The Vampire Court (Part 1)

As Lord Ruthven promised, there was an escort awaiting David and his party outside the Dread Keep the next day.

There was a pristine, beautifully crafted black wooden carriage drawn by two large horses along with several attendants in formal attire awaiting them.

After a brief introduction, David’s party climbed into the carriage which was then teleported to a dirt road inside a forest.

Instant teleportation? We require portals to do such things, but perhaps the Court has access to magics we don't.

They travelled for twenty minutes until they entered into a large clearing which had a beautiful, crystal lake at its centre.

Sat on the banks of the lake was a magnificent castle with strong grey walls. It looked to be almost three times the size of Castle Kelsey.

How did they manage to keep this place a secret for all these years? David wondered.

When they arrived at the main gatehouse, the attendants opened the carriage doors and extended a ruby-red carpet for David and the others to walk down. Stood outside of the gates were guards dressed in full plate armour along with fifty tall, grey muscular winged creatures.

Further, alongside the carpet, were countless maids and butlers of all species, all bowing their heads respectfully. Finally, stood at the very end of the carpet was an elegantly dressed, and handsome, man with tidy black hair and dark green eyes.

“Castle Bathory welcomes the Demon Emperor,” the man said with a polite smile and bow. The guards and grey monsters dropped onto one knee. “We are honoured to have you here, Dark Lord.”

David couldn’t help but smile a little beneath his helmet. If they’re willing to go this far to impress me, then they really must want to be my ally.

David cleared his throat and stepped down from the carriage, closely followed by Hilda and the twins. “You truly know how to give a guest a warm welcome, Lord Ruthven.”

The man stood up straight. “It was only right that we offer you this much, your majesty. We have heard many great things about you.” Ruthven’s smile widened just enough to show his fangs. “And I can tell just by standing before you that those things must be true.”

“Oh?”

I’m guessing he sensed when I initially arrived in this world and then tried to track me down That’s rather impressive, given how careful I’ve tried to be.

The carriage door closed as Rebecca, Fenrir, Eva and the other maids climbed out of it.

David, Hilda and the twins walked down the carpet first, followed by the others several metres behind him.

“If your majesty and his party would like to follow me, I shall escort you to your rooms,” Lord Ruthven said. “If there’s anything else you require during your stay, please, don’t hesitate to ask.”

They followed Lord Ruthven through the interiors of the castle that would put royalty to shame and to the three bedrooms that had been specially prepared for them.

One was for David, the other was for his generals that also acted as a communal area between the three rooms, and the last one was for all of the maids to stay in.

“I’m afraid that I have some other duties to attend to at the moment, your majesty, but I hope to be able to return soon to discuss my proposal,” Lord Ruthven said. “Do forgive me and, please, enjoy your time here at Castle Bathory.”

With a bright smile and a bow, Lord Ruthven promptly left.

Once David could sense that there was no one else nearby, he nodded to the group who split into two. Eva and the maids went into their bedroom whilst the generals, Rebecca and Jessica stayed in the communal area.

“So, what do you all think of our hosts so far?”

“It’s impressive how luxurious their castle is, Lord Allaric. I knew that there were few places in the Holy Empire that could match the Dread Keep, but I never expected to find such a place in the Beast Woods.”

“Nor did I. The Vampire Court seems to be rather confident in their power and wealth.”

“The real question is whether or not it’s for show,” Charybdis said. “For all we know, Master, the Vampire Court might not extend outside of Castle Bathory. If it doesn’t, then their influence and power could be much lower than what you desire.”

“They did address themselves as the Vampire Court of Themis in Lord Allaric’s letter, did they not?”

“Regardless.” A single word from David was all it took for the room to go quiet. “The plan does not change. I, Lady Rebecca, Hilda and Charybdis will meet with Lord Ruthven and negotiate with the Court. Scylla and Jessica will protect Eva and the maids. While we’re busy with the vampires, Fenrir will head into the woods and search for the werewolves and bring them into the fold.”

“What if they don’t want to join us, Master?”

“You will make them. No matter the cost.”

Fenrir swallowed hard. “Shall I get started?”

“Go. Take as long as you need and be careful. Mimir told me about what happened at Stonefall.”

Fenrir nodded, opened the window and leapt out into the woods.