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Valley of the Hunted (Frelance & Kikora)

The rest of the day was spent urgently interrogation Teyha, several human guards posted as drunkards around the hut, whiskey flasks full of the strong smelling liquid at their sides. They reeked of it, squished it int heir mouths, rubbed it into their necks... Until they truly looked like harmless drunks, the kind that littered every village. Truthfully, their half-focused eyes were dutifully keeping watch, and their ears sharper yet, searching for eavesdroppers.

"He didn't fit the description of one of the vampires, and no others have entered in years!" Teyha hiccuped softly, rubbing her eyes against a sleeve.

The elder Elf sighed, translating back to Janek through her mind, before speaking again. "What did you say, child. Word for word no, don't be shy." She said softly, and reached out to pat the young woman's hand fondly.

Teyha paled slightly, and swallowed. "I thought to raise an alarm." She said weakly, and have him chased from the village in his drawers, to leave the valley." She explained, as has been done in other villages. "I... I told him this village is anti-vampire. I called them monsters."

The healer let out a low sigh, and pushed herself to her feet. "Thankfully weapons here are stored cleverly enough." She said softly. "Look like normal tools. Knives and such. No swords 'er crossbows. Nothing but what could be used to survive. He'll come again child." She said softly, and patted her shoulder. "When he does, stand by these world, love. This village does not like vampires, nothing more." She said softly. "Now, they can not do anything if we simply do not like them. Anti-vampire sentiments go far, love. Do not mention taking up arms, do not if he has a blade to your throat." She warned, and Teyha nodded grimly. "Most likely be soon." The woman clucked, and rummaged through the closet for a beat up dress. "Change in the evening." She said softly. "No need to look pretty for him."

At that Teyha smiled, and with the day half over she went to sleep. Like many humans in the area, she had taken a liking to sleeping during the day, and keeping watch at night. When dusk came, she'd be up... In an old navy blue dress built for a woman twice her size. In the next room over was Ophelie, in her nightgown, and Kaura was off again, presumably hunting, or scouting... Or simply working through bad energy.
 
Ross slept straight though the day with no trouble. He had rode hard as had the humans he had brought with him. He had only tied them to their horses when they neared the valley. He did not know if the humans had spies in the forest watching the border and he was not about to take any chances before his plan had even begone to take shape. He had collected the humans he had brought with him over the last two years as he had found them. They had helped him gain influence in the lands around the valley that would be invaluable if he gained power here.

Merth ended up sleeping in the chair he had sat down in as he and Vikki listened to Ross's Stories or the world outside of the Valley. Vikki slept through the day in the bed as the heavy curtains kept the sun from weakening her or her brother. After they woke they made their way down to the dungeons where they kept the most trouble some peasants as easy meals.

Ross had already fed so he was in the court yard giving the men and women he had brought with him their duties. "Kay, you and a few of the others will be let go and are to make your way into the Village that we past through last night. I want you to integrate and become part of the community. You can use any means you think are needed to accomplish your task as long as you do not reveal that you are my eyes and ears in the Village." The group shank and Kay and a few of the others left to prepare. "Merk, you and your men will go to the armory and get all the equipment you need then return here ready to fight as soon as you are done." Merk saluted and left for the armory with his men in toe. As for the rest of you go find a job within the castle that you are proficient at until I have other assignments." The rest of the group dispersed and Ross waited patiently for Merk and the other ten men to come back.

Merth and Vikki exchanged looks then shrugged as they listened to Ross's orders. "Going to leave us out of all the fun?" Merth laughed at his own joke while Vikki stayed quite as usual.

Smiling Ross turned around "Far from it, I want both of you to come with me. I am going to bring that healer back her for interrogation. I had the chance to search her mind as I fed on her and she would not have known about it but now she knows I can get into her mind so I am sure she will not let if happen again." The looks of confusion he got from the others told him that they had no idea what he was talking about. He spend the next hour explaining and showing them how they could connect with their victims and other vampires though their blood.

