Chapter 15 Unheralded Visit

It's been more than a few weeks since I stayed here in Romania, residing with the Vampirs in their manor up on the cliffside, with the majestic view of the waterfalls as their backdrop of elegance. But it seems to be rather different since then when I first stayed here. Days go by with Eleanore leaving the manor and having Sebastian substitute for her on the managing of the activity.

Yet I'm talking about Sebastian, who is not aggressive, shouty or painful to cooperate with which is a good thing for everybody since after our last fiasco, she's been ramping up the activities since then. One sequence of the last activity almost killed me and Dmitri, can you believe there's a spear impaled on my right side, just near to my lungs and liver. But that didn't stop Eleanore from ramping up her objective of lifting this curse off us.

Even so, there are good things that happen along the days past, Dmitri and I somehow grow more attached, friendship wise and not get too carried away and Lannister is keeping with us on rebuilding his reputation up again and he's been a good help to us, most specially on the healing part. It's exhausting to him and takes a toll on his energy but he's obliged to help out any way he can without any given return whatsoever. I even gave him a pat on the back one time but that didn't result in very well since right as I'd done it, Dmitri's senses tingled and it isn't a pretty one to say the least.

A dog and cat fight gone horribly wrong but in the end they make up and peace returns for a long while.

But today is different when I come down for breakfast as I always do at the exact same time, Eleanore and Sebastian aren't anywhere to be seen, so is Lannister it's just me and Dmitri at the table.

"Dmitri, Hey good morning, what's going on and why is our breakfast not here yet even yours and the others aren't here on the table either ... Is there something going on that I need to know?" I asked him.

Clearly, Dmitri looking awfully not in the mood scoffs at me upon eye contact, he's more irritated than normal, then I know something is seriously going on.

"Theodore, I don't have the energy or time for you to ask for the millionth question or what, I'm in a very bad mood and I don't say very often when I'm really not in the mood ... I know what's going on but don't give a bother about it and stay out of what's going on today. I'd tell you it's not going to be charming if I say so myself so stay there and stay put" He said, very irritable with his arms crossed.

Then a loud rumble resounds from what it appears to be at the Grand Main Foyer. I wanted to check it out but as I stood, Dmitri gave me a menacing look, signaling for me to stay put like he'd said. I sigh and return back to sitting. It's been a few minutes past and we haven't gotten our breakfast when Lannister, somehow surprisingly all dressed up, came to the dining hall and saw us sulking and hungry for food.

He'd turn to Dmitri, checking him out and said, "Brother, why aren't you in your fancy outfit yet? Eleanore gave us instructions to follow, don't make her upset today ... Did you somehow forget what day it is today?" Lannister said.

Dmitri grunts at him and eyes darts to me, like he's gesturing why he'd asked him that. Lannister covered his mouth and I felt there was something going on today.

"Lannister, can you please tell me what the heck is going on here? I know something is up around here and your clothes speaks for itself" I asked, commanding him to talk.

"I apologize Theodore but I can't tell you what's going on and it's for your own good I'm afraid ... It was baffling to see you still here today out of all days, I swear Sebastian already has you taken care of since today is not the time for you to be here" He said and quickly closed his mouth.

I was about to ask more but I felt he said too much and immediately left the room with Dmitri glaring at him as he left. I turn back to Dmitri who's not glancing at me back, like he's trying so hard to ignore me.

"Well, since no one is going to tell me what's going on then I'll find the answers myself!" I said and started to leave the room.

Dmitri stands and follows me, blocking the exit out of the room. "Where do you think you're going? I specifically told you not to go out of this room and please don't listen to what Lannister just spoke about, he's just talking nonsense as all" He said but his expression says otherwise.

Fear or fright is the one I'm sensing from him, that sweat from his forehead is a clear indicator. I pushed his hands away and replied, "I know something is going on and if you don't want me to leave then care to explain what's going on and what Lannister just said it's true?" I asked him.

Dmitri fidgets and for sure he doesn't want to answer my question. I sigh and move past him, pushing him away from the archway but he caught my hand, holding me with a firm grip.

"Don't Theodore, I'm telling you, do not go out there it isn't safe, I'm ordered to not say anything even if I'm against following orders but I have to because it's all for you that I'm doing this ... So please, show restraint and let's come back inside" Dmitri pleaded.

I had never seen or heard him talk calmly before. Then today's events are really that serious to the point of Dmitri talking rather than himself. I sigh and nod, he let go of me and started to come back inside but I'm sorry Dmitri, I have to find out what's going on, I'll apologize to you later.

