Chronicles of Contessa: The Tale of Ventroth

The curtains were covering the day sun, it hinted that she knew I would come for her. I was awake still holding her in an embrace and she was asleep in my arms. We, both naked even at daybreak were in a lovers embrace and I was content for the first time in my long life. I stroked her hair and held her tightly so she would not feel I had left… somehow I knew I would never leave her. Not even blood satisfied me the way she did, her nude body still pressed against me quenched my thirst. She did not wake until mid-day and even then her eyes crept open to my gaze and she smiled almost in a sad way, a small tear did form and I was wondering why but she was smiling as well. Not even when I was human could I relate to her eyes. She then hugged me again,
“Others have left me… I wanted to see you even when I was asleep” she says almost choking on her words, I am almost too surprised to speak,
“Who could leave you?” I ask and she looks at me again then falls back into my arms.
We kiss for another hour and she lays on top of me with her head facing mine,
“We must rise eventually” I say happily
“No we don’t”, she says with a coy grin, “just a little longer” she says and holds me. I do not mind at all, in fact I play a small trick, using my inner power I begin to levitate above the blanket. She is unbeknownst and holds me still, I rise until we are one meter above the bed. She opens her eyes and laughs in a shocked way,
“I did not know you could do this!” she says
“Your love makes me fly…” I tell her and she looks at me again, those eyes… looking at mine. I turn slightly,
“I’ll fall” she warns,
“You re in my aura, you cannot fall” I tell her and she looks at me trusting my words completely. She lets go for a moment to realise she is floating as well. We float into an upright position and kiss again on our way to the earth.
After retrieving my clothes we are at her door, she holds it painfully not wanting to close it on me and I fell the same.
“The council meeting is today… I shall see you there” she tells me
“I know…” we look at each other.
“I needed what happened last night… I want you again even as we speak… but there is much that has transpired and I need to collect my thoughts” she says.
“I as well… difficult times are ahead… I shall protect you, and your kingdom” I say sincerely into her eyes and she smiles.
“What if they overtake us…?” she says worriedly
“Do not think on that… I cannot be stopped by a vampire of light, and nothing would stop me from getting to you” I say, we embrace. All of last night flooded back like a swift tide and we kissed lightly before she fell back into her room. The door closed on our lovers eyes and I was saddened not to look on her for even a moment, but the kingdom must not know of us. Too much was happening for this to complicate the war and the days to come.




The council room was loud with voices at the news of war, the bourgeoisie of the crowd were stunned and thought only of what would become of their riches. All the older men thought what would become of their daughters under a foreign ruler. This was all a sight to behold and before them all sat Contessa Alexandria with eyes of stone, fearless before her countrymen and her council. Her eyes were looking about the room as they spoke out of turn and bellowing at her what the people were to do, she continued to stare at them. She stared not because she knew on what to say but because everyone that met her eyes became silent. Everyone became quiet after they realised they would be the only ones heard in the crowd, and the council room was quiet, so much so a pin did fall in the midst of them and echoed loudly across the statues and floors of marble. The setting was now as quiet as the walls themselves, travellers would think the castle abandoned as they passed on their journey’s of anywhere-but-here.
I sat looking at them as well letting them feel fear at my iris as much as hers. Our council looked at each other, the good doctor Aisha was looking about rather breathlessly but has calmed since the noise has settled. And like dust after a squall… all was in its place. The Contessa spoke,
“You now know the threat on our kingdom… in only two moons will their white sails be at our shores, I ask us all the be ready, under my father now one prevailed over the walls of Thosaea and none shall under mine!” he says and they all look to her like a guru emerging from mist and shadow. I nod enthusiastically and the council does also. Lord Veeba stands and Alexandria holds out her hand in allowance, Veeba turns to the gathering and the council.
“The newcomers wish us harm in this, our time of peace… all people from all parts of the country are to be summoned and brought forth, warriors great and small, and creatures that lurk in the dark…”he says glancing at me and I bow my head to him, “for sometimes they are more powerful then the greatest in daylight” he says and sits back down. We all knock on the wood of our chairs and an applauding way that is to agree in our council.
Lucca stands forward,
“The enemy draws near as the Lord has said, and their leader is most devastating… I have known him before his treacherous new-fangled ways, to defeat him is to defeat them and take pride in knowing my blade will pierce his wayward heart and Thosaea will always triumph over adversity” he says to us and immediately leaves the room the council and knocking behind him. He was not himself of late, to even speak before the council was unheard of for Lucca of the Shadow. All I could think about today was Andrastos, his eyes of red and his fangs of light. The plot thickens, so much so I couldn’t get my mind around it. It is Enea’s turn to speak,
“The great summoning has begun, our castle’s army has already fortified the beach, their only way to attack is from the sea and we shall meet them head on… Ventroth!” he says and I stand at my name looking at the orange haired knight before me.
“Our captain of the guard shall lead the attack, with Lucca and I at his side, all children that are not of age to fight will be moved to the center of the country in the protected city of Namaste” he says, some people speak out in the crowd but Enea silences them with his hand,
“Mephistos what say you?” he asks me and I walk forward.
“All is well with the attack, and the children must be protected, I only ask that all Thosaeans fight in their heart for their land and Contessa…” I say looking at her and she nods at me.
“I know it is what I shall do…” I finish and seat myself down, Enea nods at me and steps back. The people bow and think on the nights to come. I only sit and stare at the marble floor, it had been many decades since I had been involved with war, this would be not be glorious as it is so often linked with foolish romantics. A battle of blades was one thing, a slaughter was entirely different, hopefully these people from the pillar of light would know of honour… for their leader does not. Had he been an honourable man, he would’ve accepted defeat and died… yet he lives without a soul only to kill Lucca. It was almost worth pitying… had he not wanted to kill all in Thosaea.
Crystal Moon was silent again, as she was most often when in council, as though she felt no one cared for her opinion. I looked at her and she met my gaze, she forced a smile then looked back to the floor. She was afraid of the days to come, and I was too in a way… Contessa… my Alexandria may be lost in the fray.

