Curiosity

[Sage]

For the first time in hours he was able to think of anything vaguely resembling something besides Anabel. His mind spun, body sore and drained, but you couldn't tell by the look on his face. Bliss. Blythe would need to be fed. Rinald would need to be checked on, after having been thrown from the barracks hours earlier. His illusion...

The moment his mind cycled around to his creation, it began to evaporate. The illusory sun had shifted from dawn to dusk, just the opposite of the actual time of night at any given moment. They would find themselves back in the destroyed war room, every surface either used or broken. His mind flashed momentarily to Anabel, and the state vampirism left her body in. He couldn't help but be curious about what consequence his actions might have on her. He did not verbalize what was on his mind, afraid to depress her with thoughts of the children she most likely could never have, but in her mind, she would still be able to catch his thoughts on the matter. Consequences.

" Me? I am more exhausted now than I have ever been after any conquest or defeat, but the feelings I have now are more precious to me than any mere victory. "

Kraven drew his fingers gently across her face and pulled back a bit of hair from her face and tucked it over an ear. As he considered what was meant for them then, he absent-mindedly let his hand trace her curves from her neck down to her waist. No, she hadn't bit him, but he couldn't help but think: What if you had?

He could not explain why he had survived so long, but eventually he would die. It might be natural, he might be defeated, Kraven would not know until his time came. But recent events had lead him to believe that in the near future he might be able to trust someone besides himself with his job. He could be with Anabel, be like her, live like her and with her, instead of in front of her. He tried hard not to obsess about it, but he had often wondered what it would be like to become like Anabel. Whether it would make him less or more than what he was now. And lastly, Kraven thought about the sun. It was part of him, and he was perhaps more attuned to it's coming and going than even one such as his Mistress, whose life was dependant on being able to successfully navigate around it. And he could feel it wouldn't be long before it came, creating a smirk on Kraven's face that would probably confound her if she could not read his mind.

" You know, it won't be long until sunrise, and you made a lot of fuss about talking to everyone tonight. Plus we have the intruder from earlier, or at least the one that survived. You wouldn't be planning on leaving me tonight, would you? "

He gave her a playful look as he quickly rolled to the side and snatched up their clothes, before tossing them into an unused fireplace and chasing them with a lit torch from a bracket near the hearth.

[Jen]

Ana watched Kraven with amusement as she staggered to her feet and sat on the only clear surface on in the room. She was completely at ease with him and her nakedness. She watched the firelight dance off his sweat slicked body and smiled. He was hers, he had always been hers. Her mind caught on to his thoughts and she laughed.

“Ah, Kraven. You do not want to be like me. My brand of immortality is difficult to stomach, especially for one so close to the sun as you.” Ana walked to him and leaned against his body, hers cold compared to his. She was an undead woman, had been for countless centuries – but she held on to the vague memories of her life as a human.

“What you have done for me tonight is beyond compare. No one has thought to treat me as you do, and for that you will always have my love. What will I ever do without you?” Ana said as she leaned up and kissed him, her clothes a wispy reminder of what she had vowed to do. Her body was tired, though and all too willing to fall into Kraven’s embrace all over again.

“I won’t leave you tonight. I am an Immortal and the judgment can wait until tomorrow.” Ana smiled as she pressed her back against Kraven’s chest, pulling his arms around her naked body and enjoying the crackle of the fire. It was hot, but it didn’t hurt her to be close. Ana could put her hand in the fire if she wanted, but it would damage her if she left it for too long. The damage would be what hurt, but not the fire itself – it was the cause of the pain though.

Ana tilted her head to the side as she leaned back against Kraven. For one woman to have as much total power as Ana did, it was amazing. Every race of Vampires, every single Vampire known to existence, no matter where they believed they originated – all came from this one woman. Thousands of children, and yet, Ana let Kraven’s hands linger over her belly. Maybe he wouldn’t remember the thought of consequences in the morning. She was undead after all. Her womb had dried up and become useless the very moment her heart stopped beating.

Children weren’t a concept she had ever entertained beyond the realm of biting them and making them her own. Kraven would be enlightened of the process in their closeness as Anabel though about it. What it meant to become a Vampire, how the change occurred, all of it was running through her mind. And then, as if in response to his thoughts of children, she imagined herself pregnant. Her rosy sun kissed skin stretched taut over a growing belly, her limbs soft and supple, her breasts filled with milk. Were she a human woman she might rejoice at the thought.

