Night had fallen over Nosgoth, and the vampire Zuriel, clad in the leather garb of the highest ranked vampires, was crossing through a thick forest, holding a dark blue cloak over his body, his hands hidden beneath the cloth. As he glided through the darkness under the canopy, which shed leaves like snowflakes every so often, he cursed briefly to himself. "Even if there is an ocean, having to cross a mountain is irritating." Which was true, he did not NEED the presence of water to be lethal, but it was certainly the Rahabim's territory. Far ahead, he could see lanterns moving about. Evidently Zuriel had caught up to travelers ahead of him. Sneaking off the main path he pulled the hood of the cloak over his head, to hide his face from any who might see. Carefully, he stalked along, catching up alongside. It was a small troop of Sarafan guards. The four guards were accompanying a single Glyph Knight. Remembering how they functioned, Zuriel moved back, and clung against a tree, letting the gap between them extend once more. "Damn them." He muttered. A river, maybe a pond even... was that too much to ask? But these were heavy orders, and he could not complain. After approximately an hour of shadowing the Sarafan troop, the five men entered into a clearing... the approaching shore of the massive Empty Lake.
Rahab smiled, there was a strange bridge ahead. A wooden tunnel extended from land into the water a short ways. The wood was painted over red, with the mark of their order on either side of a large double door. The threshold was barred and opened only on Sarafan command. Rahab leaped out and stood tall behind the guards, the armour of the Glyph Knight flaring up a mighty and eerie orange around the plates. The Sarafan formed a circle, scoping for the creature that stalked them, and when they saw, they turned to face him. The Captain called to the doors, "Alarm! Vampire! Do not open the doors!" Zuriel watched curiously as the double doors were reenforced by crossing bars that slide down over the front, completely barricading the entry. "Tonight is your last hunt, monster." The Knight taunted, pointing his blade at the nightwalker. Zuriel shrugged and pulled his hands up, and with a mighty push, forced a blue projectile at the Knight, sending him backwards, landing on his upper back, and ultimately knocking against the barred doors.
The guards had surrounded Zuriel in the commotion, and were preparing to attack in tandem. The Rahabim stood ready with only his claws to fight back. They would do against these grunts. The two in front struck down, while Zuriel swept their legs from beneath them. The other two prepared to thrust their blades, but were too slow as well, and Zuriel's claws stabbed into their stomachs, if not but superficially. They winced and staggered back in pain from the attack. Zuriel turned his attention to these two. Leaping forward, he stood between them, and threw glancing strikes against each one respectively. Finally, wounded and not thinking clearly, they both struck with different attack, to which Zuriel moved aside, and let them dispatch each other. "Fools." He said confidently. The two he had knocked down were back up and striking at him from behind, to which he either dodged or parried aside. Somehow they coordinated a double thrust with their swords, and taking advantage of this, Zuriel gripped their wrists, and brought them to the ground behind him. He buried his claws deep in their chests, and silenced their calls.
He had not expected it, but the Glyph Knight was not dispatched. From behind he had already brought his broad rune sword up and was about to bring it down into the back of the kneeling Rahabim, when he was brought to his knees. Like the evolved versions of his kin would become, Melchiah's first also knew how to manipulate the earth. Vampire claws clawed at his back, and a young looking vampiress clad in tight black leather, with her entire left arm, and parts of her legs exposed stood behind the Knight with her claws buried into his shoulder muscles. The leather on her chest bore small windows to her skin, and occasionally small stitches could be seen. Her hair was long as well, and it lay flat behind her figure. Studs and metal pieces glinted in the light, as the Knight's armour began to flicker and fade. Her lips, coloured black curled in a slight smile, as she removed her right hand, and thrust it into his neck from behind. The armour's light died out, and the knight fell on his chest, motionless. her smile dropped vaguely, though she kept an air of amusement. Zuriel stood, and crossed his arms, returning the vague grin.
"You are Zuriel." She said, her voice surprisingly soft. He let his arms hang, and he stepped forward, over the bodies. "I am. And I take it you are the spy I was sent to meet?" Her face did not change. She turned her head to glimpse the doors. "I am Atarah, of Clan Melchiah. We are to work together to slay two warriors of this cursed fortress." Zuriel laughed briefly. "So I am told. How are you to go inside? You cannot swim." She frowned, then stepped close to him, almost touching. "There are only two Sarafan guards inside that wooden tunnel. Behind it is the bridge which crosses into the Fortress. You can swim under and kill them, and open the way for me." Zuriel stepped closer, the two chests now just touching. Her eyes flickered for a second, wondering if he intended to show confident camaraderie or intimidation and dominance by this. "Very well then. I'll open the doors. I take it you know this place, if not but a little?" She grinned and placed her hand on his chest, before stepping back to let him through. "I know of certain passages that will get you, or us, through their stronghold. Some must be opened from within... which is where you will need me." She removed her hand, and respectfully stepped aside. "Good. This won't take long, then." Zuriel finished, before moving towards the waterline.