Private Tales Misty Woodlands

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

On the eastern side of the spine lies the Kinniger Duchy. Following the day that Kyla Scathach, Eberewolf Kinniger and Syvis had cut down the vampire who had been leading the many other smaller groups the war was effectively won. They still had to hunt them down, but now the enemy was divided, now all that was left was to conquer. He had delivered Kyla back to Elbion to officialise her release so she could go after her sister Ferelith Scathach, she had done what she was conscripted to do, and earned her release. Now they had to destroy the vampires that were left, one fiefdom at a time.

Eberwolf had made an agonizingly hopeless situation for the vampires, making it obvious exactly how doomed they were, and that he, and his people, had abandoned all ideals of mercy, none would be left living. As advised by Heike Eisen.

But even so, He himself understood that all vampires weren't evil by nature, as demonstrated by Heike, who had been a vampire herself at the time. So there was hope for the lone vampiress who found herself fleeing from an enemy, straight into the territory of the Kinniger Duchy.

It was mountainous where they were, it was the spine after all, and laden with trees. With a blanket of misty fog hanging over it.

Eberwolf was there, in the fig, accompanied by his loyal hound Kerberos, and a few men. Clad in his white armour and carrying his zweihander over his shoulder, the silversteel blade gleaming evilly despite the low visibility.

It was Kerberos, the horse-sized dog with three heads, that alerted him to the presence of the approaching vampire.

Samara Asenta

 

[Samara Asenta]

The sharp crunch of broken rock under foot was Samara's sole companion in her journey. Where the road led, she did not know. Her role as a Seraph had her mapping the wilds elsewhere in The Spine. That there was a road here suggested it led somewhere occupied. Perhaps others had come across this path and established trade; or perhaps this was the way some of the traveling merchants used to find them. It mattered not, but these thoughts were all she had for cold comfort. A distraction that failed to draw her mind from what plagued her.

Her fingers tightened about the cloak that wrapped about her body. Jagged breath was torn from her lips not from exertion, but of burden. To know what hunted her and -- more importantly -- who hunted her was no small weight. Nor the growing, persistent hunger within gently scratching at her mind.

Progress came to a stop when there was sound up ahead in the mist. Ice blue eyes peered helplessly forward; having better sight in the dark had not granted her the ability to see through the fog. Sharp ears discerned in moments that it as a group of some kind. Armored.

But people. But blood.

Samara's grip on the cloak tightened with an audible creak of fabric.

With no where to go and a refusal to become a feral beast afraid of every shadow, Samara continued forward. They would cross paths soon enough. Hopefully these people were accepting of strangers, or at least dismissive of them. Last thing she needed was running into slavers.

Being a humble traveler on the road, Samara made sure to stay to one side of the road when the group grew near. She'd offer them a nod of acknowledgement if she managed to draw near its head. Best if she left the group to decide how they wanted to interact with her rather than she try demanding anything of them when she had little.

The stark blue eyes did shift to the massive beast, Kerberos, however. Seemed it did not like her presence. Times like these Samara wish she understood her own curse better; the subtle nuances of daily living of monsters that weren't important when you were the one that hunted them. Now she felt like the one being hunted.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

ng a humble traveler on the road, Samara made sure to stay to one side of the road when the group grew near. She'd offer them a nod of acknowledgement if she managed to draw near its head. Best if she left the group to decide how they wanted to interact with her rather than she try demanding anything of them when she had little.

The stark blue eyes did shift to the massive beast, Kerberos, however. Seemed it did not like her presence. Times like these Samara wish she understood her own curse better; the subtle nuances of daily living of monsters that weren't important when you were the one that hunted them. Now she felt like the one being hunted.

The dreikömpfig didn't like the smell of this woman on the road, and Eberwolf knew it. The group halted as they reached her, and Kerberos sniffed in her direction, before letting out a growl. She'd been discovered already.

Eberwolf didn't even need to issue an order, his men just drew their swords and moved to surround the woman as soon as Kerberos growled.

The white-clad knight approached from the front, "who are you and what is your purpose here?"

He didn't say anything else. His face was concealed by his greathelm, but she'd be able to practically feel his gaze boring into her. He was being cautious.