However, Ana could only mourn in the knowledge that her body was incapable of giving Kraven what heirs he wanted.

[Sage]

Kraven was happy to have the news that he would have her for longer than he anticipated, and grew aroused with the feel of their closeness once more, with his manhood being so close to it's new home. He ignored it as he began to feel the change in her attitude calmed him somewhat, enough to remember an important fact from earlier in the day.

" The intruders that attacked today. " She would see their faces in his mind as he was forced to fight, unwilling to risk Anabel's safety regardless of the appearance of the offenders. One of them had responded with violence, the other just stood there with the strangest look on his face as he watched Kraven tear into his companion. " I had to kill a child. As I attempted to apprehend him, he unleashed a tremendous amount of magic. The other was not violent, and so he was imprisoned here. "

Kraven cringed, the burned and uneven skin on his chest against Anabel would be a lasting reminder of the deed. The man was not often one to be disturbed by death, but the circumstances by which it had occurred had been just enough to allow the entire world to fall apart back in his home. And it was not the pyrokinetic boy that had been so unsettling, but the one who just stood and watched while Kraven ran him through.

[Paroxysm]

“Hnh.”

A trip through the countryside was always relaxing, it fed an inner, if somewhat-often-ignored, desire to travel, and it was not always a bad thing to reward one’s self for a life-time of dedicated discipline, was it?

A large and regal man walked shoulder-to-shoulder with two others; his facial hair had been trimmed along the side of his jaw, leading up his face and losing itself in the equally cared for hair of his head, and his clothes, a selection of various furs and silks, spoke of expensive tastes, though the majority had a considerable local flavor about them.

The other two men were taller than their traveling companion, but were far less concerned with their appearance and wore only simple clothing. Their movements were obviously more weighted than their better dressed fellow and this likely due to the swords hanging loosely from their waists; indeed, they were no doubt well trained in the use of such weapons, as well. At the very least, the odd bandit or two would not give more than a passing glance before deciding to find easier prey.

A familiar scent was about the area, though quite weakened after a day or two, but it was relatively simple to be picked up, so formidable were their senses.

The center-man recalled having been curious about the area’s stability and so he had tasked one of his subordinates into investigating matters for him, but the fact that he was here now did not mean that he had little faith in their abilities or that he was worried! No, that would be preposterous! He was simply out for a stroll and as luck would have it, this was the direction his feet carried him, and that was all there was to it and anybody who said otherwise were simply doing so out of spite; even still, he could do whatever he wished and that was that.

Though sticking to the proverbial beaten path, as the case was, the three men paid particularly close attention to the woods, and what may or may not lurk within them. It was habit and instinct rolled into one, but the reason was simple enough: enemies and allies easily lurked in the woods and the center-man had plenty of both.

After another half an hour of walking, the three men would come to an abrupt stop, as the familiar scent increased in strength and, with but a simple gesture from the well-dressed man, one of the two guards would quickly make their way into the nearby woods, leaping over obstacles, and seeming to glide across the ground with the most graceful of strides: They were searching for someone specific, someone who was no-doubt nearby.

Bartholomew Van Buren was calling.

[Sage]

Rinald stood slumped against a squarely-carved stone column inlaid with a nook that held a sturdy crossbow. Before him was a narrow view into the multiple see-through levels of the prison block, which existed on every basement floor aside from the last, with the guard posts on the top and at corners like this all the way down. The restraints he had destroyed were just short of indestructible to one such as himself, and it had taken more out of him than he had to give. Only Blythe's enthusiasm had allowed her to break the reinforced walls that they were built into, which had given him the mindset he needed to do the rest.

He stared out her now, two floors down from where he stood. Across the block from him, and one floor up stood Nova, who like him, had been run out of the barracks hours earlier. Inside the prison, Kraven was able to set up somewhat of a safeguard against communications to deter his inmates from coordinating rescue efforts, and to stop some forms of mental tracking. He would be the first to know of the Elder Lycan's approach. He was already on the move before he had eyes on the guards who had split off on their own. There was no telling what information had been sent back by Nova's guard, or by her personally, and likewise what he did not know. Rakhaev was out of commission and Kraven did not know yet, and even he had a difficult time reading Bartholomew's mind when he did not allow it, much like Anabel.

