A/N: Well, chapter 2 seems to have gone okay so far, as far as how I feel about it, but I still think it could be improved. I would like the chapter to be longer, but the next part of the story is only partially written and needs work. As a side note, it's nice to be working on. Having spent however long on my other current obssession, I'm glad to be back. I've been missing you guys, though I have been reading. I just haven't had time to review much lately.

Thanks guys for the reviews. It's appreciated as always.

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The Great Hall of the Sanctuary of the Clans echoed with the sound of his footfall. His keen ears picked up the sound of the clan banners tiny movement in the slight breeze. Zephon took a deep breath, facing Kain still made the fifth lieutenant uncomfortable, the mixed feelings of fear and jealousy that ran beneath the surface, hidden by his cold exterior were precisely that, hidden. But he could not escape the feeling that Kain could smell the lust for power within him, and thus he feared to face his master directly.

Six faces turned expectantly towards him as he neared the throne area. A table had been set up in the centre of the circle and the other lieutenants were standing around the table with Kain at the head. Maps were sprawled across the table and a few goblets were present, denoting that the others had been there for some time.

Zephon suddenly became conscious of the fact that despite his asking for an audience with Kain, Kain had ordered the others to arrive earlier, not only to be present at Zephon's meeting, but, it would seem, to work out a strategy without him. In case his failed? Did Kain not have faith in him? Why ask him to play the tactician when he didn't think him competent?

Anger surged through Zephon threatening to over spill through his indignation and outrage. He swallowed it back down like foul tasting bile. Any angry outburst would be a futile gesture and ultimately would be met by Kain's disapproval. Not a wise move. As Zephon knew, every good chess player had to put their ultimate goal before every other consideration, you could not topple a king by becoming emotional.

"Zephon." Kain broke the silence accompanying Zephon's entrance. "You have come up with a suitable plan to defeat these humans." It wasn't a question.

"I have, my Lord."

"Excellent. Enlighten us then." Kain gestured to the rolled paper under Zephon's left arm.

"Oh, yes." Zephon hurriedly unrolled the map and laid it out on the table. It was a detailed map of the mountains and Uschtenheim with the known positions of the enemy clearly marked out and lines of their possible movements. In a different colour was marked out the routes and attack points the vampires would take.

Zephon carefully explained the plan in detail on what directions each lieutenant would take to attack the town.

"This is unimaginative for you, Zephon. Any one of us could have devised this plan with little effort. How are you aiming to achieve my goals with such a mediocre strategy?"

Zephon refused to lose his composure, not acknowledging his brothers' questioning faces he continued on. "My Lord, I know from what I have shown so far, the plan seems very ordinary, and if it wasn't for some latest developments, I would never dare to insult your faith in me with such a seemingly inferior strategy. It has come to my attention of late that my fledglings and I have developed, by your grace, a new gift. Our ability to climb has greatly increased beyond what I previously, or my brothers to my knowledge, have capability of."

"I see." Kain mused. "Continue."

"With this gift, the mountains' terrain holds little in the way of obstacles for my people. We will swarm like insects over the mountain and remove their defences by stealth." Zephon allowed the pride he felt to seep into his voice. "Then all we need do, is to devise a suitable covering armour that will repel water. Normal armour will stop the arrows, but we need to defend against the water capsules exploding. According to our information on the number of archers in each group, that will equal a lot of water spray from a single volley. We cannot afford to lose the number that would be maimed and injured, even if we didn't wish to minimise loses. This precaution may not be needed as my people will do their job, but it would be foolhardy to assume we know the precise locations of all archers" Zephon felt uncertain, it was a simple plan, but any more complicated would allow for more errors to slip in and would be unnecessary. "Does it meet with your approval, my Lord?"

"Why would you send your brother by the lake? Even with suitable armour, they would be vulnerable." Kain ignored the question.

