Disclaimer: -REDIRECT/REFERENCE CHAPTER 3-

A/N: I am REALLY conflicted about the release of this chapter. At some points in the chapter I very much enjoyed what I wrote and in others I was only left with the greatest amount of frustration because I was unsure what should remain, what should be scraped out. As always critique is welcome, polite critique is preferred!

Although he had given her leave to travel as soon as possible they spent the better part of two weeks in waiting. The days had been filled with necessary tasks such as scouting the routes, ensuring that there were ruins that could act as sanctuary to protect the undead traversing. There had also been the matter of choosing a guard to accompany Sid'ren. Although she was dedicating herself to the front, embracing a future as a warrior of their race, she was still a noble and by inherent right required an escort. She spearheaded the excursion to Dipan, the only individual who knew the true reason behind reclaiming the Lost City. She was the only one of the entire party who held his personal confidence. Dissolving the Covenant had done much to better their relations; they had been allowed to cast aside the lingering awkwardness, leaving it to be replaced by genuine loyalty and friendship, one that Sid'ren freely expressed.

However productive the week was it gave him no shortage of time to ponder the dilemma that was laid out before him. By unspoken consent it was agreed that it was in their mutual interest to delay the announcement of their dissolved Covenant. Brahms truthfully wanted to delay it altogether for the indefinite future, knowing that once Sid'ren departed on her journey to Dipan, it would open him to the marriage market. It was not any notion or source of pleasure for him; it was not until now when the issue was thrust upon him that he considered the possibility that he had not break the Covenant sooner because Sid'ren liberated him from expectations of others: to choose a bride – taking one of the daughters of the illustrious nobility as his Queen.

Sid'ren's words gave him much to think on, encouraging him to pursue his chosen partner and Queen carefully, heavily implying Silmeria in the fulfillment that role. However, it would be no easy task and the longer the delay the more difficult the issue could become. The nobility was a body of great influence, always looking for an opportunity to better their lifestyle; it would be a difficult matter to deny them or their daughters the coveted throne only to bestow it upon their enemy. Sid'ren stipulated that her departure would be the moment in which their Covenant was formally, publicly dissolved. An event of paramount significance to the nobility, it would not only open a long desired vacancy to them but would also remove a powerful rival from the influential position. Politically it was a sound move, one that was fair to the nobility, but for him it made him open and vulnerable. Already he was taking considerable risks, placing everything that had been accomplished over the course of nearly two centuries on the line, assuming that Sid'ren would be successful in the recovery, assuming he would be successful in the revival of Silmeria. To even think considering the process of courting the Valkyrie was difficult enough to grasp, to imagine with any clairvoyance.

However, his task as a monarch didn't end there; the gods were already recreating the world anew and amassing their followers under their divine rule. That was problematic to the extreme; the undead had always frequented the Western Isle the drifted securely beside the main continent of Midgard. He intended that with the entire world taking a new fresh start so would their strategy against the divine starting with checking the power and strength of the mortals. Dipan would play a key role in this, he intended for Sid'ren to build a new coven – her own – out of the ruins of the Lost City.

The primary reason was to recover and protect the research very well might restore Silmeria to him. The secondary reason was he hoped to promote the growth of the vampire race through raising a young, powerful matriarch. Sid'ren, for his intentions, was perfect. She was in her prime and in the years they'd been together she had exhibited to him the casual ease in which she could command the attention of lessers while contending with the powerful influences around her. Thirdly, he hoped such a position would do Sid'ren credit, that she'd be able to attract a match. The only prospect of a fair match for her would be amongst the nobility and they would overlook her "tarnished" repute if it meant there was something to gain from an honorable marriage with her. After she had rejected his previous offers he knew it was wrong to assume she'd be open to such blatant manipulation but when he announced his intentions he hoped to make her understand that it was for the good of the race as well as her own.

His eyes flickered to glance up at the pale light; the throne room was dark and abandoned save for the subtle glow of Silmeria's crystal. The noble vampire knew he was truly stalling, dragging his heels. Sid'ren planned to depart and she wished to do it this evening. She had seen no reason to delay but she had to leave early in the night so as not to be caught by the dawn before she had time to seek refuge from the sunlight. If he delayed too long she'd be forced to wait to depart until the next evening. Every evening he delayed her departure only prolonged Silmeria's forced sleep. That was motivation enough for him to rise and leave the throne room. However he looked back at her slumbering deep within the crystal. Everything he did, it was…

…For You.

