Set slammed his palms into the heavy, double doors of the covens manor house and pushed them open, the hinges creaking in a sinister way. To the noble vampires lounging and chatting in the hall, Set looked like the epitome of vampires. Lightening flashed behind him, making his face seem pale and harsh. His armor was glistening from the rain that had started a few moments ago, and he was breathing heavily. As he walked through the doorway, his heavy boots thudding on the hard wood floor, the hall fell silent. Set had fallen out with Lord Korjn, so whatever reason he had for coming to the manor was important.
Behind Set, Lady Serina came, with Samuel and Erthello close behind. They were all soaking wet and Lady Serina had a fresh wound on her head, but it was rapidly healing. Serina was a more common figure in the manor, and several nobles stood and bowed to her, recognizing her status.
At the far end of the hall, upon his black throne, clothed in black robes, toying with a massive halberd, sat Lord Korjn. The ancient vampire looked annoyed, his sharp red eyes mere pinpricks in his pale face.
"Why has an upstart turned-one barged into my hall?" Korjn asked to no one in particular, laying his halberd across his lap.
"My Lord, I bring dire news! We haveā¦"
Another vampire rose from near Set and cut off him in mid sentence with an evil glare.
"Lord Korjn, why should we even listen to a turned-one, more than likely preaching about problems the flock is having? He is just wasting your time."
The large vampire lord looked straight at the vampire noble, seeming to look through him. The noble took this unspoken message and stepped aside and smiled at Set, baring his large fangs. Set bared his, issuing a low grow from his throat at the same time.
"My Lord Korjn, myself and these others,' Set turned a step and indicated Lady Serina and the others with a wave of his hand, 'have encountered that most foul of foes, a mind-flayer in the woods near Kermed! We must act now and wipe this threat from our lands!" with Sets words, the hall erupted in an uproar. Everyone present was standing and shouting objection, from the nobles, from the thralls, from all. They yelled that mind-flayers were never seen on the surface and other things besides.
Lady Serina stepped forward and raised her hands. "Gentle nobles, I know that this event seems improbable, but it is true! We must act and remove this threat from our land, before the mind-flayer takes our flock from us! What say you, Lord Korjn?"
The great vampire lord placed the blade of his halberd on the floor and spun it slowly, making a harsh scraping sound. Korjn looked up after a long moment and stared into Set's eyes, fixing him with his strong gaze. Set stared right back, unflinchingly. Again after a long moment, Korjn pointed a pale, bony finger at Set and beckoned him forward.
The hall was silent as Set stepped forward towards Korjn's throne, his hands resting on the hilts of his swords.
"Yes, Lord?" Set said slowly, painfully aware the Lord could easily kill him with one swing of the great halberd that was still spinning next to Sets foot.
"I turned you, correct?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Then I believe you. No spawn of mine could lie to my face.' Korjn leaned towards Set and smiled, exposing two inch fangs, the same fangs Set had felt some years ago. 'I then decree that you four must destroy this threat or die trying. I have spoken."
Lady Serina hissed from behind Set and whispered in his ear, "You will not be coming back from this, you idiot!" Set responded once again by growling deeply from his throat.
"We hear you, Lord." Set sighed. This kind of thing always happened to him. He then spun on his heel and hissed at Lady Serina, "Get out of my face!" He pushed past the others and strode out the door, heading for his lair in the hills. He needed to get some things before he began hunting the foul thing. The others might follow him.
