Fantasy The Counsel Of Shadows and the Elders of Old

[TheJaydeWriter]

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/125091.jpg.dae6f78f5ab57d170d7b97b816c4d9a9.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="138611" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/125091.jpg.dae6f78f5ab57d170d7b97b816c4d9a9.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

​

@DctrCat


@9forgotten

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

Birds were chirping in Morgans' ear but she still didn't want to open her eyes. Her body ached and the blue summer dress was damp from the earth around her. As she opened her eyes, she could see the tops of trees around her blowing lightly in the wind. The sun was above and sparkled ringlets of light on her and the around.


Morgan sat up slowly, not knowing is she was severally hurt. There were roots and vines wrapped around her body tightly but as she sat up, they slowly sank into the ground.


She was alive. She remembered dying and even the feeling of nothingness that came after.


In her hand was a silver staff with red crystals on each end, a violin case, and bag next to her.


Morgan sat there and tried to remember how she got her and why she was in the dress her parents picked out for her if she every died and they had to bury her. Did they bury their daughter, thinking she was dead?


Closing her eyes, Morgan flashed through the weird pieces of her memories but couldn't put much together. There were only quick glances and blurred memories here and there.


She saw a black haired girl sitting at a river with her feet in the water and Morgan sitting next to her. The memory was light and carefree, almost breathless feeling. They had kissed, or Morgan had kissed her and the girl accepted. There was dancing here and there in a beautiful forest but also touches that sent chills in the moonlight from desire.


"Juin..." Morgan whispered to herself. The girl was her secret lover and best friend Juin.


Her memories switched to something dark and hurried. Morgan could see Juins lifeless body in a ditch while Morgan screamed for her to wake up. She remembered doing something to her and Juin coming back. But something was different about her. She screamed at Morgan for being a witch and ran from her.


Everything from then on was blurry or too painful to remember. The last thing she could recall was being tied to a post with a firing squad in front of her. They called out the rights of humans and how they had every right to protect themselves from a witch. Juin was behind them, smiling at the chaos she had caused. Why did juin do it? She thought they were in love.


There were was gun shots, screaming, pain and then blackness.


Now she was laying in the middle of unfamiliar woods outside the human walls and in the world she didn't know.


Quickly she grabbed her bag and rummaged through it. Inside was some of her things like photos, music sheet books, and letters from different people. This was her burial bag that the city folk did then they died.


She found some photos of Juin and her together but looking at them made tears pour down her face. Juin betrayed her and tried to kill her. Did kill her but now she was back.


Everything at home thought she was still on the ground dead.


Feeling her body, she tried to remember where the gunshot wounds were but the only things that remained were light scars.


So it was official. She died and came back due to her gift or something. But what could she do now? She was in a world she didn't know and didn't expect to be alone. Juin and she supposed to leave and come here...that night.


Clutching her bag to her body, Morgan sat there and cried like a child. Even though she was an adult, she cried like a lost child in the woods. She cried as if everyone she knew was dead. She cried for her love and her betrayal. She cried hard.


It wasn't until hours later she was just sitting there staring at the ground and clutching her memory bag.


Slowly she stood and swung her bag over her shoulder, grabbed her staff and violin and started moving away from the walls and into the woods. Not know what she would find.

 

[DctrCat]

An apartment building sat close to the edge of the forest, an old building that had been since abandoned since the wall had been built quite far from it. the windows were shattered but boarded up with planks of wood and old sheets of metal, broken gates and doors had been welded shut to prevent squatters. Something in the building twitched. In the scurrying of rats and other small critters that made their way into the old building, the distinct sound of a human coughing could be heard. bony hands pressed against the concrete floor of the main floor of the apartments and with some difficulty, pushed up the body of the person they belonged to. the girl stood on two unsure feet and looked around her in the darkness; the critters had dispersed and hidden away in the cracks in the walls. The girl, Amber, stepped forward and coughed again, feeling tiny droplets of blood leave her mouth.


She stretched her arms out and let out a long held breath of air; cold and stale air that left a bad taste in her mouth, and was quickly swept away by fresh air as she breathed in. An incessant chatter filled her ears, hundreds of voices speaking at once as the room grew colder. Amber's eyes widened suddenly, she looked down at her hands then back up the look into the room. Am I awake?


Amber turned in a frantic circle, then took short quick steps to the main door. The lock had been welded shut long ago but this was not a problem, in any way. She smiled as she felt herself become cold, and in an instant, she was on the other side of the door. I'm breathing. The forest was quiet and as Amber walked into it, it grew even quieter. The forest became slowly darker as she walked in, spreading over the forest as a whole very quickly. Amber came to a small cliff, where a tiny stream of water struggled to make it over the edge. A wide grin spread over her face, as she sank down into the ground.





A small creature, a grey mouse type of thing, scurried past Morgan's feet. Other creatures followed; a funny looking woman who was short and stumpy with wild hair full of leaves and small wooden beads, and a tall lanky woman with a pointed hard nose and green and yellow hair, small feathers sprouted from her wrists and elbows. They stood atop a large rock and peered down at Morgan. They did not look particularly pleased.


"What are you?" Sheared the tall woman.


"She one them magic handy people, she make the noise." The short lady replied, looking at Morgan with concern.


"Her and her friend, made the noise."


"Not good, very loud noise indeed."


"Indeed."


"....We kill?"


"No! They tried that, do you think we can kill a witch? We'd blow our own heads off even thinking about how to do it."


The other woman stood and stared at her tall friend. The two of them stood and thought for a moment, until the shorter woman slapped her friend on the shoulder."


"Shadow?" The short woman asked.


"Yes it's dark- yes, it's very dark. Oh, yes yes yes, very good idea. You woke her up, you can deal with her. She can take care of witches, easy peasy." The two woman smiled, staring at Morgan, very please with themselves.


A shape floated up behind them, then formed into a very skinny, pale woman. A crow flew from the woman's shoulder and sat on the shoulder of the tallest woman.


"Using me for your own gain huh girls? We talked about this." Amber said, almost purring as she did. The two woman ran without even looking back at the person behind them, who was now staring at Morgan.

 

[9forgotten]

It was midday before Rhys made her appearance in the House of Noapte. Even without her presence, everything was already in full swing for the day. 8,000+ sq ft had been carved away from the forest to create the home that comfortably held over a hundred resident rooms, some office rooms, a kitchen, a dining hall, main halls and so on. It wasn't anything horribly fancy or mortifyingly terrifying, it was if anything a little random to the landscape. They lived high up on a mountain, away from everyone else, not at all interested in dealing with them. Or at least the Master of the place wasn't. They were still located close enough to human towns and cities if you wandered off a bit to the west. Ocean lay south, vast majority of the forest was east. Some hiking trails and roads snaked around the edges of the area but never came close to where the House stood.


Entering the main hall, the young Master glanced around, looking for two specific people but doesn't find them. Rolling her eyes, she turns and swiftly makes her way down a hall and to a few office rooms only to change her mind half way down the hall and switch directions up to the top of the huge house. As she went, servants and regular members bowed slightly, in respect, murmuring their greetings. Rhys only waved her hand and offered a faint smile as she made her way through the house. She wasn't really one for such formalities all the time nor did she really demand it but the respect was always given regardless.


