Chapter 4 – The world

Far away in the south from the temple, of the lands covered with a mantle of high mountains. Where winter holds in its grip all alive creatures that fight for survival with each meal, towering over all was the white city with tall towers of marble.

Houses for the inhabitants also in the colors of white. The whole city is surrounded by 3 rings of defensive walls and each of the walls is higher than the previous one and the only way to the heart of the city is white draw-bridge and huge gate usually guarded by the team of guards. In addition to residential homes, found a place the blacksmiths of a different caliber. Some of them try to make their products at half price while others only support the noble and those who have money to pay for their work.

Not only can you meet there blacksmiths as well as herbalists, doctors, quacks, shamans, tanners, runic smiths, tailors, jewelers, and people selling only things needed for life, such as food.

The whole city keeps up with the trade of goods for their own gold and silver which the inhabitants extract in the mines at the foot of one of the mountains, as winter which lasts for 7 months of 12 does not allow self-sufficient farming. Residents of the White City can boast about one of the best academies of martial arts and magic that was built next to the citadel, which also is the heart of the city. The whole town was built under the twin mountains, where the citadel was built with black runic stone, which grew into the very mountain and around the black citadel was the rest of the city. From a distance, the whole city brings to mind black castle surrounded by a white sea of stone. At the very entrance gate, bears a runic inscription proclaiming the name of the city the White Wind City.

It is through this gate rode on a horseback lone rider, who sped in the direction of the black castle, like a flock of demons chasing him. The guards saw a silver badge on his chest and quickly passed through another gate to the castle itself.

The rider was dressed in a suit of white armor intended for scouts. White leggings, military boots to the knee, thick coat with a hood thrown over his head and his face was covered with a white scarf. You could see his eyes under the hood. it's yellow glowing eyes.

The scout began to move straight to the throne room and the road passed over the service and guards, who kept stopping from time to time to look in his direction or saluted by becoming straight and striking the right fist next to the heart.

The same whole interior of the castle and its corridors and doors were made of the same from the outside as black marble with the exception of the magical runes on the walls and doors that seemed to flash blue glow and the smell of the magic of the runes was intoxicating.

White dressed scout stopped before the huge gates to the throne room, on one wing gates were engraved in wood intertwined bodies of two dragons and red paint on their scales had shown their bleeding wounds. On the other wing of the dragon's blood running into recesses, forming bloody lake from which were sipping a group of creatures with protruding small tusks.

One of the guards wearing black armor plate looked at the scout and snarled. ''Hadria what do you want here? Empress is busy and ordered that no one is to be let inside and this also applies to the scouts, so you have to come later.

Although if you have a free moment we can drink the blood, like in the good old days. I bet after that long you have not a decent meal in your mouth''

Hadria looked out from under her hood on a broad-shouldered guard and laughed softly

''Dario my old friend. As a poor Ranger off-duty, with pleasure, I will drink with you, but later. I got the news that I have to give to our beloved Empress, and I do not think you'd want to feel her wrath when she finds out that she has not received a very important news because you kept rigidly to the guidelines.

Likewise, I thought that you know that it is impolite to talk with a woman with a helmet on your head.

Dario did not move and thought for a moment and then replied,

''Hmm. I understand what you mean, but you must also understand this is my job here. Ehh no matter if something will happen, I will just testify at a hearing of the insubordination and this was your idea. When it comes to manners, an old woman like you should first remove your hood and then demand the same from me.'' He replied in a friendly tone.

''Dario you have not changed at all over the years. You always had that sharp tongue of yours, but I simply like it about you. We know each other almost 150 years?? and you never failed me and probably because of that, you are one of the few that can be close to our empress.''

Hadria went to the door leading to the throne room and lightly opened them. She looked back at him and turned to the other side. By going past Dario she added ''Now I have to apologize, I have to pass important information''

He looked at her and just went back to guard the door, scratched his under armor, and muttered.

''Why do I have to stand here and watch in full plate armor, like we will be attacked. Surely I can take it off for just a moment??, it is rather a heavy piece of metal you know, and that nothing will happen right ??''

Scout closed the wooden door behind her and stripped the hood from her head revealing brown hair tied in a short ponytail to not interfere with her work. She has tanned complexion from long days spent outdoors.

A pair of glowing yellow eyes with narrowed pupils, small nose, full lips and pointed ears. Hadria is one of those women who can boast of her beauty but does not do it because she believes that the only person she cares should see her face. A woman is not high but athletically built after years of military service. Behind her was slung twin long swords. Made of runic steel, which gives rune swords the blue glow. All the warriors in the vampire army are using the same swords. The only difference is that some people prefer to use only one and the other two swords at a time. Rune swords of scouts are slightly curved and without Cross-guard (similar to the Japanese Katana or Elven swords from the lord of the rings).

