The Cost of Peace

[Emora Deen]

Tenele blinked. She had expected it to be much worst. But, she couldn't understand him fully. For all she knew that could either be a very bad thing, or a not so bad thing that just seemed bad. She was confused, and now even more scared. "I don't understand. That just means your a little more powerful than you were a few minutes ago, right?"

[Soran Nightblade]

"It means my contact with Sinead is gone. My will has the driver's seat, not hers." He shook his head, realizing that he wouldn't be able to make her understand it. "He's planning something, and I don't know what it is," he said, beginning to pace in frustration. "I thought Sinead's seal on my power would keep him out of my mind, but it sure as hell won't now."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele didn't understand. She was afraid. "Vlad...." She wanted to help him, and it hurt her that she couldn't. She didn't know how. She thought she could talk to this God. Offer to sacrifice something in the hopes he would reverse what he had done to Vlad. She knew that was a joke. He looked to pleased with Vlad to reverse anything.

She was panicing now. She numbly stepped to the railing of the balcony and gripped it tightly. The wind caught strands of her silver hair, and it glistened in the soft moon light. It tickled her neck, and her cheeks, but she couldn't pay attention to that. Her mind was numb. She didn't know what to tell him because she couldn't offer any advice. She wasn't an expert on vampires. She was an expert on fighting and diplomacy...

She clenched her teeth and turned to head back inside. She was going to ask him just what he had planned. He had no reason to hide it from her, he had already put gears in motion that she could not control or stop. She didn't care if it angered a God. She couldn't stand this.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Tenele!" Vlad took a second to realize what she was doing. He grabbed her shoulder firmly, and spun her toward him again. "Do not go near him. It will make things worse." He wasn't trying to, but his tone was urgent, almost aggressive. Not only that, but the mild, tolerable hunger he'd had a few minutes ago was now a fierce craving, and he couldn't help noticing that he wasn't particularly unsettled by the concept of satiating it. He glanced down, then looked at her again. "Do you still have that necklace I gave you?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele was a bit shaken when he turned her around so quickly. The look in his eyes, it was almost wild. Frantic. She shifted a bit, wanting out of his grasp. He mentioned the necklace. It was never good when he mentioned that necklace.

"I... I don't know. I might have packed it away with my things. Its either in the room or on the ship," she replied quickly, her voice faint. "Vlad... I'm scared." Her green eyes glanced up at him. The wind blew cool, colder than it had been during the day. It tended to be that way in deserts. She shuddered as a chill ran down her spine. She couldn't tell if it was because she was afraid of what was happening, or because of the cool air.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Scared is probably the intelligent reaction, even if it's not the one I prefer," Vlad said. His red eyes flashed a real apology as he looked at her. "I want you to go and find it, now."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele blinked. "Okay," she agreed. "I'll go look for it...." Tenele turned, her mind swirling with so many questions. She walked back in, feeling the warmth of the oil lamps and body heat. She walked around, following the pillars towards the wall and the open door. She didn't pay any attention to anything as she was leaving the room, to whether someone was trying to call her back or if anyone had noticed at all.

She walked slowly at first, but the further she got up the steps the faster her pace went. She moved with grave urgency, lifting her dress a bit higher and running as fast as she could go in the pointless shoes she was wearing. Something was telling her to move faster... Something was wrong. Her heart thudded in her chest, she could hear it ringing in her ears. She ran for her door, passing several people down that hall. Some of the soldiers had women in there arms, others were doing unseemly things in the open. She ignored them all and closed the door to her room behidn her.

Immedaitly she went for her chest. She dug through it, throwing all the clothes and accessories onto the floor. Franticly searching for that necklace, praying that it wasn't on the ship.

[Soran Nightblade]

As soon as she was gone, Vlad leaned on the rail of the balcony and put his hand to his head. Not since the day he was first turned had he been this afraid of forgetting who he was. That time, he had been willing to submit to months of torturous experiments to become stronger, faster, more powerful, and more controlled and self-aware than the ravenous monsters that had diseased him. And now he was still all of those things, but without the control. He turned and looked into the banquet hall, and all he saw was a crowded room full of food. He could care less who was from Arken or the Outlands, who was a noble and who was a civilian guest. His mind knew all these things, still understood why he was here, but he didn't care about it the same way.

