The Cost of Peace

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad actually bit back a snort. Apparently escorts counted as pets here. "I am the Lady's Aide, your highness," he managed to say without making a wise crack about being house-trained. "We thank you for your invitation. Please forgive us for being late." He glanced at the tense expressions that faced them around the banquet hall. "Pleased to be the life of the party," he announced casually to the crowd. If the group's disapproval affected him, it certainly didn't show. "Well, by all means, party on," he said to their silence, offering his arm to Tenele and leading her to their seats.

He noticed a few eyes in the group who were looking at him differently, and specifically. As if he were some kind of rare dessert that they wanted to cut up and eat. You know you're a bit cocky when you find that look flattering, he thought to himself with a smirk. However, he wasn't blind. He'd heard a lot about the parties here, and he knew things could go very wrong, very fast.

Their seats were along the border of an immense rectangular table piled with food. Vlad sat next to a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties and who flatly ignored his polite greeting. Tenele's seat was at his left, beside a girl wearing what could only be called a yellow negligee who was little more than a teenager and who was staring at Tenele in fascination. She apparently had not been taught rules about staring, or perhaps there were no such rules in her country, or maybe Tenele just looked that strange.

[Emora Deen]

Everyone took their seats. They were not too far away from the King. One chair over from her was a large empty thrown. She had expected the King to sit there, but it was left empty. She suddenly realized that no one was going to sit in that seat, for everyone had already found one. The doors to the throne room had been closed while people were meandering, looking for their chairs. The Maharaja rose and clapped his hands once. He was moving to clap his hands again when the doors suddenly opened by themselves.

The hall on the outside was well lit, but as soon as the doors open a wind blew in and the light was gone. Tenele felt uneasy, but the Maharaja was smiling pleasantly his painted on smile. She couldn't tell whether that made her feel better or worst.

Her eyes glanced to Vlad, and she leaned over towards him. Her head was turning to look at him better when her eyes caught the burning glare of an Arken ambassador. She narrowed her eyes and ignored him, turning her attention to Vlad. "What do you think is going on?"

She heard the sound of heavy foot steps. Not boots, but bare feet moving across the floor. Then someone emerged from the darkness. He was tall, nearly seven feet. His body was proportional, perfect. Every muscle angled at an impossibly perfect degree. His face was chizeled, cut from marble. His eyes a deep black. His hair was shoulder length, waves of ebony. He wore a long cloth around his waist that seemed to taper into something living towards the bottom. It shifted across the stone in an eerie grabbing sort of way. As soon as he entered a pin could have echoed off the walls if it had fallen. The silence was so stark that it made her nauseated, if that made any sense at all. He smiled, his eyes roaming over the room. For a moment they lingered on Vlad, and his smile twisted into a broad grin before flickering to Tenele breifly.

"I have excepted your invitation," he said, his voice deep. Deadly. The like a chorus of fallen angels.

He moved a step forward and was gone. He suddenly reappeared beside his chair. He stepped around and planted himself in the seat, leaning back leasurely against the soft cushion. His eyes glanced to the teen girl beside him. With a causal gesture he leaned over and brought himself close to her ear. "Your in the wrong seat."

She was gone in a flash, whimpering as she went. His eyes fell on Tenele and Vlad. He sat back motioning them over. Tenele was still in shock. She was staring at him blankly. He turned his attention back to her. "You..." He pointed to the seat, obviously used to people jumping to obey his orders. "Here." He pointed to the chair next to him.

Tenele swallowed and moved gracefully over to the next seat. She sat back stiffly, clearly uncomfortable and longing for Vlad to move over as fast as he could. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. She kept her eyes on the table, not really willing to entice the wrath of a God.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad felt his skin crawl before Verin even appeared in the doorway, and his pulse seemed to jump harder with every step the God took into the room. This was someone who needed no introduction, especially to Vlad. He felt that rhythm again, like war drums slowly building in his mind into a deafening crescendo. It took concentration to be aware that Tenele was asked to change seats, but the concept of her sitting at the man's side was enough to jog him alert. If Verin sought control over him, and he fought back, he had no idea what would happen, but he knew that whatever it was, he did not want Tenele between them. He rose to his feet swiftly, pulled his chair back, and levitated Tenele's over one spot. "If I may," he said cordially to the God with a humble bow, requesting to take a place at his side. Of all the spots in the room, there were none he was less eager to sit in.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele couldn't tell if she was thankful to be out of that area, or worried that Vlad was so close to him. No matter what the feeling was, she gave a gentle sigh of relief.

Verin eyed him and the chair. "You are a very brave body guard. That is the right term for the services you provide. Correct?" He smiled, as if he knew something that everyone else in the room did not. And why not. He had been in Vlad's head. He knew a lot about him.

"Be my guest," he said, and leaned back against his chair.