With that I ran as fast as I could, leaving Dmitri surprised that I didn't follow him. He angrily shouts and comes running towards me, catching up. He was so fast, Dmitri was already pacing up to me. I need to find out what's going on and as I turn towards the corner heading towards the main foyer I didn't see Sebastian running up in the opposite direction holding something.

We collided painfully, bumping into each other and smashing the item that he's holding. The loud crashing noise resounds the main foyer and instantaneously a blaring thud of heels resonate the room, descending down the stairs and heading towards us. It's Eleanore all dressed up glamorously and seeing the damage that happened. She clenched her fist and called out a name ...

"D-M-I-T-R-I-!" She shouted, shaking up the manor.

On que, Dmitri came out of the archway I came out, seeing the mess and Eleanore who's looking at him already, the raging glare I've ever seen her express. Eleanore walks forward and gives me a death stare, the likes of which I'd never seen her show before. I'm in big trouble.

Eleanore pointed a threatening finger at me and said, "Out of all the days, Theodore ... YOU CHOOSE this day to be reckless and nonsensical out of all days to be and now you have let Sebastian break a one of a kind special antique that was in need of use for today. I gave a direct order to Dmitri who I'm already regretting I gave to since I thought he could control you but no I've made the wrong decision about it ... Furthermore, why are you here, I gave an order for you to be--"

K-N-O-C-K! K-N-O-C-K-!

Someone knocked on the door and the room fell into a disturbing silence. Eleanore is clenching her fist too hard and her aura is starting to show, she shockingly looked at me with her distorted expression, the likes of which I never saw her to be that in deep anger at me.

Without warning, I began to levitate in the air and with no hesitation, she threw me to the archway of the hall where I came like a ragdoll, tumbling and colliding on the marble floor in excruciating pain. I can't believe she threw me! That's much worse than Dmitri lunging towards me like a maniac in heat. My body is in pain in all places, including my shoulder which took the first impact as I fell on the floor rather hard.

Dmitri and Lannister came running towards me and helped me get up. Lannister quickly starts to heal me and Dmitri checks me to make sure I'm okay but Eleanore shouts irritably loud at them to come. The brothers looked at each other, downcast and looked at me, with their apologetic look.

"I apologize Theodore but we have to go, I'm really sorry" Lannister left dashing towards the exit.

Dmitri on the other hand is conflicted on himself and rather despondent of seeing rather hurt. Lannister hasn't finished healing me and since I'm connected to Dmitri, he's feeling my pain.

"Theodore, I can't believe this happened ... I'm very sorry about this but I have to go, please if you know what's good for you, go there by that wall, it has a staircase leading towards the upper floors, take it and I'll come back for you as soon as this is over, I can feel your pain but I can endure it but you can't apparently" Dmitri said as Eleanore shouts another screeching shout.

He lets go of me and dashes out of the hall, leaving me in somewhat partial pain and not feeling so good internally. I stay to stand and do the good thing I can and try to approach the wall Dmitri was telling me when I heard the entrance door open. Curious as I am, I immediately wobbled my way there and hid just at the side of the archway, seeing the commotion happening at the foyer.

Having a clear vision of the place, there's a new visitor in the manor who recently came and he's rather eerie looking.

"Duxi bonorum magna domus Constantini, ego praesens vos, vestri tutelam et princeps domus Orpheus, Princeps Calipha sacri ordinis Vampir societatis, tuum divinitatis, Vladimir Orpheus Lazarus Vladamirosavich" The announcer said.

TRANSLATION: "Esteemed patriots of the great house of Constantine, I present to you, your regency and high house of Orpheus, the High Caliph of the sacred order of Vampir society, your divinity, Vladimir Orpheus Lazarus Vladamirosavich"

This is very bad, they speak in Latin and I can't understand what they are saying, I can only interpret their gestures and interactions but that's about it. Sigh, I have to take Latin language classes in university or all the languages if I have to just to understand any conversation in the future.

Vladimir? Wait, I know Dmitri said that name last time. He'd entered the manor, all poised and composed, I can sense he's not a good person by how he looks. Not to judge but somehow I just had a heavy feeling about him and it's not pleasant.

"Magna bonorum Domus Constantinus, veni! Suus ' semper propitious videre vos omnes, praesertim ad te, delicias Eleanore Von Constantinus, caput domina de domo tua desiderabilis specimen, ut te esse consideratum osculo" Vladimir said.

TRANSLATION: "Great patriots of House Constantine, I have arrived! It's always propitious to see you all, especially to you darling Eleanore Von Constantine, the head mistress of your house, a delightful specimen such as yourself is to be awarded with a kiss"

He kissed Eleanore to the cheek but as for her, she's not too happy to have that.

