The mist, thick and dense, darkened the evening sky, muting all sounds. The mountain sent a forbidding image to all who view but for him it was a steadfast guardian, overlooking his beloved charges. Protecting them from harsh winds and providing sanctuary to those that needs them. He now banks on to that protection, in the coming of trying times. As the mist clear, the echoes of the forest and the song of the night assault his senses. The ominous noise that the land reverberates put fear to any man. But he is no man. He is a Carpathian. The call of earth is most welcoming to him. He is finally coming home. It has been a long journey. Years of solitude has taught him many things and brought him to many places, but this land bathe his battle weary soul with its cleansing touch. A caress, a promise of nurturance and healing. This is his homeland. The valley, the mountains, the places of his youth, these memories he thought he has forgotten, brings him a different type of happiness. Happiness that can only comes from the knowledge that this piece of land is his haven, a place where he will always find a home, a place to belong.
The hunter plunged his fingers into the earth. The coolness washed over him, welcomed him. It had been too long since he felt the richness of their soil, felt its healing properties. It whispered to him of comfort, of peace. As much as he longed to rest into this soil and feel the warm embrace of the earth, he resisted. There is a right time for this. For now, his duty comes first. As the hunter fly over the ridge, across canopies and even sharp crevices with ease, his eyes, ever alert for any sign of disturbance made. He is no fledgling being lulled by the peace of his surrounding. He knows from experience that it only takes a moment for peace to turn complete chaos.
Kael, one of the ancients the previous prince, Vlad, has sent to purge the world of the undead taint. His voluntary exile made him spent the majority of his colorless world in his single-minded task of extinguishing the number of the vampire for his people. He had no illusion that he will survive his mission without meeting the dawn or heaven forbid, become the one he has been hunting for. He has no delusions then, that he will ever find his lifemate. In his mind, he is no longer worthy of having one. His hunts had left a permanent taint in his soul. Even in his unfeeling world, the only thing that still makes his stomach churn is the thought of tainting the light and the pureness of his lifemate with his unforgivable sins. And now, the warrior is coming home. He has heard Mikhail's call. He asked the ancient warriors to come home and join their people once again. He is also aware of the Carpathians current situation. Their people are heading off to another war. His people are fighting for survival. The battle is getting nearer and nearer to their shore. They will need each and every warrior they could get to fight off their undead enemies.
He knows the dangers that his race are facing right now. The vampires are banding together and are being headed by the mage Xavier. He also knows the plight of his people. Less and less female were being born to their race and even those few babe born to them die before their first year. More and more hunters are turning without lifemates to anchor him. It also reached him the assassination attempts on the current prince. He decided that now is the most opportune time to pledge his allegiance to his prince and fight along side his kin once again. But the deciding factor of his return lies on the precious cargo he held in his arm. His little lifemate slept through their travel. Her peaceful visage brought the calm to his troubled mind. He will not only fight for the survival of his race but more importantly, he fight to have a future he only dreamed possible. To that, he vowed to never fail.
Somewhere else, a celebration was being held, the naming ceremony of one of their people's children. The whole Carpathian race was up to their neck in their preparation for this one of a kind event. A child borne to them is a miracle in itself. Having two at the same time and females to boot is something everybody is looking forward to, especially now that their race is facing extinction. Every female lifemate found, each mated pair bonded and each children born sparks hope to every one's heart. All the females of their race are excited and eager to commemorate this event, in the chagrined of the males. A celebration this large invites trouble. With the large concentration of females and children, this affair is a strategic nightmare for all hunters. As much as they want to impose their will to their lifemates that this party is dangerous, they do not have it in them to actually pursue such conversation to their willful lifemates. Sleeping on couches when you can have a soft and warm bed with your lifemate is not a pleasing picture to envision. So despite the protests that are simmering in their mind, they held their silence and let their females order them about and just smile and do their bidding. After all, discretion was the better part of valor.
"Tell me again, why I agreed to this madness?. What were we thinking letting those female plan this, this—party". Gregori asked his prince/friend/father-in-law in obvious annoyance.
"What am I thinking? Let me see, I was thinking that I don't enjoy having my lifemate displease with me and have my granddaughters deprive from me by my daughter. Yes, it is pretty much the reason why I even agree to held this thing." Mikhail's dry response.
"You do know that you just sound so whipped right now? So much for being a prince when you can't even control your own wife. She definitely had you on her little fingers." Gregori replied in disgust.
"This is coming from someone who didn't even voice his disapproval when his own lifemate proposed this idea. Just one look from Savannah and you turned like tamed puppy with its tail between its leg. You are even worst than me, following the every word of his lifemate. Oh, how the mighty has fallen. Who would have thought that the Dark One , the boogeyman of our race reduced to a mere messenger by his lifemate."
