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Elena helped Seba pack boxes away while his other assistants ran around the mountain gathering supplies. They had been working non-stop for the past several nights, Elena was still sleeping in her parents' chambers, with Kurda's investiture approaching so quickly, neither Seba nor his assistants had any time to spare to set up other sleeping arrangements, and Arra and Larten always returned from their searches far too exhausted to care, despite Elena's persistent pestering about the clothes they had found near the river. It comforted both of them to have her so near. Though she never knew it, Larten had made arrangements with Seba and his assistants to keep a close eye on her.
"How many more crates of wine do you need brought out of storage Seba?" one of his assistants Thomas groaned, placing a crate next to Elena, who made a tally on a sheet of parchment.
"Miss Crepsley?"
"Around fifty." Thomas made a face.
"I have to admit that this tallying idea of yours was quite brilliant my dear." Seba said, "Now get to it Thomas, the investiture fast approaches." Thomas rolled his eyes and winked at Elena as he made his way out of the chamber. "Elena could you help an old vampire with these crates?" A knock sounded at the door and Seba sighed, "How many times do I have to tell that boy not to bother knocking," Louder, he called, "Come in Thomas!"
The door swung open, and Darren stepped through, completely naked covered in scars and accompanied by three wolves. "Hello Seba." The boy said sheepishly.
Both Seba and Elena stayed completely still, frozen in shock, jaws wide open. Elena was the first to move, "Darren?" She asked shakily, "Is that really you?" He nodded and staggered back as Elena threw her arms around him, nearly tackling him to the ground. "I knew you were still alive I knew it! Mum and Dad are probably back now, Kurda's investiture is tomorrow, I'll run and get them."
"No." Darren shouted, grabbing her wrist. "I need to tell you both something important, it's about my escape, and Kurda and Gavner. I needed someone I could trust and someone the princes trust and I thought of Seba."
Seba handed him a pair of trousers, "Put those on. Why did you run Darren? It was not like you."
"How many more crates now Seba?" Thomas said as he came through the door carrying two. He gasped as he caught sight of Darren, dropping the crates he was holding. He turned to leave, but Elena latched onto his arm before he could.
"Thomas wait! Hear him out before you run to tell the princes, please?" He sputtered, unsure what to say, Elena's eyes were wide and watery, her lip jutting out in a pitiful pout. He turned his gaze to Seba.
"It is alright Thomas, we can listen to what the boy has to say, Elena you can stop making that face now."
Darren told them everything, Kurda's idea to smuggle him through the tunnels, Kurda stabbing Gavner, his journey through the Hall of Final Voyage and down the river, seeing Larten and Arra and guessing Kurda's plan to get rid of him, and his suspicions that Kurda was going to use his investiture to seize the Stone of Blood for the vampaneze.
"That cur!" Seba roared when Darren had finished his story. He stood quickly and grabbed a spear from the corner of the room, "I ought to go run him through right now!"
"Seba wait!" Darren called grabbing onto the hem of his cloak, "You can't go darting up to the Hall of Princes, we need Kurda to tell us where the vampaneze are and what they're planning. We need to stop him from becoming prince."
"The boy is right Seba," Thomas sighed, "Besides, Kurda is being heavily guarded while he prepares for the investiture, you won't be able to get to him in any case."
"And to think I was prepared to drink a toast to his health!" Seba snorted.
"So we can't do anything?" Elena asked dejectedly.
"Not so my dear, it simply means we shall have to make a bigger scene."
"What are you suggesting Seba?" Thomas asked cautiously.
The older vampire grinned widely, "We are going to interrupt the ceremony. Thomas, you go and tell my other assistants to guard the exits of the Hall of Princes, and some of you will have to make sure no one can get to Darren as well before he can tell Paris and the others of Kurda's treachery."
Thomas nodded and scurried away quickly. "What can I do Seba?" Elena asked, expecting to be told that she was to stay out of everyone's way again.
Seba smiled warmly at her, "You can stop your parents from doing something stupid, such as stopping Darren before he can address the Princes, but refrain from telling them about Darren if you please Elena, the less involved they are the greater the chance of the Princes believing Darren's story."
