Chapter two : the value of a life

For twenty years did Kain and his sons wage ruthless wars with the lands of Nosgoth, and before their might did the lands fall one after another. Dumah the brave was always in the front lines, none could stand before Turel, but of all of Kain's offspring, Raziel was the most terrible. His battles were many, blood flowed behind him like a river, and his arrogance was almost alike to Kain's. At the end of the twentieth year, Kain lead them to the far north of the land and at the sight of the pillars did he raise the Sanctuary of the clans as a seat of his empire. From there he conquered all the regions of the south, east, and west, and almost all of the lands of the north. And than he and his troops marched across the north, claming everything in their path.

And so it was that he begun drawing close to Willendorf, where was the seat of king Kelegran who was once an ally of the Sarafan before Kain crushed their order. And as it was common for these parts, he believed that the undead plague has bin purged more than twenty years ago. Rumors have come to him of a great invader Kain and his sons, who have risen and taken most of Nosgoth, but he didn't suspect their dark nature. It was than that Kain and his troops began approaching Willendorf, and Kelegran's fear started pressing him from the shadows. His army, even from within the keep, couldn't prevent such power that forced Nosgoth to its knees from sweeping over the city. It was his only hope to save his lands, to try and make some kind of a deal with this tyrant. And so he wrote a scroll, sending a horseman down Kain's path to deliver it.

Kain and his troops were camped in the field near the Provincial mines, some four miles east of the city borders. They have erected tents and their torches exposed an army so enormous, it was barely fitting the great field. The tents were placed in a great circle, divided in six parts, for six clans each. And in the center was Kain's tent with the symbol of clan union. There he, Raziel, and Dumah were discussing the attack ahead, while Turel, Rahab, Zephon, and Melchaiah were outside in their clans regions. Turel's was the one most west and the horseman from Willendorf reached it first. As he came to see the greatness of this force, his hart clenched with despair and fear. But he wrapped out the flags of his king and a torch to clearly be seen by men below.

Turel got word that a human alone, bearing the flags of Willendorf has entered the camp and is asking about Kain's tent. He stepped before the horseman and looking at him with misunderstanding, he asked :

" Are you insane, or has your king condemned you to death ? "

" I beg of you my lord ; I bear the note of my King with his greetings for lord Kain. "

" Give me the note. I'll make sure he gets it. "; as he took the scroll, he turned away and said :" Please, stay for dinner…"

He walked away while Turelhim knocked him down and devoured him and the horse both in a beastly act. Turel entered Kain's tent and said :

" Father, some fool brought this for you. "

Kain took the scroll and after reading, he snorted and started laughing :

" It seems that king Kelegran, with a lot of sweet words, invites me to dinner. "

" To dinner ? Does he actually wants us to take his blood ?"; Dumah asked.

" No, brother. "; Raziel said: " He thinks that we are human. The fool doesn't know what he's up against. "

" It seems that we were sweeping over the land to fast for word to get to him. "

" Maybe we can use it to our advantage. "; Dumah said

" In my entire lifetime, I have never bean showered by such a bunch of compliments. "; Kain said still laughing ;" It would be a shame to decline the good king's offer. "; he turned to Raziel :" You Raziel command the powers of illusion. Dress me, your self, and Turel, to hide our divine features, and we'll pay this ignorant king a visit. "

Raziel smiled with malice on his face…

My name is Sellinna and I'm a daughter of Kelegran, king of Willendorf. I have bean born nineteen years ago. My mother was a priestess, skilled with herbs and potions and she has passed that knowledge to me. She used to tell me stories about great wizards that protected the land and great pillars that rose to the sky. After her death I have bounded to my father, mourning her as time passed with him to comfort me. But over the years he was hardly pressed, and in that time I've watched my father's heavy rule with maturity in my eyes. After his allies, the Sarafan perished, he was left almost alone to protect our land. He hired a mercenary army to take care of it, and it worked for a while, but these last few weeks were most troubling, for a great conqueror Kain came from the south and drowned closer to our home. I've never bean so worried for my father. He seemed distant, lost, and I felt so helpless I wanted to cry.

That night he gave the order to decorate our home, to open the finest wine, he even brought the finest musicians in town. But I could tell that it wasn't a celebration. There was tension in the air and fear in everybody's eyes. Our guard captain, Rabelec was just talking to his watchers when I approached :

" …and I want men on the walls observing all the time ! "

" Captain, what is going on ?"

" My princess, I ask you to retire to your room until the guests pass. "

" What guests ? Father wouldn't tell me. He was too busy. Please, Rabelec ; I'm asking you as a friend. "

" All right. I never could hide things from you, your majesty. Kain the conqueror and his first two sons have accepted the Kings invitation, and are coming here tonight. "

" Tonight !...But why ? Aren't they the ones that threaten our lands ?"

