The Land Cruiser sailed the dirt roads of the Duchy of Kalmte as they made their way ahead of the UFEAF's lines for Operation: Northern Sweep. The mechanized thrust by the Amelioration's Forces had already covered a third of the ground needed to reach Ghana's Wall as of the first three days of the Operation. The latest victim of their blitzkrieg is the agriculturally-rich Duchy of Kalmte, a state well-regarded by Clovich's input of being the bread and dairy basket of the Empire. The landscape was of serene farmlands, humble ranches, poached woodlands, pollen-permeated plains, narrow creeks and the occasional small towns that dotted the scrolling meadows of the region. Today's timed objective for the UFE is to reach the riverbanks of the Sugea. Samantha's squad is attached to the 23rd Infantry Battalion as an 'Independent' Reconnaissance Unit as per agreement between High Command and the 23rd's Commander. Their task is to forge ahead for enemy positions and locations of interest for the Infantrymen who hanged behind them several dozen kilometers away.

Coincidentally, much to Iris' advantage, the Sugea River is not too far away from where her old home before her exile to Tyr Rian was. Just days earlier, she had presented to Governor White, Colonel Polonsky and to her Grand Father of a letter that came from the other Sochairfuil who live in secret within the Empire's heartlands. Seeing an opportunity to cement a possible collaboration between the UFE and local friendly Natives, Governor White authorized Stryder Group to make contact with King Martainne's vampiric descendants. That and in conjunction to their standard Reconnaissance assignments.

"So… tell me more of this place Iris." Samantha asked as she tapped her canteen calmly to pass the time on their travels.

"My people's story started centuries ago back at Tyr Rian, known as Cenhilli at the time. With the aid of the Elves and the Dwarves, the descendants of the Hero Caldell and the newly made Slaegian Empire invaded the Cenhilli Kingdom. The remnants of the Cehillian Royal Family fled northward to the land that will be Kalmte. The elders who saw the old kingdom called our journey; the Bitter Road. Many of us died on the way until my ancestors reached Kalmte, which was just a simple river valley back then. We had for centuries lived amongst the other tribes before the Empire annexed all as far as the eyes can see around the Sugea River to create more farmlands. Over time we had adapted right under their noses, the Vampires have taken many roles and positions within the social order of the Duchy such as skilled individuals, landowners, and other sorts of jobs whilst keeping their vampiric natures a secret amongst the Arferol. Dimera if you have not known is actually a County. The Count… or Countess is a Vampire." Iris calmly narrated. "Anyways, going back to the present. The eldest members of each Bloodline of the Sochairfuil became a council called the Eildearan and they enforced the strict continued secrecy of our existence called the Tomhas while we live our lives here away from the prying eyes of the Empire."

"So, you hide in plain sight at the day then feed on blood on night am I correct?" the Captain pressed.

"You can say… a Masquerade of sorts is practiced amongst us. We are your minstrels, your tailors, your shepherds and farmers at day, but at night we would either go out and exsanguinate the local animals or the occasional man. That was something an old friend of mine had told me. Maybe I should let you meet her soon if we get the chance." Iris nodded.

"Ease up there Clay. Alie do it now!" Crocker who sat by the front passenger seat of the Land Cruiser ordered.

To help with the infiltration of the Reconnaissance Team, Aliathra cast an Illusory Spell onto the Land Cruiser. From the outside point of view, the Land Cruiser shares the visage of the typical wooden horse-drawn carriage if one doesn't observe too studiously. They also had to accelerate the Land Cruiser slower than normal as to maintain the ruse. Quite funnily enough, the carriage's driver is of the visible likeness of Obediah who had complained earlier of his mirror image being slightly too rotund for his personal taste. Additionally, Aliathra would also use her magicks, on the occasion that the disguised Land Cruiser is to move in close proximity to one of the roaming natives that travel along these same dirt roads to mask the MRAP's engines with the auditory clopping steps of a yoked horse pulling along a carriage. However, in the event that suspicion arose amongst the travelers that meet up with Stryder grows. The Squad is authorized to eliminate them to not jeopardize their position, regardless if they were patrolling Legionnaires or Civilians. Fortunately, only the former type of incident had occurred as of their deployment. Captain Rose advised that the squad should finish their reconnaissance duties for the day and make camp near Dimera as soon as possible.

"So anyways Iris… why did you get exiled from here in the first place?" Samantha asked.

"It was such a long time…" the Vampire Witch lowered her head. "and I was so young…"

"If you don't want to then it's okay…" Samantha attempted to change the subject but she was cut off by Iris.

"Nay, you must know of my story before you meet the Eildearan Sam." She explained.

Iris took a deep breath, rolled her eyes to right, and dove deep into her long memories.

"My father, Cado violated the Tomhas… the Masquerade. He was excommunicated from the Family where he was easy prey by the Inquisition Agents. I too would have been killed like him if it were not for the Eildearan giving me leniency for my banishment unlike my poor father." Iris answered.

"Violated the Masquerade how?" Samantha pressed.

"He fell in love with an Arferol Woman. A Human maiden outside of our family without the recognition of the Eildearan. We have many laws that guards our existence against the Arferol. One such ruling is that if we are meant to be eloped with one outside of the Family, they must have approval of the Eildearan. It was a great violation of Masquerade when my father not only spoke of our existence to an outsider but to... cause the death of an entire bloodline of ours to become extinct… the family never forgave him… nor me for all that had happened." Iris replied, sneering her teeth as she got into the subject about her mother.

"Your father cheated on another woman?" Kayin furrowed his brow.

"Sounds to me you should be also mad at your father too… yet you always speak so nice of him all the time when ever I bring it up." Samantha commented.

"To 'cheat' demonstrates the limitation of the English speech my dear Kayin… 'adulterate' is much more fitting." Iris explained. "I was young, my childish thoughts like the old ballads sung from the bards. I didn't know it was wrong until I had become much older. But still, if you had met my mother, you would have understood why he chose love instead of his duty to the Family. I could still remember my father's gentle voice and caring hands… unlike mother's…"

"What do you mean by that?" Kayin asked.

