Aldrin sat behind the long table at the end of the main hall, six trusted warriors on either side of him. More lined up along either side of the hall as a company of twenty other warriors entered the room. These vampires, however, were not his. They were the enemy sent by Count Kalfon and among them, in the middle to be exact, was Karen.

            From what Aldrin could tell, she was in good health and as the count's ambassador promised, unscathed. As they neared the center of the room, the vampires parted, allowing Karen to walk freely ahead of them and approach her brother.

            "It is good to see you are well dear sister," Aldrin said with a welcoming smile. Karen responded with a slight bow.

            "I am glad to see you as well. Even more so on the field of victory," Karen responded, taking a seat in a chair across from him. "Forgive me brother but we do not have long. Count Kalfon is in a bit of a hurry to see us back within his borders."

            "I bet he is," Aldrin said, his smile fading. "What do you know of this? Is it a plot?"

            "I doubt it. He was quite kind to me during my stay. If it had not been for him, I would have most likely been a prisoner here." Karen looked back at the soldiers behind her. "You would not believe half of what I have to tell you."

            "Well, tell me anyway. Better I know what to expect." Aldrin sat back, taking a deep breath.

            "Count Kalfon has been building up supplies and forces for a war for years. Best I could tell from what I saw, close to a couple thousand vampires alone. Not thralls." Karen looked back to her brother. "I am not sure what he is playing at, but he showed me a store room stacked with armor and weapons. He said there are more."

            "You are right, that sounds absurd. The other counts would not stand for it," Aldrin admitted, crossing his arms.

            "That is what alarms me as well. If he has managed to collect all this without their intervention, then we can only guess what he promised or said to get away with it. He didn't give me much of a clear answer when I asked." Karen sat back. "But he did keep his word. In that respect, I do not think this invitation is a trap, of any kind."

            "Trap or not, he is expecting us. You can thank Andras for that foolish notion," Aldrin said with a snort.

            "Andras?" Karen looked taken aback, her head flinching at the name.

            "Yes, the woman has a talent for pushing her boundaries and she managed to accept the Counts invitation before I could have a proper conversation with you about this. If this turns out to be a trap, she has killed us all," Aldrin growled between his teeth.

            "Why is she alive then?" Karen asked, raising an eyebrow.

            "Let us talk about that when we have more privacy. In the meantime, if you have reason to trust his word, then I will trust yours. Still, on the side of caution, we are not surrendering our swords when we get there. If he means well, he can provide some means of proof," Aldrin insisted glancing behind Karen at the counts soldiers.

            They were well armed and armored compared to what he just fought against. One would swear they were well disciplined as well for how long they stood there without word or complaint. Not even a request to sit and share in their food. He had to admire this a little. Still, he was playing at something. The question was what.

            "Well, I will see to it that his men are given time to rest and fill themselves. Then we can talk some more in your chambers," Karen said, getting to her feet.

            Aldrin nodded, standing as she did. With a simple gesture of his hand, Aldrin dismissed the nearby guards. He then looked up to his guests. "Thank you for seeing my sister safely escorted here. You are welcome to feed yourselves and rest for the next few hours. We will be ready to depart soon."

            The soldiers relaxed, but it still took them a moment to get comfortable. Most likely due to the suspicion that Aldrin might not be willing to keep his supposed word. In time they grew comfortable with the lingering guards along either wall and talked among themselves. As they settled down, Aldrin lead Karen to his temporary bed chambers, closing the door as she entered the room.

            "So, I go back to my original statement. Why is Andras still alive?" Karen crossed her arms. "I have seen others try to challenge you. You have killed many for it. You almost killed our brother for it. Why not her?"

            "If I knew I would tell you..." Aldrin looked down, recalling the struggle he felt when he had tried. "I tried to kill her... really I did. Possibly a lot harder than I should have. But in truth, every time I tried, I felt like something or someone was holding me back. As if the choice to kill her was not mine to make. Believe me sister, this probably sounds as confusing to you as it is to me. In a way it scares me. Not because of how bold she is, but because I do not feel I have the power to correct her if she steps out of line. Like she has already."

            "Then order someone else to kill her," Karen said, her expression remaining emotionless. "Honestly, you are our elder. No one has a voice that stands above yours. You have made that abundantly clear in the years we have strived to build what little we have. If you can't do it yourself, order it to be done."

