Aldrin stood over the table, his eyes scanning every detail on the map for the tenth time. The night before, Aldrin spent a great deal of time scouting the perimeter of the enemy manor, and it was an understatement to say they had been busy. A palisade wall now surrounded the building. Guards patrolled the walls through the night. Not far behind the wall, guard towers had been stationed, each manned with at least five archers.

            "It looks to me we won't get in, short of a full siege," Lelia commented, leaning on the table as she examined the map. "The only weakness I see is the stream that runs into their yard. There will be a drain gate on the wall. For all we know, they will expect an attack from there."

            Some of the others around the table nodded, each pondering the possibilities. With Aldrin and Lelia stood Andras, Jade and several other high ranking warriors.

            "Can we not just negotiate with them?" Andras asked, looking up to Aldrin.

            "The last time we tried to talk with the counts, they cast us away, calling us fanatics and cultists. That opinion has not changed in the past few hundred years Andras," Lelia explained, a strained sigh escaping her lips as she looked at the map.

            "We do not have the forces to commit to a full siege," Aldrin said, his voice low, attempting to whisper. We could divert the enemy's defense to one side, then send a small party to infiltrate the rear. However, the moment we get into the manor, they will be surrounded. Alone," he continued.

            "How large is the enemy force?" Lelia asked abruptly, looking to Aldrin.

            "A couple hundred, close to equaling our own. I suspect most of their force is comprised of thralls. I sighted a dozen or so acting as guard dogs at the gates," Aldrin answered, recalling what he had seen.

            "Then maybe we can force a surrender." Lelia continued. "You take a small party with you to the gates and request to meet the head of the household. Meanwhile, the rest of us will march our force along the road. They will hear us before they see us. If we march hard enough, shaking the ground beneath our feet, they might assume we have our full strength of several thousand."

            "Possibly. But they are also likely to send scouts. If those scouts saw how small our force really was and reported it, then the plan would be a bust," Aldrin countered.

            "What happens after the surrender then?" Andras asked. "Either way they will find out you only have a few hundred warriors. What stops them from going back on their surrender?" She looked between Aldrin and Lelia.

            "Honor," Jade answered before anyone else could speak. "In the short time I have been among you, I have noticed how much honor mans to even the simplest of vampires. If the count surrenders, he is honor bound to uphold to it. He would lose his house if he broke his word."

            "What of the vampires who don't care about honor? From what I have heard about these counts, some of them are well known for being less than honorable," Andras objected, her tone raised with frustration.

            "Those who reign without honor reign with fear," Aldrin said, his eyes still focused on the map as he spoke. "They keep their power because no one is willing to cross them to change it. You will find that those counts will be the easiest to unseat, as many within their own ranks will flock to our banners given the chance."

            "Then perhaps we need to give them that chance?" Andras remarked, looking to Aldrin. "Send word to each of the counts that you are here. You have brought your full force of three thousand warriors and are about to conquer these lands for your own. You could rally another thousand within a day if what you say is true."

            "What?! Are you insane woman?! We expose ourselves like that and we will be asking to be attacked before sunset!" One of the other soldiers in the room objected. Aldrin raised his hand, motioning for silence.

            "It isn't a bad idea either. The problem will be giving them a rallying cry that will not expose our allies to the enemy. So, we will not notify the counts. Instead, I want letters drafted within the hour to be planted among the vampire warriors that serve the counts. We will target these three specifically." Aldrin pointed on the map as he spoke. "Meanwhile, we can buy time with Lelia's plan to force a surrender from Count Lucarda. Once we join forces with our allies and bring this count down, we can then march south. Karen should be with us by then."

            Heads nodded as Aldrin looked around his small war council. Lelia gave Aldrin a slight bow of her head as he looked at her. "Allow me to see the letter carriers dispatched my lord." Aldrin returned the gesture, dismissing her. She turned and left the tent, followed by the other ranking warriors.

            "Is there anything I can do to help?" Jade asked, her eyes locking with Aldrin.