Reaching the top, she went out onto the balcony and looked over the lands, just to get some fresh air and ponder what was to be done today. "I hope you aren't trying to sneak up on me Tatsu." she suddenly said, still looking forward. A deep chuckle sounded and she turned her head. Behind her now stood a six foot man with golden eyes and a quirky grin. "One of these days I might." he mused before growing serious. "Nothing to report on my end, Shauna should be-" "I'm here. There are at least two unknown that are just inside our lands." interrupted a female voice.


Shifting her gaze slightly, Rhys looked at the shorter woman and nodded slightly. "Hey! Don't interrupt me! Come on Shauna." Tatsu whined turning to the other woman as well as she just stood there with a static expression, completely ignoring the tall whining man beside her. Rhys flat out ignored them both for a moment as she pulled her hair back into a low ponytail and hummed in thought. "Shut up you two. Did you or one of the trackers spot them?"


"Tracker, they reported in instantly and I went to confirm."


"Alright. Tatsu, behave and watch the house. Shauna come with me."


Waiting for no answer, she hopped up onto the railing, bent her legs and pushed off, flying into the air and over the open land into the forest. Landing silently on the ground, Rhys waited a second for Shauna who appeared a moment later and soon the pair were running through the forest at high speeds. Neither one made much of a sound or spoke as Rhys's third in command lead the way to where the two intruders were sighted. Slowing as Rhys caught scent of them, Shauna glanced at her Master before turning and heading back to the house. Rhys on the other hand dropped her pace to a comfortable slightly faster than a human trot, dusting off her shirt lightly as she made her way to where she smelled the two intruders. She really had no interest in dealing with people on her lands but perhaps this would provide some entertainment for her, even for a short while.

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

Morgan stumbled back and watched the two woman run off. She held her bag close to her and stepped back. Her whole life, along with Juin, she had studied the world beyond the walls but now being out here, it was scary. Why did those two want to kill her and why did they think this woman would kill her. People really couldn't be this bad, could they? But then again, everyone she knew and loved shot her just for being a witch.


"You're a witch? A real witch?"


Morgan held tight onto her staff as she took a step back towards the darker part of the woods. Maybe if she girl intended on harming her, she could run and loose herself in the woods. Use her powers to black paths and get away till she could hide and find a town. This could of been bad luck on her part. Maybe she just happened to come across bad people. Didnt mean the towns or the people were bad.


This would was built now on acceptence of different races and speices. They formed a treaties and lived in peace. Thats what Juin taught and told her as they grew up together.


Her body started to shake but she held her staff tight, not know what she needed to do.


The hairs on the back of her head stuck up suddenly. Someone esle was coming. A different energy then what she had ever felt. It must have been another creature but she didnt know which. They were coming fast as well.


"Are you going to hurt me?" Morgan asked out right.

 

[DctrCat]

Amber smiled at Morgan, and looked down from the rock she was standing on. The critters in the trees grew silent, and it slowly grew darker in the forest, despite a lack of clouds overhead. The crow cawwed angrily as the two women ran off, and after beating it's wings for a moment, it landed on Morgan's shoulder. Amber now stood beside Morgan, cold hands on either of Morgan's shoulders.


"Me? No, no, no. Don't use such a word around me, goodness girl. Have you no idea where you are?" Amber's words were mocking, she could tell Morgan was lost. Little whispers flittered past Morgan's ears, and the woman nodded. " A hanging aye? Seems they couldn't kill you, you'd think they'd learn."


Amber dug her in fingers into Morgan's shoulders and let out a slight groan.


"You bloody damn well woke up everyone didn't you, girl. I suspect your... little game with that girl woke these ones up. Not fans of having bodies stolen from them." Amber, now standing in front of Morgan, looked at the staff and raised an eyebrow. She reached out, and pressed a fingertip to a gem, which seems to absorb a cloud of black ink from the finger. The gem grew darker, then seemed to push off all of the blackness out and glowed an off red.


Amber hissed at the staff, then stared at Morgan. Her eyes seemed to move, as if made by water or fog, and were not pleasant to stare into.


"You are an intruder n this forest, you wake me up and you bring something like this into my forest?" She hissed as she spoke, and Morgan could smell the softest hint of burnt skin in the air.


Amber moved back to her rock and stared down at Morgan. Any remaining light seemed to shrink away, and the forest became so dark it was almost impossible to see. She could feel the others coming, and was already sick of this girl. A crow cawwed in the distance and it felt as if all of Morgan's breath from ripped from her, as she sank into the ground and came up some distance away. This area was brighter, with a few lanterns hanging in nearby trees. A number of crows perched in the trees above them, and off in the distance Amber could see three people splitting up, she noticed one had quick light hair, glowing in the off light of the lanterns. Leeches, of course that's what she woke up.

 

[9forgotten]

As Rhys neared the two chatting women, she tuned into their conversation a bit more. As it was declared that the lost one was a witch, the vampire didn't seem to be to surprised. Grey eyes crinkled at the corners slightly as the vampire wondered why the hell the witch thought it was a good idea to come into the woods. Wouldn't you normally avoid them? Even though they didn't know who lived behind all the trees, the humans knew better than to stray to close. Well, minus some of the roads and hiking trails that snaked their way into the territory but that was a different matter. Plus, Rhys wasn't horribly worried about the witch. She was more or less curious in the other one who smelled pretty close to a human but the scent was a bit off and she clearly wasn't a normal one. Features twisting slightly into one of distaste, the silver haired woman wondered what the hell she was about to walk into.





Sighing softly to herself, she stepped forward so that she could be visibly seen by the other two. "You are indeed an intruder in this forest. Both of you." Rhys called, her tone short and sharp but held no hostility. Her arms lay folded across her chest loosely as she looked at the other two females in front of her. "Is it safe to assume that you didn't mean to come into my territory? Perhaps I can direct you...ah elsewhere?" she inquired, an eyebrow lifting slightly as she stared down the witch for a moment. Switching her gaze to the one up on the rock, her eyes narrowed faintly, her lips twitching into a slight frown.


Even this close she couldn't figure that one out and it was starting to annoy her a bit. Why did she care though? The pair of them would be gone from her lands soon enough and she could resume her duties. If her memory served her correctly, there was to be a meeting in a few days that would last a few more. Not something she was looking forward to really. At the thought of that, her mood turned a bit sour and quickly she shoved that thought away, resuming her stare down with these two random women as she waited slightly impatiently for answers.

 

[DctrCat]

Amber looked to the newest member of their group, and scowled. She could smell the blood, and the death that followed it. The lanterns around them flickered but remained on. Amber felt a pang in her chest, a sharp pain. She turned and smiled at the woman, a wide grin stretching over her face. Her eyes still seemed to swim, and had grown darker. She held out a hand, intent on shaking the other woman's. Likely a bad idea, as skin on skin contact is fairly dangerous between shadows and vampires.


"Nice to meet you, I'm Amber. Resident shadow. Well resident, kind of." She said, almost jokingly. She could feel the pulling pain in chest and placed a hand over it, feeling that it was wet beneath her clothing.


Amber turned to Morgan and sighed. "Our little Witch was... hanged by the townsfolk. Christ, no doubt the council already knows about this... they don't take murder of magical types well... especially if the murderers are aware of your status. I imagine the meeting about it will be interesting, shame I won't be able to attend." Turning back to Rhys, Amber nodded once. "Apologies, was just getting her out of wolf territory. They've been restless enough this year without disturbances."


The crows overhead had multiplied and watched the girls with intense eyes; never blinking, never moving. Amber was listening to the noises her shadows carried; wolves finding the scent, then losing it, other creatures slowly learning of what had been attempted. Unrest filled the forest and wouldn't take long before it spilled out.

