The World of Alderest - II - Solyma Van Dolcies - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: A Gathering of Semi-Heroes

"Hector? Could you come in here?" Solyma called from her bedroom.

Hector carefully set aside his latest model, a Corannon Clipper ship, and floated to the bedroom door.

"Yes?" he said.

"Can you help me with these weaves?" Solyma was standing by the window with several alarm weaves gathered in her hands. The moon was high over the Sea of Dreams and its light was reflecting brilliantly off the water.

"Of course." Hector floated over and took some of the weaves from her. While unable to conjure weaves, as a magical construct he could interact with them. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just setting up some alarms around the windows. And doors. And skylight."

"Why, if I may ask? We're in the Royal Palace."

"Just an extra precaution. You can never be too careful." She laughed nervously.

Hector watched patiently as Solyma arranged the weaves around and over the window.

"You seem to be putting up quite a few alarms. Is something the matter?"

Solyma paused. "No, no. Nothing's the matter." She laughed lightly and smiled nervously.

"Solyma."

"Yes?"

Hector stared at her, his monocle unwavering.

She crumbled. "Did I," she coughed, "ever tell you about Valkersan?"

"Not really, you mentioned him once. I believe you were cursing at him."

"Well," she said, finishing fixing the last of the weaves in place around the skylight, "I used to, uh, work with him, for him actually."

Hector waited.

"With a couple other, people, we were sort of a group."

"What kind of a group?"

"Oh, you know, the taking over the world type of group."

Hector sighed. "Of course it was. How long ago was this?"

"A long time, seventy years or so. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Hector ignored her last sentence. "You told me you were twenty-six."

"So I lied. The point is, we had a falling out before we took over the world."

"Obviously." Hector looked down, one hand holding his helmet.

"I," Solyma looked around the bedroom, "sort of," she played with the comforter, "killed him."

"Sort of?"

"I stabbed him. In the back. With a knife. But he didn't really die."

"Need I ask why?"

"He was a very powerful mage, he invested a good deal of his power in an artifact, a crystal. The power he stored in there could be used to augment his own or other mage's power. When I killed him, his crystal fed enough energy to his spirit to keep him in a void between planes. Somehow he got out again."

Hector floated silently for a minute. "Nothing is ever simple with you is it? Five years we're together and you never thought to tell me that an undead mage might want to come after you?" His voice was tired. He had become far too used to things like this. If it wasn't an dragon, it was a demon. If it wasn't a demon, it was an old lover. If it wasn't an old lover, it was an old lover who happened to be a demigod. "What did you do with the crystal?"

"I kept it."

"Where is it?"

"I hid it. I couldn't use the power directly, he was smart enough to place limits on it. But it's safe."

Hector sighed. "Very well, I'll get our bags. It's a good thing I didn't unpack most of them." He began to float out of the room.

"Wait!" Solyma yelled. "I'm not leaving."

"Why not? This, Valkersan is going to find you and come after you isn't he? We should at least get a head start."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I've finally gotten a good job. This is what I've wanted for years."

"A job teaching magic?"

"No," she scowled. "The teaching isn't important, what's important is the salary, pension, and benefits."

"I'm waiting to hear all about them."

"I get a thousand marks a month, free food at the College, and access to all their equipment, including the library. The pension is the same after I retire. With that much money we could get a nice townhouse with a huge bathtub with hot running water and wood paneling and deep carpeting," Solyma began to drift off into her vision of material comfort. She snapped herself out of it. "This means no more running around worrying where the next meal is going to come from, no more schemes. You should be happy about that."

"Normally I would be ecstatic. Unfortunately there is the matter of your friend Valkersan. Being a lecturer at the College will only make you easier to find. He'll wait until you let your guard down and then you'll be dead. I'll be out of an employer and I have no desire to go around farming out my talents to a lot of no talent hacks."

Solyma thought for a second. She looked up at Hector and grinned. "Well then, we'll just have to find a way of dealing with him."

