TVC - Chapter 43 - A Thief in the Night

[Get of W'soran]

Akarin was still punching the blood dragon when Peter managed to drop himself to the floor and kick out at the von Carstein with both legs.
Akarin leapt over the kick but it give his opponent time to launch his own offensive, the blade flashing out in a flurry of practiced slashes, causing Akarin to duck and weave as he dodged the swordsman's attacks.
He had almost stepped through the Arch-way when he decided to counter the attack, allowing both hidden blades to slide out of from the bracers he launched a lightning quick series of slashes, Peter's heavy sword barely blocked the thin long blades.
Despite Peter being able to defend the most vital locations he recieved a dozen shallow cuts all over his arms and cheeks.
Knocking aside Peter's defense in one fluid motion he dropped into a low sweep kick attempting to knock the other vampire from his feet.

 

[Lord of Ravens]

The Blood Dragon brought his sword low towards Akarin's outstreching leg. The blade sliced the the flesh of the assasin's calf muscle before he had time to react.

The von Carstein backflipped away to a safer position further down the corridor towards the archway. As Peter charged forward, Akarin grabbed a large vase, and flung it at the oncoming Blood Dragon. It hit Peter square in the chest, but barely stalled him as the momentum of his charge carried him past the spinning shards of pottery.

The Blood Dragon lunged forward at Akarin's heart, who literaly bent over backwards to avoid the thurst. However, despire his flexiblity, the blade cut the top of the assasins shoulder.

 

[Get of W'soran]

Akarin cursed spinning away, his wounds may have been bad if he had been mortal but as a vampire he was barely slowed down.
With three quick gestures Akarin hurled a six silver tipped knives, two at a time, despite the Blood Dragons furious defense and lightning quick reflexes two of the knives still managed to hammer the shoulder.
Peter hissed as he felt the silver burn his flesh he reached up tugging the blades from his flesh, this action cost him time however and in those moments the Assassin had moved forward hammering his punches into the Throat, Stomach, Shoulder and Ribs of the Blood Dragon.
Peter stumbled back and just managed to see Akarin being a Spear hand strike, memories flashed through his head as he remembered the vampire Disemboweling dozens of humans during their time together he threw himself back desperately managing to just dodge the strike. The von Carstein's hand pieced the stone wall of the fortress as it missed his opponent, as Peter raged to his feet to attack his opponent however Akarin pulled his bleeding hand from the wall holding dust from the crushed stone he had just struck.
As Peter charged the Assassin blew the dust into Peter's eyes causing him to curse and stumble back blinking the dust from his eyes, before he cleared his vision however Akarin smashed a kick into his chest throwing him backwards.
Peter slowly got to his feet and froze as he saw the armoured Assassin, now bleeding from several cuts and his hand which seemed injured however Akarin's usually relaxed features where now stoney cold and the Blood Dragon realised his opponent would truely kill him if this kept going.
He began to protest only to see Akarin unsheath the white Blade of Day and before Peter could speak he was Parrying lightning quick strikes from the von Carstein.

 

[Knightofni]

Saul glanced from Simon's faint smile of amusement to the irritated Baron's cantankerous demeanour and laughed..

"I choose not to carry the name of our bloodline for two reasons: first, in the very beginning I hated the monster that had done this to me and I swore that when I discovered his identity I would hunt him down and destroy him.. I'd rather take his life than his name. And secondly; the honour of carrying such a name should be earned.. and there is little in my past achievements of note that would merit me such a name."

He shrugged dismissively..

"Besides.. I like my name. It is not the name of a noble family, instead it is of a good and honest family.. and I intend for it to be remembered."

 

[Lord of Ravens]

"Akarin you idiot, calm down," reasoned Peter, "This has gone too far."

However the von Carstein was beyond reasoning with. Peter parried the Blade of Day, and brought his fist into Akarin's stomach. Had he been mortal, he would have been winded, but the blow only forced the assasin back for a few seconds. These seconds were enough for Peter however.

Knowing now that the time for fighting fair was well and truely over, Peter muttered a spell, and launched a small fireball at Akarin's head. He ducked, and the magical flame hit one of Simon's many rich tapesteries, which instanty burst into flame. As smoke filled the corridor, Peter tried to push his enemy back into the searing hot magical fire.

 

[Get of W'soran]

Akarin twisted out of reach from Peter then as his hand lashed out he siezed a Painting on the wall of a pair of von Carstien vampires and smashed it over Peter's head.
As he did so he siezed his sword with both hands and stabbed it at the Peter who knocked it aside.
Akarin spat out a few twisted arcane words whilst twisting his hands in odd gestures, suddenly the shadows of the hall all began to contort, within moments they launched towards Peter, wrapping around the muscular Blood Dragon, binding him tightly.
Akarin smiled coldly as he stabbed at the Blood Dragon's throat.

