Chronicles of Contessa: The Tale of Ventroth

The moon glows like a pearl in the shell of glowing clam. I sit near the rocks, the sand beneath my boots, shimmering as I shift my weight. The blood seeps down my chin from my recent kill I lap it up just noticing. The wind picks up for a moment then settles, a shadow appears near the land where the sand meets the greenery.
“It is not like you to miss even one drop” the creature behind me says in his dark voice. I can see the wings now, in the shadow folding in like a falcon upon the nest. I knew it was him. My only true friend… he is Nelchael.
“My mind is elsewhere” I say still looking to the horizon where the moon’s reflection glitters on a path leading to the lunar city beyond. Nelchael stands near me, his shadow twisting with malevolence… it is not his fault, for even the ground cries when his shadow falls upon them. The shadow settles, and Nelchael is looking into my mind.
“On her is it?” he says folding his arms, “your quest for the domination of the country has met with a slight obstacle… yes?”
“I will overcome this… girl” I say rather sternly, knowing in my heart I was lying to myself. He knew no doubt, Nelchael always knew.
“Do not try to trick me… you are so foolish to trick yourself child of the night” he says grinning his demon grin. I stand and look at him sighing softly. His appearance still shakes me slightly.
The black sash over his shoulder, the crown of burning blue embers, and his shoulder length dark hair. His eyes of dark blue that seemed to know everything, but that was not far from the truth. His black feathered wings were folded back, but when spread he could bring the very earth to its knees.
“What news of hell?” I say somewhat mockingly
“The news is that it has not changed in two thousand years, nor will it two thousand years more… I have a great deal of time to walk about the earth, but I do enjoy speaking with my friend Ventroth”
“Then tell me friend, I know I have not lived as long as you have… but when will the world finally end?” I say, thinking hoping perhaps it would be tomorrow.
“You know I can’t tell you that… why? Do you wish the burden of taking over the nation be lifted from your dark shoulders?” he says circling me.
“Never… this country will be mine, I’ll see to it… not even that Siren in her bedroom will stop me” I speak firmly looking to her window, and there she is looking at me… yet again. In all her beauty, she was looking at me.
“That Siren hath silenced you with but a look… great vampire” he mocks again, it’s in their nature. I realize my folly and look to the demon again.
“She will not stop me” I said to him and he looks into my soul, seeing if I speak the truth.
“I believe you may succeed in your goals young one, but keep a steady head… the great Michael thought he could defeat me when in fact he was met with my steadfast fist and even more furious sword” he says and I laugh slightly.
“You were cast from that plane with all your minions in one act”
“Had it not been for a creator!” he bellows knowing I have tested his one and only belief, “the victory would have been ours… and will be ours” he walks further off.
“I am sorry” I say walking up to him.
“I shall remember that when those gates are pulled from the holy hinges and were bask in paradise once more… I must be off, I hunger for new souls” he speaks very darkly here making me shudder in awe of his power.
“Farewell Nelchael, I hope you find your true wings again someday” I say and walk back to ward the castle. Nelchael laughs.
“Do not doubt in that good friend! Never doubt in yourself, for weakness will come from its hiding place!” he shouts back laughing. I turn to him as he spreads his wings and disappears into the night surf.

