Richard Adams

To Di'Rex's credit, he managed to keep up for an hour with Mimi just hopping from tree to tree to collect her escort. He got ahead of her for a few minutes before the sky got dark. Then she just dived into the shadows and left him behind. I probably should have expected it since we got there pretty quickly, but her dragging me into the shadows was a brand new experience. It was just darkness, and that's all I saw. Not what I expected, but kind of made sense.

It was crazy how fast we moved since we arrived at Luf'Fer maybe an hour later. Mark just appeared from behind a tree, waving at us. "Welcome back!" He spread his arms wide.

Mimi sat me down, as I waved back, "Hey, did you miss us?"

Mark chuckled, "Just a little bit, though the present you left behind was well received. We had a feast, and everybody was thankful. How was your trip to the frost forest?"

He flinched when Mimi tore off her fur-covered wings then stung herself to make the next set half grow in. "I'm going to stick these on my wagon. Then I'll get go grab the orc."

I nodded, "Sure thing, Mimi." Giving her a thumbs up, as she walked away. Mark just stood there with a smile, blinking at the madness he just saw. Poor guy could really use a break. I looked back at him, "So the orcs died, but Mimi killed the wraiths and we found one. They aren't getting along, but I'm his boss. Pretty sure he doesn't know about you guys being turned into vampires, our whole relationship is at a rocky start. He might think I lied to him about that, but don't worry Mimi can keep him from doing any damage if he tries something."

Mark slowly shook his head, not quite sure how to take my summary. "It's only been two days, how did you get there so fast?"

I gestured in the direction Mimi walked, "You're questioning how a monster that can; use shadow magic, killed a wyvern, and is purifying your well water, can move vast distances so quickly? Well, she's faster without pulling the wagons. Let me tell you, Mark."

"How..."

I put a hand in front of my lips, "Shush, it's been a long day and I want to apologize for traumatizing some of your people. This means that this town is getting a hive to protect it. Feed them table scraps, unusable animal bits. They love intestines, Mark, and can even eat monsters!" I did a half-hearted twirl. It might have been the hour spent in the darkness that got to me, but I didn't feel like dealing with people today. Could have been the fight with Di'Rex if I was being honest. Maybe both... yeah definitely both. "As for the deal you had with the orc, just give me some ingots you guys can spare. The next town or village we end up at might need nails or something. It'll make the orc happy, it'll make Mimi happy, it'll even make me happy."

Mark held up a finger, "What about..."

"The wall? Don't worry! We're finishing it before we leave. I'm in a mood today, and Mimi has to get her hive set up. I'll start purifying water tomorrow morning, but I need a long nap. You guys are breaking down the wyvern right?" Mark quickly nodded, "Good, wonderful!" I walked towards the gate, "I know it probably feels like shit being told what's happening without getting input in, but we can discuss it tomorrow. Maybe put some of the scales on some leather armor, or give us enough so he doesn't have to walk around in furs. I want him to look like a badass so I don't have to kill any more vampires."

"Yes, sir." I didn't even bother looking at Mark, as Mimi jumped off the wall into a majestic dive into the shadow of a building. She was off, and Di'Rex would probably be brought here kicking and screaming. Maybe two or three hours. I needed a power nap. I headed to the back wagon, while some vampires gawked at me. Mark doing his whistle to get their attention. It was nice having someone explain what was happening.

I woke up who knows how many hours later. It was Di'Rex's shouting that managed to do it. "WAGH!"

I sat up with a small sigh, the nap helped, but it didn't prepare me for what I saw when I stepped outside. Di'Rex was wielding two wooden poles, and fighting off five vampires while Mimi watched. "Come at me! You call yourselves men! You wish to be defenders of this town! How!? When all I need are poles to drive you off!"

I gave Mimi a blank stare, as she glanced at me. "He was upset, which made his bloodlust spike. I suggested he could spar with the vampires, and Mark obliged. Evidently, one didn't want to be a vampire anymore and killed themself. They have a system of who gets bitten, and it allows others to rest and regain their strength."

I looked back, at the Orc getting surrounded by vampires. They were hesitating because it hurt to get hit, I got that, but they wouldn't get far if they didn't defend themselves. At least Di'Rex was having fun, judging by his smile. "He's adapting well."

Mimi shrugged her shoulders, "He was surprised you weren't lying about vampires in this town. I told him I'd explain what happened to the deal his tribe was promised after he calmed down."

"Come at me! Fight me!" A few took him up on the offer, but the first was bonked on the head with the pole breaking as he got knocked out. The second managed to grab the pole, only to get a boot to the chest. Di'Rex let out a bellowing laugh.