Mikhail is secretly amused by the displeasure shown in his son-in-law's face. His jab and taunts made Gregori's mood much darker. As much as he agrees with Gregori's assessment of the situation, he can't help but feel that they are actually doing a right thing by celebrating the naming ceremony of her granddaughters. Their race has gone through a lot and a joyful occasion like this one might just do the trick and lighten the burden everybody is feeling. The Christmas party years back was a success despite the commotion that ensued afterward. He would also like to use this occasion to gather information from hunters abroad and once again commune with them about the recent happenings in their world. More and more ancients are turning up since he sent his call. Their knowledge is valuable and their allegiance means a lot to him.
Looking around the inn where the party is being held, his heart swelled. The laughter and the easy camaraderie around him washed away all his misgivings. Even the unmated hunters seem to be at ease with the festivities. Although all men are still on high alert, they all seem to genuinely enjoy themselves.
Mikhail tensed. There is something in the air. It screamed in his senses. Danger! As if as one, all the hunters tense and become prepared to what's to come. Mated hunters went over their lifemates while the females scenting the disturbance in the air as well as sense the alertness of the males, started to gather the children. The energy as well as the anticipation of danger is too much for Mikhail when he started to go to the door, Dmitri, Darius and Gregori beat him to it.
"It is too dangerous for you to expose yourself, leave this to us, we can handle our uninvited guest without much of a problem." Dmitri offered.
"Quite a boast you have there, young one. I do hope you lived up to what you are claiming, I hate being disappointed". Out of the darkness of the night, a shadow materializes in the gathering. Males created a tight circle around the women and children while hunters started to head out to the shadow, ready to defend and neutralize any danger. Gregori immediately took his place in front of his prince, alert to any attack.
The tension grew thick, palpable as everyone waited for what they all knew was coming, and a collective withdrawing of breathe went through the crowd when the dark figure began to emerge from the brightness. Kael was dressed in elegant, dark green robes, (not that they can see it under his dark cloak) which made his sparkling green-eyes stand out, and he was groomed impeccably. His long smooth silver hair tied in his nape, flowed over his shoulder and was elegantly styled. And his posture emanated power, confidence and dignity. He was beauty and power personified.
The apparition is a sight to behold. Even in their race where beauty is a given, the beauty of the stranger is otherworldly. It is more than his physical magnificence but more than that, it was his aura that drew them to him. Kael would have smirked to their reaction then but he held his serene façade in front of so many people's scrutinizing gazes.
"Greetings Mikhail, pardon my unannounced entry. I am afraid that in my old age I have forgotten the necessary code of conduct when entering an abode." His greeting has shaken off the enthrallment of his entry. The hunters were once again alert and the females wary while the ancient were amaze with the realization that it was impossible for this stranger to enter their gathering without invitation. The stranger's hint in his greeting is a testament of his power. It takes one so powerful to enter a dwelling without permission from the inhabitants; even the most learned from their race was not able to do what this stranger has done. This knowledge creates an unsettling feeling in the pit of their stomach.
Mikhail in his attempt to control the situation, addressed their uninvited guest, "It seems that you have us in a disadvantage, you obviously know of us yet we no nothing about you". Mikhail hopes that their "guest" is not in league with the vampires. With his obvious display of skill, it will be hard-pressed for their warriors to beat this stranger. There is also something in the man that made him wary to be his enemy, like a kinship or deep-rooted respect.
Mikhail, this one is powerful. Lucian and Gabriel told me that he is familiar to them but can't pinpoint how and when. If I would guess, I think he is one of the ancient that your father has sent. Gregori send this information to him while completely blocking off his view of the stranger.
Let us hope you are correct, my friend. I am uneasy with the thought of fighting him. I hope that he is an ancient that have heard our called and had not yet turned. Mikhail replied while sidestepping from Gregori's shadow and facing head on their guest.
"It is nice to know that despite the rapid changes that are happening around us, there is still something that will always remain the same. The Daratrazanoff clan will always stand beside the prince." Kael looks at Gregori, Lucian, Gabriel and Darius with approval.
"The Dragonseekers who will always stay true to their nature and serve the best way they can for the good of all Carpathians." Turning his eyes to Dominic with knowing eyes.
"And the most important task of all hunters is to protect the prince, the women and the children are still being held sacred by our race". Drinking in the picture of the gathering, reminding him of what he is fighting for. He has to give Mikhail the credit of keeping their race intact and surviving. Finally, he can see the proof of their hope. Their race is striving and in its core are women and children. He can see how much effort their race is putting up just to make sure that these children will have a safe haven in the arms of his people. This will certainly do for his plan.
