Disclaimer: I do not own the Naturals in anyway . I do own Karliah , the name Blood Harvest , the research on vampires and werewolves , the Coven , Valor , and Undead Vampires , the Collector , and the story itself . I have several OCs and my own creatures that may appear in this story , if you want to use them that ' s fine , but please give credit.
Chapter 11 : Genealogy Tree
Survival and Combat Class
It didn ' t take Chase long to realize that the Survival and Combat Classes were taught by the same instructor and that they were taken side-by-side , meaning all students that took these classes took them together .
" Andy knew what he was talking about when he wanted me to take these two classes together , " Chase said to Spark as he dropped his gear beside them since it said to bring them out next to the instruction on how to take both classes .
" Hoo , " Spark agreed .
" You don ' t say , " Dimitri said sitting next to Chase .
" And you are here because ? " Chase asked curiously .
" I ' ve been helping Instructor Van since arriving here , " Dimitri said gesturing to Instructor Van at the front of the class .
" Everybody is trying to find a way to better themselves these days , " Tyson said as he also sat with them .
" I thought you ' ve been in wars ? " Chase asked .
" I have , so has Dimitri , but we here are never shy to learning new ways to take care of ourselves , especially those that spend time out in wilderness of our world or those who are in combat very regularly . Plus , It ' s good for some of us to also blow off steam when cooped up for too long in the same place , as most in this world prefer to stay active instead of laying about waiting for something to happen . " Tyson explained .
" I understand after seeing Andy unable to sit still for very long after his transformation , " Chase said .
" Andy has it worse right now though since he is still in the newborn stage and has this abundance of energy with his vampirism still trying to rid itself of the humanity within his body , the closer he gets to a year after his transformation his need for activity will be easier to control . " Dimitri said .
" Hoo , " Spark said as the instructor started her class with getting role for class and then beginning the Survival Class .
The Instructor first showed them the Five Basic Safety Rules they had at their disposal that would help them survive in the wild which were : Don ' t Panic , Pay Attention , Travel With A Friend , Learn What Your Can Use From the Wild , and Learn How To Navigate Using Natural Phenomenon , Instructor Van explained each of them which they copied into their notebooks to help them learn these things .
The first one , Don ' t Panic was very straight forward , panic caused people to think irrationally and those who used irrational thinking when lost in the wilderness often didn ' t survive due to panic sinking in . This panic and irrational decisions kept them from doing things that could help them like making camp , building fires , catching food , and find water when they needed it .
The Second was Pay Attention , most people who get lost in the wilderness or those who get hurt , usually do so because they weren ' t paying attention to where they were going or what they were doing , this also meant getting more and more lost instead of finding their way .
Travel with a Friend , people got into the most trouble when they were alone in the wilderness of Reverent with no one to help them find their way , deal with trouble , or to aid them if injured , so , traveling with a friend helped them keep to paths , find their way if they got off of the paths or if paths were not available .
The wilderness was full of resources if people took the time to look and learn about such resources , using them when traveling will save on what rations a traveler had on them and used only in emergency situations . Chase realized his Creature and Plant Class would help him in this area as he was already learning what to look for in the wilderness , identifying what could help and harm him while travaling .
The last rule was based on using stars and other things in nature instead of compasses to guide them , such things as the sun rising in the east and set in the west and identifying the north star to help them find their way even when they were lost .
" Most of these rules apply to my own world as well , " Chase thought to himself .
After telling them the Basic Safety Rules , Instructor Van taught them how to make fire from things in the wild , Chase had done this with Lex on their trek to the underground to find the Gateway to the Kennels .
" Of course when you get a handle on Ignite you could light your own fire through magic , " Tyson said .
" Let ' s be careful with that for now until I can calm down this magical irregularity thing I have going on , Tyson . There ' s too many people around me that could be harmed by fire , so , being patient and cautious is the best way to go here . " Chase said as they watched the other students .
" You ' re not wrong , Chase , " Tyson said .
" Hoo , " Spark said .
" Are you learning anything ? " Chase asked .
" Whoo hoo , " Spark said .
" Okay , " Chase said .
" How did you learn to make fire so quickly , Chase ? " Dimitri asked .
" From Lex while we were out in wilderness looking for the Gateway into the Kennels , " Chase said .
" He had a little advancement on this survival training , " Tyson said .
" Yeah , " Chase said .
" So , where is Ragon ? " Dimitri asked .
" She went to feed , " Chase said .
" Okay , " Dimitri said .
" I don ' t want to force her or order her to do things , " Chase said .
" It ' s not really forcing her since being an Apprentice is voluntary and it ' s more like asking instead of ordering . " Dimitri said .
" I guess that ' s a fair way to see it , but still , it ' s different from the way I was brought up , " Chase said .
" Mundance , doesn ' t have service jobs ? " Tyson asked .
" We do , " Chase said .
" And you would ask them to help you if you needed ? " Tyson asked .