Silmeria…

Over the last week, she had felt whispers following her everywhere, all of them made her skin crawl. Most of them were malicious in their message pondering when she would fade into nothingness in finality or how she spent the last week cloistered with the King to spare her dying relationship. As if there had ever been any relationship to be had or, for that matter, spared. However the last week had been, she didn't even know how to describe it, they had shared more understanding in the past week than they had in over a century. It was as if the denouncing her claim as his partner had made him lower or obliterate boundaries he had carefully maintained with guarded caution. She had learned a great deal about him but even the favorable week had not been able to dispel the sense that her life had reached its epitome, and that the future only held a steady decline for her reputation.

Nearby several young ladies were seen speaking together, her heads bent down low whispers crawled between the cloistered group. Suddenly a head rose from the group, a raven haired beauty gently flicked her gaze upon her in an almost condescending fashion and instantly she knew the topic of their whispers was her, even NOW the youth spoke of her, it was shameful. For some arcane reason the gaze rattled Sid'ren, it made her almost forget that she was a grown lady of quality, a beast riled within her that refused to accept social disgrace. Despite her attempts to restrain her baser impulse to retaliate she stiffened, her neck lifting at a haughty angle. The girl had youth and beauty but Brahms didn't need either of those things. For a long time now she had been tempted to scoff at each, to scorn every one of her foes, telling them each and every worthless aspect that would deny them the throne. Before she could do anything else, anything she would or could regret, a voice snapped, breaking both the girls and her out of the tense reverie. Crimson eyes met the matronly face of Almedha and she felt humiliated. Had Almedha, the coven Matriarch, seen her utterly unbefitting reaction to their silent antagonism?

If she did she did not face Sid'ren first, turning her displeasure upon the youth and the girl in particular before sending them away with a terse word. Then she turned and instantly the pale beauty averted her eyes however Almedha's softened a bare minimum, the matriarch herding her towards her rooms. Almedha was the highest authority within the castle, even Brahms to some degree answered to her. She wondered if Almedha had been foretold about the destruction of the Covenant. What they had done was not wrong, they had not defied tradition but they had certainly flaunted it by destroying it without Almedha's approval. Her voice was trapped in her throat, not daring to speak until the vampire elder did, "You should not listen to them…you could be Queen."

The first reaction that came to her, and quite easily, was to gape in disbelief. It did not sound like the words of one who knew and she wondered if Brahms had opportunistically left it to her to inform his mother. She noticed her half packed belongings but Almedha ignored it as she pushed her down into the seat situated beside her vanity. The elder female grabbed her brush and started sifting its rungs through her silken waves. She didn't know what else to say to Almedha's declaration but to deny it, "I could never be Queen."

Not now, not when nothing was there, not when nothing had EVER been there.

"He does not loathe you," she said as if encouraging her, realization hit her suddenly, Almedha hoped that Brahms would reaffirm their Covenant.

"He does not love me…"

"Love has nothing to do with it," her voice was rigid, to the point and it sent a chill down her spinal column.

Love had EVERYTHING to do with it! How could Almedha love Brahms so dearly but understand him so little? The only hope for divesting Almedha of her notions of safeguarding the Covenant seemed to be to simply tell her the truth, "Almedha, it had been our intention, mine and Brahms, to formally pronounce our Covenant dissolved this eve."

Almedha's flawless face didn't possess a single wrinkle of age but at this moment her face showed wrinkles borne of disapproval, "I, I don't understand."

"They, society is not in error, they are right. My star no longer shines; my influence no longer prevails with any sort of meaning in court, in his court. My time is over, it is my time to step down, I am no longer needed. At best I am a pretty companion he could wear on his arm however I am not even that to him. Our arrangement is concluded."

"You don't understand. I made this Covenant with the future in mind. His. Yours!"

She felt even more guilty that Almedha had taken her under her wing only to have all her careful politics undone in entirety, "There is a future but not between us. His lies with another…"

She didn't dare mention that 'another' happened to be a certain Valkyrie, the enemy of their very race, an idealistic bride at best. It would be so easy for Almedha to deny Brahms the fragile hope he had for his own happy ever after as foolish as it seemed for a noble, for a king. Had she herself not experienced a love match she might not believe in it any more than Almedha or the next noble. Her eyes followed Almedha's who fell upon her bags, "You are leaving."

