The Anointed Prince of Dragons: Chapter 3.

Three days later, on the 10th of February, in the year 1763 of our Lord, the Lancaster and the Devil's Maw had finally arrived at the New World, although not where they had originally intended. Though they had been bound for Jamestown, in the Colony of Virginia, Vladimir von Drachen had ordered a change in course for the Colony of Florida, which would soon fall under British rule with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on this very day, which would bring an end to the Seven Years' War. This change in course had been made due to the overwhelming presence of undead crewmen that now served the dark Nobleman.

"Master, we have arrived!" Blackheart called out, bursting into von Drachen's quarters. "Excellent, prepare the crew to go ashore." Von Drachen responded, then paused before adding, "And find young Scotty, tell him I want to see him." Blackheart nodded his head in understanding, then left to follow his master's orders.

Now, Scotty had been keeping to himself ever since the smell of decay from the undead crewmen had become strong. It nigh made him sick, but it was not as though he could have left the ship. Besides, where would he go? He had nobody, now, no one except this von Drachen, although he did not trust him at all, though the man had not yet lied to him, if only by a technicality.

A loud banging could be heard on his door, "Boy! Von Drachen wants to see you in his quarters, now!" It was Blackheart, of course it was Blackheart. Oh, how the mighty had fallen; so feared he was, and now he was but a servant, no better than a dog. Perhaps even less, considering that dogs were actually beloved by their masters. Vladimir, however, showed no love to his decaying minions, in fact the only kindness he showed was to young Scotty. Why that was so was anyone's guess.

The boy scoffed and called back, "Fine, it's not like I have anything better to do than gag at the stench of you and your crew." At those words, the pirate growled low, then barked out, "You best mind yourself, boy! The only reason you're still alive is on the master's orders, but as soon as he decides you're no longer worth the trouble, you'll be at my mercy!" Scotty went silent, hearing that. Blackheart was right, although thus far Vladimir had not shown any hostility towards him since being released from his coffin.

"Right, sorry…" Scotty said, after consideration. He racked his brain trying to figure out why Vladimir had been so patient, so nice to him thus far. Surely, it was for some evil purpose. Vladimir seemed to be a master of manipulation, even deceiving without truly lying. He chose his words carefully, too carefully. He was insidious, indeed, portraying himself as one who could potentially be some kind of father figure, but his true motives could not possibly be so noble by any means, not like Warwick.

"Johnathon…" A tear formed in Scotty's right eye as he remembered the man who was truly like a father to him. He had been a good man, righteous and yet not self righteous, proud and yet not without humility. What had von Drachen said was the reason he could not raise him, again? That's right, he was one of the "Elect", but what were these "Elect"?

Scotty sighed. "I guess I better go see what the devil wants." He said, before getting up to leave. When he arrived in von Drachen's quarters, he saw the man standing in front of the window, looking out upon the sea. His back was turned to the boy, and yet he had perceived his arrival. "Ah, young Scotty, thank you for coming to see me." He said in that deviously warm manner of his, before turning to look upon the young lad.

"I hope the crew's smell has not been too potent for you. They are far less sophisticated in their undeath, than myself. Of course, I have not answered your question in regards to what I am, have I?" He spoke, reaching up to stroke his chin thoughtfully before inquiring of the boy, "I wonder if you have come to a conclusion on your own? Surely you have some idea…" Scotty simply shrugged his shoulders, and Vladimir raised his right brow, as though confused as to how the boy did not have some clue.

"I see. I take it you are not familiar with the tales of Vampires, then." He said, still stroking his chin. "What the bloody Hell is a Vampire?" Scotty asked rudely, as per usual. At this point, Vladimir had given up on trying to drill better manners into his behavior, at least for now. "A Vampire is a creature of the night which feeds on the blood of man, woman, and child alike. Although, I prefer the blood of women, myself." He chuckled in that dark, devious manner of his, before speaking further. "We are practically immortal, capable of living forever, as long as we continue to drain the blood of Mankind."

Vladimir clasped both hands behind his back, in a formal manner, before he spoke again. "Vampirism is considered a virus, of which there are many strains, and the carriers of each different strain each have certain attributes, strengths, and weaknesses that differentiate them from one another. For example, though I prefer the darkness, I am technically capable of walking in the sunlight, whereas other strains will burn if the light of the sun touches them." He said, forming a smug smirk upon his face.