"My father and my mother's union were arranged. Marry the daughter of one of the other bloodlines so that they can give birth to a pure-bred Vampire of which the union had sprouted me. Mother taught me Magicks whilst my father taught me how to craft potions as he was an Apothecary by trade. Mother was harsh and demanding; Father was kind, calm and patient. I can remember all of their lessons as perfectly as the day I was there. And all of their arguments… quarrels…" Iris explained. "Yet alas, several decades into my childhood, father planted his seed and bore fruit unto the soil of another woman, the Arferol, the Outsider."

"Your father had a child out of the marriage?" the Captain's eyes widened.

"A Stillborn." Iris wistfully dipped. "The child died before the babe could draw his first breath. That was when my father was exposed. A scandal of a 'vile Vampire seducing a Maiden' caused an uproar amongst the townsfolks around the Duchy. Hunts were conducted and many of my kin were exposed. An entire branch of the Family, the Lachtinach was hunted to the last brother and sister during the Great Hunt. Reeling from this breakage of our Masquerade, Mother ordered me to honor the Tomhas by throwing the Stillborn at the Sugea… I just couldn't do it; I could have sworn my half-sister was still alive beneath those blankets so I hesitated. That is when my mother took the basket and threw it herself to the river."

The Vampire Witch allowed herself to be vulnerable as a lamented tear fell onto her pale cheeks that refracted from the sun rays that pierced through the Land Cruiser's windows. The air inside the MRAP descended into a melancholic mood as Stryder Group gave a moment of silent empathy to Iris' sorrowful accounts.

"Iris… it's okay if you don't want to say anymore." Samantha attempted to

"The Eildearan saw my 'reluctance' as a continued danger to the Tomhas. I was sentenced into exile to live alone. Banished from my friends and family, all thanks to my Mother." Iris continued. "I traveled East, to the Ostalrocs where I managed to gain the tutelage of the run crafting monks of Mirlarum. That was how I learned my Enchanting skills at that underground Monastery of theirs. They were so kind to a lone 'Umri' like me. After several decades, I had heard of a city down south that was in need of Enchanted Objects and so I bid farewell to that monastery and head to Tyr Rian. I joined Lutheor's Trading Company, built a house at the woods and well… one faithful day I met five strangers who intruded into my home... all of you." A soft smile was allowed to escape her beneath her somber reminiscence.

"I understand now… about you." Samantha inhaled her breath, absorbing the emotional pain unto herself from her squad mate. "I didn't mean to have you… well… get you back there." She apologized.

"You needed to know everything Samantha and my story is only but a chapter of the long history of the Gliesian Vampires." Iris wiped her tears away.

Recomposing her breath, she straightened her posture back to her usual supercilious self.

"There is still much more you must know about us Vampires, Samantha. The Sochairfuil such as myself today came to Kalmte after the fall of the Old Kingdom. There are five… were five family branches of those descendants of the old Cenhillian Royal Family that had fled Tyr Rian. Duinnnioth, descended from Duinn, the youngest child, held exceptional magical prowess. The next family and also child afterward is Tuilelan named after the founder Tuilela. They are as best I can remember, more lucid than the other branches, and are the richest thanks to their many ventures. The next one in contrast is the Lachtinach, they were the brave warriors that unfortunately were killed off in their entirety about a century ago. The other branches are still trying to recover the void left by their departure. They are followed by the Mairrinas of whom are the more in touch with themselves of the Family. Bards, Courtesans, Actors to name a few of those I was good friends with. Lastly is the eldest child, you know them through me as the Cadohagan. The smallest but were perhaps the most influential of the branches before my father put our family's name to the mud." Iris lectured.

"Sounds like I got a handful to deal with." Samantha acknowledged. "Are you sure I can be able to impress them all?"

"Mairrinas and Tuilelan Eildearan's, I am sure you might be able to win over with your magicks alone. It is getting Duinnioth and my mother to approve of you." Iris explained.

"Your mother is on the Eildearan too?" Samantha grasped.

"I forego the matter that ever since the Cadohagan and the Lachtinach's had fallen, the Duinnioth branch has obtained the largest share of power amongst the Eildearan by proxy of my mother, Ivetana who came from the Duinnioth taking over the Cadohagan seat as co-ruled by her uncle who seats the Duinnioth seat. They will not be so easily swayed." Iris informed them.

"How so?" Kayin asked.

"Many of the Vampires still do not trust Prince Clovich nor do they also trust your Federation. In most of their eyes, you are no different than the Empire." The Witch answered.

"Not even King Martainne coming back was enough?" Samantha raised.

"Grandfather has only recently arisen after centuries of slumber Samantha; they wouldn't trust some relic as old as him of what their main concerns are now. It was also through his mistakes that the Family had to flee to Kalmte in the first place."

"So, what chance do we got to seal this deal? It's either your Vampire family allies to us or the 23rd will not distinguish them from any other Natives they come across once the next phase of the Offensive pushes through." Samantha urgently pressed.

"An 'alliance' to them is just another way of saying 'conceding' for all the Eildearan's would concern. Make no mistake, the Federation and the Amelioration are the one who holds the leverage and the Eildearan are at the defensive. Their pride would not allow it, such could be their undoing if our fears come to pass." Iris noted. "We have to be careful; I do have a few friends of my father who are still part of the Family but the scales are tipped against our bids. If we are to secure the Family's cooperation it has to be on equal grounds. We can't force them to yield otherwise they would sooner have everyone in this Carriage be their next meal and then die against the Federation than submit." She warned.

"You jest?" Aliathra quivered.

"No, I do not." Iris differed. "For now, Samantha we must allow the Eildearan to speak their piece and then work with what we can from there." She advised.

"Captain!" Obediah cried. "I found it."

He looked over a piece of parchment paper that Iris provided. The illustration demonstrated a large encompassing table rock that towered over a dense forest and a creek.

"That's Dimera?" Crocker asked.

"It is. Clay, pitch this steed by the base of the rock. Samantha and I will press on from there." Iris nodded.

"Captain, are you sure about this? You two alone in there?" Crocker turned around.

The Captain removed unholstered her Bullpup Rifle and Chest Rig aside, only keeping her trusty sidearm with two clips of spare ammunition and a for self-defense. All she wears is her fatigues, her olive tactical hoodie with the Hecate Suit hidden underneath. She needed to come as non-threatening as possible to these Vampires, to show them that the Federation is willing to talk. Yet she is no fool to not approach the valley of glutinous devils of the dark without any contingencies.