The next few days, or nights I should rather say passed smoothly. Contessa would look at me and I would bow, her power had returned again and my gaze was met with utter failure at capturing her thoughts. Had I failed? Was there no chance of overthrowing this goddess who stands above the court, with but a hand could try her fate at having me thrown to the pit of hell it self. The place where Nelchael waits for me.
She would have her kingdom, and I have much time with which to play with her mind. My new title was Captain of the Guard and secretly Assassin, while during all formal matters I was to protect her gaining the ever growing jealously of Abraham Brunelle. And every time a letter would pass through my door with one name, the name was linked to the person and I was to kill him or in some cases her. Often with the power of my eyes it was simple to make love to my victims before biting their vein, and let them die in ecstasy.
I was also given a slave, a young boy looking slightly older then the one I saw in the Contessa’s bedroom. Whether or not he liked men was not necessarily a choice for him, he looked at me with some contempt I must admit. Under my eyes, he could resist… for a while. I used him more for blood, when none could be found about the village and all were asleep my young slave would arc his back and neck to me. Within I could tell he would rather spend a night with Contessa, not even I could blame him, his words were few and short. “Yes master” was my favourite, but more so when he said it while in the throws of passion with yours truly.
A lip is a lip, a tongue a tongue and many unseen taboos can be rather pleasurable. I could tell his love for female flesh was feigning, as each night he teased my leg and abdomen hoping I was awake. It was lucky for him I do not sleep at the moon’s rise. I would combine my bite with his explosion of lust, the combination was sometimes deafening to my humour and the neighbours anger. I was honestly hoping the Contessa might hear, that she would long for my bite and loins.
I’ve grown rather perverse of late as you can tell good reader. But it is merely the trials and tribulations of a Knight of Contessa. The boy’s name was Max, a gift from the good maiden, to my bed. He was satisfying for the moment. One night as he would drag his finger across my chest as he did when ready to speak he did just that.
“Master?” he said, and I could tell he was afraid. He was not accustomed to speaking with his masters.
“Yes?” I say leaning up slightly.
“I… do you… care for me?” he said looking into my eyes, I did not try to entrance him.
“Only if you care for me, you are not just a slave child… you are a person, titles are given to those with power and then given to those without” I say reassuring the troubled lad. He smiles and embraces me and I relax into the pillows of my bed. In the only room with no window, I was content.

On recent outings I seemed to be attracting the attention of one known as Yondaime. One very night he approached me, and me in my brooding robe and dark face looked at him in question. Yondaime was afraid but he persevered.
“Hello, good Captain” he said shakily
“Good eve historian” I say keeping my eyes on his.
“Yes.. yes well I hope you don’t mind me asking but…”
“Yes? I say quickly.
“Does it hurt to be dead… to have no life in the body, you see I’ve been studying your kind for quite some time. And blood seems to reanimate you… but I see no growth, just a constant state” he says speaking rather scientifically.
“My condition, good sir is not one to be trifled with by the means of science. You are right however, I am forever bound to my being… I will be like this eternal. I’ve not grown tired of it for three centuries” I say and he is in amazement.
“Do you still learn, you must know a great deal!” he is excited.
“Over three lifetimes of knowledge, and the world still grows… there is much I question” I say walking along with him down the hall.
He smiles and walks alongside. He looks at me often, at my hair, eyes and mannerisms.
“Splendid” he says and writes into his small book. I smile and snicker to myself. Then I grow serious, this man knows the Contessa better then I would whatever information could help me I must seek.
“What of Contessa then good man?” I say to him as his attention is on his book. He looks up though seeing I am quite interested.
“What of her you say?” he replies looking at me rather oddly.
“Well yes, why does she have no lord of the house… why does she rule alone, she seems very isolated” I say thinking of his reply.
“Her majesty is a deep sea of secrets, the time I’ve known her, I know little of her past or wishes… I could not tell you Ventroth” he says “I must return to my study, good night my friend” he wonders off.
I was at square one yet again, the square that laughs at my inability to perform my task. But time was something I had a great deal of. At that moment, I could smell Brunelle on the air and he was just waiting for a slip up. He was no match for me, but I feel that’s why he is over a hundred yards away peering from a door.
I walk further and his eyes lessen on my back. He knows I am powerful, but my intentions are unbeknownst to his prying eyes. He is not an enemy, for now he is a brother in arms. And I must act accordingly.






A summons appeared at my door a few days later. It was to be a conference, not an inquiry at least. I sighed slightly, all the thoughts of me being questioned before the court were pressed to the back of my mind. I had come too far to slip up now. My slave was in the corner half naked and looking at me hungrily. I smile to him and he swims in my eyes. I walk over to him.
“Later” I say, he seems disheartened but he can look forward to the night now.

