A flashback sequence to the mid 1500s….
"I have been informed that you are in control of this region, Lord Harry." Rage spoke in a soft accented voice. "I have lived here undiscovered for many years and I am here to ask if you would mind moving on, and take the vampires with you."
It was clearly not meant as a request.
"That is out of the question, sir." I replied, unsure of how to address him. "I came here to make your acquaintance. The others have simply stepped aside and allowed me to gain control. It seems they needed a leader and there was nobody willing to fulfil that role."
"You may call me Samuel." he smiled at me again, making me feel all the more confused. "I have no interest in ruling anyone, I wish only to be left to live in peace once more. Since your arrival, however, that has not been possible. Please, Lord Harry, move on from here, that is all that I ask."
I was furious but somehow resisted the urge to show it. I had come all this way and spent all this time searching for him, and now he was telling me to go away.
"I don't think you understand why I have come to this place." I said. "I have been searching for you, and now I have found you I am not going to simply leave. I believe there is much I can learn from you. The others have nothing left to give me, and I need more."
"What makes you think there is anything I can teach you, even if I were willing to do so?" Samuel asked.
"The Old Ones speak of you with vile hatred, and the others whisper your name in fear. I only wish to know why?"
He laughed, a soft gentle sound rarely heard from my kind, and it sent a chill through me. "I have no interest in any of them, nor in you Lord Harry. I have managed my condition alone now for more than a thousand years, and believe me when I say that there is nothing I can tell you that will be of any interest to you." Samuel rose from his seat, and bowed respectfully again. "I must return now. You will not see me again. Please leave Constantinople, Lord Harry. Leave my people alone."
"And what if I decide not to let you leave?" I said to him, rising to my feet.
He walked around the table and approached me, and I somehow resisted the urge to back away from him. He undid the rope tied across his shoulders and his cloak fell open to reveal a large cross hanging around his neck. I hissed in shock, and cringed away from him. I was amazed. Never in almost 50 years had I known a vampire to wear a cross. The Old Ones had no fear of them, and could even touch them, but to wear one would still require an enormous amount of strength. This confirmed that he was indeed one of the Old Ones, and a most powerful one.
I backed away until I reached the wall behind me, and he closed his cloak tying the rope once more.
"You cannot keep me here Lord Harry, and I certainly have no wish to stay. I am going back now. I expect you and the rest to clear out as soon as possible." and with that he started to walk away.
I followed him out of the building, the other vampires looking at us but keeping away. When we got outside, I grabbed his shoulder and swung him around.
"I do not give up so easily, Samuel." I spat the words at him, angry that I had shown weakness in front of him. "I will not leave Constantinople until I have what I want."
"And what is that?" he asked.
"Power." I replied. "You have it, and I want it. There are vampires thousands of years old who fear and hate you, you are the one person in the world who Mr Snow tells us all to avoid. And I want to know why. What is it about you that is so important?"
He shook his head and started to turn around again. I grabbed him once more and this time I did not let go. I held his collar tightly, so he could not release his cloak once more, and pulled his face towards mine holding his throat.
"If you will not do this for me, Samuel, I will rip this city apart. The siege itself was nothing to the havoc I will wreak on these people. I will not stop until there is nothing left." I loosened my grip and backed away, slightly. "However, if you will share your secrets with me, I will tell the others to leave, and I will not allow anything else to happen in your precious city. Your people will be safe from the vampires."
Samuel looked at me, then back towards the building filled with vampires. Then he looked around at the people of the city, and he sighed.
"If I teach you all I know, you will make them leave immediately?" he asked.
"Yes."
"They have one day. Tell them to spread the word that Constantinople is mine, and no other vampire is welcome here. And tell them to say that you are dead."
"What? Why should they do that?" I asked.
"Because once you know my secret, you might as well be dead. Mr Snow will not want this, especially for you. Besides, what I have to tell you will take many years to learn. Are you quite sure that this is what you want?"
"Yes, I'm sure. If you can teach me anything that will make me more powerful amongst the Old Ones, I am willing to learn."
Samuel laughed. "Very well. Once the vampires have left, come to the monastery. There is a gatehouse in the grounds which will be safe for you. I will take you there, and we will begin."
I watched him walk away, and I smiled. Finally I would learn his secret and when I returned to the Old Ones, and Mr Snow, I would no longer be their attack dog. We would be equals."