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

Morgan held her stuff closer to her and kept looking back and forth between the two. She had a feeling that this was a not how things were supposed to be. Both seemed to detest the other but that went against everything Morgan had learned of this outside world.


"Wait, I thought there were no more territories? I thought the treaties made it where you guys are at peace..."


Morgan took another step back. The wind starts to blow around in the tree, due to her being scared and some of the vines from trees were slowly moving towards her. Most the magic she did, she didn't even know she was doing half the time. This time, her powers reacted out of fear and were there to protect her if they could. Her energy was connected to the world and it made things easier to her.


"Look, I want no trouble. I just want to find a town and place to stay there so I don't have to stay the night in the woods. I don't want to start a fight between anyone. I didn't know these woods belonged to anyone and I only just woke here. I don't understand why the counsel would wonder about that and I don't understand how you could know I was hanged." Morgans stomach turned from the mere thought of what she had gone through. She knew her mind and body was in shock and sooner or later she would break down. But now in front of two strange and scary girls, she couldn't show weakness.

 

[9forgotten]

Rhys looked at the Shadow as she introduced herself, only offering a faint nod as a hello. A look of surprise did cross her face visibly at the news of the witch getting hanged. A faint tinge of sadness followed by furious anger passed through her momentarily but her expression and composure remained stoic. While she didn't really give much of a damn about anyone outside of her Coven, Rhys couldn't help feeling a little sympathetic towards the witch and her gaze softened slightly. She knew what it was like to be hated for being who you are.


As the winds started to pick up and the vines started creeping towards the witch girl, Rhys shifted weight slightly, eyeing the girl. She noted that the witch didn't seem to notice that her powers were currently activated and wondered how much training she had. Frowning as Amber mentioned the werewolves, Rhys stood listening carefully to the surroundings for a moment. Turning her gaze to the the Shadow, she spoke again. "You aren't very human like. You seem more like a demon." she stated blandly, her gaze scrutinizing. "Do you have business with the wolves? Or do you need something from me? If not, it'd be fantastic if you could leave."


Looking at the witch next, Rhys mentally sighed and wondered what to do with this one. Rubbing her forehead slightly, Rhys allowed her posture to slacken a bit and relax but her instincts remained on high alert. "Calm down. I didn't know you were hanged. Amber here, did. What do you need? Just a place to stay? I can provide that but only for a couple days." she announced, surprising herself. She wasn't one to take in outsiders willingly and pretty much everyone knew that.


"However, you there. I don't particularly want around. Go find and befriend Kaleb or something. You two would get along great." she said, directing her snappy, distasteful tone towards the Shadow. Rhys paused to really pick up on the slowly rising unrest that lingered. She wondered what was causing it. Wasn't like she'd broken any rules, the vampire couldn't really say anything about the rest of her species. Frowning slightly she stood still for a moment and spoke in her head.


Felix you there?


You called Lady Rhys?


Check the boarders that we have with the dogs. Give me the latest data on whats been going on with the other Lords and Ladies as well regarding their activities and just put it in my office. Also, I want a few reports from the hunters and trackers.


Yes ma'am, I'll have that ready upon your return.


Good, thank you.





"Closing" the conversation in her head, Rhys turned her attention once again to the two in front of her with a plain look. "Anyhow, whatever you decide, decide soon. I do no wish to be held up here for much longer. I am a busy person." Rhys said retuning to current problem at hand.

 

[DctrCat]

Amber was already gone by the Rhys looked back to them. Where she had stood, remained a puddle of blood. The blood was cold, and smelt acidic to Rhys's senses rather than the warm sweetness blood usually carries. The air became warmer, and almost quieter now that she had departed. Amber was in the forest, jumping from dark place to dark place; watching the different creatures learn of the news. She pulled herself from the shadows and took a deep breath in, and groaned as sharp pain sat in her chest. Her chest had become drenched in thick, cold blood that came from the wound beneath her ribs.


Soft footsteps came from behind her, and an even softer voice. "State your business and name, you are not wel- you are injured, it would seem." Amber turned to face the source of the voice; a short woman with bright red hair, and a rather long nose. The woman's eyes widened as she took in Amber's appearance, especially her eyes. A band of beads on the woman's wrist glowed gently in the dark of the forest and Amber smiled at the warm glow.


"A cursed one." The woman whispered, worried.


"Pardon?" Amber asked, smilingly, hiding the pain coming from her chest, slowly spreading to the rest of her.


"We, we can not allow you to stay." The woman stated, growing quieter as she spoke. She held one hand over her wrist, covering the beads. A forest sprite's beads stated their nature; the woman standing before Amber was a wellness sprite, who dutifully healed those who required it, regardless of species. Most, species.


"I haven't heard that title in... some time now, I am glad it hasn't been lost to time. I shan't stay and bother you then." With a nod, Amber sank into the floor and carried on home. She crept in through the cracks in the building and came up in the man floor, where she had woken.


The sprite ran, quick on her short legs, back home. The family elders were not pleased someone had been turned away, but were quickly torn when they learnt of who had visited them. As they discussed, and argued over the decision, Amber paced about the apartment building. She tried to remember the place, and soon the last few years came back to her. The hunt, the fight, the pain in her chest and then, falling asleep.


- * - *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *- *


The council had been called together already, and quickly filed into the large manor they used for their meetings. The council heads were old fashioned, and preferred the use of torches to light the building. They took their seats in the large auditorium, the tiered rows of seats facing down to the podium. Torch flames flickered as the large doors of the auditorium opened once again, and closed as a group of hooded woman entered the room. The dark red cloaks were dimly lit by the torches, but the group was recognised instantly, and drew worried mutters from those watching.


A short , chubby woman with dark red hair pattered her way over and greeted the ladies, her large gold wings waving softly behind her. She wore large round glasses, and carried a clipboard.


"Ladies welcome, we are honoured by your presence but do not fret, we are aware of the matter at hand. She has woken up, we will de-" She was cut off, by one lady holding up a hand, and for the first time in recorded history, spoke.


"The girl is not our concern." The voice was old, but silenced the whispers and mutters in the crowd. The Ladies hadn't spoken for as long could be remembered, and clearly were not here about one person.

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

Morgan calmed down a little and the vines started to move back into the forest. There was a crack in the woods but Morgan ignored it and watched the two girls.


When Amber suddenly disappeared, an energy was left behind in her place. Morgan could feel it but she didn't really understand what it was.It felt dark but also lost. Scared maybe.


Turning her attention to Amber, she held her staff close but took a step closer.


"That is kind of you. I will be happy to accept."


Morgan held her things close but gladly followed the vampire. The woods were scaring her and she felt something wrong coming from them.


As she walked, she felt the warmth come from her staff. Like the warmth of a person who you hug when you scared. She didn't know that the crystals were shining slightly


"That Amber girl. There was something wrong with her. Is that normal out here? Was she okay?"


~~


An old witch with long silver hair that reached to the ground laid in a circle of younger women of different ages. They all held hands and chanting old words only they could remember. They weres were closed and they rocked their bodies back and forth in unison. The flames of candles danced even though there was no wind.


They were circled in their headquarters basement, the place where they did most of they group performances. They once used the woods but practicing outside in the chances of coming across another became too dangerous.


The old woman opened her eyes and sat up gasping. All the girls stopped and watched the woman for a moment.


"What did you see?" One of the youngest asked. The girl next to her, elbowed her for talking.