"Yes, my lady, I am leaving court to return to the front."

"In the past you should have NEVER been placed on the front. The front is NO place for a lady, not one of your breeding and prestige."

"I have rejected the prospect of a future match, out of choice therefore the battlefield is the only future left to me. One hundred and fifty years ago I bowed to your greater judgment, I have done everything you have asked and more, I would ask you respect my wishes now. Please, Almedha, I realize that we should have approached you but I wish to move on, to allow both of us to move on, preferably I would like to have your blessing."

The elder vampire's scarlet eyes held a dark light but Sid'ren saw defeat registered in their depths, "If you sure…"

"I am."

The matriarch rose and she approached Sid'ren, taking her hands in hers and bringing her lips to brush against her pale cheek, "My blessing is yours; I will not speak at the time of the announcement however I will be present, bearing no challenge to your mutual decision. I pray that your future will be honorable and fruitful, Sid'ren."

Almedha's raven skirts swirled around her as she left as quickly as she had come. It was more than relieving to know that such a key political figure wouldn't object to their judgment. It would make her departure peaceful and cause no discord at court for Brahms. She turned back to her saddlebags with a renewed vigor for packing the last of her necessities.

As soon as she departed Sid'ren's company she felt her fury unleash, ALL of her careful political machinations haphazardly undone. Of all the stupid mistakes to be made Brahms had allowed a chasm to develop between him and Sid'ren. When she had seen the younger ladies of breeding with Sid'ren, mocking her, an almost maternal fury had eaten at her. Sid'ren had been perfect for their purposes; explicitly chosen her for her "innocent experience". It certainly sounded like a contradiction but it wasn't; Sid'ren had more loyalty to Brahms as king than she ever had towards herself, her blood, or her class and at almost six hundred years of age she had dwarfed his inexperience by a considerable rate. If anyone was deserving of the throne or able to be Brahms equal she would have thought it would be agreed that it was Sid'ren.

However that didn't change the bitter fact that he wasn't keeping Sid'ren which meant there would soon be a grand shift within court, Brahms would be the target for so many females and most of them woefully incompetent. And then there was the fact of just what would happen to Sid'ren, she would not allow for him to just dissolve the Covenant with the air of giving her a dismissal, he'd give her compensation, of THAT she would make sure.

She didn't even ask or knock before entering his study; she was one of the few who could get away with such. Brahms was absent from the bedroom so she took the staircase up to his study. Her search was rewarded when she glimpsed him standing behind a dark desk of polished cherry wood. He was hunched over purveying some documents; he looked as though he was poised, as though he was finishing some last order of business before he had to go somewhere. Her eyes flashed, tension instantly coiling between their tenuous visual connection, "What have you done? In rejecting her you have committed to finding a replacement that will NEVER amount to equal the likes of her! I chose the best not only for you but for the race!"

Brahms voice was defensive, as if he was trying to keep collected, "The decision was not mine alone; in fact she was the one who approached me."

"What did you expect when you dote more attention upon a gem rather than her?"

"I do not dote on the gem; I admire the being within its confines far more than any material beauty or possession I currently hold," he replied before he could stop himself and instantly he wished he had not said anything at all. If her expression had been angry before now it was livid.

"You agreed to place the Valkyrie behind you, for the good of everyone."

He might have continued to believe that if Sid'ren hadn't encouraged him, over the last two weeks they had worked so tirelessly to prepare for the advent of Silmeria's awakening. Now that the vision of possessing her looked and seemed so realistic he couldn't just go back. He didn't want to lie however he was NOT going to place the Valkyrie behind him, not now but he couldn't very well tell Almedha that, she'd NEVER accept Silmeria, not without being prepared for such information. In the meanwhile he would have to appease Almedha if only to make the wait for Silmeria's fate livable, "Silmeria has nothing to do with the decision. Sid'ren and I recognized that such a union didn't have any fruit and it was souring relations between myself and her son. I cannot afford to be making enemies of the nobility, ANY of the nobility. It was a decision made through weighing risks and benefits."