Rinald could not be sure what Van Buren's intentions were, save for the fact that if he meant war, he would have likely at least brought four men. As his weary feet carried him as fast as they could up and around to Nova, he would be alerting Kraven, who would involuntarily share the information with Anabel.

" Nova, Van Buren is here. Please go out front and let them see you first, so that they know you are safe. I am summoning Kraven now. I, er. Don't...pass the war room, please. "

[Herald_of_Fate]

He hadn't truly expected the journey back to Kalmarden to be this ardous, but a brief storm had forced him to land and wait out in the horrendous weather for almost a fortnight. Fortunately, his progress across the now clear Kalmarden skies was unimpeded and he'd made up the time easily, his aerokinesis allowing him to ride the air currents at high altitude like a bird. He'd only heard rumors of happenings in the capital, far removed to his home on the northern island of Gil-Driel, but whispers of a treaty with the lycans he knew to be far more. Perhaps an end to the near-constant bickering and infighting. Though the raven-haired man was primarily a weapon of war, he'd come to enjoy his illusionary role as ambassador to Lady Anabel. Even though it was a ruse, he performed the task as if it was not, attempting to negotiate treaties and open trade when he was sent abroad. He'd been allowed a brief stay for a religious festival on his home island but now he knew it was time he returned and reported to Master Kraven. With the wind whipping through his ebony hair and the navy blue cloak thrown over his armor, he descended, soundlessly landing in the courtyard proper. Cool, calculating blue eyes surveyed the hustle and bustle of guards scrambling hither and yon hastily on orders. The disarray spoke of some trouble and he sampled the air currents, picking up several scents unfamiliar to him. He stopped one of the guards. "What has happened here? Where is Master Kraven?" the warrior asked gruffly. He listened intently as the guard said what little he knew. He dare not report straight to Lady Anabel. The ambassador waved the guard along and entered the castle without a word, descending into its bowels with a look of solemn concern. He truly hadn't cared much for Kraven's lieutenant, finding the man an insufferable, pompous prick likely deserving of whatever fate held in store for him. It was the fact that a lycan who seemed to be an ambassador as well had done the deed that intrigued him. He meant to meet with this ambassador and discover the meaning of this. But first, Master Kraven had to be consulted. While Eijin seriously respected him, he worried that the man might act rashly based on information that was shoddy at best. Shoving past a pair of guards, he spotted Nova in the hall outside Kraven's chamber. The closed door and the phermone scents that assaulted his senses from beneath the door told him all he needed to know. He turned to Nova, an almost imperceptible breath telling him she was a lycan and had very recently had blood on her hands. He bowed gracefully, formally, a small bit of telepathy allowing him to speak to her in whatever tongue was native to her. "Welcome and well met, my dear. You must be the lycan ambassador I've been hearing so much about," he intoned, extending a hand. "I hope you will excuse my absence but the festival of Nataku in my homeland is a rare treat I must partake in. My name is Eijin and I am the ambassador of Lady Anabel. It seems that you yourself have made quite the impression to be allowed here. Might you grant me the pleasure of sharing dinner with me and filling me in on what has occurred in my absense?" There was a wry charm about the man, an almost boyish quality that had little to do with his young features. This was why he was given his task. But in this case, unlike many others, it was real. He was intrigued by Nova, taking in her outlandish but not unpleasant looks. And it was imperative that he learn more.

[Jen]

Nova heard Rinald first and turned to go to her task. She glanced up just briefly before nearly bumping into the Ambassador for Anabel VonHagen. She let out a startled gasp and then took a step back, her blonde hair swaying slightly - dry now that several hours had passed. She looked and felt tired, but she smiled despite everything and bowed to the Ambassador.

“Well met, I assure you sir! I’m afraid I’ve been given the task of letting my Master see me. If he will allow me to remain then I will certainly have dinner with you.” Nova touched the man’s arm briefly with a smile before darting past him to the door leading away from the floor. As she moved past him she shifted her form into the one she took most often, that of a blonde wolf. She took the time to pick up the pieces of her clothing that fell to the floor and stared at the Ambassador for a moment before bolting. It was most natural for her and most comfortable. It was also a hell of a lot quicker than two legs. She took the route she remembered best, which may not have been the most direct, and quickly came to the door.