I raised an eyebrow, "You two are getting along better, did something happen?"

Mimi smirked, "I threatened to break his ax, and exploded a tree with an explosive stinger. It fell next to him, and then he saw the wyvern when we got here. He knows his place now." She sipped something while watching the 'fight' in the middle of town.

"That's one way to do it, what are you drinking anyway?" I hopped off the wagon.

Mimi tipped her cup towards me as three other vampires tried their luck. Di'Rex flipped the one that jumped on his back onto the other, before grabbing the third with his free hand and chucking him at his friends. "Filtered well water. The carpenters are working on a box to hide the bugs and testers. It's easier to just filter it as needed than purify the whole thing."

I nodded slowly, while the second vampire tried helping his friends up. Di'Rex tackled onto the pile bonking each of them whenever they so much as bared their fangs at him. "Testing it or something? Want me to give it a try?" I held out a hand.

She passed it to me, while I looked back to see the first vampire that was knocked out waking up. He was trying to sneak up on Di'Rex. I took a sip, "Damn that's clean Mimi." It was the most refreshing water I ever drank.

Mimi smirked, "It was a pain figuring out the best way to get just the right minerals filtered without anything getting through. Took a few hundred variations of bugs, but now we have a monster blood powered purify." Vampire number one actually tackled Di'Rex, as the other four grabbed his legs.

"That's more like it!" He shouted, before punching them in the face.

I squinted, "Why aren't they biting him?"

Mimi tsked, "I made a filter that runs on the very thing we're trying to remove, and you're more concerned about why the vampires aren't biting the orc." They were trying to keep him pinned.

I handed the large cup back to her, "Well yeah, I kind of expect you to do the impossible and make it look easy. But this," I gestured to Di'Rex's brawl. "This is new."

Mimi let out a small hiss, before sipping her water. "Orc blood burns vampires that try to drink it. The first challengers found that out the hard way."

Di'Rex was back up on his feet, two vampires on his shoulders, and one clawing at his stomach. He kicked the chest one in the stomach which launched him and the one clinging to his leg. The other one on his leg didn't miss his chance, "For Luf'Fer!" He hoisted it up, getting Di'Rex back on the ground. Though he used two vampires to cushion that fall.

I saw Mimi blushing, at my praise from earlier, smiling to myself. This was a good time, "Wait, the first batch? How long has this been going on? How long have I been out?"

Mimi handed me the water cup, while Di'Rex let out another wagh. I was honestly surprised he wasn't waking up the others. Wait, no, I saw some kids watching with their eyes wide from behind the windows. They were peeking, fuck, tomorrow's quota wasn't going to be anywhere near what we were going at. "Four hours."

I choked on the water, coughing a bit. "F-four hours!?" It was just supposed to be a three-hour nap tops!

Mimi nodded, "I didn't want to wake you up, since I had to focus on making the purifier." Oh look, Di'Rex is back up, but a sixth vampire has joined the fight. He's bringing in a chair!

"You lying to me, Mimi?" I glanced at her.

She glanced back, "A little, you were tired, so I let you sleep. I wasn't lying about how long you slept though."

"Wagh!" The chair slammed into the back of Di'Rex, the thing shattering into splinters as he smashed heads together. It was amazing.

I nodded, "Thank you." It was considerate of her and I couldn't bring myself to get upset over something so small. Not while we were both enjoying Di'Rex standing over a pile of half-conscious vampires.

"Wagh!" He cried out with his hands raised like a champion, looking very happy with himself. Mimi let out a small laugh, and I started laughing with her. Even Di'Rex chuckled, as he walked over to us. He rolled his shoulder grinning at me. "Want to have a bout? Might show these weaklings how a true fight is supposed to be."

I handed Mimi the cup, "Guess you didn't learn your lesson last time." I smirked back at him, it was nice to have someone I could keep up with and train. "How did you manage to hit them while they were fast?"

Di'Rex tilted his head, then chuckled. "I didn't, they just ran into my fist. Young vampires don't know how to control themselves, and if you know what they're going to do." He held up a fist, "They run right into it."

The vampires were recovering while we duked it out, and the fight was fair for all about five minutes until I called for back-up from the sidelines. Di'Rex called me a cheater while laughing, both of us getting a couple hits in before he fell down. We got him pinned, before raising our hands in victory. I hive fived the other six and then froze when Mimi started to approach. We all took a step back, as Di'Rex swallowed hard. Mimi was on the fence between joining or not. I looked at Di'Rex who smirked at me. Oh no...

"WAGH!"

"Retreat!" We split up with Di'Rex calling us cowards. He was knocked out before he even stood up, his unconscious body becoming the start of the pile. The thing about vampires being one of the faster monsters? They don't mind leaving the human behind. I barely saw it happen, as Mimi tossed me through the air before slamming me down on top of Di'Rex. I passed out.