It was dark enough in the castle for me to walk about. Crowds of people were walking toward the great conference hall, walk slowly I think. I wanted to question to myself what the meeting was about. The summons said the “Threat of War” boldly stating from the page. Did she mean in the event of war, or that war is upon her kingdom? I think walking, not all at once knowing the people before me were creating a path for me. They were afraid, which was a good thing… they knew of my position on the council. They stepped aside very casually allowing me to walkthrough them, even those who do not look behind them walk away. I smile, and they feel me grin.
I enter the great chamber, Alexandria waits. She sees me enter, and I know she does for she smiles within though she cannot before her great gathering. I walk across the emblem of her majesty, and I find my seat, the first to her right. To her immediate left is her consort, Andrea Kimoto. Further left and down the marble steps is Crystal Moon, an interesting name for an interesting person, she is most captivating to mine eye. Next sits the ever assuming Abraham Brunelle, surprisingly his eyes are not on me but the emblem in the center.
Next we have Dark Lord Veeba, the person who rules the lands of Contessa speaking and acting in her name, and a Dark Lord if I had ever seen one. To the left again is the doctor and physician Aisha Maretto of which I know very little… it is unlikely for a vampire to fall ill. The empty seat to my right completes the semi-circle before our Contessa, I hear mumblings of “Sorry… sorry” as Yondaime enters the room and sits next to me.
“My lord” he says to me, “Good day to you” he smiles at me then looks at the Contessa. I smile slightly.
“Good day” I say looking at the Contessa also.
The two chairs on Alexandria’s right atop the stairs are reserved for her two brothers. One Enea, a strong looking man; his duty is the control over the army as his armour clearly indicates. His sword is broad, as are his shoulders but the metal is sleek like the hair of a cat and glimmers of power beneath it. This tells me he is quite good and swift at swordplay, though he has the strength to wield a broadsword. I smile, this meeting would be interesting. The other chair is for Lucca, leader of the Lizaberian Shadows an organization I know nothing about, logistics fall into place though as the “shadows” of their dealings fall into my mind.
From what little I’ve heard from Yondaime, Lucca is a very strong individual that of which to rival vampires such as myself. With his dark cloak and mask he looked as though he were shrouded in Pandora’s box itself, that even she would loath to open. While I was not necessarily afraid of him, he struck me as one not to be reckoned with… perhaps I shall speak with him later.