I walked into the forest, the time after the council meeting I had only one person on my mind, a someone I hadn’t seen in a few days but felt like forever. A person who I could only see in this dark forest within the darkness and glowing rays of the moon. There was a thin fog in the air and hovered just above the dark grass, I stepped through it and continued walking my dark path. The trees grew less and less full as I walked along, knowing of who inhabits the marshes of the deep. Their boney limbs reaching out, away from the forest but trapped inside they would always be. So many things in my universe felt like they wanted to flee, this country, Veeba’s robe… the clothes from Alexandria’s body I smiled to myself. But I stopped smiling almost at once, feeling bad for referring to her in such a sexual manner… did I not love her? Suddenly I was questioning myself. My pace in the woods slowed whilst I thought of her, and that night that had only just passed… the water and the heat in the night.
“What has become of you” his voice calls to me from nearby. I shrug to him in a way I have never done, and he watches me from the tree ahead in the guise of a large black wolf with incandescent green eyes. They light up his muzzle and face of a wolf as he watches and watches me. I walk over to him and sit next to his fur coat of ash and death, he sits like no ordinary wolf would though… perfectly still.
“I do not know old friend…” I say, “my plans were thwarted… with one look from her”
“What becomes of the world when even a vampires flesh is weak… and to a mortal?” he says his voice somewhat heavier in his new form.
“I do not know what to do anymore…”
”I thought you only cared for her position, the power of her chair and not her loins” he says smiling baring his white, wolf teeth.
“War is coming now, had I time to set one against the other… bonds are only strengthened in war, I have no desire to see her come to harm Nelchael”
“What has become of you” he repeats as he stands on all fours, he slowly circles me.
“I do not know… I don’t know Nelchael, oh I do wish I did… but that night-“
“I saw”, he interrupts, “she does move like Lucifer on your shaft of lies…” he teases rather vulgarly, “had I but the means…” he says looking at my face.