" Yes , " Chase said .
" It ' s the same here with people in service like the healers who tended to your black dog wounds , " Tyson said .
" Oh , " Chase said looking at the bite mark that was now leaving a scar on his arm .
" And just like you helping that lady move her stuff into her shop back in Hawthorne , people around Reverent value service , a lot more than anything else . " Dimitri advised .
" I get it , " Chase said .
" Just don ' t abuse the idea of having someone that ' s willing to serve you , " Tyson warned him .
" I won ' t , " Chase said .
Historical Archives of the Vampire Prince - Jezelle ' s Office
Andy and Karliah knocked on Jezelle ' s office door after being told earlier that day by her assistant to come see her after class let out as Jezelle had a free period after lunch .
" Come in , " Jezelle said .
They walked in to see her sitting behind a large desk that was infront of a shelf full of artifacts from different areas .
" It ' s more than just teaching about history , isn ' t it ? " Karliah asked looking at the artifacts .
" Before I was an instructor , I was an archeologist and explorer , looking for explanations to our world , but as I got older and the world grew more dangerous , I took up Archmagister Saladira ' s offer to become an instructor here on the Vampire Prince and mysteries of the past . " Jezelle said .
" Can you help with this research to find Ethereal ? " Andy asked .
" I can try , " Jezelle said .
" What are these Desmond ' s Reports of the First Age ? " Andy asked .
" Ah , yes , this is a five volume set of books containing Demond ' s important speeches and reports in the order that he gave them . Archivists and scribes collected them over the years and with careful study put them in chronological order from the first to last speech Desmond gave over the years . His first was done after his schooling days when he gave a speech on the benefits of the City Watch system being used during times of peace instead of using martial law and military to handle minor issues with in a community . Dealing with local matters like petty dispute , minor thievery , and small bandit and animal attacks seemed too big of a problem to need the full might of the military and should only be handle with local authorities while the army should be reserved for dealing with lawbreaking , wars , disasters , riots , and terrorism where a local authority system wouldn ' t be able to handle the problems . " Jezelle explained .
" So , these are directly from him ? " Andy asked .
" Yes , as more are found and deciphered from the Blood Ruins , we put them in their proper order and then the volumes are revised and new editions are printed every four - to - five to keep everything up-to-date and in chronological order . " Jezelle said .
" For him to understand the difference in local law and military law meant he was quite educated ? " Andy asked .
" Yes , educated , but also humble , you have to understand that Desmond came from very humble beginnings . " Jezelle said .
" How so ? " Andy asked .
" His mother kept a trade good store and his father took supplies all over the local area hauling anything from small letters to lumber from the local mill , both were respected and well liked members of the community . Those values kept Desmond honested and humble all of his life even when he was called to be the first Vampire Prince , he allowed himself to be approachable by those who came to him with needs and concerns . His first job was as a courier , then he work with the watch themselves helping to hunt down local animals and bandits that were nuisance in the kingdom he lived in during those days . " Jezelle said .
" Kingdom ? " Andy asked .
" Here , this is a map I show to my students so they will understand the structure of the world back in Desmond ' s day . " Jezelle showing him a map with numerous things on it .
" What of it ? " Andy asked .
" Back then our world was broke up into kingdoms , you would probably call them counties or districts today , a major city with everything in it such as residence , merchants , infirmaries , and the Seat of Kingdom was the main hub of the kingdom , within each kingdom ' s borders you ' ll find small communities , towns , villages , settlements , and estates that fall within the rule of that kingdom ; this was done to make it easier to deal with government affairs like taxes , voting , and enforcing the law . Desmond and his family and Celestia with her family were apart of the same small , local community with in the same kingdom , meaning they knew each other from childhood and grew up together . " Jezelle said .
" What did Celestia ' s family do ? " Andy asked curiously .
" Her father was a farmer and her mother a seemstress , " Jezelle said .
" With them being so humble it would make one think a place of humble origins would be sacred enough to make Desmond want to hide Ethereal in such a place , " Andy said .
" It would make one think that , " Jezelle said .
" Was there a place of humble origins that Desmond and Celestia would have retreated to when they needed a break from the world ? " Karliah asked .
" Probably , but you know as well as I do , Karliah , that the world has drastically changed since the days when Desmond and Celestia walked the earth . " Jezelle said .
" That ' s true , " Karliah sighed .
" Anything else troubling you ? " Jezelle asked .
" Except for still trying to find Ethereal , not at the moment , " Andy said .
" We ' ll find it , it ' s just taking more time than the others with this being an artifact no one has seen in ages . " Karliah said .
" And lost knowledge , " Jezelle added .
" Yeah , thanks for the help , " Andy said .
" Anytime sir , " Jezelle said .
Andy and Karliah left Jezelle ' s office with the Vampire Prince now deep in thought .
" The world changed since the days of Desmond and Celestia ? " Andy asked Karliah .