Her face broke into a smile, "Okay!" She replied cheerily. She kissed Darren on the cheek before sprinting off to find Larten and Arra to get ready for Kurda's investiture, which she had just helped plan to ruin.
Seba sank back onto the crate he had been sitting on with a groan, "Seba?" Darren asked timidly.
"Yes Darren?"
"Thanks for listening to me."
Seba smiled and patted the crate next to him as an indication for Darren to take a seat, "Of course my boy, you are practically my grandson after all."
"You and dad were really close huh?"
"Larten has always been like a son to me, since I first met him. Now, I still technically have to prepare for the investiture as if it is going ahead, would you help an old vampire move some of this crates my boy?"
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The Hall of Princes was packed when Elena entered it with her parents. Completely contrary to the Festival of the Undead, the vampires in the hall wore their normal ragged clothes, and all were armed to the teeth. She prayed to the gods Seba's assistants could hold off the mob for her brother to make his way to the princes, recalling how raving mad they had all been after Harkat's interference. She stayed close to her parents which wasn't difficult, they had both been overly protective and coddling since Darren had failed his trials. As a group of vampires carried Kurda into the Hall on a sedan, she had to work to keep the hateful scowl from her face.
Her father leaned down, "Are you alright?"
She turned, confused, "Yeah, why?"
"You were making a face."
"Oh, well my stomach is just a little upset is all."
"I will take you to the infirmary after the ceremony."
She screwed her mouth up into a scowl, trying not to groan. Kurda was almost at the base of the princes' thrones when Seba's plan was set into motion.
"Stop!" Darren roared, "You have to stop the ceremony!" He darted forwards from his position underneath Seba's cloak, darting between the throng of shocked vampires who were too stunned to make a move, except for Kurda's men, who ran forward, weapons raised, prepared to take out the young half-vampire. Some of Seba's assistant blocked the exits while Thomas and Seba blocked the blows from Kurda's accomplices as Darren made his way to the thrones.
Elena grabbed both Larten and Arra's wrists as they surged forward, "Wait!" She said, "Seba has a plan."
They both stared hard at her, "How long have you known he was alive?" Arra snarled, eyes flashing.
She flinched under the gaze, "Only since this evening for sure, it's a long story, Seba and Darren will explain the whole thing."
"We'll discuss this later." Arra promised threateningly, turning as Mika leapt to his feet in rage.
"What is the meaning of this?" The prince roared.
"Sire, I implore you, please listen to what Darren has to say."
"Seba?" Mika gasped, "Do you mean to tell me you had something to do with this?"
"Yes sire."
"And you stand by your decision?"
"Completely."
"Take them both out of the hall!" A vampire behind them roared.
"Enough!" Paris shouted, "Never before has one interrupted the investiture of a prince! Darren, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"You say that never before has anyone interrupted the investiture of a prince, but I say neither has the clan tried to invest a traitor before." He had to yell over the calls of the vampires in the hall, "He murdered Gavner Purl in cold blood, and he's consorting with a group of vampaneze, they're in one of the tunnels."
The hall erupted into chaos again, and Paris had to call out several times for the vampires to settle. "These are serious accusations Darren, do you have any proof?"
Darren shook his head. "Lies!" Several of the generals shouted.
Paris called for silence, "Now, one we all admire and respect supports Darren's claims, I think we should take that into consideration."
"If it helps, why would I come back if what I said wasn't true?" Darren interjected, "I was already halfway down the mountain, by coming back I've condemned myself to death for failing my trials and running away."
"Enough of this," Arrow roared, "Kurda, do you deny these claims."
Kurda stood from the sedan, his face set, "I do not."
Gasps sounded around the room. "The vampaneze are here?" Arrow asked stony faced.
Kurda nodded. "Take the traitor and his accomplices away," Paris said, "And guard him closely, do not let him kill himself." The vampires in the hall roared their approval, now hurling vile insults in Kurda's direction. "Darren," Paris continued, folding his hands together, "Do you think you could show us where the vampaneze were?"
"I think so," Darren said.
