206. Of care, attacks and a little bit of divinity

Cassandra Pendragon

I had fled the crowded banquet as soon as I had been able to, without insulting either our host or the guests. The main reason: they had been talking about vampiric politics for the most part, how to integrate the surviving members of the late Captain's brood into Alassara's cabal and how to best deal with and convince the remaining leaders of Free Land to accept or possibly even support her. I couldn't add anything substantial and the rest of my family had a much better grasp on the intricacies of societal machinations since I simply didn't care, unless I was forced to. Besides, I had complete faith in Ahri to speak for the both of us.

The only interesting thing had been Krack's report on the rope, which indeed had still been in storage. I had been right, time travel truly reset my surroundings. It didn't matter much for now, but in the back of my head the outlines of an emergency fail safe were beginning to form. I had already left a beacon on the Emerald Island I still felt connected to, like a closed door I could open if I concentrated. Who was to say that it wouldn't work the same way with temporal displacements? Well, the laws of physics I remembered, for instance, but I had come to understand that those were more like guidelines. They could be warped and twisted, I simply had to be careful to not smash them apart, otherwise I might break something rather important. Like the planet… or reality. It'd probably be for the best if I refrained from experimenting, tempting as it was.

I slowly made my way through the surprisingly well lit corridors. They lacked the gothic, oppressive design I would have expected from a vampire's lair and actually reminded me of my home. Glowing jewels, soft, exquisite carpets and a collection of art and armours that was rather subtle and atmospheric instead of gaudy. For a dungeon, inhabited by one of the fiercest predators who lived off blood and stalked the night for prey, it was undeniably cozy.

I shook my head and recalled the short but heated debate I had had with Xorlosh before the dinner had officially started with a smile.

"Keep your gold, lassie," he had almost spat. "We're no scoundrels and me word is good. On me honour, you'll have your amour and the one for your lovely lass within 4 days."

"But," I had tried to argue, "you never said you'd make two. I'm not going to rely on your generosity further, when I'm finally able to pay!"

"Lass," he had spluttered, "don't insult us! I know the old fur ball told you we don't do nothin' for free when it's not necessary, but things have changed. Y'are one of us now and I'll be damned if I'm taking money from me niece! So stash your coins, put a smile on that face and say thank you. That's the proper way of handling things." What could I have said? I had bashfully bowed and stammered my thanks, I had always had trouble gracefully accepting gifts from someone I hadn't grown up with and it hadn't changed.

He had cut me off gruffly and pulled me into a hug, murmuring: ""s nothin'. Me 'n the lads will have a much easier time sleeping, when we know you're not protected by nothin' but your looks and magic. I want to see you again lass, and if that armour keeps you safe, it'll be worth it. For you, as much as for us." I had been at a loss for words and had simply returned the hug, tears stinging my eyes. I still couldn't tell why I had become this emotional, but the heartfelt friendship he had offered had touched me more than words could describe. Maybe it had been the constant fights or the ever present threat of loss, but somewhere down the line the dwarfs had turned into a sturdy rock, one that'd be there, weathering the storm, no matter what.

Sighing, I stopped my brooding and opened the door in front of me. It led to a smaller room, containing a nightstand with an array of tinctures, elixirs and potions, a couple of chairs and a small bed on which Aurelia rested, still unconscious. To my surprise, she wasn't alone. Auguros sat at her side and he turned around the moment I opened the door.

"Ah, I've been expecting you. Why don't you come in? Have a seat."

"Of course you were," I mumbled and lowered myself on one of the chairs. "How did you know," I added more loudly. "Another epiphany shared by the spirits of this world?"

"Not quite," he chuckled. "Age and a bit of knowledge about the mortal condition. And you're still acting like a mortal, aren't you, despite your heritage."

"Probably. If it's up to me, that's not going to change." I exhaled deeply and took Aurora's hand, caressing her soft skin. "How's she doing?"

"Exhausted… the magic your sister pumped through her veins was nearly too much for her. She'll wake up soon enough but remain weak like a newborn for quite a while. Are you worried about her?"

"Of course I am. I can't get Alassara's words out of my head. I didn't ask Sarai but she must have mistreated the poor girl to an extend I can't even imagine. I'm not surprised, to her, when she still was nothing but an immortal, Aurelia would have been a tool… a thing to use and discard at her leisure. I… I feel responsible in a way. Maybe I'm just used to cleaning up my siblings' messes but I don't want her to suffer solely because she was unlucky enough to meet an angel." I laughed throatily.