"Kayin, Diaz, and Aliathra will be on standby in case things go south. I want this Car ready to floor it, stealth be damned if the worst happens." Samantha cautioned.

"Rodger that Cap." Clay softly saluted with two of his fingers.

The Combat Engineer smiled as he loaded his shotgun. Before they journeyed here, the Squad was outfitted with specialized weaponry and armor to help them stand a chance against the Vampires as to not repeat what happened in the Verden Valley Forest again. UV Lamps and Bullets that will cause any of Iris' kin to keep at a distance between them in addition to a retrofitted to the brim with armor and a few holy runes to ward off anyone who tries to engage the user (that being Kayin) in melee. Diaz's augments were a natural fit with the agility-cybernetics needed to weave through the Vampires for any emergency extraction's sake. Aliathra was preparing her Holy Magicks to fall back on but their orders were if they are not to engage the Vampires in the event hostilities occur but fend them off long enough to escape and have more combat-abiding units deal with the matter. For now, the two are to tail Samantha and Iris as they made their journey into Dimera.

The surrounding forest of the plateau housed towering trees whose leaves shadow the ground below into a simulated perpetual night. Their roots festered up the ground of the cracked earth causing dizzying crevices and pockets to hamper those who walk by its twisted glades. Such hostile geography however housed a unique abundance of life however: Glow-Shrooms and gaming critters dotted underneath and above the forest attracting many of brave (or foolhardy) of folks to harvests its boundary. Such is the clever shield that veiled Dimera Hunting Lodge or known regionally as a Tyhela to be the nerve center of the exiled Sochairfuil who ruled the night in Kalmte. Hunting game amongst the many forests of the Duchy is a popular past time and a means of obtaining food in the fertile region for the peasant and noble folks alike, yet Dimera, although not the most premiere of Hunting Lodges in the Empire was the most abundant of a selection of flora and fauna of the especially nocturnal variety is situated within its uniquely isolated biosphere.

"Watch for traps! It's goin' to be hard to walk with a bleeding foot you know. Might… 'upset' the family." Iris bantered as she saw the Captain narrowly dodge the rusted teeth of one such animal trap.

"Thank God I am hiking without anything on me." Samantha sighed as she leaped over an uprooted rock with her hatchet in hand to cut of any overgrowth in their way. "How come this forest is different compared to all the rest in Gliesia?" she asked.

"I will let you in on a Vampire's secret…" Iris hushed her mouth. "This forest was magically enchanted in such a way that the trees found here are remain tall and evergreen even at the worst of winters by my Kin many centuries ago."

"To make this place forever night time so they can go about as they please? Clever." Samantha nodded.

"That and accidents happen quite often in the forests that is especially used by many gatherers for as long as they lived. Hunting accidents, animal attacks… you can see where we get a healthy amount of blood coming into the Lounge. The local grave keeper and the physician who lives in the Lounge are family too. They share a bit of the body essences every time a fresh one comes into their hands." Iris explained.

"The perfect crime." The Captain shuddered.

The Vampires have theoretically a steady supply of blood to nourish themselves. However, now that the war has happened such hunting tours would be indefinitely close and who knows what bloodthirsty Vampires would do when staved off of nourishment for too long. At least there was nobody following them today however.

It took another half-hour's hike through the woods to have Samantha and Iris be greeted to a large stone arch adorned with a shield and sign above them signifying that they have reached the foot of the Dimera Hunting Tyhela.

Approaching the large head-sized knocker, Iris tapped the heavy ring three times.

"Where is life's greatest of gifts?" the Tyhela Gatekeeper's pair of eyes peered out from the gate as his sentinel gaze cast down upon the two. He spoke in a challenging tone with his eering voice.

"Exsanguinated upon all of creation." Iris stepped forward and whispered.

"What is our greatest strength?" the Gatekeeper proceeded to the next riddle, seemingly satisfied by her answer otherwise if she was wrong

"Silence, my brother." The Witch answered.

"When is that we can begin again?" the Gatekeeper asked again.

"When Dusk falls of where the Tearful Road ends is where we may begin again." Iris answered. "Yegor, let me in or I will rip your scalp off! The walk up here nearly ruined my new shoes." she yelled out.

The gate opened slowly; its rusted hinges creaked as widened apart.

A tall man of long silver hair greeted the two. He dressed in respectable if not a slightly blood-stained linen shirt with a flat collar and short cuffs on his wrist. He had with him a bandolier of assorted baits, sedative mixtures, and a quiver for his elegantly crafted crossbow that he held at the ready to be fired the moment he scented danger to the Tyhela.

"Welcome home Sister… and guest." Yegor Duinnioth greeted. His tongue seemingly forced to give honors to the exiled Iris and the visiting Samantha. "Normally the Eildearan and the rest of the family would have met you by the outskirts of the plot but alas, these days are not normal."

"What had happened?" Iris raised.

"Things are bad for many of the Family Iris. The Duke has ordered the complete evacuation of the lands so that we can 'flee to the safety' of the North. We shall be surely exposed if we leave the safety of what we had built." Yegor explained. "This must be the 'Chosen One' you speak of. She is… well… quite a person for my sights to be honest." Yegor bowed upon looking at Samantha.

"Why can't you leave?" Samantha asked.

"The Tomhas, our mask has been threatened. Our Family relies on its connections that are deep-rooted into this land for centuries. We are like a tree, tall and proud over the Duchy ever since we were made to walk the Tearful Road from Cehnilli to Kalmte. The land you now call Tyr Rian. That land, just like our Founders, it always seems to breed those who dare walk the untrodden paths such as this Prince of yours who is descendant of the Apostate." Yegor expounded.

"Prince Clovich?" Samantha answered.

"Yes, child of one such of our former followers who let the Slaegians to devour us and forced us to walk the Tearful Road. But alas, we are not here to speak of bitter tales. Come Sister, bring the Chosen One to the Eildearan we are waiting for you."