Silence took the courthouse and I was awakened from my thoughts, the Contessa stands. We all stand with her, the young announcer steps up.
“The majesty Contessa Alexandria of Thosaea” she steps back and Alexandria walks forward.
“You are all here, to assist me in a time of inquiry… voyagers from beyond the unknown sea have come across a new country not unlike our own, they are the same in look and technology. However, their ruler is one of conquest having done so to most of his country, from what little I’ve been informed he may wish to conquer what is beyond the sea as well… and is all the more troubling. I am to go to this new land and speak of continuing our separate kingdoms in a time of peace… but if his intentions are of malice I would like to know the steps that would be taken to assure our victory” she sits back down. The words shock everyone, and I am somewhat speechless. My entire world is here in this land, and the book of my trials and tribulations was just handed a new chapter for which I had no ink to dip my pen.
The crowd beyond the main invitees was now rather loud and discussing amongst themselves. No doubt some prejudice and hatred were already circling among the ignorant and naïve. I sat contemplating this chain of events that has ruptured my already stormy peace of mind.
“We would attack, relentlessly and mercilessly… until they surrendered on their own shores!” Brunelle’s voice cried out breaking the calm. I laughed at his unwise suggestion.
“A foolish notion” I say, loud enough for all to hear. Abraham turns to my seat and holds out his hand.
“And what does the night dweller suggest… that we stand here and let them run us down into the hills?” he says, perhaps hinting that my moonlit time has at all slowed my mind.
“It is pronounced Captain of the Guard secretary…” I say standing and walking toward him, “learn your place” I look him in the eye and return to my seat. Brunelle backs off and relaxes in his chair looking to the Contessa.
She looks uncomfortable, unrest in her court must trouble her, it was a mistake to challenge that man on her time.
“What then, good Ventroth?” she asks looking at me with high expectancies. I smile and return to my feet.
“My lady… the negotiating table is always the one to turn to when the doors to war are opened unexpectedly. It is the unwise decision to start a war with those we know little about” I say and sit once more. Her brother’s watch me closely, Enea looks impressed and the dark brother looks the same.
The court speaks amongst themselves. Enea walks forward,
“The vampire is right, we must seek to know more about the new peoples if we are to choose a course of action… Lord Veeba?” he says motioning at the dark lord. Veeba stands at the mention of his name.
“Good Enea… I also agree, the people will side with this action and will here it from me… if it is what the Contessa wishes of me?” he speaks slow and rhythmically but raspy and deep. My skin becomes alive and I shrug it off, the Dark Lord looks at me momentarily then looks to her majesty. Contessa seems content with my decision.
Crystal Moon is silent and looks nervously on occasion at Enea, his orange eyes sometimes glance her way also. The smell of an unrequited love lingers in the air, only my nose can pick up the traces of one’s darkest desires. Moon is beautiful indeed, and Enea is right to seek her heart or vice versa. The court talks loudly again, Alexandria stands once more,
“Peace is my ultimate goal for all lands ruled in my name… we shall await the talks of the table and decide from there what it is to do… I thank Ventroth Mephistos for his wise council”
“I thank you for hearing my words my lady” I say. Yondaime looks somewhat sad, for what I do not know. Alexandria bows to me and I her.
“This meeting is hereby adjourned, listen for further news, good day” the young announcer says and leads the Contessa from the room. We all stand and watch her leave, as all things beautiful would as she turns her back to us.
The members of the court leave the room one by one, Dark Lord Veeba is among the last to leave but I stop him on his way to the back room.
“What do you wish of me Captain?” he says almost threateningly, but his voice is hard to discern.
“Well, I wish to thank you for your vouch of support” I say bowing, and he returns the bow.
“Well, your voice was the more rational between you and that Brunelle… he is most distressed I would think”
“At my voice over his at the meeting?” I say knowing the answer.
“Indeed… you have, a most kind nature for a being of darkness… and I know the land of the dark vampire. Watch to see the shrub you step on does not grow thorns for your next journey through the bush” he says warningly. I smile at him.
“Alas there are more to my liking in the court “ I say and bow once more. Veeba hisses slightly and bows… then leaves. Lucca stands near the main throne looking at me in his dark and unknown manner. His mask covers all emotion, he is even hard to read through his eyes and he would never allow himself to fall to my eyes.
It is distressing for me to lose on all my vampire powers over a mortal, he is not shaken nor stirred. I walk to him, and he walks to me almost like a mirror image with my inner self staring back at me wrapped up from the prying eyes of the sceptical. We stand before each other.
“I have longed to at last meet you” I say bowing. He says nothing… he looks at me studying my posture. Then he speaks, his voice is not human, there is some sort of method to it. It’s as though he speaks with one hundred voices at once, and they build up to his speech like dim noise over a tall hill. My eyes are wide with wonderment.
“Good Captain… peace is for the weak and no kingdom was ever won with words. If you are right then I shall take back my words and live life under new light. If the choice is peace I would leave, the purpose for those as myself are to take life I’m sure you understand” he says the voices from his mouth fade away at his last word. I stare in awe.
“Yes… killing is the reason I even wake for, though a war does not satisfy me like you” I said walking around him thinking on only his voice.
“Yes… yes my sister and brother differ from me and have not seen the life of a Lizaberian Shadow. We are not afraid of death, and deal it as it’s master, I long to fight alongside a vampire” he says placing his arm on my shoulder, gripping tightly then walking away without another glance.
I feel I have less energy. The crowd dissipates and I am ready to follow them, but I realize I had not spoken with Contessa since our first real meeting, and the brief exchange this day. I decide I must go to see her, and find out more of these new threats waiting beyond the sea…