" Through war , disasters , and reclaiming of territories through the older family clans , yes , this world has changed a bit . " Karliah said .
" Family clans ? " Andy asked .
" Yes , the lineages and ancestries of the older vampire families are large and go way back into history , " Karliah explained .
" Would Desmond and Celestia have descendents ? " Andy asked .
" I would imagine , so , but I ' ve never met any of them , " Karliah said .
" Do you know of anyone who may know ? " Andy asked .
" Camden or Lucas might know through military records , Madam Victoria through the family records in London since Desmond and Celestia were from the United Kingdom , and Deek may have something within the records of Hawthorne itself . " Karliah said .
" Lucas is here at the school , so , let ' s start there , " Andy said .
" Very well , " Karliah said as they went to where Lucas retreated during the day when the students at Arcania used the library .
Andy saw Lucas at the far end of the study area surprising both him and Karliah to see Camden with Officer Marcel .
" May help the search ? " Karliah said .
" And the situation with the warlock and black dogs , " Andy said as the two approached .
" Prince Andy , Ms . Karliah , " Marcel said the first to greet them .
" You seemed to be seeking something ? " Camden asked .
" First a little curious as to why you are all the way out here ? " Andy asked .
" With the growing threat of the black dogs , I came to aid the vampire camps further south that are helping to hunt down the alphas that have been released from the Kennels , sir . " Camden explained .
" Between the warriors at the camps , mages here from the school , and the Hunter ' s Lodge of the lycans keeping the black dogs at bay until we can close the Gateways and deal with the warlock will go more efficiently and lessen the chance of innocents getting seriously injured or killed . " Lucas explained .
" So , to prevent what happened to Chase on our way here , " Karliah said .
" Yes , this new variant of black dogs are smarter than those we ' ve dealt with in the past and their noses are attuned to human blood even without any blood being spilt . It ' s almost like they have crossed with an even more ancient breed of dog that was housed in a deep part of the Kennel , one older than Skeletal Dogs and definitely older than the black dogs . " Camden said making Karliah shiver knowing what was housed in the deeper part of the Kennels .
" What breed of dogs ? " Andy asked looking at the fear in Karliah ' s eyes and body language .
" Hellhounds , they were the first breed of vile canines that once roamed the darker areas of the world and the first to be pushed into the Kennels , the alphas of the black dogs that were kept behind the Gateway could have cross-bred with them and created these new variants that have now crossed with the few black dogs that were left here . " Marcel said .
" And what about the Skeletal Dogs that were housed within the Kennels ? " Andy asked .
" They don ' t have a means of crossbreeding with Skeletal Dogs since they came from a curse instead of being born or created through nature like the black dogs and hellhounds . " Marcel explained .
" If the black dogs have been let out of the Kennels then what about the hellhounds ? " Andy asked .
" To open the door to the hellhound ' s Kennel to release them into this world you would need six keys that are kept separate in secret locations around Reverent , one of which is housed with Hawthorne Castle itself . So , while it ' s not impossible , for now nothing has shown us that the hellhounds have been released . " Camden said .
" Okay , now to my second question ? " Andy asked as Chase came up to the study with Ragon after allowing Stevens to get a bath once he was done with the combat class .
" Go ahead , " Camden said .
" I was told you and Lucas might have records on those who served in the military , " Andy said as Chase looked at them .
" We do , " Camden said curious .
" Why do you want to know ? " Lucas asked .
" I was looking for any of Desmond and Celestia ' s family and an explanation on the ancestries here in Reverent that may point me to Ethereal . " Andy said .
" Very well , it ' s not hard to understand the ancestries here once you understand that most of your oldest families have generations upon generations of people that are interwoven through the ages and dates far back even to the beginning of time . " Lucas explained as Tyson came up to the balcony .
" So , the family trees are quite large then ? " Andy asked .
" Very , my parents alone had nine children with myself being the oldest and Karliah the youngest , some vampires could have less , but most have similar numbers or more . " Lucas said as Chase glanced at Karliah .
" Lucas , maybe you and Tyson should take the Honored Prince and Chase through a course on the family trees , then they can come see me further south during the Christmas break , so , I can go over the military records with them . Finding Ethereal maybe a more pressing matter with the warlock and black dogs around , if the legends told of the weapon are true then that bow could be used to stop black dogs in their tracks with ease . " Camden said .
" What legends ? " Andy asked .
" There ' s a book , should be a copy of it where they keep everything else on the Vampire Prince here at Arcania , if not it should be in the children ' s section , but the book is title "Desmond ' s Tales" it ' s a storybook with different tales about the adventures of Desmond . One such tale talks about Desmond using Ethereal and the magic within the bow that could banish or weaken creatures of darkness like the black dogs or even the hellhounds and skeletal dogs . " Lucas said .
" Then I will look into it , " Andy said looking at Karliah .
" I will see if I can find it , " Karliah said going to find the book for Andy .
" Thank you , " Andy said .