            "Karen, again, I tried," Aldrin protested.

            "Obviously not hard enough," Karen said, her eyes narrowing at her brother.

            "You don't believe me." Aldrin raised his head a little.

            "It is not a matter of what I believe, Aldrin. If she continues to prance around, pushing herself into business that is not her place to speak, then she is given the impression she can undermine your command. She has the ability to take everything you have away from you. Just because you can't kill her," Karen argued, stepping closer to her brother.

            "Even if you do not kill her, you need to make an example of her. Challenging your authority with impunity will make you look weak in the eyes of your followers. By the end of his campaign, it will not be Aldrin, Heir to the Eternal Throne who united the vampire people, but Andras, the mortal outsider." Karen stood there for a moment. "You can't let that happen."

            "I do not intend to let it happen." Aldrin focused his gaze on his sister. "I can not touch her. But you or Luthar could. And I would not entrust this next task to anyone else."

            "So you want me to kill her?" Karen cocked her head.

            "No, not kill. As much as she may have crossed a line, I feel better about meeting this count now that we have spoken. It is possible she is right and the last thing I need is to kill the one responsible for seeing this through. It would only spread discontent and uneasiness among our ranks. Talk to her. Make it clear to her she crossed a line, even if she may have been right and for now, confine her to wherever she sleeps. At least until we reach the count." Aldrin decided, taking a deep breath.

            "Okay. What of Jade? They seem close. Have her talk to Andras," Karen said, uncrossing her arms.

            "Yea, she sort of opted out of being my mistress. I can't say I am surprised. However, that too was my fault. I don't think she appreciate my unsuccessful attempt to kill Andras," Aldrin said, recalling to the child's reaction to Aldrin's apology.

            "I leave you for a few days and you cause this much drama. How would you survive if I was not around at all?" Karen shook her head as she spoke.

            "Honestly, I would rather not attempt that. Please, talk to Andras. While you do so, I will gather the others who will be going with us." Aldrin glanced at the map. "Maybe we can enjoy some peace for the next day or two."

            "I will speak with her. Do what you must. I assume she will be coming with us?" Karen asked.

            "She will. Along with a small escort of our most elite warriors. As much as you are willing to vouch for the count, I would rather be safe." Aldrin started to walk towards the door, followed by Karen. "Her chambers are right next to mine. Send Lelia to me as well please."

            Karen nodded and as they left the room, they parted ways. The next few hours of the day felt strained to Aldrin. In the sense that it was just too calm. The calmest it has been since he left for this campaign. Amidst looking about for those he would take with him, he was stopped in the main hall by another vampire. "My Lord, if I may spare a moment with you."

            "Who might you be?" Aldrin asked, turning to face the vampire that sought him out.

            "My Lord, I am Tytos. I was elected to be governor of this land by your order. I was unsure when there might be a better time to speak with you, but if you could spare me a moment, I believe we need to speak," Tytos said, bowing slightly as he introduced himself.

            For a moment, Aldrin wanted to ignore this whole thing. Then again, he could not ignore matters of state either. "Very well. I assume there is something of specific you mean to discuss?"

            "Yes, in fact there is. I have heard some telling you are gathering a party to visit Count Kalfon on a possible diplomatic mission. I wish to accompany you. I can leave an advisor to work on my behalf in my absence and this would provide adequate time for us to not only become better acquainted but also give me the chance to become accustomed to how things will now be working. I understand my post means little to you. However, I would like to play my part in this war and that means doing what I can to properly serve you. Both here and as an advisor if you would have me," Tytos explained.

            Aldrin had to commend the vampire for being so well spoken on the topic. He was calm, collected and focused. Down to the smallest of gestures. Tytos was not new to this game of politics. He gathered that much from just how he acted. However, that raised the question, was his interest genuine or was there something else he was seeking.

            "Do tell me Governor, what do you hope to gain from staying within my company. I can not afford to lose you on the battlefield and much of my time will be spent there. " Aldrin asked, looking for more reasoning behind Tytos's request.