---

Cecilia Abrovagny lay across the sumptuous couch with her eyes closed, her long brown hair lay unbraided across the cushions. Her voluptuous figure strained at the bodice of her expensive silk dress, illuminated only by a few candles placed around the living room. From the shadows of the room a pair of glowing eyes watched her.

The eyes moved forward into the light, revealing a darkly dressed man of thin of build and tall of frame. He moved noiselessly over the Alathan carpet, his cloak swirling, to stand over the oblivious woman. He gently brushed her neck with a long finger, watching as a smile flickered over Cecilia's face. He stroked her hair, delicately lifting a long curl of her hair and then letting it fall. Eyes flashing, he knelt by her side, his mouth opening to reveal a pair of razor sharp incisors and with a blur of motion he bit into her neck.

Cecilia's eyes opened wide as the teeth penetrated her skin. Her mouth opened wide and she gasped loudly as a shock of pleasure ran through her. The man's hands pressed down on her body, feeling and caressing her breasts, then beginning to unlace her bodice. She struggled against him for a brief moment, then settled back onto the couch, her hands digging into his night black hair.

The man had bared her breasts and had begun to run his fingertips lightly over her delicate skin, leaving tingling paths of pleasure behind. Her nipples were already erect and hard as he twirled his fingers around them. Cecilia moaned loudly, her breathing fast, as he ran a hand down her body and began to pull up her dress. She was helpless to stop him as he roughly pulled off her undergarments and swiveled her around to face him. His mouth still hot and insistent on her neck, he spread her thighs, both hands now tracing over her inner thighs as she moved her hands down his neck and back to his shoulders.

The man reared back for a moment. Cecilia could see drops of her blood on his lips. She looked into his hypnotic eyes and cruelly handsome face and gripped his shoulders tightly. Moaning quietly, she trembled in anticipation as he freed himself from his breeches and positioned himself at the entrance to her. She looked down at his cock, nervously licking her lips as he pressed himself more firmly against her entrance. Her breathing began to quicken still further.

With one motion the man thrust himself deep into her. Cecilia bit her lip to keep from screaming in pleasure as he began to fuck her with a deep, slow rhythm.

"Oh, gods, oh godssss-" she gasped as his motions began to quicken.

Cecilia felt herself begin to tremble around him as his cock slid in and out of her. The man leaned over her, kissing her deeply. She kissed him back, running her tongue over his pointed fangs and shivering at the feel. He broke the kiss, increasing his thrusts, and began to lower his head to her neck. Cecilia let out a wavering cry of pleasure as he bit her again. In a flash she felt herself lose control and began to thrust her hips wildly at him. Her legs drew up and around his waist as the orgasm ran its course.

"Oh, Tancred, Tancred," she moaned softly in pleasure.

"Tancred!" a deep voice roared, jerking her out of the pleasant afterglow. Cecilia groaned in protest as Tancred pulled out of her quickly, leaving her empty and deprived on the couch. Realizing her situation, Cecilia jerked her dress down and covered her breasts.

"Tancred, you fool! Put that away and try to look like a true vampire," the voice snarled.

Tancred winced as he put his still fully erect member back into his breeches. He looked longingly for a second at the delicious Cecilia on the couch before jerking his gaze back to Valkersan.

"I am gone for seventy years and this," Valkersan hissed, pointing at Cecilia, "is what you've become?"

"People change, Valkersan," Tancred said, his voice settling into an easy tenor, still dominated by his Alathian accent. "And seventy years is a long time." Only someone who had known him as long as Valkersan would recognize the traces of fear in his voice.

"The Tancred I knew would never stoop to seducing weak-willed and soft noblewomen for his meals. The Tancred I knew hunted dragons and ate their hearts fresh from their dying bodies. I saw you kill a lion with only your teeth and drench yourself in its blood!"

Tancred dabbed at his lips with a handkerchief, pulling his cloak around him as he straightened to his full height. "What can I say? I don't have the heart to do any of that anymore."