" Ethereal can banish or weaken black dogs or even hellhound and skeletal dogs , sounds like one of the active effect artifacts Instructor Holden mentioned the first day of Basic Magic Class . " Chase thought outloud .
" It ' s possible , but since no one has seen Ethereal in ages it could still just be myth and legend . " Lucas said .
" Alright , I need to see to the camps south of here , Prince Andy , if you can hold out long enough , I would recommend trying to find Ethereal before dealing with the warlock and maybe wait on Elizah to return from the breeding grounds . " Camden said .
" We will make the trek south once the break starts , " Andy said .
" I will tell the lookouts to expect you then , sir , " Camden said before leaving .
" The warlock has the Scrying Globe , it ' s how he unlocked the Gateway to the Kennel . " Lucas said after Camden left .
" So did he break into the family vault or did he buy it from the black market through the warlord ? " Tyson asked .
" He bought it on the black market , " Lucas said .
" So , everything is coming to ahead with the warlock then , " Chase said .
" Seems like it , " Lucas said as Karliah came back up with the book handing it to Andy .
" So , about the family trees ? " Andy said .
" Let ' s go down to the private section of the dining hall where there is more room and I will explain everything , " Lucas said .
" While I go and inform the Archmagister and other Officers about the recent findings on the warlock , " Officer Marcel said leaving .
Andy , Karliah , Chase , and Ragon went down to the dining hall with Chase grabbing food for him and Spark which included fruit to get his electrolytes back up after the combat class .
" How did it go with the survival and combat class ? " Andy asked .
" Very well , I found out I already had some knowledge of survival from being out with Lex when searching the underground for the Gateway into the Kennels and we started with hand-to-hand combat today . " Chase said .
" Which you already had some experience in through boxing , wrestling , and the army as well as sparring with Seth . " Andy said .
" Exactly , " Chase said putting the sheet on the list of laws on the proper use of magic that he got from Officer Delmont in his notebook for his Mages Class .
" Interesting , " Andy said reading the laws on the paper Chase had out .
" Instructor Holden wanted us to have them from our Chief Officers of Magic along with a list of Forbidden Magic that he made us copy in class . " Chase said .
" The laws for use of magic is relatively the same for all three races , but some are a little more emphasized like being careful with fire around vampires , while lycans and humans may not appreciate fire being used dangerously around them for vampires only a very little can be detrimental to our health . " Ragon said .
" She ' s very helpful , " Chase said .
" My pleasure , Sir Chase , " Ragon chuckled .
" And she laughes at my jokes , " Chase added .
" At you or with you ? " Andy asked .
" I would never laugh at him , that wouldn ' t be very polite , Honored Prince , " Ragon said .
" Uh huh , " Andy said .
" Yeah , Honored Prince , " Chase agreed .
" Hey , don ' t make me ground you , " Andy warned Stevens .
" Now whose joking , " Chase said as he pulled out the " Council of Mages " book and began reading over it providing a list of the nine councilmen who sat on the Council of Mages and their job description .
" Council of Mages ? " Andy asked looking at Karliah .
" They oversee the proper use of magic , after Desmond saw a lot of misuse of magic in his day , he felt that wild magic was dangerous and the use of magic should be regulated , so the Council of Vampires along with the humans and lycans set up the Council of Mages . Nine Councilmen are on the Council of Mages including the Chief Officers Carrington , Delmont , and Wendum , Archmagister Saladira , Battlemagister Caleen who oversees the Order of Battlemages in London , Archivist Delirene Marso who sees to the historians and scribes of Reverent , Madam Lorenda Telanni who oversees the Order of Health Services and Cindera of the Head Alchemist are both over the Restoration Magic of Reverent , and Warrinton of the Magical Defense Office , all see to the proper use and regulation of magic . " Karliah said as Lucas and Tyson sat down with Dimitri .
" Why did I check this book out of the library if you were going to give me the entire list I need along with their job description ? " Chase asked holding up the book he was looking at for his homework .
" You ' re welcome , " Karliah said .
" Okay , " Chase said putting the book and his notebook up as Spark wandered out to get a carrot to eat on .
" So , about the ancestry ? " Andy asked .
" Ancestry within the vampire community typically become quite large , mostly due to vampires living longer than lycans and humans do and through the bonds between mates , " Lucas said .
" Mates ? " Andy asked as Chase listened .
" While it ' s not against the law to take a second mate , and does happen in some rare cases after a mate dies , for vampires bonds between mates last a lifetime and even years after their other half has left this world for the next most will never take another . " Lucas said .
" It ' s been that way since time began , " Tyson said .
" So , a lifetime bond and long life gave vampires enough time to create larger families ? " Andy asked .
" Yes , many of which has members dating far back into history , " Lucas explained .
" Which families are the oldest ? " Andy asked curious .
" You have to understand that some clans may have died out overtime or blended into other families as they married or moved into other clans . " Lucas told him first .
