As the receding rays of the sun caressed the city of Graz one final time for the day, the lamplighters began dragging their poles through the long winding streets trying to nudge every street lamp into submission. From Viktor's vantage point up high in the window of his stronghold, it looked almost like hundreds of fireflies had suddenly decided to settle on the darkened cityscape in an ordered pattern while twinkling in unison. The city was sight to behold from the hill on top of which the fortress was situated. The nightcrawlers from various holds started to move about to take care of their nocturnal duties causing additional commotion that was discernible to a vampire's ears. Viktor smiled almost imperceptibly, Graz truly came alive at night. It was his pride and joy.
He turned around to see his blond haired Lieutenant Casper lounging on the heavily padded armchair with his legs sprawled on the small table in front of him. The youngish looking vampire held many sobriquets, his right hand man, second in command of the city's army and his best friend. Also if he believed the rumour mills in the castle, he thought as his lips thinned eyeing the pretty raven haired dhamphir with whom his Lieutenant was in conversation with, a libertine.
"You there, leave us. I need to speak with the lieutenant alone". The dhamphir maidservant curtsied before exiting the room.
"I'll see you around then, Mila", Casper pulled his legs down from the table and grinned like a smitten teenager.
Viktor unsuccessfully tried to curb his irritation before spitting out, "Do you not understand the dire situation we are in".
"But I like this one", the vampire lieutenant flipped his blond hair over his handsome face, his petulance in stark contrast to his age of almost two hundred years.
"That is exactly what you said about the weird antiquities dealer's daughter last week. Fix your head on your shoulders. We can't afford to have you distracted. You need to focus... I need you".
Casper immediately dropped his smile, his face suddenly adding years without actually changing physically.
"You told me earlier that we received a message from the usurper", his tone took a serious note. Victor nodded before handing over a scroll from his pocket, "It came in the evening, the vampire day guards have the rider who came along with it, in an holding cell beneath the town's square".
Casper unscrolled the parchment, before eyeing its meagre contents.
Decree of Your Royal Highness King Isaac the First of Styria
In the Year of Our Lord 1476
To Lord Viktor of Graz,
This edict is to notify you of your many transgressions against the Crown including killing a solider of the night that was part of the royal army, closing Graz's borders and refusing to answer to the royal summons, and not disclosing the start of the reign of King Isaac the First by the right of conquest to the human population under your purview.
Despite your numerous heinous infractions, King Isaac in his bountiful wisdom and infinite mercy has decided to pardon you and bestow the Lordship of Graz again, should you comply with following:
You are required to open the gates of Graz to the forces of the Styrian royal army and enlighten the human population of the start of the reign of their new sovereign. You shall aid the King in his efforts to consolidate the lands of Styria. You shall arrive at the castle within a week to swear an oath of fealty.
Your response to the above shall arrive with the rider bringing this edict within two days of the city of Graz receiving this notice. Failing any of the above shall result in your person and all those aligned with you being condemned as traitors for the act of sedition and rebellion against the Crown.
Your Liege and Sovereign.
King Isaac the First.
Casper looked up frowning, "Are you absolutely sure that you have no plans to listen to his terms?"
"I am.", he gave a curt nod. He was a vampire who would not bow to some lowly human scum, no matter how unnatural he may be as well. According to his men who were near the castle to witness the battle almost twenty days ago, and based on one of the monsters that the accursed man must have created, which killed two of his men before it was brought down by the city's archers, the usurper was likely a forgemaster.
Graz was afflicted by the lack of information from the outside world due to his own choice. The distance mirrors presented by the royal crown to the lords of four of the counties in Styria were all enchanted so as to not allow them to see what they wish, but rather only to communicate with the other mirrors . A precaution borne out of a lot of good sense and a little bit of paranoia by Queen Morana, but now it was a drawback for him.
Nevertheless from what little information that he could gather within the closed gates of Graz, it seemed like the queens Striga and Morana had abandoned their nation. Queen Lenore was most definitely dead. It was up to him now to restore the vampiric order back in Styria. He wondered what happened to the other forgemaster Hector, the one who his Queen Carmilla had brought in from Braila. He better have perished with his Queen or that man would experience a fate worse than death had he helped this Isaac to steal the Crown, he noted darkly.
