Chapter 1
“Go, go, go all of you get outta here; I’ll buy some time!” A nine-year-old girl screamed to a group of girls standing a few feet from her like statues. A few crimson fire balls slamming into the walls around them woke them from their stupor and they took off running. Idiots’ typical ditzy bimbos in-training!! The nine-year-old thought to herself as she began looking for a place to hide when suddenly a black whip wrapped around her neck! As it tightened, she was viciously pulled to the ground…while she lay there chocking, coughing and gagging a man dressed in black armor slowly approached her with a wicked smile.
“You little bitch… you cost my master a great sum of money by not only somehow managing to escape; you spirited a gaggle of other girls with you!! And if that were not a big enough slap in the face you burned down your most generous hosts’ home and place of business!!! I am going to savor and enjoy every moment of this starting right now!!” He said as he began kicking her in the stomach! After three to four kicks a stream of crimson fire suddenly appeared between him and the girl. This brief respite was what she needed as she quickly removed the lash from around her neck and picked herself up from the street.
“Your master murdered my mother, abducted me and how many other innocent girls just so he can sell us?!!!! I shoulda burned that shithole to the ground with him inside!!!” The young girl shrieked thrusting her hands out launching twin crimson-orange fire beams at the knight…the beams hit their target but had no effect with his armor.
“Hhhhmm, was that supposed to harm me? If you wish to defeat me, you’ll have to do much, much, much better you outlander half-breed gutter trash!!” Was the response as he unsheathed his sword…before he could take a step towards her a man’s booming voice caused him to freeze.
“Oooh Ishtar you idiot what the hell do you think you’re doing?!!!! I WON’T make money off of her if she’s damaged!!!!! Any medical treatment that she needs is coming out of your pay!!!!!” A gelatinous mound of a man roared as he arrived on a levitating sled.
“You’re not going to make any money off of me or any other girl you’ve taken you filthy slug!!! I’m going to burn the both of you to ashes!!!!!” Alara shrieked as she again thrust her hands out and twin beams of crimson-orange fire shot forth. Unfortunately, the beams again slammed into and were absorbed harmlessly by Ishtar’s black armor. He smiled a sadistic smile and backhanded her clear across the alley and she slammed into a wall! As her head spun, and she struggled getting to her feet she was suddenly enveloped by mist…she was gently scooped up and as the mist dissipated Alara found herself staring into a pair of piercing emerald eyes. “W-wh-who are you?”
“Now precisely what kind of spineless, gutless coward would not only dare to attack a woman; but even worse a child!!! And what crime could she have committed to warrant a beating like THIS?!!!” The man calmly said drawing a massive broadsword with his left hand while he cradled Alara with his right. “Don’t be afraid little one, I will neither harm nor allow any harm to come to you.”
“Aaawwww isn’t that sweet? It’s so sickeningly sweet that I’m about to wretch!! Sooo Lord Aladar pray tell precisely why you’ve decided to interfere in matters that are none of your concern?!! That wretched brat you hold just so happens to be my property, and I shall discipline her however I see fit!!! So, if you don’t mind, please return her to me at once!!” The blob of a man roared as he floated closer on his hover-sled.
“Lord Dashvar the mere fact that you still live at this particular moment; should show the depths of my mercy!!! It’s alright my lady…my lady what is it, what’s wrong?” The man with the piercing emerald eyes first said to the man-blob and then looking down he saw the young girl had suddenly turned pale and fainted!! “HOW many people have you deceived in this manner with your glamouring?!!! Selling girls who are as ill as she is without telling the buyers?!!!!!!” He quickly and single handedly drew his massive broadsword
“Your Majesty stop; please your Majesty he is unfit to lick the dirt from your boots…please I beg you grant me the honor!!” Ravenna cried as she appeared to Aladar’s left with her twin swords drawn. Quickly she stepped in front of Aladar while he sheathed his sword; she conjured a multitude of indigo energy blades and was prepared to attack while Ishtar simply smirked.
“As you wish Ravenna but please make him suffer before he dies.” Aladar responded as he teleported away in a spiral of cerulean-blue fire.