"We are ready and willing to die for you. We have retried the horses." Merth Vikki and Ross stayed quite for another two minutes while Merk and his men waited quietly. They all were unwilling to interrupt the vampires. "Good lets go and get that healer then. Merk you and three of your men will accompany us while the rest of your men will go one patrol and get used to the area. You all should know this valley like the back of your hands." All three vampires mounted their horses and headed for town.
 
The last rays of sunlight had already fled from the horizon by the time Teyha woke, scrubbing her eyes with the back o her hand absently. She poured water into a pot and set it in her hearth to warm for a washing, before carefully peeling off her old nightgown. She folded it, and set it aside, setting to brushing her hair. She might not want to look pretty for the vampire, should he come, but at the very least she didn't want to appear uncivilized. The tangles took a good few minutes to undo, but she managed with the help of her comb. Once the water was warm, she washed any dirt and dust away, scrubbing herself as she did at the start of every day, until she nodded in satisfaction. She slipped on a shift, and buttoned the old dress up, grateful that the high collar ended just below her chin.

She stepped out then, to the offensive noise of Ophelie's screech, the she fell out of bed. "Get dressed." Teyha told her softly, and moved to the door. "We might have company."

It didn't surprise her any that there were no others in her office. Anyone in need of healing would no doubt have gone to the elderly Elf, who was working at the barely used inn. Still, she looked. The guards were gone now, not a single eye on the cabin. They were utterly alone, and that inside itself was terrifying. "Where's Kaura?" Ophelie asked softly.

"Probably sleeping... Somewhere." Teyha whispered horsley, even if there was no need to keep her voice down. No doubt the young Elf had found safe shelter in the woods, and would live recursively there for the next two months. As for herself, Teyha moved out of the house, and stood by the pouch. The mostly full moon made the night bright enough that even her eyes could easily make out the road. She stood there and waited for the vampire to return, her face grin. After a moment or two, Ophelie joined her, in a simple grey dress. They watched together, ready for the worst.
 
"Merk take your men and ride through the village ahead, spread out I want you and you men to get a good look at this village. We may have to visit it often for a while." The soldiers followed his orders and rode off. Ross watched as they tightened the bandage around their wrists to stop any stray blood from leaking out of they cuts.

Merth held onto the rains of his horse tighter than he normally would have. He had drank enough blood from each man to have a connection and for the first time in years he found it hard to concentrate. "You said that you have done this with up to twenty people at a time?"

Vikki was fairing far better than her brother but she was used to multitasking so her mind separated each connection which aloud her to control what senses she received from the soldiers. "This is amazing. I can't believe we did not learn about this sooner."

Ross smiled as he heard them. They may be older than him but he had learned for more then they had while he was gone. "Yes twenty but its not easy so don't try it. Now be quite that's the healers hut." He pointed and laughed as he saw that she was out side waiting for them. "It looks like we have a welcoming committee."

Vikki snarled as she recognized Ophelie and rode ahead of the other two. Ross didn't need to ask what caused this since Vikki had not shielded herself from him when they made their connection. He left Merth behind as he sped up to catch Vikki. Don't do anything stupid, we will take them both. He didn't get a response from Vikki but he could feel her reining in her emotions as she stopped her horse infront of the two women.

Ross stopped and dismounted beside Vikki. He wore the same traveling cloak but the light of the moon was reflecting off of some of the light armor he had on underneath. "Well, it seems you have given me an easy catch Teyha. We will need both of you to accompany us back to the castle. Their are a some people who need your assistance and I an sure your friend would not mind helping." He knew she was smart enough to know he was lying but that didn't matter. He was enjoying him self and that's all that mattered.

Kay left the Castle with the others about half an hour after Ross had left. As soon as they were out of sight of the Castle they all split off into small groups of two or three. Some stayed on the roads while others went into the fields and a few went into the forest. Kay had always worked best alone so she ran ahead of the rest of the group trying to put as much distance between them and her as possible. Stopped when she saw a sheltered out cropping of rock. She had seen some animal traps near by so she decided to wait out the night under the outcropping and see if a hunter would come.
 
For the first hour of waiting Ophelie and Teyha entertained themselves as any condemned women might, by laughing and passing jokes back and forth. Ophelie had a love for rougher jokes, and openly laughed that perhaps if she had been attacked by a fair man, instead of a woman, she would have been less obliged to swing her cross. Teyha replied sourly that a leach was a leach, and she didn't care what gender it claimed.