 

[Lord of Ravens]

Peter muttered a few words to dispell the shadows clutching at his neck. He manged to counter the spell just in time, although Akarin still managed to score a light wound on his neck. Peter hurled another fireball at Akarin, who managed to wrap the shadows around him quickly enough to block the magical blast.

Realising that Peter was being outclassed due to the assasin's huge number of weapons, he decided to even the odds.

In his left hand he picked up a large candle stick, at least as long as his forearm.

Launching himself again at the von Carstein, he lunged with his sword and clubbed at Akarin's face the the candle stick at the same time. As the Blade of Day clashed with Soul Eater, blue sparks exploded from the two swords, further fueling the flames which burned along the corridor.

 

[Get of W'soran]

Akarin quickly unsheathed the sword of night and cut the Candlestick in half
"Ha!" the vampire cried out only to have the remainder of the candle strick thrown at him which smashed straight into his face, throwing him of his feet into a small bunch of flames.
The vampire cursed jumping to his feet, patting himself to put out a small flames which had begun to burn at his clothes.
Peter snickered faintly at the sight causing Akarin to growl and kick apart of the candlestick lying on the ground into Peter's face.
Akarin decided it was time to attempt to lure our the old Blood Dragon Blood Fury, so murmering some arcane words he tugged at the Grey Winds, the burning fires where casting shadow's allowing the lore to be easily called upon.
Using the shadow's present he summoned up a murder of shadow crows to fly around Peter pecking at his face and arms.

 

[Gree]

Mircea smelled the smoke long before he saw the fire. After his unsettling conversation he decided to return to the main council, however along the way he soon smelled smoke and now spotted fire at the end of the hallway. Quickly he hurried towards it.

 

[Count Erick]

Hati absentmindedly moved a stand of hair from her face, entirely and completely bored. Stuck on Müller's shoulder she had nothing to do. She couldn't see the Blood Dragon and Von Carstein fighting, and neither did she really care about the fight either.
The wind shifted direction, blowing down on the courtyard from Nexeternus. A whiff of an all to familiar scent caught her attention. She smiled mischievously.
Smells like someone's having fun. Perhaps they have room for one more...

Carefully sliding one of her daggers from her belt, she sliced Müller's wrist. Surprised Müller instantly relaxed his grip giving her more than enough time to escape.
"You little bi-" Müller started, gripping his bleeding wrist.
"Sorry about that." not sounding sorry at all. "But you all bore me." she said imperiously. "I'm going to find more interesting company."

Careful not to get caught in the (quickly spiraling out of control) fight between the blood dragon and von carstein, Hati moved through the castle's passageways. So many rich smells permeated the structure, the novelty of it was something she enjoyed. But several particular scents caught her attention, which she followed.
Rounding a corner, she found the source of the scent.

It was a woman standing in the corridor, looking as if she was searching for something. Hati recognized her as the woman who had arrived with the Vampire named Saul who smelt like one of their own.
Hati smiled as she spoke to her, turning on the preternatural charms, the culmination of lifetimes of hunting.
"Sweat, the pheromones of vitality, the sweat smell of newly set death, and blood, lots of blood."
She said walking towards her slowly.
"And the smell of him." she laughed slightly. "Oh, forgive me, my name is Hati, Hati Hróðvitnisson Gévaudan."
She smiled in her charming mischievously knowing manor " So, was he good? Was your arrival into the ranks of undeath a pleasant trek? Was your Charon sweat and hansom in his affections while you crossed the river Styx?"
She paused as if thoughtful.
"Or did her perhaps leave you wanting? Are your newly realized darker passions fulfilled? If not, I would be more than happy to fulfill them."
She offered up her wrist to the fledgling vampire.
"I am not so easily drained as mortal fodder, and I daresay that with my guidance we could both find the experience mutually pleasurable, and if your man, your master is also thirsting for satisfied desires, perhaps I could be an...accessory to your coupling..."
Hati lightly licked her offered wrist, her hungry and all devouring, but insatiably tempting eyes boring into Trinity.

 

[Fishhead Slackjaw Mcgee]

"WHAT slay Saurus? Nagash, maybe we?" Vekarin questioned.

Both, Sotek willing, Huakroataxa thought. But none of the Old Ones commands forbade deception, so he said instead.

