Hello Lovelies, onto book 7, can you believe it? Please review.

It had been six years to the day since Kurda Smahlt had been executed. Darren and Elena had taken his place as Prince. Some of the Generals had morbidly joked that they had to elect the two of them since they were only half-vampires and they had just deposed a full-blooded prince. Of course, they only threw out comments like that amongst their own and most definitely not in front of Sire Ver Leth.

The half-vampire twins had spent the past six years furthering their training in both fighting and vampiredom. Darren had retried the Trials of Initiation, this time without any severe hiccups. Larten spent the majority of his nights overseeing his children's responsibilities as leaders of the clan. Though Mika had wanted him to take up his old position as General, Larten rejected the offer, wanting to stay in the mountain to help his children. And for one other reason. Arra took control of training all the new recruits with Vanez. The old Gamesmaster had been completely blinded in a battle six years ago, but as predicted by Darren, his other senses seemed to have grown to compensate. He was just as deadly and dangerous in battle now as he had been when he had the full use of his eyes. But the influx of new recruits had grown considerably since the war between vampires and vampaneze. Arra was appointed initially to replace Vanez, but she had become his assistant of sorts since he had made a miraculous recovery.

Darren and Elena were the only leaders present in Vampire Mountain besides Paris Skyle. Mika and Arrow had gone into the field shortly after the War of Scars, that was what the war between the vampires and vampaneze had been called, had started. Darren and Elena were in the Hall of Princes, helping Paris sort through reports and mark down locations on a variety of maps. The entire host of vampires worried about their senior Prince. Paris looked as though he had aged nearly twenty years in the past six. He rose from his coffin later and later every evening. Currently, the elderly prince was pouring over reports from the Generals, trying to decipher messy scrawls on spare scraps. The eldest Prince groaned as he straightened. "Are you okay?" Elena asked him. "Darren and I can finish up here if you want to go onto bed."

"It's alright my dear." Paris said softly. "We are almost through."

"You should not push yourself too much sire." Larten interjected. "We need you to get us through this war."

"Bah." Paris spat, "You are not a fool Larten. I don't think I will live to see the end of this war. If I am going to make my mark on the War of Scars I better do it now."

"Nonsense, Sire. You will outlive us all."

Paris gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Let us return to the matter at hand."

They both turned towards the map. "What is this?" Larten asked pointing to a spot on a map filled with flags.

Darren regarded him with a look of surprise. He pointed to the name next to it. "You don't recognize it?" His father shook his head. "It's your hometown."

"Why are there so many flags?"

"There have been four or five groups of Generals killed there. It looks like a vampaneze hotspot. But it's not the only one, look." Elena answered and pointed to various spots where there were clusters of flags. "But that one seems worse than the others."

Darren shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the next, "You don't think they know about Murlough do you?"

"I don't see how it would make any difference now." Paris said. "We are already at war."

Despite all of the reports coming in no one had reported any news of the Vampaneze Lord. Larten had told the other princes about Steve and Gannen Harst after Darren and Elena had been reblooded by Mika and Arrow.

"So we've spent all these past nights having endless meetings about the Vampaneze Lord and you've known he's existed and his identity this whole time Crepsley?" Arrow said gruffly.

Larten sighed, "It is a complicated situation. He was my human assistant before he turned of his own accord. I did not connect the legend of the Vampaneze Lord with Steve until after hearing Harkat's message, even when Evanna told me that the vampaneze named Gannen was his father."

"But you still knew about him during your whole time in the mountain." Arrow retorted.

"You grew attached." Mika said matter of fact-like.

Larten shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, "Yes, I did."

"You seem to have a penchant for adopting strays old friend." Paris said, eyes twinkling. He grew serious. "In any case, I believe the time has come to accept the fact that this young one may be the Lord of the Vampaneze. I want a detailed description given to every General present in the mountain to be circulated around to those in the field. Of both the boy and his father. I am sure that he will be the boy's protector."

Larten nodded slightly. "I will rally the Generals." Mika said.

Several nights passed and the reports continued to be dismal. Darren was in the Hall of Princes with Paris, while Elena was using the opportunity to get some sleep. Elena had moved into Gavner's old room after she had recovered from her near death experience. Unlike her brother, she had eventually taken to sleeping in a coffin. She was startled by screaming from down the hall. She ran into her old chamber, where Harkat was thrashing around in one of the hammocks. Elena shook the Little Person hard. "Harkat, Harkat! Wake up."