Night has fallen and I stand at her doorway. The light beneath the door glows yellow with candle light. I knock upon the door, there is nothing but the soft ruffle of fabric.
“Who goes?” the shaky voice says. I look puzzled,
“Ventroth your majesty, I merely wish to speak with you if but for a moment” I say. There is silence.
“Come in” she says. I smile and enter.
The room is darker then when I first saw it, some of the candles were out. The dim light was relaxing my eyes and I felt a touch of fatigue take my mind. I was expecting got see her angelic form by the window but she was not. I thought for a moment I was tricked by a mimic and lured into her bedroom when another ruffle of sheets was heard in my ears. I turn… and there she lay. On her bed slightly upright, looking at me somewhat nervously, she was nude I saw and my breath escaped me. The soft glow of the moon made her skin look almost blue, like a night nymph seeking another man to wrap her webs around.
The blankets cover her ever so much, teasing me to madness she holds the sheet gingerly ensuring it does not drop and captivate my already prying eyes. I clear my throat,
“Perhaps this is not a good time?” I say, my voice was now shaky and I cursed myself. She smiled, the power was in her eyes again and it made me relax.
“I apologize, this is not normally how one speaks to her servants… I was readying for bed when you knocked” she says looking out the window at the moon.
“Then I shall leave you, and I’m sorry for intruding” I say feeling embarrassed. I start to walk past her but she grabs my sleeve quietly and I stop as though I were caught in a metal cage. I could see the entire left side of her naked form, the areas that still captured my fantasy were covered to my discontent. She smiles again and allows me to sit next to her.
I was this close again, and my breath was trapped somewhere in my body. She leans back resting her head at her pillow and speaks again.
“What do you wish to know” she says looking up at me like a younger girl might with big childish eyes. Were I to just say to her what I wanted to say, it would be a very long and wonderful night indeed… but I must be patient.
“What do you know of this new nation… that I might be better informed I could’ve said more to your liking at court”
“Your suggestion was just as I thought should be done, and you knew they would agree” she says, “but I warn you, this possible enemy is quite terrifying… and his queen is equal with her eyes of ice and robe of white” she tells me and the air becomes a little colder. She shivers suddenly, and like a mother to her child I seize the blankets and bring them to her neck. I would rather have torn them away and kissed her with all the passion in the known universe, but I hold my temptation.
“Thank you majesty, I’m sure we’ll know more as time goes on” I say, “sleep well” I add on my way to my feet. She looks so innocent in her blankets and I smile, the goose bumps on her flawless skin is not from the cold but my lips. She looks comforted,
“Good night Ventroth” she says and warms to her pillow. I leave the room.

The door is closed and I turn to see… Lucca. I didn’t even hear him, let alone smell him, this was most distressing for a vampire and I jumped slightly hoping he didn’t notice. His voice builds beneath his mask creating that terrifying echo.
“She interests you so?” he says his emotion unknown beneath the mask, perhaps that was it’s purpose. I smile to him,
“Just a small meeting between the good lady and her Captain” I say. He sneers not because I see it, but because I know he does.
“She is… a wonder to behold, to any man… but to a vampire she is not” he says almost threateningly.
“Lucca!” the Contessa’s voice is heard from within the bedroom and we both stop dead and turn to the door.
“Leave him be!” she demands. We both become silent, he leans in to my face his eyes of ivory white look into mine and I do not flinch. He walks past me, I turn to see him leave but he is simply gone. I smile and walk through the corridor.

I am in the forest now, the night has grown late and I walk simply for the pleasure of walking… and for the mist. It was a thick and wonderful fog, and has bewildered me ever since that one day.

362 years ago…