"Paris," Seba interrupted, "With all due respect, the vampaneze will still be here long enough for Darren to get something to eat, he has been outside the mountain for several days now."
"Of course," Paris said smiling. "I believe the princes have some discussions to have anyways. Generals Arra Sails and Vanez Blane, step forward." The pair made their way through the throng of vampires, standing before the princes.
"Sires," Vanez said, getting down on one knee.
"I'm putting you two in charge of the search party, go and gather up some trackers while Darren rests for a while."
"Yes sire." Arra glanced back at Darren as Vanez led her from the hall to go round up their troops.
Seba placed a hand on Darren's shoulder, "Come along now," the older vampire said. They met Larten and Elena in the Hall of Khledon Lurt.
Larten pulled Darren against his chest, "If you ever pull a stunt like that again there will be hell to pay." His father growled in his ear.
Darren simply wrapped his arms around his father's middle. Not saying anything. Larten released him and the group sat while Darren ate. When he was halfway through his third bowl of bat broth Vanez and Arra joined the group.
"Are you ready to show us where the vampaneze were hiding out?" Arra asked him, placing a hand on his back.
He stood quickly, "Yes."
She wrapped her arm around his shoulder tightly, "Lead the way then."
He led them through the tunnels from the Hall of Final Voyage, he wasn't entirely sure how to get there from the other halls, but this way was relatively simple. "Well I know how you managed to outrun them," Vanez grumbled, rubbing his head as he wacked it on the low ceiling of the tunnel.
Darren grinned, "Lucky thing I'm so scrawny!"
"Aye," Vanez grinned back, "Luck indeed!"
The group exited the tunnels swiftly, not surprised to find the cavern where the vampenze had been camping out. They hadn't bothered to clean up after themselves very well however, tin cans and playing cards strewn around the cavern floor. One of the trackers behind Darren, his father's friend Yebba, sniffed in disgust, "It was vampaneze alright." He muttered, "They've left their stink over everything."
"Split up," Arra ordered, "Don't engage, just report back to Vanez or me with a head count." The trackers dispersed and she turned to Darren, "As for you, go back to the main halls with Seba and your father."
"But I want to help!"
Arra put a hand on either side of Darren's face, "You've done more than enough." She kissed his forehead, "Now go, I'll see you when we're done here."
Grudgingly, Darren slipped back through the tunnel and met his father and Elena and Harkat back in his chambers. "They didn't give you too hard a time while I was gone did they?" he asked the Little Person as he entered the room.
"No…worse than…at the…trial." Harkat said.
"He would not even tell us where you had gone." His father said. "How did the search go?"
"They weren't in the cavern they were in before, but Mum and Vanez are looking."
"I suspect Kurda moved them when you went missing." A smile broke out across his face, "If your mother and Vanez cannot find them, I doubt anyone will."
"Will I still have to go to the Hall of Death?" Darren asked timidly, sitting down on his hammock.
The smile slid off Larten's face, "I am not sure. I do not think the princes or the generals will insist on your execution until the vampaneze are executed and Kurda is put on trial. Put it from your mind for now."
"Surely they won't kill him now!" Elena cried, "Not after this."
"We will cross that bridge when we come to it," Larten said firmly, "If I can help it, nothing will happen to you."
Seba entered the room, "They are back."
"Already?" Elena gasped.
"They had their best on the case, come along, they are deciding what to do about the current situation."
Arra and Vanez were giving their report when they entered the Hall of Princes. "How many?" Arrow was gasping.
"Forty to fifty Sire." Arra said.
"And you're sure we can't ambush them?"
"Positive. They are in a series of narrow caverns, unless we can flush them out, our numbers won't be an advantage."
"Are you saying that they would beat us General Sails?" Arrow snorted.
"No, but we would suffer sever losses."
"Maybe for nothing." Vanez added, "They've positioned themselves near an exit for a quick escape and they are not bound to our custom of not flitting from the mountain."
"So there's nothing we can do?" Paris asked.
"I think perhaps the only thing we can do is flush them from the mountain. It is not ideal, but our losses would be too great otherwise, unless we can get them to move somewhere more open." Vanez stated.
