Jade stood, matching Aldrin in height. "Don't even start getting angry with me. You gave me the choice to learn exactly what it would be like to be at your side, and I chose to take it. If you're going to start dismissing me at every turn over some secret, how in the name of the gods am I to know you even trust me?" Jade argued. Aldrin remained quiet.

            That moment of silence was broken as someone cracked a laugh. Not just anyone, but Luthar. Aldrin leaned to look past Jade as she turned on him too. Luthar got control of himself, looking back up at his brother. "Forgive me, but I can't help but find this amusing. Of all the people who might dare challenge you, it turns out to be the new blood." Luthar looked at Jade. "It was a pleasure to meet you for the very short time it lasted. Enjoy your last moments breathing."

            Aldrin opened his mouth, but Jade beat him to the punch. "Oh, and what makes you the judge in any of this?!" she snapped, turning to face Luthar completely. Luthar became silent, his smile starting to fade. "You think I am a joke? Get out of that chair, and I will put your ass where it belongs."

            Luthar eyed the woman, sizing her up. Against a newborn in his state, it was unlikely he would even wrestle her. She might be overconfident though. Something he could take advantage of. Slowly, Luthar rose to his feet. Jade's gaze remained locked on his, her stance unwavering.

            "Child, you can't even imagine the mistake that would be." Luthar kept his voice deep and low, retraining any urge he may have had to yell at her. The unusual calmness of his tone had no effect on her. She did not cower or give any hint of being uncomfortable.

            "Call me a child one more time..." Jade warned him, taking a step closer. She stood only inches from the older vampire. Karen began to walk around the table, intent on breaking up the fight. She was stopped as Aldrin put a hand in her way. With a slight glance at his sister, Aldrin shook his head once, then looked back.

            "Chi..." Luthar opened his mouth to speak, only to be silenced as Jade trust her fist up and under his jaw. Luthar flew back over the chair, rolling across the ground as he landed. Groaning, he pushed himself up to his knees. Jade didn't wait, but took a single leap over the chair and sped off towards Luthar.

            Luthar shifted his back towards her, only for her to take him by the arm and flip him through the air. Landing with an even louder groan, Luthar rolled down the steps before the throne. "For a legendary warrior, you sure know how to whimper." Jade spat, stalking towards Luthar as he rolled onto his back.

            "Damn woman!" he cursed, pushing himself to his feet as Jade got closer. Once in range, Jade threw another punch at him, only to have Luthar block and attack himself. Jade respond in kind. She fought back, keeping Luthar focused on her punches. As he was drawn into the repetitive motion, Jade ducked to avoid his next attack and countered by slamming her knee into his gut. Luthar spat out in pain, a furious animalistic roar of frustration echoing through the room. Jade ignored the sound, turning back on him with another uppercut to the chin. Thrown back again, Luthar landed on the stone floor with a loud groan.

            Jade took a few steps closer, staying just out of reach as she circled her pray. "Concede!" she demanded.

            Luthar took a few deep breaths, unmoving as he lay on the floor. "Concede!" Jade commanded again, raising her tone. As Luthar remained silent, Jade took a step forward, only to stop as a commanding voice echoed from behind her.

            "Enough!" Aldrin said, walking up behind Jade. "Learn restraint, Jade. He is beaten, you are the victor. Press too hard and you let your guard down." Aldrin cautioned as he passed Jade. "Sister, take care of our brother. I will join the both of you in my quarters shortly."

            Karen quickly did as she was commanded, pulling Luthar to his feet and leading him from the hall. Still feeling the adrenaline pulsing through her, Jade remain ready, keeping a firm stance as Aldrin turned on her. As Aldrin heard the door close, his gaze fixed with Jade's.

            "Now, I could care less what title you may think you can claim or pretend to claim for even a day, but if you ever confront me like that again, Luthar will be the least of your concerns." Aldrin narrowed his eyes, closing the gap with Jade til they were inches apart.

            Jade threw a punch for Aldrin. He took a quick step back, swiftly dodging her attack, he grasped her wrist and yanked her towards him. Once within reach, Aldrin seized her neck with a free hand, shoving her against one of the many stone pillars that supported the ceiling. Jade squirmed and gasped, fighting to get free. Again, her efforts were wasted against Aldrin's will.

            "Submit!" Aldrin commanded, raising his voice. His eyes flared brightly, his intense gaze so focused on the younger vampire that she could no longer maintain eye contact. Aldrin waited till her struggles ceased. Till nothing remained of her defiant attitude except for the heavy and exhausted breaths that escaped her lips. Letting go, Aldrin let her fall to her knees.

            "You have promise, Jade. Not just as a queen but as a warrior. You need discipline. Training. I will teach you what I know, but you must swear to me that you will never cross me again like that. Do you hear?" Aldrin said as he leaned down over her.