"Dragons!" The Little Person gasped, sitting up straight. "Burning!"

"Harkat!" Elena took his hand and squeezed it. "It's okay, you're awake."

"Elena."

"More nightmares?"

"Yes. Did I wake you?" Harkat asked. After almost six and a half years of speaking. He could finally speak in full sentences without pausing to take a breath of chemical filled air from his mask.

"Yes, but it's okay, I should probably be getting to the Hall of Princes anyways."

Her father popped his head around the corner just as she finished speaking. "There you are." He said. "I was just looking for you, Sire Mika has returned, he is about to report to Paris."

"Mika's back?" She exclaimed.

"Yes, go fetch your mother, I am sure she will want to see him. I shall wait for you in the Hall of Princes."

They parted at the door and Elena ran to the Halls of Sport. She watched as Vanez tackled three young recruits. Her mother standing to the side, arms folded, observing the match. Elena darted over to her, side-stepping one of the young vampires as a foot went kicking out. She skidded to a halt next to Arra.

"How's training going?" She asked.

Arra snorted, "These new recruits can't even take a blind man."

"Well to be fair, the blind man is Vanez. I saw him beat Arrow last year when he came back to give Paris his reports."

Her mother chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Come to train?"

Elena swatted her away, "No, dad sent me to tell you that Mika just got back."

"Let's go hear what he has to say." Arra said. She called an end to the fight.

"Hello Princess." Vanez greeted, walking away from the new recruits, who were sprawled across the mats.

"Hi Vanez." She glanced at the vampires on the floor. "How's training going?"

"Normally I wouldn't dream of passing this lot, but we've lost so many Generals already."

"Mika's back with his report." She said.

"Hopefully he brings some good news."

The trio made their way to the Hall of Princes, chatting meaninglessly amongst themselves. All three anxious to hear the news that brought Mika back to the mountain after five years.

Mika was pouring over the maps when they entered, one hand on Darren's shoulder. Larten's head snapped up as he heard the door open. He smiled and tapped Mika on the shoulder, nodding towards the group.

"Well well." The Prince said. "If it isn't the half-pint Princess herself."

"Oh shut it." Elena snapped back, but hugged him back all the same when he wrapped his arms around her and spun her in a circle.

A steady trickle of Generals had begun to enter the Halls, taking their places amongst the benches lining the Hall. "Perhaps we should move onto the meeting." Larten said, glancing around at the Generals.

"Yes." Paris agreed, "They are rather anxious for your report Sire Ver Leth."

"Very well." Mika said, giving a wink to Elena. He turned and faced his people. "I have news of the Vampaneze Lord."

The Hall broke out in whispers, and certainly even his fellow Princes let out gasps. He raised a hand to call for silence. "Let me be very clear, I do not know where he is. I have news of him. From some of the new vampaneze recruits. But first, have you heard about their new members?"

"We expected them to start blooding non-discriminately. We've always far surpassed the vampaneze in numbers."

"Oh they've been just as discriminate about who they are blooding, these new recruits have remained human. They call them 'vampets'."

"What are measly humans going to do against even one vampire?" One of the Generals shouted tauntingly.

Mika smirked grimly, "True, humans alone are no match for our kind, but weapons have grown in deadliness these past fifty years. Is this damaging enough?" He rolled up his sleeve and revealed a series of garish scars, all the same size, roughly circular in shape.

"Are those…" Darren started, "Bullet wounds Mika?"

"Yes."

"But the vampaneze don't use long-range weapons. They're even stricter than us." Elena interjected.

"True your highness. But the vampets are not bound in the same way." Mika said.

"Despicable." One of the Generals spat.

"And the Vampaneze Lord?" Vanez called, "You said you had some news of him."

"Yes." Mika said, "The vampets may be loyal to the vampaneze but they are not as apt at holding out under torture. He doesn't have a base. He's been moving around from vampaneze camp to vampaneze camp, trying to boost morale. But it's not working. I've also learned that the boy hasn't been fully blooded yet. He's still just a half-vampaneze. There is talk of surrender and peace treaties amongst the vampaneze."

"They don't believe they can win!" Someone shouted.

"Victory is at hand!"

"Long live Sire Mika!"

Mika's eyes widened in shock as a swarm of Generals took to the platform and carted him off over their heads.