Arrow growled his disgust at the notion, slumping in his throne like a little boy told he couldn't have dessert before super. Darren glanced down at his sleeve, where one of the mountain spiders had found its way, leisurely making his way up to his shoulder. He had a sudden vision of Steve Leopard, crumbling to the floor of his bedroom with two large bite marks on his neck. He stood. "Darren, what are you doing?" Elena whispered.
"Excuse me!" He called, ignoring his sister.
"Sit down this instant!" Larten whispered furiously.
"Excuse me!" He called again. This time he had gained the attention of the Generals and Princes.
"Yes?" Mika asked, his tone less than impressed.
"I think I have a way to get the vampaneze into a bigger cavern without flitting away."
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The plan was simple, but undoubtedly effective. Darren, Elena, Seba, and Mr. Crepsley would guide an army of mountain spiders, led by Madam Octa, into the tunnel where the vampaneze were hiding to flush them out. Darren and Elena would block the exit, as they were the only ones able to endure the sun. Arrow would lead the first attack once the vampaneze had been cornered. Arra and Vanez volunteered to be among the first wave. Mika would lead the second wave, and Arrow would return to the Hall of Princes so that Sire Skyle could "mop up the stragglers," as Mika put it.
Seba had fashioned a makeshift wooden flute for Elena, he and Mr. Crepsley could hold the spider's attention with a simple whistle but Darren and Elena were not as apt at controlling the spiders yet. In position, Elena and Darren called out for the spiders to come to their aid, and soon the cavern entrance was blocked by a furry mass of grey.
"What are those?" A voice in the cavern sounded.
"They're just ordinary mountain spiders," Another voice said, "Don't be so foolish."
"I hate spiders." The first voice grumbled.
Fear suddenly struck in the voices of the vampaneze, "They're all over me! Get it off, get it off! Ugh."
"Move back to the cavern over there!" Someone demanded.
"Out of my way!"
"Come on move!"
More roars broke out, this time from the attacking vampires, Larten and Seba had clearly given the signal for the first wave to charge. Darren and Elena snuck inside the tunnel, this time nearly empty of spiders, save for those that the vampaneze had managed to crush. A stray vampaneze made his way out of the tunnel, running for the exit despite the sun. Furious, Darren quickly brought his knife up under the ribs of the unsuspecting vampaneze, with the intention of bringing vengeance to Gavner's memory. Elena glanced back to make sure he was okay, before darting away to join the fight. Darren stared in horror at the vampaneze before him. He was young, probably around the same age as he was if he had aged normally, his face only a slight shade of purple, his hair only with a reddish tint. Guilt immediately flooded his body, this vampaneze had done nothing to him, not even to Gavner, it was Kurda that had delivered the killing blow. Looking in the dead eyes of the vampaneze he saw his friend Steve and keeled over to vomit.
Dazed, he left the tunnel with the dead vampaneze, wandering dumbly around the fight. He took in his fellow vampires, laughing as if the killing was some great sport, even his father and Seba were revelling at the battle!
Not paying attention, he walked straight into Vanez, who whipped around, holding his weapon high. He lowered it quickly when he realized it was Darren, "What are you still doing here?" He growled, "You were supposed to leave." His gaze softened when Darren didn't respond, still staring blankly into space. Vanez sighed, "I see you've learned what most of our brethren never learn in their very long lifetimes." He looked sad as he glanced around at the fighting. "They forget the vampaneze were our brothers once, our kin." He turned back to Darren and put a large hand on his shoulder, "Get out of here, this is no place for you."
Darren slipped through the fighting, stepping over dead vampires and vampaneze alike. He noticed Elena fighting side by side with Mika, who had clearly brought in the second wave of attack as the number of vampaneze quickly dwindled. Vanez had approached Arrow, imploring him to return to the Hall of Princes to collect Paris to finish the fighting.
He meant to slip away into the main halls, but he caught sight of his mother facing off with the vampaneze he remembered as Glalda. He hesitated, and then made his way down to where they were. Though his mother was more than capable, he had to make sure she was alright before leaving.