Nova trotted through the door and out into the courtyard. She lifted her nose and snorted before letting out a soft whine and bolting for the woods. She ran as quickly as she could toward the source of the scent. When she was nearby, Nova shifted back into her regular form and quickly changed back into her clothing. She quickly tied her hair back over her shoulders before presenting herself to the guards of Van Buren.

“Good Morning, Sir.” Nova bowed to Bartholomew before straightening and standing tall before him. She was shorter than he, and built smaller. “I am sorry that I did not report back sooner. I sent the boys back with news, did they not arrive?”

Van Buren would notice the healing welt on her neck and the state of disarray and know something was amiss.


Ana’s eyes went big for a moment before she turned to Kraven.

“Oh Hell. We have company.” Ana looked around the devastated room for a moment before looking back at Kraven. “Van Buren is here. Toss me your cloak. I need to grab a maid and get a dress!” Ana hurried around, fixing her hair in the buffed glow of a shield on the wall, before taking the cloak from Kraven and giving him a powerful and hungry kiss. She smiled before letting her form switch to something darker, slighter, and a little fiendish. She tossed the cloak around her shoulders and opened the door.

Ana hissed slightly as she nearly barreled over her own Ambassador, giving him a cursory nod before swiftly sidestepping him and hurrying past. She left Kraven to his own devices as far as clothing went.

It took her all of five minutes to snatch up a maid, throw the girl over her shoulder, and run up the stairs to the indignant directions of the maid. She set the girl down and hurriedly searched through clothing in a room on the third floor. She wasn’t even out of breath as she searched. She picked out a richly appointed black and red velvet gown with a black leather corset. She tossed the dress on the bed in the room while the maid helped her out of the cloak and into the dress. She held on to the door frame while the maid laced the corset tightly. The maid quickly searched the racks of shoes to find some appropriate for Ana’s feet and sighed with relief when she was dismissed.

Ana draped the cloak over her arm and admired herself in the mirror before letting her form shift back to one that was less primal and more business worthy. Her blonde hair fell like a brilliant sheet of pale silk down her back. She looked worthy of her title as one of the head families of Kalmarden.

She would be just in time, and in no state of disrepair, once Kraven made his way to the door. It would look as if nothing had passed at all, and she would only be joined by Kraven in her desire to see what Van Buren would want.

[Paroxysm]

At first, Bartholomew said nothing, not a word, but the weight of his gaze would be felt quite extensively, it would be an inescapable thing. Silently, he walked forwards, leaving the side of his guard, walking in a small circle around Nova, and then returning back to his place, still he did not speak. Indeed, only his face and body language spoke, he was perturbed, angry, but a little relieved, as well.

“Not quite, no.”

His voice was warm, but direct: “I must have just missed them,” he admitted. “Trouble?”

Coming forward again, he lifted his arm, the fur cloak he wore draping over the limb, and would place his hand onto the girl’s neck, rubbing the sensitive area with his thumb for a moment.

“Hnh,” he scoffed. “What has happened here, child?”

[Sage]

Kraven took the news of their guests much better than Rinald, or even Anabel. He wore a slightly dazed, but happy expression as he received and processed the news. He momentarily lost his train of thought as his Mistress locked lips with him, and he pushed back upon her as she pulled away, only reluctantly letting her go after several breathless moments, and handed her the cloak which he had ripped from the mantle of his battered armor.

He was much more in a state of mind to use his trademark summoning magic than he had been when racked with lust hours earlier. Calmly, and before she had time to bolt out of the door so that she could witness, Kraven slammed his knuckles together and drew a line down his chest as he emitted a brilliant, but altogether safe light and was coated in a creeping wave of metal. He still had to set up anything he was able to summon, and all he had ready was a grey suit of simple steel armor, meant to be a backup in situations where either his armor failed him or he was incapable of retrieving it.