" Okay , " Andy said .
" The first clan I can give you history on is the Fairhearts , " Lucas started .
" Why have I heard that name before ? " Andy asked .
" The undead that was left behind after Eli attacked the hunting party from Dimitri ' s family had markings of the Fairhearts , Elizah told us about them very briefly in your first council with the Alpha ' s pack . " Karliah reminded him .
" Right , please continue , " Andy said to Lucas .
" Adonius Fairheart , the founding father of the Fairheart Clan was one of the Ancestor Vampires , the first vampires to exist , he was known to be a noble man amongst the early vampire community and built a large manor on his estate in the hills of the Alps where he would often host social events with other vampires at the time to promote goodwill and the need for unity amongst the vampire community . " Lucas laying a book open for Andy that showed the ruins of a large manor that almost looked like a cross betwen an castle and abbey to him and Chase .
" That ' s almost as big as the school , " Chase looked shock .
" Yes , at the time it was regarded as the most well respected residence for any race around , now a days it ' s run down and nothing more than old ruins that the historians and archivists have studied time and again to try and get an understanding of the community the Ancestor Vampires were living in back then . Adonius married Elaina Delonia at the Meeting Hall , a gathering place for people in the past used for all sorts of things such as announcements that would effect the people and during festival time to make speeches , together the two would have five children of their own : three boys and two girls . " Lucas explained laying an annual in front of Andy and Chase next to the book with the manor ruins allowing them to see a family trees connecting Adonius Fairheart to Elaina Delonia as husband and wife with all five of their children connected to them by lines pointing to their names on that tree .
" Here in our world and maybe in yours , too , when we list family lines we always go in order of age based on who was born first . " Karliah said seeing the curious look on Andy ' s face when he saw the Fairheart ' s family tree .
" I understand the order of the children by our Mundance ' s genealogy tree , but I ' m curious as to some of these markings out beside the dates , A.V. ? " Andy looked at them .
" In your world you label things as B.C. Before Christ , B.C.E. Before the Common Era, A.D. anno Domini which means in the Year of the Lord , or C.E. Common Era , depending on your beliefs in Christ , here we distinguish eras through time very differently . For the era in which the Ancestor Vampires still walked the earth , those now a days refer to that as the A.V. meaning Ancestor Vampire years or A.B.R. which stands for Age of the Blood Ruins due to the Blood Ruins of the old vampire language being used more frequently in those days without a thought to what it could do to enslave the thoughts and free will of others . " Lucas explained .
" There is a longer lenth of time between A.V. and the next era being F.V.P meaning the First Vampire Prince which would be when Desmond was called to become the very First Vampire Prince . " Dimitri added .
" So , since Andy is the Third Vampire Prince that means a new era has begun in which you would use T.V.P to distinguish the new era ? " Chase asked scratching his head .
" Yes , that ' s why most vampires use the markings that determine the small days which is broken up into ages instead of eras , so , we use the A.B.R. more frequently in conversation and in general use even when studying history . The A.V. is only used amongst experts like historians , archivists , and scribes , or in books where both dates are given for people to refer back to in their studies . " Lucas said .
" So , in reference to when Adonius and Elaina were alive would be ? " Andy asked .
" 500 A.B.R. or 500 Age of the Blood Ruins , " Tyson said .
" 500 , you ' re missint 500 years of genealogy ? " Chase asked .
" Everything before the Age of the Blood Ruins is referred to as Age of Origins or A.O. in the record books , this is the years before Noah ' s Flood and outside of a few notes here and there ; we have relatively no information on how the world and vampires were before the Flood . " Dimitri said .
" Noah ' s Flood , the Flood , the Biblical Flood is known in the history books of Reverent ? " Andy asked .
" Yes , it ' s one of the very first events recorded in our history books , what ' s known about Reverent before that is a complete mystery . " Karliah said .
" So , if we have this annual here then what ' s the difference in the military records ? " Andy asked .
" The annuals are done based on a census and there hasn ' t been a proper census since my father order one before he died , we tried to do one before the last war , but everything was a mess and infighting started over the slightest suggestion of things . So , all we have for a modern census are military records from the conflict , so , maybe there ' s something in them to find Desmond ' s family . " Lucas said .
" Why wouldn ' t Desmond ' s family appear in the annuals if a census was taken back then ? " Chase asked .
" The same reason you wouldn ' t find my father ' s family records in an annual , " Lucas said .
" Why ? " Andy said .
" While our family and Desmond ' s family would still fill out a census report for historical purposes both are kept hidden from public eye for the same reason we went out to stop the Northwatch Abbey Monks , the same reason why we are cautious when vampire hunters emerge , and the reason why we are alert to traitors amongst our community . If someone were to get ahold of the records to the Vampire Princes , then the entire line could be ruin and destroyed , so , for our sake , yours , and Desmond ' s family , our family line is kept confidential at all times . The only one who would have any form of records would be the one who has the military records and that right now would be the Head of Defense which would be Councilmen Camden . " Lucas said .