It was about that time that the sound of hooves broke across the village, and Teyha's eyes narrowed watching the approach of the vampire. Her fist tightened briefly as they reigned in, an obvious hiss sounding from the vampiress. Teyha's eyes flicked to Ophelie's briefly, and she received the briefest shadow of a nod. That was the woman who bit her.

Teyha stepped forward, her knees wobbling slightly,but her thoughts carefully guarded, the advice of the elderly Elf. She didn't believe a word that passed through the mans lips, but neither could she stay in the village now. Nor Ophelie, truly. Kaura could pretend to be the absent hunter, but they were marked, and as long as they remained they would be watched.

At the same time, she could not allow herself to simply be carried off, unless she wanted the vampires to know she was given such advice. 'Attack them, and you're dead...' The woman had said. 'Which is fine for the revolt, but no one wants to see unnecessary bloodshed. Spit in their eye, same result is likely.' So where did that leave her? She stood in front of the two vampires, steel faced and grim, Ophelie leaning against the wall of the hut. "It seems her home remedies for keeping away parasites and vermin are not nearly effective as she had thought." She said, her eyes flicking towards Vicki before returning back to Ross again. "What use have you for a healer who cannot even keep away engorged ticks?"
 
Ross smiled at Teyha as she stepped forward. "Why don't you go and get a horse for the ride to the Castle while I get to know you friend?" He didn't wait for an answer before he walked past her and over to Ophelie. "And who might you be?" He was getting tired of their insults but he knew that he could keep his temper under control for the time being. He was more worried about the other two losing control and doing something stupid. Remember keep your anger in check. Once we get back to the Castle you can do what you want to her, short of killing her.

Merth had caught what Ophelie had said just as he had arrived. Ignoring Ross's words he dismounted and ran up to Ophelie. "Watch what you say! I could snap your neck like a twig." He grabbed her neck and squeezed to reinforce his words.

Vikki could see Ross's logic and had remained on her horse. But as she saw Merth's actions she dismounted and calmly walked over to him. Let her go! Ross is right, once we are at the Castle we can show them what their insults get them. She put he hand on his arm and dug her nails into his arm. "Let her go, Shes mine." He voice was low but had a commanding edge to it.

Merth looked from Ross to Vikki the with a growl he let go of Ophelie and took a step back.
 
Teyha could have slapped Ophelie right then. Not for pushing the blame onto her, but not letting her say it first! She was already known by the young male as a hothead with a quick tongue, Ophelie might have gotten away with only minor injuries yet. Now all the little witch could do was stand and watch while female vampire pulled the older male's hand free.

She didn't move to the horses, and instead stood closer to Ophelie's side, and shot her a look that said very plainly, 'Shut up, and stay shut up'. Then she turned, and flashed the girl a tight smile, lifting her chin slightly. "I should thank you." Teyha said softly, trying to choke down the words. Her eyes flicked to Ophelie briefly, "Go to the horses." She told her softly, and watched as the woman rubbed her neck, but moved away none the less. No doubt it was still tender from her bite the day before, and Teyha could sympathise. Her own wounds were throbbing horribly.

Pain or not, she moved directly in front of Ross, and glared up at him, her hands on her hips as if it would make her seem more intimidating. "I told you." She said firmly. "No one in this village... No..." She broke off with a frown and sighed. "No one in this world would appreciate being used as live-feed. If your kind doesn't want to be called damned parasites, than you should not behave as such." She told him firmly, before giving a mock bow, and dropping her voice to a perfectly courteous. "My lord, Vampire."
 
All three Vapmires watched Teyha as she moved to Ophelie's side. This she be interesting. I would have thought that the older one would have more power here. Ross let out a sort laugh and looked over at the other two. I don't want to know who just said that. Shaking his head he looked back at Teyha as she started to speak.

Vikki sneered at Teyha and let out a low hiss. "Yes you should." She followed Ophelie's with a slight smile on her face. Before either Merth or Ross could say anything she shot a quick glare at both of them. Don't even say a word. I won't harm her, unless she forces me to. She walked off to make sure Ophelie was not going to make a run for it.