"Did you ever think Hakon might have come to understand and approve of the match if you treated his mother as she deserves?"

"She did not want it, Sid'ren wanted to be free, and she shall," he hastily jotted down a signature on a few documents, not even bothering to look up as she surveyed his actions, "What is done is done , after tonight there will be no taking it back."

"That is why I am here, before the two of you damn yourselves with this ill-begotten decision of yours."

"You already tried to talk to her didn't you, and she told you. Well it was something mutually agreed upon, if you couldn't convince her to hold fast to the Covenant don't look for me to keep it intact."

"If you won't see reason at the very least you can't just send her off without so much as a byword."

"I do not intend to. A greater destiny lies before her than she ever possessed here. Sid'ren will be given as she deserves, she will be free – the mistress of her own future and the sole architect of her destiny. A new coven will be made, be born, and she will be its mother."

Brahms rose his eyes from the document and was pleased to see that this announcement had shocked, rattled, his ancient mother and he dared to believe it was pleasant shock from her lack of comment or complaint. Finally she spoke, her voice carefully dispensing her praise with level tone, "You have given her prospect for the future. I approve, it is unseeming that her innate talents be wasted on the battlefield," her voice clearly said she thought him guilty of that.

Perhaps I am…

But he didn't regret it if he was, he knew Almedha WOULDN'T approve if she knew his motives was selfish – for the research that would restore Silmeria rather than repairing Sid'ren's reputation. In reflection there was not a noble more deserving of such an honorable position but deep down, the truth was he made the position as a cover, to legitimize his sending her in his stead to bring the damned research into his hands.

Fingertips softly brushed against a layer of satin that she pulled off to reveal, wrapped in the soft intricate layers – armor; it's polished ebony exterior gleaming even through the darkness of her quarters. Sid'ren's pale throat constricted at the sight of the ebony armor, her husband's, it was truly one of a kind. Hel had blessed those in her service, and her husband; he had been especially loyal to the Damned Queen until his death. When Brahms had overturned Hel's rule he had disposed of the loyalists and naught of their accursed belongings remained except this. Her husband had died long before Brahms made his bid for power, for the vampires' freedom, and thus she had been allowed to keep the armor.

She had saved it initially to serve as Hakon's inheritance, the death of his sire left him with a great deal of wealth but little sentimental inheritance. However, Hakon had devoted himself to political pursuit and power play, having no value for sentimental mementos of a sire he didn't know. Still, she had kept it and through the years, had it refitted and forged to suit herself. It was with a certain irony that she'd wear this armor for she held no allegiance to Hel but would draw upon the blessing, it made her feel as though her departed spouse was protecting her even in his death, there was not a single piece of armor that could protect her as well.

It took less than ten minutes for her to dawn the dark aegis in entirety – breastplate, gauntlets, greaves, and boots. A lesser had already been sent to attach her saddlebags to her horse. Eyes scanned the room, peering around for anything of forgotten importance as a hollow knock on the door broke her attention, brought her out of her reverie, "Come in," she was satisfied, pleased that her voice sounded strong and resolute rather than weak and uncertain. The answer came in the form of Hakon's smooth gait accompanied by his soft footsteps. His reply, a greeting, was a respectful whisper between them, "Mother."

"Hakon," she tried to conceal the shock but realized that she had been remiss, in all the time she had prepared to leave it had not crossed her mind that perhaps she might need to tell her son, so many days had been spent with Brahms that she had almost thoroughly neglected to even spare thought to visit her son, "To what or whom do I owe the honor of this visit?"

"I am aware you have been busy over the last few weeks however I do not believe it is a crime to at the very least pay a visit to my mother, to inquire after your welfare...how are you?"

The slight female was unsure if she should answer truthfully or falsely. Truthfully she was well physically but inside herself she felt altogether conflicted. However in the lapse of her silent answer she watched her son, he patiently sighed, "Mother, I am concerned that you are not being fair to yourself. More and more I see you indulge in behaviors or mannerisms that have the potential to cause you pain in the long run. Normally I would not dare to speak to you thusly but I do not want your kindness to set you up for the worst kind of fall. I have heard whispers that I cannot ignore, I came to address my justified concerns for your welfare. If you would hear me out I do not believe that maintaining contact with Lord Brahms is in your best interests or that it will continue to serve any benefit or purpose to you."