"I never thought that you, of all people, would fall to such pathetic depths. Solyma, yes, possibly even Asgrim, but you? A simpering, prissy, fop." Valkersan stepped closer to Tancred, his staff splintering the wood floor where it landed. He stopped and turned to Cecilia, shaking in fright on the couch. "What is this?" he grinned. "I see you still have excellent taste in women." Valkersan reached out to stroke Cecilia's hair. He laughed when she jerked away from his touch.

"Leave her out of this," Tancred said, his voice angry. He roughly grabbed Valkersan's shoulder and turned him around.

"Never presume to touch me!" Valkersan raged. He raised his hand and Tancred flew across the room, slamming into the opposite wall. He struggled futilely against the strength of Valkersan's weaves. "I have grown in power during my long occupation of the Void. The Corthronos that make my body have added their power to mine as well. I could destroy you, Tancred."

Tancred ceased his struggling. "But will you? What do you want, finding me after so many years?"

"I want my crystal, I want the world, and I, want revenge!" Lightning blazed from his teeth as he finished his sentence, the brilliant blue bolts crackling over the room. "Solyma slipped through my fingers because of those damned meddling mages at the College. She won't again. I want you to kill her. I've traced her to the Royal Palace, her room is in the west wing above the gymnasium, third floor."

Tancred gaped. "The Royal Palace? That's impossible!"

Valkersan released the weaves holding Tancred. "Not for you, at least not the guest chambers. I doubt you could reach the king or queen, much less kill them, but Solyma should be no problem."

"What if I don't do what you say?"

Valkersan smiled. "First, you're sweet little woman there will suffer horribly. I'm sure you can imagine what I will do to her."

"Who says I care for her that much? She enjoys the thrill of being with a vampire while her husband is off on business. I have twelve other women who feel the same way."

"Oh, I don't think that you love her or any such shit. But you've always had a soft spot for women, haven't you? I don't think you could leave her to suffer my tender love." Valkersan leered at the cowering Cecilia. "Although feel free to not kill Solyma. After I enjoy your woman, I'll find you and you will spend your next thousand years in agony."

Tancred looked at the now weeping Cecilia. He had no doubt that Valkersan was capable of all he said. Especially the thousand years of torment. "Fine. I'll do it. But I need some time to pre-"

"No time. You will do it tonight or-" Valkersan reached over and grabbed Cecilia's wrist. He brought it to his mouth and gently kissed her hand, running his tongue over the soft skin of her inner wrist.

"Tancred?" Cecilia whimpered, her face pale with fear.

"I'll do it tonight!" Tancred shouted. "I'm sorry this happened, Cecilia." He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you." He glared meaningfully at Valkersan.

Valkersan smirked. "Yes, yes. As long as you kill Solyma, nothing will happen to this woman. Now go. I'll give you until sunrise."

Tancred nodded, his eyes burning with anger, and walked out of the room. He passed down a hallway leading to the main entrance of his townhouse. As he reached the entrance he pulled a well cared for scabbard and rapier from the umbrella rack. He pulled the sword a few inches from the scabbard, checking its edge. Still sharp, he thought, Cecilia always did like a shiny sword. With one last look down the hall back towards the living room, he steeped outside of the house and onto the streets of Corannon.

---

Solyma lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She had double and triple checked all the alarms she had set up, still, she felt uncomfortable. She jerked when she heard a knock at the living room door. She sat up in bed, feeling for her saber where it lay in its scabbard over the headboard. She had slid it halfway from the scabbard when she heard the muffled voice of Hector speaking to someone. A few moments later there was a buzz in her ear.

"Yes?" she said.

"There is a young elf woman here to see you," Hector said. "Should I send her away? She could be an assassin in disguise," he said with a touch of sarcasm.

Solyma glared at him. "Let her in," she said, sheathing her sword.

She stood up and wrapped her robe around her nightgown and had finished lighting a lamp as Penelope entered hesitantly. She was still wearing her silk dress and had added a light cloak to guard against the night's chill.

"Hello Solyma. I was just wondering if," Penelope paused, Solyma realized that the elf girl was blushing, "you wanted to talk. Or something."