Verin glanced to the Maharaja, who nodded and clapped one more time. Suddenly the lights outside the room were a flame again, and dancers in costumes came running in, flailing around.

The throne room was large, and the ceiling very high. It was surounded by pillars and the space between the pillars dangled thin sheer fabric. Outside that curtain was a rap-around balcony that stretched the length of the room.

The music was loud, and fast, and the dancers twined around the room. People began eating and drinking, and she noticed that many of them were already drunk in the first place.

Verin looked to Vlad, his eyes were so dense and black you could see into a pit of the underworld that no one had ever ventured too. "Our customs are different from Ightens, correct?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad could barely focus on anything that was going on in the room, but Verin's voice was like shining metal surrounded by sand. So bright and shining that it threatened to split his head. "Very different," he said, battling the shock and anger coursing through him. He had to be diplomatic in this room, even if it meant chitchatting with a god that had tried to possess him. "For one, we rarely dine with our deity."

[Emora Deen]

OOC: Soo.... yeahhhh.... Ugh... got bored... = D Feel free to control Verin. = P

IC:

Verin chuckled, his dark eyes watching the crowd. "I doubt Thar or Atara would get off their high horse and eat with the lowly pesants. You see, Vladimir Dracul..." His eyes returned to Vlad and he smiled. Tenele arched an eyebrow at him, wondering how he had figured out Vlad's full name. What was she thinking... He was a God. "I know what the people want... and I give them what they desire. That is why I win. That is why my children are spreading over her world like a cancer. But, you would know that, wouldn't you? I mean, you are one of my children." His eyes found Tenele. He spoke of 'her' world with mild disgust, as if it were barely tollerable for him to think about.

Tenele's green eyes flashed at him. The music was loud, so she knew that if she could barely hear their conversation, then no one else could. She wondered what he meant by Vlad being one of his children... Why was her brain acting like it was on ice? Of course he considered Vlad to be one of his children... Vlad was a vampire, a demon. But, Vlad was not like most demons. He was good, and controled himself.

Someone bumped her shoulder with something cold. She glanced over and found a gold goblet brushing her bare skin. She followed the hand up to the slender face of Atul. "My lady, you seem very distracted."

"Oh, I'm just amazed at all of this," she replied. He sat the goblet in front of her. She blinked a bit confused. He motioned to a woman who was carrying a vase of wine.

"I brought you our finest wine," he proclaimed. "It hasn't made it to your side of the table for some reason." He seemed a bit aggitated with that fact, and she supposed that the reason it hadn't made it to her was because they found her not worthy of their fine wine. He smiled at her, and it was a kind smile. He did seem very nice, maybe with him being king one day they would be able to find peace.

She reached for the goblet and took a sip of the wine. It was strong, but she didn't want to seem impolite, so she kept the sour expression from her face and drank a little more. When she had several sips he made a noise. He had captured her attention again. "My tutor taught me many things... I learned the type of dance from your kingdom. Would you dance with me?"

Tenele looked to the dance floor where the women were still twirling away. She then glanced to Vlad. Verin was still talking to him. She wouldn't mind getting out of Verin's immediate area. "Sure." She pushed away from the table, feeling just a tad bit woozy when she stood. It went away fast. Atul motioned to what Tenele would call a conductor of music... the music changed and he took her hand. She felt very out of place then as he led her to the center of the room. She was suddenly taking the dancing under second thought as he placed his hand on her waist gently. She had to shake herself form her thoughts to remember that she needed to take up her dress a bit or end up falling on her face. So with her free hand she grabbed a hand full of skirt and suddenly they were twirling very gracefully.

"My lady, you are very lovely," he mused, smiling. Suddenly it seemed his people wanted to imitate them. They were grabbing partners and began mimicing their movements. Soon she was lost from view in a sea swirling color. They were mixing their own dancing with the style of Ighten Royal Court.

"Oh," Tenele said, smiling faintly. "Thank you."

A tall man dressed in black tapped on the prince's shoulder. They paused there dancing. He was bald, with tattoo appearing from under the collar of his shirt, stretching up his neck, around behind his ear, and over the top of his bald skull. "May I?" he asked.

The prince arched an eyebrow and took a step back. The bald man took his place, introducing himself quickly. "General Gray of the Arken Second Bitallion."

"The First Bitallion comander couldn't make it?" she asked dryly.

"I'm afriad not, he was killed recently," he replied, giving a mischevious grin.

"Oh, I'm truly sorry to here that. Really, I am." Tenele glanced away, admiring the gorgeous outfit one of the Outer Land ladies was wearing.

"I wouldn't think that the person who got him killed would be sorry. I find it amusing." General Gray muttered.

Tenele angled her eyes back to him. "What was his name?"

"General Argo Lothos."

Tenele visibly flinched at the name. "I'm suddenly bored with dancing, thanks anyway." He held her fast in her spot and she gave him a very dangerous glare.