"Quite ironic, isn't it, that meeting the beings who are worshipped by most who know about us, has left her devastated and possibly crippled. I… if I get the chance, I'd like to help her. I can't imagine she'll be able to recover until her connection to my sister is severed, but I still want to make sure she doesn't feel… abandoned until then."

"And that's why you're here? So she can see a friendly face when she wakes up?" I shook my head and presented him with a wry smile.

"No, I don't even know when she'll rise from her slumber, it's just a convenient excuse to get away from the banquet. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not particularly partial to the unending back and forth of political arguments." He cocked an eyebrow.

"That's a surprise. I thought you were raised for it?" I had to laugh in response.

"No, not really. My parents were quick to realise that my temper isn't suited for the court. I know the basics but aside from etiquette and behaviour, I've never been taught the more intricate aspects. I'm not a leader, Auguros, I'm a warrior, I always have been. One of the reasons why I'm even here, if I had been a tad smarter in the past…" I allowed my voice to trail off and shrugged.

"Then we should be grateful you aren't."

"Huh? I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm the reason why we're even in this mess. Well, maybe not for you and Morgan, but when it comes to the dangers our world faces… you'd be safe without me. I thought you knew. Shouldn't you be cursing my very existence?" It was his turn to smile indulgently.

"What makes you say that? There's an old question: would you prefer being an oblivious but happy pig to the life of a doubting and dissatisfied philosopher?"

"I don't quite get where your going with this… but there's only one answer, isn't there? Even if you're happy it'll only matter if you can understand and relate, otherwise it'd be meaningless."

"Then why do you assume we'd be better off, if the battles of our time were fought hidden from our eyes? Your struggle… your family… it concerns us all, whether we want to be a part of it or not. And I, for one, would rather know what's coming and try my hand at shaping the future, no matter how minuscule the chance of actually surviving or accomplishing my goals."

"Makes sense, considering how we came to meet," I admitted. "But… Auguros?" I let go of Aurelia's hand and reached out to prevent the aged human from slipping to the ground. His eyes had glazed over and his breathing had deepened. From one second to the next he had fallen asleep and while I was still wondering if he had suffered a stroke, the walls suddenly ignited with a glaring, piercing light, almost as if the sun was breaking through the clouds… except, we were still several metres below ground.

Cursing, I jumped to my feet. Aurelia would be fine, she was tied to an immortal that represented the changing cycle of stars and life, and the same held probably true for Layla and her mother, but the rest of the vampires… "Ahri," I screamed, using my voice as well as my connection to her, "talk to me, what's happening?"

I immediately felt her thoughts brush against my mind, confusion, panic and a dark surge of anger boiling beneath the surface. "I… I don't know… they're asleep, Cassy, all of them, except for your mum and Viyara. And, holy hells, the vampires are burning up, literally. By the Great Fox, what am I supposed to do? Where are you? What the fuck is happening?" That was easily answered. Alassara's home was under attack. The question was by whom and more importantly how?

"Don't know. Where are the kids? Are they still with you?"

"Yes, but they're out cold, just like the rest… damn it!" I didn't have to ask. The searing glow around me had intensified and I could easily picture all to lively what was happening to a room full of vampires, most of which didn't exactly deal well with getting a tan.

"Viyara, can you seal the walls or isolate the spell," Ahri wasn't concentrating on me anymore but she had kept the link open and I was privy to her thoughts. I couldn't hear the reply but at least I could gain an idea of what they were up to or if they were… in danger would hardly signify any change, but if they needed my help. For now, they seemed to be just fine and there wasn't much I could for the vampires. No, I had something else in mind, something that would sooth the growing flame of fury that was gradually swallowing my insides. No one would harm my friends.

I nimbly jumped from the chair and left the room, a flickering corona of silver light growing around me. My reasoning was rather simple: light and sleep as weapons? Whatever was going on wasn't directed at us but at Alassara and her family. It was also more than likely that it wasn't Amon's work, otherwise we'd be wading through a veritable flood of golems or soul bound thralls by now. Besides, there wasn't nearly enough screaming going on for the Emperor to be directly involved.