            "I do not expect to accompany you on the battlefield. In those cases, my skills and duties will require me to be here. Seeing that we vampires are much more able to travel in haste compared to mortals, it would not take me more than a day to travel back and forth," Tytos continued. "I served as an advisor to Count Racolda and his court for some time before you conquered this land. I was commended for my skills as a diplomat and often took part in negotiations with the other counts."

            "Very well. Do what you must and be ready in a couple hours. We will be departing soon," Aldrin commanded. Tytos bowed again, thanking him and taking his leave. Aldrin was left behind with nothing more than his thoughts to accompany him. He was unsure if Tytos could be entirely trusted, but there was no better means to find out than by keeping him within reach. Until he proved himself and his loyalty anyway.

            No matter, with that out of the way, Aldrin found Lelia not too long after. They began to gather their party in the main hall. Lelia had hand picked fifteen warriors to accompany their party. Large enough to be an escort and small enough to appear unthreatening. Not long after, Karen joined them with Andras. Tytos came with an aid of his own and lastly, Jade. Even if she was not his mistress, she was still Shadow-born. That was more than enough to warrant her attendance.

            As mid day approached, their company departed. From what the ranking officer of Count Kalfon's escort told Aldrin, their walk would take a better part of the rest of the day. They would meet with the count just past the borders of his lands before making way for their final destination. By then, it would be the early hours of nightfall.

            Considering how long it took for Karen to get here after dismissing the messenger, it did not add up. Either Karen was moved without her knowledge before she was sent with her escort or this just might be a trap indeed. There was the possibility the count would choose a different holding then his manor to welcome Aldrin and his company but then why?

            What sense would there be unless he was trying to hide the fact he was meeting with him. No doubt the counts would not agree to this meeting. That much Aldrin was sure he could guarantee. So then, perhaps this is why they would not be going to the manor?

            There was little more for Aldrin to do than guess at this point. None of Kalfon's soldiers seemed to be willing or had an answer to the question. They made a clear effort to show they had no intention of sharing what information they did or did not have. Karen was quite positive in the idea she left from his manor.

            Aldrin left that question in the back of his mind. He would be sure to ask the count about it before they set out again. In the meantime, Aldrin took an opportunity to observe his men in action first hand. Specifically, how well these soldiers coordinated and acted. When he first saw them, Aldrin considered that their gear and apparent discipline might have been just for show. A means to make Aldrin believe the count was powerful.

            If this small group of soldiers was to be what judged the skill of all his forces, then Aldrin would be the fool. They were more than just capable. To avoid unwanted attention, their escort took them offroad. They knew every tree, every rock and every hill between there and the border. And if they knew the land outside of their own this well, Aldrin could only imagine how effectively they could defend their own.

            They would know the quickest paths in and out. The best places to ambush and the worst places to fight. They would know where they could corner a weaker army and where to control the actions of a stronger one. Aldrin had been told before that the land could determine a battle's outcome before it started. He had since proved that countless times where he'd won battles he should have lost.

            A war with this count would be a bloody one and even thinking about it, if the count had as many under his command as Karen told him, then he would most definitely be on the losing side. At least, at the start of the war he would be. And he was not the only one to notice. Aldrin moved to the rear of the party to walk alongside his sister. Tytos joined in barely a moment later.

            "Might I have a word?" Tytos asked, falling into pace with Aldrin. Aldrin nodded. "It would appear to me there is a problem with this venture. One of the soldiers told me we were not staying at the counts manor."

            "It would appear we are not, no. Did you gain some insight from your conversation that I have not?" Aldrin asked, glancing over at the vampire.

            "No, but I have heard rumors that may answer the question. And if they do, then we are most definitely in trouble," Tytos said, glancing around to see if any of the counts men might be close by. "Weeks before you came, there was a commotion among the counts. Then, my lord Count Racolda had invited all the other counts except for Count Kalfon to a meeting. They had all been getting reports of heightened activity of mining on the borders of Kalfon's lands. Some for metals and others for building materials.

            "They sent a delegate party to Kalfon to investigate the matter, while appearing to have an interest in a trade agreement. One of those delegates did not return. He disappeared not long after they arrived. He had ventured out in the night to inspect some of the mines the other counts had an interest in. The others had nothing more to show for their investigating except for an unexpected and brief warning from a peasant at a local village on their way out. They told the delegates that the count had redirected a good portion of their workforce to a location deeper in his territory. Would not say where though," Tytos explained.