"Then you will be pleased to know that tonight it is ended. We dissolved the Covenant more than a fore night ago; tonight I will announce it to the court and be freed of my longstanding obligation. Is that not what you have wanted to hear? Surely that is enough to place the worse of your concern to rest, yes?"

Hakon frowned as if noting the steady shake to her voice, realizing that she might not be rejoicing over it as much as he was, "Well, yes but there is more to that. I have heard, from very good source, that you are preparing yourself to, well, to leave."

She wasn't sure whom was the spy but she should've known that it would happen, what noble wouldn't pay dearly to know of her dealings with Brahms especially when they mysteriously and suspiciously became more and more frequent over the course of two weeks than they had in months. The earnest tone in Hakon's voice however betrayed that he had listened to the gossip honestly concerned about what such involvement entailed. It was stupid of her not to guard her motives more readily, "Whomever told you such, they are not mistaken."

"Just because you are placing the Covenant behind you doesn't mean you have to retreat from court. You are not ruined by this! The marriage to my father was legitimate in its construction and severance and, forgive me, but Brahms could hardly have made it MORE apparent that the Covenant was chaste and formal! It is not as if you have been taken by every male that has taken you as a bride. You have a chance to remake a future here, a chance to rise from the ashes with dignity."

A smile curved at her lips, it was a sad one that held a tender ache, if only he could realize that things were not as simple as they seemed, "Hakon...it is not the duty of a son to place a bride price upon his mother. I no longer possess anything that I can offer in marriage, I have passed on everything to you, as I should! You are my son, my inheritance and that of my spouse has provided, paved the way for your future. My pride, it is all I have left, I will not live upon hospitality not even yours. My course of action, my choice is not made in self destruction, but out of devotion. Our race should live and thrive in autonomy, free from the gods whether they been damned or divine. My choice was made in such a way that I will serve the interests of the race abroad if that is where they have need of me."

"Then your mind is set."

"It is, the path is set now I only have to follow it."

"And you are leaving when?"

"Tonight, after the announcement, there is no reason to delay or remain," remaining after stepping down would be too ideal an opportunity for the nobles to put salt into the wound, it would be too hard to see the younger females of the race fawn and throw themselves at him and though she didn't admit it to Hakon she had to follow through with her mission. Under NO circumstances would it be pleasant for her to be replaced however it was better that the replacement be competent and tolerable to Brahms. Marriages made in their evening society were typically cold beneficial unions that made death desirable over a meaningless eternity bound in unhappiness. It was the dreadfully sad reason that adultery was so high and infidelity so widely accepted.

"I will accompany you; I do not feel you should depart alone."

"Then if you will excuse yourself, I will finish making myself ready."

Hakon bowed low and swiftly captured her in an embrace that made her eyes lower, softened by the affectionate expression. He stepped back and in his eyes there was genuine affection, one that would outlast any amount of scandal and shame because all they truly had all along was each other. As she glanced after his departure crimson eyes closed in silent despair, it was unfortunate that her unhappiness was made for love lost and love denied; a void that even he could not fill.

The beautiful warrior's steps echoed hollowly across the room as she stepped in line with her vanity. She carefully reached down for her make up painting her prominent angled visage to give her skin a tone, a color, which appeared mortal. Otherwise amongst Midgard's mortal populace her skin would give her away as to what she was altogether. Satisfied, she stepped into the hallway where Hakon, as promised, waited in almost dutiful attendance. She led the way to the throne room, initiating no further conversation.

A collective hush fell over the nobles at the advent of her arrival; as if each and every one of them knew something important was happening, each one were loathe to miss out on a single syllable. Brahms and Almedha, as expected, as promised, both of them were present. Her gaze rose until her chin was level with Brahms' gaze; determined that she would not look wounded in the eyes of him or others. The radiant vibrance of her eyes connected with his and for a moment she was sure she'd drown in those eyes, never stepping forward to alter their joint fate, however finally from his crimson depth she gained resolve. Despite her disassociation from reality that her legs had continued walking forward until she was in the middle of the room, the attention of all. Male and female, old and young, all had parted and given way to her. Within the eyes of all those gathered, queries burning within their cold crimson cavities. Before such could intimidate her to inaction her voice ran out, "My lord, my lady, to all the honorable personages gathered, I respectfully ask to come forth to speak hence."

