Astucia’s Flight Rewrite

With some wonderful feedback I have done a rewrite on my story of Astucia’s Flight. I am shocked to be honest as I went from a little over 2200 words and now it is over 4000. From the feedback I received I am overwhelmed and I can see it improved my writing. So here is the updated version of the story

Astucia was new to this part of Asia as she seldom had a need to travel here. She was here to meet with one of her contacts. She looked up and saw the huge dark castle. The stones that were used to build this monstrosity were black. The black rocks were interspersed with obsidian. Each of these precious stones was imbued with a magical power. She could feel it as she approached a tingling sensation down her arms. She could even sense what these stones were made for. Shielding plain and simple, you would need an adept class mage to even come close to cracking the spells that were inlaid. How had Alenna managed to get the strong spells going she wasn’t a mage before her change.

As she approached the castle she saw the gates, in the center was a a dragon in the Chinese style. The lines of the dragon were not even oe clean almost as if it had be brought here from somewhere else. How she longed to touch the metal of the dragon and see what it would tell. Something was very familiar with it and hoped she would get the chance to really learn from it.

She knew that the lady had designed this castle to intimidate and keep the locals away. She touched the wall and felt the shields start to activate. She opened her mind and could see the construction of the castle. She started to lose herself as the mist that came with these visions started to overtake her. Quickly she pulled her hand back as if the stones burned her. The visions of the past faded.

This was not wise for her to open herself like this especially when out in the open. She was vulnerable when she opened herself up to her special power. Where was Alenna she had said she would be here. Had her friend the one that caused this mess for her been captured. No that couldn’t be as she could escape anything and was one of the strongest fighters that the Cadres had ever had.

As she got the gate it creaked open. The sound was like fingernails on blackboards. How she hated that sound. She walked through the gate and felt spiderweb like tendrils testing her. It definitely was not what she expected.

There was a note left in magical writing that was in Portuguese. All it said was library I guess that means that was where she was to go.

She entered the castle and could see bright warm colours in the building. It was nothing like the outside as the place was homey and inviting while the outside instilled fear and showed that you weren’t welcome.

There were paintings lining the walls and as you walked past rooms each one seemed to have a form of fireplace. No wood was around and she knew that her people feared fire but you needed to heat a place such as this. She assumed servants or maids would be the ones taking care of the castle and ensuring it was as Alenna wanted it.

As she approached a large rounded room she looked around and there were large paintings of an African lady that had braids that were designed to stick up at different angles. She almost reminded you of the mythological Greek creature called Medusa. The only thing was he face was very attractive but she wasn’t smiling she was growling. She read the plaque on the wall and it said Library of Luryna. Under the paintings it said loving sister, loving mother, gone to soon.

So this was the vampire known as Luryna the sister of Alenna and one that had been killed centuries before and what had started this wretched mess that had her fleeing for her life.

She opened the large double doors and saw a fireplace on a far wall. The library went up three stories. There were ladders that would slide around the room so that you could get to the books on the higher levels. Each of the levels had small little alcoves almost like a balcony which had a chair so you could sit down. Her eyes were good enough that she could see that they were very large and had a huge pillow so that it would be comfortable. This looked to the the main place in the castle.

She tiptoed in as she didn’t want to disturb the ambience of the room. She could see leather bound tomes near the fireplace. The spines all looked blank to the naked eye but when she viewed with her magic there were sygils that glowed showing that they were all books on magic.

Near the fire there was a seating area that had three chairs and a small couch. There were little tables beside each of the seats and on each table were antique silver lamps. They were beautiful with intricate dragon designs carved into them. There were designs on tapestries next to the fire which had lions on them. She knew that Alenna originally hailed from Rwanda and her family sign was the lion. She knew that the lion had become extinct there in 1990s. Still a sore point for them as they are some regal features and many vampires tried to mimic the prides with there families.

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. The times all were original and leatherbound books and each of them was lovingly cared for. Many had the leather oiled on a regular basis to keep it from cracking. She could smell the oil and the pages she could smell as well from the books as the inks were all different some including silver and others blood.

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. She had never been off work since she was taken in by the Council. Quickly she had become an investigator with the courts and that is what lead her to her latest obstacle and why she was fleeing.

Of course Castle Alenna they would never think she would go there as she had afterall just been investigating her for killing her Queen. It happened happened so long ago but everytime new information came to light it brought with it more investigations and more deaths.