Yegor escorted Samantha and Iris through the Tyhela's walled Courtyard as they stepped foot onto the mouth of the lodge proper. In a disparaging transition from the frigid wilds of the forest, the Tyhela was cordial in its urbane embrace. Palatial in size due to its combination of hospitable facilities and the Countess' private quarters. Hunting trophies of various alien creatures of all sizes, shapes and colors decorated the walls. Wooden furnishings civilized the otherwise frozen life with crafted hands. Not to mention that Samantha's feet curls restfully when she felt the warm breeze of the nearby fireplace that invited respite. A sanctuary to those hunters who seek to rest and be entertained with a hot meal and cozy beds by the proprietress and countess of this household:

"Hello, Mother…" Iris forced herself to politely greet Ivetana Cadohagan née Duinnioth.

The family resemblance was very reflective. The Countess was of a taller and more mature-bodied version of Iris. The difference being that the Countess has a few noticeable wrinkles here and there on her face and Ivetana's hair curled upwards with hairpins that weaved through her ebony silken threads with worthy nobility. She sat by her chair; her legs modestly held together with a royal grace of what remained of the old Cenhilli line in her shoulder bearing purple dress.

"Greetings, daughter…" the disdain from the Countess' lips seethed into her mouth. "You have changed quite a bit when I last saw you and your petulant father." Ivetana scoffed. "Welcome home." The Countess' voice shifted to distorted cordiality.

"Home?" Samantha's skin crawled.

"Dimera…was my home before I came to Tyr Rian Samantha. As in the roof above my head and sleep soundly every night." Iris explained. "Father taught me how to concoct potions in his apothecary here while Mother 'diligently' tutored me in the magical arts I am skilled at today right in this very Tyhelas." She glared back at Ivetana.

"For you Daugther, at least I know that I did not raise an idiotic child. You wouldn't be here alive and back to my feet once again if you were my daughter." The Countess condescended.

Iris eyes fired daggers onto her mother's, her face silenced by the anguishing memories she had under her tyranny.

A cadre of many more of Iris' kin surrounded the two. Samantha's eye could catch about 24 attendees to this gathering including Ivetana. Their eyes examining capriciously, locked towards the alien accessories and threads Iris and Samantha sported during their appearance.

"Let us not dally around the dale now. What she speaks shall decide our next course of action for the Family." One of the Vampire's a robust yet respectably dressed man forwarded his motion onto everyone in the room.

"Indeed, we must." Ivetana nodded. "Daughter… and gwestai." Stand at the center of the room." She pointed.

A table was set up, displaying the five family shields of the great Sochairfuil Families by five equally opulent thrones. Each of the four Eildearan, with one left empty out for the bygone Lachtinach's, took their respective thrones. Also, atop of that table was a sizeable 12-inched hourglass. As for the fifteen other attendants, A row of chairs was set aside for them to look onwards, to bear witness to this court-like case.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I know at such trying times I had called upon you here at the Tyhela in spite of what hardship your houses have undertaken in the weeks. And for that, I appreciate all of you in attendance still wish to see our Laws be enforced no matter." Ivetana spoke forth. Her conservative tone ring approving nods across all other Vampire attendants.

"As you all have known beforehand, my Daughter, Iris has proposed a most radical of propositions for our kind my fellow Vampires! An 'alliance' to be forged between us and this new Amelioration and their Federation Patrons! That dumb sod couldn't tell he whored himself out if you shouted slowly every word of his choices." she raised the subject to the court which was followed by their roars of rancorous laughter

"Captain, Drone is up… If I hear fighting, we're going to Plan B. Standing by for your order." Kayin radioed through Samantha's hidden earpiece.

"Let us proceed now on why we are all." raised the Tuilelan Eildearan. "I have a family to hide from the Duchal Soldiers when this is over." He hastily preceded.

Ivetana flipped over the hourglass on the table and waved her hand towards Iris and Samantha, prompting them to begin speaking for their case.

"Thirty Minutes." Ivetana spoke sternly. "Why should we consort with your Federation?"

Samantha took a deep breath; she and Iris had practiced every word, every possible response to a question and every possible misunderstanding. She hoped it shall be enough to convince them all. Murphy's Law can be a cruel mistress to please indeed. they needed to say for this moment. If all else fails, the Captain is ready bail out of there with her pistol and spells ready to be drawn at a second's notice.

"The Federation, in collaboration with Prince Clovich's Amelioration is giving you the opportunity to join him in his new llywodraeth of New Ysanigrad. He offers your people representation and participation in his organization in exchange for your support and cooperation in all of his endeavors. As we speak, he is already preparing to accommodate your people and integrate them peacefully into his newly formed nation if you so agree to collaborate with us. Each of you Eildearan shall become your people's representatives in his Ilywodraeth and be able to effect any decisions that concerns of you without meddlesome interference." Samantha announced.

"The Prince… knows of us?!" Ivetana raised her voice. "How!?"

"I did." Iris answered.

The room quaked upon the disturbing revelation brought forth by one of their own. That their hidden society had been exposed!

"She's a traitor! Like her father!" one of the jurors cried out.

"Hold on! I am have not finished speaking!" Samantha hollered.

"Order! Order!" the Mairrin Eildearan called forth. "If these Otherworlders are as what Iris had said are capable of, they would have found us out regardless if Sister Iris pointed our location to us." she reasoned.

"But our secrecy…" Ivetana protested.

"Is under threat by the Empire anyways. What is more attention to us already then? This proposal is possibly our only way out to survive." the Mairrin Eildearan pressed herself. Motioning to Samantha to continue testifying for her position. "Continue gwestai."

Samantha nodded. "Clovich's Ysanigrad guarantees equal rights for all races and peoples, yours included. Vampires will enjoy, without discrimination to be able to participate in the llywodraeth, but also the right to be free from fear."

"From fear?" Ivetana questioned.

"Never worrying about someone trying to unjustly attack you because you are a Vampire." The Captain explained. "As long of course you do not do so unto others in return." she added.

"All of the Federation know of me as a Vampire. Yet they never tried to belittle me nor do they hide daggers behind their backs." Iris added.

"But for as long as you keep dancing to their tune like some Kumekehni Dancing Girl." The Duinnioth Eildearan argued. "What is stopping them from disposing of you when your… and our usefulness has been expended?"

"Well, you get to live peacefully in a nice house surrounded by neighbors who care and admire you then I say… not really that bad." Iris rebutted. "Oh, and this is just from me, but I also have a new job of Enchanting Items and last, I check… I am earning just as much Ducats as an Elven Encanter." she added.