            There was a moment of silence before Jade looked up at Aldrin. "As you wish." Jade forced the words from her lips, as her obstinate gaze met Aldrin's.

            "Your defiance gives you strength. You have a strong heart and a strong will, and it will serve you well." Aldrin extended his hand towards her. She took his hand in a firm grasp, letting Aldrin pull her to her feet. For a brief moment, Jade found herself rather close to Aldrin again. For that moment, her anger towards him, her defiance, subsided. She was met instead with a warm sensation pulsing through her. A nearly uncontrollable urge.

            She could not tell what it was about Aldrin that drew her to him. What made her so easily succumb to desire. Aldrin dismissed her attraction to him as just a stage all newborns go through. A point where their hormones are the hardest to control. Was that it?

            Jade nearly lost her balance, leaning forward into Aldrin before she could stop herself. Aldrin stopped her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Steady." Aldrin cautioned. "I have to go. Join my brother and sister and I will return shortly. And this time, please, just do as I ask," Aldrin said, pushing Jade another step; he backed away from her.

            Turning, Aldrin left Jade before she had a chance to collect herself and argue. He could not delay any further. Leaving the citadel, Aldrin rounded the building, going to the rear and entering the temple. As Aldrin closed the door, he fell to his knees as the Dark God turned to face him. "My son! This meeting is long overdue."

            "I couldn't agree more father, but urgent business and unexpected complications prevented me from seeing you sooner." Aldrin explained, standing back up at the Dark God's beckon.

            "Complications tend to happen. Your sister has kept me informed. Might I say she has done an excellent job in your absence." the Dark God complimented.

            "Even so, she would not have had to do any of this on her own, had you saw fit to warn us of the potential danger." Aldrin smeared, trying to restrain the lingering anger.

"Aldrin..." the Dark God started to speak, but Aldrin was not about to be silenced.

            "No." Aldrin said firmly. "I am not going to bend over and remain silent this time. You promised us this would not be an issue. You promised they would not care, so long they did not know you were behind any of this. I followed you, faithfully, and still you do not see any reason to even mention that these creatures could kill us!

            I almost died! My brother and sister almost died! You swore to protect us! Am I to expect this all to be empty promises? Is there something else life threatening you are keeping from us that I should know?" Aldrin restrained himself before he got carried away, bringing himself to silence, to give the Dark God a chance to respond.

            For a moment, he remained silent. "I did not expect any of them to intervene this soon Aldrin. Risking your lives was not my intent," he paused. "Nevertheless, I can not change what has happened. Did you meet with the Wraith Embassy?"

            "I did, and I will tell you the meeting was less than favorable. The fool tried to offer a deal that would only expose us to further harm." Aldrin replied, a growl lacing his voice as he spoke.

            "I expect it will not be the last you hear from them," the Dark God turned away from Aldrin, looking into the basin on the pedestal. "What other news?"

            Aldrin informed the Dark God of the past week's events. Andras's return, though refraining from divulging her name, and of Jade. "This newborn beat Luthar in single combat?" the surprised tone in the Dark God's voice made Aldrin flinch. It was not a tone he had heard before. "Impressive."

            "To be fair, I do not believe Luthar has recovered. Physically, yes, but not mentally," Aldrin paused as the Dark God turned to look at him. "I believe he is not alone in this. His defeat has come as a shock, both to us and those who yet live and follow us."

            "This is one defeat, not the end of your lives." the Dark God hissed.

            "And yet it was you who told me that even the most simple of concepts could have the most emotional impact," Aldrin retorted. "It may be just one defeat in your eyes, but to us, we lost our lives. Family. Friends. What is a simple defeat to you is a grave loss to us. Or did you forget we are not so void of emotion as you like to be!"

            A heavy sigh escaped the Dark God as he slowly turned away from Aldrin. "I do not know what your plans are or what your goal is, but you promised to guide us. To protect us. You taught me to honor my word. Or is that something we can now ignore when we wish to?" Aldrin took a step back, letting silence envelop the room.

            As it became apparent the Dark God would not respond further, Aldrin changed the topic. "I am departing with just over half our remaining force within the next few days. I intend to bring an end to the covens as a mean to strengthen our numbers again. Should the angels persist to attack us, we will need all the strength we can muster."

            Waiting a few more moments, Aldrin decided to dismiss himself as the Dark God remained silent. As the door to the temple shut, Aldrin remained still. Had he gone too far? Had he stepped out of line? He was sure that if he had, the Dark God would have immediately put him in his place and yet, he remained silent.

            As no call came to summon him, Aldrin began his walk back to the citadel, up the stairwell, and to his chambers. Opening the door, Aldrin found Luthar and Karen leaning against the right wall while Jade and Andras sat on the edge of the bed. Luthar looked to his brother, opening his mouth to speak only to go silent as he took in the grim look on Aldrin's face.

