The Dygon Family's Monster Hunters

No one outside of Yahn the Healer, Poole, and the three monster leaders knew the content of Xan's conversation. After the meeting was over, Xan had the Vampiric Leader of the monsters, Barron Atticus, use his hypnotic powers to alter people's memories of the events.

Even the owner of the Inn, Bolivar, had his memories altered. Only six people knew the truth of what happened the night before.

"Elam, this contract you made them sign; how do you know they won't violate it?" Yahn the Healer asked.

"Don't think a contract with me is simply a contract. Words cannot equal the compelling consequence of instant death should they fail to live up to our agreement," Xan said.

Poole listened to the side. His training forbids him from actively participating in such a discussion. He was, after all, the butler. As a butler, he was taught techniques for sealing his memories even under the worst torture.

It was also unbefitting for a man in his position to participate in judging or prying into the actions of his master. However, he was still a bright man and he was just as curious as Yahn concerning everything that transpired yesterday.

He was shocked when he witnessed the hostile monster leaders change from aggressive bloodthirsty enemies to willing and grateful servants. Barron Atticus was the first to cave; the opportunities he was offered were too great to be ignored.

Even though Poole didn't understand much of the conversation Master Elam had with the creature he could tell his words were like the drippings of divine honey from the lips of a beautiful fairy.

The next part of master Elam's plan relied on the monster leaders. They were tasked with the job of dealing with their old masters and keeping them away from Master Elam and his two companions. It was no longer a question of what must we do next to what was the next part of master Elam's plan.

"What is our next move?" Yahn the Healer asked.

"Our next move is to start doing what I have been wanting to do since we left Mountjoy's base (Chapter 29). It's time for all three of us to get stronger," Xan said.

"Dear Elam, I am an old man and my days of getting stronger are far behind me. I'll be lucky to hold onto my mind for much longer.

Those pills you gave me have been a great help, but I can still feel my mind wanting to slip away from time to time," Yahn the Healer said.

"Yahn, my friend, do not worry about that. This time next week you will be bursting with vitality. With all of the knowledge you've gained over the years, I'm sure you'll find the coming breakthroughs you'll experience shocking!" Xan said.

"Sir, you said I am also to get stronger?" Poole asked.

"Yes Poole, you are my butler, I can't drag around a weak butler. I need someone strong enough to carry out my orders! We are headed to Jambre.

Compared to the battles we'll face in Jambre; our little fight here will seem more like a play yard brawl between children than a serious fight.

If we arrived in Jambre as we are now we'll be nothing but a bloodstain on the ground before the day is through," Xan said.

"Is it really that bad?" Yahn the Healer asked.

"You have no idea."

The three men carried on with their discussion and Xan shared his plans and how they would occupy their time for the next few months.

In a hilly part of the forest near the town of Glane, an ancient castle sat like a lonely reminder of a power that once was. This was the castle of Barron Atticus, leader of the creatures of the night in the area.

His vampire knights were sleeping in their subterranean beds while Barron Atticus, Stanz, and Luas were discussing their strategies for dealing with their superiors.

One mistake and all of them would end up dead, and being of the undead wouldn't help them at all.

"I have reviewed the letter, I don't think we can improve it. I'll send it out and we'll see how bright or dark our destinies are," Barron Atticus said.

Almost instantly after Barron Atticus sent his report it appeared in Jambre in the castle of Count Raby.

The messenger clerk brought the message directly to Count Raby. He uneasily entered the Count's study. When he entered, he saw the Count was pouring over a map and had several books stacked nearby.

He was wearing his typical clothes, a fine suit of black and gold a muted white shirt with a hooded cloak hanging from his shoulders.

Vampires were deathly afraid of the sun. It wouldn't instantly kill them if exposed to it, but it could make them weaker than a regular human after prolonged exposure.

If wounded while in the sunlight the wound would begin to burn and leave a scar. Count Raby had such a scar on the left part of his temple.

The messenger gave him the message and stood back to wait and see if he wanted to make a reply. Count Raby read the report and crushed it in his hands.

"Tell Mr. Burgot to attend me," the Count said. Hearing his orders, the messenger slipped away to fulfill his duty.

It wasn't long before a good looking merchant in his late forties appeared in the Count's study.

He had long brown hair and a hulihee style beard. He wore clothes typical of a merchant; a soft green bonnet on his head, a gown with a fur collar over his jerkin and white linen shirt, and hose ending at the knee with high socks and black duckbill shoes. He wore a bag over his shoulder containing money and precious items.

"You called for me my lord," Burgot said with a formal bow.

"Read this message," Count Raby said as he threw the crumpled paper at Burgot. He caught the wad of paper and unfolded it. After finishing, his eyes also flashed with intense anger. His canines grew longer and sharper as his eyes turned yellow. "Dygon, that old fox has betrayed us!" he shouted.

"Did you know the Dygons were a fallen monster hunter clan?" Count Raby asked.

"If I knew that I wouldn't have bothered making a deal with them. He is very clever! He took our money and trust and used it to kill so many of our men! If those little guys weren't more resourceful the outcome could have been worse," Burgot said.

"You think they are telling the truth?" Count Raby asked.

"It would be stupid not to! Stanz is one of my Betas I'm way too strong for him to even dream about replacing me. He also knows that being allowed to create his own group of Fangs is a part of the path to becoming an Alpha. There's no reason to betray me.

Your Barron Atticus has even less reason to betray us. He's nearing the Viscount level and will inherit your properties once he reaches the Count level. By then you'll be a Viceroy, I'm sure. He's like a son to you and has always treated you like a father," Burgot said.

"I agree, I don't see a reason for them to lie. Even if this were a failure on their part we've both lived long enough to understand that mistakes happen. Grooming a worthy successor takes time, and they know that's how we feel about these things," Count Raby said.

"It must be the report on the Dygons is true," Burgot said.

"The Bokor loyal to Atticus even lost a Draugr to the Dygons. I can tell from the letter they can't let it go," the Count said.

"Even more reason to believe the letter," Burgot added.

"This sword of light bothers me. Atticus says it was unlike any treasured weapon he had ever seen, and it was able to kill a Draugr. I want to have a look at the sword," Count Raby said.

"Do you want me to go and kill the Dygons and get the sword?" Burgot asked.

"No, let's do as Atticus suggests. Zagon Dygon and his heir Draven, along with many elders will be coming to Jambre soon. We'll wait for them here," Count Raby said.

"They're still coming even though they know we know what they did?" Burgot said in shock.

"You saw the letter, Atticus claims the power of the sword of light makes them arrogant.

"Very well, I look forward to gnawing on their bones!" Burgot said with glowing eyes.