"I'm not wishing to seek any revenge for that pig. In fact... I get a promotion. I guess I should say thank you." He grinned.

"I'm not the one that killed him, besides I hear that isn't always a good thing in Shea's army. No matter if you were the whore she slept with every night. I'm thinking unless you are some growth on her flawless body you are expendable. So I wouldn't get to comfortable with that promotion. You might end up like Lothos and be just ash in the wind." Her voice was like silk. Oldly pleasant and completely irritating for him all at once. Green eyes peircing, she wiggled her wrist in his grasp.

"You do well to speak better of my Queen," he hissed.

"There isn't much to speak well of," she argued back. "A whore is a whore. A witch a witch. Unless you know something I don't, there really isn't anything at all."

He glowered at her, his hand growing a little tighter. "You don't know who you are talking to. You should be a good little noble and know when to shut up."

"Thank God I'm not just a noble. I suggest you let go of my arm before the Great God Verin himself has to pull my escort off of you. If you heard anything about what he did to Lothos from the spies in Ighten, you'd do well not to piss him off." Her eyes were a flame with agravation, and if she had not been there on diplomatic duty she would have surely kicked the absolute crap out of him then and there. Even if she were wearing a dress that was nearly impossible to run in, much less fight in.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad shook his head slowly, because something dark inside him was screaming for him to kneel then and there, to touch his head to the floor and confirm his allegiance to the Great One, the Mighty God of Darkness. It was all he could do to form the words, "No, Verin. Though I respect your power, I am not one of your children. You might call me adopted."

General Gray snorted at Tenele's comment and wrestled her closer in what might have appeared to the rest of the room to be another part of the dance. "Oh, wouldn't that just be splendid if you shining knight were to step in on behalf of your lilly ass," he sneered close enough for her to smell what he'd had for lunch. "But your vampire friend appears a bit distracted, and believe me, if Mr. Dracul were to act against Verin's wishes, there would be no need to use physical force." His smile widened darkly. "I would not be so sure of your allies in this place. "He released her suddenly in order to spin her, then tug her roughly chest to chest with him.

[Emora Deen]

Verin smirked and arched an eyebrow at him. He lifted a goblet that was suddenly filled with red wine. He took several sips and his eyes fell on the couples dancing. He could see through them and noticed the quite and withheld fight going on in the center. "You can deny many things, Vlad, but you cannot deny what you air. You might be human skin deep, but peel away the layers of that skin and you are a monster a beast." He nodded out to the crowd. "A beast that she would fear and loath. Whether you want to except it or not, you are the same as all of the other demons. They fear and hate you, because they do not understand you. To them, you are a monster. That is why I can give you things that your Queen could never give. Not because I'm a generous person, I'm not, but because it is what you deserve. You can feel it, can't you?"

Verin turned his head towards him. "We both know there is no use in fighting me." His expression was calm, and his lips curled with the hint of a smile.

Tenele grinded her teeth together, having forgotten she needed to keep a handle on her dress. When he pulled her roughly against him she tripped and helped carry herself closer against him. Regaining her balance she glanced up. "Thankfully if I need to I could take care of you myself," she advised, her green eyes narrowing dangerously. "Now, I think this dance is over." She had her head tilted up and slightly back, trying to keep her face from bumping up against him. They were too close for her liking. Her movements were forced, like a rag doll being drug around on the dance floor.

[Soran Nightblade]

General Gray smirked and released his grip on her. "If your precious escort turns on you, you are welcome to seek comfort in my bed," he said in amusement, casting a sideways glance at Verin's seat at the table. "You were fools to come here. The Outlands will never shift its alliance. As if it has a choice," he scoffed.

Vlad's throat felt dry and swollen. He winced as the drumming thrummed louder in his mind. Maintaining his own thoughts in their midst was like bending an elbow against the joint. Any further, and it could all snap and then cease to be an elbow at all. "I'm sort of okay with the whole "fear and respect" thing," he forced his tone into something resembling casual conversation, but sweat was beading on his forehead and his eyes were tense with effort. He carefully avoided the dark god's eyes. "I do feel the call, but I am something different. Something better, and stronger." He was glad at that moment that he was sitting, because he was sure that his legs would not obey him now.

He pulled his eyes away from Verin to scan the room for Tenele. He'd barely registered the absence of her scent beside him. But the rest of the room was like a bland blur. Verin beamed like an infinite, dazzling blackness in the corner of his vision, and it was like torture to resist its beauty. He could not spot Tenele in the crowd; every guest and dancer looked the same, dull and meaningless. "Lord Verin, I should be at my ward's side," he pried out the words.

"By all means," Verin said with a charming smile.

Vlad sat very still for several moments. "My legs won't move," he said.

"I know," he grinned. "Why do you suppose that is?"

