Chapter 2

Thank you all for reading. Here is the second chapter. Enjoy! As always the characters are not mine.

Today I take my leave. We will fight at 5 PM then I am departing. Now my sire does not know this, but she will. I won't just leave her. I have packed the measly possessions I have. I took over the Major's tent when I first got command of the army and had kept my stuff as hidden as he had. Unfortunately, he did not have time to gather his belongings before he made a run for it. I have kept them safe.

I found his stuff by accident, I was looking for a safe place for the locket my parents had left me with. I did not want it to get stolen or broken in the camp after an accident with another new vampire.

BEGIN FLASHBACK

I looked around the hut and decided the safest place would be under the bed. I moved the frame quietly, trying not to draw attention to my hiding place. There I found some dirt that was not packed down. As if someone, like myself had decided to hide treasures under the ground for safe keeping. I quickly removed the mud and clay that had been packed around the hole to reveal a small tin container. Inside I found 3 military medals from the human world, and 2 photographs. One of a man and a woman on what looked to be their wedding day. The next was of a family of 5 with the same man and woman. On the back of the photograph was beautiful script writing: "Jasper, keep these with you to remember us by. We wish you luck in your battles Major. Love you always, my son Elizabeth." Tears had gathered in my eyes. This must be what remains of his family I had thought. If I ever run into him, I will return his mamentos.

I returned the treasures into the tin box along with my locket and reburied it. I repacked the dirt and made sure no one could find it. Maria loved to torment people with their last human memories and I would not be a part of that mental torture. I kept my memories of my human life safe, even if they were dreadful.

END FLASHBACK

I packed up those items and other trinkets I had collected over the years as well as a change of clothes for after the battle. No need to draw extra attention to my scars than necessary so I opted for a long sleeve striped shirt, jeans and some boots. Nothing too fancy, just comfortable. I would change into this after the battle.

We ran to the battle site that was about 100 miles away. I knew where they would strike and when they would be least ready for an attack. It was a power I picked up a while ago from a newborn I had created.

He was in the marines. A commander I had found while I was off hunting. He was drinking his sorrows away after his wife had cheated on him. He had walked in on them because he had a hunch that an attack was happening at the house. Not really what he was expecting, but he was a good vampire. For the first few years anyway. He ended up picking a fight with someone bigger and angrier and loosing his life about 10 years ago.

You try not to get too attached to people around here. They always leave or die. Mostly just die, by either my hand or the enemy's. Depressing, but still I march on.

Once we got to the field I got my troops into formation and we waited. They were all pretty well behaved by this point because they knew they could feed if they survived. It is a cruel way to treat new vampires, but some things you just couldn't change about Maria. I can't tell you the number of times I have been starved for months and put in front of a child with a death threat if I ate. At that point you learn self Control and pray to god you have enough energy in reserve to not get yourself killed.

Personally, I didn't like that meethod, but you listen to Maria or you get punished. I preferred to lead with a respect style. Get my men and women to understand that I would protect them and keep them safe if they did the same. I would always be there for them, but they had to be there for themselves. Sure there were several problems with the method, but I got along well enough with it.

The other group showed up about 15 minutes after we arrived. They were shocked to see us and did not have a very good formation laid out. We ended up winning with minimal losses. Just a few cocky bastards that got a little too bit for their britches and tried to take on the boss without help. Nothing I can do about that now is there. I did try to save them though. I got a few new bite marks, but nothing too serious. It was like this guy wasn't even trying to keep his people alive. It is sad that people lost their lives because of him.

After the battle I walked up to Maria. The one person who has been holding me here for the past 120 years. The vicious warlord of the south and I have been her weapon. No more.

"Maria I am leaving. I have all of my belongs packed and am heading out. You only have one other person in the south to contend with and he won't come near you. I have given you everything you wanted once your Major left. You will never see me again as long as you follow two simple rules: 1. You never try to get the Major again. I know you have been scouting for him and the Captain, but that stops now. You have all the land you could need. 2nd you never have an army over 20 vampires. You cannot control them and I am tired of Mexico and Texas having a missing persons list the size of a novel."

I give her my best General voice so she knows that I am serious. She knows that I have everything I could possibly need. I have been saving the money and land she gives and have enough of a fortune after 120 years to buy all the available land in the United States and still have billions left over. Money is not a problem and I am powerful enough to not need friends. I haven't had any in this many years that she can use against me and that isn't going to change at this minute.

"My General, are you sure you don't want to stay. How will you know if I don't follow your rules?" She basically purrs at me. It is revolting to be honest.

"Oh you will follow them because if I ever get word that you are not, I will come and personally set each of part of your body on fire individually. You have never known the pain that I will put you through. Don't get so cocky as to think I will not find out. I have more secrets in the South than you can count to and I will use every ally I have to make you burn." The malice came out in my voice with those words. It is another power I have, I can make emotions be physically felt thorough words and right now she is trembling. Even if she doesn't know why.

As I was changing and preparing to leave I systematically went through each person's brain and blocked their ability to see what I looked like. They can still feel the emotions connected with me and they have the memory of what I did just not what I look like. It has come in handy over the years when I want the General to stay a mythical figure. Nobody knows what I look like therefore they cannot hunt me. I have not been able to do it on any other person yet though I keep trying.

Once I was finished I made my leave. I had one backpack of possessions. Both mine and the Major's in it as well as an extra change of clothes. Everything else could be bought later. I was finally free.

Hope you enjoyed the Chapter. Have a good Sunday.