Cesar's pupil dilated as Eric's sharp fingernails dug into his skin. He was terrified for his life. He never knew the cook. He didn't even know her name but he had to play along.
"Forgive me, please." Cesar pleaded with tears in his eyes.
Eric chuckled and pulled his face. "I'm not God. I do not forgive."
"Take him away." Jarlen gave a languid wave of his hand to Sir Carlton who had just walked into the room.
Cesar couldn't cry out. There was nothing he could say to save himself. Absolutely nothing. He let the knight drag him out of the room.
On their way to the prison chambers, Carlton turned to him.
"I will never be as loyal as you are, man. How noble to take the fall for a stupid vampire." Carlton smiled as he and Cesar walked side by side.
Cesar gave a short scoff. "I'm far from noble. If I had my way, I would've escaped. If only I had my way."
"Why not escape now?" Carlton smirked as they turned to the stairs. "You can throw your fist at my face and run off. I'll cook up some tale. They always believe me."
"I see no point in living when I'm already at death's door." Cesar walked down the steps, startling Carlton.
"Death's door?" Carlton asked, confused.
"Yes," Cesar got to the bottom of the stairs. "Damian sired us all so I heard and if he dies, we all die. What's the point of living when my maker wants to die?"
"I see."
Silently, they walked to the prison chambers, late king Fieren's bedroom.
"Open it." Carlton told the vampire guard in Lycra tongue.
The guard gave a low dissatisfied growl before turning to unlock the door.
"Goodluck," Carlton stepped back for Cesar to enter the room. "I hope you don't get lost looking for God."
"I'm not going to heaven, Sir Knight and God knows that." Cesar laughed at himself and Carlton joined him.
Carlton gave the guard a nod and the door was shut.
Cesar turned around with a sigh and almost exclaimed when he saw who was seated cross-legged on the floor.
"Oh hello, Cesar. Did they betray you too?" Bat inquired with a short laugh.
"Shut your face, Bat." Cesar rolled his eyes as he took his seat.
Bat made a mime, zipping his lips and threw the key away.
He watched Cesar walked to a quiet corner and sit down. "I heard the sound of a thousand horses. What's going on?"
"I said zip it." Cesar hissed at him.
"You might as well tell me because we're both dead men." Bat gave his shoulders a careless shrug.
Cesar looked at Bat who shrugged again. He dragged his hand through his hair. "It hurts knowing you."
Bat laughed. "Of course. Everyone knows that. I'm morally decayed. Now, speak."
Cesar rolled his eyes before replying. "Fine. The horses were indeed a thousand - two thousand along with soldiers, knights, footmen, you name them."
"Enemies?" Bat asked, interested to hear more.
"No," Cesar shook his head. "An ally of Jarlen, Count Eric von Burren. Apparently, he brought the soldiers as support to fight Damian."
"Damian doesn't have an army of his own! He doesn't even want the throne! What did that poor kid do to you all!" Bat cried out.
"It's not my business, man." Cesar turned away.
"I need to get out of here. I have to get out of here," Bat stood to his feet abut the silver chains around his wrists sizzled.
He swallowed the groan about to escape his lips. "Where is Anna?"
"Ah, her. She's in this castle, somewhere." Cesar smiled.
"I need your help getting out. Help me." Bat tried to move forward but he chains restrained him, burning into his flesh.
"Stop moving, freak! It'll only get worse!" Cesar hissed in annoyance.
"Shut up and help me." Bat retorted.
"What do intend to do if you're freed? Kill me?" Cesar asked as he walked to where Bat was chained.
"You're not important neither will your death make an impact in the world so no. Now, help me."
Aside,
"I hate the sight of cadavers. Can we enjoy dinner in a much suitable room?" Count Eric asked.
"Absolutely." Jarlen got off his chair and walked to the door.
They settled for the drawing room in the top floor.
With a glass of wine in hand, Eric turned to Jarlen. "So you mean to tell me that Damian doesn't want the crown?"
"No. He has other matters on his mind." Jarlen replied.
"My daughter!" Eric hurled the glass across the hall and it smashed into shards of different shapes on the cobblestone wall.
"We will find her, my lord." Jarlen said with his head bowed.
"How long has it been? Days! It's been days since I last saw my daughter! What are you doing to find her!" Eric barked angrily and Jarlen hung his head lower.
"I apologise, my lord. My men have gone to find her. They are making great progress." He said with both his fists clenched.
"Progress? Progress is when I see her with my own two eyes!" Eric picked on his heels, leaving him behind.
"Where the hell is my room supposed to be! Goddamn vampire house!" his voice trailed off.