" I think it's fishy too, but we have to get on their good side in hope to save Willendorf from their forces. If you'll excuse me, your majesty…"

He left to displace the guards in the keep and I was left like a cup amidst the boiling pots. But I decided to attend this meeting. In my room I put on one of my finer dress but not the fines, not to make our guests count me amongst the treasures of our home. It was a simple violet tight silken dress with a thin pretty colorful lace near my neck and a grey scarf-like belt around my waist. I tied my long brown hair in a tail that was falling down my back and thus prepared, I came to the reception room where Rabelec and my father were. It was a room with a table of refreshments bluish gray walls and read curtains. On the left wall were windows and on the right was a large tapestry with a map of Nosgoth on it. My father was a little surprised to see me there but I simply said:

" No. I'll stand with you through this. "

He smiled and hugged me just at that moment when the horns announced the arrival of lord Kain and his sons. As we awaited them we heard some disturbance. It would seem that the guards were attempting to stop him, but he simply kicked the door open and entered the room. He was dark and mysterious man with long blond hair over his back. He was dressed in a black armor and over his right shoulder hung a read clock on which was a white image of his crest. It seamed like a man with four arms, or were two upper wings ? And than we saw why the guards weren't letting him through; on his back was a long twisted blade with something that was without doubt, a vampire's scull for a hilt. He refused to be disarmed. Behind him, two other men entered and stood by his sides. He spoke :

" I greet you my King. I am Kain and these are my first two sons : Raziel and Turel. "

Raziel had a short hair, and somehow bored evil face. Like he was waiting for something to happen and anything that was going on in the meantime demanded little of his attention. Turel seamed cunning and sharp, with an amused smile and strange hunger in his eyes. His hair was gray, strapped in a short tail behind. They both had a similar leathery black cloth and on their right shoulders, hanged cloaks with their crests. Kain him self seemed amused and arrogant, but still my father bowed and said :

" You are welcome to Willendorf my lord. I am king Kgelegran. Allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Sellinna. "

As I approached him, my eyes were stuck to the floor before me. I bowed and offered him my hand.

" I am honored to meat you my lord. ";I said

In that moment he seemed interested in me, but only briefly. He took my hand and kissed it forcing me to shiver :

" Your hands are cold my lord. "; I noticed

" Yeas, they are. "; he answered.

" If you would join me at the great hall my lord, "; my father started :" the feast is about…"

" Not just yet."; he said :" First let us discuss the terms of your surrender. "

" You mean peace ?"; Rabelec said

" No, I mean surrender. You are in…"

" My lord. You are in our keep, alone and defenseless. "; Rabelec said

" Interrupt my father again, ";Raziel popped angry :" and you'll beg me to kill you long before I grow bored with you. "

" What is your game here ?"; my father asked slightly provoked

" A simple game my king. "; he smiled :" My army sits out side your walls just waiting to attack. If I don't like what you are going to say, which I probably won't, we'll reduce this town to rubble. Talk ."

At that point Rabelec wanted to send one of his guards to check this, but instantly the other entered the room :

" Forgive my intrusion, but the castle is surrounded by an immense army. The watchers somehow didn't saw them coming. "

We were all a bit scared before, but now we've become increasingly nervous. My father stepped closer :

" What do you want ?"

Kain walked to a map tapestry on the wall :

" Nosgoth ! All of it. "

" I can't give you that. It isn't mine to give. These lands have bean in my family for generations. "

" Don't lecture me about history ! "; he yelled :" Before your line was Dunoran's, and before his, Ottmar's, and so on ! Is it their land or yours ?"

" How dare you question my right to be king of Willendorf ! You are just some noble from Meridian who snatched his opportunity after Sarafan lord's death ! "

" You shouldn't have said that my king. I was not violent until now. "; he reached for the hilt of his sword.

In that moment, I knew that the madman would kill us all before the guards would overcome him and my father's hope would turn into a massacre. I had to do something.

And I did. I stepped before him and kneeled :

" Forgive my father's temper my lord. If you would permit me, I would make you an offer. "

He was surprised, and somehow annoyed by my delay of his entertainment :

" And what could you possibly offer me !"

My lips shook while I was saying it, but I knew I had to :

" My self… to do with as you please. "

Father was shocked with grief and despair :

" No Sellinna ! I forbid you to…"

" Silence !"; Kain cut him off

He was surprised by this offer, and I could tell by his face, he was considering it. He started pacing around me :

" A human's life has no value to me. Why do you think that yours has ?"

" I… it's the best I can offer. I dare to think that all the treasures we have, mean nothing to you ether… I can only offer you my self. "

It was obvious that I've touched him

" You would than, come to my castle, be my prisoner, and obey my every desire on your own free will, without any hope ever to return home, or see your father again ?"

" I… I would my lord. "

He considered briefly with gaze that was penetrating my flesh, and than said :

" I accept this deal. Willendorf will stay as it is. And you'll be taken to the " keep of shadows " to live there from now on. The next evening, a carriage will be sent to take you there. "

His sons seemed unpleased by this and surprised as all of us, but they said nothing. Without any further words, he led them out.

I fell in my father's arms sustaining from cry. I shed tears inside, but I had to stay strong for him. At least I managed to save our land and people and in that I found strength for this. Father tried to tell me how proud he was, but I just hugged him tighter and savored these last moments with him.

After they went outside of Willendorf's borders, the three figures changed back to their dark nature. It was than that Turel, annoyed and confused, asked :

" Father, I really must disagree with your decision !"

" Calm your self brother. "; Raziel said :" Father, with all due respect, what are you planning ? This isn't what we were come here for. "

" It is my will that it be so. We'll let Willendorf wait for now. "

" The clans will not be pleased by this. "; Turel said

" The clans will accept my choice, regardless of their pleasure !"; Kain answered, with cold anger and then continued with a fatherly tone :" I am doing this for a reason my sons. Trust me on this. Let Willendorf wait. "

" All right father. "; Turel said :" You have my trust as always. "

" And mine. "; Raziel said

They turned into bats, and flied away.