"Princeps Calipha, est penitus honos, te in nostrum duxi manerium iterum et benedixit nobis undying fortuna et sapientia, sed mihi cura quaeso, vestra tutelam est satis mane solito, putabam vos esset ire ad visitandum cras" Eleanore said, her ever sweetest voice she can said.

TRANSLATION: "High Caliph, it is deeply an honor to have you into our esteemed manor again and blessed us with your undying fortune and wisdom but I care to ask your regency is quite early than usual, I thought you were going to visit tomorrow"

"Nam ego tam curo quam expectata venire ad te iam antea delicias Eleonora, fateor esse valde durum resistere fas non sit in conspectu tuo, et Ego voluit visitare et mane venit ad locum in quo inveniet quiddam advenientem praeparatos et turpem Hybrid pedissequa est praeter te ipsum bene uti video" He said, glaring at Sebastian.

TRANSLATION: "Ah yes, well I care to come earlier than expected to see you already darling Eleanore, I must confess it is very hard to resist not to be by your presence, so I've decided to come and visit early which I find the place in somewhat all prepared for my arrival, even your disgraceful hybrid lackey is here besides you, making good use of himself I see"

Sebastian was keeping his cool, his face was composed but behind his back, his hands all clenched tight. He bowed to him and implied;

"Voluptatem habetis hic dominationis uestre presentiam" He said.

TRANSLATION: "Pleasure you have you here your lordship"

Vladimir smiles wickedly and proceeds to move towards the brothers. He checked on him one by one, a complete ones over and implied;

"Bonum mihi modo fratres, valde commendatur genere morum ac probata indutus intutions sed nihilominus carent, praesertim alteri lupus grunditum qui adhuc calidum scis young'un non possum te audiunt mille passuum inde tumulum propinquos meos, et non Vampirs quomodo nos exprimere altum vicaria tutabantur nostris in valde despiciens censenda est adnumerari" Vlad said, looking at Dmitri displeasingly.

TRANSLATION: "Good to have your brothers at my disposal, they are very commended by birth and approved attire but they lack their intuitions as well as manners none the like, especially the other one who kept on grunting like a wolf in heat, you know young'un I can hear you from a mile away and that's not how we Vampirs comply to express towards our high regents, very disrespectful"

Eleanore gave Dmitri a vile look, commanding him to compose his expression towards Vladimir. He composed himself and bowed deeply, saying, "Vellem meis moribus non fient, profecto" He said to Vlad.

TRANSLATION: "I apologize for my behavior, it won't happen again, I assure you"

Vladimir snickers at him and proceeds to Lannister who's very nervous around him. He got too close to Lannister, giving him a long whiff and he somehow like his scent and commented;

"Ego got dicere praesentatione Lannister numquam ad stupet me, potius raptorum placet, perfectum exemplum ex et bene moratas donatio a maximo title, sicut quidam circa hoc domus debet scire sensum etiquette et altiore princeps moribus cum ego praesens et circa" Vladimir pleased with himself.

TRANSLATION: "I got to say your presentation Lannister never cease to amaze me, rather dashing to your liking, a perfect example of a composed and well mannered bestowal of a grand title, unlike some people around this house should know the meaning of etiquette and overall high manners when I'm present and around"

He was about to leave him be when Lannister got his attention and implied, "Your lordship, if I may suggest can we speak English from then on so we can exercise communication even better, to better ourselves progressing to the modern era of this human infested world"

Vladimir pondered for a moment and gave approval by saying, "Ah, the modern world, this type of communication irks me to follow but since you asked nicely then I'll approve of your request, I beseech you are learning to adapt involuntarily to comply with the progression of this dying world full of flesh and bones" He said.

Finally, now I understand them. Vlad approaches the middle to address everyone. He's about to say something important, I should stay a bit more to hear what it is.

"First and foremost, thank you for your undying hospitality, even if we got to a very hard felt start but your High Caliph can show clemency and veneration when it's due and secondly as I made my presence here, I hereby edict, I Vladimir Vladamirosavich is staying in your house for 3 days as my support for the house that stood the test of time and shown loyalty by my side for a millennia more to come and so I may well be--" He suddenly stopped.

Vladimir starts sniffing about the area, alarming everyone without showing keenness. Then he starts following the scent and somehow he's slowly heading towards my direction. I quickly hid on the wall, stopping to breathe for a moment.