When von burren was out of sight, Jarlen threw his rage to the walls, pounding his fists on the stone cold wall.
"Aargh!" he screamed with rage. "That impudent little - -
He inhaled softly and whispered his mantra to himself. "This is only just temporary, Jarlen. You won't have to answer to that stupid man once this is all over."
He straightened up when he heard Eric scream his name.
"Jarlen!"
With a forced smile on his face, he walked turned to the direction the Count had taken. He found the man staring at the bedroom arranged for him.
Eric has his hands at akimbo as he spoke. "Why is it so bland? Where are the colours? Is this a funeral?"
"Only your funeral, old man," Jarlen muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Eric gave him a cold glare.
"Nothing, sir. I will have the maids refurbish it to your taste." Jarlen said respectfully.
"Redecorate? Please, you cannot raise the standard of this disgrace. I'll take it. Get out." Eric collapsed on the red plush arm chair and heaved a heavy sigh.
"As you wish, sir." Jarlen gave a low bow and exited the room.
The door behind him flew open and he gave a swift turn to see who the intruder was. It was August.
"Eric," he entered the room with his limping gait. "What about Lucia?"
Eric pointed at Jarlen. "He is yet to find her."
August heaved a tired sigh. "I'm losing my patience. Where could she be when her maid is here?"
Eric shot up from the chair. "Really? Anna is here?"
"Yes, my lord." Jarlen said with another bow. Another one and he might lose his head.
Jarlen explained further. "Her companion negotiated a deal with us - her freedom for information on where Damian is."
"Hmmm. Who is this companion of hers?" Eric asked, amused.
"Damian's righthand man. The one that shifts into a Raven." August spoke this time, disgust laced in his tone.
"I suspect she is to be returned home to your estate, count von Burren?" Jarlen asked, lifting his eyes to him.
"Return home? My estate was never her home," Eric blared in laughter. "My estate is home to only von Burren's and Annabelle isn't one."
Jarlen smiled as he lifted his head. "I knew you'd say that. But her companion wouldn't be happy with your decision, Eric."
"Well, he can go to hell with his unhappiness," Eric snickered to himself. "Lucia is to marry August the moment she arrives home and it is family tradition that her handmaiden be a von burren and not an outsider. In short, Anna's safety is none of my business. Do anything you want with her. I don't care."
Jarlen smiled as he rubbed both his hands together in glee. "How about we feed her to Hades?"
"Hades? What is that?" Eric asked.
Jarlen smiled. "I can't tell you the specifics but just know it's a very dangerous animal."
"Interesting. I'd love to at watch you feed her to Hades."
Back in the prison chambers, Cesar struggled to get off the silver silvers around Bat but he got more damage than he had ever been given.
"Dude, there's no way I can help with this. I'm sorry," he shook his head. "My hands keep getting burnt."
"Oh shucks! How do I get out of here!" Bat banged his fists on the table. "I need to see Anna."
As he spoke, a whistle pieced the quiet.
"Who's there?" Bat looked around the room. There was no one in sight except Cesar.
When he hung his head, he heard the whistle again. It was vivid this time and was coming from the walls.
"Hello? Who is that ?" he beckoned Cesar with a signal to creep near the walls.
"Open the door." He heard the whisper say.
"Door? Which door?" Bat asked, confused.
"Close your eyes." Came the instruction.
As if in a dream, he shut his eyes.
"Open them" The voice said.
When he did, he found a door on the cobblestone wall. "What happened here? How did this come here?"
He looked around. "Wait a minute. Is this the same voice that saved Anna? The one she was talking about."
"Yes." Came the voice.
"Who are you and what have you done with Anna?" He demanded.
"Nothing. When she was trapped in the Von Burren's estate, I let Anna out. Her life was in danger. It still is now. Go save her before she gets eaten by Hades." said the voice.
"What the? Hades?" Bat cried out.
Cesar dumbfounded by it all, stared with his mouth agape. He regained his composure but not without surprised stutters. "Go help Lu - Lucia and others."
Bat looked at the silver around his wrist. "How do I break free?"
Immediately, they fell off his hands.
"Hurry." the voice yelled this time.
"Okay. Okay," Bat held the door knob. But he hesitated. "How do I know you're telling the truth, mysterious voice? What are you?"
"What I am doesn't matter. Jarlen is going to feed Anna to Hades. Go save her now!"
"Go, Bat!" Cesar called to him. "I'll be fine."
"Sure," Bat grabbed the door knob and walked through. Immediately, the door was shut and faded into the walls as though it never existed.