He adjusted his wrists with the new weight of the cold plates across his skin, and unlatched and discarded the winged helmet which matched his new appearance. His hair fell around his face in curtains, but clung oddly from the sweat off his body. After Anabel was safely out of range, he let out a burst of light which instantly dissolved the moisture that plagued him, making him as presentable as his Mistress would expect of him. He reached down, attaching his silver sword back to his new harness at it's place on his hip, before sliding a more intricate obsidian short sword, which he slid into a sheath just above the first, on his left hip.

Kraven sauntered out of the room, casually adjusting the leather belts which made up his new weapons' harness, replacing the one he had destroyed in his passion. He came upon Eijin and a rather rattled Rinald, meeting their gazes with one of quiet surprise and amusement.

" Ah, greetings Ambassador Sokai. How fares the Far Islands? "

Kraven seemed genuinely interested, though his mannerisms mirrored his opinion that they should move out of his secured underground, and up into the lounge to await Van Buren coming to his door. He made his way up the narrow stone stairs to the main floor of his home, into the main hall where he would meet Anabel. Once Rinald and Eijin followed him up, the dungeons would seal behind them with a clank.

" We have guests coming. Shall we receive them in the lounge? "

[Jen]

Nova trembled slightly under Bartholomew’s touch, but she kept her face unresponsive, until his finger crept over the healing welt. Nova winced involuntarily at the pain the lanced through her from the touch. It was healing, but not yet healed, and still very tender.

“There was trouble. The Vampires received two new children into their fold last night. One of the children has earth powers and seems to have upended the Von Hagen estate. I offered my services as a healer, as you instructed. While I was speaking to Lord Kraven, I was asked if I could attempt my healing on a Vampire captive that is due to die for her transgressions against Mistress VonHagen.” Nova spoke, keeping her hands behind her back in a loose semblance of military ease.

“I made sure to get the document in writing that it would not breach our contract of treaties with the Vampires. That document was sent with the boys back to you. While I was within Lord Kraven’s estates I was escorted to one Blythe VonHagen and asked to present my healing skills. A man by the name of Rakhaev demonstrated some undesireable traits, my lord. I administered healing aid to one of his underlings after he broke his nose and slashed open his face – in an effort to see how decent were my skills.” Nova became increasingly uncomfortable as she relayed her story. She wasn’t at fault really, but she shouldn’t have antagonized Rakhaev.

“Rakhaev then attacked me. I am at fault for taunting him, my lord. However, when he attempted to attack me full on he brandished a sword of silver. The sword was broken during a small struggle with a man named Rinald. Rinald saved my life and that of Blythe VonHagen. Rakhaev was going to run me through with a piece of his sword and he used a dagger at my throat. The dagger, thankfully, was not silver.”

“Rinald nearly took Rakhaev’s life in his attempt to save myself and Blythe. I healed the man to a point where he was capable of sustaining life and Lord Kraven seems to have healed him to the point of full regeneration.” Nova shifted her gaze to Bartholomew’s eyes and bowed her head in reverence of him.

“Under Mistress VonHagen’s wishes I also healed a wound on her person. It has been discovered that I can heal Vampire wounds, my lord. She was wounded in the altercation between herself and Blythe two days prior.”

Nova crossed her arms over her belly and watched her Master and waited for his judgement. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she shouldn’t have antagonized Rakhaev, no matter how in the wrong he may have been. She just couldn’t stand the man hurting innocent people.

[Herald_of_Fate]

While Eijin's keen powers of observation and the lingering phermone scents told him far more than he needed to know, the ambassador dared not lose his composure. His mistress and Master Kraven's affairs were not his concern unless they chose to make him aware. "They were pleasant enough, sir. It is the damnable weather upon my return that I could have done without." Eijin mused with a half smile as he followed Kraven into the lounge. "What of the lycan woman I saw outside your chambers? She seemed courteous enough though she still smelled of blood." His tone was questioning but careful. Though he was Lady Anabel's ambassador, he was aware of his inferiority in station to Kraven and while not subservient to the man, deferred to him on most things. And considering they shared the duty to assure her welfare in all affairs, Eijin liked to think of Kraven as something of a wiser co-worker than a superior.