            "Yes. Go around the camp and inform our warriors of our intention to attack in a day's time. They are to be ready to march by this time tomorrow," Aldrin replied. They both exchanged the same gesture as Aldrin had with Lelia, before she departed.

            Aldrin looked back down at the map, reciting the plan through his head again. "Aldrin, why do you not just make alliances with the counts? If they do not know you lost most of your forces, then that makes you their greatest threat. One, I would think, some might want as an ally." Andras turned around, leaning against the table.

            "I have tried what you speak of three times before. Each failed." Aldrin looked up from the map. "Do you know why?" Andras shook her head.

            "Vampires are traditional by nature. Most prefer to hold onto old ways and beliefs. While some traditions have become apart of our culture, others have become irrelevant." Aldrin looked back down at the map, gesturing to it. "Each count has spent over a thousand years getting comfortable with the land they control and the power they hold. If even one was to acknowledge the legitimate claim I have to the Eternal Throne, they are surrendering that power."

            "How? If they make an alliance with you, that does not count them as your subjects," Andras said. "Unless vampire politics are different?"

            "Not quite. That is true. But to acknowledge the Eternal Throne is the same as surrendering their power. The Eternal Throne symbolizes the very thing the counts distaste. Unity. Even if one or two covens were to ally with? us, that alliance would throw the balance between the counts and their subjects. So far that by the war's end, and the remaining covens defeated, they would be the last to stand independent of the Eternal Throne. By which time, most of their own followers would have deserted to our own ranks. Leaving a count with no subjects, subsequently defeated. Powerless." Aldrin explained, crossing his arms.

            "You are telling me that just by acknowledging your claim, one of these counts would swing the balance of power into your favor? How?! That is still, what, seven against two?" Andras puzzled over Aldrin's words.

            "You're looking at this from a political point of view, Andras, and that is exactly what you can not do." Aldrin paused, considering his wording. "Think of the situation we had with leaving Luthar behind. Doing so has two outcomes or potential outcomes. Demoralizing our own forces or boosting the morale of the enemy. The only thing that keeps those counts in power is the belief that the Eternal Throne is a myth and a lie. That I am just the leader of some ridiculous cult.

            Each count has publicly sworn to deny my claim. They had to convince their own followers that my claim is not legitimate and that the Eternal Throne is, therefore, nothing more than a myth. So, if even one of these counts turned to support my claim..." Aldrin beckoned to Andras.

            "Then they would be only proving that the other counts are wrong and your claim is legitimate," Andras finished, nodding her head. "So then, the counts are forced to not do dealings with you. Or, it would destabilize the integrity of the count's power, possibly even causing internal fighting."

            "Exactly." Aldrin took a seat on a log, around the campfire in the center of the room. "It would be a blessing to have a count support us, but they would be risking their own necks as much as the other counts'. It's all about maintaining their power. If they want to keep it, it is in their interests to deny any claims I have to the Eternal Throne. Even if there was proof staring them in the face."

            "Well, it just seems like it may be worth the effort to try again then. You are here to finish what you started, right? Once they realize you're serious about ending this, someone is bound to be more interest in not being on the other end of your sword," Andras encouraged. "And besides, it is clear to me you would rather do this with the least amount of bloodshed. At least, it would make the most sense."

            "What you ask for is a miracle, Andras." Aldrin closed his eyes, steading his breathing to a repetitive pattern.

            "It might not have been so hard if you had not waited this long in the first place," Andras scoffed, rolling her eyes. Aldrin froze halfway through letting a breath of air out.

            "You do not know of what you speak," Aldrin murmured, a rumble in the back of his throat.

            "Please, are you really going to sit there and act like this isn't half your fault? You had the numbers to conquer these counts five times over if you had to. And instead of doing it then, you waited until you had no other choice. Still, you deny, and tell me I do not know what I am talking about?" Andras crossed her arms, turning on Aldrin.

            "Andras," Aldrin spoke much lower this time, letting the rumble in his throat echo louder.