"Let the celebrations begin!"

"A toast!"

"This is ridiculous." Larten snorted as the group left the Hall with shouts of merriment. "If the vampaneze are pushing for a treaty we should be pushing after them not drinking like a bunch of buffoons."

"Larten, go with them." Paris said.

"But, but, sire-"

"Go. And do not come back until you have a hangover."

"Sire!"

"That is an order Larten."

He looked taken aback, but he bowed all the same. "As you wish Paris." He sauntered away.

"What's dad like with a hangover?" Elena asked, watching him leave.

Paris looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Like a gorilla with a sore head." He said.

Darren and Elena burst into laughter. "You two go on as well." Paris said with a smile.

"You sure?" Darren asked.

"We don't mind staying Paris." Elena added.

"Go enjoy yourselves, I don't forsee there being many sober reports tonight."

"Thanks Paris!" Elena said, kissing the elderly prince on the cheek.

"If you insist." Darren said, running to catch up to her.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Darren woke up the next day with a pounding headache. He was seeing double. He supposed he must have been outside because the moon was out. Except there were two moons. And they were green.

"Rise and shine your highness." The two moons came into focus and Darren realized they were Harkat's eyes.

He yelped, and then immediately regretted it as his head began to pound. "Oh gods, I feel awful."

"Drink this." Harkat said, handing him a tankard.

The Little Person laughed as the Prince spit out the drink immediately. "This is ale!" Darren complained.

"Well you were singing about how much you loved it a few hours ago."

"I never want to see ale again." He groaned, "I feel like I've been poisoned."

"Come on, Seba told me that a shower can cure a hangover."

Darren looked at him in horror, "No, anything but that."

Harkat looked at him in glee, "Come on," He said, taking his hand. "We should find Elena too, she drank twice as much as you did."

Darren stumbled along after Harkat, coming to a halt in his sister's chamber. He shook her awake. "Lena, come on wake up."

The vampiress groaned and dragged her covers over her head. "Leave me alone." She groaned.

"Come on, a trip to the Hall of Perta Vin Grahl is in order."

"Try to take my covers off again and you're a dead Prince brother." She snarled.

Darren cautiously moved his hand away from her. "Gods you're a nightmare when you're hungover."

"Leave me alone."

"Come on Darren, let's go." Harkat said dragging him away.

"How come you won't force her to go to the shower?"

"She scares me a lot more than you."

"Fair enough."

The shower was absolutely torturous, but Darren admitted he felt far better afterwards. On the way back to the main halls, he found his father, looking indeed similar to a mad gorilla, on his way to the waterfall. Larten groaned as he gave him a wave. Darren found Arra and Elena in the Hall of Khledon Lurt. His mother had evidently been more successful than he had been at getting his sister out of her coffin. Elena still had her head on the table, with her arms folded in front of her.

"How's your head?" Arra asked as he sat down next to her.

"Still pounding." Darren admitted. "But the shower helped."

"Here." Arra said, handing him a bowl of broth and a tankard of water.

"It's not more ale is it?" He asked suspiciously.

"I thought you loved ale." Vanez said, sitting down next to Elena. "You were singing about it last night. Ale, ale, I drink like a whale, I am the Prince, the Prince of Ale!" He let out a guffaw as Darren turned bright red.

"I didn't." Darren groaned.

"Don't feel too bad." Arra said as Larten sat down next to her, hair still soaked. "Your father has a penchant for making up awful songs when he's drunk too."

Elena lifted her head slightly, "Really?" She asked. "Are they all as bad as that one?"

"Hey!"

Arra laughed, as Larten answered, "Right down to the whale metaphors." He said embarrassed. "I am not entirely sure why your mother ever agreed to be my mate after that."

"Only because you were too drunk for me to hold it against you." Arra teased, nudging his shoulder with hers. "If you had done it when you were sober it would have been a different story."

Larten kissed her brow. "Now, shouldn't one of you go help Mika so Sire Skyle can rest?"

Seba approached the table. Sitting down with an elbow on the table. "It has been a long time since I have seen you two out of the Hall of Princes."

"Sorry Seba," Elena said with a yawn, "We meant to go see you sooner."

"It is alright, young one. You have many responsibilities. In any case, there is something I would like to show you Darren when you have time."

"I have time now." Darren said, "If Elena helps Mika that is."