" I understand , " Andy said .
" Why would some of the Fairhearts be undead vampires now ? " Chase asked .
" Some could have fell in with them in the old days or been infected , but that ' s another mystery for the ages , they were loyal to Desmond in the war against Desolate and the Red Oxen and served as his sharpshooters going into the darkest of places to take out any demons or monsters that would pledge their loyalties to Desolate and his cause . " Lucas said .
" Sharpshooters , meaning experts in archery and loyal to Desmond ? " Andy asked .
" Most likely ? " Lucas looked at Andy curious .
" I wonder if one of them could have take Ethereal to the place that was sacred to Desmond and Celestia ? " Andy asked .
" Once again , it ' s possible , but unless they have someone watching the manor , finding a Fairheart maybe more challenging than finding Desmond ' s Family . " Lucas said .
" Checking on the Fairheart Manor maybe a good idea while we are talking about it , " Chase said .
" I agree with Chase on this one , " Andy said .
" Honored Prince , what you do is your prerogative , but I would advise you to hear Camden out first and see to the military records before going to the Fairheart Manor . " Lucas said .
" I gave him my word I would head to the camp when Christmas break starts at the end of the week , so , I will speak to Camden first , but what should I know about the Fairheart Manor that concerns you ? " Andy asked curious .
" The area is rumored to have undead nesting grounds close by and there ' s a cavern that is rumored to contain a piece of the Red Oxen ' s power around the area , a demon is said to also haunt the nearby forest pass . " Lucas said .
" So , it ' s dangerous ? " Andy asked .
" Very , " Lucas said .
Andy looked at Chase with a thought .
" You ' re not leaving me behind , " Chase made it clear to Andy .
" Chase , " Andy said .
" I ' m not weak little Chase anymore and I ' m not taking your I ' m concerned speech anymore . I ' ve learned to survive out there and I can more than handle black dogs and undead vampires , demons don ' t scare me either . " Chase said .
" What about your classes ? " Andy asked .
" Classes can wait , but family doesn ' t abandon family , " Chase said .
" And your issues with the magical irregularities ? " Andy asked .
" I can handle it and he can stock up on potions before we go , " Ragon said .
" Forget it , Andy , I ' m going with you , " Chase said .
" Very well , " Andy said .
" I guess this is a new trip and it should prepare you for the fight against the warlock and black dogs when we find out who he is , " Karliah said .
" And what about you , Dimitri ? Or would you prefer to stay here with Jasmine ? " Andy asked .
" Jasmine is safer here than she would be at home and she safe at home , so , I can go whenever , " Dimitri said .
" Okay , we will prepare for the trip south to see Camden about these military records and see what we can find out about Desmond ' s family , if we find anything there then we can deal with both hunting down Ethereal or any leads to Ethereal and see the Fairheart Manor as well . " Andy said .
" Very well , but I can ' t be of any help knowing that the Scrying Globe is close by and releasing these black dogs , so , while the Christmas Break is going on I will help Camden and guard from here at that school . " Lucas said .
" Fair , but I don ' t want anyone going after the warlock until we can handle it together , " Andy said .
" I understand sir , " Lucas said .
" Hmm , " Tyson said looking at Chase still wondering about him and then look at Lucas .
" And don ' t forget we have Spark to help , too . " Chase pointed out .
" Hoo , " Spark said like he was ready for an adventure .
" See , he ' s ready , too , " Chase said .
" You need to let your instructors know you will be out during Christmas break and maybe a little afterwards , too . " Andy said .
" I will , " Chase said .
" We can go to the alchemist to pay for their services ahead of time and have extra potions ready for us on Friday to pick up for the trip . " Ragon said .
" Then let ' s go tell the Archmagister that we ' ll be out during Christmas Break , " Andy told his crew .
" We may need to send a bird to Oslow and Seth at the Hunter ' s Lodge , " Karliah suggested .
" We can do that , " Andy said .
" And I would like to speak to Lex before leaving , " Chase said thinking of a possibility .
" Then you go with Ragon to see Lex and the alchemist while we go and deal with sending a message to the Hunter ' s Lodge for Oslow and Seth , then speak with Archmagister Saladira about us being away . " Andy said .
" You understand the way genealogies work here now ? " Lucas asked .
" Yes , thank you for explaining it all to me , " Andy said .
" My pleasure , sir , " Lucas said before they parted ways .
" Hmm , " Tyson said .
" What ? " Lucas asked looking at his younger brother knowingly .
" I think you already know what I ' m thinking , " Tyson said .
" If I forbid you from going with them then what would you do ? " Lucas asked .
" I would go anyway , because I ' m a grown vampire with free will , I think I ' ve shown you that I am more than loyal to our family , Lucas , and I think Karliah has too , but you still treat us all like children , especially the two of us . The only difference is that you treat me like a brother because I was born on our family estate and Karliah was born at the Northwatch Abbey , so , you forbid her from having a place within our family . " Tyson said .
