Councilman Demir sits by his desk in the headquarters of The Flutes. The chomping of his teeth fills the room as he eats. Food has always been his best friend. At times he wished his wife would magically turn into a piece of ham. On paper they may be married, but to him she is just a whore. She gave him one son, then began to cheat on him. As if that was not embarrassing enough, she cheated on him with the Lord General. Demir planned to kill the woman when he found out. A mistake he would have made, if not for the food calming him. It gave him the time he needed to think.

He now had the Lord General under chains, the man could not afford a scandal with the elections approaching. Serves him right for turning me into a cuck, Demir thought. He pinned one of the meatballs down with his fork. He imagined the meatball to be the Lord General. As Demir was about to bite the meatball, to experience the feeling of crushing the Lord General with his teeth, he is interrupted by the creaking door.

“Don Demir-” Razan said as he entered Demir’s office. He enjoys irritating Demir.

“For the last time Razan. Do not call me that.” Demir replied. The obese man takes small bites of the meatball then he licks the fork after his is finished. Razan watches quietly, his eyes shifting to Demir’s pet mage, that stood behind the chair. Razan hated the man, with a passion. Only love stopped him from killing Feylax.

“I cannot stress how much I hate being interrupted when I eat. You are lucky I have use for you, yet you test me. I sometimes wonder how you ever ran this shithole.” Demir said. Demir didn’t harbour any great hate for dark skinned man. To be honest, he thought they were similar at times. A man who would do anything for his wife. However, he hated the fact that his wife loved him so much. Razan did not deserve a wife with so much dedication. He enjoyed tormenting them. Blackmailing is just too much fun.

Razan had grown use to his insults over the past year, and he never forgot any of them. I will slaughter you like the fat pig you are Demir, mark my words. I shall have vengeance, even if it cost me my other eye, Razan thought.

“Now, what is it.” Demir said, as he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

“Councilman Demir. another hit will be on The Shrouded tonight, all of our vampires are ready. It’s not wise for you to stay here.” Razan said. His eyes shifted to Feylax, then back at the Councilman. Demir smiles, and gestures to Feylax. The mage dips his hand into his cloak, and takes out a small vile that glows green. Feylax tosses the vile at Razan who catches with one hand, and deposits it in a black pouch attached to his belt.

“Nowhere is safe. That’s why I have you, and your syndicate. Oh, that’s right. My syndicate. Now leave me, let me finish this lasagne. It’s probably the only good thing about this shithole. Send my compliments to Richard, excellent meal.” Razan said.

“You had Richard killed, he put too much salt. There's a new chef now.” Razan said, with a bit of scorn. He liked Richard, it was sad to see the man done in by the mage. Razan almost unsheathed his rune blade and severed Demir’s head from his shoulder when he gave the order. It took great restraint from Razan to watch a man he personally knew, die. But, his wife is alive, and that is the only life that really mattered to him.

“That explains why the food is better.” Demir said. Razan did not hear him, because he already left the room, shutting the door behind him.

“Now we just have to wait for them to come to us. I hope you're ready, seems I’ll finally have someone to put you up again Feylax. I hear the new Don of the Shrouded is a mage.” Demir said, to the mage standing behind him.

Feylax thought Demir’s lisp made him sound stupid. That is usually the second mistake people make when crossing paths with Demir. The first being that the man is fat. Demir likes when people underestimate him because of his weight. Feylax has been in his employ long enough to know the man loved to tear down those that underestimate him.

“You have nothing to fear Councilman.” Feylax said. Demir laughed softly as he twisted his fork around the lasagne.

“You are right. I have nothing to fear.”

Thea slides both her daggers out of a corpse. She wipes her bloodied blade on the dead man’s back. She looked around at the six vampires. All of them are kneeling by a corpse, and sucking the blood out of their victim. One man is still screaming, but his voice is weak, and too soft for anyone to come to his rescue. The screaming man shortly dies in Isabella’s arms. The sound of Laoch’'s command to attack still ringed in her mind.

“You look a bit squirmy little girl. Don’t let the blood bother you”, Isabella said. She licks the drops of blood on the cheeks of the corpse. “I like keeping them alive, while I eat.”

“I am not a little girl. I am almost twenty. You don’t sound much older, and blood doesn’t bother me.” Thea replied.

“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m three times older than you, so yes, little girl.” Isabella said, she stands up, and takes several steps closer to Thea. Isabella wipes her mouth with her fingers then licks it. How does the girl even see? Isabella thought. She begins to wave her hand back and forth in front of Thea’s face.

