Embracing a new life

Chapter 15: Career

About 270 years ago; Northern Italy.

They had been on their way for hours until Alaric eventually steered towards the dark outlines of a fortress.

Andreji followed him, the wind tearing at his long mane that had been permeated by more and more streaks of white over the past decades, so that the strands whipped his face. He landed some feet away from his tutor and their host who had already been awaiting them in the inner courtyard. Wearily he watched the men exchange greetings while he slowly drew closer. About ten feet behind Alaric, he halted, his gaze pretending to take in his surroundings – the fortress lay in ruins but for two more or less intact towers – while he listened intently to the men.

Alaric had insisted he accompany him, had left no room for argument. That Andreji did not care for being shown off to strangers and having to play the nice, well-mannered youngster that knew his place was below his elders (how he was supposed to get there, considering his height, was beyond him) was of no relevance.

“This is the boy,” Alaric finally introduced the one foot taller man with reference to previous talks about Andreji he had obviously had with the owner of this place.

Since the conversation was finally concentrating on him, Andreji turned toward their host. Of course, he kept his gaze glued to the ground. Alaric had imprinted in his mind what strays like him, un-patronised by their sires, were worth in the eyes of the vampire society.

“My, my – the grandson…,” their host uttered, half amused, half intrigued, while he scrutinised Andreji closely. “I hear you are quite talented…” There was a probing note in the man’s voice. Had no vampire any amount of tact? Not that Andreji cared much for idle small talk, but when he was eyed for specific talents like a piece of cattle was examined in order to determine if it possessed certain desired features, he suddenly started to appreciate the manners that Demyan demonstrated every now and again.

Suddenly, their host rushed toward Andreji so that the tall man barely had time to deflect his claws and move out of his line. He heard an incantation being mumbled and spoke a few swift words himself that lifted him off his feet and onto the nearest tower. Just in time, before a cloud of fire engulfed the thin air that filled the spot where he had stood moments before.

Coldly he gazed down into the courtyard. Were this not Alaric’s acquaintance, he would not have hesitated to elect a more aggressive approach, not just flight. Why did everyone think he was someone to toy with?

A clear open laughter flowed up to him, accompanied by the clapping of hands. “Quick reaction - he knows his trade,” he was commended. Or better: Alaric was commended for having taught him well.

“I intend to appoint him my successor,” Alaric announced.

Andreji lifted a brow in silent question. Not that anybody paid particular attention to him.

“Are you certain? Someone not your own flesh and – most importantly! – blood?”

“I will not find any man more talented than him,” Alaric stated.

Their host glanced over to the white-blond fledgling, who stood with his arms crossed and his eyes drawn together to tight slits in evaluation of what this was about. Any other man would have recognised the compliment that his mentor had just paid him and would have felt his chest swell with pride, but Andreji was not used to niceties and neither paid them any attention nor trusted their sincerity. “You are of course aware that membership in our elusive little circle takes more than just certain abilities, with the longstanding experience you have acquired over the centuries…”

Alaric sneered darkly. “Oh, he most assuredly has a strong mind that will not easily be bent to another one’s will. As to whether he has the diplomatic tact and foresight that is required – that will have to be seen. There will be plenty of time to determine these matters – after all, I do not have any intention of stepping down any time soon.” Those last words were uttered with a sense of dark determination that left no room for any doubt concerning their content’s truth.

“So,” Alaric prompted, “are you going to let us freeze to ice blocks out here?”

They were bidden into one of the towers where several maids helped the travellers out of their gear. They were handed bowls of heated water to wash hands and faces and were ushered in front of a warm fire. With a long sigh, Alaric leaned into the massage that a redhead offered him. “You can relax; we are with friends here,” he pointed out, squinting over to Andreji who still sat tensely on the edge of the seating furniture, carefully observing what went on around him.

You must excuse, Augustus,” he directed his words at their host. “I fear he is used to being around the untrustworthy kind of people. In fact, he is a bit of a stray – but are we not all? It seems the essence of vampirism to me…”

Augustus eyed the fledgling once more. “Well, at least he is not pampered then. All those ridiculous ideas that those youngsters have sprouted lately because they have never encountered the harshness of reality…” Augustus abruptly interrupted his rants. “Does he kill?” The force with which those words were brought forth betrayed the importance of this question.

“Ah,” Alaric sighed, “I fear he is not exactly enthusiastic, but I have it on good authority that the concept is not alien to him, is it, now?” The last three words were directed at Andreji in a manner that invited him to confirm what he said.

The addressed shrugged. “Everything has its place,” he said nebulously.

Yet the admission sufficed. Alaric threw Augustus a triumphant look that clearly shouted Told you I had found one with a decent head on his shoulders!

His host, however, seemed not yet convinced. “Anyhow, he does not show much enthusiasm for the ladies,” he remarked. Indeed, Andreji had fended off any approaches that were made to him rather pointedly.

“Perhaps that is because he is of the opinion that any woman that presents herself to a man on a golden platter is not worth the money that was probably spent on her,” Andreji bit out in irritation.

A pearly laughter rose out of Augustus’ throat. “Oh, I would hope that they are, after all they cost me a noticeable sum!” With that, he turned back to Alaric. “Have you been at Louis’ lately? They are truly outdoing themselves at the moment!”

“Hm. It might indeed be worth a visit. All this inbreeding in our stock will not be good in the long run. A bit of fresh blood might be in order…,” Andreji’s mentor replied.

“Inbreeding? So your clan is still keeping its own breed of human slaves?”

Alaric looked at his host indifferently while the redhead slipped her hands under his shirt. “It is the most convenient way of handling matters. We are too far from the Continent. Long transportation bears too many risks to be undertaken frequently. Nevertheless, every now and again it is unavoidable. Wild catches are a nuisance I do not have the mind for.”

Augustus’ eyes gleamed mischievously. “Oh, they can be fun…”

“Breaking in a personal slave most definitely is,” the dark haired guest agreed emphatically. “Breaking in a clan slave, however,” he continued, “is merely draining.”

“Perhaps,” Augustus conceded. “You know I have long since ceased to live amongst my kin. All this bickering about mundane, daily affairs… -it is beyond me.”

Alaric looked melancholically into the flames. “How I envy you…”

Andreji listened intently to the exchange. It was the first time that he had the chance to learn something about his self-declared mentor through a third party. As the conversation had finally steered away from him, he felt a little more at ease and took up a more comfortable position in his seat. Immediately, a petite blonde made to sit on his lap, a bright smile plastered over her indeed quite alluring features.

An icy stare met her. No. Thank. You., Andreji mouthed.

Something hard settled in the girl’s look. She stood abruptly, and in the next blink of the eye, her hand rushed toward Andreji’s face. Yet it did not meet its destination. Andreji’s hand was faster and closed tightly around her wrist. He gave her a meaningful look. Then he let go of her.

She stormed off.

The other men chuckled. “My apologies,” Augustus snorted. “She is new. I had been warned of her temper, but I had not seen any sign of it so far. Of course, she does not know rejection with me…”