Page 74 of Killian
“We do, but first I feel it necessary to apologize on behalf of the Coven of Warlocks,” T’Eirick commented. “I am sorry to hear of how your race started and the struggles you faced. If it was during my reign, then I am to blame. I take responsibility for every warlock, but I hope we can convince you that what you experienced was not a practice anyone in this room would have condoned.”
“Rest easy, Grand Sage,” Vampyress Irina said, her fingers laced with her consort’s as they faced the many leaders of The Council staring at them—Killian included. “We realized these warlocks had isolated themselves from the rest of their people. I believe they understood their behavior would have been abhorrent to anyone with a conscience. It was a terrible start for the vampyrs, but we are also pragmatic. Without such actions, our race would not exist.”
“A wise way to look at what had to be a horrible situation, Vampyress,” Chander replied. “Life is imperfect, and adaptability is essential. Could you tell us about the plight of your people now? What is it that drove you to write to the Grand Warlock?”
“A need for a place to call home and a measure of safety,” the Vampyress answered. “We rely upon the blood of the willing to survive. For decades, it was not an issue. The bite of a vampyr is a sensual thing and brings the donor great pleasure. Neighboring villages on our travels have welcomed our attentions. We have strict rules not to take beyond what is necessary and never to scare or harm any living creature. But something has happened we cannot understand. The elders of the villages on our recent journeys have banded together and banned us from entering. Some humans have braved the consequences of defying the elders to visit us, but not enough to sustain my people.”
“You wish to find willing donors among magickind and the Eldrvalkyria shifters?” Kolsten asked.
“We do not,” the Vampyress replied. “No offense to you, Jarl Kolsten, but it has been our experience that shifter blood…well, the taste is foul to our senses. Magickind blood is unpredictable. Some vampyrs react well and act silly for several hours, while others have grown angry or put themselves in dangerous situations. Vampyrs crazed with magical blood have died. We want access to villages across Europe so we can find enough willing donors to keep our people thriving. But with so much land occupied by magickind, we feared running afoul of you. We do not seek enemies.”
“But we have them, Vampyress,” Killian replied. “Dragons hate magickind and attack us regularly. You risk putting yourself in the sights of the same nefarious beasts who are killing off our kind.”
“I apologize, I do not know how to use your title,” the Vampyress said. “Can you explain it to me so I do not offend?”
“My people are less formal than others,” Killian explained with a smile. The Vampyress was proving to be kind, thoughtful, and well-spoken, but Killian worried she was underestimatingthe danger she would face as part of The Council. “It is tedious to call me Killian the Dwyer each time you want to address me, so I would prefer to be addressed as just Killian.”
The Vampyress grinned. “That is easy enough, Killian. The dragons. We are aware of them. Like we were once, you are hunted. We believe we can help. One of our skills is mind control. It works on the weaker willed of the population, and I must assume that any beast willing to prey upon babies is of the smallest intelligence. We could possibly convince some of these beasts to turn around and return to their homes. Or convince them to land so their lives can be forfeited for their crimes.”
“Fascinating, Vampyress,” Lorcan replied. “Acwellan elves like myself are descended from ancient ancestors of demonic blood, and the Arch Lich has demonic blood too. Our histories are told through stories instead of tomes, and there were some ancient tales about mind control, but the ability was lost to us.”
“Arch Lich, is it an ability lost to you as well?” Vampyress Irina asked.
Chander shrugged. “I have never experimented. Perhaps I should. It feels foolish now to have overlooked a talent I may possess.”
“We have no ability to control beyond a single person. However, I will share with you how we do it and join in your experiments, Arch Lich,” the Vampyress replied.
Baxter laughed. “I guess we know where we will find the Arch Lich for the foreseeable future. There is nothing Chander loves more than learning and extending his abilities.”
“Tell us about your other abilities, Vampyress,” Saura coaxed.
“Of course, Grand Sage. There are few to speak of. We use single teleportation spells; we were not given the group spell we know warlocks and druids possess. I mentioned mind controland the magick of our bites to bring our blood donors and ourselves great passion. Our other unique feature is our reaction to the harshness of the sun. The longer we are in sunlight, the greater our need to consume blood. It can be the death of the weakest of our kind, though that is rare. It is not magick, but our son is gifted with finances, and we possess enough wealth to sustain ourselves. Again, we have worked with humans, and we welcome new avenues of trade.”
“Have we any more questions for the Vampyress?” Kaedan asked.
“I have many, but they are of the educational sort and are not pertinent to our ability to build an alliance,” Egidius replied.
“Have you any queries for us, Vampyress?” Kaedan inquired.
“None that are relevant unless we can come to an accord. We seek to move closer to your castle and would willingly arrange our lives to meet the demands of our duties as Council members.”
“Vampyress, would you mind giving us a moment to discuss your proposal?” Kaedan asked.
“Of course, Grand Warlock,” the Vampyress replied, rising. Renny escorted the foursome out and returned a few minutes later.
“Go on, give me your objections,” Kaedan said, reclining his chair.
Killian had none, and he was surprised that he was not alone. In fact, no one spoke up.
“This must be a first,” Aristos commented with a smirk. The centaur ruler kissed Kalthekor’s cheek. “Should we vote to add the intriguing Vampyress and her Vampyr Clutch to our humble Council?”
“Absolutely, are we unanimous?” Kaedan asked. They were, and Killian was proud they were expanding to includevampyrs. But it was another population to keep safe, which worried him.
“We will need more fallen knights,” Drystan said.
“I will resurrect whatever you need,” Chander replied.
“It is a good day. Let us hope we can curb some of the attacks by convincing these simple-minded dragons to leave us alone,” Egidius remarked.