Carmilla had turned him on a fateful night five hundred and forty two years ago; she had come to Graz to subdue the then Master of the castle at the city, after killing her sire. He had been a strapping solider of the castle, a man of only five and twenty. And foolishly he stood in front of her blood soaked path with his sword raised after she had slain the rebellious Master and his entire family, even while his comrades fled in terror.
They had parried for a short while, exchanging blows, their swords sparking in a fiery dance that night. Even as a human he was known for extraordinary prowess with the sword, but in the end he was no match for her. As he lay panting on the ground unarmed with cuts soaking his chainmail, fully expecting his end at the tip of the metal she held, she did the unexpected. He never quite learned what caused her to spare him that night. Was she amused by his boyish bravado? Although a full man he must have been nothing more than a boy to her. Was it the euphoria of her already satiated bloodlust? Whatever it was, she had offered him a choice. Die or Turn.
He chose to become a vampire and in another unexplainable act which he later came to understand was the whimsy of her nature she made him swear allegiance as his Queen and sire, and then appointed him as the Lord of Graz. Carmilla had plucked him from the depths of obscurity and poverty and gave him recognition, power and wealth. For that he would remain forever indebted to her. He had spent the last five hundred years as her most loyal liege and made Graz the greatest city in the nation. As a human, he was a nobody. As a vampire, he was the Lord of Graz. And he would never swear fealty to a human, much less to the murderer of his sire.
"Clearly, based on this letter not all the counties of the country know about the change in leadership. And I think they are probably worried about everyone finding out which is why they want to secure Graz within the next two days.", Casper cut through his foray into the ever fading memories of his last day as a human. Ever since learning of the battle and closing their borders to keep the human population from learning the truth and starting a mutiny they had not made any contact with the other counties for fear of not knowing who was on their side and who was already turned.
"You mean they are worried that the other counties would also rebel like us?"
"Yes, apparently. So whatever his forces are, they are not large enough to handle all of us at once".
"Then we rally them and fight against this man. We could make contact with them and have them prepare for a counterattack"
"Maybe, but their help would not come fast enough for Graz. The letter says that if a rider does not return shortly within two days with a positive answer, we are likely to have an army here within four days from now, maybe even less", Casper countered, "This deal.. is not so bad Viktor, he only asks us to swear allegiance".
"Well he also wants my person in the castle where he would probably stake my heart. Even if he doesn't. He is a human", Viktor spat out, "What will his next edict contain? That we stop the blood toll being collected? That we try vampires in the human court of law? If we give in now, then his demands shall never cease!"
"What are you suggesting?"
"You take all of the civilian vampires and half our soldiers and head out to Leoben and join our vampire comrades. Of all of them I think the Lord of Leoben is probably trustworthy and the most suited for our cause. I will stay here with the rest of them and fight the incoming army. He shall either die or get nothing of Graz by the end of it".
"Why must you stay here? Why can't we all flee?", the younger vampire agitated.
"You already know the answer lieutenant. You are allowing your sentiments to cloud your judgement. We need time. Someone staying here and fighting the army allows us that time to gather the vampiric forces spread across the different counties in the country"
"This is ridiculous!", Casper stood up looking furious now, "You must be suicidal. If you engage them in battle here, what about the humans then?"
"This is our best chance at survival. I am the better warrior and I can deal a lot of damage to his army from Graz. If I have die for us to take back our right to rule this nation as vampires, then so be it. After he is done with Graz, if he is alive he shall not have the strength to fight the rest of you. The humans are better kept ignorant for now, easier to convince their army to fight for us once the monsters arrive. The civilians at the worst can act as a shield against the monsters".
"You do know he is a forgemaster right?"
"I shall burn this place down at the end of it, so that he cannot salvage the bodies".
"With all of the humans?", his lieutenant looked shocked, "You must be mad. Are you sure?.. Even Eliz-"
He sent a sharp murderous look towards his subordinate, silencing him. Perhaps killing all the humans was a bit too much even for him. He was directing his rage at them for the crimes committed by one man now situated in the Styrian castle. He sighed, maybe some of these humans could be useful alive.