"I have come here in peace." Reverting once more his gaze to Mikhail. " I am one of the ancient that your father, Vlad sent to bring justice to those who turn back from our race."
"You are familiar to us but I can't seem to put a name to your face. We haven't heard about you either, even from other ancient you are unknown." Lucian interrupted.
"I am not surprise that you haven't heard about me. I never did try to contact any of our race in my travels. This is the first time for about a millennium that I have been in the presence of another Carpathian. I am much older than Lucian and Gregori, I supposed that is the reason why they have never known me."
"I think I know who you are ancient one." Dominic comes forth from the shadows. "Silver hair and moss-green eyes not unlike my own was the trait of your clan. I never thought that I will witness your return. You and I are the same; we are the last men of our line."
Dominic knows this man. He is as much legend as his whole line. Dominic's line and his has always been close. Their lines has crossed for so many times that they are almost one line. This man is no vampire. Dragonseeker's blood runs through his blood and it showed in his eyes. He will never turn. He offered his arms to Kael in welcome.
"Welcome warrior, friend and brother. Your presence has been missed and your return bring honor to your line and mine. I am happy that I stand before an Agrotero once again." Kael returned the greeting. It feels good to be among his kin once again.
"Argotero? The line that is most revered for their great connection with nature and clan of fighters. It was thought that your line died out since your line were the primary hunters and even lifemated once continues to hunt, and the wars diminish your numbers to none. Even during the reign of my father only stories of your line were passed on." Confusion was clear in Mikhail face.
"Now I remember who you are. You were the shadow hunter. Only the Vlad and Marcus (I don't know the name of Gregori's father so bear with me) were privy of your goings. It was said that after Marcus you were the other advisor of Vlad. You disappear almost the same time as Vlad sent out the hunters. No one knows what your orders were or even your face. The only known thing about you is your loyalty to Vlad and incredible skills in warding and spells. It was speculated in our time that the sacred council chamber were warded and spelled by you. I remember Vlad called you Kael the Hunter." Vikirnoff added with no small amount of awe.
Mikhail strode toward Kael with the intention of welcoming him when Gregori moved to intercept, it reminded all the hunters that despite Kael's lineage, he is an ancient who had not sworn his allegiance to Mikhail. He might have served Vlad in the old days, but had only returned recently. Jacques and Darius followed insuring protection. They would not take chances with the life of their prince however trustworthy Kael seems.
Kael concealed his approval behind his nonchalant countenance. He clasped Mikhail's forearms and said, "I would swear my allegiance to you, if it is your wish." He then dropped to one knee. "I offer my life for our people. I pledge my loyalty to you, with our people as my witness, I offer you my blood." Mikhail solemnly answered the pledge, "As the vessel of our people, I accept your sacrifice." Taking Kael's blood so that he can find him anywhere and anytime. The blood-bond made Kael vulnerable. Should he choose to turn vampire, he could easily be tracked.
As the tension disperse from the gathering, the women final relaxed as the men ease their stance. Raven broke away from the group and approach her lifemate.
"Mikhail, I m sure that Kael is tired from his travel. If you want Kael you can join in our festivities." Raven smile and it further diffuse whatever strain left from Kael's abrupt entrance. "Our home is your home, Kael. Let us adjourn to the den and leave these females to their revelries." Mikhael offered.
"I'm sorry but before I join you, I would like to address the reason why I have sought our homeland." Looking at the females, Kael addressed them. "Forgive me for my impertinence; I came here to require the help of our females." His announcement was met by different responses from the crowd. The pose of the male turned from relaxed to alert while the females held curiosity in their gaze. It is unusual for a male to seek help to any female and to address them directly was something that is frown upon, especially the lifemated ones. Are we wrong in deciphering his intention, Mikhail. Is he a danger to our female as we first thought? Gregori demanded. Be calm Gregori, I sense to hostility from him, only honesty and genuine need.
"Tell us, Ancient One. What do your require that you have to address it to us, by- passing the hunters and our prince. What is so dire that you do not seek their help and turn on to us?"
"Back in the old days when our females are numerous and that hunting the undead is not a matter of gender but skill, a lot of hunting couple has to entrust the care and protection of their children to their nearest kin or to other mated couple to continue to their task of hunting vampire." Kael let what he said sink in to the mind of all that gathered there.
"Why am I telling you all these?." He paused and in a strong voice. "I would like to appeal to the women of our race to adapt the same notion. I have a child under my protection. Her only kin has passed on not many days ago. Her brother left her in my care but I am a hunter and know nothing in caring for a child. I would like to find her a home with her own people but as much as I have seen, human has no care for their young. They abuse and neglect them, unlike our people who valued our children with tenacity. What say you sisters? Will you answer my call?