He found a comfortable corner of the room from which to observe the proceedings, assuring he would be within earshot should he be called for. Hmm, he mused to himself, back for only a moment and the formalities begin. In truth, though he kept alert, Sokai found himself incredibly bored by this sort of thing. In fact, he didn't expect to be needed here whatsoever. He was a weapon, to be used to cut down obstacles to his mistress's interests. Though he did seem to have a gift for diplomacy, it did not stimulate him half as much as the thrill of battle. But now it seemed those who had once been enemies would become allies. Not that Eijin would complain. He could not deny, however, a certain distrust of the lycans. They were, much like him, beings of opportunity and this treaty opened many more of them. Both parties, he could see, stood to benefit. Then why did this feel so...wrong? Pushing these thoughts aside till afforded a better opportunity to examine them, he waited patiently for their guests' arrival. His mind moved back to Nova and he couldn't help but shiver. There was something familiar about her, something that reminded him of his mother. The guard had said she was some sort of healer. But it seemed more than that. In either case, she'd hopefully join him for dinner and answer some of his questions. As a precaution, he formed a field of 'dead' air around himself, cutting down all the friction his movements would normally cause. This would allow him to move far faster than others could hope to, were something to go wrong. Not that he expected them to. Eijin was a man of caution, however; in his eyes, it was better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[Sage]

Kraven entered the room with Rinald on his heels, and set about making up a fire and mentally sending orders to his prison and kitchen, already slipping back into his multi-tasking normalcy. The room was large enough for a small crowd, and covered with many strangely shaped bits of furniture and trophies of the hunt and of war. The face of Rinald looked haunting in the now flickering firelight. There was a modest amount of flesh missing from the bridge of his nose in the path of a scar that covered his skin almost ear to ear.

Rinald was a prime example of Nova's abilities. He could have easily bled out from the wound he had received at the hands of his relative, Rakhaev. He could feel Eijin's uneasiness about Nova when he had seen their meeting, and now more of his thoughts seeped into Rinald through Kraven as his superior set about setting up his home to accommodate all who had arrived recently while attempting to filter through dreamy images of a nude Anabel, which he involuntarily shared with his soldiers and staff as he did so. When Rinald spoke, he was careful not to offend Eijin, while making his opinions clear.

" The Lycans are not so bad. Much like your kind, they benefit from the treaty in place, while at the same time dealing with the unnatural feeling of the alliance. We cope in the best ways we know how, but there is good news. At least you're not human. "

Rinald chuckled, mostly to himself. As unusual and inappropriate the situation felt to a vampire or a lycan involved with it, the humans that served them were often forgotten. Working as a human under Kraven's command, serving the creatures who saw you as food wasn't the easiest feat in the world, but they had all adjusted. All except Rakhaev.

" There is an operation, however. One that will take place on foreign soil, away from the lycans. It will be dangerous, and we will need vampire accompaniment. Kraven and I agree that you are a prime candidate for such a task, and would be glad if you would join us. I assure you that it is in the best interests of Mistress VonHagen. "

Kraven, who seemed to have frozen after creating the fire, seemed to finally be done with preparations, and plopped himself down on a delicate looking day bed in a manner uncharacteristic of him, normally. When Kraven spoke, he still seemed as though he wasn't looking at anything in particular in the room, until Anabel would walk in.

" Yes, I would be happy for you to accompany the expedition to the mainland after this is done. As for the Van Burens, they have proven themselves trustworthy where neither humans or vampires have been able to, lately. And I know Rinald here trusts Nova and her kind with his life. That is good enough for me. "

[Jen]

Ana strolled into the room of her own accord, having fixed her appearance to her liking. Her eyes roamed across the faces in the room until they settled on Kraven, and she smiled. She moved like a dancer across the room, her movements all in a rhythm, some unheard beat. Ana leaned down and kissed Kraven’s cheek and settled herself next to him. Her whole body was angled toward his, even the tilt of her head and the lean of her crossed legs.

Ana focused on Eijin for a moment before smiling.

“It is good to see you again Eijin. I trust your travels were profitable? How was your stay in your homeland? The festivals?” Ana seemed genuinely interested in the information her Ambassador had to give her, and his wellbeing. A weapon he might be, but his work abroad was still quite valuable to her.

Ana motioned to Rinald, eager to see his face.

