Chapter 44: Chapter 44

TRISTAN:

“As you all know, this peace talk has been going on for the past five years, and yet countless attacks are being made as we speak. If you may allow me to read through the reports…” Count Jeteris, the head of the peace delegation in our side, began as he went into his thick collection of parchments.

“To date, there have been three hundred and four incidences of attacks in the last five months. Clearly, these figures only go to say that the vampire clans are not sincere when it comes to the resolution of this feud.”

The head of the Apricus delegate, the one sitting at the first chair next to the podium where the royals were situated began to speak.

“Count Jeteris, we beg to disagree. We also received the same reports, but out of those recent attacks, about fifty percent began with invasions of smaller vampire clan tribes. We understand the need of your kingdom to expand territories, but the lands the smaller clans have settled in were given to us by the Shadow Runes, and your forces had no right to claim them.”

“With all due respect, Sir Linus, the Shadow Runes are no more. This kingdom had nothing to do with that traitor clan as well!”

This hotheaded noble was the one in charge of the peace talk meetings, which was why things were never getting anywhere despite having been established for five years. He was clearly a man who was biased against vampires and only saw his whole damn lot as being entitled to everything.

“Everyone, please settle down,” the mediator of the talk and the king’s secretary, Count Leer, ordered them. He was sweating profusely due to the building drama between the two parties.

I wanted to concentrate on the show of power that was happening right in front of my eyes, but I feel a bit unsettled. The vampire who caught my eye was still looking strangely at me, and I was wracking my brains out to remember him.

I know I had seen him before, but when, and how far does he remember back?

Count Jeteris spoke again, this time in a calmer manner. “Let me make it clear again. The Kingdom of Talandor does not recognize the Shadow Rune’s authority, and thus the lands that this clan has given to you cannot be legally recognized as well.

“I understand that you hold some claim about the land that smaller clans of your kind had settled in. If you submit a request of claim for these lands and pay the proper taxes, then, we can settle this dilemma,” the count continued.

The tension in the air thickened. Count Jeteris’ speech was making things worst. It didn’t feel like a peace talk meeting. It felt like a mock trial aimed to attack the vampire clans.

Of course, the vampires were not an easy enemy, and despite the lack of blood in their body, they weren’t anyone who settled easily when accusations like this arise.

“With all due respect, Count Jeteris, whether you do or do not recognize the Shadow Runes’ words as official is none of our concern. We settled on the land that was legitimately ours. We neither coerced nor tricked your kind into giving it to us. It was handed to us based on a mutual alliance. If you cannot settle this dilemma due to an internal strife, then it is unfortunate on your part, but just because you do not recognize them does not mean that our claim is illegal.”

Sir Linus continued, “Now then, unless you try to rectify what’s happening with the lands, we don’t think we can help you settle a peaceful resolution to this matter. The vampire clans will continue to defend what’s theirs.”

“How dare you -?!”

Suddenly, Count Jeteris’ voice was cut by Prince Kaist. “Count Jeteris – that’s enough!”

The prince stood on his seat. All eyes settled on him and the violent way he had cut the count, who was supposed to be heading the talk.

“Let it rest for now, count,” the prince began again, this time clearing his throat, trying to hide the obvious displeasure he just showed. “Our talks about the land matters aren’t settled yet… We should not be too hasty as to not consider the vampire clan’s claim over the lands.”

The count wore a disgusted look. His thoughts were well-written over his face. He wasn’t someone who liked being crossed, not even by the king, and certainly not by the younger prince before him.

“As you wish, dear prince… However, please be aware that your father and I had talked about this numerous times, and we share the same sentiments.”

“That ought to be verified yet, count. I shall do so immediately after this meeting. However, please do not be hasty enough to claim that you share the king’s opinion in front of our guests.”

That was a good move for the prince. It’s easy to see that he was trying to salvage whatever he can regarding the peace talks. However, his efforts will soon become fruitless…

“Thank you, Prince Kaist. We appreciate your kindness upon this matter… Actually, we have another matter to talk to at this council.” Sir Linus from the Apricus Kingdom whispered to the attendant next to him, the one who kept looking at me earlier.

After a few hushed exchanges between him and Sir Linus, they produced a thick parchment from their robe, and the man stood at the other end of the podium designated for the Apricus Kingdom to make a speech.

“Gentlemen, my name is Casior Willfrey. I am the head of the Internal Affairs of the Apricus Kingdom. I stand here before you because we received this rather threatening letter from what we believe to be a rebel werewolf group a few weeks ago,” he said, handing in the copy he produced to Count Leer.

“Let me read it for the whole council to hear….”

“To the wretched vampires who settled illegally on our lands,” he began. “The time has come for you to go back where you came from. Nomadic as you were before, there’s no point in you usurping the lands that’s rightfully ours. Therefore, we are declaring war against your kind. Should you continue to occupy the land that is meant for the kingdom, you shall suffer the price by order of our highest in command. Sincerely, FW.”

Everyone went in uproar as soon as the letter’s contents were revealed. It was Count Jeteris’ booming voice that helped settle the crowd into silence yet again.

“Pray, and when did you receive this fake letter?”

“We found it after a vampire village of about fifty people had been massacred with blessed arrows.”

“Blessed arrows? That can’t be true!” Blessed arrows – arrow that were offered to the Moon Goddess and were bestowed with her holy blessings - were banned into the circulation five years ago as part of the measures agreed by the werewolf and vampire peace talk council.

“Indeed. We didn’t believe the validity of the letter at first, so we decided to investigate further. Everybody, please take a look at the seal and the initials that were used…”

The people around me started to get nervous. Everyone in the kingdom knew what the letters ‘FW’ stand for…

“You blood suckers! What are you trying to say? That I was the one behind these massacres of your kind?” Count Jeteris suddenly roared.

Even before the accusations have started to fly, the man already took the bait… to be exact, the bait that Samalah and I have weaved beforehand...