“I can see your hand.” Thea said. Ever since she had left the village with Jax in search of the First King’s priest, people have treated her different. A few times she almost killed men for touching her, because they thought she couldn’t see them. If I were in the village, insults like these to an oracle would bring banishment, Thea thought. However, she was no longer in training to be an oracle. She felt like she betrayed her mother and the First King when she abandoned her duty, and became a seeker. Laoch had shown her the errors she made. Even though his words were few, they explained the misery she has been feeling. I betrayed only myself when I choose to become a seeker, is that why mother allowed me to leave without question? Thea thought. This has always been the way her mother, the oracle, teaches. Thea wondered how her mother would ever forgive her for the harsh things she said. She decides that she would tell Jax that she can no longer be his apprentice, her destiny was to become the next Oracle of the First King. She hopes he is still alive. What am I even thinking, of course he is alive, he is Jax. He isn’t just a seeker, he is The Seeker, Thea thought.

“Well, he obviously couldn’t see your hand,” Isabella said, removing her hand from Thea’s face and gesturing to the dead man on the ground next to Thea.” At least you have some formal training.”

“I am a seek-, servant to the hand of the First King. I have been trained appropriately.” Thea said, as she slid her daggers into their scabbard.

“Not that First King thing again. He is an Ancient, not a saint of your little religious order.” Isabella said, Thea quickly moved her hands back to her daggers again, Isabella shifted to her side, and drew her sword and inch out of its sheath.

“That’s an Insult. I have seen you try to wiggle your fingers around Lord Laoch.” Thea said. She didn’t like how Isabella is trying to force her way into Laoch’s bed. Thea knew that Laoch’s every choice is dictated by the First King himself, and that The First King has a liking for powerful women. I cannot accept someone who doesn’t believe in the First King, as a future sister, Thea thought.

“Oh, someone sounds jealous. Am I stealing your saint away from you? Is it odd that I think that I know him a bit better than you?” Isabella said. Another Insult, Thea thought. But, was it? For Thea it is foolish to think that anyone knew more about the First King than the Oracle, or herself. But, those are from books, and records. She is right. However, that did not stop Thea from feeling insulted.

“Please, don’t kill me, I have children!” The somewhat thin man who Laoch is holding shouted. The man has short curly blonde hair, and is also fairly muscular. Thea was about to reply to Isabella, but this moment could not be missed. If she was to be a future oracle, then chronicling the choices the First King makes before his rebirth is of the utmost importance. Thea moved her hands away from her daggers, and began to walk closer to Laoch, so she can observe the interrogation.

“Is that all?” Laoch said. Laoch held the narrow man against the building. He began to sob as Laoch applied pressure to his neck. “You will lead me to your headquarters, wherever it is hidden.” Laoch said. Thea is still awestruck by the sound of his voice. She found it to be enchanting. Thea could only imagine what the voice of the First King would be like, compared to his priest, it must be a force of nature.

Thea could hear the sound of a couple arguing. Her hearing is better than most humans, due to her blindness. Thea wondered how everyone else sees the world. Not many people know, since it is a guarded secret kept by only the Oracle. But, the world is made up of energy. Every single thing, both living and non-living is made of threads of energy.

Thea saw the world in blue threads. This is how the world is meant to look, Thea thought. She could not picture it any other way, despite being told the world is more beautiful than how she sees it. Thea didn’t believe that. The way the strings of blue energy shade the world, is beauty beyond words. She hates when her blindness is being mistaken for weakness. I am not the one who is blind, everyone else is, she thought.

“Awgit ease don ill me” Thea heard the man say, as he sobbed. Laoch ease his choking by a bit, just enough to for the man to speak properly.

“Alright, I’ll do it, just-just don’t kill me. I have a wife.” The man said, Laoch moved his face closer, until it is only an inch away from the man’s face. Thea walks closer to hear, but not too close to cause a distraction.

“Don’t stop walking, do anything else”, Laoch said, he paused for some reason. It was not the first time Thea has notice these breaks in his speech. It only made her find his voice sound magical to her. “And you forfeit more than just your life.”

Thea thought that is common knowledge, at least back home in the village. Betraying the First King, is to forfeit your soul to Uffern Dam, the Bloody Hell. Thea watches as Laoch releases the man. He falls down onto the ground, but quickly gets back up on his feet. Laoch then gestures with his hand, for the man to walk.

“Stop, we are leaving.” Laoch said. Thea knew his words were for the vampires, who are still on the ground, sucking the blood from their kills.

I follow the man, around a corner. Few people were out this time of night, and most of them looked like they were up to no good. I planned for us to stay hidden by using the rooftops to avoid guard patrols. It worked marvellously, vampires are great at stealth. However, they are greedy for blood, and three days without it made them thirsty. During our walk, I have been told by Cassandra, the cute goth girl, that they can last up to a week without blood when I asked. We knew of the district The Flutes operate in, but not where their headquarters is located. Which made sense, The Flutes are thieves and assassins, they are wanted criminals. Unlike the other syndicates who are involved in racketeering. The man narrow man, with dark brown eyes stops, then turns to look at me, and points to an alley across the street about a block away.

