Chapter I

Humble Beginnings

A young man walks through the passageways of his Masters castle; his master was near death, leaving his daughter as his only heir. The young man, now acts as a high ranking member of his masters court, however that is only because so many of his predecessors had been slain, by an unknown enemy, an army of beasts were rampaging across his Masters lands, as if Hell itself had unleashed them. Taking a deep breath the young man approaches his Master's door, a man in armor stands aside and allows him to enter.

"My Lord" he spoke humbly, his head bowed. He looked at his master, lying almost motionless on his bed, being tended to by a beautiful young girl, who was mopping his brow.

"Who's there?" the Old Man choked "What do you want?"

"It is your loyal minister My Lord" he said in servitude

"My Minister?" he coughed "Castor? Castor is that you my friend?"

"No father" the young girl tending to him spoke gently "It is Kraven, Castor's replacement."

"Kraven?" the Old Man questioned in a confused tone

"Do you not remember me My Lord?" he asked

"Of course I do!" he barked "Now what do you want... Kraven?"

"There has been another attack My Lord." He began, his head still bowed "Antother one of the villages in our boarders has been massacred sire."

"Bah" the Old Man spat "These beasts have no honor!"

"Be calm father" the young girl urged

"I can not be calm! Why are my Generals allowing such trespasses into my Dominion? I want them exterminated! I do not care if you have to send every soldier I have!"

"Our ranks are depleted My Lord" reported Kraven "We only have your personal body guard left."

"Then summon Arthur!" the Old Man demanded "My ally to the South will provide us with men, together we will conquer this enemy just like Old times" the old men began to laugh "This will be a glorious battle."

Kraven and the young girl exchanged an uneasy glance with each other, "But Lord Viktor, Arthur is dead."

Viktor hesitated, "My lifetime ally is dead" he swallowed hard and allowed a single tear to roll down his cheek "Sonja when did this happen?

"Three years ago My Lord." She said sympathetically "Do you not remember?"

"Three years?" he questioned "That can not be"

"His daughter now rules the lands to the South" Sonja told him as she stroked his hair

"Amelia?" said Viktor in disbelief, "Amelia rules?"

"Yes my Lord." Said Kraven "And her Army is suffering the same as ours."

"This is a grave shame" said Viktor shaking his head "My army defeated, my Generals perplexed and my people suffering, what I would not give for ten more years, just so I can see this enemy defeated."

"You have done your best for us father" whispered Sonja, trying to offer her father some comfort.

Viktor managed to lift a frail arm and take his daughter by the hand "No my daughter" he croaked "I am a broken down old Warlord, without my ability to defend my people I am nothing. Is there no one that can help?"

"There may be one person My Lord?" said Kraven

"No" Chastised Sonja

"Who" demanded Viktor.

"It is of no concern Father" reassured Sonja "Your Generals are not taking him seriously."

"Who!" spat Viktor?

"Markus Corvinus My Lord." Said Kraven

"Corvinus?" Viktor repeated "They have not been in power for a lifetime."

"He claims to have intimate knowledge of the beast My Lord, but he will only speak with you."

Viktor wearily closed his eyes "Summon him" he commanded

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Kraven sat in a large stone room accompanied by Viktor's generals, and other high ranking members of the court. Viktor had been speaking with Markus Corvinus for hours. The Corvinus clan had been the pariahs of East European nobility for years, ever since the apparent death of William Corvinus, and the disappearance of his father Alexander, Markus Corvinus and his younger brother Henry had been unable to keep a grip on the families lands. Kraven wondered to himself what Markus could possibly know of the beast, and what he wanted from Viktor, however his thoughts were interrupted by a sight he never expected to see. The huge wooden doors of the room had been flung open with an incredible force, a dozen men did not have that kind of power, standing in the doorway was Viktor, he was out of bed, dressed in his armor and had the unmistakable aura of strength about him. Kraven watched as all the soldiers in the room dropped to a knee.
"Father" cried Sonja as she ran towards him. Viktor lifted her clear off the ground in an embrace "Father, what has happened to you?"

"Something wonderful, my beautiful child" he smiled "something wonderful"

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Viktor and Markus had spent hours explaining to the court what had happened to them, though there was initial disbelief, the feats of strength the two demonstrated seemed to be proof. There were many protests from the court, many thought these powers were from the devil, or that they were heretics. Viktor was not concerned. After days of talks many had agreed to be "sired" by Viktor and Markus. Out of duty to their people who were suffering at the hands of this undefeatable enemy, Kraven was among the first to volunteer, this power would get him the respect he had always desired, there would be no more humble child, eternal life meant that he would have everything he ever wanted. After an initial conflict with the Beast it was apparent that even with their new powers, Viktor's men would not be enough. Viktor called a meeting of his court to discuss this problem.

"What can we do my Lord?" asked Kraven, even if we infect all of your subjects with this plague they will not be able to defeat the Lycan, strength is not enough, we need soldiers."

"And we shall have them." Smiled Viktor

"How?" asked a General "Where?"

"We shall march south, there we will find our army" Viktor stated boldly

"Where will this army come from My Lord?" asked Kraven

"My Ally" Viktor replied. The whole room went silent, everyone was almost embarrassed.

"My Lord" began Kraven "Arthur is dead"

"But Amelia isn't" added Viktor "she loved her father, and will honor his alliance with me."

"In exchange for eternal life?" asked another high ranking member of Viktor's court "Princess Amelia is known to be head strong, she will not be happy having to be subservient to you and Corvinus."

"She will not have to be" Viktor snapped "I have… instructed Markus to make sure Amelia is as powerful as he and I are."

"My Lord is that wise?" asked Kraven

"Her father was my most trusted ally; we promised each other that if anything ever happened to one of us, the other would ensure the security of his daughter by any means necessary. I will do that, and out of respect for our alliance I will treat his heir with the same respect I treated him, she will be as powerful as I, she will be an equal."

"We bow before your wisdom My Lord" said Kraven

"Good" said Viktor "Now prepare my army, we ride south at nightfall, and then, with Amelia at my side we will destroy these beasts that are a plague on our dominions.