"So the vampires are sending women to fight their battles now are they?" The large vampaneze taunted.
"Your kind are the foolish ones to think that women cannot fight as fiercely as any man." Arra snarled.
"Come on then woman, let's see what you're made of." The pair traded blows. It was a fierce fight, both Glalda and Arra were valiant warriors. "You are a mighty warrior, vampiress," Glalda said panting, "But I have things I mean to accomplish." His blade caught hers and sent the swords clattering away. Darren surged forward, knowing he would be too late by the time he got there.
"NO!" Someone roared. Before anyone involved knew what was happening, an orange-haired blur had knocked Arra aside before Glalda's sword hit its mark. Well, it hit a mark. Elena had knocked their mother to the side as the sword swung. Rather than impaling Arra, it slid across Elena's stomach, slicing her almost all the way from her navel to her ribs. She had fallen with all her weight on Arra, stuck underneath her, Arra was unable to retrieve her sword.
"Ha," Glalda smirked, "It looks as though I'll kill me two vampiresses today."
He was taken by surprise as Darren tackled him to the ground with a yell. "Darren, no!" Arra yelled, as she ripped Elena's shirt and pressed it tightly against the wound that was profusely bleeding.
Enraged, Darren could barely hear her. Glalda snorted when he saw who had tackled him. "Sending women and children to fight battles." He met Darren's blow all the same, with the same fervour he had met Arra's blows with. Darren managed to get his knife at the hilt of Glalda's sword, slicing his fingers. With a yell of surprise the vampaneze dropped the sword, instead wrapping his large hands around the boy's throat. Struggling to breathe, Darren took his knife and drove it as forcefully as he could into Glalda's chest. The vampaneze released his grip in shock. Darren, gasping for breath, crawled painfully towards his mother and sister.
"Is she going to be okay?" He rasped.
"Of course she will." Arra snapped, still putting pressure on the wound.
"Am I…going to…die?" Elena croaked out.
"No." Arra said vehemently, "No you are not. Save your breath."
Darren left the pair, scrambling over both vampires and vampaneze. He caught sight of Mika leading away Vanez, who had blood pouring out of his one good eye. He froze again, struck by the horror of the battle. He shook his head and started running towards his father as the flash of his red cape brought him back to his senses. "DAD!" He roared.
Larten whipped around and caught sight of Darren. He and Seba strode over immediately. "You were supposed to leave after the first wave." His father chastised.
"No time for that, you have to come now," Darren said turning and running back towards Arra and Elena. Larten and Seba followed, hot on Darren's heels.
"Darren what is going on?" Larten demanded as they ran. He was answered by the sight of Arra leaning over their daughter, holding a bloodied scrap of cloth to her stomach. His face paled and he darted to their side in an instant. "What happened?" He asked Arra, helping her apply spit to the wound.
"She pushed me out of the way." Arra groaned.
Seba whispered something in Darren's ear and the pair vanished out of sight. "They were never supposed to be here." Larten cried.
"I know that! I didn't even know they were here."
"Who did it?"
"Him." Arra growled, nodding to the dead Glalda, "Darren killed him." Elena's eyes fluttered, "Don't close your eyes, do you hear me? Don't you dare close your eyes baby."
"Does it hurt?" Larten asked.
"Talk about…stupid…questions." Elena groaned.
Seba and Darren had returned with piles of spider webs. They all helped layer the webs over the wound. "That should keep the wound closed until we can get her to the infirmary." Seba said. "I will go flag down a stretcher."
Larten put an arm around Elena's head and another beneath her legs and gently picked her up, cradling her against his chest as Seba's assistants quickly came over with a stretcher. Thomas' face paled as he caught sight of the large wound.
Larten and Arra followed the stretcher, while Darren stayed behind with Seba. "She's going to be okay right?" He choked out.
"I do not know for sure Darren, but our medics will try their best to save her."
"I hope so."
"I hope so too my boy, I hope so too."
Darren didn't like the uneasy look on Seba's face.
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I've always hated the exchange between Arra and Glalda in the books, it doesn't coincide with the image of her in my head. Remember to review!