Vampires pretending to be humans pretending to be vampires ... How avant-garde!

- Anne Rice

Space rippled and twisted before Vanessa once again stood on the plane of ashen dreams. Looking around carefully she did see some moths large as a grown man gliding high up in the sky bathing in the streamers of energy erupting from rents and portals leading into other worlds, broken spaces, or even the elemental planes.

Her pale skin shone in the psychedelic light and she hastened to construct the barrier before some worms or waste-hounds could get her scent.

‘I hope Iseret and the others are alright.’ As the thought crossed her mind she frowned. ‘When did Iseret become the first person she thought of and how?’

She was still unsure if the keshian woman was really interested in her or if it was a passing whim or worse an order from her superiors. She had realized their interest soon enough but for some reason or other, she believed in the lithe temple assassin.

Sighing she finished the last rune and injected some mana- with a crackling hum the magical shield erupted in a hemisphere cutting off the strange light that penetrated flesh and bone so that it was never truly dark even when you closed your eyes.

Beginning to inscribe the circle for breaching the dimensional barrier she mused about her existence. What did she truly want? She was killed when she had just reached her thirtieth year just shy of true adulthood. Her training had went very well and she was hailed as an arcane prodigy. Her insatiable curiosity had been one factor but her aptitude had really been high- all flattery befitting a royal aside. At that time she had wanted nothing more than to claim a tower and work to better her understanding of the magical arts. While researching deeper mysteries she had found the forbidden section in the library and perused tomes on summoning, necromancy, soul manipulation, mind magic and poison arts. Those were hardly appropriate for one of the orchid court but as long as no one knew…

Now she had slept away the centuries and waking up she had at first been consumed by thoughts of revenge. But with time came distance and even the grief over the death of her family, herself, could no longer push her forward as before. Betrayal by the priests of the wargod had shattered her hopes of allying with the nation of Rivenlorn and now she was in Margrinar getting deeper into the messy internal politics of that very human realm.

Her feelings of obligation after her rescue by Alyssa and her friend Mireille had turned into a complicated sense of belonging and attachment. Especially as the end goal of Asandria, the enigmatic specter and therefore Alyssa’s was similar to her own.

And now there was Iseret Sekesh.

Did she really need to know her motivation? There were probably only a handful of people who truly knew what she was, what she could do, that would still try to get close to her.

She pressed her palm to the gathering rune and spoke the words of the spell of transfer. All of that could wait for a more peaceful time- she smiled bitterly at her own cowardice. Grey light blossomed from the runes and the circle lit with energy before space tore with a ringing sound and flung the small vampire into the emptiness between.

Snow flurries obscured her vision as she exited the rift beneath some ancient oak trees. Gesserach’s eye was still high up in the sky and leaden exhaustion spread through her limbs as the feeble light filtering between the branches burned on her skin and smoke rose from slowly blackening patches.

Hissing she huddled beneath her cloak before she burrowed beneath a snowdrift cursing all the while.

Calculating the time difference and the approximate location of emergence was quite difficult and she had been shamefully distracted. If she still had physiological responses she would probably have blushed furiously. ‘I am a princess of the orchid court, a vampire, and an elf. How can I let myself be distracted like that!’ The makeshift cave shifted and great clumps of snow rained on her back. The only small blessing was that no one was near at the moment- It was all so undignified!

Meanwhile Alyssa, Alea, and Mireille stood beside their half-elven friends and waited for the selection to end.

“I am Lieutenant Philias von Drauer’s End and my colleague here is scout corporal Zhira Julius. We will be your teachers for the next two weeks. While you are assigned to my group you will listen to what I or Ms. Julius have to say and follow any and all orders we have for you or you will be sent back and discharged from the field-training. The wilderness at this time of year with the weather and temperature as it is now are quite dangerous and I must stress the importance of working with us to prevent injury or even death. I have some minor accomplishments with healing magic and I heard that some of you students are well versed in such matters but we must not become complacent. As this is a training exercise no servants are permitted.”

Some of the students groaned at that.

The lieutenant's eyes fell on two male students attired in expensive clothes and, eyes softening a bit, he continued, “If you can get your fellow students to help you out that is permitted and I heard that there was one or two of you that might benefit from taking chores to reduce demerits.” He looked at Mireille as he said that who sighed and nodded. “Fine. So with that out of the way, today you can still get your gear in order. If anything is missing you may inquire with us or one of the teaching staff. Tomorrow we will begin the training at dawn. Be punctual. Any questions?”