Ross crossed his arms over his chest and smiled at Teyha's gesture. As useless as it was he found it amusing. His arm shot out and stopped Merth dead in his tracks as he was going for Teyha. He slowly turned his head to look at Merth. "Go tend the horses, you obviously can't handle this." He had no problems insulting Merth in front of anyone, not with their history. Make your self useful and go check on Merk and his men.

Merth going to attack Ross but stopped. It would not make him look better in the eyes of the Elders if he attacked him. They would think he was just a young ling. He glared at Ross then walked back to the horses. Be careful, you do not have complete power.

Ross turned back to Teyha. "You are mistaken, I have met more than a few people who are quite willing." He had stopped himself from hurting anyone this time but she should have kept her opinions to herself. He placed his hand on her shoulder and slowly slid it along until it rested on top of his bite mark. "You, really should learn to keep your mouth shut." He let his anger show as his hand grabbed and squeezed the area he had bitten. "If you have any ideas on how a Vampire can live without being a parasite as you put it," He pushed down on her neck as he tried to make her sink to her knees. Merth get some rope ready I think I will tie this one to her horse. He turned his attention back to Teyha. "I am sure we can find a way for you to show all of us parasites how to change our ways." He wondered if she would get that he was threatening to turn her into a vampire. Oh well if she did then great if not it didn't matter, he wasn't one who liked to make new vampires so she was safe in that respect.
Pain or not, she moved directly in front of Ross, and glared up at him, her hands on her hips as if it would make her seem more intimidating. "I told you." She said firmly. "No one in this village... No..." She broke off with a frown and sighed. "No one in this world would appreciate being used as live-feed. If your kind doesn't want to be called damned parasites, than you should not behave as such." She told him firmly, before giving a mock bow, and dropping her voice to a perfectly courteous. "My lord, Vampire."
 
Ophelie wasn't about to run, she wasn't a complete fool. She made her way to a dark grey mare, and stroked its nose calmly. The beast huffed at her while she gathered the reigns, and turned towards the female vampire. The young human didn't say a word, setting her attention on keeping the horse calm and friendly. Neither herself nor Teyha were very strong riders, and the last thing she wanted was to be bucked from her horse halfway through the trip. "That a girl." She cooed softly, but her eyes never left Teyha all the same, watching and waiting to see what would happen next.

Teyha gripped her hips firmly, to keep the man from seeing how she trembled. It was one thing to be strong of mind, and another of body. Ophelie was physically far stronger than the tiny brunette, and better with pain as well. So when Ross reached for her, she tensed considerably, bracing for pain. It was quick to come, as his hands clenched over her still fresh bite wound. She let out a gasp and cry of pain, and almost immediately dropped to her knees. "Stay there, Ophelie!" Teyha snapped, her eyes raising. She didn't need to look to know the girl had taken several steps from the horse, as if her strength alone could pry the vampire away.

Teyha drew in a few shuddered breaths, and raised her eyes to Ross', her expression full of fury and hate. "You take and give nothing in return." She hissed. "That's what makes you parasites." She took in a few more breaths, bracing herself for the lies now. "My words are all the power I have against you!" She told him loudly, "I'll be damned if you take those away as well!"

'Push it further.' Teyha faltered as Janek's voice rang in her ears, clear as day. 'It is what has been decided, Teyha. Push it further.'

'You're asking me to die.' Teyha sent back slowly, More anger creeping into her face now.

There was no response, and Teyha's fists clenched, ready now. "You can take away all else, but never what I think of you." She said softly, and drew back. She considered striking him, then, but that would do no good. It would not harm him, and would make the village seem violent. Without a moments more hesitation, she spat in his eye.
 
Vikki moved in front of Ophelie just after she took her first step towards Teyha. "Stay back, if you know whats good for you." Vikki didn't make a move to do anything to her but the threat was all to evident in her voice. She took a few steps closer. "Get your horse ready," She pointed to the horse as she spoke. "Unless you want to ride with me." She smirked at Ophelie and held her ground.

