Vissiand Morgale and Ziltik

[Vissiand Morgale]

Vissiand walked slowly along the shore. Still trying to sort out what exactly happened the night before, he sat down in the sand. There were others, other students around him, but he didn't care. He needed time to think.
It may not seem it, but I think we can trust this place, the senient pendant on his neck reminded him.
Yes, but Karia mentioned some dangers in the school, lesser minions of Voldomort, and such...other students are also a threat, they might purposefully give us awat to our enemies...we may stay, but we must be careful.
Who cares? If they get in your way, what can they do? You are a vampire, they are less than you!!!
True, thought Vissiand, but we still have to be careful. The clan is on the verge of collapse.
Yes, but our enemies will find us--it is inevitable that eventually, they will find us. And it has been so long since last you drank the blood of a victim.
I'm not going to prey on the students here, if that's what you're suggesting.
No, not that. But like I said, our enemies WILL come and they WILL find us. And when they do, we will feed...

[Vissiand Morgale]

Morgale, time's almost up.
Yes, I know. If I don't feed in a month--I know the consequences. I've seen it too many times.
Yes, but how long has it been since last you fed?
Three weeks, I think.
You only have a week left??? Morgale, do you realize what--
Yes, yes, I know...and it doesn't help that thi school is so...peaceful. I could never get away with biting one fo the students.
Then find someone. Anyone. And quickly...God only knows the consequences if you don't.
Thanks Ziltik.

[Vissiand Morgale]

So...these new friends of yours...
Yes Ziltik, for the last time we can trust them. Karia knows them, and Karia--do I need to remind you what she's done for us? We would be dead--or worse.
I remember Moscow just as well as you do, Morgale, and I agree with you, Karia is our friend, it would be rediculous to suspect her...but the others, I'm not so sure about.
What could possibly lead you to doubt them? This place--this Valcentica--it's too serene, to pacifist, too tolerant of anything, including vampires.
Not quite...
Ziltik?
When we first met them, when we were talking to the psychic, I was able to tap into her memory...I found something. They have all met vampires before. And from the memories I found, they weren't good encounters.
Hmm. Still, Karia's the only one who could stand up to us, and the others...are...weak.
I have to agree with you there, none of them pose an immediate threat.
Yes. Arlene is powerful, but she sees with magic, and one wave of antimagic from my wand would disrupt her powers too much. Vivian is a mere witch, nothing special.
Yeah, and that Catherina...did you SEE the way she was looking at you?
Yup. It's a shame, really--she might be acceptable...if she weren't so young.
Both friends had a laugh at that.

[Vissiand Morgale]

Theose markings...Ziltik, I've seen them before.
Yes, the troll did possess a strange brand on his shoulder, perhaps we should research it at the libr--
So have you.
N--yes, yes I have. And in all experience adding up, I strongly suggest that we stay out of it.
Ziltik, you and I both know that that troll was there for me. For the Blackwings. THEY know we're here.
I was afraid you'd say that. So...what do we do about it?
One troll dies, another takes its place. We should tell Karia, tell her everything.
I thought she already knew? She had to! She knew you before you became...back when you were one of them.
Indeed...just as I hunted her so long ago...I will need to join her to face them.
That's rediculous!
It's the only chance we've got.
What about the others?
They've already been through too much...we must try to keep them out of this. Especially Vivian...she's been through too much already.
What, a troll?
For her age AND experience a troll is a horr--
You're not going soft on me, Morgale, are you?
Oh shut up.
Great. Keep them safe it is, then.

[Vissiand Morgale]

It was in that moment, that instant when the demons attacked them in the woods, that Vissiand realized how much trouble they were in.
Ashkahn was furious with him, and last time Vissiand had seen him he had left him with no slave (Ziltik) and no way to combat magic (anti-magic wand). Those were the two things that Vissiand and Ashkahn wanted and needed the most, and now, because of his rageful obsession, Ashkahn had put the vampire, his friends, and his clan in danger.
Vissiand remembered his very first thoughts when he saw the demons on the horizon.
No mistakes this time. Ashkahn will die.

[Vissiand Morgale]

Hey, look, I know we've been throuh some tough times so far...I mean, the Dark Arts class, what was that guy thinking?
Oh, shut it Ziltik.
But look, you don't have to be so depressed all the time, I thought you got over everyone trying to kill you.
I was thinking about Kithandre.
...she is the past, now, nothing more than a memory.
Some thing are not meant to be forgotten.
You know what I never understood about you, Morgale? You hated her for what she did to you, for setting this...curse upon you, but you loved her, you loved her as your sister.
That would be because she WAS my sister.
She still is, even in death.
And no, I do not hate her...I may have at one point, but now I'm actually relieved. Had she not turned me vampire, I wouldn't have met you, I wouldn't have came here, I wouldn't have had to get the chance for a longer life. When I was laying, dying, on that battlefield, and she came to me...I was too gravely wounded to say no...I DID hate her, but I'm past that now.
Good.
Hey, look, nothing personal, but can we drop this topic?
Sure.
Thanks, Ziltik.

[Vissiand Morgale]

A dark form flew across the sky, vaguely in the shape of a bat, but more humanoid. The dragon pendant brushed against Vissiand's chest, the senient being stirring gently, his thoughts swirling.
This was not a good idea...we already put them in danger...it can't be done.
It must be, thought Vissiand. And we can't do it alone. If Karia and the others--
Last time you brought along Karia, you almost DIED! SHE almost died!
Last time was different. I was weaker. I didn't have you along--
And you sure as hell did afterwards...he wants me back...I can feel him, his presensce...he will follow you here.
No, his PETS will follow me here.
Fine. Put Valcentica in danger. Put the clan in danger. But I know Ashkahn far better than you ever will--
I don't need a history lesson, Ziltik.
Just be careful.
That's a first.
He swooped down, dropping altitude, his target is sight...so close, so close.

[Vissiand Morgale]

He bleeds, he bleeds...
Vissiand dreamed, and saw many things. Some things too vague to make out, others more terrifyingly vivid than reality itself. But the one thing that kept coming back to him was Ashkahn...
We know he can be killed...but that is not important...he knows that he can be killed...but that also does not matter...he knows that we know he can be killed...so he will kill us...that matters...
He saw colors, lights, fires of old, the very fires that shaped life on Earth, and the fires that shaped Death...it was all chaos, the world was in turmoil, Ziltik could no longer hear his mental cries of agony and woe...now he looked back into history...into prehistory...he saw the species that preceded that humans...the things that Karia was descended from...the things tht controlled death...and the flames burned on...everything was in chaos, everything was spinning, faster and faster--
And then, silence.
He saw her, more clearly then he had ever remembered.
In your time of need, dear brother, I shall return.
Your darkest hour shall be my finest.
And in his bed, in the hospital wing, still unconsious, Vissiand grinned.