Solyma smiled broadly. "Of course, I'd be glad to. Why don't you sit down and we can talk?" She patted the bed.

Penelope smiled and sat on the bed after carefully draping her cloak over a chair back.

"I," she began then stopped as Solyma sat down right next to her, their thighs in close contact. "I was wondering, do you ever get homesick?"

Solyma blinked, thrown off guard by the unexpected question. "Well, yes. I suppose I do once in a long while. But I'm used to being on the road."

Penelope blinked rapidly. "I miss my home so much. Seeing the gardens made it that much worse. I miss my parents and the steward and the Captain of the Guard." Her words came out in a rush. By the end she was crying, large tears running down her face. "I just miss it so much!" she sobbed, burying her face in Solyma's shoulder.

Solyma froze as she wondered what to do. The soft warmth of Penelope's head on her shoulder felt deliciously good but the girl was in obvious distress. She looked up at the door to see Hector floating there. She silently mouthed, "What do I do?" He just shrugged as best he could with no shoulders and quietly closed the doors.

"Penelope? Penelope," Solyma said quietly. The elf girl didn't seem to hear. Solyma could feel the girl's tears soaking through her robe and gown. "Penelope, here, why don't you lie down? I'll get something to calm your nerves." Solyma gently guided Penelope onto the bed, tugging back the covers and laying her down under the sheets after pulling off her shoes.

Solyma quickly walked to the living room and pulled a bottle of sherry and two glasses from a cupboard.

"A nice romantic evening? Should I light a fire in your fireplace?" Hector asked.

"No and yes, actually. Do you know how to deal with homesickness?"

Hector looked at her blankly. "I've never even had a home, much less been sick for one. Is it contagious?"

Solyma had the feeling that Hector was silently laughing at her as she returned to the bedroom with him in tow. She sat back on the bed next to Penelope, pouring two glasses of sherry, while Hector lit the fireplace.

"Here, Penelope, drink this," she said, handing Penelope as glass.

"What is it?" Penelope asked.

"Sherry. Drink it, it'll make you feel better."

Solyma took a long swig of her sherry as Penelope sipped at hers. She was still sniffing and crying a little. Solyma handed her a handkerchief from her pocket and watched as the elf girl blew her nose incredibly loudly. As Hector drifted out, Solyma handed him the used handkerchief and retrieved several more from her dresser before sitting back down on the bed.

The fire was crackling nicely, warming the air in the bedroom and casting a bright flickering light onto the walls. Solyma scooted over to where Penelope lay on the bed, her glass empty. Solyma looked at her closely, her breathing was deep and even. She had fallen asleep, the empty glass held loosely in her hand.

"One glass of sherry. I'll have to remember that," Solyma said to herself. She removed her robe and tossed it over a chair as she finished her drink and set the empty glass on her bedside table.

Solyma moved back over to where Penelope lay on her back, her breasts rising and falling delightfully. Solyma hesitated for a moment and began to unlace the elf's dress. After a few minutes of fumbling and tugging she had managed to get it off and let it fall to the floor by the bed. Solyma turned her attention back to Penelope. She had only been wearing a light shift under her dress, the thin material did nothing to hide the shape of her body. Solyma leaned over her, running her hand over Penelope's cheek. Solyma kissed Penelope lightly and moved to her pointed ears, licking and nibbling on their tips. Penelope mumbled something and rolled over onto her side, facing away from Solyma. She looked back at Penelope's face for any sign that she was awakening. If anything, Penelope was even more soundly asleep. Solyma sighed and tenderly stroked her soft hair. She wondered why she didn't just screw Penelope, asleep or not. She sighed again and gently kissed Penelope on the forehead. When she received no reaction she pulled the covers over Penelope and tucked them around her chin. "Sleep well and dream of home," she whispered. "I hope that you feel better in the morning, dear." Solyma stopped and shook her head. The sherry must be making her sentimental. Solyma sat against the headboard for a long time, watching Penelope sleep. When sleep finally began to tug at her eyelids she slid down under the covers next to Penelope. Solyma stroked Penelope's sweet smelling hair for a moment and then did her best to fall asleep.