Samara Asenta

 

[Samara Asenta]

Samara stopped when the figures move to surround her at the beast's growl. Her chest tightened at the thought of a violent confrontation. Blood raced through her veins and that little itch wanted nothing more than to bare its fangs at the dreikömpfig for its trouble.

Her eyes met those of the helmed warrior. Despite the three-way struggle within between fight, flight, and frenzy, however, the woman stood with her chin held high. Cursed though she may be, she still had her pride. "Samara. I am on a pilgrimage. Why do you bar my way? I have committed no wrong to you and yours."

While she carried no weapon -- her departure had been unplanned and not of sound mind -- the man before her might know a familiar look when he saw one. Even the cloak barely concealed her more built out physique. It would be difficult to feign being a traveling entertainer unless she amazed crowds with how much such a 'fair face' could lift.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

Her eyes met those of the helmed warrior. Despite the three-way struggle within between fight, flight, and frenzy, however, the woman stood with her chin held high. Cursed though she may be, she still had her pride. "Samara. I am on a pilgrimage. Why do you bar my way? I have committed no wrong to you and yours."

He didn't believe her, and he let her know it. "You'll excuse me if I don't believe you, vampire. Your kind have done plenty to mine, whether you are innocent of such crimes or not is, as of now, indiscernible."

He looked her Square in the eyes, she'd see no fear in them, and he'd let her know exactly how much trouble she was in. Maybe she hadn't done anything, but this was war, and he couldn't take unnecessary risks.

He nodded to the men behind her, who would instantly seize her from behind, each taking a shoulder and wrist in their grip to subdue her. Should she prove difficult, Eberwolf would have to strike her across the temple to at least stun her long enough to properly subdue her.

Once she had been seized and shackled, he and his men would bring her along with them along the gravel road. And straight to what could only be called a castle. A vast fortress of grey stone walls and towers, with machicolated battlements and duly daunting defensive position.

It was here that they were headed.

 

[Samara Asenta]

The Elf's brow drew low as she met the man's gaze without flinching. No verbal response was given in light of what he said either. She hadn't worked her entire life to rise (and then fall) from her position by having a silver tongue. If these soldiers wanted to find out who she was the hard way then so be it.

Samara cast her cloak aside and twisted in the other direction to punch the nearest soldier. That she struck metal did not slow nor deter any further resistance. She pivoted to catch the one on her other side next.

The adrenaline surged through her body. Restraint was quickly fading from her thoughts as the need to survive grew. Fortunately the group managed to pile upon her in order to take hold of their captive. Her ice blue eyes were a cold blaze as they sought to lance their leader where he stood. The helmed man would have to subdue her for she had enough of captivity for a lifetime.

Kinniger's men would need to keep a firm hold of her the entire way. A blade pointed to the heart or neck, perhaps. Would it kill her? Samara didn't know. Painful fact of her existence was she knew very little of what was or was not possible now. Nor did she surrender the fear of death so quickly even if death's fangs had been stolen for her own.

If only she still held her magic power before being cursed. These well armored thugs wouldn't have captured her so easily. Though the thought of giving in to the thirst kept Samara from contemplating whether things would have turned out better -- or worse.

"Do you arrest everyone your beast snarls at on the road?" The pale dark skinned Elf snapped. Ignorance of the wider world had taken its toll far sooner than she'd feared.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

"Do you arrest everyone your beast snarls at on the road?" The pale dark skinned Elf snapped. Ignorance of the wider world had taken its toll far sooner than she'd feared

"Only those we recognise as vampires." He informed her. The more she struggled the harsher the methods by which she was controlled, at some point they just seized her by the hair to keep her in check.

She was brought into the keep, an octagonal structure with a tower at each corner, it appeared to be five stories tall, and probably had an undercroft too. So six floors total.

She was forcefully dragged into the keep and down a set of stairs to what could only be a dungeon. A few cells equipped with chains and shackles with which to restrain prisoners.

She was brought into one such cell, and her wrists were locked into the shackles there, which were anchored to the floor. The guards left, leaving only Eberwolf.

"Who are you, really? Give me honest answers and maybe I won't kill you."