"A witch dies last night." The old woman muttered. She turned her eyes to on of the girls but from the white in her eyes, one could see she was blind.


"What Coven? Are they doing a ritual to release her soul?"


"I feel her energy. She came back to life."


Some of the girls gasped.


"Did they bring her back? That's against the rules! No Coven can bring back another witch! It turns them into demons."


"Don't you think I know that!" Snapped the old lady. She held up a hand, waiting for someone to help her up. Her daughter jumped up from the group and grabbed her hand, helping her stand and balance her.


"Mother, what happened? What did you see?"


"Humans killed her. They shot her and buried her body. Now she's back and alive close by."


"What does this have to do with us? If she's a demon now, then she is her Covens problem. Not ours."


The old lady chuckled as she was led to her seat in the room.


"She is our problem. She is now ever Covens problem."


"How?"


"Because she's not a demon or part of any Coven. She's a blood witch."


Everyone in the room gasped.


"That's not possible. You killed the last one over 20 years ago. And how could she not be a demon if she died."


"Seems like one hide a child behind by the looks of it. And if she is alive, that means there are more. She carries one of the crystals. It used to belong the Leader.


"What do we do?" One girl in the back asked. "Why are we scared of blood witches?"


"We have to kill her, because they were never meant to exist. It also seems that she has had contact with a shadow. That's very bad. We need to get rid of her fast. Send one of the men after her.


One of the girls nodded.


~~

 

[9forgotten]

Grey white eyes blinked as the Shadow disappeared, leaving the the vampire briefly wondering where it was off to however her attention was brought back to the witch in front of her. "Alright, let's go." she said in a deadpanned tone. Turning swiftly, she headed into the woods at a fairly quick pace, keeping in mind that not all species could walk and move about as her. Pausing, Rhys glanced over her shoulder to see she'd already left the poor girl rather far behind. Shifting a couple steps back, she just stood there waiting for the young woman to catch up. Taking the opportunity to study the witch, Rhys did. She flat out stared at the shorter woman as she observed her.


The witch looked perfectly fine for someone who was hanged not to long ago and if her memory served her right, she shouldn't be this alive and well at the moment. A slight frown tipped the edges of her lips again as Rhys stood brooding over this little fact, trying to remember what her Mother had told her all those years ago. It was hard, anything relating to her deceased parents Rhys just avoided and that's what she ended up doing. Tossing the thoughts aside, she looked up as she was asked about the Shadow.


A scowl made itself present on her face as she nodded slightly. "Yeah, pretty much. She's human but at the same time she isn't. She's what you call a Shadow. I can explain more once we get back to the House." Rhys informed, practically spitting the name out in distaste. "My kind doesn't particularly get along with her kind. Anyway, hurry up or we'll never make it back before sun down." the vampire grumbled, glancing at the sky. Even though they were on her territory, it still didn't mean this witch was safe. Once the sun left the sky, everything was free game in the woods and while none of her subordinates would ever dare try and harm her or anyone of her guests, it didn't mean they'd try and intimidate her or whatever when Rhys wasn't looking.


Somehow they managed to arrive at the huge house before sundown and as they walked up the long path to the actual front doors, it was well known that the House of Noapte had a guest. Vampires and humans alike paused to look at the witch with curiosity, wondering why the heck their temperamental Master who never willingly brought people in, was bringing someone in. Stopping in front of the main doors as one of the servants opened it for her, she turned and looked at the witch with slightly sour expression. "Well, I guess a formal introduction is in order. Welcome to the House of Noapte. I am Lady Rhys L. Draegan and I'm the Master of this household. You might want to remember all that, my name will either be one of a friend or one of a foe. Who might you be little witch?"

 

[DctrCat]

The room remained silent for some time before the plump fairy stuttered out a sentence. "B-But, now Ladies you must be mistaken. What else could bring you out here. We have surely been peaceful enough these past few years. No more little tiffs I assure you!" The fairy was nervous. "She really should not be aw-"


"Marigold why do you carry on so? We have told you she is no our concern. Our concern is other members of the forest." The main woman stepped forward and held her hand together in front of her. "Vampires hunting during the day, were wolves taking livestock from fenced areas and wellness sprites refusing to heal those in need? We do not police you because we trusted your council would do a well enough job. Seems we were mistaken."


Silence, then panicked talking. Was this stuff true? Vampires could not hunt out of nighttime, it was forbidden. Werewolves had to hunt in allowed areas, otherwise farmers were permitted to kill them. The woman's voice changed now, it was a number of voices, all the women speaking at once."


"Why was the girl asleep?"


"O-oh well I believe sh-


"Do not lie. Do not speak false truths to us."


"She was injured, and the shadows placed her into a lockdown."


"You knew this?"


"Well, yes."


"You left a harmed shadow on their own? You left a member of this forest, alone, and injured?"


"She is not a part of this forest! She is a monster, and something that should not exist anymore! Why are you not worried about her?! "The fairy, Marigold, yelled back.


In the back row of seats, sat Amber. Dressed up as well as anyone else, in all black with a number of rings on her ringers that sparkled as the dull torch light hit them. She was enjoying the small arguments, and very much enjoying Marigold being told off, she never liked Marigold.


"We are here out of concern for the big which woke her; a young woman, human appearance but very much a witch. She is not to be touched, not to be harmed until we have figured out exactly what she is doing here." The woman stepped back to her group, which turned and left. Amber sat in her seat, face covered by her own hooded cloak, and smiled to herself.

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

As the witches moved from the basement and into the main room of the large building, three wolves came out from the side room and sat silent and waiting. The older witch touched one on the head and sent him a silent message.


Find the witch. Watch her and then bring me the news.


The wolf nodded and barked to the other two. They moved quickly through the house and out the open front door. The rest of the witches watched with nervous anticipation about what the older one could be saying. When the old witch turned to the others, she held out her hand and waited for help.


"What do we do no?"


"We wait. If what I saw is true, we kill her. If the wolves can't do it, we will."


Some of the girls nodded while the others stood there scared.


~~


Morgan's eyes widened as she came upon the house. It was larger than anything she had every seen before and she used to think that the majors house was pretty large.


"My name is Morgan. My mother named me after the witch in the King Author fable, Morgan La Fae. She thought it was fitting when they adopted me."


As she walked through the house with Rhys through the house, she felt exposed as everyone watched her. She could only tell between the humans and the vampires due to the fact that their energies were flowing all around her. She could almost see their life forces and how they were different from each other. Part of her wondered if the energies were stronger here than what she was used to do to the fact she had only been around the same humans her whole life.


If she reached for them, could she pull them or trade them. What would happen if she took a vampires energy and used it to heal a human? Would it be stronger? Would it do something to the human? She really didn't want to try and find out but it was something that was always on her mind.


And of course, she couldn't let people know what she could do. People would use her.


~~


Kaleb sat down next to the girl on the hood in the back of the room. He kicked his feet up and relaxed, watching the fairies freak out about all the different things going on.


"What does it feel like being the subject of conversation Shadow?" Kaleb said lightly. He didn't want to be seen as well since he did not have a good standing with any of the fairies.


He had watched the Shadow from the woods earlier when he had planned on visiting Rhys but stayed silent in the woods. When Amber had left, he decided to let Rhys deal with the little scared witch herself and visit after. He didnt mean to follow Amber but saw that she had joined the metting and wanted to see her for himself. She seemed intresting enough.


"You seemed to be amused."