Three weeks was a long time for one of the top investigators to go missing. She had been hiding in Asia at the castle for a little over two weeks now. In that time she had spent most of her time in conference with the staff or even with Alenna herself. She feared opening up here as she could never feel comfortable in this place. It was nothing like her home when she was living in Portugal or even what the Council had given to her which was a small house with a large wooded area.

She had also taken to spending time contacting her friend and confidante 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.

Ashtaya was very powerful but using magic to communicate over great distance was very tiring. Most used water as a way to create a sending or mirrors as they were another way to connect.

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.

The armoury was a huge space that had room for two practice rings. It had many weapons in it. There was a staff made out of a dark wood that felt like iron. That was her favourite and she had used it a couple of times for practice. Her powers had shown it was used by one of the finest warrior in the vampires named Wei Kan. He had trained Alenna in the arts of fighting and when he was retiring after 3000 years he had gave her all the weapons.

More than that there was Bolas as well as glaives and swords and daggers. Philippino fighting sticks that had iron bands around the tips. They were used to make the weapon strike harder and altered it’s weight. You had to know how to adjust and fight properly.

Many of the weapons are Asian descent and which Astucia really had no clue what all of them were. She knew that if trained properly with each one of them you could take out opponents quickly. To learn the use of each weapon could take a lifetime. She didn’t think she would have time to learn them all or even one.

The fire was crackling as the warmth penetrated her hands. She feared the fire and was sitting back from it. She knew one stray spark and she would go to her final death. As she watched the fire crackle she sipped some warmed 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.

The longer Astucia had been here the more relaxed she felt. She knew something was coming and she could see her see her friend standing beside her coming out of a puff of smoke.

Ashtaya quickly moved over and embraced the person that felt like 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 stepmother “Yes. I know something that if it comes out will be used to destroy all of the Cadres and especially the Royals as well as many individuals that are innocents. I have to go into hiding away from the craziness that will be my life. No, I don’t want final death but the way things are going to keep this secret they will have to kill me.”

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 hates France in all of her travels as investigator she had went there most often and held the worst memories due to Alexandre her Sire. 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 maybe even a 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.

From her studies she had learned that Shaman magic was like that of priestly magic and could be detrimental to vampires as it dealt with faith. Faith was not what vampires wanted to be near to. Most had lost religion a long time before they were turned so the.magic hurt them most.

“My darling daughter what would you say about going someplace where the Royal Court hasn’t had much success. The vampires there don’t have a cadre system and don’t follow what the courts say. I have been there and the only law the vampire’s 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. Your magic would also help, many of them 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 friend 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. She also knew how powerful her touch reading power was. One of the few who knew she was also a very minor empath which is why she how she quite often knew the truth without opening herself up to her most powerful gift.

“If I take the chance and move there I will need a place that will be hard to penetrate. Is there any 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 a great place to hide as well as to keep up with her practice. Also she would need to replace what she had lost when she fled as her home would be under constant guard. 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 or the family you were brought into.

“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 to. The vampire I was with Altiarra was able to figure out powers and there was only one vampire she had scanned that was as powerful. Unfortunately she was killed by the most powerful group in a display of power. 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 option that she would ever have to escape the clutches of 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 spun around and left so that she could start the contacts.

She got to her room and split 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.”

———

Astucia was fearful of what she was doing. Moving to a new country was one thing but to a place that had none of the standards that she was used to. Structure had been the key to her life.

Her life with Alexandre was scary as he wasn’t easy but when her bond to him was broke by the Royal Court and she was transferred out it was a new joy for her.

What could one person do was the question asked. She had made it so that everything was in her power. She had risen to be one of the highest ranked investigators and that’s when her life went bad. She was trustworthy and they out her to knowing just what was what. She had many secrets and that would mean her death.

She had heard the name SummerFawn and it have her chills. It was a name she had heard only once before and it was not good. A small group is vampires had went to North America and began attacking many groups including normals. From what she had heard the bands had sent SummerFawn who had destroyed them all not even breaking a sweat.

This move could be the best for her or the worst for her. The Native American vampire bands were very strong and this lady would probably want some form of link. Could she force the bond on someone that was as powerful as herself. She knew how hard it was to break a bond and the Royal Court the bonds were not always to the top people. It took her only ten years to be able to break her bond bit she definitely didn’t want to be linked again.

The bond was going to cause her many sleepless nights. It was the thing that nightmares were made of.

The end