He narrowed his eyes as Princess Lalana spotted him from inside and made her way over to him on the balcony. "Lord Dracul, I was wondering where you'd gotten off to," she said suavely, a flirtatious grin spreading up into her eyes. "I wondered if you might like to dance?"

That, of course, was a terrible idea. Vlad looked her up and down like he was inspecting a prize cut of venison, from her skin-tight dress to the heavy black hair that was tied back from her neck. He could smell her and hear her heartbeat rise. Her obvious lust called to other instincts inside him. "Oh, I really doubt you could handle me," he smirked darkly.

She stepped closer, until they were nearly chest to chest. "Would you like to find out?" she murmured into his ear.

He could have slapped himself, but his hand extended to her cordially and he strode out with her back onto the floor, his eyes trained on her. He could seduce her, bed her, and then consume her. Possess her in every way he wished, along with any human he chose. These inane, inferior cattle would serve at his call and die by his hand if he chose. He had no care for nations or races or even gender.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele had gone through everything. Her hair was a bit disheveled, but still very beautiful. Several strands hung down around her neck and her face. She glanced around, double checking. She couldn't find it anywhere. That meant that it was on that ship... And she would have to go there in the dead of night to get it. "Shit," she hissed, walking quickly back to her door.

She passed people in the halls who made comments to her about joining their private parties. It seemed that as the night was wearing on, the pleasant atmosphere was fading into something very dangerous... She ignored them and headed quickly back towards the party.

It was just as lively, if not more than when she had left it. She couldn't see Vlad at first. She wondered through the room, getting lost in the crowd. Then, she saw him. She spoted him. She froze in the crowd, people dancing around her as if she weren't even present. He had a woman in his arms... Lalana... and he seemed suddenly very pleased about something. She swallowed hard, and her mind raced. Why had he sent her away so quickly after that talisman? He had seemed so fearful of her not having it... And suddenly he had a woman in his arms, and he was pleasant with her company.

She was taken a back, and it was clear and evident on her face. A goblet appeared in her face, blocking Vlad from her vision. "Everyone shows their true colors eventually," he said softly, and his black eyes seemed very sympathetic. "Drink, it will help you feel better."

Tenele glared at him. "You did something to him. He wouldn't..."

"He wouldn't? Are you sure?" Verin asked, motioning her to take the glass again. "Go on. Trust me, it will make you feel better."

Tenele narrowed her eyes. "I don't want it," she hissed.

Her body was rigid, frozen. He came to stand behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder and holding his arm out around so that the goblet was still in front of her. He was so tall, that she felt helpless standing so close to him. He leaned forward, bringing his lips close to her ear. "Drink."

Tenele blinked, feeling strange. She looked at the goblet, and then back at Vlad and Lalana. Her hand was brushing his cheek, and she was clinging to him. She was trying to press her entire body against him. It made her sick. He seemed to not even care. "Enjoy the party, my lovely lady. Drink. Vladimir is only being what he was designed to be."

Tenele took the goblet in her hand and glanced at them one last time before gulping down the drink and placing it on a passing tray. Verin chuckled. She shuddered, she could feel his breath on her skin... She turned and walked away, making sure to keep her distance of the God. She didn't care if it was not safe to walk through this city at night, being who she was. She was going for that tallisman, and planned on reminding Vlad of who he was before he completely lost himself in whatever Verin had done to him.

[Soran Nightblade]

After a few minutes of dancing with Lalana, Vlad hesitated, struggling with a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. This wasn't who he was, this wasn't him, this was something else taking over. No....he was just free, free to be himself. His teeth gritted with effort as he tried to remember what he was supposed to be doing. Something wasn't right.

"Lord Dracul, you seem distracted," purred the woman in his arms. "Why don't you relax. Wouldn't you like to show me what your kind can really do. I've heard so much," she murmured sexily in his ear, nearly pressing her smooth neck to his face.

"You have wild tastes to do such things in your father's court," Vlad teased, his bloodlust creeping up in his mind. "Don't think for a moment you could remain quiet once I take you," he breathed a sultry warning.

"You underestimate me, Vladimir. Come on, one little nip," she encouraged. He could tell by the smell of her blood pressure rising that she was serious - this was some kind of fetish, or she wanted it for some other reason. She seemed to know exactly what would take back his resistance. But he knew as he lowered his lips to her neck that something wasn't right.

He stopped, and pulled his head back, but Lalana's hand caught the back of his neck and held him there, inches from her skin. "Don't stop," she whispered.