 

[9forgotten]

"And where is Rhys? What makes her think she can miss this meeting."


"She is out dealing with other matters, I apologize for my Master's absence. I will do my best to fill her place until her return."


"Humph, this is why we need to keep a closer eye on her."


"Pfft, let her be, she's not even truly one of us."


"I agree with him, leave her be."


"Come now, the boy said she was busy. Lay off and let's jut get started."


"I agree, can we just on with this? I have things to do."


"Fine, let's start then. Let's talk about the tensions with the wolves. Also, I hear that Rhys has a witch on her lands now? And encountered a Shadow?"


Rhys grunted lowly and turned, leading the way into the huge house. "Pleasure to meet you Morgan. Follow me, I'll take you to a spare room." she said walking through the halls. The place was slowly growing empty as vampires alike disappeared to hunt in the surrounding forests but the ones around didn't fail to peer at the newcomer curiously. "Actually, I'll take you to the library since you don't seem to know anything." Rays said, chaining her mind and abruptly turning down a different hall. Snapping her fingers as she walked, a human rushed over, looking at their feet. "Find some food for her and bring it to the library." A faint nod was given before the human scuttled off to do their job.





Reaching the library doors, Rhys threw the heavy doors open with ease, exposing a huge room with tall shelves everywhere. Two floors and books all along the walls and in normal rows, each shelf packed with books. Tables with chairs, couches and comfy chairs were scattered everywhere. There was a bar type thing off to one side for whatever reason. Calling over a couple servants, she waved her hand around, gesturing to the general area. "Find books on the history of the species and all that basic stuff please. Morgan, just stay here and read them or whatever, someone will bring you food. Whatever you do, I suggest that you do not leave this room no matter what. It's for your benefit anyway. I'll be back within the hour." she said blandly before turning and leaving, not really giving any room for protest.


Walking down the hall swiftly, she went to the meeting room. She cursed the other six calling a meeting without telling her and it was such bad timing too. The news that a meeting had been called put her into a very foul mood and while around the witch she'd worked to remain call as not to totally freak her out but she was absolutely fuming. They loved to point out any fault and slip up that Rhys had and while they were few in number, they simply never forgot or let it go. Entering the room silently, she nodded slightly Tatsu, signaling that it was okay to step down now. He nodded slightly and moved next to Shauna. The room itself just had a big table with chairs around it and on it a small device to show holographic images as well as take in images. On one side was a screen and opposite it was a chair, slightly bigger and raised above the others to signal where the leader sat. Currently, in the middle of the table were holographic images floating in the air in a circle, showing six other vampires, all dressed formally. They were the other six leaders of their world, or more specifically, the other six primogenitors.


"Ah, how nice of you to finally join us Lady Rhys."


"Cut the crap Avrora. Tell me what the purpose of this call and why was I not informed?" she growled, glaring at the main woman who sat there with a smug look.


"Now, now Rhys, that's not how you treat the first." Rhys turned her fierce glare to another vampire, a man this time but said nothing.


"We we just discussing the witch you've brought into your territory. And it seems you've come into contact with a Shadow. Care to explain?" the first vampire, Avrora, questioned.


"I was informed of two trespassers so I went to see for myself. One was a witch supposedly hanged but alive and well. The other was a Shadow who had gone to see what she was up to I presume. The Shadow left, the witch is in my care for the time being."


"Any why is that? Why not send her away?" Avrora asked, eyes narrowing


"Wait, did you said hanged but alive?" the same man, Wyatt, from earlier asked.


"Oh yes that...did the witch seem normal?" another female named Sophia asked frowning.


Rhys blinked, a little confused by the sudden change of expressions but shrugged. "Yes, perfectly fine. Why?"


Another male called Jesper sighed, tapping his fingers against his armchair. "Witches who are killed don't come back normally. Usually they become demons if brought back to life."


Rhys blinked, a frown crossing her features but that soon changed with the next remark.


"Ha, the half doesn't even know her history. Tell me again why we allowed this scum into this council." Sophia remarked snickering.


"I'll say, even we know about this and we aren't even remotely related to witches. Poor girl, do we need to send over some tutors?" Jesper asked.


"You know exactly why. Not only was my Father part of it and far more powerful, smarter and hardworking than you lot making it my birthright but you keep me here, waiting for me to mess up to you can get rid of me. If it isn't that it's just to keep a dog tightly on its leash." Rhys snapped, the last couple remarks really hitting a nerve. Her usually pale eyes flickered dangerously, her mouth set is a hard line as she struggled to keep herself under control .


"Be quiet! Jesper, Wyatt, Sophia and Avrora, please, we are not here to bicker. Avrora if you are not going to carry out this meeting professionally then leave." a third male called, his voice sharp.


"Yes, I agree with Lynk. We have other issues at hand" a third female said.


Rhys nodded slightly, "Thank you Lord Lynk, Lady Quincy."


And with that, the meeting continued, the tension still quite present as it was barely being contained. In the back, Tatsu and Shauna shared a glance, both clearly glad that they didnt have to rush forward and keep their Master from really losing it. While neither had a full idea of Rhys story, they knew anything relating to her parents was extremely touchy.

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

Morgan nodded to Rhys, to scared to really say anything at the moment. She was in a house full of vampires and it was nothing like she imagined. The humans seemed like slaves to the vampires but maybe it only seemed that way due to Morgan growing up with humans. She had never seen them look so dominated. It was a bit overwhelming. Everything was overwhelming.


When Rhys left the room, Morgan dropped her bag but kept her staff close. She walked through the library, almost excited by all the books that filled every shelf in the large room. The first book she pulled was filled with the old legends of the vampires before they came out of the coffin. She smiled remember who Juin and her use to sit by the rivers reading the stories to each other and joking around as if they were vampires. Morgan laughed to herself from the memory but stopped as the pain started to set in her heart. She lowered the book and clutched her chest with her free hand. Her mind kept pushing out the fact that she had just died and her love was the one that killed her.


"So you must be the little demon who everyone is talking about?" Morgan dropped the book and snapped around, pulling her staff to her chest. A tall man with black hair that went to his back stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame and watching her. He was a vampire.


"Demon?" Morgan asked.


"Yeah. Don't play stupid with us. We won't be fooled unlike Rhys." The vampire walked towards her slowly, a smirk on his face and his hands in his pockets.


"So how did you die little demon? Hanged? Fire? Who brought you back? Another witch?"


Morgan moved backwards, clutching her staff and fearful of what he was talking about.


"I seriously don't know what you are talking about." Morgan stammered.


"Sure and you just so happen to come across a shadow and a vampire all together at the same time." The man started comeing at her closer, hiss fangs out. "Guess the only way to know if to taste your blood. If you're a demon, you'll survive."


Morgan yelped as she jumped back towards the window as he lunged towards her. Her staff glowed brightly for a second.


Vines broke through the window and snapped past Morgan and wrapped around the vampire, binding him without any movement room. He screamed in anger for her to let him go but she only ran past him and out of the room. She had to find Rhys. Morgan thought she would be safe here like Rhys said.


It took her a few minutes but she walked by a room a heard Rhys snap at someone.


Without thinking, she burst through the door and saw the room full of vampires. Her staff was still in her hand but was not glowing anymore.


"Rhys, someone came and attacked me. I didn't know what to do..." She stammered, her eyes on the verge of tears. She was terrified.