"And what of your weaknesses?" the young Scotty asked, almost immediately after Vladimir had finished speaking. At this, Vladimir let out a wicked laughter of amusement before saying, "Why on earth would I tell you that? I'm terribly sorry, my dear boy, but I am not nearly foolish enough to give away my weaknesses, least of all to someone who hates me so." Scotty scoffed, then lowered his head. "It was worth a try." he said, sounding rather pouty.

"Was it? Was it really worth a try?" Vladimir asked condescendingly. "I hardly think so, you're surely smart enough to realize I'm not going to tell you how to defeat me." Vladimir said, before he chuckled again, then turned to make his way towards the window once more, looking out upon the sea again. "I'm sure you have been wondering why I have allowed you to live for this long, and why I have treated you far better than I have the rest of the crew." Vladimir stated confidently, before turning his head to look back over his shoulder, side glancing at the young lad, Scotty.

The boy raised his head and watched Vladimir silently a moment before confessing, "I have wondered." Vladimir returned his gaze to the view past the window again. "As I said, Vampirism is a virus, and we are carriers. That said, while those of other strains may pass it long unwillingly, those who I turn are only turned by my will."

Scotty was taken aback by this revelation, yet still he asked, "What's that got to do with me?" Vladimir turned around to face him once more before elaborating further, "Surely you know. I wish to turn you, and make you one of my children. Of course, I am a gentleman and will not do so against your will. It is wholeheartedly your choice, if you choose to accept my gift, when you are older. I do not intend to turn you whilst you are yet a child, that is a recipe for disaster. Your mind is far too underdeveloped, now, for you to be able to handle such a transformation. All in due time, though."

Scotty stepped back, cautiously, then inquired further, "Why me? I'm just a street rat turned cabin boy, what are you playing at?" Vladimir rolled his eyes before speaking further, "Is it not obvious? You are a child, and as such, your mind is far easier to mold, and mold you I will, into my very own image." Scotty lashed out at this, "I knew this was all just an act, you're just trying to manipulate me." Vladimir raised his brow again, then blinked as though he were confused. "An act? No, I truly am fond of you. As for manipulating you, call it what you like, but what father figure does not try to mold his son into his own image?"

Scotty was quick to protest, "That's not the same!" He said, to which Vladimir answered, "Is it not? Is it really not the same? Even manipulation is a matter of perspective, my dear boy. Tell me, is there anyone who does not act kinder and more patient towards those they care for? The truth of the matter is that everyone has an ulterior motive."

"But your motives are evil!" Scotty said, accusingly. Vladimir blinked again before questioning him further, "Are they? Tell me, young Scotty, what is good and evil?" Scotty thought a moment before answering, "Good is, well, good!" He paused before adding, "And evil is evil! The opposite of good!"

Vladimir chuckled in amusement before asking, "And what is it that makes something that is supposedly good, good, and something that is supposedly evil, evil?" Scotty took a little longer to answer this one, "Good is helping others, and evil is hurting others!" Vladimir was quick to fire back, "So, if one helps a murderer escape the gallows, that is good, and if they lead them to the gallows to be executed, that is evil." Scotty was silent now, Vladimir had made a good point, but still he felt he had to be right.

Vladimir watched him for a moment before asking, "How can you say that I am evil if you do not even have an objective standard by which to tell me why I am evil?" Again, Scotty could not answer except with his silence. Vladimir walked towards him now, his graceful movement always belying his dark nature.

"Trying to judge something or someone as good or evil will only lead you to an endless loop, unless you have an objective standard, and even if you believe you have an objective standard, you will need a good reason to explain why it is objective. Your feelings on a matter do not have the power to make something either right or wrong, such things are simply concepts because we do have feelings, and justice is simply legalized vengeance."

Scotty stood there, silent and processing what Vladimir was saying. He could think of no way to argue against this logic, as cold as it was. Still, it didn't feel right. Good and evil couldn't truly just be man made concepts, could they? No, he couldn't explain it, but they felt so much more real than that. "You're wrong, I can't explain why, but it just feels like you're wrong." Vladimir formed the warmest of smiles upon his face, then put a hand upon Scotty's shoulder, before speaking once more. "And that, my dear boy, is exactly why I am not wrong."