 

[Samara Asenta]

Samara hadn't made it easy, and it only got harder the more apparent it became they were taking her to a dungeon. By the time they were in the cell she was trying to throw herself into the guards to knock them back or to the ground.

After they managed to secure her, she stood there heaving breaths she probably didn't need. Icy eyes shimmering in the dark as they bore into the man that dared linger in her presence after such treatment. The well defined muscles in her arms flexed and the metal groaned as she fought against the anchor in the floor; no violent movements, just sheer strength in a single direction.

Their meeting had begun badly, and now gotten to perhaps the lowest possible. The rage and indignity were all that kept her from crumpling under abject terror of being held captive once more -- of being reminded of another, far more terrifying dungeon.

"I am Samara Asenta," she growled. A moment passed as she contemplated what to say. "I was a Hunter before I was captured. A... Monster held me captive and experimented on me for no less than a month. Made me into a 'Vampire' as you call it." The long-eared woman narrowed her eyes as she regarded the man. "How can I trust the word of someone I don't know, and that has thrown me into a dungeon for being alive? Ask your questions, if you have them; but know I withstood her daily torment, and will not suffer such again."

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

"I am Samara Asenta," she growled. A moment passed as she contemplated what to say. "I was a Hunter before I was captured. A... Monster held me captive and experimented on me for no less than a month. Made me into a 'Vampire' as you call it." The long-eared woman narrowed her eyes as she regarded the man. "How can I trust the word of someone I don't know, and that has thrown me into a dungeon for being alive? Ask your questions, if you have them; but know I withstood her daily torment, and will not suffer such again."

"I suppose you can't." He said in regards to her ability to trust him. "But the same can be said of you. How can I actually trust that you were indeed a hunter. I'm giving you as much of the benefit of the doubt as I can while remaining on the side of caution. You'll just have to believe it."

He then moved on. "why are you really out here? And are you aware of the current goings-on in this region?"

 

[Samara Asenta]

Slowly the tension in the chains lessened as Samara stared at Kinniger. So he wanted to talk. That didn't mean she trusted him yet. Her own people had just wanted to talk and observe her after the rescue; and that had all come unraveled quickly enough. What just talking did buy them, however, was a reprieve from the immediate desire to shatter the chains and tear down every wall between her and freedom. Unless the man tried applying more creative interrogation techniques.

"After I was rescued from whatever dark fate the Monster intended, our Healers believed I was not infected. Some were not convinced. Worse, a plot was hatched around my condition that forced me to flee into the wilderness." Samara scowled off to one side. "The Hunter became the Hunted. Just another Monster that couldn't be trusted." A sharp bark of bitter laughter punctuated the confession -- a thought not yet expressed aloud for herself to hear until now.

"I don't fault your caution, Soldier. Just the chains." Samara lifted her hands to demonstrate as the lengths grew taunt once more. "And all too familiar surroundings."

Her icy eyes surveyed the dungeon for a moment before a small shrug of the shoulders followed. "My people were secluded in the wilds. Traveling merchants brought us things from outside, but we were content to explore the far reaches of these lands. I confess, I know little of your people or what may be happening here."

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

Slowly the tension in the chains lessened as Samara stared at Kinniger. So he wanted to talk. That didn't mean she trusted him yet. Her own people had just wanted to talk and observe her after the rescue; and that had all come unraveled quickly enough. What just talking did buy them, however, was a reprieve from the immediate desire to shatter the chains and tear down every wall between her and freedom. Unless the man tried applying more creative interrogation techniques.

"After I was rescued from whatever dark fate the Monster intended, our Healers believed I was not infected. Some were not convinced. Worse, a plot was hatched around my condition that forced me to flee into the wilderness." Samara scowled off to one side. "The Hunter became the Hunted. Just another Monster that couldn't be trusted." A sharp bark of bitter laughter punctuated the confession -- a thought not yet expressed aloud for herself to hear until now.

"I don't fault your caution, Soldier. Just the chains." Samara lifted her hands to demonstrate as the lengths grew taunt once more. "And all too familiar surroundings."