"I redolence a human in the manor ... and the creature is close by" He said to the Constantines. Even if I'm not looking, I can tell Dmitri is panicking right now.

I hear footsteps coming towards my way and quickly I crawl to the wall where Dmitri said a secret passage hidden, leading towards the upper floors. I fumble to find the compartment of the wall to open as Vladimir nears my position.

"High Caliph, you must be mistaken, you might be picking up my fermented carcasses, they are humans after all and I propose that's what you're taking a scent to" Lannister said, reasoning with him.

"As your high superior, I know the scent of a live human when my nose caught it's smell so your analysis is futile and I would prefer to investigate it in full mandatory, ever so there is one I would like to KILL IT myself and be put it for our grand dinner later" Vlad replied.

With his words, I panicked for my life, I tried harder to find the secret compartment to open the wall. He kept creeping closer and closer, when all of the sudden the part of the wall opened, I didn't even do anything but I had to get out of here. I pushed myself inside of the staircase inside the wall and closed behind me, just in time as I heard Vladimir's voice resound in the hall.

"HUMAN!" a scary way to shout.

I gave it my all and climbed up the staircase as fast as I could, even stumbling a step but that didn't stop me from getting out of here and not being found by a menacing looking Vampir that I for sure is their leader.

Moments later, I got out of the cramped staircase, out of breath and still in pain. Phew! I lost them.

"The scent it's coming from the second floor, everyone, let's hurry!" Vladimir shouted from downstairs.

Oh no! I panicked, I don't know which way or room to go. I heard footsteps resonating from the staircase, I have to get out of this hall quickly. Slowly and steadily as I go, I limp my way to the hall, looking for a room that is open and with my lock after checking 3 door knobs that are locked, one is open.

I immediately went inside even though it's dark inside, I haven't bothered to even look since I have to be scarce when Vladimir shows up on the second floor. Slowly I moved forward and stepped on the floor, I heard a wet noise and I couldn't see anything. I stepped on something and slipped on it. As I landed on the floor, something liquid spattered on me and I strangely knew its smell.

Pushing myself up, I started trying to find any sort of light switch, hoping there is. As I pat the nearby wall, I stumble a resemblance to a light switch and flicking it open ...

AHHHH! OH MY-- I think I'm going to be sick!

I fell to the floor, terrified to see the room full of dead human bodies and the floor is covered with blood. I quickly brush myself off of the blood on my arms and body, I even got some on my face. This is what Eleanore is telling me about. I'm literally scarred for life. Stepping towards the room, piles of dead humans are compiled all around, some are separated by parts while others sections are in some weird jar near to some condiments, it indicates Lannister already. Rows of handing and still intact human bodies line the sides too, a total nightmare for me. It's like from that gruesome level from Tomb Raider, this is the whole vibe I'm getting.

Further as I went inside the room, I heard a faint mumble on the corner where there are humans still with clothes on are piled to, the noise is coming from there. I can't believe my eyes, there's a human who's still alive there calling for me.

"Mm-a-ate h-He-l-p mm-e-e" He mumbled. The guy sounds British and he's heavily wounded.

He must be one of the supplies Sebastian got yesterday and somehow he didn't finish his job. I'm even powerless to help him as the guy cried for help but I have to do something.

"Okay, I'm going to help, you just have to stay quiet and--" Oh no. VLADIMIR IS JUST NEARBY!

I hear his footsteps approaching the door. Their faint conversation I heard, he said the human he's smelling is inside this room, the room I'm in. I got to hide!

"Ah-h-hhm wW-h-a-tt-'s gg-oin-g o-n?" The guy said to me.

I heard Vladimir's footsteps getting closer. I'm sorry guy but this is going to be brutal but I have to sacrifice you to keep me alive. Only way to cover my scent is to hide amongst these bodies and quickly because he's coming.

"I'm sorry but I'm afraid I don't have much to help you, I'm really sorry about this" I said to the guy, his eyes in wide panic. I push myself inside the pile of dead bodies, covering my arms and legs with the dead ones and I'm dejectedly going to use the guy's body to hide myself in, blending to the pile. This is gut-churning even for me.

Using this helpless guy to cover me and not get found ... I think I'm going to puke.

The door slammed open, footsteps echoing the chambers of the room. I'm hearing Vladimir saying 'human' rather frighteningly. He's like Jason in The Saw if my reference is correct.

"I can smell the human in here and I know where that vile creature is ..." Vladimir said.

Hearing his footsteps getting closer and closer, the guy surely saw him because I could feel his weak body twitching above me. I can't even ignore what's about to happen.

