Palace of Night

Greater Dining Hall

The nobility of both the Hollowed Tombs and Eternal Night packed the Dining Hall as Jacob and Cathrine talked to almost everyone as they all tried to talk to the newest noble couple. Both the Queen and Catharine's parents sat at the same table but were mobbed by less but having Deathwalkers and Heart Guards looming behind them helped dissuade all but the most determined from approaching them. "Relax Jacob, in a couple of hours we will be able to head toward your home," Cathrine told him as she smiled at the glowering Vampire.

"I know, but it's annoying having so many people suck up or threaten me. I have enough problems as is without adding these idiots to the mess. Also, why was everyone surprised by the oath I took? I was told it was standard for all Vampire Nobility." Jacob told her while looking pointedly at the Queen, yet she acted as she didn't hear him and this wasn't the place to press them. Time for another tactic, "Lord and Lady On'tel, did you think the Oath that a swore was odd?" Jacob asked

"I am sure they are more concerned with the day's festivities then they are with the Oath. Perhaps we can worry about it some other time." Talia added.

"I have no doubt, but I just wanted their opinion my Queen and I am sure they can both take a few moments to respond and they are part of my family now, so I would be wrong to ignore their opinion. Especially if the Oath will make my new wife enemies this early in our marriage." Jacob told her and though he sounded polite a certain amount of venom entered his words in the last sentence.

"Our opinion is that the Oath you took was profound and has a very deep meaning that could have strong implications. Such Oaths should not be taken lightly, even to one's people." Ishmael said as he looked at both Jacob and Talia.

"My thoughts exactly, which makes me wonder what Oath I was taking and why people thought it was so abnormal?" Jacob responded.

"Both good questions, I would think finding those answers is as important as the actual oath," Anastasia told him.

"Well, next time I go to the library, I am sure that Octavious will have no problem enlightening me," Jacob responded.

"Let's just say the Oath I had you take was an insurance policy and leave it to that. If everything goes well, it will never matter." Talia responded.

"Another half-truth, I thought we had agreed to no more manipulations or lies. Was that a lie my Queen?" Jacob asked the woman.

"I will do what is necessary to protect my people, that includes you Jacob and in this situation, ignorance is bliss," Talia said before turning back to her food.

"Maybe, or maybe not. Sometimes all ignorance gets you is killed and offers no safety what-so-ever. Excuse me, I am going to go check on my people." Jacob told her as he stood and left after giving Cathrine a kiss on the cheek.

Fortress of Midnight

Main Hall

Jacob watched as Cathrine and her parents talked with a squad of Deathwalkers hovering nearby watching everyone and everything. "Your friends are a little sensitive Mikeal, perhaps you should get them a couple drinks to help them take the edge off," Jacob told the friendlier Deathwalker who smiled and more than one other Deathwalker glowered at him. Jacob just smiled and turned to watch as his friends and other guild members drink and eat. The whole fortress including those out in the tent city was celebrating Jacob's marriage and he could thank Eiloma for making sure everyone was celebrating. Even the Succubus Shyera had joined in with the celebration, although Snaggletooth hovered nearby. Dozens of kegs had been brought out and people were cooking food and sharing whatever they had. Jacob smiled at his people's antics, they truly needed today. The coming days would be dark and they needed to enjoy the little things.

"Thank you for hosting us and providing food and drink Lord Longstrider." Anastasia On'tel said as she approached him and joined him in watching the festivities.

"We are family now and please feel free to call me Jacob, Lady On'tel," Jacob said as he turned to face her. She smiled and Jacob could understand where the younger Banshee got her looks. Even being a few hundred years old, Anastasia On'tel looked like she was in her late 20s to her early 30s human female.

"I appreciate both the familiarity and the complimenting thoughts Jacob. As for you wondering if my daughter is happy, she is and so are we. Even knowing what you face, I am glad you two have each other. The Non-Aggression treaty will be signed and you will receive a copy of the treaty. We will be leaving to go home soon, my husband will probably drop by in a couple of days with all the information we have on the Sisters of the Damned." Anastasia said as she studied the people around them.

"Well you two are welcome to stay if you want, I know this place is not exactly large or a palace, but it does have guest suits," Jacob told her as Cathrine and her father approached.

"Thank you, Jacob, for the invitation, but I am sure you do not want your new inlaws under the same roof that you and your new wife are. I also have to make sure the Council of Nine holds up their end of the political deal." Ishmael said as he grabbed his wife and pulled her into a hug while Cathrine grabbed Jacobs arm and pulled him closer to her.

"Thank you, Jacob, for offering to house my parents for the night, but they both have duties at home and I am sure the Deathwalkers wish to escort them home," Cathrine said while looking up at him, before suddenly blushing and glaring at her mom who appeared to be laughing. Ishmael rolled his eyes and dragged his wife off and started rounding up their escort to leave.

"Did you bring your combat gear and any personal items with you?" Jacob asked Cathrine after her parents had left.

"Of course Jacob, wherever you go I will too. You are stuck with me unless you say otherwise." Cathrine said and the last part she sounded a little nervous.

"We are married now Cathrine, from where I come from that means something. You are stuck with me, the only reason why I would leave you behind is if I thought a mission was too dangerous to carry out with locals and have a very low chance of success and a high chance of death. Agreed?" Jacob told her as he pulled her close enough to wrap his arms around her.

"I understand husband, but I do not like it. I will consider your words though." Cathrine responded as she pulled his head down and kissed him, more than one person whistled at the display. Cathrine tried to break off the kiss and jump back but Jacob held her close and continued the kiss with his new wife.