Ross's anger rose with each word she spoke. He was not going to kill her but she was pushing his patience to the limits. "If we didn't have the entrances to this valley blocked you and everyone in this valley would be living very hard lives." He was going to say more but she kept talking. He gave her credit for not giving up but that was not something he wanted to see. "If your words come to be to handle I can always take out your tongue." He saw her face falter and laughed. Finally he was getting through to her.

Merth stood by the horses getting a few pieces of rope ready just as Ross had asked. I don't know why you are putting up with this. Just kill her or knock her out and lets go. We have the other one.

I know people better than you do now shut up! I know what I am doing. He never took his eyes off of Teyha as he listened to her and talked to Merth. "I get it, you want what you can't have. But trust me you will lea-" He closed his eyes just before he got hit with her spit. He lunged forward and hit her across the face with the back of his hand. "Now that you will pay dearly for." His hand shot out and grabbed the ropes that Merth had just thrown. Before she could react he looped the rope around her neck and pulled both of Teyha's hands up between her shoulder blades before tying the loose ends of the noose to her hands. "If you try to get your hands free then you will die." He pulled her up by her wrists then carried her to his horse. As he mounted and pulled her up with him her turned to Vikki. "Do what you want with the other one. I have what I want, just no killing her." He looked to Merth next. "Go inside and light up the inside of the building. If this town loved their healer they will save her things." He rode off as Merth laughed and walked inside the Cabin and Vikki slammed her fist into the side of Ophelie's head hard enough to knock her out. She then grabbed her and mounted her horse before following Ross back to the Castle.
 
The last thing on Ophelie's mind was readying her horse, and she looked past Vicki, eyes wide on her friend. "Teyha!" She gasped when the girl spat, an action so very unlike her, followed by a growl when Ross backhanded her, his heavy blow strong enough to knock the petite girl to the ground.

Damn orders. Teyha was thinking even as she spit, sure that the vampire would kill her then. She braced for it, her eyes closing the moment he lunged. She felt his blow hard against her face, and the tiny girl had no hope of standing through it. She stumbled, her cheek on fire before losing her balance and falling flat. She began to pull herself up, when a rope looped around her neck, and her arms were wrenched backwards painfully. She cried out in pain as Ross tied her wrists, the rope digging into her skin. There was nothing she could do to escape it she wanted, so she just allowed herself to be pulled by the wrists, stifling another groan at the discomfort.

Ross took her quickly to his horse, and mounted quickly, dragging her up with him. She settled awkwardly in his lap, bound and helpless against his mighty chest. "What do you think you're doing?!" Teyha gasped, trying to sit up to put distance between their bodies. The pommel dug painfully into her thigh, and she squirmed, before inevitably falling back against Ross' unyielding chest once more. Her cheeks burned deeply, embarrassment and humiliation washing over her. For a few moments it overwhelmed her anger, and she sat motionless, redfaced and quiet, almost meek to keep from drawing attention to herself again.

But that was before Merth went in to burn her home. "Stop!" Teyha called, a pained look on her face as lit the torch. "My home! Please! Don't burn down my home!" Her fists clenched and unclenched in her bindings, useless to her now. It wasn't much, far older than she was, with old wooden walls warped slightly from the weather. The windows were broken and boarded years back, and inside it was fitted to be more of a make-shift hospital than any kind of home... But it was hers. She shook slightly as she watched the fire start, her lip quivering in what she hoped Ross would think was anger.

She looked to her side, seeing the unconscious form of Ophelie dangling helplessly in the female's lap. In an instant her anger was back, and she glared openly at Ross. "What do you want?" She demanded. "Are you vampires so disused to outcry that you come to kidnap those who dare to dislike you?" She demanded, her embarrassment forgotten for the moment. "I have a job to do, I can't be taken away from those who need me just because I bruised your precious ego!"


From the forst Kaura watched, her face sheet white while her two friends were dragged away, and the healers house set ablaze. She knew no one would go to save her things so long as the vampires were near... And she couldn't either, or she would be tied in with Ophelie again. "Damnit." She whispered, and plopped down, watching sadly as she watched the building burn.
 