Hadria being already in the throne room stopped for a moment of delight and admired as a great space in front of her stretches. The ceiling lost in darkness, so there it can't be determined how high sprout rows of the columns, which the massive wage upper wall.

For each column built from a magical stone were painted important moments in the whole history of the Vampires in Arcania. 15 years of war for dominance between all races. Hadria always admired the painting depicting the Angel with 2 pairs of wings, holding a sword without a cross-guard similar to the Katana. * Usually, the race of demons holds this type of swords right?? and after them, we started to use them. Hadria thought*. In this image, the angel was murdering the Elven mages with one cut of his sword.

''I hate elves, I alone am the best and if my Empress only give me an order then I need only take my sword and destroy utterly, wipe out all those forest savages.''

She said loudly clenching her teeth in anger. She moved away from the column and walked forward. Her each step were suppressed by the thick red carpet that stretches all the way to the throne.

The throne was made from the bones of a rare beast. Who is prowling in the local mountains.

The size of the imperial seat is impressive, every ruler would sit on it and a large skull with fangs is mounted on the top of the chair. Looking from the front, it looks like the same throne is developed from the ground and the bones of the animal gave her an impressive effect, namely, it aroused fear in those who knelt before the throne.

''You're late. I already felt the sudden death of our plug, right on the boundary of the human kingdom'' Said a melodious voice.

Hadria stopped in front of a woman who nonchalantly sat on her throne and knelt on one knee, leaning her head low.

''My Empress, let the bloody moon illuminates your way'' Hadria greeted her with a ritual form. ''And our enemies shall fall before us'' Empress said solemnly.

''Enough of these superstitious rituals, you arrived with a report, I presume''

Hadria stood up and just nodded her head affirmatively, but remembering before whom she stands immediately responded, nervously dropping her eyes.

'' My Empress, It's exactly as you say the plu...'' Hadria stopped suddenly when she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and looked straight into the abyss of her purple eyes.

When Hadria saw the beautiful face of the Empress she ran out of breath, felt wet between her legs and moaned with desire. The appearance of the Empress always brings delight and lust to all.

Her pale face was decorated with lightly flushed cheeks and she has a long golden hair pinned up in a bun. Between full red lips were protruded two medium-sized canines. Her nose and pointed ears are perfectly proportional to her face. Her eyes were deep purple in color. It made the appearance of the Empress even more beautiful. Her body as if carved by the best artist, can mesmerize men and women. She was of the ideal height and was wearing a long purple dress with open back, gold chains from the front of the dress refrained before the release of her full breasts.

With the dress, she was wearing a light shawl in gold and on it, were engraved insignia clan which depicted the gaping mouths of the bone dragon. Empress smiled at Hadria and said softly straight to her ear

''My dear friend forgive me. I've forgotten what effect my beauty have on my subjects, but this is the curse of the Royal family and, I have to use it for the benefit of our entire nation.'' Empress pressed her index finger to the tip of Hadria's nose and said cheerfully. ''So many times, I told you if we are alone, you have to call me by my name.''

Hadria clearly relaxed and said. ''Shirina long time no see. How long has it been since your cravings, which you call an order ?? 5 years??'' Empress smiled again and bowed mockingly.

'' Ah you got me here. Well, can you already let it go? you know that I like to irritate. I treat it as a kind of entertainment.

You probably will not refuse an old woman a little fun right ?? Anyway, I was and still am curious how my daughter is doing. Since she ran away from home, I do not have contact with her. Thus probably you understand that as a mother I am worried about my child.''

Hadria swallowed and said quietly. ''Well as if to say Shirina. Your daughter is doing great!! she is happy out there and she was adopted''.

When the last word got out of her mouth, the whole of the throne room suddenly became much colder and dark. The floor and columns began to appear like frozen in ice. The darkness became so dense with was almost tangible, and everything started to spin.

In the middle of the dark apocalypse hovered beautiful woman and her eyes instead of having purple color became silver and was similar to the avatar of death.

''Here you go! Did she really forgot already where her true family is?? She turned away from her mother's backs or so? Just because of an event a few years ago, I wanted to ensure her good prosperous life with the son of one of the lords.

I never had any privileges. My father gave me to a 700-year-old crazy madman !! and I had to agree, to extend my house. I let her even go for this escape thing from the house because I thought that she will calm down after a few years and matures.

This is very important news, Hadria, if you have something that might make me feel better ?? Maybe the horde of savages of the forest invades our lands??

Right away I'll go up there and kill all, all of them !!''

*On the bloody moon! I could not mention her daughter. I forgot that Shirina is obsessed with her. * Hadria thought, rolling her eyes.

''Empress!! Calm down, Such behavior is not worthy, it is not like you at all. She was just looking for a place where she would start her own life to become independent, find happiness.

I do not say that your daughter turned away from you. It is just your invention. And now concentrate on the important things.'' Hadria growled at her old friend and did not even bother to mention that in this way she can lose her life for lèse majesté.