Everyone turned to the girl expectantly. "Well obviously I'm not going to say no now." She huffed.

"Go on," Arra said, "Relieve Paris."

Elena stood and waved goodbye to the group. "I'll see you all afterwards."

Darren and Harkat followed Seba through the mountain tunnels. "Aren't we close to the spider caverns?" Darren asked as they continued onwards.

Seba smiled, "Clever boy." He looked closer at Darren. "I sense a change in you Darren."

"Change?" Darren asked, "What kind?"

Seba gave him a tight lipped smile, "It is not my place. I shall have to have a talk with your father. Ah. Here we are."

He stretched his hand out and picked up a spider. It was larger than most of the mountain spiders and far more colourful.

Darren stared at it curiously, "What are those?"

Seba smiled, "I call them Ba' Darlena spiders."

"Where on earth did you come up with that name?" Darren laughed.

Seba winked, "I thought it only fitting to name them after the two young vampires who made it possible."

"Darren and Elena?" Harkat guessed.

"Correct."

"How could we make them possible?"

"You both agreed to free Madam Octa shortly after you were both invested. Without her, the Ba' Darlena would have no mother."

"These are Madam Octa's children?" Darren shouted, "You said she couldn't breed with the Ba' Halen spiders!"

"Actually, Master Crepsley, I said that it was probable she would not be able to. But do not fret, her children are not poisonous. At least as far as I can tell."

"Well that's a relief." Darren said.

"Look," Harkat said, pointing.

Darren watched as a large colourful spider emerged amongst the new spiders. "Hello Madam." He stretched a hand out and allowed her to crawl up his arm to his shoulder. "I'll bring Elena down here sometime to visit, and dad too." The spider nuzzled against his cheek before crawling back down.

"I have more work to attend to in the Halls." Seba said, "I will be on my way."

"Do you need help…Seba?" Harkat asked.

"No, you boys enjoy yourselves. I am sure Thomas can take a break from his General training and help me for one day."

"See you later Seba!" Darren called as they parted ways at the end of the tunnel. He turned to Harkat, "Let's go outside, I haven't been outside the mountain in ages."

Darren let out a gasp as the cool mountain air stung his face. "Man that feels good. I wonder if Streak and Rudi are around. Harkat, are you alright?" The Little Person stared blankly ahead. "Harkat? Hey, earth to Harkat."

"He's coming." The Little Person replied cryptically.

"Who? Harkat? Hey!"

Darren ran after Harkat as he took off down the mountainside. The half-vampire was struggling to keep up. "Who's coming?"

They came to an abrupt halt. Darren nearly stumbled over Harkat. "The hands of fate keep time on a heart shaped watch."

"Are you boys the welcoming committee?"

"I know that voice." Darren muttered with a hint of fear.

Mr. Tiny emerged from the mists swirling around the mountain, surrounded by a gang of Little People. "Hello boys."

"What are you doing here?"

"As brass as ever young Crepsley. Show me some better hospitality and lead me into the mountain."

"I'm not sure if the guards will let you-"

"Paris Skyle remembers who built the Hall of Princes in which his throne sits. They will allow me in, I am accompanied by a Vampire Prince after all."

Darren gulped and nodded, not quite meeting the eyes of the guards as they passed. Vampires all along the Halls stopped in disbelief at the sight of the small fat man, and a parade behind them had begun.

Mr. Tiny strode into the Hall of Princes as if he owned the place. "Darren?" Paris asked, "What is going on?"

"I've come bearing news of your destiny." He took a seat in Arrow's empty throne. "Long ago, I came to your clan in this very hall and predicted the coming of the Vampaneze Lord. I said he would either bring your destruction or peace between the two clans. A daughter would be born to two vampires, and the mating of this child and the Lord of the Vampaneze would lead to peace. A new race would be created, neither vampire or vampaneze but a blend of the two." Elena shifted uncomfortably as everyone in the hall looked at her. "When Arra Sails bore twins, it threw a wrench into that destiny."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Mika demanded.

Mr. Tiny smirked, "It means that the vampaneze are not the only clan with the potential to destroy the other any longer." He raised five fingers. "You have five chances to end the War of Scars. This one." He lowered his last finger, "Is the future where the clans are blended, but we shall ignore that for now. The chances of it coming to pass grew slim when the children were placed in the orphanage. This future," He wiggled his first finger, "Is the future where Kurda Smahlt's plan was successful, and the War of Scars would be avoided entirely. That future escaped you when you executed him."