            "A castle," Aldrin said, finishing the thought that ran though everyone else's mind. "I got the impression this count might be bold, but that bold? If the others could prove it, he would be doomed.

            "Exactly. Other scouts were sent after to infiltrate discreetly but of the twenty agents sent, none returned. There was no proof the count is responsible and with no proof of the violation of the counts' treaty with each other, they could do nothing to act," Tytos continued.

            "No proof? They vanished on his land. That at least would warrant him to be responsible," Karen argued.

            "For the single delegate, yes. However if the counts were to openly confirm they sent spies in his lands, then it would tarnish them as much as him. The point in this however is that if this castle exists and no others have returned from it, assuming they found it or proof, then if you don't give this count what he wants. We may vanish as well," Tytos finished, concern lacing his voice.

            "We could send you back. Rally our forces in case he tries anything," Karen suggested.

            "It would be a waste." Aldrin raised a hand. "Have either of you paid attention to how well these soldiers know the land? You could muster a hundred thousand soldiers and still have to fight your way through every stick and stone to get to us. Assuming we are still alive."

            "So then should we really be going through with this?" Karen asked, looking to her older brother.

            "I would say we get far enough to meet this count. Let me speak with him before we head out again. Considering that the count is willing to meet us without even being at this castle shows that he is confident he does not need it. If he has a castle though, then the best reason I can see him showing us is to show us his strength. I think I know where this may be going Karen, I just do not know what it will cost us," Aldrin decided, crossing his arms and looking up as he pondered possible answers.

            "At least this way we also have a better chance to fight our way out or escape if need be." Karen nodded. "I will assure the others and don't worry, I will be sure the count's escort don't find out."

            Karen dismissed herself, moving into the mix of the rest of the company. Aldrin looked again to Tytos. "You surprise me, Tytos. Not even a week and you seem to have already accepted the fall of your previous lord."

            "Would you believe me if I told you I saw it coming? I was there you know. The day they all rejected you and banished you. For the first year or two after, the counts had the longest possible peace. They stopped fighting each other and kept a vigilant watch for your 'proclaimed' return. But you did not come. As the years continued to pass, they just came to assume you were lying dead in a bush somewhere. I, however, did not believe it. While Count Racolda may have been my lord, he was a fool and weak. Even when I proved to him you still lived and had the strength of several thousand he refused to pay you any concern.

            "I knew then you would come indeed and while it may not have been as quick as we all expected, there was going to be a war. So I served, I did my duties and in the dark of the night, I prepared myself for what was to come. If I was going to serve a lord, then I would rather serve a lord I could believe in and respect." Tytos took a deep breath. "It was not easy you know. Serving another."

            "Why not just come and join us?" Aldrin asked.

            "Because if I had, I may have died when the angel came. Yes, I know about it. I had gathered a group of reliable comrades in my time and we kept a careful watch on you. We froughted the attempts of other counts to spy on you. We made sure to get information to you that you would find useful. We did quite a lot you might say would dishonor our oath to Count Racolda. I would not take it back though. Our efforts allowed your swift victory over the count. If it were not for us, your sister would not have been saved by Kalfon's soldiers. When we could not stop the attack against her, I sent word to the count. I just did not expect him to take your sister."

            "So, you conspired against your lord in my name," Aldrin stated bitterly. If anything, it made his victory feel cheated.

            "Please, Lord you don't have to like me or what I have done. But for a moment, see this from our eyes. You are the living promise of a future many desire. To finally unite our people under a single banner. To prove to the world that we are more than rabid monsters. You have become a beacon of hope for our kin. Many will take up arms and flock to your call, and others like me will use our other skills to better your chances. You can despise us for being unhonorable. Spit on us if you like. You might still be thanking us by the end of this war." Tytos took another deep breath.

            "Governor, I do not despise you or your heart. I do not agree with the methods you used no, but I am willing to accept the simple fact that like you, many others will turn to dishonor to fight for what they believe in if they must. As a warrior, I will never take part in such actions, but as a leader to my people, even I must acknowledge that not all battles are fought on the battlefield. It won't matter if I like it or not," Aldrin assured him. "Just, keep me on the same page from now on. I can better plan things knowing what else is at our disposal."