The Jury of Vampires whispered amongst themselves of their sister's statement. They sense the confident bravado, her calm respiration and her upright eyes that she hides no deceit. This swayed several of the initially skeptical Sochairfuil to seriously consider the Federation's radical offer. Yet still the more risk-averse Vampires still had many more concerns left unaddressed.

"Even if we agreed to swear ourselves fealty to the Amelioration, there is still the concern of our… uncommon needs." The Duinnioth Eildearan raised. "If we cannot acquire our 'needs' we will perish. As you said earlier, not many people will agree that 'we do unto others' so how can we fulfill our 'needs'? Centuries of frightful tales from the Arferol for our peculiarities will be most difficult to address." he tapped the side of his neck signifying he is talking about the Vampires need to feed on blood.

"We do have a means to address that problem." Samantha reached into her jacket and pulled out a plastic packet of Artificial Blood.

Used as a blood substitute for many medical procedures from the Federation. The mere sight of red salivated the fangs of several of the Vampires as the Captain pulled two more out. Using a plastic straw, she pierced the intravenous cavity of each of the blood packs and handed them over to the Vampires in the room. One packet is shared amongst the Eildearan while the Jury makes do of passing along the other two.

As their fanged lips sipped upon the blood bags, a chorale of lip smacks and mastication swelled upon the room.

"It tastes… odd…" one red-lipped Vampire, of whom distinguished himself as a connoisseur of all thing sanguine commented. "Crisp, uncannily Earthy, lacks any Finish." His tongue rolled as he tastes the mock-blood's character as he gave courtesy to his next seat.

"I do not know about you… but I can hardly taste any difference." A younger Vampire who hadn't tasted much blood rebutted his experienced kin.

"Can I draw any of my spells with this?" a curious-minded one inquired.

"Hey! I want that blood too!" a piggish Vampire hurled to claim the Bag. His nose tantalized by its scent.

The reception to the artificial blood was mixed as best the Captain perceived. Some of them lightly approved of the imitation nourishment yet most of them were not fully on board of the overall taste of the blood packs. It wasn't the ideal reaction Iris and Samantha wanted, but it was some grounds they can build up from moving forward.

"Are the rumors true Sister Iris? That these Otherworlders… can 'create' blood?" the Tuilelan Vampire asked.

"Indeed. They in fact produce this blood quite often. Like us, they too respect such rites. Transfusions, Intravenous feeding and even Donations." Iris nodded.

"Donations? You.Freely.Willingly. give up your own precious bloods to people?" the Tuilelan perked up.

"Yes," Samantha answered. "It happens quite often for… healers to do on occasion for healing… er rituals of ours. Which of course, the Prince and the Federation are willing to give you such privilege, but ONLY on people who approve of their blood being used for your consumption," she explained.

"Interesting… very interesting." The Eildearan nodded approvingly as he retreated back to his throne.

Meanwhile, Ivetana and her fellow Duinnioth Eildearan shook their head dismissively.

"Let us continue onwards. There is more that we need to discuss." Ivetana addressed to Iris. "Us Vampires are the pinnacle of magical prowess in Ysanigrad. We had used our cunning and great knowledge to survive against those who wish to see us exterminated for many centuries. So, it came to our surprise when we had heard the heralds of one. So, it has come to our surprise and our pride to hear the tales being spun by the Heralds and the Inquisition that you personally trained the Chosen One, the Share Holder the Arcane Arts. Her actions from the Ostalrocs, Tifrait and the Imperial Seat of Haringpoint."

"Yes, I have, but I did not just merely train her, my magic has been enhanced to a new horizon thanked no parts to learning unique subjects from her and the advanced insights brought by the Federation's own scholars. I managed to kill dozens of elite Dark Elves troops and Imperial Battlemages during the war with me new spells." Iris boasted.

"It is one of the great benefits this alliance with the Federation can grant you! What Iris knows will also be known to you." Samantha reassured supportively to the Vampires.

"Then demonstrate. Show us this newfound power." Ivetana challenged, composing herself to see what could be unleashed unto her eyes at this moment.

Even the other Vampires in the room watch unblinkingly to see their performance.

"Is there anything here in this room that you are willing to let go of?" Samantha asked.

"This table is starting to rot anyways." One of the Vampires pointed to the aged furniture across the room. The nods of agreement from his fellows authorized Samantha to lock onto the object for her demonstration.

"All righty then… I am going to use Mage Hand spell to crush the table in front of you with one hand." The Captain confidently declared.

"That is most absurd! Mage Hand can only be used to lift objects not crushing them!" Ivetana defiantly exclaimed. Several more shook their head in agreement to the Cadohagan Matron.

Samantha ignored the doubters, raising her hand silently towards the procured target. Thrusting her left arm forward, the Arcane Meridians surgically incised within her body manipulated the Mana around the room. A telekinetic force, invisible to the naked eye but able to be grasped and manipulated by Samantha, was conjured from out of her as it dashed through towards the targeted table. At first, the furniture shook slightly to the touch of the Captain's Mage Hand grasp but soon after only a few seconds of delay, a crack developed in between the surface of the tabletop. Now locked onto the object, Samantha, with the simple collapse of her hands, crushing the furniture into wooden splinters.

"Incredible!" a Vampire cheered. "All of that babble from the tavern was true!" she applauded.

"Impressive indeed… However, I would like to see your magicks perform in a much more… pressing environment. In combat." Ivetana's eyes closed as she rose from her throne. Still harboring her chauvinistic views despite this Areferol's prodigiousness "Daughter, since you are the one advocates the most of these Otherworlder's You may select one of five of our best Mages to de---"

"You. Mother…" Iris cut her off. Ivetana recoiled, flabbergasted by such bravado. "Don't be so modest. I am already laying bare all I have gained during my banishment. It is only right you lay bare all that you have during these past decades. If we want to truly test the strength of my new Magicks. It is only right I test it against yours. The 'Champion-Mage' of the Duinnioth." She openly challenged the Matron's authority.

"Are you saying?!" the Duinnioth Eildearan held his breath. He knew where this kind of talk would be heading towards to.

"I challenge my mother to a Sialens. The victor shall prove once and for all whose Magicks are superior?" Iris declared.

The crowd gasped by Iris' brazen display. To openly stand against the Eildearan was a risky assessment. Something her father, like daughter, paid the price for many years ago.