"You can take the noble women and children with you. Perhaps even some of learned civilian human men. Anyone of importance that can be used to leverage the human population in the other cities. The elderly and the invalid are definitely to be left behind because they would only slow you down. You leave tonight to Leoben. We have no time to waste. I shall contact the other three lords who have distance mirrors after you exit with your entourage".
"Fine. If this is what you want. We can even spread rumour among these humans that this Isaac is trying to kill them all using his monsters. But I shall stay with you, we can ask one of the others to handle the journey".
"No, you are the only one I can trust to ensure that the rest of them do not fuck this up. Besides you are more useful in a war room rather than a battlefield, unlike me".
"I shall not abandon you! I am staying".
"No you won't", Viktor grunted, now angry, "And I am not asking this as your friend. But as your Lord and Commander. This is an order."
At the defiant expression of the younger vampire, he softened his countenance and clasped the subordinate's shoulder, "And this shall be my last".
Casper looked as if he was struggling to say something before whispering, "Yes sir".
"Good you have until two hours before dawn to leave" , he hesitated before adding, "And.. Make sure.. Elizabeth gets away".
Thankfully the blond vampire just nodded, maybe because of the somberness of the situation he had no quip to offer at his last statement.
"Go now. I shall see you again before you leave", Viktor motioned with his head towards the door. Casper handed him back the scroll from the usurper preparing to leave when the door was burst open by a young dhamphir, who fell to his knees panting.
"What is the meaning of this?" Viktor hissed, his fangs unveiled and claws out. He noticed that Casper was alert in a similar state as well.
"I.. am.. am sorry.. My Lord", the young half breed tried wheezing out in between gasps. For a dhamphir to be breathless he must have hurried here extremely fast, Viktor realized. This must be important!
"I just ran.. here from the correspondence.. wing. Our distance mirror awakened and is being contacted from the royal castle. It's Queen Lenore".
Viktor exchanged shocked glances with Casper, "Are you sure?" How is she still alive?
"Yes My Lord, I am sure. And Queen Lenore wishes to speak to you. Now."
Hector turned over shivering in the large four poster bed while eyeing the dead embers of the furnace with a wistful longing. This room was unnaturally cold. Didn't all the rooms get waste heat from pipes? Something was surely broken somewhere, he reflected before pulling Lenore closer towards him.
She had finally broken the dance between the two and asked him a day ago if he was ever going to move into her room. He had turned scarlet like her hair before acquiescing and moved his paltry belongings from the outhouse with the help of a few night creatures, before realizing too late that she would not take kindly to those beings entering her room. Lenore glowered at him the entire time the night creatures arranged his possessions while he tried to unsuccessfully pacify her. These creatures aren't Isaac's, they are all his! Needless to say that explanation earned him an additional death glare. Still, it felt comforting and good to be here with her.
Lenore counted down the minutes to the break of dawn within her head. Another night in which she was afflicted with insomniac waking nightmares. They always caught her when she was the least prepared for it. The past two days had been good for her; she had made Isaac agree to a meeting with Viktor and put all of his ministers in their place. She was even involved in preparing the treaty for the surrender of both the human and vampire faction in the city of Weiz.
Yet despite her many successes, far more in number and far greater in the degree of peril than any she had encountered in recent memory, dreamless sleep still refused to come for her as if to spite her. It was almost like the universe was mocking the futility of her actions. A reminder that this long winding road may inevitably lead to bloodshed and destruction. Simply because she remained clung to the naive notions that anything she may do mattered. Was her kind always meant to circle the doom?
With every passing day, she could feel these turbulent questions reflected in the chaos towards which this country was spiraling in an ever tightening circle. It won't be long before they came to a head; the fate of her kind in this country, perhaps even the whole world depended on it. Maybe the fate of the rest of history hinged on the next few years, as vampires and humanity stood on the crossroads of destiny. With Styria being the linchpin.
But nights like these poured water on the grand delusions she harboured that anything she may do, might amount to more than a trivial effort of someone who was ultimately inconsequential. Maybe the heavy burden she bore of the extraordinary task at hand, coupled with the conflicting natures of both her being and her mind was too much for even her vampiric frame. She prayed to no one in particular to be given some respite from the torture of her own mind.