Her icy eyes surveyed the dungeon for a moment before a small shrug of the shoulders followed. "My people were secluded in the wilds. Traveling merchants brought us things from outside, but we were content to explore the far reaches of these lands. I confess, I know little of your people or what may be happening here."

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

He nodded his understanding, "well as it happens the chains are a precaution that have proved necessary in the past. I offer no apologies, but I will say that if you are compliant and prove you are no enemy that you will be released. How soon I cannot say."

"I do offer condolences for your misfortune, none deserve such a cruel fate. I promise there will be no experiments performed on you."

She expressed a lack of knowledge, which was a bit of a surprise but not so much so as to be unbelievable. He explained. "My people have been at war with a nation of vampires for millennia, and it is just recently that we've started to win. We're currently fighting in this area against one of the enemy's barons. And since all of them are vampires, we suspected you as a scout, but you not hiding from us told us otherwise."

He kept silent for a moment, "If you're interested in earning freedom sooner rather than later, you just might be of some use. Help us and you'll be set free once the fiefdom has fallen."

 

[Samara Asenta]

One way or the other, Samara had resolved no experiments were going to be conducted on her. How many poor souls suffered as a result of that solemn vow, she couldn't say. It was pleasing to hear the man said he had no such intentions; it would be more pleasing to bear witness to his actions cementing those words into reality.

"A nation of Vampires?" Samara's brow furrowed at Kinniger's response. There were entire nations of such things? How far removed had their community been from the world? Surely the Virtues -- leaders -- of the Seraph Throne knew the world was far more vast and the populations of the creatures hunted more numerous than they'd let on. But why? And how did She fit into all of it?

"Before I commit myself to your cause, tell me why you hunt them." Was it sudden revelation that caused her to doubt hunting such creatures? Not entirely. Revelations took time, but she was confronted with the fact her view of the world had been far too narrow. Then there was the personal investment in the answer -- what would cause her captor-allies to turn on her next once they toppled this fiefdom of Vampires? Was it the death of a single person by her fangs? Or a commitment to slaughter? What had caused two nations to engage in a war for millennia as this man described?

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

"A nation of Vampires?" Samara's brow furrowed at Kinniger's r

"That is correct." He confirmed.

"Before I commit myself to your cause, tell me why you hunt them." Was it sudden revelation that caused her to doubt hunting such creatures? Not entirely. Revelations took time, but she was confronted with the fact her view of the world had been far too narrow. Then there was the personal investment in the answer -- what would cause her captor-allies to turn on her next once they toppled this fiefdom of Vampires? Was it the death of a single person by her fangs? Or a commitment to slaughter? What had caused two nations to engage in a war for millennia as this man described?

"We don't hunt them, we fight them. This isn't a game of cat and mouse this is war. We fight because they threaten our freedoms and our lives, if they win all of our people will become slaves or be killed. That is why we fight them, because they mean to destroy us." He said simply. "But we don't hunt them because they are vampires, which is why you are still alive."

He didn't tell her that he'd worked with vampires before, heck his brother in law and nephew were vampires, and their own little fiefdom was a bit of a haven for vampires, a place he'd probably point her to once she was set free.

 

[Samara Asenta]

Despite being unfamiliar with their war, Samara could sense the truth of it. If this nation was led by anything like the Imperatrix then they would greedily lay claim to the world; and the living would become their playthings and sustenance. It was a fate the victims feared much as Samara did being in the dungeon that very moment. And yet there was a part of her that admired it. Wanted it. As though the woman was whispering in her ear from afar.

"If not because of what they are, then you know what it is you are asking. I do not eat the food you eat any longer. I doubt you have a Mage that channels the dark energies of the world either. Wars are long, and I doubt I can sustain my strength on the blood of these others Vampires." At least she'd never heard of a Vampire feeding on another. Likely whatever it was they took from the act of feeding was more than the blood itself, or that it somehow became tainted by the darkness within them. So, she was curious how the man would supply her the blood needed.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

"If not because of what they are, then you know what it is you are asking. I do not eat the food you eat any longer. I doubt you have a Mage that channels the dark energies of the world either. Wars are long, and I doubt I can sustain my strength on the blood of these others Vampires." At least she'd never heard of a Vampire feeding on another. Likely whatever it was they took from the act of feeding was more than the blood itself, or that it somehow became tainted by the darkness within them. So, she was curious how the man would supply her the blood needed.