“What do we need to bring?” A girl in her late teens with a heart-shaped face and brown locks asked tentatively.

“I have a list of things that might be needed and you can compare to what you have. Not all of that is truly necessary and some of the more magically gifted can supplement their equipment with spellwork so...here you are.” He took a folded piece of parchment and put it in her hand. “Please share as needed. Anything else?”

The students looked at each other and as there were no immediate questions the wizard nodded, “Then you are dismissed. I would not idle the day away if I were in your shoes- try to prepare thoroughly.” With those words, he nodded at them, turned, and walked away.

Zhira the scout looked them up and down seemingly unimpressed and then shrugged, put away her shortbow, and left the same way.

“Friendly sort.” Mireille glanced after her and then turned to the other group members.

“I think she might have tribe-blood.” Vivienne mused.

They were ten students to the group with the three friends and two siblings taking half. Then there were two boys in expensive-looking tailored clothes and three girls. The boys looked at them, one was a stout fellow with slicked back white-blonde hair. His fleshy lips were pursed in disapproval. The other boy – his friend it seemed- was muscular and tall with dark, curly hair. He had a more disinterested expression. The first girl was a petite brunette with a stubby nose and a heart shaped, pretty face she was the one that had first spoken up. She smiled shyly, her clothing seemed not to fit her especially well, perhaps handed down from a relative. The other two seemed to be sisters and had long black hair and dark eyes. They looked at Alea with excited expressions but seemed decidedly less enthusiastic about Alyssa and Mireille.

“My name is Alyssa Miner”, Alyssa tried to put her best foot forward.

“Mh. I know.” The stout boy snorted, “Just my luck to be put in the same group as you. I am Jeremy of Storm Cove.” He seemed to struggle with a polite ‘nice to meet you’ but finally settled for silence.

Mireille eyed him coldly but was pulled back by Alyssa who shook her head.

“My name is Talbert von Zumbusch. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Even as the taller boy greeted them more formally he still looked disdainful.

“Annabeth Smith.” The petite brunette girl clasped both hands before her breast and bowed.

Jeremy laughed at that and murmured, “Just what I needed, another peasant.”

Alea frowned at that and said, “Pleased to meet you.” She paled at the attention that garnered but forced a smile before continuing, “I am Alea von Graufurt. Nice to meet you.” Stepping back she breathed deeply.

“My name is Roberta and this is my sister Georgina.” One of the black-haired girls nodded at them. “We are from the Surnfeldt family.” Both of them looked as though that should be all the explanation needed.

The two boys nodded thoughtfully at that and the taller one gave them a friendly smile. “I have dined with your father at the last midsummer banquet in the palace. Please extend my regards.”

Roberta nodded graciously at that.

The two half-elves made a more or less perfunctory introduction. Mireille and Alyssa looked at each other and both sighed at the same time.

“I’m Mireille. I think you know me already, I had that religious class with you two.” She looked at the two black-haired girls who shook their heads at the informal address.

An uncomfortable silence reigned.

The stout boy smiled sarcastically. “So- Who wants to earn some money? I could use someone to help me set up my tent and do the chores.”

The students gazed at each other quietly before Annabeth sighed. “What did you have in mind?”

Alyssa looked uncomfortable and said, “Let us organize our supplies first.” Turning to the rest of the group she continued, “We will be going then. See you tomorrow!”

The friends including Vivienne and Valens set off and the discussions behind them faded into the background.

“We should’ve had a look at that list,” Mireille mentioned.

“I did not want to be in their company a second longer than needed, sorry.” Alyssa apologized.

“It’s not as if there weren’t other options.” Alea comforted them. “I think that girl over there, Paula? You did bring her over for tea sometimes- Couldn’t she lend us her group's list for a look?”

“Good idea.” Mireille smiled and ran over. The others saw her discussing something before Paula went and got a folded piece of parchment. Together they came back to the group.

“Hello! I heard you need this list?” Paula gave them a friendly smile.

“Yes, thank you!” Alyssa took the parchment and unrolled it.

Alea came over and raised Cecily, “Can I have a look?”

“Certainly.”