Ross ignored her question as he concentrated on keeping the horse calm while pushing it to its limits. He relaxed slightly as she slummed against him. He didn't think she was stupid enough to try and get away. Not while they were on the horse and with her hands tied the way they were. He couldn't help but lean closer to her as he caught her scent. His eyes closed half way as he inhaled the sent of her blood.

His eyes snapped open at her out burst. "You should have thought about the repercussions of your actions before you spat in my face." He dug his heels in to the horses side and spurred it along faster. He saw the quiver in her lip but knew it was not anger. He knew what it was to loose something you love.

He returned her glare and parted his lips enough to show his fangs. "Don't play stupid with me. Your smart enough to know that I am doing this for the security of my race. It has nothing to do with my ego." He wanted to slap her again, instead he gripped the reins harder. "They made a mistake by giving you that much responsibility. You are just a child." He looked past her as if he were lost in thought.
 
Even with Ross pushing his beast into a faster Trot, Teyha managed to pull back again, her eyes narrowing on his. She did consider the repercussions of her actions, she simple assumed they would head her to a quick end, not a kidnapping, and certainly not to having the only place that passed as a hospital burned to the ground! It was devastating, to her and the people of the village. 'I wont let his fangs scare me... no matter how much they hurt.' She thought to herself, grateful the rope kept her from rubbing the sore spot on her neck.

"How dare you?" She snapped at him. "I was not given my title out of convenience, I already explained that!"

"Oomph!" Teyha grunted when the horse jolted, and she slammed back into Ross' chest again. She gave an aggravated sigh at the situation, giving up trying to sit on her own altogether. "I'm fifteen." She told him in a scoff. "WOMEN my age are marrying and birthing children. I know, I help deliver! Men are given jobs, All in the village are working by teen years, if not we would not have the people to survive. It is the way of things, the system your people have forced into place."
 
Ross opened his mouth to agree with her but stopped himself just in time. He knew that something had to change because this system never lasted. But that was what he was trying to do. Change the system that was in place. “Things will change, one way or another they will change.” He looked at her with eyes filled with determination and mystery. “Mark my words thing will change.” He broke eye contact when the rode into the court yard of the Castle.

He rode up to the main doors to the keep and dismounted before his lifted Teyha off the horse. He set her down on the ground then turned to the group of women who had come out of the Castle. “Take her inside and give her the room adjacent to mine.” he women nodded and walked up to Teyha. Ross turned back tp Teyha and quick one quick movement he cut the ropes. “Don’t bother trying to run, you won’t make it out of the keep and no one is going to kill you so don’t bother trying.”

He lead his horse to the stables before he went to talk to Merth and Vikki about Ophelie.
 
Teyha's fists clenched and unclenched at Ross' statement, and she shot him a glare over her shoulder, not believing a word that escaped from his mouth. She had spent too long under the rule of vampires to believe that anything would change as long as they were in charge, but for once she chose not to voice her opinion. The vampire looked away again when they reached the castle, he slid off the horse's back before gently pulling her down, and set her down easily.

"Wait, what?" She said when he told the women to take her to the room across from his. She stiffened considerably, her now-free arms folding stubbornly in front of her chest. "I do not wish to be set anywhere near you!" She called as one woman took her elbow firmly, and led her into the castle. Teyha glowered along the way, but grudgingly followed, her eyes downcast away from any curious gazes.

"Here's your room." One maid announced, pulling her into a fairly large suite. Teyha paused for a moment, her eyebrow raising at the spacious room, easily the size of her waiting area in the hut, where as many as ten patients could sleep at a time. She wandered for a moment, while the maid fluffed a pillow on the bed in the corner, and gestured to a second door in the room, "There is Lord Ross' room." She announced brightly, as though Teyha should be pleased at how close she was to the vampire.

The witch simply shuddered, and examined the room in closer detail while the last of the women left, and she was alone once more. Almost immediately she set to work, dragging the heavy bed across the room. She tugged, pulled, and cursed loudly, wishing she could embrace her magic to help move it quicker. It took her a good ten minutes to drag the heavy bed five feet, lodging it directly in front of the door that led to Ross' room. She grinned then, and flopped down, curling up on top of the feathery soft mattress with a sigh. "At least the bed is nice..." She murmured, and hugged a pillow to herself, taking a few short minutes to relax.