Solyma lay in bed for a long time, trying to ignore the warmth of Penelope's body and the sound of her soft breathing. She tried rolling over to face away from her, but found that her imagination took over, filling her head with visions of Penelope's body, of the feeling of her hair, and of the softness of her lips... Solyma groaned and slid out of bed. She pulled on her robe and left the bedroom, quietly closing the door behind her.

"Where's my bedroll?" she asked Hector.

"In the other room, why?" he answered, still painting a model of a ship.

"I'm sleeping out here. Can you build up the fire at bit?"

Hector complied, watching as Solyma dragged the couch closer to the fire and setting her bedroll on top. She slipped off her robe and slid into the bedroll, resting her head on a cushion. With the low crackling of the fire and the faint sounds of Hector's brush on his model, Solyma felt herself falling asleep.

---

Magda was just getting ready for bed when someone began to knock loudly on her door. She quickly walked to the door and opened it, tying her robe more firmly in place. Standing outside her door was a man dressed in mage's robes and Havas, still wearing his pajamas.

"Magda, this man says that he's from the College. He says that-" Havas was cut off by the mage.

"I'm sorry to visit you so late, miss, but I really need to see the remains of the tower as soon as possible. There's the constant possibility that some stranger will pass by there and become seriously hurt," he said. Magda found herself thinking that he had a very pleasant voice.

"What do you need from me?" she asked.

"I need you and Havas to guide me there as soon as possible."

"Well, I can show you tomorrow morning."

The mage shook his head. "That's too late. Every minute counts when dealing with the belongings of a mage."

"I guess so. Give me a few minutes and I'll get dressed. We'll have to walk the horses most of the way."

The mage nodded. "Thank you for your patience, this really is very important."

Magda let the two men into the house, shutting the door behind them. She then went upstairs and started to dress.

Downstairs, Havas looked the mage over. He was of medium height and build, rather ordinary looking. His robes were brown and green with sigils embroidered onto the sleeves and collar. He had no staff.

Magda quickly finished dressing and started downstairs again. She paused at the top of the staircase to examine the mage. He was quite handsome, with a kind face and deep blue eyes. She noticed how agile his hands were as he tapped his fingers against his sleeve. Magda shook herself and descended down the stairs.

"I have some things we could use," she said.

"No, why don't we go over to my house and use my gear. It's all ready anyway," Havas said.

"I guess you need to get dressed as well."

"Aye, that I do."

They trio walked back to Hava's house. Once there, he quickly dressed in his old armor as Magda and the mage gathered lamps and torches.

"I'm sorry, I never introduced myself," he said. He extended his hand. "My name is Bradley Bral'Throsk. But please, call me Bradley."

"Hello Bradley, my name is Magda Iverssen." She smiled and took his hand. They touched for a long moment until Havas returned.

"Let's get going," he said, "it's going to be a long walk."

---

Tancred stood on the balcony just outside Solyma's bedroom. His supernatural vision could easily make out the form of a woman lying in bed. He was surprised that she was alone, when he had known her hardly a day had gone by without her taking someone to her bed.

He was about to open the window when he saw the alarm weaves strung all over it. He smiled, his fangs flashing in the moonlight. Solyma had always forgotten to set alarms for both the living and the dead. Concentrating for a moment, he melted into a cloud of whitish-red mist and floated through the spaces in the window pane to reform by the bed.

He felt his cock swell and harden as he gazed on the woman in bed. She was a young elf, no older than thirty-five, and extremely beautiful The elf was lying on her back, one arm over her head, the other under the covers. He shifted himself uncomfortably, remembering his interrupted tryst with Cecilia. Business first, he thought, looking around for any sign of where Solyma might have gone.