"Nagash, Nagash. Understand this, however. You and yours need not respect me, I would expect little else from such...proud people..."
Arrogant abherations...
"...but if you are to disrespect those I serve, I am bound. My life is a pale shadow in comparison to the honour of the Venerated Mage Priests, I cannot allow those who would mock them to live."

The last words he spoke with absolute honesty.

 

[Trevy the Great]

Vekarin laughed hollowly at the Lizardman's sincerity.
"You think that I would dare draw the wrath of the Mage-Priests of Lustria!? I respect their power, for they were present at the shaping of the earth and there is no greater power. I shudder to think of the repercussions if they decided to turn their attentions to the lands to their West."
The armored figure turned to the remainder of the assembled vampires.
"He will not harm us." he declared, "Let him free."

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

"Then on your head be it," Lesa said, her voice tinged heavily with doubt. Placing her hand on the bars she spoke a few words, the spell flowing easily through her finger tips. The metal suddenly flared bright white before literally melting through her hands. In a second all the bars had been reduced to molten slag. Seeing the looks the others gave her she shrugged her shoulders,

"Well did any of you have the key?"

---

Withdrawing his sword the Duke smiled,
"The pleasure was all mine. I hope perhaps we can do this again, and hopefully overtime you will regain the full use of your skills........" His voice trailed off as he realised that this would be perhaps the one and only time that they could have done this. Upcoming was war and if they both survived, there was the no small issue of his brother. Quickly he turned aside before Victarias could see the sadness in his face,
"Perhaps we should rejoin the Council. They will have most likely reached a decision by now."

 

[Lord of Ravens]

Peter lashed out at the whirling mass of magic and feathers. Everytime he struck out, the birds would swirl away, only to begin there attack again. Muttering the same spell he had used against Mircea, Peter's whole body was engulfed in magic flames.

As the crows attacked, they caught fire, and exploded in to clouds of dark smoke. Peter ended his spell, bu now the corridor was even more full of smoke. He knew that to ih the assasin he needed to be out in the open.

He stepped backwards through the arch way, and found that he was standing on a large balcony overlooking Simon's great hall. At least now Peter had room to swing his sword. He turned and waited for Akarin to emerge from the smoking inferno.

 

[Get of W'soran]

Akarin smiled for Peter's own spell had given him the cover he needed, moving forward slowly he came to the verge of the smoke but instead of charging he sat still waiting to see if the Blood Dragon would see him.
He stood for a few moments and when Peter had glanced straight at him no less than three times without realising the Assassin stood there he deemed it time and sheathed his swords.
Reaching over to his left Bracer he turned a small mechanism that clicked slightly as the hidden pistol became cocked grinning he pressed down on the button and fired it directly at Peters head.
However the Blood Dragon was more alert than Akarin had realised, Peter having heard the click of the pistol had turned to look at the spot Akarin stood in and when the familar sound of a pistol discharging rang out Peter had dropped to a crouch causing the bullet to whistle harmlessly past him.
Letting out a roar of frustation Akarin forgot any idea of finesse and unsheathing a silver dagger he just charged the other vampire.

 

[Trevy the Great]

Vekarin stepped forward, his gauntlets clearing the molten slag from of the cage from the Lizardman’s path. The heat was tremendous, but the runes on Vekarin’s armor flared and repelled it. He stood back.
“I believe my head can endure the stress, mistress.” He commented.
“You are free from your prison, Saurus, but you are honor bound to combat Nagash’s forces until the end of this conflict.”

---

Victarias turned and looked at the Duke’s back, dropping her hand to her side. She stepped up beside him.
“I hope we have a chance to spar again. We should go.”

 

[Gree]

Seeing the melting Walach simply mutely pointed to a large key hanging from a celing hook several feet to the side of the Saurus's cage. ''I kind of did,'' the Blood Dragon admitted. ''But your way was more exciting.''

 

[Simon von Carstein]

"What has been bestowed upon you Saul is a blessing not a curse." said Simon "You will never age nor sicken, Your soul is beyond the judgement of any god or daemon. Only in rare acceptions will a vampires soul end up in the next world. You are stronger, faster and more agile than you would ever have been as a mortal." Simon laughed "If I am damned then its a small price to pay for immortality. The gods really do need us more than we need them. Thats probably the only thing Nagash and I would agree on." he broke off as Lucius entered the room. "It is done milord" Lucius said surveying Saul "I am finished." he added "The Ruby has been taken to Nuln by a small band of thieves. It will soon be in the hands of the Countess Emmanuelle von Lieberwitz. She's the only one wealthy enough to purchase it." "Then prepare my coach we will have to ride faster than the wind to get there and retrieve it." Simon commanded "We'll take Sariah, Aurelius, Gabriel and Saul of course." he said looking at his new ally.