Ophelie wasn't so lucky. By the time they reached the castle she was only beginning to regain consciousness. Her vision was blurry, and her stomach tossed in protest of the nauseating pain that surged through her body. "Fuck..." She groaned, trying to raise a hand to the growing lump on the back of her head, but event hat motion failed her, and she felt utterly helpless.
 
Ross spoke with Merth as Vikki dismounted and threw Ophelie over her shoulder.

"Where are we going to keep this one?" Ross and Merth both looked over at Vikki and Laughed. "Where do you think, with the rest of the criminals." Merth shook his head and walked away after he spoke. Vikki headed for the dungeon but got stopped by Ross. "Don't injure her more than she already is." He cradled Ophelie's chin in his hand and lifted her head so he could see her face. "She won't feel much for a couple of hours at least so just leave her in the Cell. We can interrogate her later." He headed for his room as Vikki went down into the dungeons and found and empty cell. She dropped Ophelie onto the floor of the cell. "Rest up, you will need all the strength you can get." She laughed and Flashed her fangs. "Sweet dreams." She walked out of the dungeons.

Ross walked through the Castle and into his room. He quickly got got our of his armor and placed it in a traveling trunk at the foot of his bed with his travelling cloak. He changed into a pair of simple black canvas slacks and a loose white shirt.

He walked to the doors that connected to Teyha's room. He tried to open the door but found that something was blocking it. He took a step back from the doors and went through his options. he quickly decided that kicking the doors open was the most effective way to get into the room. He used all of his strength to kick the spot where both doors met. He smiled as the doors flew open and crashed against the walls. He growled as he walked into the room and watched the bed slide across the room. "That was not smart." His anger laced his words and grew stronger with each word.
 
Ophelie could barely understand what was going on around her. Dimly she was aware that she was slung over one of the vampires shoulders, hanging bonelessly as the other creatures discussed her fate. Words floated to her, that she could only dimly understand. 'Criminals' 'Injure'

She felt her head lifted lightly, a gentle touch, and found herself staring at the fuzzy image of a man who seemed to be examining her injuries. 'Bastard...' She thought to herself, but couldn't speak beyond a grunt as he let her go and she was carried away. The female vampire dropped her unceremoniously onto the cell floor, and she crumbled, laying limp with her dark hair spread like a fan around her. "Sweat dreams..." She heard the vampire laugh as she walked away, and the woman groaned again, but quickly fell unconscious once more.


Teyha was nearing sleep, a restless slumber filled with worries about the village she was separated from, and those who needed her help. Her mind kept flashing the same image of Ophelie, slumped limp against the female vampire, her expression blank and lifeless. She was robbed of the ability to even care for her friends, separated from any who would help her.

She was so caught up in her thoughts, she didn't notice the first jiggle of the doorknob, and stayed perfectly still on the bed. The second kick was impossible to ignore. She bolted up as the bed shot across the floor, spinning as if it were on wheels. Teyha gripped the sheets tightly, clinging close to the mattress, but it was a futile cause. The bed slammed hard into the opposing wall, and Teyha kept moving, striking hard before she toppled onto the floor.

She laid still for a moment, the wind knocked out of her, before she pushed herself onto her hands and knees. She stared at Ross with wide, furious eyes flashing in anger. "I do not sleep where a man can enter my room." She croaked, still sounding breathless. "Not you, nor anyone else."
 
"What makes you think you will be sleeping if I enter?" He crossed the room and stood inches from Teyha. He cursed to himself for not controlling his speed. He was not one to show off, he kept his speed and strength hidden for times when he needed it. "If you are good maybe I will get you a lock for your doors." He leaned closer to her and smiled as he caught the sent of her blood.
 
"Past experience." Teyha grumbled under her breath as she grabbed the edge of the bed. She hauled herself to her feet and glowered at the man, her head spinning dizzily. She blinked at how close the vampire was, standing mere inches from her, even as her back pressed against the wall. "You could kick through a lock." She whispered, her eyes locking onto his. She put a hand out, and placed it directly in the center of his chest as if to halt his advance. "Stop there." She said softly. "If you drink from me every day you will drain me dry."
 