           "Andras, go to your chambers, tend to what you need. Be ready within the hour. Same with you Jade," Aldrin said calmly, holding the door open for both women to leave. As the door shut behind the women, Aldrin let out of frustrated growl.

            "I take it the conversation did not go well?" Luthar asked.

            "Go well?!" Aldrin turned on Luthar, almost ready to lash out in anger, but refrained himself. "I did most of the talking, for a change, and all he did was remain silent!"

            "Aldrin, he is a god. He has no reason to explain his actions even to us, if he does not wish to." Luthar defended, casually taking a step away from his elder brother.

            "That is not the point Luthar! He could have spared us all from this loss! He could have warned us! Trained us!" Aldrin began to pace the room.

            "We are alive, Aldrin, that is all that matters at this point!" Luthar objected.

            Aldrin spun on Luthar. "Out!" he snapped, too infuriated to suppress the anger. Luthar didn't hesitate. He left the room, his hurried steps returning to his chamber.

            "Aldrin..." Karen said, cutting herself off as she realized there was nothing she could say.

            "He made a promise Karen! He swore to us he would protect us!" Aldrin's hand gripped the pommel of his sword. Every fiber of his body desired to pull the weapon and strike something down. Anything! But he resisted again, willing himself to retain some control over his anger.

            "Let us just worry about the campaign for now. I assume you will need to make an announcement. I will summon the city." Aldrin nodded at Karen, the thoughts of his mind turning to their plan.

            "Please do so. I will be down momentarily to address the city," Aldrin's voice came calm again... the anger subsiding as he became distracted. As Karen left, Aldrin resumed pacing, thoughts racing through his mind. Who would they attack first? Would his departure prompt another attack? Was there no way to get out of this? What would he even do with Jade on the battlefield? So many questions and yet, for once, it felt like he didn't have time.

            Every minute he lingered in that room was a minute less he spent talking to the city, and another minute less they were preparing. It would all add up. He had to act now, and this time, without much of a plan. With another growl of frustration, Aldrin turned to the door and swung it open, making his way back down to the great hall.

            As he came to stand before the heavy doors, he took a moment to look himself over. Even nodded to a guard and asked if he looked formal. The guard stood tall, examined, and gave a reassuring nod. Aldrin returned the gesture before walking forward to open the doors.

            As they were pushed open, Aldrin caught a glimpse of the last of the city folk gathering around. Truly, the yard looked empty. Aldrin took a deep breath, walking up to the edge of the landing.

            "Forgive my absence brothers and sisters, as for this past week, I have had to recover my strength from a wound I did not know I would ever come to suffer. Yet, what has happened to me cannot compare to the loss we all have taken. Today, once again I ask you to remember the fallen. Our brothers and sisters, who gave their lives to defend what we believed in!" Aldrin paused, looking over the small crowd of silent listeners.

            "Let their deaths and sacrifice not be in vain. We were mistaken to believe there was no enemy that could rival us beyond the counts. A mistake we will not repeat. It is for this very reason, because of their existence, that I must ask the most of you today." Aldrin paused again, looking down as he considered his words. Looking back up, he gazed back on with a more confident expression, determined to see this through.

            "We must be prepared for the possibility of another attack. We must be ready! To do so, I am asking for six hundred of our remaining warriors to join me in a campaign against the counts. I expect this venture to take most of a week, with the intention to rebuild our numbers and reduce the opposition against us. We have been patient and we have waited, but as long as these counts refuse to join us and unite under the Eternal Throne, we have no choice but to act!" Aldrin took one last pause, making sure that they all had ample time to understand what had to be done.

            "I, my sister Karen, and our newborn, Jade, will be leading the campaign. Karen will organize and depart with a scouting party not long after we are done here. If you wish to join me, to rebuild our numbers and unite the covens once and for all, return to your homes, gather your weapons and armor and meet me here within the hour. Time is not on our hands, and we can not afford to wait a minute. Luthar will remain behind with whoever stays to hold this city," Aldrin finished, standing firmly.

            It was of no surprise to Aldrin that most remained silent, even as they left. He had noticed a few nods and some looks of understanding or acceptance, but the majority remained emotionless. Within a minute the gathering evaporated. Aldrin remained, waiting as warriors, dressed and armed, began to appear just as quickly. Ten departed with Karen only moments after the gathering began to grow again. From there, it was slow. Within half an hour, Aldrin could count just under three hundred warriors gathering about him. To his disappointment, as the hour came to a close, excluding the arrival of Jade and Andras, only four hundred and six vampires stood with him.

            Aldrin waited a few minutes longer, just to be sure, but no others came. "Very well, let's begin," Aldrin announced, taking the lead with Jade and Andras taking either side of him and walking for the gates of the city. As they marched along the road, many of the remaining vampires lined up along it, watching as they proceeded to the gates.