This was even more difficult, now that she shared her bed with Hector, as she had to curb her agitated state and pretend to be asleep in order to not cause him any worry. She knew that she was already plenty indebted to him. Lenore also knew that he was always a little alert around her ever since she disclosed her suicidal inclinations. For that reason she did not wish to saddle him with more of her load. This however meant keeping still in the dead of the night when all she wanted was to throw up her blankets in frustration. Perhaps she shouldn't have hurried his move into her room so soon, she questioned her past actions. Just then, she felt his arm snake up around her waist to hold her closer towards him. Instinctively she felt herself relax a little as her mind now wandered someplace less bleak. Maybe this was not such a bad call after all, she smiled lightly.
In less than an hour the windows with the thick draped curtains were framed with a golden light that could not be collected, signalling the break of dawn. Lenore pulled back the covers to jump out of the bed after gently untangling herself from Hector. She then let herself indulge in a long bath, while mentally running down the list of things to do for the day. When she entered the bedchamber again, Hector was wide awake and was seated on the bed. He unveiled a dazzling smile upon her entrance.
"So did you sleep well last night?"
"I did", she lied.
He looked like he didn't believe her but let it pass for now, maybe because this was his first night in her room.
"Your bedroom is cold. What happened to the heat transferring pipes? The dungeons were much better frankly."
Lenore made a face, "First night in my room and that is what you want to say?"
Hector quirked his lips amused, "No seriously something is wrong. How did you say this thing that transferred heat worked anyways?"
"Erm.. science", she replied waving her fingers. How was she supposed to know?
"What science? How does it work? Do you have the plans for this mechanism".
"I don't know. It is just some science thing. We had servants that took care of such stuff. And Morana used to manage the housekeepers in charge of castle maintenance", she stated exasperated.
"I think we need to do something about it, or this place is going to fall apart".
"It is?", Lenore questioned confused. Granted the upkeep of the castle although conducted well by the night creatures, would fall short as they probably would not know how to do anything intricate or something that would require a prior experience in handling.
"Well yes, you have pipes going all through the castle carrying some hot fluid. If we aren't going to check on it, it is likely to burst at various places. There must be plans for it somewhere in the castle. Maybe one of the vampires in the dungeons can tell me about it. I should probably go speak with them and take a look at the mechanism that does this. This sounds fascinating", Hector had his fingers around his chin and his expression had taken a look of childlike wonder while still maintaining the veneer of contemplative adulthood. It warmed Lenore's unbeating heart for some inexplicable reason.
"What are your plans for today? You have that meeting with Viktor right, along with Isaac?", Hector asked.
"Yes, around dusk today", Lenore nodded. Isaac had decided that only her and him be in attendance at the meeting. "I may also have to look into some affairs around the castle with that man. What about you?" she asked.
"I have to send in a troop of night creatures capable of flying along with minister Mace towards the city of Weiz later in the morning. Then I think I would go take a look at the mechanism that does the heat transfer thing. Maybe pick it apart and workout for myself how it functions".
"Am I going to come back to find you with half your face burned off?", Lenore questioned, only half in jest.
"Am I going to find you and Isaac clawing at each other's eyes when I get back?" Hector countered, his eyes meeting hers with mirth.
"All right. Fair", Lenore grinned, "I shall see you later tonight".
She spent rest of the morning quickly going through the treaty to be submitted to the parties involved in the skirmish at Weiz along with minister Mace and Isaac before heading to the royal coffers. They did not hold the wealth that they did only a few months ago, owing to the obscene amount of gold spent in hiring the mercenaries to guard the castle. An endeavour which was ultimately a wasted cost. Nevertheless the royal treasury still held a substantial amount of money. One that she wanted to take stock of, before allowing the grubby hands of Goldbrass upon it. This exercise took her most of the day, as anyone involved in maintaining documents on it was long since dead. When she had finally completed her notes, she allowed herself a drink from a vial of blood that she carried in her person. This was tiring work, and one that she was happy to pass on to the distasteful minister from Murau, for now.
She noted that it was almost twilight when she made her way to Isaac's council chamber where they had planned on having the meeting with Graz. The guards posted outside let her in without a fuss before closing the door behind her.