Mark The Vampire

Luf'Fer was dead. It had died the moment the vampire army came and took so many of our numbers. It wasn't a very successful town, our main export was getting clay from the swamp and making bricks. It had been that way for thirty years, even before I was born. We had a well and paid our dues to Eclipse for helping us settle when I was a child. Even back then I always suspected us switching to exclusively selling bricks to the kingdom of fire might get us killed.

I just hadn't known how long it would take. It felt as though the king of Eclipse forgot about the small town selling to another kingdom. The only thing we hadn't done was fly the phoenix banners of their enemy. I had been so, so wrong. Eclipse doesn't forget, and their message was clear. The Count's army dealt with us as casually as one would kick a pebble on the side of the road. Luf'Fer didn't matter to Eclipse, and it was too far away for the Kingdom of Fire to help.

We were alone, and those first days after we survived were hell. I had to take command and enforce an ironclad rule. I had to kill people I knew, just to keep more of us alive. At the very least, I had to save as many of my fellow townsmen as I could. I didn't know what would happen if we went to Eclipse, we were just short of traitors. It had been that way since my dad founded this place. He hated Eclipse and even used the Kingdom of Fire's naming convention. Luf for the pluff muds of the swamp, and the clay we harvested. Fer, for his name, was Craffer and he founded this place.

Every survivor was under thirty, which showed another meaning. The founders were punished for their defiance, and their children were free of sin. We didn't choose to be born here, it was cruel mercy. I never wanted to lead this town, I didn't want this position. I hated my father when he drove my mother to an early death. I just didn't know what to do, we were abandoned and isolated. It had been so hard until they came.

I smiled to myself in the darkness of my broken house. Richard was a liar, but then what noble wasn't? He said he wasn't sent here, but I knew it was an olive branch. The King forgave us and sent someone to help us repair our town. We wouldn't be accepted in the city, and the Underground was a death sentence. The more I thought about it, the kinder their arrival was. The man still chose to help us, even after those fools attacked him.

The walls were built stronger than they had been before, the well had three slopes next to it with wooden pyramids to keep people from thinking about the bugs purifying their water. There were even little fake sigils and runes carved in elvish to make it seem like magic was doing the work. Even the wraiths that could have been a problem come winter, had been dealt with. Every issue I could think of had been taken care of within two weeks.

Even the issues I hadn't considered were prepared for. Mimi's hive offered protection, and she taught the vampires how to hunt bugs clinging to their shoulders. We had a way to secure food and water, and our shelters were probably stronger than they had ever been before. My people were growing healthy and strong again.

I supported my vampires getting knocked around by the orc. If we were going to drink the blood of our fellows, then we should at least protect them with the hive. They were getting better day by day with Di'Rex's guidance and repeated beatings. Richard breathed life into this dead town, his companions helping in ways I hadn't thought possible.

They were leaving though, there was a feast happening outside for them. This was their final night, and they decided to depart in the morning. I knew that if anyone was asked, they'd choose to follow the three. They were performing miracles, but that wasn't the reward they sought. They didn't want more mouths to feed, or more people to train. Their arrival was simply to set us back up so we could once again sell bricks. Eclipse would get every brick we made, while this town's loyalty lay with Richard.

There was a knock on the frame of my window, Marcus had been scouting, but he was here. He was an emotional man, only made worse by becoming a vampire. He didn't trust himself to not cry as the three left us. He whispered, "Carrier bird incoming, old pail tree."

"Thank you," I calmly addressed him, before appearing by the tree itself. My bloodline was different from the others, I could teleport to places I had been. I stood under the tree, looking up at the carrier with the package full of paper in its talons. It had the emblem of Eclipse on its ankle, and I gave the whistle. It cawed before gliding down to me. I quickly found Luf'Fer's letters then gave another whistle to send the carrier on its way.

I laughed at the bounties, realizing some noble was moving against our saviors. The politics of that city were like a poison that kept going even after you left it. The reward was impressive but nowhere near enough to repair a town. Some fools would likely try their luck, but the information wasn't there. I questioned why someone issuing the bounty would use the name 'Gray,' but decided it didn't matter. I appeared next to the well, watching as everyone enjoyed their feast.

Carol jumped when she noticed me. "By the gods! You have to stop doing that!"

I nodded once, "It's very easy to move around with. Sorry for scaring you, I didn't know anyone would be by the well. Please... I need to see Mimi." Who better to decide if these bounties were important or not? I'd rather not upset the man in charge, at least not during their send-off.