"I am not yours, Verin. Sinead's bond reserves me from your control." He meant that, or tried to. He could feel Sinead's pact with him like a steadfast shell in the deepest part of his mind. He could not defy her, not if he tried, he was hers. As much as he had resented it before, it was now his one and only defense.

"You are referring to your little arrangement with Shea's sister," Verin crossed his arms in amusement. "You are a captured man. A phenomenal masterpiece of a monster, restrained by a mortal who cannot possibly understand your needs. Would you like me to release you? Would you like to feel what it's like to be free?"

Vlad's eyes widened as something pushed deeper inside him, invading. He felt it reaching into his core, a black hand wrapping firmly around the jewel of the queen's power and squeezing. "Don't," he breathed, feeling like his windpipe had been jammed with wool socks. He struggled to move, to stand, anything to get farther away from Verin. His chair skidded as he tipped it off balance and wound up on the floor between his fallen seat and Tenele's empty chair, his heart stamping in his chest.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele was coming back towards her chair when she saw him hit the floor. "Vlad!" she called out, picking up her skirts and running quickly to him. She pulled the fallen chair out of the way and knelt in between him and Verin. She rested one hand on his arm and the other on his leg. He was sweating, like he was undergoing a great feet. As if he had been working hard. It was unlike Vlad to do such a thing. He was not human and did not tire easily.

"What did you do?" she breathed, shifting to where her body was angled more towards Verin. Her head turned towards him, her eyes narrowed. She stood like a sheild between him and Vlad, her and resting reassuringly on her lover.

Verin's black eyes twinkled with amusement. He leaned over, his hand stretching out. His fingers took her chin gently and he tilted her head up to turn her face into the light. "I gave him something he secretly desires. Deep down, he wants to be free."

"He is free," Tenele whispered, her heart thudding in her chest. She wanted to lean away, but was afraid to even move. "I beg your forgiveness. We have worked together for a while, and I care about his safety." She swallowed. His hand shifted and one of his fingers traced the line of her jaw. "He is free." She repeated.

Verin chuckled darkly, his eyes falling on Vlad. "No, he is now." Tenele feared just what he meant by that.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad could feel her touching him, and he could concentrate enough to want to stop her from getting involved, but nothing would move, his voice wouldn't work, and a pressure was growing tighter and tighter around his last bastion of control. He focused with everything he had on Sinead's bond...

And then felt it shatter, like a glass bulb. He grunted in protest, but it was too late, it was gone. A feeling of loss settled over him, then confusion, and then anger. But with it, riding quietly in parallel, was a sense of jubilation. He felt his powers unlimited, Sinead's link to his mind gone.

Verin smiled proudly at Vlad and leaned forward to cup the back of his head in his hand. "Now, Vladimir, you are free of these silly human games. Let us see your true majesty." He chuckled and stood up, leaving Vlad and Tenele there on the ground as he went to visit with other servants in the room.

Vlad reached to his chest and stared blankly after the god.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele whirled, the sound of fabric filling her ears as she shifted around to face him. "What does he mean? What did he do?" Her eyes were filled with worry, and she had half a mind to storm after Verin and make him take it back, whatever it was he had done.

She was suddenly wishing that she had never come here, and that she wouldn't have agreed to be ambassador. It angered her that he was being treated in such a way. She wasn't even sure what was happening to him, and she hadn't the power to help him. Maybe if she could sit and talk reasonably with Verin, he would leave Vlad alone.

"Is your shining knight feeling alright?" a voice asked.

Tenele glanced up and saw Gray standing on the otherside of the table, smirking broadly. "Isn't there a harem you could be invading or something?" she asked in a hiss. "Just go away. He's fine, and its none of your concern." She ignored him and turned her attention back to Vlad, worrily waiting for his reply.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad re-focused as the drums faded to a controlled up and his own mind regained itself. He took a slow breath, looking at Gray and Tenele. "Thank you for your concern, I'm fine," he said to Gray without really listening or focusing on him, as if there were a thousand things floating through his mind that were more important than bothering with an Arken general. His eyes switched over to Tenele. "We need to speak in private," he told her, climbing back to his feet as steadily as he could and extending his hand to her mechanically.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele took his hand and immediatly took the lead. He seemed to be lost... like he was nearly blind. She was worried about him, afraid for him. She led him through the sheer curtain and out onto the balcony over looking a wide garden built in the center of the palace. She peered around to make sure no one was on the balcony with them.

She put her hands on his arms, gripping him tightly. "What is wrong, Vladimir. What did he do? What is going on. I'm scared." She didn't like admiting that. She wanted to seem strong and confident, immovable. She couldn't hide that from him. She was terrified that he was in trouble she couldn't save him from.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad frowned at her. He sounded winded as he said "My limiter is gone." He sounded distracted, like that fragment of the situation would make sense to her.