“It’s right there around the corner. A couple buildings down, and across the street. You’ll find an alley next to a pub. You will come across a manhole cover at the end of the alley. The headquarters is there, I swear.” The man says, he has a very tight voice that always made him sound nervous. He is not wrong to be scared, I have been contemplating killing him for some time now. I’ve been holding back since the man still had some uses, but now he was useless to me. I walk closer to him. He almost tripped over himself, but managed to regained his feet, but only to have his back pressed against a stone building.

“How many children do you have.” I ask the man, casting a quick speech spell.

“T-three, um daughters. I have three daughters.” The said, his voice held uncertainty.

“What are their names.” I ask, as I began to create the weaving for a reverse repair spell.

“Names? Right, of course names, hmmm. Marcia, Macy, and Michael, no wait, I mean I mean Mace-Madaline, yes, Madeline. No wait, please-” The man begged for his life.

I hold the man’s mouth shut as I slammed his head against the wall. I want to laugh honestly. If you are going to lie to me, at least think your lies through. You’ll have to die sadly, you must have figured out by now, that I can’t have people running loose shouting wolf. I pressed my left hand against the man’s head, and unleashed the spell. The man’s head vanished almost instantly. I still cannot believe how unnatural it looks. It is like someone just dragged the erase over the guy’s face in Photoshop.

The headless corpse falls to the ground. The blood from the corpse burst out. I take several steps back to avoid the blood wetting the shiny new leather boots I took from Victor. The man soul floats up quickly as if to run away from me. I grab onto it with one hand, and squeeze the soul and absorb.

I turn and stare harshly at the vampires. On the way here, I gave them harsh warnings about what would happen if anyone choose to have a snack without asking me. The vampires look away from the blood, their gazes shifted to the walls, as if they had found something amazing. I did not think that I would have to teach them discipline, but it seems like no one has taught them restraint.

Turning around, I step out onto the tiled cobblestones of the pavement. I spot the entrance to the alley even from this distance, it is a block away, and I can spot figures standing at the entrance. Three men stood guard, there were probably more. I didn’t want to get any closer, as strong as I am, a well-placed arrow, or unexpected sword stroke through my skull, is enough to finish the mighty Laoch.

Strange, I’ve been referring to myself as Laoch all this time, without even thinking about it. When did I become so used to referring to myself as Laoch? The name feels oddly familiar. I just hope my actual name is not terrible, like Ben Dover or Jack Goff. Maybe it’s a blessing I don’t remember it. Thinking of my name reminds me of Nia. I begin to walk along the pavement towards the figures, so I can get a better look.

Two of the men are short, average build. The third is a bit tall, fairly muscular and somewhat broad. They all looked to be wearing armour, but from this distance it is indistinguishable what type of armour it is. I can hear them talk from where I, but it sounds muffled, and the words are like gibberish. I wave at Cassandra for her to step forward.

“Yes Master.” Cassandra says. She holds a black composite bow in her hand, and carries a quiver of arrows strapped to her back. She received the first kill of the night, before we could even jump down on our soon to be victims.

“Go atop the roofs. Those men are your targets, when I give the signal, kill them and be discrete.” I said, casting a long speech spell. I’m getting better at talking. However, it’s hard to put emotion into the spell. I have noticed how Thea looks at me when I cast my speech spells. She must think I sound monotonous. I’ll have to practice on it, if I plan to succeed at my conquest of the city's underworld. My plan to control one syndicate for the purpose of using them to gather souls was simple minded of me.

“Yes Master.” Cassandra replied, her voice is soft and modulated. I wonder how far I could test her, at what point would these vampires say no.

Cassandra walks across the street, her red and black gown swishing. I thought her apparel to be unsuited for the occasion, but she moved comfortably in it. Speed did not seem to be a skill she possessed. Cassandra entered the alley opposite to us, and jumped. Her jump is high enough that she managed to grab onto a window ledge on the second floor with only one hand. She pulls herself up, so she could place her feet against the building. She jumped again, this time just high enough to reach the roof. Using the same hand, she grips onto the roof and pulls herself atop it.

I walk along the pavement towards the alley a block away. Street lights were strategically placed to offer the greatest amount of light. I hear the movements of the others following behind me. As I walk I watch Cassandra stroll across to the next building, since it is only inches apart. I hear the sound of chattering

I follow her as she walks across the roof. We pass two drunk men who leaned on each other for support, they were talking about how great this district is, and that guard patrols rarely ever come here now at night. The noise from the building opposite the alley made it stand out to me. I read the sign above the three Flute guards. The image of a mug next to a music note with the, ‘Sammy's Pub’ is nicely lit by a street lamp.