"My King", she curtsied for appearance sake despite having no audience except the man himself and a lone elegant blue hued night creature whose name she remembered as Abel. "I had preemptively decided to take account of the royal treasury for the purpose of handing over the same to Minister Goldbrass. I hope you forgive my indiscretion as something borne out of duty to your reign".
The man's face was impassive as ever from his seated position on the imposing chair even as he hesitated to collect the scrolls from her outstretched arms. "I have decided to discharge the minister of his duties".
Lenore inwardly smiled at the knowledge that it was because of her own doing during the last meeting with the ministers. However dismissing him would not do, especially now that she had already gauged the minister for his weakness and if need be, was aware of his buttons to push.
"Your Highness, pardon my insolence. But I believe that we should retain the man for now, to take care of our treasury".
Isaac quirked an eyebrow as his only response. Perhaps because she was the one who actually showed that the man was not clean in his intentions.
"The Goldbrass's are to put it indelicately, good with making money. And we need to fill our coffers soon if we are to undertake any international or domestic ventures. Which we shall have to, as very soon outside powers would be vying for a stake in an unsettled Styria."
"So what you are telling me is, I should place the royal treasury in the hands of a man whose character flaw may be greed. Is that your great advise Lenore of Styria", the man seemed to almost snort with derision.
Lenore almost applauded at her restraint to not snap back at the impudent barbarian from the south. She tried again, this time with an excessive layer of politeness, "My advice is that Your Highness must allow the man to do what he does best. That is to make money. As that would only be advantageous to us".
She looked sideways before adding, "As for his less than stellar impulses, if you could impress on the man the consequences to his life and his entire extended family should he do anything that displeases us, you would find that he would very much be amenable to staying within the lines that Your Highness would want".
Lenore allowed the forgemaster a long moment of contemplation before outstretching her arms with the scrolls even further, "For our minister".
Isaac hesitated before reaching out to collect the documents. She had made copies of them for her own keepsakes as well. Although she knew that Goldbrass may not play fast and loose with the money on the account of threat of death that Isaac may convey, he was still bound to pinch now and then into the treasury. After all old habits die hard. Besides Lenore hoped that he would, as that would provide her leverage over the man who controlled one of the most important ministries of the court.
"It is time for the meeting with the Lord of Graz", the forgemaster motioned towards her before opening the lid of the box in front of him. Lenore moved around to stand next to a seated Isaac. From the periphery of her vision she noticed the night creature edge closer towards her. He came to stand at a distance far enough to stay away from the reflection of the mirror but close enough to rip out her throat in an instant if need be.
"Proceed", her new king commanded.
Lenore clapped her hands twice before stating clearly, "Lord Viktor of Graz".
The shards rose gracefully to show their reflection before dissolving to a reveal a stone walled room with a lone occupant who appeared to be a half vampire. The young dhamphir looked shocked upon seeing them before sputtering, "Queen Lenore! You are alive!"
"So you know who I am".
"Of course.. I have seen numerous paintings. Lord Viktor shall be pleased with the news of your safety".
"Well I and our new King and sovereign", she emphasized, "Would like to speak with Lord Viktor immediately. Fetch him". The dhamphir bowed before dashing away from view.
After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Lord Viktor came into view. He was just like she remembered, tall, impressively built, half of his dark hair held in a topknot and his expression grim. He was followed by a slightly shorter, blond haired vampire with a less stern bearing.
"Lord Viktor of Graz. I am King Isaac the First of Styria. I assume you have received a decree from my rider containing my demands for allowing your continued Lordship of Graz".
Viktor ignored Isaac and held her gaze with his unblinking eyes, "I am happy to learn the news of your survival".
"It is good to talk to you, Lord Viktor", Lenore replied bracing herself for this fraught conversation.
Viktor bowed his head a little.
"The honour is mine. My Queen".
NOTES:
1. Street lamps were not common until atleast a century later. But I believe in a world with vampires it is likely that they would be already prevalent. Especially in a city like Graz where vampires are in power.
2. Viktor's castle is the Schlossberg fort which is actually on top of a hill right in the middle of the city as I have mentioned in the chapter.
This chapter had a few new OCs, hopefully their characterizations were clear enough. I would love to receive some comments/criticisms and thoughts on how do you think the meeting between Lenore and Viktor would go down.
Thank you for reading.