He sighed, "yes, that is a problem we've had before, and one we've solved before. See, these vampires can't survive sunlight, so they use thralls as the bulk of their armies, usually captured from us. Some can be saved if they're rescued early enough, but most are reduced to mindless husks, who for the sake of both mercy and practicality we kill. We can set aside three or four of these former thralls for you to feed on. They won't recover, so if they can serve a purpose, then we might as well. It's cold, yes, but in this instance, necessary."

 

[Samara Asenta]

The Elf's lips twisted and parted at Kinniger describing such living death. Was that worse than her own curse? To be alive and yet dead... Were such people aware of the world or had their souls long gone and all that remain truly mindless? Perhaps those of the Mental Arts could discern if the person was truly gone. One should hope so.

"I am... of two minds on feeding from such," Samara admitted. "Yet it is a fair solution." She would do her best not to kill them despite their condition. Necessity demanded they remain in case the number of thralls diminished. Perhaps at the end of it all they too would be set free.

Her eyes flicked off to the side before they returned to the man before her. "Aside from armament and bondage,"' a slight shake of the chains to call attention to fighting in such, "there is another matter we must speak on." A slow breath filled her chest before it was released. "It is best I do this now so you are not caught unaware on the battlefield. Your men may be warned, though I doubt they will truly understand... unless you've had others like myself." They'd know shortly just how similar in blood this Vampire Nation and the Imperatrix's own were.

This was not an act she did lightly. Nonetheless, in battle something might draw it out of her and she didn't need these people to 'put down the rabid vampire' because of a misunderstanding. So, Samara fought to let out the leash just a little on the demon within.

In the bat of an eyelid Samara's flesh turn bone-white, her eyes hollowed into an abyss with silver-white rings floating in the void, and dark lips parted to reveal elongated fangs with a soft hiss of revelry. It was so much more comfortable not straining to control herself. Times like these she wondered why she bothered.

The dark pools beckoned Kinniger to fall into them as they stared at the man before her. Slowly she tipped her head to the left. Without even trying the depths of her gaze sought to envelop the man's consciousness -- to place him under her spell. "You don't need to be afraid of me even in this form." A smile graced Samara's lips. Her words were true, but the part of herself that sympathized with the Vampire Nation was not as willing to stand by them. It was that part that hoped Kinniger would surrender to her mental presence and obey her commands, and that kept Samara from immediately changing back.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

Her eyes flicked off to the side before they returned to the man before her. "Aside from armament and bondage,"' a slight shake of the chains to call attention to fighting in such, "there is another matter we must speak on." A slow breath filled her chest before it was released. "It is best I do this now so you are not caught unaware on the battlefield. Your men may be warned, though I doubt they will truly understand... unless you've had others like myself." They'd know shortly just how similar in blood this Vampire Nation and the Imperatrix's own were.

This was not an act she did lightly. Nonetheless, in battle something might draw it out of her and she didn't need these people to 'put down the rabid vampire' because of a misunderstanding. So, Samara fought to let out the leash just a little on the demon within.

In the bat of an eyelid Samara's flesh turn bone-white, her eyes hollowed into an abyss with silver-white rings floating in the void, and dark lips parted to reveal elongated fangs with a soft hiss of revelry. It was so much more comfortable not straining to control herself. Times like these she wondered why she bothered.

The dark pools beckoned Kinniger to fall into them as they stared at the man before her. Slowly she tipped her head to the left. Without even trying the depths of her gaze sought to envelop the man's consciousness -- to place him under her spell. "You don't need to be afraid of me even in this form." A smile graced Samara's lips. Her words were true, but the part of herself that sympathized with the Vampire Nation was not as willing to stand by them. It was that part that hoped Kinniger would surrender to her mental presence and obey her commands, and that kept Samara from immediately changing back.