Which meant…. well, there was quite an array of possibilities to choose from, but probabilities… not so much. Alassara had stepped out of her brother's shadow and the next moment her home was under attack? During the very same night her new subordinates had made their way back and could possibly have been followed? I wasn't sure, but chances were that either Silas or Tharos had betrayed her, or maybe the other Captain's had decided to end the vampiric threat once and for all. Stupid beyond believe, considering the storm that was brewing in the east, but I had already learned that rationality was the first thing to be ditched when power was at stake.

Either way, I realised with a cold grin, the context didn't matter that much, for there was only one thing that could logically follow. Someone or several someones were going to make their way into Alassara's lair, probably to finish off whoever was still alive and plunder everything that wasn't screwed to the ground. And since there was only one entrance… I knew where I had to go.

"Ahri," I sent, much more calmly than I actually felt. As much as I loathed to admit it, I was quite looking forward to having a civilised chat with anyone who had thought I'd be a good idea to invade the home of someone I already considered a friend, or at least an ally and I had to struggle to keep my excitement from my thoughts. When I imagined what I might do to the people who had come here for Layla and her mother, I had to suppress a shudder. The fur on my tails rose up, my resolution to protect the little girl, I had taken from a dark cell, and her family coursed through my veins like liquid fire. "I'm going to have a quick look around and make sure that whoever decides to kick down the front door finds more than he bargained for. Auguros and Aurelia are in her room. Could you keep an eye on them, just in case? Better yet, get them to the banquet hall."

"I…," she was distracted and her replied came haltingly. "We will. Your mum wants to meet you on the first floor. She says she can already sense the protective enchantments falling. Be careful, Cassy. This magic… it's strange. I know you don't have to worry, but…" she was interrupted when Viyara extended her telepathy and forged a connection between us, including my mother.

"But," the dragoness continued, "that's something I haven't seen before. I'm not sure, but I think we're dealing with worshippers of one deity or the other. The spell structure is… incomparable to anything else and its sheer power… If that's the case… I just don't know what to expect." I massaged the bride of my nose. Just what I needed. For once, I'd quite like to be told or read about the obstacles I was confronted with beforehand, instead of being thrown into the midst of chaos and confusion with nothing but guesswork to show me the way.

"It shouldn't matter… energy remains energy, no matter the source," I said hesitantly. "But I'll be careful. Anyone of you ever heard of or dealt with divine intervention?"

"Yes…," my mum slowly replied, "some of the travellers who visited us, they spoke of their faith. For some cultures, their gods are supposedly real and they can ask them for help. If it aligns with the deity's goals, they'll grant them a part of their power. As far as my understanding goes, they're mages whose capabilities have been boosted beyond their normal limits with the help of… well, something, whether it's a god or something else, I can't say. But after everything we've already witnessed…" she trailed off, but I knew what she meant. While I might have discarded the notion a few weeks ago offhandedly, it was difficult to do so with the memory of our last battle against supposed legends still burning brightly in my thoughts.

"Great, just great," I groused. "And the only one who probably has some answers is fast asleep, yet again. Fine, I'm at the first staircase, see you in a second, mum. If anything happens, you'll let me know, right?"

"Same goes for you," Ahri replied. "I'll keep the ones who haven't burned to a crisp safe. Good hunting. Try to leave one alive." I nodded, even though they couldn't see me, while anger turned my face into a white mask. More useless deaths, more lives extinguished for nothing but vanity.

"I'll do my best. But if they really are that powerful… we'll have to see. Take care."

I closed my eyes and focused on my core, allowing the infinite stream of energy to pour forth, filling me to brim with a power that would crush anything in its path. All I had to do was ask. When I opened my eyes again, the world had turned into a kaleidoscopic mirage of silver, interspersed with blue. The walls had become transparent and all around me I saw the living, breathing latticework of magic, sometimes ordered, sometimes jumbled up, but ever present.

The otherworldly light, still spilling from the walls, was an intricate web of entangled strands of power, humming with an intensity that rivalled the forces I had seen in Shassa's tomb, but in contrast to the arbitrary outbursts that had accompanied the spider's magic, it was perfectly structured. Like souls, the patterns kept repeating themselves, flawlessly branching off into ever smaller fractals, until even my sight couldn't follow the complex formations anymore.