His eyebrows arched as she indicated her past. "I could kick through it yes but that doesn't mean I will." He took half a step back, not that the distance mattered. If he really wanted to feed off of her he would have know trouble doing so. "You don't have to lecture me on how I feed. I let you live last night didn't I?" He would have loved to taste her blood again but he didn't have to feed. He had learned to separate his want to feed and his actual need for the blood a long time ago. He walked away from Teyha and started to look at the different pieces of furniture. "So, we might as well begin. How many others do you know of who are against us?" He stopped at the window and sat on the sill as he watched Teyha.
 
"Then either way I'd have to trust in your self control." She snapped sharply. "Locking the door would serve no purpose." She sighed when he moved away, and she sat herself on the edge of the bed, watching Ross carefully. "I know most people in the village do not like vampires." She told him, and crossed her arms firmly, her mind carefully shielded in case he was watching. "They try to same remedies Ophelie did to keep your kind out of their houses at night. Holy water baths, garlic hanging at the doors, crosses 'round their necks. It's a way to keep ourselves safe, or so the people thought." She said with a shrug, glaring at the vampire. "Are you going to kill us for wanting to ward you away from our homes?"
 
"Exactly. So you might as well get used to the fact." He had quick a lot of self control and he stuck to his word unless he had reason to go against it. He just shook his head but didn't take his eyes off of hers. "I know that every person I have met has tried the same things to keep us away." He knew this was not going to get them anywhere but he also knew that he had all the time in the world to find out what she knew. "I would not kill anyone for protecting themselves there homes. Unless it gets in the way of me getting what I need." He fell silent as he wondered how much he could tell her. Nothing for now, she couldn't be trusted not yet. He would have to wait and see. "You must be hungry, why don't we get you something to eat?"
 
Teyha frowned deeper, moving back on the bed away from the vampire. Her eyes narrowed briefly as her mouth set in a firm line. "Most people know drawing a cross on their door wont keep you away." She told him sharply. "But they want to do something to make sure that they don't wake up to a family member on the floor, drained of blood. That was what Ophelie was doing. She had to go out, I do not know why, and asked for remedies to keep herself safe. I gave them to her." She told him crisply, spacing each word as if she were talking to a child, "Most people in the area use the same charms and hope filled techniques to ward off vampires. That is the entirety of the story." She told him, and quickly stood, her eyes never leaving his for a moment. "And no, I am not hungry. What I want is to return to my home to begin rebuilding. I told you what I know, there is no reason to hold Ophelie or myself in this castle any longer."
 
Ross listened patiently to what she had to say. In truth it did give him insight into what the people in this valley were like. When he was done, things would be better than they were now. Not perfect but much better. "Keep talking to me that way and you will have more marks." He tone was not threatening but the threat was there all the same. He let himself relax a bit and leaded against the wall of the window frame. "They want to protect what is there. I have know problem with that. I will not let them know that their attempts are useless and I will not tell them what will stop us." He shook his head. "Don't think you can fool me into thinking that you or Ophelie know nothing." He couldn't be sure that they were part of a rebellion but the test in the forest and then Tehya's attitude. Then the fact that Ophelie was found at Teyha's hut was to suspicious for him to ignore. "You two will stay ere until i am satisfied that you can do no harm and that I know everything you two know." He left his eyes close half way as he looked out the window. Even though he was not looking at her, he was tracking Teyha by her heart beat.
 
Teyha's pulse quickened as Ross spoke, bringing a flush into her cheeks. "I told you what I know!" She snapped loudly, taking a step away from the bed and towards the vampire. "Remedies are passed from one healer to the next, and spread through the people. As far as I know, As far as I'm aware, no one has been abducted for rubbing themselves with Garlic before... So..."

Something occurred to Teyha, and she took a step back, her eyes widening. "It worked." She said in a soft voice. "Something that Ophelie had on her could have hurt that vampiress, and that is why you took us." She almost whispered. "That's why we're here, something Ophelie had on her could harm you, and that is what is frightening. You want to know if it was a plan, if we know what it is that would give humans an edge."
 
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