Cassandra walks onto the roof of the pub. We are close enough to the entrance that I can now see another of the Flute, four in total. He is roughly five feet behind the Flute guards at the entrance of the alley, he is leaning against the wall. It looks like he is sleeping, because his head is down with his chin against his chest. Cassandra crouched and nocked an arrow to her bow. She takes aim, and waits for my signal.

It takes me only a brief couple seconds to check that the street is clear. The Flutes still have not noticed us, and they are still talking to each other. They occasionally burst out in laughter. I raise my hand in the air to signal Cassandra. Another burst of laughter, hides the twang of Cassandra’s bow.

“And then!”, One of the Flute guards said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. “He says, I have a quill,” The man then lifts one hand as though he is grabbing a quill. “I have pineapple”, He lifts his other hand, to show that he is holding a pineapple. He then proceeds to smash the imaginary quill and apple together.

“UHHH” The man shouts. I'm sure he was about to say something ridiculous, but is stopped when his taller friend drew his sword, and turned to look at us. At least someone spot us. However, it is too late now. Their sleeping friend is already dead with an arrow in his brains.

“They’re here!! The tall man shouts, but his voice is drowned from the noise coming from the pub.

Another twang and an arrow hits another member of the Flutes. The man reaches for the arrow that went through the back of his neck. He tried to scream, but only blood poured out of his mouth. His body hit the ground with a thud. One of the Flutes heard the sound and gasps as he after he rushes to the dead man’s side.

“Johnny” The man said, it is the same one who was telling the joke. I watch him go to his knee besides his dead friend, looking for what the problem is. Another twang could be heard. An instant later his head rocks back, he dies from an arrow through his eye socket.

“Fuck, FUCK!” The tall man shouts, he turns around, and runs into the alley. He did not reach far, moments later an arrow hits him in the back, and he falls over dead.

That was actually easy. I thought these guys are supposed to be better equipped, and better trained. They were wearing hide armour, not exactly strong stuff. I’ve never seen hide armour before. That must be another indirect memory.

“Come, pull these bodies off the pavement before someone sees them.” I cross the street, and into the pavement. I whisper a command to the souls that were floating up into the air. The sleeping man’s soul almost got out of my reach, but it slowly came back, and I absorbed it with my hand. I expect to have four new shelves in my soul.

The vampires drag the bodies into the alley. Cassandra jumps off the roof and into the alley, dust rose from the ground when she lands.

“Good Job” I said to Cassandra.

“Thank you Master.” She said, with the soft voice I’ve grown to associate her with. She is practically expressionless. She then begins to pluck her arrows out of the bodies of the Flutes.

Just like the man said, there is a manhole cover here. The alley ends in a dead end, with old termite infested crates to the side. In my opinion, it would of been better to hide the manhole with the termite boxes.

I order one of the vampires, to lift the crate up. The vampire is one of the older generation, he quickly obeys, and lifts the manhole cover up.

“You guys go in first, I’ll follow after.” I said with a quick speech spell cast. I hear the vampires reply yes, and they begin to go down the metal ladder inside the manhole, hopefully to The Flutes headquarters.

“Except for you Thea. Wait here for a bit, and make sure no one sees us enter.” I said with another speech spell.

“As you say Lord Laoch.” Thea replies. Then she speaks again.,” Ekess wer Annyo.”

It means till the last. It’s an ancient battle chant. I am not sure how I know that. Just remembering made me feel old as time itself. I’ll have to remember those words. However, it feels as though I have never forgotten them.

“Shar si Irral” The words flow from a speech spell I do not even remember weaving. It felt like reflex, as though I have said it a million times. Thea brightens at my words. I cannot think of what the words could mean, but she obviously knew their meaning.

When I look at the manhole, all the vampires, including Isabella and Cassandra were already climbing down. I follow them in next. I watch as the vampires begin to jump off the ladder, since it didn’t go all the way to the bottom. I jump off it when I reach the end. The ladder was really dusty, so I had to brush off all the dust from my cloak. I am not sure why I am so concerned about the dust. I look up and scan the dark room in horror.

The room is too dark for even me to see, but the burgundy glow of almost two dozen vampires dotted the room. A large amount of blue glows covered the room as well. It must have at least fifty people here. I expect some retaliation, but not this much. The vampires around me obviously could not see them in the pitch black darkness. Everything makes perfect sense now. The easy kills. The poor armour, and untrained men. This is an ambush. We were baited.