Tancred silently took the form of mist and slid under the doorway to the living room. He reformed in the shadows cast by the dying fire. The door to the parlor was closed, with his superior vampiric hearing, he could hear what sounded like someone painting. The couch by the fireplace drew his attention back to the room. He crept over to standing between its occupant and the fireplace. Nestled in a bedroll was Solyma, beautiful as ever, her body turned away from the fire. Tancred wondered at the situation for a moment. Solyma would never leave an elf, especially a female one sleeping alone, at least not if she had any say in matters. Perhaps she had been kicked out of her bed, he thought.

The vampire stood still for a moment. He really had no choice. Valkersan was going to kill him and Cecilia no matter what he did, at least with Solyma alive he had a chance of escaping. Especially if she still had Valkersan's crystal. He reached down to shake Solyma awake. Just before he touched her he saw her beautiful exposed neck. The soft, creamy skin of her neck curved delicately down from her jaw to her shoulder. Her red hair reflected the last light of the dying fire and contrasted wonderfully with her skin. His cock throbbed when he saw the gentle pulse of her blood beneath the surface of her neck. The smell of her intoxicated him, filling his mind with a red mist. She's going to kill me for this, he thought, as he opened his mouth and lowered his jaw to her neck. But hey, a vampire's got to eat. He bit quickly, sinking his fangs into her neck. Solyma's eyes opened in shock as she felt the vampire's fangs biting her. She tried to yell but found the waves of pleasure overcoming her. Her attempted cry for help came out as a weak whimper of pleasure.

Solyma tried to turn to see who was assaulting her, but strong hands kept her pinned on her side. Her legs thrashed against the bedroll, pulling it down her body . Unbridled lust ran through her body as the vampire drank her blood. Her dreams of Penelope came back to her, she wanted run into the bedroom and pull Penelope from the bed. Solyma moaned as she imagined burying her face between the elf girl's slim thighs. But try as she might, her hands lacked the strength to do anything more than clutch at the couch.

Tancred felt Solyma's rich blood flow down his throat. He gasped at the spiciness and heat of it, nearly losing some of it in surprise. His head began to swim and lust overcame him as he drank of her. Almost unconsciously he found himself stripping his clothes off and pulling the bedroll fully off Solyma. He pulled away from her for a moment as he hiked her nightgown over her breasts and rolled her onto her stomach. Crouching on the couch behind her, he lifted her ass in the air and eagerly spread her knees apart. He placed himself at her entrance, finding her wet with want and desire. Tancred groaned with desire as he plunged himself deep into her, his hands running over her hips and up her sides to cup her breasts.

Solyma nearly fainted from the pleasure as her unseen assailant thrust into her. Her toes curled in delight as he began to maniacally fuck her from behind. "Oh, no, not here," she gasped as she clutched at the arm of the couch, her body jerking with each fierce thrust. She felt hands at her breasts, squeezing and kneading, then rubbing and pinching her nipples. Solyma moaned loudly as she was raised onto her hands and knees. She felt one hand dive between her trembling thighs and begin to rub her clit. She gulped and gasped for air as she began to cry out in pleasure.

She barely noticed as a hand left her breast and turned her head, sweeping her long hair away to expose her neck. Her mouth opened wide and she let out a loud cry of pleasure when the vampire's teeth sank into her neck. She shuddered uncontrollably, falling back onto the couch, her upper body hanging over the arm, as an orgasm washed throbbed in her loins. Her vision faded in and out as tremors ran through her body. Her mouth worked silently as her orgasm stretched out until it seemed that she would faint. Finally, with one last moan, she did.

Tancred had to force himself to stop drinking Solyma's blood. He pulled back, praying that he hadn't taken too much, still pumping madly into her trembling body. Although she had gone limp, her inner muscles were still squeezing furiously at him. No longer able to control himself, he groaned loudly and his cock erupted, depositing his cum deep inside her.

He stayed like that for a moment, on his elbows, hovering over her prone body. He panted, licking the last stray drops of her blood from his lips. Nothing like that had ever happened to him before, he had never lost control of himself like that. Tancred felt too drained to move and slumped onto Solyma's back. He vaguely hoped that she didn't mind.