Samantha retreated her niche knowledge back to that word. A 'Sialens' was a precursor to the modern-day Gliesian rendition of the Magic Duel. Unlike Duels of purely combative contexts, the Sialens had more similarities to a western-styled Fast Draw (minus the lethality) that seeks to address debates between rival Mages. According to the rules, each side is to quickly sling one or a set number of spells towards their opponent, and whoever is left incapacitated or the most damaged would lose the contest. Several of their ancient techniques were incorporated into the logs of the Imperial College of Magi back in Haringpoint as Karliah and Iris explained. Such an event however is only used for practices amongst novice mages to perfect their adversarial spell casting capabilities and the formalized confrontation's origins died out to the dangerous debates between Rogue Mages and Vampires alike.

"Be careful of your words daughter. I had only partially trained you before your banishment. You do not know all of the Arcane Mysteries that the Duinnioth's had delved themselves into the Aetherium. Of all that we COULD have taught you! You will be no match for me child." Ivetana stepped forward, stretching her hands as she readies herself to face off against her own offspring.

"Then a Sialens shall commence. Victory shall be decided on whoever can force their adversary to concede." The Tuilelan Eildearan mediated. He turned to grab a smaller hourglass, one used for alchemical and culinary purposes set to about three minutes.

"I am no longer your scared little babe mother. I'll show you I have learned much from my travels." Iris attuned her hands, readying herself to sling her magicks. She had a game plan that she is confident will defeat her mother who amongst her kin was a champion in Sialens.

Samantha awaited with bated breath, silently cheering to the Vampire Witch as the two readied themselves across each other with the Tuilelan Eildearan between them as the acting arbitrator of this contest.

"Ready?" he told the women.

Iris cocked the back of her thumb, her deadeye locked to her mother readying to end this fight as swiftly as it began. A soft smile emerged out of her mouth as the room fell into a tense silence.

"Begin!" the Eildearan shouted.

Ivetana waved her hands forward, focusing her powers to teach her impudent daughter another painful lesson like many times before. Yet Iris knew from the very start she would do this when backed into a corner. She leaned backwards, her casting hand, formed into a gun with her thumb up with the index and middle finger pointing forward. The mana within her enchanted a meager yet sufficient amount of Ice Magic towards her palms. Using the somatic gesticulation to manipulate the potential mana energies, she cocked her thumb like a pistol's hammer to charge the spell before curling her middle finger to trigger the proverbial firing mechanism.

A jet stream of water discharged from her hands, the conjured fluid irrigating her mother, embarrassingly shriveling her purple dress.

"You think you can best me with… water?!" Ivetana's nerves poked open from her head, rattled by something so childish.

"Bang." Iris whistled as she cocked her thumb again to discharge the second bolt of magics towards her mother.

This time, it was ethereal in properties yet cool to the touch for it was a Magic Missile enchanted with Ice.

The magical bolt made impact upon Ivetana's body, to everyone's awe, the biting frost of Iris' spell began to entwine the Cadohagan Matron, the ice that stained her body and rich clothes turning from a minor cosmetic inconvenience to a physical glacial prison. Icebound her body stopping her mid spell cast as its gelid embrace dashed any astute avenues for escape. Ivetana was made incapacitated as long as it took for an autumn leaf to fall from its branch to the ground.

This cold-blooded technique, a small amusement she had mimicked from the dexterous Diaz and then described by the gun-toting Obediah would not be possible without her time spent with Stryder. Cocking her hands like the Federation's iron wand called the Revolver, Iris was able to shoot out weaker albeit faster firing bolts of magicks towards any foe. With a little extra practice, she can also guide the Magic Projectiles to whatever place she desired. As for the Cryomancy on display, a little chemistry lesson by her dear little Nightman, Kayin gave her a deeper insight into the secrets of winter allowing such a spell to occur upon her brackish mother.

There was no further contest, Iris had won the Sialens to the upset of everyone in the room.

"So… Cold!" Ivetana shivered, helplessly trying to free herself to continue the duel but to no avail.

"It looks like I have won." Iris smiled, standing proudly in triumph.

The Cadohagan Matron seeing no way to escape, reluctantly conceded with a submissive nod.

"Then it is settled. The Federation's Magicks are indeed potent." The Tuilelan concluded the Sialens.

Ivetana was then immediately broken free from her frigid imprisonments as she shivered anemically towards the fireplace for warmth.

"The swiftness of the Vampire Witch shall be talk about beyond this day. ~" Iris playfully hummed as she rests her hand by her hip and bowed respectfully, the formal gesture of triumph.

Samantha ran up to her triumphant friend raising her hand above her, they united their hands onto each other with one sharp high five. An affectionate gesture that Iris had gotten to also learn from the Federation too.

"Impressive… very Impressive. Perhaps I… we had underestimated you." Ivetana shook of the last bits of frost from her body by searing herself slightly with conjured fire magicks. Turning around, poising herself back to her stately self as she puffed air back into her lungs. "You have proven that you do indeed have strength but also the abundant advantage of partnering with the Amelioration. Brothers and Sisters…" she formally announced before turning to the rest of her kin.

"Send our word to the new Emperor that we shall join you as long as Clovich grants us total autonomy to our continued way of life." the Duinnioth Eildearan gladly stated.

"Uhm… I beg your pardon?" Samantha raised. The captain thought she heard a critical fault in the Vampire's statement.

"We will join once we are guaranteed the unlimited sway we have to our way of life." the same Eildearan paraphrased.

Samantha and Iris looked into each other's eyes, both alarmed by the unwholesome implications of the Vampire's bluster. They arrogantly expected the full benefits from Clovich without understanding that they are giving paltry effort on their part in return. A disproportional compromise that the wigs back in New Albany will never accept.

"I… uh… I have to say that you cannot just do that…" Samantha denoted.

"What do you mean? 'Cannot'?" Ivetana asked. Every Vampire in the room was struck dead mid-flight as their waxed wings of hope melted and come crashing down back into the sea of reality.

"When you Vampires join the Federation and Clovich's new kingdom, you have… you must integrate yourselves peacefully with the humans… or Arferol's and the other races too." The Captain stated. "Your laws, in their current form, are for the benefit of you Vampires and a liability… the disadvantage for the rest. Therefore, we cannot let you do whatever you want so as a condition of this alliance, you have to have every single Vampire Law you have reviewed, adjusted, and reformed by him and his councilors before you are allowed to go about your livelihoods."