Carol held her chest, and sighed, "Very well, what's this about?"

"The bounties changed, at least one of them should know." I smiled bitterly to myself.

Carol slowly nodded, "Let me see." She reached for the papers, and I let her hold Richard's. She covered her mouth, then looked at me with confusion. "That's quite a bit..."

"We aren't going to betray them, if anything we'll welcome them no matter how high it gets. This place may become the only town on Xentos they can rest in. We owe them that much." I took the paper back as gently as I could.

Carol smiled, "You always were a strange one. I keep telling you that people will get the wrong idea if you keep creeping around as you do."

I tilted my head, "You disagree with my decision?"

Carol laughed, shaking her head, "No, I doubt anyone here would disagree with it."

"I'm glad to hear, we'll have a meeting tomorrow." I ran my fingers over the wooden pyramid.

"What about? Are we doing it later in the night, or just after sunrise?" She titled her head.

"It's about changing the town's name. I... Luf'Fer feels wrong now. It brings back memories I kind of want to forget."

Carol put her hands on her hips, "Oh? What are you thinking about changing it to?"

"Luf'Ard, in honor of the man that saved us." I smiled back at her, "It rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?"

Carol huffed, "You are touched, aren't you? I guess we all are after what we've been through. I'll go get the monster, you owe me though. She's right scary."

"I know, I'll help with the laundry tomorrow. Does that sound fair?" I smiled, knowing how much she hated that chore.

She grabbed her pails, nodding as she headed back to the feast. I watched as she tapped Mimi's side and whispered. The monster disappeared when no one was watching her. I looked around, jumping as she was just behind me. She towered over me, her eyes glowing as she looked down at me. I started to say something when she held out a hand. She scared everyone, but until she actually hurt someone she was to be treated with the utmost respect.

Her eyes skimmed over the paper, pausing on her own bounty. Her ears flicked, as her eyes narrowed. "What is the meaning of this?" She said in a quiet whisper. I wasn't sure if she was asking me, or talking to herself.

I swallowed hard, answering just to be safe. "They are bounties. I'm sorry to disturb your going away feast." I did a quick bow, as her eyes flicked to me for the briefest second.

I felt the weight of something I never would have considered. It was one thing to know she slew a wyvern, but it was another to feel the power behind those eyes. I felt as if the stars had turned into eyes, and all of them were suddenly looking at me. I swallowed hard, realizing this was the first time we were ever alone, the first time we addressed each other. Something was probing my mind, and I couldn't resist. It was terrifying in ways I couldn't even articulate. Forget the strength she held, I caught my first true glimpse at her real power.

Had seconds passed, or years? The stars were winking their eyes shut, returning to their normal selves. I had fallen to my knees, but I wasn't sure if I didn't remember it, or if I had just fallen. My hands were shaking as the monster's voice whispered in the back of my mind. |"You are now connected to the Hive."|

It was jarring, as my vision felt like it was swirling. My body moved against its will, as I quickly got back on my feet. She made it very clear she could control me at any time. I was forced to take a breath as I stopped breathing whenever her gaze was upon me. |"What happened?"| I wanted to speak but found my thoughts intercepted by her.

|"I was checking to see what you knew. I wanted to know your motives, and upon realizing you held good intentions I decided to apologize. This is your reward for your loyalty, and this is the apology."| Images began to gently flow into my mind, they gave way to memories. I knew what Gray was, who he was. I knew everything about blood magic he had learned until they disconnected from each other. I knew the bugs I could ask the hive she was leaving here to make.

I understood that everything she had given me was but a drop of knowledge to her. I saw her for what she was, even as she helped me cope with the tragedy in this town. She had done this to her enemies, turning seconds into centuries, but this was the first time she used it to heal the pain of another. I was thankful, for what she had given me. |"What... are you?"|

She bowed her head, |"I am your Queen, and we shall be in touch. Take good care of your hive and this place. I shall look into what Gray has been up to, soon enough."|

She was gone with those words as I returned to my home. My mind swimming with ideas, and possibilities. There was so much I didn't know, so much I didn't understand. Yet, I saw it so clearly now. My eyes had been opened. Richard was leading because the Queen allowed him to. She wanted to understand other races and use him as cover in hostile lands. The less fighting, the fewer their enemies. This town was important only because it helped her mate's mental state.

We were valuable because of our loyalty, and that was enough. The Queen wasn't leaving tomorrow, she was everywhere her Hive was. We were allowed our lives, and control over our bodies because of my resolve to protect them if they ever needed it. I knew just how easy it would have been for her to take each vampire's body over. I laughed in the darkness, just a couple of larvae and some workers were all it would have taken the Queen. Glory to the Hive!