 

[DctrCat]

Amber smiled and leaned forward in her seat, fiddling with a necklace around her neck. The silver chain held a single black pearl, that swelled and moved with the shadows living inside it. Amber watched with delight as the Ladies left the room, which quickly turned into chaos. Marigold raced about, clearly flustered by what had happened; the Ladies were displeased with her.


She looked up at Kaleb from her hood, enough of her face showing to see she looked quite different to normal. Her skin had a slightly pinkness to it, though still very pale, and her eyes were a greyer-blue. Her hair was long and dark, and billowed out from her hood into a flood of curls.


"Oh and Kaleb, what ever are you doing here?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't think you were much for these kinds of things."She said softly, running a hand softly down Kaleb's thigh. Her fingertips were cold against his skin, even through clothing. She kept her eyes down on the scene unfolding, marigold and the head counsellors were in a 'discussion', of sorts.


"What do we do? They're so disappointed!" Marigold fretted outloud to the counsellors.


"Well obviously but that isn't our biggest concern here!"


"How is it not?! This monster is still out there, living in our forest!"


Marigold! You are too caught up on this girl, this shadow. We have bigger worries, there is a new witch in our forest! God knows who could find her, take the energy. Cast the shadow from your mind and ignore her, at least for a short while, or leave the meeting if you are unable to keep your mind from it. You have already very loudly given your view on this being, so please, be quiet." The counsellor said sternly, as the others stood and stepped down from their seats.


"Then what do you proclaim we do Sir?" Asked a younger woman, a new recruit by the looks.


"We can hardly kill the girl, as we have already heard of her... situation. No, no. We must prepare the forest for possible chaos. If the witches learn of humans attempting to kill one of their own, they may retaliate, despite their opinions on the girl." The counsellor nodded, and the other nodded their approval.


The crowd slowly thinned as the meeting ended, leaving Amber and Kaleb in their seats.


"Oh dear, chaos?" Amber added, feigning concern. "No doubt the witches have already heard, and most likely the wolves as well. Anyhow dear Kaleb, must leave you be for now, seems someone has noticed us."


Amber stood with a smile, and turned to leave the seats. She gave a small wave, her many rings glinting in the light, to marigold who was looking at the hooded woman with panic.

 

[9forgotten]

Just as the meeting was getting back into a civilized conversation about all sorts of matters, the meeting door burst open and boom, there was the witch standing in plain view for all to see. Tatsu and Shauna jumped slightly, rather startled themselves. How the three vampires didn't notice the commotion going outside was a wonder considering their excellent hearing. Either way, the damage had been done and how the six figures up on the holographic screen were looking at Morgan with interest.


Nothing was said right away as Rhys got up and moved around the table, approaching the witch swiftly and pushing her gently out of sight from the screen. Glancing at Tatsu, she jerked her head in the direction of the door. "Go check the library and see if there's anyone chasing after her. Catch and retain them, I'll deal with them after my meeting." she said in a hushed tone, half growling in frustration. Tatsu nodded and left swiftly leaving Shauna just looking at Rhys as she stood awaiting orders.


"Lady Rhys? You still there? Who just ran in? Was that the witch? Bring her in front of the screen." Avrora called.


"Yes, please do. Let us take a look at at this witch." Sophia added, her voice honey coated with kindness it was making Rhys sick to hear.


"Why is she even in your care? You never let anyone onto your lands willingly." Jesper pointed out, an eyebrow raising curiously.


"Shut up, she's already scared. I'm not bring her to meet you lot." Rhys snapped, voice low and angry.


Looking down at the scared Witch, Rhys contemplated on what to do with her. She was by no means good at dealing with nearly crying...beings so she wasn't sure what to do. Casting a look Shauna, the vampire raised an eyebrow, silently asking what to do. Shauna just shrugged, trying to keep a very amused look off her face as she watched her Master just stand there looking a little lost. It was quite an uncommon expression and she found it far to amusing. To bad Tatsu was missing out on this.


Rubbing her forehead Rhys groaned and leaned over, peering at Morgan with a frown, her expression softening slightly. "I'm sorry someone attacked, I should've left Tatsu or Shauna with you. Um..don't cry okay? Did the servant even bring the food to you yet? You need to leave this room." Rhys asked pulling a face that clearly said she hadn't a clue on what she was trying to get at, awkwardly patting Morgans head in a very awkward attempt to calm the girl down.


"Rhys! Are we going to continue this meeting with or without you!" Avrora bellowed.


"Ah shut it you old hag! I'm clearly dealing with something! Give me a minute, besides, it's not like to care what I've got to say anyway." she growled, finally losing her temper as she glanced at the holographic images.


"How dare you speak that way to the First! I'll have your head for that." Wyatt growled.


Rhys smirked, glancing at the young man who was leaning forward in his chair. "Awe look at that, little Wyatt standing up for his lover never meant to have. Tsk, deal with it. I'll be with you in three, feel free to continue the conversation."


Jerking her look back at Morgan, she looked down at her for a long moment. "I take it back, sit there out of view. Be quiet, Shauna will sit with you. Any questions or whatever ask her." Rhys instructed, pointing to a chair opposite of where Rhys sat and most important, out of view from the other six. Marching back to her chair and leaving her third to deal with Morgan, Rhys sat down with a very grumpy look.


"Alright, I'm here. Proceed." she announced in a very dead monotoned voice.


"Humph, how nice of you. Let's move on now...."

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

Kaleb smiled as he watched everyone freak out. As Amber touched his thigh, he grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it before releasing it.


"You're still you, Amber. Haven't changed much except for being all shadow like."


Kaleb relaxed and watched, amused on how the fairies were scolding the woman.


The witch in the woods was causing a lot of problems but it seemed amusing. Before when he worked for the queen, this would be something he would report to but they were not his problem. The dark fae would probably be the last to know about what was going on. The fae that replaced him in the court was an idiot and didn't even know how to do his job. It took a month before they knew about the killings of the Blood Coven. The dark fae was angered by not being able to take part in the view that could have started a war.


As Amber got up, Kaleb looked down the fairy watching them and waved at her. The panic in the woman's eyes as she watched Amber was amusing but also sad that she would be this scared.


Kaleb zapped away and reappeared at the door as Amber was going out.


"So, Amber. Is it true with what everyone is saying about the woods?"


~~


Morgan did everything Rhys told her to do. She sat down but was very still. She had stopped crying mostly but she didn't know if she should be scared. Was this a good idea to even follow a vampire into their house? She was already attacked and now she may have caused problems. Morgan felt like she was acting like a baby but everything was so scary from what she was use to.


Morgan watched in silence as the meeting continued. She had her staff clutched in her hand like always, almost scared to let it go. She didn't really know where it had some from but she felt power from it and it gave her comfort.


During the meeting, Morgan started to zone out. Her head was faced down and just looking at her lap. All these memories were rushing through her head and her body felt exhausted from all the excitement and moving around. She just want to go back home and go to bed. See her little brother and make sure he was okay. But she never could go back. They buried her. They believed her to be dead and it would be wrong to come back after all the chaos she had caused when they learned she was a witch.


From what she remember from the treaties, if the humans were to kill another kind, they would have to be punished. But she wasn't really dead so how would anyone have proof. If they dug up her body, there would be nothing there. No Morgan or anything. Wouldnt even be a casket since she had a feeling they just dumped her in a hole. Maybe witches didn't deserve proper burials to those people.


