Astucia’s Flight

Published December 18 2021

Sitting in the library of Castle Alenna. The library was of warm colouring very welcoming with tomes that were so old that they had to use magic to keep them from being damaged further.

Astucia had been missing in action from her job now for 3 weeks. She had seen posts coming that she was MIA and that a reward was being offered for any information that would lead to her being found either dead or alive.

Of course none of them knew of Alenna and her connection as well as the castle in Transylvania. She had spent all of this time going through the castle and finding the treasures that existed here. Using her powers she had found out so much about the families that had lived here before the vampires had taken over.

She had also taken to spending time contacting her Sire Ashtaya and to trying to figure out what her next steps were. She had been an investigator for almost 350 years. Now she didn’t know what she was as she had fled that line of work to keep things safe.

She had ideas of a message being sent that they had found proof of her death which would allow her family to be free and that the Vampire Royal Court wouldn’t be trying to assimilate them into the vampire cadres.

Alenna had been gracious to allow her to stay for now at her home. It was hidden and the cadres had no clue about it so she was safe for now. She was waiting for Ashtaya to get here but who knew when that would be.

It was interesting living in this old castle it had so much depth. The armoury was her favourite the weapons there were imbued with magic and had so many amazing stories to tell.

She was watching the fire crackle while sipping some warmer mulled cider. She wasn’t normally a person who drank but after what had been a horrific few weeks for her she was using it to relax.

She began to relax more and more when she felt something was coming and she could see her Sire standing beside her coming out of a puff of smoke.

Ashtaya quickly moved over and embraced her daughter. “Well we have gotten into some trouble I can see. Your mind is all in a jumble and I can feel that you are holding onto something that you have you seen.#

She nodded to her Sire “Yes. I know something that if it comes out will be used to destroy all of the Cadres. I have to go into hiding away from the craziness that will be my life. No don’t want final death.”

The powerful psi looked at her daughter with sad eyes “It will happen one of these days however I also don’t want your death to come. What did you find out as you know I am not anywhere to be found by the court”

She looked upset at this knowing she would die but she wasn’t happy either at the fact that she could be destroyed because of what she found out. “Queen Ma you know has been sent to her final death. Her Dutchess Alenna was the one who killed her. I was sent as investigator with orders that she was not guilty. I had to find out the truth so I touch read the past and found out that she really was innocent but what I found out was the Evacateurs were attacked by the cadre. If this is found out they will be destroyed and the cadres will be a thing of the past. It’s why I have to hide as my touch reading is what will ruin the day for our people.”

As soon as Ashtaya heard the colour drained from her face which was hard as she didn’t have much to begin with. The attack on the Evacateurs was something that was common knowledge but noone knew who was behind it. Could her daughter really have found out that the Cadres were behind it.

From what she could guess is that it was one Cadre that had attacked and of course if it was found out they would assume that all were involved. To attack that stronghold would have been almost impossible and anyone who survived would have had to have been very lucky or gifted. She knew only one mage who survived that attack and that would be a secret she kept to her final death. Siobhan the daughter of the chief Evacateur was alive and would probably never be able to come out of hiding. Now her own daughter was involved. She would need to contact Siobhan maybe she could give more information.

She nodded showing concern on her face “Astucia you are resourceful and are able to do a lot to escape. There have always been rumours which you have confirmed for me now about what happens in the Justiciary. I have some ideas but they could take weeks to pan out. Your home they know it but do you have a hiding spot. If not I have a small villa that they believe is haunted. I keep it looking like that and we use the basement rooms only. The dungeons like that. It’s called Villa de la Morte. It’s in France.”

Astucia had never been to France in all of her travels as investigator. She didn’t really want to go to France she had thought it would be better to go to the New World as the oldest claimed. The Americas were supposed to be a place where the Royal Court had no sway as of yet. They didn’t have castles or villas but she could get a mansion or something witba bomb shelter and she could improve it with her magic. .she also knew that the magic in North America was more shaman style and even the council of magic barely touched the Americas.

“My darling daughter what would you say about going someplace where the Royal Court hasn’t had much sway. The vampires there don’t have cadre system and don’t follow what the courts say. I have been there and the only law the vampires have is who is the strongest and they call them generals. I have met a few of them and they don’t hold with the court and even the Emporer is scared of them. They are more militant then our cadres and for the most part I wouldn’t want to fight them. You would fit in well there Astucia, your training would make you a great friend to many of the Generals there. Your magic would also help there many of them there only know the magic of the earth such as the shamans that we have in Africa. You would fit like glove to a hand.”

