All the Princes were out except for Kurda. There were only a few vampires left in the mountain. Of what Kurda knew, the Princes had gone to negotiate with the vampaneze to see what they can do to prevent the coming of their Lord.
Unexpectedly, a vampaneze burst in, a blood-stained sword in one hand, a blood-stained Larten Crepsley in the other. He slashed at Kurda's face and dragged him mercilessly out of the Mountain.
When they were a safe distance away from it, both vampires were gagged and bound before having their blindfold removed. Kurda struggled as the vampaneze removed his gag as while as Larten's, a group of his comrades at his side.
"Who are you?" Kurda asked demandingly. The vampaneze snickered aloud.
"Our peace-loving enemy, how do you do?"
Kurda's eyes widened as he registered their identity. However, he had no idea that he was not alone until Larten spoke.
"What do you want with us?"
The vampaneze snickered yet again and said nothing, only cut off their bonds on their legs before hauling them to their feet and ordering them to walk.
For a few consecutive nights they walked on, Larten helping Kurda along. During day they hid in caves, and while the vampaneze dined on deer, they fed on scraps. On the first time, Larten refused to eat.
"Just swallow it!" Kurda force-fed him.
"What about you?" Larten asked, pushing Kurda away from him.
"I've been through this far longer than you have, so just shut up and eat it up!" Kurda growled and Larten finally gave in.
Often, the vampaneze made sure they did not leave food uneaten. Once, this went on for so long that Kurda cut himself and drunk from the wound.
"Blood can replenish itself but an empty stomach can't," Kurda explained.
And so they walked.
Back in Vampire Mountain, the Princes were combing the whole place upside down for Kurda and Larten.
"Both of them can't have just disappeared into thin air, can they?" Vancha asked crossly.
"Look at the blood on the floor, especially in Larten's cell. Obviously somebody came and 'invited' them out," Mika reasoned, pointing at bloodstains on the floor. Darren creased his head in worry while Vancha examined the blood.
"I think I know who the culprit is," Vancha mused aloud after a while.
Kurda collapsed for the second time. The tedious journey was taking its toil on the already severely hurt ex-General. The vampaneze pulled him up roughly and delivered a blow across his face hard.
"Stop it!" Larten growled, helping Kurda up. The vampaneze advanced menacingly towards them.
"Stop!" A vampaneze cried out behind them. At the sound of his voice, Kurda raised his head up hopefully. The vampaneze spotted Kurda and hauled him up to his feet them embraced Kurda warmly.
"Long time no see, Smahlt."
"You too, Gannen," Kurda grinned painfully, Gannen ordered his bonds cut and they walked side by side, catching up on everything.
"Your eyes…" Gannen asked hesitantly.
"Nothing, really," Kurda reassured him.