"He was a traitor." Mika interjected, "I would rather fight a war anyday than surrender."

"Then you are a fool." Mr. Tiny responded plainly. "You have three chances left to destroy the Vampaneze Lord before he is fully blooded. Once those chances have passed, your destruction will be inevitable."

"So we organize hunting parties and track him down." Mika said.

"Actually," Mr. Tiny interrupted, "You need to organize one hunting party. The three chances represent three encounters between five certain vampires and vampaneze. One hunter is not present, so I will not name him, as for the other four, well I'm sure you can guess who two of them are."

All eyes turned to the twins. "Who are the other two hunters?" Larten asked, laying a hand on Elena's shoulder.

Mr. Tiny's grin stretched even further, if it was possible. "Why I think it would be highly inappropriate to send the children off without parental guidance. Don't you Larten? So what do you say? Larten, Arra, Darren, Elena? Will you accept the responsibility of the hunt? You don't have to, but you would be securing the fate of the clan if you don't."

"I relish the chance to hunt the Vampaneze Lord." Larten said through gritted teeth.

"As do I." Arra said.

The clan turned to their newest Prince and Princess. "I'll do it." Elena said determinedly.

"Me too." Darren agreed.

"Excellent!" Mr. Tiny exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Where will you start?"

"Evanna." Arra said, "Perhaps she can give us more details as to who the fifth hunter is."

"A wise choice Miss Sails." Mr. Tiny said, "I believe you will encounter the fifth hunter on the way to Evanna's cave, but if you do not, then he will cease to be a part of the hunters." He rose to his feet, "I leave you with this."

He turned to Harkat, "As for you, Mulds, you can come with me now and learn your identity to stop those pesky nightmares…Or you may join the hunters and continue to suffer."

Mika pounded his fist against his throne, "Hold on, you said only four present could partake in the hunt."

"My, don't we have a temper." Mr. Tiny remarked. "Only five vampires may hunt for the Vampaneze Lord; however, as many non-vampires can accompany them as they wish."

Harkat turned to Darren and Elena, "You don't have to come." Darren said, "You can finally find out who you were."

Harkat looked uneasily between the twins and Mr. Tiny. "I feel as though the person I was would want me to accompany the hunters."

"Very well." Mr. Tiny said, "I just hope the nightmares do not eat you alive. Ta ta."

The group amassed in the Hall were silent for a long a time after Mr. Tiny left. Paris finally spoke, "The four of you should prepare for your journey, we will discuss what the rest of us should do." The hunters all nodded and departed the hall.

Elena and Darren returned to the Hall of Princes after they had finished packing. The Generals had since departed, leaving only Mika in the Hall.

"Where's Paris?" Elena asked.

"He wanted to see you off. I believe he and Seba are waiting at the entrance for you."

"What are the rest of you going to do while we go on the hunt?" Darren asked.

"We can't hunt the Vampaneze Lord but we can still weaken his forces for you." Mika said. "I will send word to Arrow and those in the field. I shall stay here and help Paris." He paused, and then got to his feet, he gave each of them a hug. "May the Luck of the Vampires be with both of you."

"See you on the other side of the war." Elena said, kissing his cheek.

"Yes you will." Mika said confidently. He made the death's touch sign as they both left the hall, "At least I hope that you will." He whispered after they had left.

Paris and Seba were waiting for the group outside the mountain. Seba gave each of the hunters a hug. "I wish you all the best of Luck." He said.

Larten grasped his shoulder tightly, "I am only sorry that our reunion was so short."

"You will always have my love and praise dear boy, that goes for all of you." He added, looking around at them all.

Paris stretched out his hand for each of them to take. Arra and Larten both shook his hand, but when he turned to Elena she ignored it and nearly tackled the elderly Prince in a tight hug. "Elena!" Larten protested.

Paris simply waved him away. "Now, now Larten, this may be the last time I get to see them," He said returning the hug. When he let go, Darren followed suit, hugging the Prince tightly. "Now go, and may Luck be with you all. And if, gods forbid, you should meet an early end, even in death may you be triumphant."

Paris and Seba watched in silence as the group of five departed the Mountain to embark on their newest journey. Seba placed a comforting hand on Paris' back and lead him inside once they had moved beyond their sight.