Solyma slowly swam back to consciousness after a few minutes. She could feel the weight of her attacker's body on top of her. After a few moments struggle, she got her hands under her and pushed herself up and out from under him. He slid to the floor, landing with a loud thump. Solyma groggily pulled her nightgown over herself, and her hands gently touched the bruise on her neck.

"Vampire," she whispered. "I should have remembered to set the alarm for undead." Her eyes widened when she knelt to examine the vampire's face. "You," she said. "You!" she yelled. Her hands flew around the vampire's neck as she began to throttle him. "I knew it! You always had your eyes on me! How in Aeleon's name did you find me?"

Tancred was too weak to resist as Solyma pounded his head against the carpet. "Valkersan... sent... me... to kill... you," he managed, his words separated by the dull thud of his skull smacking into the floor.

Solyma dropped his head back to the floor as she stood unsteadily. "Hector!" she screamed, "get a stake!"

Hector snapped his paint brush in two when he heard her scream. He had managed to ignore the heated cries and moans before but this was different. He quickly broke a chair leg off and rushed into the living room. He saw Solyma leaning against the couch, a naked man lying on the floor by the fireplace and tugging on her nightgown. He darted over to the man and raised the stake.

"No! Wait, Solyma!" the man yelled. "I wasn't going to do it! I need your help!"

Solyma waved at Hector to stop.

He floated over the man, stake still at the ready.

"What do you want, Tancred? I thought I'd never have to see you again," Solyma said irritably. She looked at his clothes. "Your tastes have changed. When I knew you, you would never have worn anything that wasn't blood stained leather."

Tancred sat up, groping for his breeches. "Valkersan is back," he said.

"I know that. I met him in the College gardens."

"He wants his crystal back."

"I know that too, why were you trying to kill me?"

"I wasn't, I just got a little carried away. There was something in your blood that made me lose control."

"What can I say, I have that effect on men. And women. Why did you say you were sent to kill me then?"

"Valkersan has an," he paused, pulling on his breeches, "acquaintance of mine. He plans to kill her if I don't do what he says."

"He'll kill her anyway. And you too if he hasn't changed over the years."

"I know that, that's why I came here. I need the crystal. With it we can beat him."

"I don't have it."

Tancred began to panic. "What do you mean, you don't have it? How could you lose it?"

"I didn't lose it," Solyma said, sitting back on the couch. "It's gone. I used it in an experiment and it was consumed."

Tancred moaned and held his head in his hands. "Then we're all dead. Valkersan will kill us all."

"No he won't. Asgrim's free, he changed as much as you did. Now all he wants to do is repent for his past deeds."

"Really? Asgrim does?"

"Yes, as unbelievable as that is. But with his help we could match Valkersan easily."

"Not how he is now. He used the bodies of some Corthronos to boost his power. I don't know where he got them, but with them he's unstoppable."

Solyma grimaced. "Its a long story, I'll tell you one of these days." She shook her head. "Even with his power augmented we should still be able to get your friend back from him. We'll just have to find some more allies to destroy him."

Tancred looked up. "Thank you. We're even now."

"Not quite, you owe me for my blood."

"What do you want?"

"Not much, just don't tell anyone what we used to do, you know, the plans to conquer the world."

"I won't tell anyone else."

Solyma stared at him. "Anyone else?"

Tancred coughed. "Well, ah, a lot of the noblewomen around here find the idea of making love to vampire pretty exciting. But they go absolutely crazy when I tell them about planning to conquer the world."

Solyma covered her face with her hands. "How many?"

"Oh, I'd guess around twenty, thirty women over the years."

"Hel's blood. As long as none of them know the Chancellor."

"None of them do."

"That's a relief."

"Except his wife."

Solyma gritted her teeth. "His wife?"

Tancred smiled sheepishly. "What can I say? He spends more time at the College than at home with her. She gets lonely. And, uh, she's the one who Valkersan has."

"Of course she is." Solyma pinched her forehead. "Of course she is."

Hector had long ago lowered the stake. He left the two in the living room and returned to his model. He realized that he was getting far too used to these sort of things happening.

Continued in Chapter 4

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