“I would strike you down, be you an angel or demon!” I says suddenly, and he stops in his tracks and looks mystified and correct in whatever he was assuming, by saying what he has.
“Ah…” he sighs, “you have gained the mortal heart once more old vampire”
“I am sorry… my feelings speak in actions now… it is all her doing”
“Yet you do not hate her for it” he tells me sitting down in front of me. I look at his eyes, his beautiful jade eyes glowing in the dark, giving softness to his malicious countenance.
“I could not hate her… things will unfold as they will, I will always have the watchful Nelchael at my side?” I say hoping I have not insulted the angel of this forest. He transforms to his true form, the embers on his helm igniting in blue flame then settling within the crystal. His black robe reflecting white light from the moon while his wings stretch in utter magnificence behind him.
“Always old friend… the lady is true and pure, all things I am against yet she pleases thee… and so doth me” he says gesturing to himself. I smile and stand, we embrace as creatures of darkness and I feel the cold of a true demon in my arms but welcomed the friendship.
He separated from me in fear, and I was awe struck,
“What is it…?” I ask as he steps backward even further he looks into the forest.
“My master comes!” he whispers loudly
“Master?” I ask… then it dons on me. God’s nemesis, the first angel ever created that could beckon the powerful Nelchael, the morning-star himself. Nelchael’s eyes widen in terror, something I had never seen and I became afraid as well. He falls to his knees and faces the trees, I turn to the trees as well. The moon is covered with black clouds and all is in darkness, the bark of the trees groans at the coming of this being who denounced all things of God. The frogs and crickets of the night offering me comfort in my walks in the wood were silenced all at once as though killed by an unseen force; which indeed it was.
I heard footsteps, the sound of a young foot on grass but the grass was not fresh. It was the sound of one walking upon hay or dead meadows. Then his visage came before me, it was a young boy. I was staring like a mantis at this child-like image before me he looked no older then Max who lay in my chambers. He had blonde hair that only reached his lower neck and frayed upward like that of a wealthy maiden, but it lit up the forest around me. His entire body glowed like the moon now covered in a veil of evil, a white sash covered his otherwise naked body. While his image was beautiful, within I felt horrendous fear at his eyes of blue. He smiled at me, and the world fell from my grip, the forest disappeared and left only Nelchael who was bowing at his lord and I.
He continued to walk toward me smiling evermore, an insane smile something was not right about it. His feet killed the grass beneath his soles, flowers withered and sleeping birds died to either side of him as he walked on. My eyes burned from the sight of him, and he walked toward me still. He stopped at reaching Nelchael who was still bowing at his lord, the boy cocks his head and smiles as he places a illuminated hand on his shoulder. He speaks, but in old Latin the likes of which I cannot repeat, though I understood him despite this fact.
“My child…” he says to Nelchael.
“Lucifer, Emperor…” Nelchael responds kissing the feet of the boy. Lucifer turns facing Nelchael and I see his immense wings, feathered yet leathery much like the wings of a bat.
“You spend much time upon the earth… I shall see why, return home child the nosferatu and I speak…” he says and I crawl all over looking at the bat wings that stretch far beyond Nelchael’s. Nelchael walks into the forest where Lucifer emerged and vanishes, Lucifer walks to me every time our eyes meet I can hear the soft screams of billions of people. He stops before me,
“My son… you stray from the path, your heart is warm like my old master’s, what lies hath he spread to your ears… passion?… love? what comes from these but old age… and death separates the dividends, my mould is cracking, your gift is lifting” he speaks almost in a sad way, but my pity for him is silenced as the screams come to me ears again.
“I did not mean to take the time of your followers… but Nelchael is a dear friend” I say my voice shaking.
“Am I not worthy of you friendship? Through my followers I come… see the true power, kneel before me and I shall give thee whatever thee doth want” he says and I am unable to speak… almost.
“I am glad to see you use your power to help me, but I bow to no one” I say afraid of his reaction. He smiles while scowling at me his eyebrows arching downward unnaturally and his boyish form twists into something of pure evil.
“Those who bow before me, gain all things… and the end is coming ever so soon and those who know their place follow me”
“Does your kingdom not say “Abandon all Hope Ye Who Enter Here” my lord?” I tell him and he reverts back to his child-like visage.
“That is for the followers of the deceiver, and they are melted and scratched and clawed forever more, their tongues cut only to be cut again, the fate you share if you change your destiny”
“The key word… morning-star, is my destiny, and I shall choose it”
“Love hath blinded the sheep… your choice is made, vault into your doom, doom is but another doorway my son… know I watch, waiting for the stray to wallow home to my arms, like Judas who waits for me” he says his face contorting into all my nightmares.
“As you are the father of sin, I shall remember your counsel, and that the creatures of darkness all have a master… that is you, and I do not know if that path is for me anymore” I tell him and the screams grow louder.
“The chance for redemption is passed, my minions await your flesh at my gate… not all who seek forgiveness are welcomed into his wretched sight, even those more powerful” he says.
“Your pride will be your downfall… for the second time” I say and he growls throughout the air and all around me sucking my life from my body , but it falls back into my head from some unknown force. Lucifer smiles at me, and I tremble.
“I do not choose who lives or dies vampire… were it mine to bestow, the world I dwell in would be full” he says walking around me. I start regretting my words earlier, he did have a presence worth respecting and I did fall into his arms when I died the first time.
“I am sorry my lord… I speak out of turn, for a lowly vampire such as me I cannot speak such words to you” I say and kneel, he stops walking and approaches me.
“Those who fly beneath my banner are always welcomed, not cast into fire, passion has made you strong, you must know how to wield it, love can be as deceiving as I” he tells me, he is the most scrupulous of liars yet I can’t speak otherwise.
“Much death is to come over the next few days, and I fear for my feelings” I say


“Feelings should be feared, they jest and trick and toy with the mind… when feelings are subsided can choice be made”
“But… I do feel for her, it is not something I can ignore…” I say to the devil and he looks at me like a fool.
“Strength overcomes… think on me, who threw paradise at my feet and trampled it underfoot, my beauty destroyed all because I felt as I did”
“Was it worth it, morning-star?” I ask, he pauses and looks to the moon. The very eye of god staring to him, beneath the stars line along the sky and make the form of a tear. Lucifer looks saddened, and to my surprise a tear did fall from him it was a tear of blood.
“Betrayal is something I know of, beyond all things… we shall see if it was worth it all, like you shall” he says and I nod. He lifts his feet and floats backward into the trees, the wood still creaking and groaning in his presence, he hugs himself as he flies back.
All becomes as it was, the nocturnes being to cry out again the birds flitter to life from their bed of earth where they fell. Nelchael is still kneeling in the dirt and rises looking at me,
“What happened?” he asks
“Nothing promising… there will be death, that I know and I shall fight for her life, and give my all to preserve it” I walk out of the wood and Nelchael bows behind me disappearing into mist.

What has become of me? …