He cocked an eyebrow, and observed her transformation. It was impressive, truly. And so was the fact that he felt some sort of presence trying to influence his mind. He was no mage, but he knew better than to let his mind be swayed by magic. So he met her gaze, but he had no intention of falling prey to her mental pressures. He nodded, "I didn't think I would. And don't worry, you won't be with the main army, at least not for the most part. You and I are going to be working with a small unit of men for clearing out pockets of vampire units outside the enemy castle while the main force puts it to siege. So you have no reason to worry about the people you're fighting with attacking you."

He stood up, and retrieved five metal bands, four shackles and a collar, and tossed them into the cell, along with the key to the shackles that now held her down, "Put those on. then I'll let you out of the cell."

 

[Samara Asenta]

Relieving it wouldn't be an entire army that could turn on her because all they saw was a Vampire in their midst. Then the man had to ruin it by tossing in several metal bands into the cell. "Your commitment to caution is commendable... and equally lamentable." Samara didn't move to retrieve the shackles nor the key to those forced to wear in the cell. "Magical shackles. The type that can be difficult to remove if you don't trust your captor." A man for whom she barely knew. Even with his generous proposal to work off her captivity, there was no guarantee he wouldn't renegade on his word. Though Kinniger didn't have the appearance of a liar.

After these past few seconds the Vampire unconsciously recognized Kinniger wasn't going to submit to her unstated will. Shame. Wouldn't it be better if people listened to her? Like how Samara listened to--

The pale dark hue of her flesh returned, as did her icy graze in the blink of an eye. Once more the whispers from the shadows subsided even if that meant the oppressive weight of the stone overhead the threatened to bury her alive returned. Slowly she knelt down to retrieve the key to unshackle herself from the floor anchor.

"So let's make a vow, one warrior to another. We speak only the truth, and if one betrays the other then they a granted the rite of vengeance." Samara slowly reached over to retrieve one of the metal bands, but would not put it on until Kinniger agreed. It might seem one-sided seeing how he'd have the obvious high-ground; but Samara wasn't concerned at being disadvantaged. There was enough rage smoldering within to consummate such a vow; even if it resulted in her own death in doing so. Better to die fighting than become his eternal, unwilling servant.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

"So let's make a vow, one warrior to another. We speak only the truth, and if one betrays the other then they a granted the rite of vengeance." Samara slowly reached over to retrieve one of the metal bands, but would not put it on until Kinniger agreed. It might seem one-sided seeing how he'd have the obvious high-ground; but Samara wasn't concerned at being disadvantaged. There was enough rage smoldering within to consummate such a vow; even if it resulted in her own death in doing so. Better to die fighting than become his eternal, unwilling servant.

He rolled his eyes behind his helmet. He was always true to his word, his word was his life. But, he'd much rather avoid a confrontation with her for the sake of time so he agreed, "Very well. if one of us betrays the other in any way the betrayed has the right of vengeance. Though do not presume me a dishonest man, I keep my word, and if you suggest otherwise I'll kill you on the spot."

So once that was taken care of and she had donned the shackles and collar he'd open the cell as promised. He would direct her to follow him, and he'd show her to a small bedroom in the castle. It was simple, nothing glamorous, nothing expensive but not uncomfortable either. The only reason it wasn't barracks was the fact that there was only one bed.

"Wait here while I get the team organized." He instructed. "I'll be back to get you in a couple of hours."

 

[Samara Asenta]

Samara had no way to truly know the man before her. The most vile of creatures could feign being Saints. Her options, however, were limited.

Slowly, the Elf picked up the first shackle and held it near the other wrist. It trembled in her grasp for a moment. With flat lips and taunt cheeks she stared at the bind with pale blue eyes. The man's motive aside, Samara had been held captive for a month by Her. Unspeakable things had been done without the ability to resist. All the Elf had managed to do was keep the monster out of her mind and soul, and even then there had been nights Samara had a doubt.

With a low growl Kinniger's prisoner shoved the shackle onto her first wrist, and would make work of the rest. The collar earned a silent snarl with a slight tremble even held in both hands. Blood rushed through her veins as she felt the pounding of her heart. Even released the shackles would only allow her to carry the dungeon cell with her wherever she went. No amount of lavish trappings or open skies would allow Samara to relax.