" Tyson ? " Lucas asked .
" I want to understand what they learned from Mundance as it seems better than the way things were here in the past when all our people could do was fight amongst each other and lose what was important like family , " Tyson added .
" If you want to go , I won ' t stop you , just make sure you are doing this for the right reasons . " Lucas said .
" I will , " Tyson said running off to catch up with Andy and Karliah .
Balcony
" Lex , are you up here ? " Chase asked as he and Ragon walked up to the balcony where Lex normally studied after talking to the alchemist .
Chase paid the alchemist for the potions that had been delivered to him and ask if the alchemist could have more waiting for him on Friday for his travels , the alchemist said he would have them ready and Chase paid him ahead of time for the potions .
" Yes , kid , " Lex said from the desk .
" I was letting you know that I ' m heading out with Andy after Friday classes to see Camden about tracking Desmond ' s family and then heading towards the Fairheart Manor . " Chase said .
" Come with me , " Lex said thinking as the two followed him to Instructor Holden ' s office .
" What can I help you with ? " Holden asked .
" Tell him what you told me , Chase , " Lex said .
Chase told Holden about going with Andy to see Camden during the break at the camps down south and that they were going towards the Fairheart Manor afterwards .
" Hmm , are you sure you want to do this ? " Holden worried .
" Before either of you try and talk me out of it understand one thing , Andy and I are brothers , we ' ve been brothers since before he became the Vampire Prince and before we knew anything about this world , and for me that means fighting with him . I ' m not about to throw away any of that and when he came to my door with this change before Karliah or anyone else stepped in , it was me he sought out to help him and I promised him then like I did when we first became partners and brothers that I would have his back no matter what happened . So , yes , I ' m sure about going with him and just as sure that helping with his task is more important than anything else in my life . " Chase said .
" That much passion in your voice , it makes a lot sense now why your Ignite spell was thrown off , I think he maybe able to handle something with a little better control . " Holden said .
" What ? " Chase asked .
" Come with me into the practice area , " Holden said .
" We may need Reaper for this , " Lex said .
" Ragon , would you go up and get Reaper from my room ? " Chase asked .
" It would be my pleasure , sir , " Ragon said leaving to get Reaper .
" So , I ' m curious why Reaper and not Savage ? " Chase asked .
" You will probably learn this in your combat class , but certain metals act differently from each other and Reaper has a metal propriety that ' s different from Savage that allows Reaper to hold magic within the blade as long as the wielder concentrates . " Lex explained .
" So , my magic can channel into Reaper ? " Chase asked .
" Yes , but only elemental energy , but before Ragon returns I ' m giving you two new fire spells that ' s not as weak as Flame , but not as strong as Ignite . These fire spells should be on the same strength level as Force and shouldn ' t require as much passion and heat to be put into the spell . " Holden said .
" What are these spells ? " Chase asked as Spark came out curious .
" First your friend may want to be out of the way for this , " Holden said .
" Spark , " Chase said holding his hand down to a table so the fizz could wander down to the table out of the way .
" You normally where those fingerless gloves with the hidden blades in them , but for now use these in order to keep your hand from burning like it did at the trials . " Lex letting him borrow some gloves to train with for a moment .
" Thanks , " Chase said .
" First we will start with Blaze , " Holden laying a hand on Chase ' s shoulder and sending Blaze into Chase allowing his being to receive the new spell , Stevens felt a warmth go through him as the spell was given to him .
" Alright , now that you have the spell we will let you use it on the targets , " Lex said .
" The same way as Ignite ? " Chase asked .
" Yes , put passion into it , but not as much as you did Ignite and feel the heat rise up in your body . " Holden explained .
Chase focused on his passion and feelings that he would normally use in the ring , being careful not to put too much into it , he felt heat rise inside of him .
" Pull it to your hand , " Holden coached him .
Chase did so feeling his hand get hot again , but not burning up like it did during the trials with Ignite .
" Now release open handed at the target in front of you , " Holden instructed him .
Chase released the Blaze spell onto the target in front of him which burned the target with not as much of a blast as Ignite did .
" There this time the spell didn ' t explode , but sent a burning heat to deal with the target , if you focus it into a finger then you will be able to shoot more targets . " Holden instructing him how to do so .
Chase did so using his finger to shoot a tiny stream of fire at the targets putting smoldering holes in each target in front of him .
" Using Blaze beside Spark ' s lightning will complement each other as lightning and fire shares the same strength . " Lex said looking at Spark as Ragon came back with Reaper .
" Spark , " Chase said .
" HOO , " Spark said looking determined as they both sent a mix of fire and lightning onto the target making it shatter .
" Whoa , " Chase said .
" The second fire spell , I will give you is Fire Sphere , " Holden once again laying his hands on Chase ' s shoulder giving him Fire Sphere .