Shirina began slowly restrain her anger, but she let her deadly magic circle in her veins. She breathed loudly and looked soberly at the scout standing in front of her. '' You are right as always my dear friend. You know how to calm me down. If I'm not mistaken You had such skills already during our joint service in the military.

''I would say that I have just patience for you and I understand you better than you yourself.'' Hadria looked again at the throne room and only now pointed to a round wooden table, located just behind the throne of the Empress.

''Shirina what are you planning now?? You know better than others, that our people are alive, thanks to this city and your presence here. Everywhere else in the whole Arcania or in the kingdom of men, elves woodland forests * tfuu Hadria spat at the thought of the elven people* or in the territory of demons and angels, our countrymen are not welcome. Surely you know that they are persecuted as the worst species living on this planet.''

''I passed you the reports about that. We vampires are murdered, burned, persecuted only because we feed on the blood and we are practicing dark magic''.

Nobody has the right to murder innocent just because they think the magic of the darkness is evil incarnate!!

Hypocrites they themselves practice prohibited rituals and desecrate the energy needed to practice magic. And by this, we had the great plague 10 years ago!!''

Empress looks at the speaker, and only said ''I know all of your reports and from my own lessons of history, but thanks for always reminding me about that.'' Shirina started to circulate around her throne and continued.

'' It drives my anger against everything that can stand in our way to happiness.'' Shirina came to the table and pointed to the farthest point of the city on the map unfolded before her.

''We need to correct our knowledge of species inhabiting our planet. Thanks to my spy network, I'm almost a hundred percent sure that somewhere in this region lives another species as old as the elves and us vampires or perhaps even older. From what I know these people are as fierce as demons or worse.''

''Their main advantage is supposed to be a change from a human shell as they call it to their true animal self or vice versa. There are even different tribes of the race depending on the form of the animal. They often form clans, families or just a tribe made up of creatures of the same characteristics of animal metabolism.''

''How to call them is difficult to say. The information is contradictory. Sometimes I find mention of beasts-men, Nahual or another name for the same race Changing folk.''

''I understand the wish to win them over to your side, to help you in what you are planning I'm right ?? And certainly, I mean the Dragons, which constantly you are dreaming about.''

Hadria keeps her eyes on her speaking Empress and try to understand what her friend is talking about.

''If I'm not mistaken dragons also have to fall into this race so ?? I mean, the dragons also have their human form, though I doubt the Dragons love to stay in their human form'' Hadria said seriously.

''It is exactly as you say, Hadria. For now, I just try to develop an action plan in the event of the outbreak of the next war. I believe it will certainly be more brutal than the last one. That's why I've already sent our people for the diplomatic mission across the ocean to another continent to make contact with demons or if that fails I will have to conclude an alliance with the angels.''

''But these are too far of a plan for the next 10 years so I do not expect that we will have soon a chance to finally eradicate the people of elves and especially the pompous Buffon Pengon.''

Shirina to note about the King of the Elves clenched her small hands into fists and her beautiful face twisted in disgust.

''I feel exactly the same as you Shirina. Ideally, I would strangle him with my bare hands for what he did to you and I do not care if it took place almost 200 years ago.

Your subjects still remember it as he tried to take you by force after the engagement between you and him has been broken. His greed and bad manners only deepened the hatred between us and the elves.

All suits us that we have become arch-enemies with the forest savages.'' Hadria went to the Empress and hugged her back with foggy eyes.

Shirina smiled and squeezed Hadria's hands. ''Thank you for your support but we have to act prudently, and we can't make any mistakes or my whole plan will fail.

I have another mission for you Hadria, I know You just got back to your home and probably would like to relax after 5 years in the saddle, but I need you to observe my daughter and those with whom she lives.

If you find it appropriate to contact them then you have a free hand. I'll wait for your next report when you get back. Probably we will not see each other so soon, so try to relax and eat some blood today, at my expense.''

Shirina made a worried and tired face and continued. ''I only ask you to be careful Hadria, because I do not have a lot of friends with whom I can speak openly.'' Shirina stood in front of a woman scout and put her hands on her shoulders and uttered an official farewell. ''Let the bloody moon illuminates your path.''

Hadria wiped with the back of her hand the tears from her cheeks and said quietly, not hiding her emotions and anger. '' I understand and I will complete the task.

Although I am still angry because I had no opportunity to even visit my house!! but the responsibilities are more important throughout our nation is more important than the desires of one individual.''

Hadria knelt on one knee before her empress and responded. '' Let the bloody glow of the moon be your light in the darkness.'' Hadria gets to her feet and walked out of the throne room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Shirina just sighed and returned to the table with a map of the entire Arcania and began to lead her finger over the smooth surface of the paper. Stopping her finger on the kingdom of men, and said softly smiling evilly. '' Let the game begin.''