27: A war of vengeance

The black sand beach loomed before them, like a sinister invitation for Ivailo and Rinomve to come ashore and enter the arena that would determine whether they lived or died. It was like a necromancer asking them to tempt fate.

Ivailo tried desperately to put the thought of never returning to Acad, to Amaris, out of his mind as the low boat hurtled towards land, the power of its vampire oarsmen rowing the boat full of predominantly vampire soldiers making it speed towards the shoreline at an almost alarming rate.

I see that not all werewolf lords treated their servants as underfed sex slaves, Ivailo thought as he marveled at their strength. Vampires, particularly the ones that were well-fed, often had the strength of three or more werewolves, even from childhood. They were so strong, that they were a popular choice for lords who wanted to build their own private army.

The rowboats ran aground, and the soldiers got out and hauled the boats ashore. Ivailo got out and pulled on one of the many sacks of camping equipment that they had brought with them.

"I can carry that, Your Majesty." A young vampire called out as he was burying the anchor of the boat he had come in.

"Thank you for the offer, but I didn't become Emperor of Acad by sitting on my laurels," Ivailo said, adjusting the heavy bag on his shoulder.

"Welcome to the high council chamber!" Amaris said happily as she led the gawking new high council members and Lyra into the small room. "It's pretty, isn't it?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lady Valentina said, continuing to admire the impressive dining table dominating the tiny space. "It is absolutely stunning."

"I am glad that you like it, Lady Valentina. You will spend a lot of time in this chamber." Amaris said, sitting down in the mini-throne that dominated the head of the table. "Now, are you ready for your first high council meeting?"

Ivailo took a deep breath as the company reached the Asharian encampment on the outskirts of Valeledo, the capital of Thoasia.

"I see Falael got the memo that we were meeting on the outskirts of town," Rinomve yelled over the sound of clanking metal boots as the army continued marching.

"Why, were you scared that he wouldn't?" Ivailo replied, just glad that they had arrived at a place where they could camp out. Rinomve laughed.

"Falael is not known for always paying attention to little details like this."

"Good thing he has a friend like you to keep him on time." Rinomve laughed again.

"It is mostly Grace that keeps him organized like this. I just get him into trouble by making him late." Now it was Ivailo's turn to laugh.

"Well, we are here and there is an encampment set up, so it doesn't really matter who is keeping him organized."

"Indeed." Rinomve agreed.

Amaris melted into the bath that Kenia had drawn her. She was more tired than she remembered being while at Craester Castle, but at least she didn't have the same knots in her back that she had back at The Bitterhead Inn.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, inhaling the perfumed air that smelled like someone had just picked a vase full of lavender and roses. She could stay like this for hours.

Apparently, the rest of the world did not agree with that idea. Not five minutes after she had gotten into the bath, Jasper and Kenia came bursting into the room. She sat up in the bathtub.

"Is everything okay?" She asked, alarmed.

"Your Majesty, your safety is in danger," Jasper replied, slightly breathless. "We need to get you out of here." He turned to face the door so that Amaris could get out of the bathtub and put a bathrobe on with Kenia's help.

"What is going on?"

"The former lords of the high council somehow organized a coup from their prison cells."

"Greetings!" Falael called as Rinomve and Ivailo approached the camp with the rest of their army. "I see that you have managed to find your way."

"Honestly brother, you need not have been so concerned." Rinomve replied in jest. "Without Grace I wasn't sure that you would be here at all, much less on time."

"Oh ha ha." Falael said as he moved away from Rinomve, who was trying to attack him with tickles.

"So where can we set up camp?" Ivailo interjected, Kafei coming up beside him.

"Over there," Falael pointed towards an enormous mountain to the east. "There is at least a league between the edge of our camp and the trail that leads up that mountain, so you will be well hidden from the road. Just don't make the camp too large, the nearest town is only a league and a half away."

"Good to know. Men!" Ivailo barked, turning towards his army of vampires. "Make for east. We will set up camp there."