" Okay , " Chase said ready .
" Use the same passion you just used to form the fire into a ball in your hands , " Holden instructed him .
Chase focused this time on the same passion and heat allowing it to form into a ball , it was small at first and then grew to fit in the palm of his hand .
" Good , " Holden said as Chase stared at his hand in awe of him holding fire .
" Now throw it at the targets , " Lex said .
" Okay , " Chase threw the Fire Sphere at the target which hit the target bursting into flames that burnt that target and the two sitting right next to it .
" Fire Sphere hits a target and then bursts taking out other targets close to it , perfect for dealing with multiple foes like the black dogs , just be careful around friends especially the vampires you travel with , Chase . " Holden said .
" Yes sir , " Chase said as Andy came down to check on him .
" Wow , " Andy said .
" He ' s in better control of these easier fire spells , just hold off on Ignite until you get back and we can help you get a handle on it . " Holden said .
" I will , now what about Reaper ? " Chase asked taking it from Ragon thanking her for bringing it to him .
" We ' ll try something different than your fire spell with Reaper , " Lex said as Chase pulled Reaper out of it ' s sheath .
" Have you used Reaper , yet ? " Andy asked .
" A little bit out at the Northwatch Abbey , but not since claiming it for my own , " Chase said moving away from everyone else giving it a few practice swings finding it lighter than Savage .
" Vampire made blades tend to be lighter in weight than ones made by lycans due to vampires preferring to be more agile while fighting . " Lex explained .
" Okay , so , now what am I suppose to do with it ? " Chase asked .
" We will focus on Illuminate , " Lex said .
" Alright , " Chase said .
" Remember that Archmagister Saladira said that Illuminate is used through peaceful thought , use that peaceful thought and channel it into the blade of Reaper through concentration . " Lex instructed Chase this time .
" Okay , " Chase once again closing his eyes letting peace wash over him then pulling it into Reaper ' s blade through concentration .
The blade on Reaper began to glow as Chase opened his eyes seeing the blade light up like a beacon in awe of the feeling going through him and look of the sword in his hands .
" Wow , that ' s incredible , " Andy looked at Reaper .
" Don ' t try this with Savage or any other blade that ' s made by lycans or humans , even though their blades are strong in battle they ' re also inferior when holding magic like this with one exception , the weapons that belong to the Sanctified Knights hold magic due to a rare mineral being used within the metal . " Lex said .
" Sure , but now what ? " Chase asked .
" You can use it up close through normal sword combat or you can sling a blade of light at a target , go ahead and try it , " Lex said .
Chase swung the blade and light unleashed from the blade cutting the targets in half at a distance , before he used the blade up close at target dummies finding the blade was slicing through them like butter before Lex taught him how to extinguish the magic in the blade by lowering his concentration .
" Wow , " Chase said as Reaper went back to normal looking at the blade .
" You ' re ready to go with the Vampire Prince even with the black dogs outside , undead vampires after you , and even some demons that may rest in the Alps . But , we need to talk about your path after the Summer Solstice , Chase . " Lex said .
" What path ? " Andy asked as Chase looked at Lex curious .
" He will need to take the path to the Proving Grounds and take the test to become a Sanctified Knight , it ' s the only way to deal with this excess energy he has going on . Once his body has taken the gifts left behind for the Knights after they complete the trial it will stop the magical irregularity and help you get a handle on your ability to sense energy . " Lex said to Chase .
" He has it in him to make it through the test to become a Sanctified Knight , " Instructor Holden said .
" Then I will I do all I can to prepare myself for then . " Chase said .
" Then you are ready , be careful at the manor , all of you , " Lex said .
" You ' re not going ? " Andy asked .
" No , I ' ll stay here and keep an eye on the school and the black dogs , " Lex said .
" Okay , " Andy said .
" Anything else I need before we go ? " Chase asked .
" That ' s it , " Instructor Holden said as Spark climbed back up on Chase ' s shoulder .
After giving the gloves back to Lex , Chase left with Andy back upstairs after being told that Tyson was going with them .
" Okay , " Chase said looking at Andy .
" What ? " Andy asked .
" We ' re not going to be back in time for Christmas are we ? " Chase asked .
" Probably not , why ? " Andy asked Karliah and Ragon watching .
" Wait here , " Chase said going to his room bringing back a colorful package with him giving it to Andy .
" If you must know , I didn ' t get you anything , yet , " Andy said .
" I don ' t need anything from you , " Chase said .
" Okay , " Andy said opening the package seeing a leather jacket made out of elk hide .
" I know cold doesn ' t affect you like it does me , " Chase said .
" Is this from the animal hide you got while out with Lex ? " Andy asked a little misty-eyed .
" Yeah , " Chase said .
" Thanks brother , " Andy hugging Chase .
" Hey , the Naturals stick together through everything , Andy , " Chase said .
" Yeah , you ' re right , Chase , " Andy said .