            Luthar stood at the end of the road, waiting as Aldrin approached with his company. Aldrin's eyes met with his brother's as he drew closer, stopping only a step away from Luthar. "Keep them safe Luthar. I am counting on you." Aldrin offered his brother his hand.

             Luther reached out, grasping Aldrin's forearm; the brothers pulled each other into a momentary hug. "Make haste. I swear to you this city will remain ours in your absence." Luthar replied, letting his brother go as he took a step back. Luthar bowed his head to Aldrin for but a moment. Aldrin returned the gesture.

           He watched as Aldrin passed by, leading the company of warriors. He could not help but wonder if this would be the last time he saw Aldrin. Until a week ago, such a thought would never have crossed his mind. Now? After almost dying? The thought made him snarl to himself, angry he would even think of it. No, Aldrin would come back. He was too cunning to be defeated in battle against the covens. Or so he hoped.

            Aldrin could not spare a moment for the same thoughts as his brother. Outside the safety of the city, he found himself unable to stop scanning the horizon on every side. He half expected an ambush the moment they were out of the city, or when they lost sight of home going over the first of many hills. He found himself continually surveying every place he would expect an attack from, constantly sending scouts ahead in any direction, taking care they remained within sight.

            If their newfound enemy did make a habit of raiding the land, there was no evidence of it along their path. Their first glimpse of the enemy was a single corpse, lying against a tree on the even of the deadwood forest. The forest ran alongside their path to the portal. The body was, unmistakenly, a fresh kill. Within the last hour. Possibly a kill Karen or one of her scouts made? However, it felt odd there was only one body. Were these mortals still so confident that they could walk in this land alone?

            Aldrin knew better than to travel the shadow plane alone. It was a death wish if you strayed too far from the city. Wraith were the least of your problems in the wild. Approaching the body, Aldrin took a closer look at the dead man. His breastplate was not cut by a sword but torn clean through by talons. Dried blood drenched the man's neck where it had been clearly ripped. Aldrin raised his fist, his free hand drawing his sword as he scanned the area.

            "My lord?" Lelia approached, first looking at Aldrin and then the body. "Drake?"

            "Possibly. Or a hound." Aldrin suspected, his eyes carefully looking into the deadwood forest for any sign of the culprit.

            "We should keep moving." Lelia advised, her voice anxious as she too started to look around.

            "How far from the portal would you say we are. Minutes at walking speed?" Aldrin asked.

            "Ten. Maybe Fifteen. Less than half if we run." Lelia guessed. "Orders?"

            "Make haste, but not too fast. I do not want to run into a trap." Aldrin signaled the company to draw their blades, tapping his own. "Take care of Andras. I will lead the company."

            Lelia vanished into the crowd without delay, seeking out the woman she was given charge of. Meanwhile, Aldrin led the company on a brisk walk, staying on guard as they crossed the barren wasteland. It was not until the bend in the path came that Aldrin once again signaled the company to halt.

            Staying quiet, he gestured for two scouts to approach along the treeline. For a few short minutes, he waited till the scouts returned. "Four guards, lord. Some dead as well. Vampire and mortal. From what we could see, Karen was not among them and the losses are few. Two of our own. Two of theirs." A scout reported.

            Aldrin hand-picked five other warriors to accompany him. Together, they approached the portal site from within the treeline, using the trunks of the trees for cover. Once within sprinting range, Aldrin quietly signaled to attack. They charged forth from the trees, weapons raised to strike.

            The four knights drew their swords. One, the farthest from them, also drew a stone out from his pocket. He started chanting in some language Aldrin could not understand, but it did not take long before he recognized the fluent sound of spellwork.

            Three knights advanced to stand between Aldrin and the chanter, fending off any that got close. Aldrin jumped over the three, spun and quickly dispatched the defenders. As they turned on the fourth champion, a blue chanting circle appeared on the ground, the lines and markings glowing brightly. Instinctively, Aldrin pulled a sword from an enemy corpse and hurled the weapon at the knight.

            In a flash of white light, the mortal vanished. Aldrin watched still as the blade flew past where the champion had been, vanishing a moment later as it went through the portal. "No!" Aldrin hollered, pushing through the vampires. "Send a messenger back to my brother. Warn him that our plan may no longer be secret."

            "Do we return home then?" Jade asked, looking around nervously.

            "No, no we can't. If we don't do this, we definitely will lose. At least this way we can still rally some to us before the next attack." Aldrin decided. Looking to the others, Aldrin raised his voice. "Quick, through the portal!" With his last command, everyone made haste. Aldrin caught a glimpse as Lelia carried a startled Andras through, clinging to the vampire for her life.