"How long before a...drink?" Samara stood in the center of the room and looked over one shoulder at her escort and Keeper. The shackles wouldn't do them any good if they took too long finding sacrificial thralls. She wasn't on the verge of frenzy -- yet -- but how long that remain true was now in Kinniger's hands.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

Slowly, the Elf picked up the first shackle and held it near the other wrist. It trembled in her grasp for a moment. With flat lips and taunt cheeks she stared at the bind with pale blue eyes. The man's motive aside, Samara had been held captive for a month by Her. Unspeakable things had been done without the ability to resist. All the Elf had managed to do was keep the monster out of her mind and soul, and even then there had been nights Samara had a doubt.

With a low growl Kinniger's prisoner shoved the shackle onto her first wrist, and would make work of the rest. The collar earned a silent snarl with a slight tremble even held in both hands. Blood rushed through her veins as she felt the pounding of her heart. Even released the shackles would only allow her to carry the dungeon cell with her wherever she went. No amount of lavish trappings or open skies would allow Samara to relax.

He waited patiently for her to be done, and once she was she'd find that each of the shackles automatically adjusted to fit her perfectly, not tight enough to be uncomfortable, but there would certainly be no slipping out of them. Doubtless they had other enchantments, no matter how basic. He gave her reaction to them no heed, and simply waited until she had put them all on.

"How long before a...drink?" Samara stood in the center of the room and looked over one shoulder at her escort and Keeper. The shackles wouldn't do them any good if they took too long finding sacrificial thralls. She wasn't on the verge of frenzy -- yet -- but how long that remain true was now in Kinniger's hands.

"I'll have a former thrall brought up to you. They're too far gone to recover, you might as well dink them dry when you refresh yourself. They'd be killed anyway." He said to her before leaving her behind. Only about ten minutes later a soldier came up, pulling along a glassy-eyed and blank-faced man clad in tattered gambeson. The man was left there and the soldier returned to wherever it was he came from, the man didn't even realize that she was in there with him.

 

[Samara Asenta]

Samara didn't reply as Kinniger would likely excuse himself without further ado. She slowly turned to look at the door after he'd gone. Just a shackled, imprisoned Vampire isolated from the Living to keep them safe from her. Just a monster given enough to survive to be used how they saw fit. Just barely better than a life surrounded by those with a deep-seated desire to murder her.

A pointed ear twitched at a sound. As Samara turned she barely had time to register the blur before a force shoved her against the wall adjacent to the door. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared into the solid black eyes devoid of life or meaning. The sensation of being back in the dungeon, strapped to the wall, forced to meet that all consuming gaze...

There was no sense of the passage of time. Whether they brought the thrall minutes or hours later, it was only when the door opened that the spell was broken. Samara felt the invisible weight that had her pinned against the wall evaporate from the broken concentration. She registered the body being shoved into the room as the door shut.

"Sit." Samara stepped away from the wall, turned, and moved behind the motionless figure. When it didn't move, she emerged from behind the man in pale skin and black eyes. The Elven Vampire took position before him without an ounce of mirth on upon her lips. Soon the back of her right hand caressed the man's left cheek as she intoned, "Kneel." Had any one else been presence they'd been a command, but to the thrall they sounded in the deep of one's soul. With their empty state there was no will to resist, and they were likely already well acquainted with such domination.

Once the man quickly knelt before her, Samara's hand pressed against the side of the man's head to tilt it out of the way. Her dark lips parted to reveal the elongated fangs that plunged into the exposed artery.

Samara didn't bother stroking or caressing the vessel of blood. Her hand kept the head tilted just so while she drank from the pliable chalice that'd been brought to her. Whatever they expected of her -- and despite what had been said -- the fangs withdrew before she drank too greedily. Her head was thrown back with a satisfied hiss from the hot, red blood that had poured down her throat. Whatever horrors she'd been subject to and no matter the rage at being striped of all she knew, the overwhelming euphoria could not be denied.

The tip of Samara's finger idly wiped at the rivulet of blood on the thrall's neck. Perhaps there was nothing but the death of the body for this sad creature that knelt before her now. No matter how true that was, however, she wouldn't be the one to bring it just to sate her own desires. Not when she could help it.