Vlad took a shaky breath and shoved her away from him, easily breaking her grip. She let out a yelp of surprise and stumbled backwards onto her rear end, and the room seemed to fall silent, all eyes on them.

"Just what's going on here?" demanded Atul, crossing over to defend his apparently distressed sister. "What do you think you're doing, Mr. Dracul," he demanded, reaching for Vlad's collar. That really wasn't a very good idea.

Vlad's eyes glowed with irritation at the prince's grip. He caught onto the man's arm and threw him easily across the room, where he crashed into a row of chairs. Stunned and bleeding from his forehead, the Prince's eyes narrowed with rage. "Do you intend to fight me?" he roared at Vlad, rising back to his feet.

"Well, I could hardly call that a fight," Vlad rolled his eyes.

"Father," Atul growled, "Let us clear some room. Someone bring my scimitar."

Vlad chuckled at the very idea. "You intend to duel with me?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele stormed from the palace in a flurry of hurried movements. She had to hold her dress a bit high as she quickly skipped down the steps. She had no time to waist, for she remembered very well what it was like to be a monster without bounds. The guards at the gate let her pass to easily, and it would have bothered her if she had not been so fixated with her current mission. She needed to find that talisman before Vlad did something very dangerous for them all.

The streets were fairly empty, and those still left on it didn’t bother her with buying trinkets or conversation. It was straight line shot to the docks, and with the held of the moon she could see the glistening water and folded white sails. The night air seemed to grow a bit cooler as she continued on, wishing for the life of her that she could remove her shoes. It had been so long since she had gotten dressed up for anything she completely forgot how bothersome it was.

The further she went the more she noticed feeling light headed. It probably had not been a good thing to drink such strong wine on an empty stomach. However, she could tolerate the alcohol. She pressed on, but just as she reached the docks the light headed feeling began to get much worst. In fact, her hole body felt strange. She staggered on her feet, her skin prickling. Her vision swirled, and everything around her rippled and swayed, distorting to the point she couldn’t make it out. Wine usually didn’t do this to her. She shook her head, putting her it in her hands for a moment. She had no time for this game... she needed to get to the talisman. She continued, but only made it a few more steps before her knees buckled and she sank to the stony ground. She took several quivering breaths, her body feeling to strange for words. She couldn’t stand to sit up any longer, and forgetting she was in the middle of the road, she laid back, her hand resting by her head and the other across her waist. The dress pooled around her, midnight blue in the dark.

She turned her head from side to side, trying to shake off this feeling, but just as she glanced up to the stars a form appeared over her. She couldn’t make who it was out. She only saw shadow... She saw him bend down, and idly felt arms slip under her. Whoever it was... they were carrying her. She tried to make out the face, but her eyes couldn’t focus. She only saw shadow, and then nothing.

Darkness.

* * *

“Brother, its alright...” Lalana began, but Atul gave her a stern look as he took the scimitar with one hand.

The guests had spread out, forming a wide circle around them. Mutters and whispers spread around the room, but if anyone was planning to stop this they didn’t make a move. Atul glanced around, expecting the woman he was supposed to be watching to come to put there disagreement to an end. She was no where to be found.

“You should learn manners, and treat a host with more respect. For all Ighten brags about, morals and honor, you have shown me none,” Atul growled. “This was a mistake. We cannot learn peace with hypocrites. Apologize to my sister, or I shall teach you manners.”

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled. "Oh, I love to learn new things," he mocked.

The prince accepted a scimitar from a servant and pointed it at Vlad's face. "Then you leave me no choice," he threatened.

In the corner of the room, Verin smiled.

Vlad stared hard at the prince, his mind fighting him on something. But he was angry; his pride was riled. He ran forward and slammed his palm into the prince's chest before he even had time to move his sword. As the man doubled over, Vlad grabbed the back of his shirt and threw him somersaulting across the floor. Atul scrambled back to his feet and charged back at Vlad, who disappeared and then delivered a swift kick to his back from behind.

"Do not use these sorcerer's tricks against me, you coward," Atul snarled.

"Perhaps you should ask your God to help you," Vlad snapped back, sparing a disparaging glare at Verin. "You knew this would happen when you brought him here, didn't you?" he growled. Before Atul could answer, Vlad jumped up into a spinning kick that caught him in the side of the head and threw the prince across the floor like a rag doll. Before the man could even try to get up, Vlad's hand pinned his neck to the floor hard enough to make him cough blood.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Atul gasped in a strangled voice. "Tell me, does your queen always send such mindless thugs to defend her pure "maidens"? Or are you just here to sleep with her?"