"That is absurd!" Ivetana shouted. "Who do you and the Amelioration think they are interfering with our Laws? Nobody has the right the rule over us!" she spat.

"Mother! Everyone please!" Iris cried. "We have always been seen as 'monsters' and 'pests' by the Empire for centuries. This is could be our only chance to show that we are no longer the monsters they think we are."

"They are not our kind Daughter. Who are they to tell us what we can and cannot do?" Ivetana protested.

"This is no 'Proposition' at all! This is no better than Vassalage! The last time we had played by the Laws not of our own… an entire family was wiped from existence!" the Duinnioth Eildearan scoffed.

"They are different! Times have changed when you sit here on your manors and burgs! We do not have to live in fear anymore with this. King Martainne would have only wished for all of his children the best for him." Iris appealed pleadingly.

"How dare you invoke Martainne's name to us child!" Ivetana refuted her daughter. "He does not know anything of our plight! How long has he been buried underneath the ground? Five? Six? Seven hundred years?!" she exclaimed.

"Ivetana!" the Tuilelan Eildearan raised his voice. "Your daughter is right. We cannot continue to live like this." He argued.

"What are you trying to say?!" she turned on him.

"The Inquisition has us by our throats! My children and my brothers are barely fighting off the Inquisition as we speak. If we do not do something… anything! It will be only a matter of time before they find us and kill us all like what they did to the Lachtinachs." He argued.

"I second his argument!" the Mairrin Eildearan stepped forward. "I call for a Pleideisio. We shall settle on the matter to take this proposition by the Share Holder as it stands or send her away with nothing." she weighed.

"Salute for Yay; Swordgrip for Nay," Ivetana announced.

A tense moment passed over as the Jury of Vampires used that time to make a decision. Before long, two factions, both opposing in their polarities, arose. Each split between a two-fingered salute and a fist with the thumb pointed out sidewards.

"Is this… a Coup?!" the Duinnioth Eildearan sneered his teeth as he counted the disparaging division between all of the Vampires. The room was caught in a stalemate, one vote short of a decision. "Twelve against… Twelve for…" But as he spoke, his eyes widened suddenly.

"Isn't that… twenty-four? Aren't we supposed to be twenty-five?" the Mairrinas Eilderan raised.

"Role Call!" Ivetana demanded.

Names were called quickly, Samantha's heart raced just as fast, barely hearing the many identities of the Vampires in the room. Iris however silently stared towards her mother, despondent to what she is seeing of her people throwing away this one only opportunity for peace.

"Jenya, Zinoviy, Sambor… Where is 'Rancid' Ratimir?" the Duinnioth Eildearan frustratingly asked.

"No wonder this lodge smelled TOO pleasant! Where is that rapscallion?" the Mairrin Eildearan asked her kin. "How could we forget about HIM?!" she cried.

"He must have slipped past our minds. We were all busy…excited to see the Share Holder that we forgot about him!" one Vampire begged for forgiveness.

"Then again… I never liked Ratimir when he comes back from one of his… 'escapades'." Another cringed.

"Who is he exactly?" Samantha inquired.

"My third eldest." The Mairrinas Eildearan answered. "Lives alone but… he's a good child if you get past his… eccentricities. Has a knack with animals though…" she added.

"Oh, THAT one!" Iris remembered his name by the Eildearan's description alone. "Knowing him, he is probably fondling someone else's Habafants or worse… 'rescuing' them." she caustically answered.

"Why can't we send out a Message to him now?" Samantha asked.

"That is the problem. He is prone to… wander a lot. Sometimes not even my own kin can truly track where he is" The Mairrinas Eildearan answered. "When I first sent out the invitations to this gathering, I just had one of my many children who is closer to him pass the message down." she explained.

"So who has last seen Ratimir?" the Duinnioth Eildearan questioned.

"I do believe I saw him at the Sprouted Flower in Colobonne last month. Perhaps you can start there? One of our sisters owns the establishment I do believe." One of the Vampires raised.

"Who is this sister again, if you can remind me?" Ivetana nudged.

"Liliyan. Liliyan Iora." the Vampire answered.

"Liliyan? I… I remember that name." Iris muttered. "She is… was a good friend before I left."

"Well, someone has to find him! We cannot decide without HIS vote!" Ivetana raised.

"But Ladui Iora is at Colobonne!" the Duinnioth Eildearan protested. "There are Legionary patrols everywhere. They will get suspicious if they see any traveler roam anywhere southwards towards the city."

"Colobonne? My troops are about to go over there by tomorrow anyway so I can easily go there." Samantha volunteered.

"You?" the Mairinnas Eildearan scratched her chin. "If you speak so confidently then judging from your magic demonstrations it shall be best, we give you leeway in good faith to find Ratimir and deal with the Garrison in Colobonne. I would like to see how this army of the Amelioration managed to humiliate the Empire in a week."

"It does sound like a good time for an Outing if the Inquisition in Colobonne will be gone by that time." A Vampire optimistically leaped. "Might bring the smoked meats and cheese to watch."

"Once we find him, I will shoot up a Magic Message of his answer to you." Iris added.

"No, for the honor of the Pleideiso, we cannot risk you trying to taint the integrity of his tally." Ivetana politicked calmly. "Bring him back to the Tyhelas in person in the next three days, otherwise we as a Family shall be forced to abscond the decision to join your Amelioration due to indecision." She brought out her terms.

"That is not fair mother! Surely we can ha---" Iris begged to the Eildearan but she was stopped by the Captain before her alacrity ruined any chances of resolving this political stalemate favorably.

"We are not in a position to press harder Iris. We need to play along… for now." Samantha implored her.

The Witch stuttered, but she knew that the Captain was correct. They needed to find Ratimir within the next few days otherwise the Vampires will be just as dust as the old Cenhillian Kingdom.

"This meeting is adjourned." The Duinnioth Eildearan gaveled.

[-]

Ser Faithleann Garmhaic arose from his soft surface with aches over his bodies. Casting away the delicate and still mana-warmed hands of the healers attending him he shuffled his eyes to regain his bearings to where he was at. The clothed roof over his head, the scent of fresh grass, and the minimalistic interior of his dwellings indicated he is inside some sort of tent.