A human girl came in with a tray and some food on it. She sat it down by the small lamp table next to her seat. It was a sandwich and a cup of red substance. At first, Morgan thought it was blood but when she picked it up and smelt it, it was red wine. Happily, she took a sip and took a bit of her sandwich. The moment it hit her mouth, she devoured it. She didn't know how hungry she was. At the same, she didn't even know how long she had been dead. When she woke, she instantly thought she had just died but now she didn't know.


Looking up and around, she found a digital clock and looked at the date. Her eyes widened. She had been dead for over two weeks. She remembers the exact date she had tried to run away with Juin.


When the meeting was over, Morgan stood up and looked at Rhys.


"Is it possible for someone to be dead for two weeks and come back? Do witches normally do that?"


~~


Three wolves sat in the shadows, using the witches magic to cloak them from the vampires, and watched through the window. There was no sign of the witch but they could smell her. The larger wolf looked to the smaller one and snuffed at him.


Send them a message. The old one was right. This witch is alive and not a demon.


The little one ran off away from the house and sat at the edge of the woods and howled.


The old woman sat under the moon and waited. As the howl echoed in her head, she nodded and waved her hand into the air. Thunder in the background started to shake the sky as the wolf went back to the three. He nodded to the leader.


We kill the witch.


But she is in vampire territory.


The treaty allows witches and theirs to do what they need with their own. If we kill her, the counsel can't punish us. Do not attack a vampire unless they attack you first.


Both the wolves nodded and moved forwards towards the house. Soon they would attack.

 

[DctrCat]

A cold wind whipped through the members of the council s they left the meeting hall, and small pieces of snow clung to the heavy coats of the crowd. Women pulled their gloves up higher, and the men adjusted their sleeves to cover their exposed arms. Amber stepped out of the hall quietly as she avoided chit chat, not wanting to give herself away. A cloud of smoke wrapped around her body and she quickly waved it away, seeing the elderly man who had blown it her way. The man gave a smirk to Amber and held a hand out in a small wave, 'Pardon Miss, honestly had no idea you was there., never intended to blow it your way. Not like me at all, always kind to the help." A thin woman hanging off of the man's arm gave a high pitched laugh, which caused the wrinkled man to smile even more.


"Oh sweetums, you're so right! You're always ever so polite to the house help, no matter where!" The woman said, her voice like nails on a chalkboard.


"Oh darling you know me!" The man said with a hearty chuckle as he looked from his arm candy back to Amber. The man's eyes were now red, though a darker tone, he had obviously fed recently. "My dear, you do smell-" He cut himself off as the woman shot him a concerned look.


Amber gave a groan, feeling the pain in her chest throb again. The man seemed to take this as a noise of disinterest in what he was saying and began to tell of Amber. "Now Miss I don't know who you work for but in my house the help do not make such ghastly noises to their employers. I may have to have a word with your employer about discip-"


Amber looked at the man, and heard the sounds of angry chatter surround her head. A smile grew across her face as she reached her hands up and let her hood drop away. Her hair fell in great curls of black hair around her pale face. Her right eye was now a silver white, while the other remained it's usual black. As if also released by the hood falling, the angry voices around her head scattered off into the wind, searching for dark places to reside in until it was time to play again.


The elderly man stood with his mouth agape, the woman was tired and wanting to leave. "Sir you've clearly got me confused with another person, I am not anybody's help." Amber placed heavy emphasis on the word, as she held out a hand to shake with the man. "Since you seem intent on finding out who I am, I will introduce who I am. Pleasure to meet you, I am Lady Mecking of the Upper Woods." The man nodded and continued to stare, his eyes becoming a much stronger shade of red as he he did so.


A shrill cry filled the air and it took a moment for Amber to realise it wasn't from the man's female friend but rather, a familiar looking fairy who had spied the unhooded Amber; she was now shouting and pointing at Amber, her facing growing more and more frightened.


She flounced down the stone steps and quickly shuffled over to Amber, continued to point her finger. "You, you can't be here! You should not have come here!" The fairy shouted. Amber turned her body to face Marigold.


"I apologies, but my ears were burning. Thought somebody was speaking ill of me." Amber said with a wide grin, her white eye sparkling.


"What? Well, no matter, you can't have long anyhow. A momentary wake in the body's lull. How frustrating." Marigold was more talking to herself, as the elderly man and his companion made a quick exit but, made a friendly farewell wave to Amber.


Amber took a step closer to Marigold and looked down at the squat woman, who was now muttering to herself, interrupted by Amber looking at her.


"Marigold this may be a problem, to you at least, but I do need to tell you something." Amber spoke softly this time, not wanting others to really overhear as they filed out behind them. "I'm breathing."


With that, Amber turned on her heel and made her way away from the building. Marigold wailed in worried frustration, yelling about "Not right! and "The minsters need warning!"


Amber walked, feeling Kaleb land beside her again. "To continue from earlier dear Kaleb, you've heard correctly. The attack isn't the main concern, but what it means the girl isn't dead. Either she is a demonoid creature, though more likely some kind of blood witch or... she is like me."


Amber did not say anything else after this, and continued her way home, though to a different building. A large manor stood before on the top of a hill, it's hedges overgrown and angry, the windows old and broken.

 

[9forgotten]

Rhys spoke occasionally for the rest of the meeting, her mood way to foul to really contribute to much, not that it mattered to much. The other six members could tell that if they pushed her any further, they'd really be in for it and the idea of an angry vampire with hybrid made them nervous. They had no idea what she could do nor did they really want to find out so while they'd push her as much as they wanted, there was a limit. It was a twisted game that they all took part of and it's just how their species did things. Didn't mean it was always fair but they tried.


While the meeting went on, Tatsu checked the library and found the broken windows. Sighing to himself, he called over some servants to clean up the mess while he tried to figure out what to do about preparing them for a moment. In the end, he just sent off another a low level vampire to get window replacements from somewhere and a human servant to help out. Making sure the vampire wasn't going to terrorize the human, he left the library in in search for the vampire who had attacked their little witch friend. Asking a few questions to any witnesses, he easily found the guy, still running around looking for Morgan. Containing him was the easiest thing in the world, so easy Tatsu was almost disappointed that he hadn't put up a fight but knew she should probably return to the meeting room.


Basically dragging the attacker, Tatsu made his way through the halls swiftly. As he made his way around, he couldn't help but smile to himself as he remember once being incredibly lost in the huge place and now he knew it like the back of his hand. As he got to in front of the meeting room, she shot a glare at vampire in his grip, "You better keep quiet unless you wanna die right away. Lady Rhys is in a meeting." he stated firmly. The vampire just nodded, his expression currently unreadable. Slipping in, he entered quietly, moving to the shadows as to not disrupt the now calmer setting. The one trying to chase and kill Morgan spotted her of course and tensed, clearly debating on whiter to attack her in the presence of his Master. While she was in the middle of a meeting.


Tatsu could tell Rhys did not seem to be in any mood to deal with anything anymore and the other six leaders could sense that too. The entire rest of the meeting consisted of them discussing the activity of the other species in regards to their own as well as the activity going on within their own species. Shauna on the other hand just sat there next to Morgan, silently half listening to everything, most of her attention on the witch as she ate.


When the meeting ended, Rhys let out a long sigh and slumped over in her seat, a dull headache forming in the back of her head. Hardly glancing up at Morgan as she asked her question, Rhys just shook to head slightly. "Not now, we can discuss that later." she said, waving the matter aside momentarily. Guesting for Tatsu to come forward from the shadows, he complied, shoving his captive in front of him. "Is this the one who attacked you?" Rhys asked, pointing over to Tatsu. The accused said nothing of course, just stood there tensely with a look that gave nothing away.