“Rinald, you are a hero tonight. Thank you for saving Nova’s life. She speaks very highly of you. I am sure she is speaking with Van Buren right now, and singing your praises.” Ana would touch Rinald’s face, when he came to her and knelt before her. There was no doubt that he would come, and she was confident in Nova’s healing not to do any further damage to the man by touching him.

“Mmm, it would appear that Nova’s healing is most excellent. She has a bit of learning to do to mend skin and muscle more fluidly. However, her skills are incredible, and her abilities to save lives are amazing. You did right to save her life, Rinald. You have my praise and my thanks.”

Ana let the man go, and leaned against Kraven. The time was drawing near for her to go to her rest for the day. She could stay here in the very bottom level of Kraven’s home – but her coffin…of sorts wasn’t here. In fact, the coffin itself had disintegrated centuries ago. Ana slept on a bed of rich silks in a room with no windows, over some well preserved dirt and rocks from her grave. The site of her grave had been built over some time ago, but the edifice was in ruins.

Soon, however, she would not be able to stay above ground in this home. If she were to survive another night she would have to go to the depths of Kraven’s home.

“If I leave, I must go straight to the bottom of this house, understand?” The words were spoken to everyone in the room. There must be no one thing in her way on her descent into the dark recesses of this household. All of her guard must come with her as well. “Kraven, will you come with me? I don’t know your house as well as I do mine.” She would sleep on the floor if she had to, but she couldn’t get caught out in the morning sun, no matter the cost to her own comfort.

[Paroxysm]

Bartholomew slowly withdrew his hand and placed it at his chin, pulling on the hair of his face for a moment, as Nova explained what had happened, and detailed the altercation that had taken place.

“Nobody thought it odd that he was left in your company with silver? Absurd,” he spat. “Insulting.” His voice dropped to a low growl, almost a snarl, but it wasn’t directed at Nova; rather, it didn’t matter to him that she had teased Rakhaev, but that the man should have had better control over himself or he shouldn’t have ever been in any trusted position whatsoever. Was this how Kraven lead his men?

“I’ll want to speak with this Rakaev,” he declared, “and I take it he is being punished appropriately? If something had happened … ,” he growled again, but said nothing more on that particular line of thought. “I will thank this Rinald for aiding you, myself.”

Saying nothing more, Bartholomew and his guards, the second of which had already returned to its place beside Bart, would start moving once more, but would momentarily stop to gesture for Nova to lead; after all, he was already here, he might as well follow up on what she had told him, and to pay his respects to her host.

[Jen]

Nova trembled a little as she watched Bartholomew’s expressions. He didn’t appear to be angry at her so she relaxed a fraction and nodded.

“Mistress VonHagen and Lord Kraven are both very upset with the proceedings and want to meet with you inside the estate.” There was a relief that washed over her, though the tired look deepened in her eyes. Healing Anabel had taken a lot more out of her than she let on.

“Before we go any further…” Nova backed up a few steps and took a deep breath, keeping herself in front of Bartholomew. “I do not want Rakhaev to die. It took much of my strength and talent to keep him alive and to sustain his life. He owes life itself to me. He will owe his every breath to me.” Nova trailed off as she looked at Bartholomew, her bright sky blue eyes tired but strong. “That is my desire, my lord.”

Nova steeled herself to walk back toward Kraven’s estates. She lead the way with her head held high and her back ramrod straight. She was stiff from the bruising of her body and the use of her power. As she led her master and his two guards into the courtyard of the estate she turned to look at Bartholomew. He didn’t seem to care that her appearance was somewhat disheveled. He could probably smell the blood on her though, several different brands, and some of her own. She could still smell it; at least she hoped it was all in her head.

“Thank you for coming, my lord.” Was all Nova would say before leading them into Kraven’s household. “Sunrise will be soon, so Mistress VonHagen will have to leave. She is just inside by the smell of it.”

She followed her nose to the scent of Anabel, Rinald, and the strange scent of the Ambassador. He was foreign and smelled…interesting. She stood back from the doorway to allow Bartholomew and his guards’ entrance first. All she wanted to do at that point was collapse and sleep, but she eased herself behind the small crowd, willing herself to remain on her feet.

Bartholomew might notice her instability, but she hoped he would not act. She had a place in this meeting and didn’t want to be turned away. For her own good, or not, as the case might be.