Her sire really was a witch and could read the thoughts from anyone. Had she used her psionic powers to gain the information from her head or were they just thinking along the same lines. I mean Ashtaya had been the person who had trained her and taught her about the cadres. They had changed and things weren’t as they should have been.

“If I take the chance and move there I will need a place that will be hard to penetrate. Is there mage that you trust to cast a spell that will prevent scrying?” Astucia asked hoping someone would be able to help her.

She nodded “Not so much a mage but a powerful Shaman and the chief of his people. He is a Native American and can do whatever is needed. He also has links back to the vampires from North America. He can point you who might fit well with you and your talents.”

Smiling she knew that she would need to take this chance. It was going to be hard for her as she would need to be able to afford this. She had squirrelled away money for rainy days which was hidden under an alias. She could easily set herself up and be able to keep herself at a high quality of life for a few years at least.

“How can we do this travelling to the Americas is going to be almost impossible. Flying won’t work, boats don’t really work.”

Just then Alenna appeared around the corner. “Won’t be an issue. I can get you there. I also have a contact with SummerFawn a native vampire there that has so many talents and could use your skills. She is in charge of a band of native vampires and has some shamanistic skills. I would suggest go to the Northwest Territories it is very wild and you can create your home base and hide away if that is what you wish. It’s also were the strongest shamans are located as well as the strongest vampires. Mostly they shun the standard lives that we have here in Europe as they keep away from the cities as much as possible. “

She was shocked that a person who had been a Dutchess and still was would have connections to any people outside of the European or Asian centres. It was hard to get contacts even in Russia or Africa because of the way things happened. Alenna was one of the few who still had connections to her home in Rwanda and their vampires. It was seen as a sign of disrespect to follow your home country instead of the Royal Court.

“If you choose to accept the three of us can shimmer to the fort and be able to speak to SummerFawn. She will be glad to meet you and she has all that you will need including a hidden fort which she can give you. It can be upgraded to what you need including getting you satellite phone and internet. It will allow you to do what you can and track. What say you Astucia?”

“How do you have any contacts in that region? You know that they would put you to final death without hesitation if they knew you had contacts elsewhere. Especially in the new world since they have no presence there”

She laughed her long braided hair moving ever so slightly. “I have been around more than most. When I was learning my power I travelled all over the place. When the Americas were colonized I went over on a scouting mission for the court to see if we could set up shop over there. As it happens I met the most powerful vampires they could take the court down easily enough should they have chosen it. The vampire I was with Altiarra was able to figure out power and there was only one vampire she had scanned that was as powerful. Unfortunately she was killed by the most powerful group in a powerful display. I swore I would escape and eventually I was able to make friends there and help the people who were most hurt by the British and French Colonization.”

She nodded she had known the family for centuries and had no clue that Alenna was that travelled or had made friends from other groups around the world. The tribes of the African areas plus the band’s of the Americas. How had she not realized how far away from traditional teachings Alenna had strayed. This was the best options that she would ever have to escape the clutches for the Royal Court and away from the hunters that would be sure to be after her soon. This was the best she could hope for and she would take whatever help that she could get one way or the other.

“Yes I will take your help Alenna. I think this is my only real chance to keep away from the hunters who are much more powerful than I am. How soon can this be arranged?”

Alenna smiled “Within 2 weeks I can have you there. I will start the transfer process. You will be in a fort that has extensive underground dungeons and shelters. Ashtaya you are also more than welcome to come as well. “

Ashtaya smiled “I will join you at least for a bit as I would love to see the special areas of the far north. Perfect for us to hide for a bit while we work out fully what we will do.”

Alenna smiled “Good. This will work wonderfully for you and I will get you as much information as I can about the people of the area. Good day”. And with that she soun around and left so that she could start the contacts.

She got to her room and skit her hand open to allow for the blood to drain a bit then flung it into the fire.

SummerFawn visage appeared long hair with a braid and feathers beaded into it. She looks traditionally attired which was a good sign “You called me my dear friend Alenna.”

She nodded “They have agreed the circle is about to be closed. We will be there within 2 weeks.”

She nodded and brought out the knife “Your will be done. Everything will be ready and we will have your special place prepared as well for your eventual rise to Band Elder.”

The end