Alea inspected the document and then nodded. “I understand- Thank you.”

“Done already?” Paula asked.

“Yes, I should remember it well enough and it’s not that difficult. I hope your group does not encounter any difficulties.” Alea said politely.

“That would be too much to ask I think, but thanks for the thought!” Paula grabbed back the parchment looked at the others questioningly and after getting some shrugs in return nodded and ran back.

“So with that out of the way- Let’s prepare!” Mireille rubbed her hands.

“What about Butler One? You made such an effort to get it working again and now we don’t get to have servants!” Mireille complained to Alea.

“He is part of my project for ‘Like Clockwork’ the class on enchanting and constructs so there should be no hindrance to him accompanying us.”

“That sounds good. I did not enjoy the camp preparation when I was in the army.”

“Don’t mention that so casually- With your age you cannot have been discharged honorably.” Vivienne admonished. “I heard rumors but it seems to be not that widespread. No sense in helping our enemies.”

The group of friends was in a storeroom hewn into the rock beneath the fort looking for some tents and other supplies. Alea had a large magelight hanging over her head, illuminating the large room with perfect clarity.

“Your light is something else,” Alyssa said with a pained smile and spoke a short spell shrouding herself with a thin layer of misty shadow.

“What is that?” Mireille looked interested.

“I had some troubles functioning at the Exhibition with all the light magic flying around and then inquired with Asandria. Vanessa uses this mist spell regularly I hear and it is quite useful to obscure and protect even as it does not do much against physical attacks.”

“You look a bit creepy but perhaps that can be useful too.” Mireille nodded.

“Don’t flatter me too much.” Alyssa pouted.

Iseret was folding some of the freshly washed clothes and arranged them in the small cupboard in the servant's room as mist billowed under the closed shutters and Vanessa stood before her.

Smiling brightly she put away the clothes in her hands. “Good to see you’re here. I hope the passage was not problematic?”

“Nothing too troublesome.” Vanessa brushed some snow from her cloak. “How was the journey by coach?”

“Uneventful. There were too many coaches and obvious magics to attract bandits. Those that would have done something in such a situation have long since perished.”

They fell silent after that exchange.

“Come sit with me.” Iseret sat down and patted the bed beside her.

Vanessa smiled in amusement and then took the proffered seat. “Thank you.”

“Did you miss me?” Iseret turned to look at her smaller friend with a smile in her eyes.

If Vanessa were a cat she would have raised her hair all over her body, “What kind of question is that!”

“Did you at least think about me?”

“If you continue with this I will leave!” Vanessa bristled.

“Because I did.” Iseret ignored her protest and softly hugged the elf who stiffened at her touch.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Vanessa’s voice was barely audible.

“Many things aren’t good ideas but logic alone rarely leads to happiness.”

A mostly comfortable silence enveloped the room. The wind outside seemed to have picked up again and somewhere in the kitchen the banging of metal on metal- probably a pot being emptied- could be heard. Several students tramped past the small servants' quarters chatting loudly. Then it was only the wind again.

“The groups have been formed and they are with the half elf siblings. The other members could be problematic. For some reason or other a military mage is leading them which worries me." Iseret frowned, "They should’ve been with an academy teacher.”

“Mh.” Vanessa seemed distracted.

“Hungry?”

“How can you ask a vampire that question? While hugging me nonetheless! And without my permission!” Vanessa grumbled.

Iseret pulled back Vanessa’s right sleeve and several burned patches of skin came to light.

“You got into the sunlight? I thought I smelled something.”

“I don’t smell!” Vanessa struggled without much force.

“You could have some of my blood if the poison does not pose a problem?”

“Don’t say such things!” Vanessa seemed a bit subdued. “I have some proficiency with poisons and my constitution deals with it much better than when I was...alive.”

“So there is no real obstacle and you are in need.”

“I could look for some animals…”

“They mostly don’t have much mana in their blood do they?”

Iseret pulled at her collar exposing her long and graceful neck.

Vanessa looked up as if in a trance while her upper canines grew into fangs. Flinging her arms around her friend's neck she fully opened her small mouth.

Students urgently streamed into the dining hall as their next dinner might well be in the wilds consisting of dried jerky and boiled snow. A loose shutter banged against the outer wall and somewhere within those sounds was a light sigh.