"Praise be the Gods! The Chosen One has awoken." One of the healers hailed Faithleann.

Groaning from his still damaged body, the boy knight sluggishly turned to the Healer.

"What happened? Where am I?" he asked.

Faithleann had remembered before he blacked out that he was fighting the demons alongside the very heroes of the Empire. Even with all of their strength, the finests Knights could barely allow the Emperor and his people to escape to safety. It took all of his best that his powers can be and the brave intervention of Princess Estrice that they managed to escape with their lives.

"Ser Garmhaic!" shouted a familiar voice from the distance. It was the Grand Marshall Ser Huguet with Petur escorting him.

"Grand Marshall." Faithleann saluted, the still fractured bones on his body chilled his arm. "Tell me what had transpired?"

"You were bedridden for five days straight. If it were not for our healers… Praise Neneth we wouldn't know what could happen to you Chosen One. " Huguet sighed in relief. "But your recovery is perhaps the ONLY good news I have been heard throughout this week." His voice grimly shifted. An aberrant tone of uncertainty permeated his blue miens.

"Go on…" he nudged him to continue

"We have made camp barely through the Northern Territories and we should be able to reach Ghana's Wall before the week finishes." Petur addressed. "We could have been there sooner if we hadn't allowed the Refugees to come along with us, however…" he turned his gaze towards the Marshall.

"All the roads have been blocked, our supplies are about to run thin and we are being harassed daily by the Demons as we retreat. Yet do not forget that we have to protect what is left of our people Ser Reikdorf. That is our Oath!" Huguet refuted Petur.

"Ghana's Wall? Retreat? What is going on? What happened to the city of Haringpoint? The Emperor? Princess Estrice?!" Faithleann exclaimed for an answer.

Such words were not of what he expected the valiant Legion of Slaegia to speak of. They were always steadfast, daunting and tireless on their pursuit in their exercising of the will and might of the Empire. Yet by the sight of tired Knights, demoralized Legionnaires and hungry Refugees painted a grimly confusing transition to such a prestigious image.

A grave silence fell before the tent as the Healer, Marshall Huguet, and Ser Petur were left frozen before Faithleann. Hesitating the disheartening news.

"Haringpoint… the Capital… the Sacred Capital… has fallen Chosen One." The Healer bowed humbly, her sullen face expressing the deepest sympathies for the city's fall.

"Whereof what remains of the Mages and the Adventurer's then? We can surely rally them to fight back!" Faithleann pressed. "Surely they have retreated to Kalmte. My town of Clervuite is just a day's gallop from the Capital at Kalmte. They could use the forests and the hills to---"

"No, no. No more College. No more Guild. No more Clervuite too!" Huguet croaked. "Because… of… of… Boo-uh!" the Marshall raised his hands to mimic a gigantic implosion, at a loss of words of what he had seen.

"Fire Balls… they destroyed everything."

"I…We… we have to link up what with the Northern Legions. We have to let them know that I am alive and that we can still defeat the Otherworlders…" tears trickled onto Faithleann's eyes, still clinging onto hope beneath all of this apocalyptic narration. As long as Slaegian Empire has an army in Ysanigrads holy soil, then there is still a sliver of hope that the Empire can stem this tide. "I can help them fight!"

"No! No! Don't say their name!" Huguet yelled. His eyes bloodshot in a concoction of anger and grief.

"What has gotten into you Marshall!" Faithleann beseeched him.

"It's… there is no more Northern Legion too…" The Healer muttered.

"Pardon?!" Chosen One knocked.

"We ARE the Northern Legion now boy!" Huguet wailed as he fell down onto what roomed remained on Faithleann's cot. "Everyone that isn't us is either dead or captured."

"The Northern Legion… after Emperor Uldin sailed off to Alfel Nora…the Marshall ordered them to hold off the Demons to cover our retreat from Marves to buy time for Prince Valorion's Elves to land on Marves Port so that we may combine our strengths," Petur explained. "However, the Otherworlders descended upon us like lightning before the Elves could arrive to reinforce. Many Legionnaires died at the Battle of Marves from the Other---"

"Nay! It was a Massacre I tell you!" the Marshall yelled as he buried his face. "My men… My men… they all died for so little… so… nothing…"

"This cannot be…" Faithleann sank, smashing his fist onto the cot.

All of the Empire was now in flames, its people scattered, enslaved or dead. The fury of the Demons knew no quarter by the air of despair that fell upon those Slaegians that remained free. The legacy of glory, order and honor of the Empire crushed to dust. The songs of the mythical founder, Caldell Slaegiac who held up his enchanted sword, Cân Rhyfel, against the Demonic tide shall all be for nought.

"The sword…" Faithleann muttered.

"Your arms are by my tent Ser Garmhaic if you ask. I had ke---" Petur answered.

"No! The sword! We must find the Sword of Caldell Slaegiac! If it can slay Demons in a single stroke then it can surely help us defeat them again." Faithleann grasped for what embers of hope remained.

"That is absurd! You want to chase a myth at a time like this?!" Petur protested.

"I am willing to chase anything if it means we will not be wiped out by the Demons." Marshall Huguet emerged from his lamentations.

"Then where do you think we can begin finding the Sword then? Caldell had it with him when he disappeared." Petur asked.

"Ghana's Wall for a start if anything could give us a lead… there is also the Inquisition too. They managed to rescue much of the Sacred Artifacts from the Cathedral for themselves such as Caldell's Final Will. What is left of them are at Kalmte assisting with the Duchy's evacuation." Huguet answered. "The Crowmaster, Mita was left behind there as to help route out any disorder brought forth by the evacuation."

"Disorder?" Faithleann asked.

"There were rumors that some of the Duchy's citizens are in the midst of… conspiring with the Otherworlders." Huguet reported.

Once more Faithleann smashed his fist. Not only are they beset by enemies from the other world. But also, enemies from within. It was one to fight an enemy under a clear adversarial banner, but what if the enemy masqueraded as one of your own? Such treachery is unforgiving, unprincipled, and oh so unholy.

"Anyone who bows their souls to the Demons shall be punished! This I swear vengeance of all of the fallen onto!" the Bane Chosen One bowed.

His voice echoed above the destitute campsite for all souls to over the frigid Northern Territories as the world slowly engulfs into flames around them.