 

[Gree]

Mircea came into the throne room, patting away embers from his cloak. He had been quite concerned by Peter and Akarin’s fight, but had soon learned from a nearby servant that it was just a friendly bout. The look on their two eyes certainly did not look ‘’friendly’’

Regardless Mircea went back to Simon’s throne room to learn if anything had been discovered.

‘’Brother you do realize that Akarin and Peter have set two to at least two hallway and are currently destroying a large portion of your precious furniture?’’ Mircea informed him.

‘’And by the way, did you get anything on the Ruby yet?’’

 

[Simon von Carstein]

"Yes brother the Cruentus Ruby is in Nuln. Which is where I am going. Would you mind informing Peter and Akarin that if they do not cease their actions immediately and start packing for Nuln then they'll be facing me in combat." said Simon seriously

 

[Gree]

‘’Of course, it shall be done, now about Nuln, I am staying here? Right?’’ Mircea asked somewhat hopefully. He hated balls.

Then he noticed the black clad figure from before stepping behind Simon’s throne. The figure waved at him. Neither Simon nor Peter seemed to noticed he was there at all.

 

[Knightofni]

Saul grinned at the prospect of visiting Nuln.. he had been to many of the large cities in the Empire but never the Gunnery Capital.. should be kinda fun. A twinge of annoyance, overshadowed that however, Simon had obviously mistaken his desire to kill his Sire as a hatred of his present state.. well, it was at first.

"You misunderstand My Lord, I do not resent what I have become.. indeed it has opened many pathways to tread that humans would never get the chance to; but in the beginning it was not all so a happy occurrence. In Bretonnia, people live in constant fear of the undead, brought up to believe that to become one is a fate worse than death itself.. their ignorance is amusing but they are right to fear us.. the early years are always the hardest to reconcile yourself with what you have become. "

He paused for a moment.. remembering the beginnings of his un-life.. the first hunts, the first kills.. the first blood.

"But my Sire and I have bitter history between us.. it is amazing how much of a pain in the arse are kind can truly be.. especially when you don't even know their name. Alas, I should like to make sure that when I find him, he suffers just as much as I did."

Saul's tone was dark and vengeful by the end.. realising this he hastened to change the subject in a cheerier voice.

"But Nuln.. now there's a city I would like to see. Though I have reservations about some of our kind's presence amongst some many humans.."

 

[Get of W'soran]

Marc stopped walking and glanced back, he noticed that Trinity was not following he could also smell something not entirely human down the corridor from which he had just walked
"Werewolf" he murmered.
Turning he strode towards his master.
__________________

Karl glanced at Micrea before turning to look at the empty throne and glancing back
"Is there something of interest over there Marshal?" he asked
Without waiting for a response he turned to Simon
"In that Case count I wish a Coach readied for myself and I shall travel back home and ready everything for your arrival." he announced.
The Baron leant back in his chair and frowned faintly
"It is very odd Akarin would be so...irresponsible in your home Nephew, I always found the man to be most civilised."
Hearing a footfall of a new arrival to the room the Baron turned
"Ah Marc! We are leaving soon, the Count shall have us return to take command of Sylvania from the Abbey." he told his servant.
The Blood Dragon strode up to the table and bowed his head before turning to Saul
"Lord von Carstein..." he began but Karl cut him off
"No, No Marc, Saul is a respectable family member and isn't using the name as of yet until he is ready or it is ready for him perhaps...in any case he goes by the name Delegardt."
Marc nodded turning back to Saul
"Apologies Lord Delegardt, I just wished to inform you that your new get is with one of the wolfmen." he said
Karl sneered
"Wolfmen...disgusting creatures."
"Quite Mi'Lord." Marc agreed
Karl nodded
"Thank you for this news...perhaps it is not wise to leave a Thrall...such a new one would perhaps have her will exceedingly weakened....left with such...such beasts". the Baron said with obvious disgust.

 

[Simon von Carstein]

"Don't be ridiculous Mircea of course you're coming." said Simon "I need you with me at all times. Especially as you have an important part in my ritual." Seeing that his brother was going to argue he added "We all have to make little sacrifices brother. You know that."

 

[Get of W'soran]

Karl looked Grumpy as Micrea and Simon Spoke
"At least you get to go to the Ball Micrea he muttered abysmally.
Karl Loved Balls.