"Well well, if it ain't the human that I've caught the scent to ... My my how strong looking you are despite your masculine physique already damaged, you thought you can get away from me, the HIGH CALIPH of the Vampirs, well too bad, this is where your time ends and I'll make it short and sweet ..." He said.

"Wwh-hh-u-o aa-ree-e yy--o-uu! Gg-get aa-way- FF-Fr-om- Mmm-e-e" The guy mumbled loudly.

"We have a loud mouth over here, my you humans are all alike, noisy, destructive and above all ... HAVE NO RESPECT FOR HIGH DIVINE SUCH AS MYSELF!" Vladimir shouted.

The guy squirms uncontrollably and I shudder by surprise as I've been impaled with something. I closed my mouth as tight as I could, the pain is very overwhelming and I can't bear it any longer. I even heard Dmitri wince for a second. I heard Vladimir humming for a moment, I don't know what's going on out there as he slowly pulls whatever it is out of us.

I can't fathom what just happened, Vladimir just killed a human and almost killed me as well. It almost went straight to my heart but luckily it was on the far side but still close enough to render me dead. The guy also peed on me, I can feel something wet above my waistline.

"Ah, the scent is gone! I think my work here is done, now Eleanore, darling why not we perambulate to the balcony where the waterfall is and discuss certain matters we need to attend to and you hybrid lackey, use that dead human for our brunch because all that chasing made me famished" Vladimir said and I think they already exited the room.

I didn't want to jinx it but I waited for more than a couple of minutes. The guy's body was getting lifted and to my surprise it's Dmitri and Sebastian, looking worried. I force my way out of the dead bodies and grab Dmitri by his neck, hugging him tight. The horrors I've been through, I can't even let him go.

I wept on his shoulder, burying my face in it, he gently caressed my back, trying to comfort me as I just cried there, scared for my life to almost certain death.

With the horrors of the morning somewhat coming to pass, Dmitri and I are at the tower, the safest place to be from the High Caliph's wrath and prying nose. I struggled earlier to take a long bath in the downstairs bathroom since I'm still shocked, speechless and ultimately frightened by what I just witnessed and experienced. But still I came through and I'm wearing Dmitri's clothes since Eleanore and Vladimir are on the 3rd floor and I can't get my clothes, not risking myself getting my scent again.

Lannister was also with us, healing me using his hex. He smiled at me and said, "I don't know what you're feeling right now because it might be a mix or many emotions from the whole ordeal but I just wanted to apologize on our behalf, you should've seen it"

"I'm very conflicted about what happened, I wasn't there to warn you or even hide you in the woods, you almost got killed and Eleanore didn't even give a damn! How dare she" Dmitri angrily said, punching the nearby wall, cracking it slightly.

Lannister healed his hand and gestured to him to be quiet, implying, "We have to be quiet, even if Vladimir can't smell Theodore anymore, he can hear clearly with this hole exposing our noise from the outside ... Remember, there just at the 3rd floor balcony"

"I know, you don't have to lecture me!" He argued.

"Guys, let's just keep quiet for now okay and thanks for the help, I just wanted some peace" I said and the brothers complied.

After a while, I felt my body heat up somehow. I check myself and I am heating up. I was about to ask Dmitri to get some water when Sebastian appeared, coming up the stairs. He had some bags with him and placed it nearby, clearing his throat, about to say something ...

"Before I start, I wanted to say, Theodore, I apologize on my behalf for letting you witness that horror, I should've been more careful but I know also that you have no choice in the matter yet even so an apology is in order ... As a half human myself, I can relate how horrible it must feel to see and feel death without warning ... I hope you're recovering well from it" Sebastian bowed at the end.

"It's okay Sebastian, it's not your fault, I'll be fine" I said but I'm heating up and feeling kind of off.

"Thank you Theodore, now the reason why I came here is to tell you an important message from Eleanore. So please care to listen, she proposed a plan for me to be relayed to you, Dmitri and Theodore, the Countess strongly suggests both of you to leave the manor later tonight and spend a day or two at Prigoria until Vladimir takes his leave, the bag is for Dmitri since it has all the necessary items he needs to survive the harsh human conditions outside and also your food so no consuming any human edibles while in town and Theodore there's also in the bag for you, a heap of human currency to spend since you can't collect your clothes for accommodation for a place to stay, Eleanore advised you're the one in responsible of your finances, that is all" Sebastian thoroughly explained.

With that said, Sebastian takes his leave and we all go back to our thoughts.

I can't believe we're leaving the manor and staying at Prigoria for a day.

But with that said, can I even take the venture there ...

Because I think I'm going to get sick.