            "What, don't tell me you're offended? For someone who prides himself on being knowledgeable, you sure did blow that opportun..."

            Andras was silenced as Aldrin's hand clenched her throat, taking her off her feet and pinning her on the top of the makeshift table. Struggling to breathe, Andras attempted to yell but found herself voice unable to get through Aldrin's grasp. Still, she fought, trying her hardest to say something as her gaze was locked with Aldrin's flaring red eyes.

            Aldrin waited till her struggles weakened and her body became void of any strength or will to fight. Releasing his grasp enough to let her breath, Aldrin leaned down over her. "Don't overstep your place here, Andras. And don't you ever question something you know nothing about. I do not have to explain myself, even to you," he hissed, slowly drawing himself back up as he let her go.

            Andras' breaths came heavy, her lungs desperate for each breath of air. Her gaze did not leave Aldrin as she watched the vampire step away from her, turning his back. "What are you afraid of?" she asked, sitting up.

            "Do you not know how to be silent woman?!" Aldrin spun, ready to lurch forward at her again.

            "You won't kill me," Andras said, pushing herself to her feet. "So who is it? Who in the name of the gods could it be, that you would cower in fear to not mention their name?!"

            Aldrin sneered at Andras, his right hand grasping the hilt of his sword as he took two steps to stand only inches from the woman. Every fiber of his body desired to tear her head off. To silence her once and for all. But he could not. As if some other unknown force prevented him from committing the act. He promised she would not die in the Shadow Plane, but he never said he would not kill her in the mortal world. He knew this, and yet despite all his willpower, he could not commit the act.

            "Who?" Andras repeated, unshaken as she gazed into his enraged face.

            "Lelia!" Aldrin shouted, trying to keep his rage contained. The tent flaps opened almost as soon as he finished speaking. "Escort this woman to her tent and confine her there for the day," he ordered, turning his back on Andras as she was forced to follow Lelia.

            Aldrin looked down at his hand, watching it shake. What could that woman have done to prevent him from striking her? He almost killed her before when she was on the table. Had he tried to, would he have been stopped? Did she cast some spell on him to ensure she could not harm her himself? He could have ordered Lelia to do it. He knew that and yet he did not command it.

            No, no there had to be something more to this. Aldrin recalled his conversation with his siblings and the possibility of Andras being more than just some human he stumbled across. He could feel that there was something different about her. They all could. Was this some test of the Dark God? To prove his loyalty?! To even consider he might question Aldrin's loyalty was ridiculous. No, no that could not be it. The Dark God has never had a reason to doubt him!

            Aldrin clenched his fist. He would get to the bottom of this. He had to. What if she was a spy?! An agent sent by the angels or another god or goddess? She did, after all, pray to the Goddess of Life when they met. However, Aldrin could not help but wonder if this was the Dark God's doing. Lately, he had been giving more reason to doubt his sincerity in aiding Aldrin in restoring the throne, even if she stepped out of line, she was not wrong.

            Had he not been held back by the Dark God's will, he could have conquered the covens with ease. But instead, he listened to the Dark God, his father, and restrained from such a move, and for what? There was never a solid reason behind his wishes. Thinking about it now, the Dark God only ever dismissed Aldrin's desires to take the covens, for one reason—stepping out of line. Aldrin simply came to accept that the Dark God did not need to explain himself.

            That was until now. Aldrin's fist became still. The anger pulsing through him remained, but not toward Andras. No, no she was right. He should not have listened to the Dark God. He swore to keep them safe, yet he failed. He promised to help Aldrin unite his people, yet he held him back. Aldrin bared his teeth, an animalistic growl vibrating from his throat.

            Taking a deep breath, Aldrin closed his eyes. This was not the time or place to expel his anger. With deep inhalations, he focused on his breathing, clearing his head and subduing his rage. He needed to finish matters here, find Karen and put an end to the counts. Then, then he could deal with the Dark God and his damned betrayal.