 

[DctrCat]

The gates of the manor were old, and squeaked as Amber pushed one open with her hand. Flakes of rust and dirt clung to her cloak sleeve, which she dusted off onto the ground as she walked through the entrance yard of the manor. It was a circular garden, with a large circular fountain sitting in the centre; the fountain was old, and Amber thought it must have looked astonishing back when it was cared for. Now, the stone fountain sat cracked and unused in the garden.


Leaves crunched under her feet as Amber walked up the stone drive and made her way to the front door. Crows perched on the fence of the manor watched her, as did the crows on the foundation and overhead in the trees that swayed in the soft wind. The birds watched intensely as she made her way up the short flight of steps to the front door and placed a hand on the handle. With a breath in, Amber smiled as she pressed down on the handle and heard the click as the door was opened. A flurry of noise behind her made her turn for a moment; the crows were cawwing and flapping angrily from their perches and seeing that the intruder was not leaving, began to rise from their perches. The birds rose and flapped angrily, a few swooping down at Amber. The birds swooped and scratched at Amber, who quickly pulled the door open and stepped inside, slamming it shut behind her.


She breathed in, taking in the smell of the old building; musty and stale, and very cold. Amber undid her cloak and let it fall to the ground around her feet, and stepped over the pile of fabric as she began her exploration of the house. Her steps echoed through the vast manor, and dust floated above the floor as her feet disturbed it. She made her way up the winding staircase that lead to the upper floor of the house, and walked down the hallway. She looked in each room as she walked past;


The bathroom; mirror broken, bathtub and sink cracked and discoloured. Small plants grew from cracks in the tiled floor.


The master bedroom, her mother's bedroom; covered in dust and broken glass but, undisturbed. Bedsheets sat tidy as if they had been made and forgotten to be slept in again. A collection of glass perfume bottles sat on a dresser in front of a large mirror, all covered in dust and grime.


Her childhood bedroom; the crib broken, the bed smashed and partially burnt, the mobile that used to hang from the ceiling lay in a tangled heap on the floor. The room had been torn apart as much as aged hands had been capable of.


Amber kept walking until she saw a closed door at the end of the hallway; it had always been shut, no matter where her Mother was. Amber slowly walked to the door and placed her hand on the doorknob, and turned. The handle got halfway before stopping and click, it was locked. Amber tried again, and again but was unsuccessful. Finally she turned her body to the side and with every bit of strength she had, she slammed herself into the door, twice. The first time the door only shook on it's hings but at the second strike, the ageing lock gave way with a cracking noise as metal and wood separated. Amber waved the dust away from her face as she walked into the room, for the first time.


The room would have once been a sight to see, with deep green wallpaper and lovely dark brown wooden floors. Family portraits hung on each wall, from youngest to eldest and everyone in between. A frame sat on the floor, facing the wall, and when Amber turned it she saw her own young face staring back at her. An empty hook sat beside the portrait of her Mother, and Amber took great joy in hanging the portrait on the hook. Amber admired the painting for some time, she had forgotten what she looked like. At last she turned and focused her attention on a wooden box on the mantle above the fireplace in the room.


A lily was carved into the pale wood the box was made of; something her Mother had added to anything she deemed as hers. With shaking hands, Amber opened the box and tipped the contents onto the floor. The only thing to fall out, was a ring. Amber picked it up and looked it over before she placed it on her finger.


The ring consisted of a thin gold band with a lonely white stone sitting in the centre of it. Amber continued about the house, exploring the place she had grown up in.


Back in the meeting hall, there is a large wall, with portraits of each representative and a small plaque explaining who they are and who they represent in the committee. For a long time, a blank portrait sat above a blank plaque but now, in the grand wooden frame was a painting of the young Amber Mecking, and beneath it was a plaque with a new engraving.

Amber Mecking


Representative for the Upper Woods
​

 

[TheJaydeWriter]

Morgan nodded as they shoved the man into the light. He looked angry and pissed, almost rabid even. Morgan clutched her staff and nodded again.


"Yeah, that's him."


The vampire tried to shake off his captive but he couldn't get enough strength to. While he was strapped up in those vines, it felt almost as if his energy was slowly being drained. When he was able to break free, he almost collapsed.


"Rhys, why are you letting this demon walk around here and act like this is fine! Would you rather let this witch get away with attacking a fellow vampire? Last time I checked, you are one of us! She is nothing but a dangerous blood bag that needs to be snuffed out. Regardless of what I did, she attacks me when I only asked her questions! She needs to be punished!"


The vampire was clearly unhinged by the matter and almost spat every word at Rhys.


Some of the other vampires looking in murmured to each other.


"She is on vampire territory and since she is not claimed. I should be allowed to do as I please with her." He hissed.


~~


Kaleb nodded to what Amber said about the girl.


A Blood witch? Not possible.


When Amber left, Kaleb popped here and there, following her and watching her movements. For a moment, he thought he lost her but was able to find her before she disappeared again.


When she entered the mantion, he popped in and watched her from a distance. After a moment, he appeared leaning on the wall behind her.


"You've got all the fairies in a frenzy, regardless of the girl. Its quite ammusing."

 

[DctrCat]

Amber made her way down the steps of the manor and smiled at Kaleb. The manor was bright now, the darkness had lifted to show a number of lights burning brightly in their sockets. Amber made her way down to the bottom of the steps, where she sank into the floor, coming back up behind Kaleb. She ran her fingers down his back, and around his waist.


"They are being childish about it all. They knew I would wake up one day, they were simply hoping I wouldn't." She purred in his ear, pulling him closer to her. "Oh Kaleb, it is simply so unfair how they treat me. I'm not the one who upset the forest, I'm not the one who killed that gir-" Amber stopped talking and stared past Kaleb, breathing close to his neck. Amber could feel his skin grow warm as she breathed on it, confusing her momentarily, unused to her body being warm.


"Why did I wake up?" She asked herself, not really speaking to Kaleb. Amber let go of Kaleb and quickly grabbed her cloak from the ground before she sank deep into the ground of the manor. She traveled, speeding off through the dark shadows that filled the forest. She followed the shadows and the voices they carried. She rushed, and pulled herself up through a marvelous stone floor. A fountain sat behind her, on a balcony that jutted out from the mountain the building was built into. Amber adjusted her hood and quickly made her way into the building, following the voices to find where she needed to be.


The large doors to the room Rhys and Morgan were in swung open slowly, a moment before Amber was near them, and she was able to simply stride into the room. A group of skinny vampires raced in after her, weapons drawn and facing her, as a number of them faced Rhys and Morgan.


"M'lady, our deepest apologies, we have no idea how she got in!" The smallest vampire, a blonde boy, stammered. "N-none of the entrances are compromised."


Amber pulled her cloak off and dropped it to the floor, then kicked it across the floor. The vampires shook as they held their weapons towards Amber, but she simply stood and much to the vampire's shock, dropped into a low bow. Amber's hair fell around her face in a swoop and bounced back as she lifted herself back into a standing position.


"My biggest apologies for the intrusion but, I have a concern." She kept her eyes on Rhys as she spoke. "Our witch here woke me with her magic, and I wonder, what else is out there she could have woken?" Amber stepped forward, confidently. "Every single other blood witch the council discovered was put to sleep, though there are a number still awake. What do you think will happen if they discover their sisters are now awake?"


Amber's voice alone said what she thought would happen; proper chaos.