With naught else to do, the Vampire resumed gazing into the thrall's eyes after she righted his head. Perhaps she could find a way to penetrate into the man's soul and see if there was even a shred of anything left. Of course the effort was futile -- Samara had no idea what she was doing or if it was possible -- but she wouldn't come to terms with what she was waiting on others to tell her.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

With naught else to do, the Vampire resumed gazing into the thrall's eyes after she righted his head. Perhaps she could find a way to penetrate into the man's soul and see if there was even a shred of anything left. Of course the effort was futile -- Samara had no idea what she was doing or if it was possible -- but she wouldn't come to terms with what she was waiting on others to tell her.

around an hour later he came back to collect her. Seeing the still living thrall there he called for a guard to remove him. Then he addressed Samara, "It's time to get going. Come on."

He opened the door for her, and waited for her to exit the room. Once she was out he closed the door behind her and he lead her away through the castle and out the front gate. There was a group of six men waiting for them. All were clad in black brigandine armor and all carried swords with them.

"This is the team you will be working with over the next few weeks." he told her simply. "Now we're off. We need you to help us locate dens and outposts of vampires so we can clear them out. Simple enough?"

So they were off. She was allotted a horse and they sped away from the castle on horseback into the frontier. It was entirely forested, and shrouded in fog. But nonetheless they seemed to be able to move rather quickly. Almost eight hours later they came to a stop. "From this point on is the area we need to clear out. How easily can you find other vampires?"

 

[Samara Asenta]

When the door opened the alabaster skin faded back into her original, Elven hue. Samara stepped back as a guard was called into the room to remove the thrall. Her icy gaze fell on Kinniger the entire time curious what his thoughts were. Nothing had been said on the matter. Was it because he hadn't cared either way, or because he was content she hadn't slain the man -- even if they were truly the living dead.

After he opened the door for her to depart, Samara did so with her head held high. The burden of the shackles on her body could not be so easily ignored, nor that anyone could see them. Nonetheless, Elves did not skulk about in shame.

Everything this soldier did or said was to the point with little flair, pomp, or emotion. On one hand perhaps she should be grateful they weren't sneering and trying to take advantage of her state. Yet, on another, being merely a thing present they used when convenient and ignored otherwise was not how she sought to live the rest of her life; however long that happened to be. "It is," Samara replied at last to Kinniger's question. What he'd said was simple enough. The ride would give her time to contemplate how she was to go about it.

Once they'd arrived at the threshold of danger, Samara turned to regard the man and his latest inquiry. "If you're asking whether I have an innate sense of where they are," the question trailed off as her gaze turned back into the fog. The Vampires she knew didn't have feet any different than their original species -- most of which looked Elven. Tracking just their feet was practically impossible. That, however, wasn't what occupied her thoughts suddenly.

"You said this area is ruled by the bloodline you seek to end?" Her eyes narrowed a moment as though she could pierce the veil around them. "I can find the Vampires. Yet, Thralls may lie in wait to ambush us along the way." If they hoped she'd smell them loitering in trees they'd only be disappointed. She might hear them, but if they were as devoted to their Masters as she suspected unnecessarily movement that would give their position away -- like a complacent guard -- didn't seem likely.

Sir Eberwolf Kinniger

 

[Sir Eberwolf Kinniger]

(sorry for making you wait so long)

"You said this area is ruled by the bloodline you seek to end?" Her eyes narrowed a moment as though she could pierce the veil around them. "I can find the Vampires. Yet, Thralls may lie in wait to ambush us along the way." If they hoped she'd smell them loitering in trees they'd only be disappointed. She might hear them, but if they were as devoted to their Masters as she suspected unnecessarily movement that would give their position away -- like a complacent guard -- didn't seem likely.

"That's why you're going ahead a little ways, that way the ambush can't get all of us. You'll have one other and myself with you, the rest will hang back and we can aid each other as needed." He explained to her simply.

"Besides, getting ambushed is almost what we want to happen. They'll reveal themselves then we'll kill them."

She was concerned about living this way for the duration of her life, fears that were genuine but in reality, unfounded. He was a man of his word, she'd be set loose once she'd completed her conscription.

But that wouldn't be proven until she finally was released. So she'd probably be worried/angry for a long while yet.