Authors Note – Sorry I haven't updated in forever. I just got a job so that's kept me busy.

Malevolence in the Sanctuary

Dumah walked over to the balcony overlooking the plains. He surveyed the slowly decaying world of Nosgoth with a cool detachment befitting his rank among the vampires. The world was black with silver and blue patches here and there on the packed earth. He was a great and proud warrior and was not satisfied with his place among the lieutenants. He had been in far more battles than Raziel and had spoken with far more respect to Kain. Raziel always spent his time in his city and was sarcastic and tempted fate by disrespecting Kain. Well fate wouldn't always be on his side would it? He would see to that.

He had a plan for his older brother, a plan that no one else knew about. There would be no betrayals from his slaves or peons. It was simple really, he would just get Kain on his side of an argument and then Raziel would be gone. He had far more power than Raziel realized. Raziel didn't seem to notice that Kain had gotten sick of seeing his wings and hearing his cheek. If he could just bring something simple out of proportion it would be easy to nudge Kain in the right direction.

But what would he use? Raziel might have a sharp tongue but he wasn't stupid. But Raziel was liberal with his humans and often let them have free time when he was too busy for them and didn't assign them backbreaking labor like any other lord would have. That was it, he would make it look like Raziel let them have too much time and the humans could overthrow the vampire lieutenant and attack the rest of the vampires.

He walked inside and went over to his desk and started making notes. It would be very tricky to get Kain on his side. But all things were possible if you knew what to do.

At Raziel's Keep A Few Days Later

"Quaphsiel I've been summoned to council by Lord Kain. I'll be leaving at sundown tomorrow." Raziel announced.

"But everything is going well in our territory and Dumah has told us that the land is at peace my lord." Quaphsiel said imploringly.

"I still don't see the danger my lord."

"Kain will enlighten me as soon as I get there, my bride. Then I can come back to my home. Besides sometimes he just drags us to sanctuary for reports on the humans failed rebellions; and enjoys our displeasure." He sighed as he said this.

He walked across the room to her and held her for a moment. He gazed at her and saw her worried expression.

"Don't worry I'll be fine Quaphsiel." and he kissed her then strode out of the room. He had to pack and tell his servants what to do when he was gone. He knew that Quaphsiel wasn't a strict as he was with them. So did they. He may as well put the fear of the dungeons into them while he was here.

He flew up to his chamber and started throwing things on the bed. He would need a satchel but that would be all. He flew down to the stables and got his stallion out into the paddocks for the night. He would have to be accustomed to the chill in the air. The friesian was spoiled from always being in the stables. He stroked the stallion's neck and turned him loose.

He flew out to his tower and entered his chamber through the window. He saw that Quaphsiel was there as he surveyed the room. She went to him and held him close to her heart.

"Please don't go Raziel. I feel that if you go you won't come back." she told him.

He laughed and pulled her closer and reassured her. He didn't take notice of two critical things. He took no notice of her tears when he kissed her goodbye. He didn't believe her prediction either. He didn't know how right she was. He left the room and Quaphsiel collapsed onto the bed and sobbed even harder.