“ISHTAR you stupid fool what are you doing; you just allowed my property to escape!!!!! DEAL with this bitch & bring her back to me at once!!!!” Dashvar roared as he came up and viciously slapped the knight on the back of the head almost knocking him to the ground. However, Ishtar wouldn’t get the chance as he was suddenly impaled in the chest by Ravenna’s blades. He screamed spat blood, dropped to his knees & then flopped over onto his back.
“I am Ravenna of House Daramore...but you may know me by my other name the Lady of Blades!!!” She stated pulling her swords from the dead man’s chest smiling as she twirled them as though they were a set of batons. “Now then Lord Dashvar perhaps you think you’re skilled enough to best me???!!”
“I err-umm I’LL deal with you another day Lady Ravenna!!!! But when I do it shall be on my terms not yours!!!” The coward roared as he teleported away leaving the corpse of his bodyguard where it lay.
“HUMPH well if you ever grow a backbone…I’ll be waiting!!” Ravenna called as a smile quickly grew across her face and then teleported away within a beam of indigo energy. She reappeared next to a carriage and quickly kneeled. “Your Majesty the coward Ishtar has been dealt with but I’m sorry Lord Dashvar escaped.”
“There is no need to apologize Ravenna; Dashvar is nothing but a coward he certainly wouldn’t want to face you and your blades.” Aladar sighed with a smile as he stepped into the carriage and sat down next to the girl who was soundly sleeping. He gently stroked her right cheek and then took her in his arms as though she were an infant. Ravenna quickly entered the carriage and sat down across from Aladar. As the carriage slowly started moving forward it went over a bump in the road and the girl moaned softly. “S-s-s-s-s-h-h-h-h my little lady everything will be alright. Now my dear just relax.” He lowered his head to her neck and gently sank his fangs into her neck. He took a small taste of her blood and then pulled his fangs out…bringing his right wrist to his mouth and bit deeply into it. Placing his left arm under her head Aladar brought his now bleeding wrist to the little girl’s mouth and let his blood slowly flow into her mouth. Coughing and gagging at first, she slowly started drinking…after a moment Aladar licked his wrist and it instantly healed. He licked the bit of blood from the left side of her mouth; taking her into his arms gazing into her eyes he saw they were glazing over, and she was soon fast asleep.
“Your Majesty y-y-you’re giving your blood to a slave girl?! The council will not…oh please forgive my impertinence!!” Ravenna gasped and quickly bowed her head as he shot a stern glance towards her.
“She is not a slave and regardless of what the council says…I’ll do as I please. I’ve wondered what happened to her after all these years; since she was taken in by Lady Alera.” Aladar firmly said as he stroked her hair. He noticed the color had returned to her skin and the bruises were gone, placing his hand on her forehead Aladar smiled as he noted her fever was gone.
“Where are we going Your Majesty?” Ravenna asked after a few awkward silent moments; she felt a few strands of hair fall across her face and she quickly brushed them back behind her right ear. Her eyes were still on her feet, and she was fidgeting just a little.
“Ravenna look at me, I’m not angry with you. As to where we’re going…I think we should pay your cousin Lady Alynne a visit. She’s not married or sired any progeny; I believe she will do well raising my little lady.” Aladar purred as he looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. Hhhhmm I see, Lady Alera was unable to fully tame that fiery spirit of yours!
“That is a wise decision my emperor; yes my cousin hasn’t taken another husband or sired any progeny…although I’m not so sure that she’ll be able to tame this little hellion!” Ravenna responded with a mischievous smile on her face. They rode in silence the rest of the way to the castle of Lady Alynne head of House Daramore! The gates quickly opened and the carriage passed through stopping in front of the well maintained gardens. The castle doors quickly opened and Lady Alynne and several guards quickly emerged.
“Your Majesty what a pleasant surprise!! Aaahhh Ravenna dear cousin it’s so good to see you!!” Alynne happily said as she curtseyed, and the guards bowed deeply as Ravenna and Aladar emerged from the carriage. “Oooohhhh and who do we have here?” She asked rising and first greeting her cousin then cautiously approaching Aladar and looking at the girl he was holding.
“I rescued this young girl from one of Lord Dashvar’s wretched establishments; she is an outlander that was taken in and raised by Lady Alera; she’s a half-blood and I’d like for you to take her as your ward.” Aladar responded as he walked slowly towards the castle; as they