"Never be embarrassed to kiss me, Cathrine. I belong to you and you belong to me, I hope you are never ashamed of me. Now, I have been wondering why you and your mother wore so much clothing? Is it religion os a society thing?" Jacob asked her as he stopped kissing the woman but did not let her leave his grasp.

At first, she tried to pull away, but then smiled and leaned into Jacob, "It is a society thing, Banshees are extremely rare even for the Noble Undead. We are both coveted for our abilities and people fear us because of them. So we wear this clothing to make sure people can identify us and so that people can avoid us if they want to. It is not required though outside our personal residence at the Hollowed Tombs."

"Ok, well wear what you want when you want. I want you to consider this place your home eventually, but I also want you to be comfortable. Ok?" Jacob told her as he pulled her into another kiss which earned them more howls and comments. This time Cathrine just grabbed Jacobs ass and pulled him in closer much to the amusement of the crowd. This time Jacob pulled away although he didn't want to and he was sure that Cathrine didn't want to either, they still had guests and the party was still going strong. Shyera scream of rage killed the party atmosphere, a level 5 Rogue and Snaggletooth were both bleeding nearby. A handful of Dawn Guards quickly arrived breaking up the fight but the Rogue, Grey Stabbypants, was pissed and started fighting the guards. Jacob decided it was time to intervene by picking the Vampire up and slamming him into the ground. "Stop fighting my guards. If you harm them I will harm you, understand?" Mr. Grey nodded his head and stopped fighting. Jacob looked at Snaggletooth and Shyera, "What happened?"

"That little shit doesn't know how to understand I am not interested. When Snaggletooth tried to intervene, the rogue struck him so I hit the rogue." Shyera said and SNaggletooth and several others nearby agreed.

Jacob glared at the rogue, "Captain Thorgrom, throw his ass in a cell for the next 12 hours. Hopefully, that will sober your ass up, if you try to escape or cause any more problems you will regret it. Am I understood?" The rogue nodded and followed a couple of the Dawn Guard out of the Mess Hall. "Party is over, finish your drinks and time to go get some sleep people. Everyone has a hard day ahead of them." Jacob told the room which caused a lot of groaning and moaning from people, but the sense of celebration was gone.

Cathrine was standing, well swaying a little, much to Jacobs amusement, "Is everything alright Jacob? I think something is wrong with me, the ground keeps moving.." Jacob's smile grew at the last statement.

"It's ok Cathrine. You just need some rest and you will be fine I promise." Jacob told her. She had enjoyed the beer, apparently, the Brew Master Duatha was very good at what he did. Jacob picked her up and started carrying her to bed. "Mikeal, do I need to worry about her yelling at anyone, maybe me while she is drunk?"

The Deathwalker was openly laughing at the drunk Banshee, "You see that collar around her neck? It helps suppress her power as a Banshee, she put it on when she decided to drink."

"She can take it off, correct? I don't want to cripple her in case she needs to defend herself." Jacob told the Deathwalker.

"The collar is cloth and tear-away, she can remove it at any time. Lady Longstrider can actually use her own voice to talk if she wanted to right now without giving anyone even a headache." Mikeal responded as Jacob started heading into one of the guest suites when Cathrine stopped him.

"Why are you taking me here? Why aren't we going to your room?" Cathrine asked. Jacob started to stutter an answer but she just patted his cheek and hopped out of his arms and dragged him to his room and closed the door behind them. "Why were you trying to put me into a guest suite?" She asked Jacob with her own voice. Her voice was a little rough from disuse and from the tone she was annoyed.

Jacob considered his words before responding, "I didn't want to assume that you would feel comfortable with me in the same room."

"I appreciate your consideration, but like I said I decide where I go and I decided to marry you just as you decided to marry me. I take this marriage seriously just like you and that includes the bedroom, so unless you decide to kick me out, this is where I belong." Cathrine pulled him down and kissed him, "Now I am going to go take a bath and then going to bed. You are welcome to join me." Cathrine said as she started stripping out of her dress as she walked away.

Darkfang Hold

Chieftans Hut

Sosa looked at her interface as she contemplated the next move, both among her clan and construction wise. "Chieftan, we have a messenger coming in from Tor'akon Hold," Sosa growled and closed her interface. SHe hated dealing with members from other Holds within the Clan, they always were slightly stunned by her looks and always wondered why those here followed her. She who was so different from their own people.

"Send the messenger in," she called out to the guard. The Orc that strode in stopped short and the look of disgust filled his face before he placed the messenger bag on her desk. Good thing Dolbrug was on patrol, he would have killed the Orc for the insult to their family. "Go get some food and drink, if I need to send a message back, I will let you know." The Orc soluted and left.

Sosa,

Chieftan of Darkfang Hold

Sosa Darkfang, our scouts and spies report that the Sisters of the Damned are in the process of shifting strength to Ill'Gargon. Troop count is undetermined at this time and it is unknown what their objective might be. Our theory is that Jacob Longstrider of the Fortress of Midnight, might have attracted too much attention and they are reinforcing Ill'Gargon or they are moving into the area to attack Darkfang Hold. At this time, we have no reinforcements to send.

Alog Tor'akon,

High Chief of the Darguun Clan

Sosa glared at the message, as it would change anything about what the message had stated. She did not need this right now and Jacob Longstrider did not trust them enough to listen to what she said. He might be more willing to listen to her brother or at least listen to his words before dismissing them.