The Dark Castle. 22

All alone on the balcony of her Altorian Mansion, Muerte looked out on the city she knew would soon be hers. She could hear her children out there getting stronger everyday. She smiled and thought there was no way the Dragons could stop her now. Even the incompetency of Balthazar couldn't hurt her anymore. Of course there were things that could still go against her. She could be discovered here. Muerte looked around,this place wouldn't do. She needed a more secure base to call home. Someplace she could defend, Someplace where she could see her enemies coming. Somewhere hidden where she could be comfortable. Yadessa came to mind. But there was to much intrigue there. Besides, she didn't trust Balthazar. So where else could she go? Maybe if she sent out the capture spell she could find something. Her next divine victim. No, she knew she need to do it, one task at a time. Spreading her arms she shifted to a dark eagle and flew off in to the hills and mountains, Muerte stayed high and flew straight. She was in new territory now and her search began. Muerte didn't notice the beauty of the landscape she was flying over. All she could see was how she could use it. Was it accessible to her enemies? Could she defend it? Where would the perfect place for her be? She was thinking a remote cave out in the forest, But she was no damn bat to be hiding in the dark. From up high she could spy everything around her. The lush forest spread out under her. She saw signs of people. Small roads and trails. She followed the road to a small village with a modest manor for the duke or duchess who ruled there. That looked perfect. It was in an out of the way place. Far enough away from Yadessa and very far from the dragons. Muerte spiraled down and perched in a tree to watch. Whoever the noble was here, he didn't have a big household. That was fine with her plans. And the small village that she had seen was perfect to. This place was isolated, easy to defend and no one knew of it she thought. Just what she wanted. Muerte watched from the trees as the sun made its decent into the mountains. A few more hours and this sleepy burg would be on its way to being hers. She wondered what this place was called. it didn't matter, she would know all its secrets soon.One by one the lights in the windows of the village began to go out. Muerte watched the castle as it began to go dark. She flew around and notice there were few guards at night. She would change that, cant have her home unprotected. Muerte looked on the castle with magic sight. She didn't see any spell or enchantments on it. That was good she thought. That means no magical protection, not that it would stop her if there was. Soon the room she guessed to belong to the master of the house went dark. All that would be awake now would be servants and a few guards. It was time to move.She took one more circle of the castle and landed on the window sill of the master bedroom. Opening the window would be easy. A simple spell was all she needed. Quietly the the window swung open and she dropped in. Muerte shifted to her beautiful form and began to hum her hypnotic tune. She looked around and saw a lavishly decorated bedroom with a canopy bed and handsome older gentleman sound asleep. he would sleep long, her song would wake him. He would be entranced, under her control. As she moved closer he sat up. She could see he was dazed by the look in his eyes. She moved to the curtains and pushed them aside. He turned to look at her.
" What place is this?" She asked as she sat down at his side. She reached over to caress his face. He reminded her of someone. Someone she loved? Impossible, She didn't love anyone. Then a face flashed in her mind. A handsome man. She could almost see his face, say his name. Vit... Then it was gone.
" Jorania." He told her." And you are?"
She kissed his neck. His smell made her hunger more intense. He looked into her eyes knowing he would give her anything she asked of him. His thoughts were so clear to her to read. She smiled.
" I am Alore Trison." He told her. He felt weak in her arms. "I am Duke of Jorania. Last of my family."
" I will make you eternal Alore." She kissed his neck. " You and all your people will be blessed by my kiss. Would you like That?"
" I want whatever will please you Mistress."
Drool ran down his cheek. All his will was gone now. There was no way he could resist her. She could rip off his arm and he wouldn't feel a thing but pleasure. Muerte smiled and bent toward his neck. She bit him and drank deep, savoring the taste of his life as it ran down his throat. This was the last day of Duke Trison's life. He gave it to Muerte with no regrets, while deep inside his soul screamed out in horror.It didn't take Muerte long to infect the rest of the castle and make the whole village hers. One week and she was in total control. Slowly people were called to the castle and changed. The streets became empty by day. All the people In Jorania wondered what was happening. None expected the truth. No one was aloud to run. The change was to quick. Every man, woman and child soon became vampires. Now that she had a safe place, she could move on to her next task. Power, acquiring more power. Muerte set her sights on her next victim. And she had a few in mind. First, the mountain god called Dirod. He was a low lever earth deity worshipped by many near Jorania. He wouldn't be hard to take. Her beauty and the spell is all she needed. She cast her spell and waited for his arrival. Deep in the mountain Dirod slept. He was a sour god. Known to shake his mountains any time he felt the least bit annoyed. And it was very easy to annoy him. If he felt he wasnt getting his due. He shook the mountains. If he was annoyed with another god. Again the mountains shook. Man annoyed him most. Taking things from him without proper homage really upset him. He didn't mind mining, just give him his due first. Now he felt someone calling on him, drawing him to them. Someone would pay for this disturbance, Dirod was a stout god. He was bald and wore an apron for blacksmiths. He carried his hammer with him all the time.That way he could create or destroy as his mood took him.
Bashing his hammer into the side of his mountain, Dirod took his leave. He moved through the mountain like a fish through water until he reached the surface. Then he called forth from the ground a large boulder to carry him. With a heavy brow he was away, following the call he had received .

Rage sat behind his desk and thought about all the things that had happened lately. He had heard from Shayn and Ono about there venture to the mountain. It seemed they were right, the mountain was off limits to them. If Aramis once lived there, then he was more then he seemed. Jandar had told him Aramis had powerful emanations. And there was something trusting about him. Blaze and Jandar both could feel the good in him. Rage had had a long talk with Tomar after they left. He said Aramis could be trusted. He told Rage they had both handled the Salvation stones. That was enough for him. Next he talked to Eheren and Valkar about the vampire scourge. Eheren confirmed the vampire was the woman Aramis seeked and that she was a power that threatened all the lands. Valkar, Azeal and the Shadows were out at night destroying all the night walkers they could. Rage could see how tired they were. This wasn't the way to win this battle. They had to find another way. Soon she would be calling them together. This Valkar warned him. When she thought she had enough, she would come out of hiding and make her move. Valkar thought Yadessa would be important to her. With Balthazar on the throne, it was the perfect place to start. He knew he had to get back his throne or his people and his country were doomed. Jandar agreed. So did Drake his father. Being next to Yadessa, Tir Na would suffer with the vampires. That they all agreed on.It was time the dragons entered the into this conflict. What they needed most was knowledge. What exactly was going on. There was one person he knew that might be able to tell him. Someone he met long ago. He had no idea how to reach the gypsy. But he had to find him soon.