Ancient Shadows

FIFTEEN

The Osterreich brothers continued to be tutored under their loving master Rundolph Hapsburg. It had been over one year since they had been brought over into the night. Such splendid individuals Rundolph saw them as. It would be unfair to say he had a favorite but it would also be inaccurate to say he didn't find himself raptured by Walter's metaphysical brilliance. He had the mind of a classic Greek with the proper sensibilities of the modern day royal.

Rundolph was very proud of himself with this endeavor! Having mentored such magnificent mortals! Originally he'd wanted only one companion. Someone to share the never ending nights of immortality with. But when he discovered the Osterreich lords,  he knew he mustn't be forced to choose between the two. But neither could he leave such wonderful specimens behind to grow old and wither.

Bringing them both successfully into the night was not a likely outcome. Oh yes, Rundolph "The Iron Maker" he had been nicknamed by a very ancient vampyr for his great success when turning. But to succeed as he did by turning two one after another- well that was quite a feat indeed!

Having been so thrilled by his accomplishment and enjoying the loving company of his boys, he'd almost forgotten. Almost forgotten one of his intentions for creating these blood drinking nobles. To take a course of action that he himself could undertake. A duty with consequences Rundolph refused to personally endure. He needed two capable vampyrs to deal with his estranged progeny. A blood drinker named Seth Von Hundenberg who now went by the name of Count Dimitri Lewellan.

His darling Seth, who had left his sire and companion in the midst of a tantrum because Rundolph would not consent to to turning a young boy Seth had fallen in love with. He had just left him, just like that without returning. Later rumors came. Rumors of an eccentric young man who was making quite a name for himself. Yes, quite a name for himself in a particularly dark manner. Seth had become a danger to not only himself but to all of their kind. He had to be dealt with.

Rundolph had told Walter and Augustus he wanted Seth "dealt with". He never settled on what "dealt with" actually meant. Was Seth to be destroyed? Was he to be captured? Contained was a term Rundolph had played with. But what could he do? Was he going to make a prisoner of another blood drinker? That wasn't practical. Did he somehow think he was going to bring Seth to his senses through logic and reasoning? How ludicrous and what wishful thinking that was. After all the senseless murders and games "Count Lewellan" had been playing with mortals. Amusing himself with these humans like they were his own personal living toys.

Augustus spent the later parts of his nights in the palace courtyard practicing with his arming sword. Meanwhile Walter would be in the with Rundolph discussing Bruni or Valla. Rundolph loved how Valla had exposed the forgery of the Donation of Constanine while Walter felt somewhat offended by his snub to the Pope. Other nights Walter would recite Petrarca to Rundolph. Sometimes the two would discuss the meaning behind each level of Hell in Dante Alighieri's divine comedy The Inferno.

Augustus had become quite the swordsman while his brother Walter was the consonant scholar. Rundolph did force Walter to familiarize himself with a sword to some degree on account of their upcoming mission to subdue Count Dimitri Lewellan. Rundolph taught both the boys thrusts and parries as he was a decent swordsman himself. But Augustus the student would eclipse the teacher in skill before the year was out. He had a natural talent for swordsmanship.

Travel arrangements were made for Linz. It had been almost two years since the brothers had been turned. Linz wasn't far away, perhaps a three day journey. This was what they had been carefully prepared for. Rundolph had taught the boys the finest points of etiquette. He had showed them how the vampyr seduces. How the undead charmed. How they liked to flirt and lure one in to fulfill their desires!

The boys had learned how their supernatural abilities worked. Rundolph had showed them how to get the most out of their powers. Some blood drinkers were unaware the degree of their own power simply because no one had ever shown them how to enhance their abilities. Some didn't know their own strength or speed. Didn't know that they could charm the pants off of any mortal with only the look in their beguiling eyes.

They were ready to confront this Count and former fledgling of Rundolph's. But what were they to do with him? Rundolph had pained over these thoughts. What should he tell his boys to do with him? Should they attempt to subdue Dimitri, perhaps immobilize him with a stake through the heart. Oh it was brutal but effective. A stake through his heart would not threaten his life. But it would paralyze him just as it would any other creature of the night.

But then what? Bring him back to Rundolph? Keep him as a prisoner by constructing a cell or using the strongest of shackles? And for what? With hopes that Dimitri would turn back into Seth, who would love Rundolph again, realizing the error of his ways. Who would whisper sweet nothings in Rundolph's ear until Rundolph freed Seth from whatever confines he had constructed for his former fledgling. Yes, Seth or Dimitri, whichever you choose, might tell Rundolph what he wanted to hear. Possibly softly muttering lies into his ear until Rundolph caved to his wishes.

Rundolph knew better than to be played the fool. He was wise from having been in existence for over 200 years. There was really only one solution. Seth, his Seth, must be destroyed. But how could he command such a thing to take place? He had to do what he despised to do. It was his responsibility. This Dimitri that Seth had become threatened all of his kind. His only consolation was that he wouldn't have to do it with his own hands. Killing his former companion with his own hands, that Rundolph wasn't sure if he could bring himself to do.