Zephon hadn't really expected a direct answer, he knew he would only have Kain's approval once Uschtenheim was taken and back under vampire control. "I suggested sending the Rahabim to circle around between the mountains and the Lake of Lost Souls to the west for the same reason they need not be equipped with the new armour. It is due to their growing immunity to water."

Rahab gave Zephon a murderous look.

Zephon ignored it. He knew of Rahab's abilities, he had his methods for knowing most things that happened in Nosgoth. Now he had revealed his own gift for all to know, he wasn't going to allow Rahab to keep his concealed and retain an advantage.

Kain looked from Rahab to Zephon, both lieutenants visibly flinched under his glare. Kain knew of both developments, but was mildly interested to see if his 'sons' would voluntarily part with the information. Despite this, it was time to put an end to this. "I will not tolerate this silent vying for power. I am the only master here and you have your positions by my grace. Remember that. There is unrest enough already, I will not jeopardise my empire on your petty squabbles."

Kain looked at the assembled vampires in turn, each had sense enough to avert their eyes in submission. "There will be no more of this secrecy. From now on, with every new change you will present yourself to court and display your new gift for all to see. There will be no exceptions."

Zephon silently cursed. The price of secrecy had just become to high, even for him.

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Under the shadow of the mountains, near to the path leading to the town of Uschtenheim, the Vampires had set camp. Tents of varying sizes circled one side of a larger tent, in and around the camp, sentries had been posted to stand watch.

As the snow whirled around them, the vampires' discomfort was obvious even under the heavy fabrics of their cloaks. Only Kain stood there in his standard attire showing no concern to the blizzard.

"How does the campaign fare?" Kain's deep voice was easily heard over the wind.

Raziel pulled the hood of his cloak tighter around his face. Though not wishing to display any sign of weakness in front of his master, the snow stinging his face was becoming intolerable. "There has been a few light skirmishes, my Lord, but the weather is impeding both sides it would seem. Though I would have thought the humans would have taken advantage of the inclement weather and our vulnerability."

"This storm is just as intolerable for humans as it is for vampires, despite our differences it can be no less deadly for them."

Raziel felt a pang of jealousy at Kain's seeming indifference to the storm and his ability to not have to half shout to be heard through it. "I shall keep that in mind Lord."

"You would do well to become more acquainted with your enemy, Raziel." There was a slight hint of disapproval in Kain's voice.

Raziel took the reprimand with good grace. "Yes, Lord."

Kain surveyed the area with a critical eye. Not perfect, but acceptable. He made a mental note to speak with Raziel at a later date. "I expect to be kept informed of our progress. These humans will be crushed."

Raziel turned to reply, but the words died in his throat as Kain, deciding current matters had come to a close, vanished from sight as he teleported away.

Left standing alone, Raziel turned and headed towards the nearest tent of the vampire encampment. Feeling the snow crunch under his feet as he walked, he wondered why his lord had chosen to speak with him in the adverse conditions outside rather than the relative comfort of the main tent. Was it yet another way for Kain to show his superiority over his firstborn, a small subtle message intended to make a not so small and subtle point?

Raziel conceded that maybe there was some truth in Melchiah's musings when he said that from what little he knew, the master's existence seemed to have been a constant grievance for everything around him, so much so that Kain himself was at odds with everything, even with his loyal sons when there was no need to be. Melchiah had always believed that to be force of habit for Kain and not always necessarily a conscious thought on his part.

Reaching the tent, Raziel brushed aside the heavy canvas door and entered. "Zephon."

Zephon turned toward the advancing figure of Raziel and hissed gently as Raziel, removing his cloak and shaking it gently caused small clumps of snow to land on the exposed skin of Zephon's right arm.

Noticing Zephon's reaction, Raziel spoke. "I would apologise, Brother, but I get the impression it would be unnecessary."

Zephon gave him an acerbic half-smile in response. "As you see fit."

Raziel ignored the tone and continued. "You are to take your people as soon as the storm clears."

Zephon curtly nodded his assent and set about preparing his people for action.