Vlad blinked, fighting back an urge to crush his neck in his hand. He was here to be diplomatic. For his queen... He needed no queen.... he thought of Sinead's wise, patient face, and pictured it stricken with shock and disappointment. He was superior. He served no one.... and Tenele - well, Tenele was just..... He spun his head around the room, and realized he could not see or smell her. He glanced down at Atul something in his eyes must have revealed his confusion.

"She ran out of here a few minutes ago, or didn't you notice? I'm sure she'd be pleased by your diplomatic prowess," Atul said flatly.

Vlad's hand pulled suddenly away from the prince's neck, like he'd noticed he was holding hot iron.

Atul narrowed his eyes and his voice fell very low. "You are not half so charming as you were yesterday, Dracul. I had hoped you were stronger than this, or I would have spoken to you sooner," he said confidentially.

Vlad blinked, like he was coming out of a bad dream. "I need to go."

"Then find her, but there will be no undoing this," Atul said.

Vlad stared at him, shock seeping into his features as he realized what had just happened. He nodded very faintly, and disappeared from the view of the hundred pairs of eyes that were staring at him.

[Emora Deen]

Lalana went to her brother, smiling so pleasently. "Oh brother, you can be so rash sometimes," she mused, glancing around the room for her Lord. She wanted to give him a smile, a wink... But, he was no where to be found. He seemed to be fading in and out of the room, more than likely very busy with other things.

Atul glared at her, and he collected himself. He walked from the room, his head held high, but even he knew that this had been very bad for the both of them.

* * *

A little over half an hour had passed... Though, Tenele did not know that. Her eyes fluttered open, and she felt a cool draft blow across her skin. Dizzily she sat up, trying to remember what had happened. Images came to her mind, more like a dream. A form, and gentle yet terribly frightening whispers. She couldn't remmeber what they had said... If that had even happened at all. What had happened? She barely remembered, and she knew from what her mind was trying to tell her, that it had to be a dream.

She sat up reluctantly, her body feeling like lead. She glanced down, noting that she felt lighter, and the pounds of germent had been removed. She was wearing her under dress, and the corset was still fastened snuggly around her waist. Her shoes were gone. Her hair was unruely, as if she had been rolling around in bed all day, some of the fine pins just dangling useless in the tangles. Her hair rarely got tangled...

She felt something cold slide across her chest when she sat up a bit straighter, and it fell into her lap. There was the talisman, but she hadn't remembered getting it. She still felt sluggish, and her eyes were hardly able to focus. She could tell where she was though. In the room she had been given, surrounded by those sheer curtains, on a bed that looked to have been well used.

She took a deep breath, crawling numbly to the floor, which was only a short distance away. Struggling she stood up, gripping the talisman in her hand. She needed to find Vlad, make him stop. Make him remember who he was. Walking on wobbly legs, she cared not for adjusting her twisted clothing, she stepped out into the hall. It was loud with noises, some obsene, some not. People moved past her, seemingly more than one at first. Like a domino effect before her eyes. She closed her eyes for a moment as she stumbled along, coming closer and closer to steps she'd surely not make it down without falling.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad appeared in the hall outside the banquet, and if he hadn't been dead, he would have been very pale at the moment. Verin had planted ideas in his mind, he knew that much. But to lose himself that completely, what was he thinking? And why the hell hadn't Tenele come back with the amulet by now? He began teleporting rapidly around the palace, looking for a sign of her and ignoring the confused stares he got from those who had not just seen him beat the pulp out of their prince. He finally stopped as he appeared in the upper hall, where their chambers were, and saw Tenele half-dressed and disheveled, stumbling frantically down the hall. "Tenele!" he shouted, running toward her and having no idea what to think of her condition except that he was probably going to kill somebody.

[Emora Deen]

She heard her name. It was like her head was in a jar, and she was listening through glass. She turned, not completely sure what direction the voice was coming from. Someone was growing closer to her quickly, she blinked, taking a step back as the face focused. "Vlad?" she muttered, blinking until he was clear. She was getting better at seeing.

She hid the talisman behind her back, she had no pocket to put it in. "I got it... don't worry." How was she going to explain to him what happened? She didn't know herself.