"It is granted," Brahms voice rang out as if wanting her to speak without interruption for fear she'd not go through with the announcement after seeing her hesitation up to this point.

A humiliation in itself that she could talk but when action was demanded she turned craven, I will not accept this! I will not allow it! In myself…

"I, Sid'ren Cetes Solas Vai'lar, in the presence all gathered, formally renounce and dissolve my Covenant to our most noble Lord of All Undead, Brahms," there was no explanation; not allowing any path that could lead to avoidance, going straight to the heart of the issue.

Complete silence, the silence of death, was her answer as there was a wait for an objection that would not come from Brahms or Almedha. Finally Brahms stood, his eyes piercing her before turning to the assembly, "You are released, Sid'ren, with every blessing, every wish for your happiness in whatever path you choose."

So rare was it for Covenants to be broken that there was no formal way to announce a broken Covenant, the words had to come from both parties involved, the words had to be civil, peaceful, bringing no discord that would cause offense or conflict. Although sparse in his verbiage Brahms satisfied that requirement and even Hakon look strangely serene, satisfied.

Brahms turned to others assembled, "Now, if any are against this decision than speak, if not let silence be your blessing."

Just as Brahms and Almedha had not objected nor would it come from the nobility. They had only to gain from this political chasm opening before them.

"Now…," several faces turned including hers when Brahms spoke again as if wondering if he was going to sudden speak in favor of the Covenant, "the High Lady Sid'ren has decided for herself to reassume the honorable command she had in the military before embracing the duty of our long-standing Covenant. However that is a poor pittance to give such an unfading jewel. By my decision she will receive her due in ways she has never anticipated or imagined. The Lady Sid'ren will travel to Dipan, and from its ruins, a coven shall be born," Brahms placed his clawed hands on her shoulder as incensed shock went through ever pathway of her body, "and she shall be its head. I inquire if any shall wish to accompany her, if not this eve in the near future, to guarantee her wellbeing and success as well as that of our immortal race."

Rage was her first reaction to this announcement, pure unadulterated simmering anger. Most would be thrilled for such an illustrious position, for the prestige it granted despite the responsibilities it demanded. However, the indignant beauty after being promised her choice, her freedom, was placed upon a pedestal that would attract to her every manner of chain and restraint. If his grip had not been so strong on her shoulder she would have been prepared to let him know just WHAT she thought of his generosity. Hakon looked reproachfully at Brahms but she saw a glimpse of grudging approval that he tried to conceal. Rapidly her attention flicked to the nobility for their reaction. Her announcement had been greeted with mute anticipation, but the men were not so reserved and Brahms announcement had all the young and elder lords in silence discussion. She had given the young ladies reason to believe they had the prospect for a throne and Brahms had given the males every reason to believe they might gain something in turn from the fracture of their Covenant. That Brahms went to such lengths to play nursemaid to her fading repute…the pity was more than she could bear, it seared her pride like the sun would sear her flesh.

I agreed to do his research! I didn't ask for the likes of this!

Finally he released her shoulders but she still felt weight on her shoulders from his proclamation, as though he never released the hold at all. Her eyes turned to follow his retreat and she followed him out without hesitation. Her false sense of gratitude kept her from showing just how UNGRATEFUL she was in public and once she was sure he was beyond distance to be heard she couldn't keep silent any longer, "What was THAT?"

"Your assignment," he didn't even look at her although he slowed his pace.

"Are you sure of that? Or was it an ideal way to assure the cast off was a solid one? You knew my feelings on this! Why have you promised me freedom only to exchange one chain for another?"

"If you are chained than the chains are of your own making and ones you dawn of your own choice. You could have rejected the position."

"And appear devoid of any remnant of honor?"

"Do not misunderstand this gesture, I need the research, a fact no one will know save yourself, Sid'ren. You, like me, have live your life in the constraints and expectations of your class however you encourage the destruction of such foundations. Perhaps you need to take the advice you give. As your sovereign I ask you, for the good of our race to do this; you are not obligated or ordered to take a spouse as you believe according to the condemnation of your narrow, inherent mindset. If you do not wish to marry, then don't, you will still reign. Good night, my lady," he bowed, his words burning as she took her leave.