. Of course! What was I thinking? Come, we must call Verona and go to the Little Castle. We must be there when our babies are brought to life!