Two weeks had flown by and now Astucia was in the far north of Canada. She didn’t even think the little village had a name. It was off the grid and no maps even listed this place. It was hard to believe that this could even happen now but not everywhere in the far north was mapped and tracked the same way.
It was strange as many different groups all lived together in peace and harmony. Humans without magic didn’t fear being preyed on by those from the Vampire Community. The vampires didn’t war with the shamans or any of the earth magic users. The lycanthropes weren’t attacking anyone but instead during the full moon went into hiding further into wilderness.
This was not normal from her own experiences and in Asia and Europe this would have been ground zero in a war to end all wars. This is how the magical community was supposed to behave. They weren’t enemies or even rivals or frenemies. You were supposed to work together for the common good of all those who use magic.
She was shocked the lycanthropes were mostly extinct in Europe and were very rare in Asia. To see them striving in North America and cooperating with the other magical groups.
In Europe and Asia the Emporer and his loyal assassin cadre had hunted and destroyed almost all traces of the lycanthropes. They believed that they were too dangerous and would be the death of the secrecy. It’s why they were reviled and attacked without mercy.
The Native American people were very inclusive in the community. She hoped it was the same in other communities bit she doubted that many groups could live like this.
What was even stranger was that shifters not lycanthropes existed here where all over the world people believed that they were extinct.
The place was a fortress surrounded by a town with Palisades. The wall was to keep the wild animals out. Where they are, there are wolves and bears and other predators.
It was her first week here SummerFawn was definitely not what she was expecting. Her hair was very long and she wore it in braids with feathers beaded into it. When she did let her hair loose it was wavy and it touched the back of her knees. She also had many tattoos including a feather on her left forearm and the bear claw on her right palm. While Astucia didn’t know what they meant she knew she was a fierce warrior who could fight with the Warriors and had the power to cast spells like a shaman.
The fort itself was large probably covering four acres of ground and was surrounded by wooded areas. It wasn’t really home like as it was more utilitarian. She had seen the armoury and fell in love with it. There were wracks of spearsade of a birch tree with a tip that gleamed as the light struck it. There were bone knives carefully carved with all manner of animals some as large as your forearm.
On each wall was huge bows that had been hung with care. She could smell the oil on them. She couldn’t see how anyone could fire the bows.
So far she had been in seclusion talking only to Alenna and Ashtaya. Her room was not luxurious and had what you could call almost barracks like beds. Five beds were in this large room with only three of them in use. It had an ensuite bathroom and even had it’s own kitchen as well as an ensuite office.
She was meditating when she felt a presence brush her mind. It was the telepaths version of knocking. A knock on the door sounded and because she could sense Simone was coming she didn’t jump.
“Enter” she said.
In walker the beautiful SummwrFawn. Today her hair was loose and flowing. She had no ornaments for a change other than a simple headband made out of leather.
“Good Day Astucia. We have left you for the week to work through what you needed to but we need to discuss your future here in Canada. We know that it’s not easy to start over”
Astucia nodded “You are right. Don’t get me wrong I love your home but I need one of my own that can be set up for my defence. I also don’t want to impose on your hospitality. I know some fear my being here as European vampires don’t get along well with other magical beings”
She smiled “That has been a concern for my people. Not one I share though as I have felt your spirit. I know you are good and that you will do what you can to protect my people. There are many in the Band that would love to work with you and eventually become the start of your very own family.”
She had never thought she would start her own family. She had one child that she had created but that hadn’t worked well and they parted ways.
Would she like a family of her own? That was hard to think about. Her human family was long since gone but there were still distant relatives. This might make up for her losing of her human family but she didn’t know how it would work. Did sires force bond their children the way that happened in other countries?
Astucia smiled “I would love to have family again but I can’t do the bonding.”
She was interrupted “That is an antiquated custom that isn’t used here. The European and Asian and African groups use that old style form of coersion, we have banned its use as we promote leadership traits and loyalty is what matters.”
That shocked Astucia as all other groups used the bonding. It was a way to keep lesser vampires under control and to keep the powerful masters even more powerful. “I am glad that this isn’t used here. I hated the custom and broke the bond quickly after I was taken on by the Royal Court. It’s painful and stunts the growth of vampires”
SummwrFawn was pleased many of her kind didn’t get over not having a bonded slave. It was nice to see that some of the European vampires didn’t want to have the bond.
It was nice to see that this vampire wasn’t like that. Seeing this made her feel that maybe it was right to open her home up to this surprising lady.
“Child you have proven yourself to me. I know you fear an attack on this compound. And we have heard some disturbing rumours that a small group of vampires have come here to search and hunt. From what I have heard they are after Damon.”
Astucia shivered when hearing his name. He was on that had been testing as an investigator but his temperament was just not suited to the life. His special power was that his skin was like armour and protected him very well against physical attacks. She was a stronger fighter but even she couldn’t break through his Armour skin.
“I know him well but had no clue he is linked to North America. He was bonded to his sire quite rightly and didn’t have the discipline to break the bond”
SummwrFawn laughed “correct with no discipline at all. However his bond is no more. His Sire was killed here when he tried to prey on my people. I was forced to end his eternal life.”
Nodding she knew it was necessary Jamil was not good to his underlings. Had this been in Europe his child would have been bonded to a stronger vampire quickly. “Good riddance to Jamil. He was not great and he had been investigated many times we just couldn’t pin anything on him ever.”
“His child is not much better. As we don’t believe in bonding it was hard as we can’t keep them from doing what is needed. The geas is what we need but we won’t take another’s freedom away. All of the band will never do that as we know the pain of losing everything.”
“I will go after Damon. I am a stronger fighter and I can distract him while you use your magic. It is his weakness that way we can remove the need for those from Europe to stay here.” Astucia was nervous about any European vampires staying here as she was on the run. Could she destroy Damon and then have it claim to be SummerFawns work. She did wonder who the seekers were and if they brought with them a destroyer.
A knock on her door came. The door creaked open and a tall skinny darker skinned native vampire with short hair and tattoos of the bear claw on his open shorted chest stood. “Ma’am we have visitors from Europe on a seekers mission here to speak to you.”
She nodded “I will be there shortly. “. He left and she turned “can you go to the hidden alcove balcony to listen to this Astucia. Stay hidden”
Astucia nodded and quickly rushed to the hiding spot. It was small and shades with a rich dark brown curtain that had patterns that were feathers.
She looked out trying not to stir the curtains. Wanting to see the vampires who came from Europe. She saw the darkest of skin, the skin was as black as the night sky. He had dreadlocks that touched the small of his back. She could see the skin shimmering. She knew who this was. Obsidian from Rwanda and one of the few vampires to ever make it in Europe with the royal courts. He was a match in power to Damon the only difference was this his was his skin turned into the powerful rocklike substance. He had to concentrate to keep it going.
She shivered with the thought of this deadly destroyer. He had been around for so long and she had even worked with him once. He was violent but was also very gentleman like. It was strange to see that since he could be cultured and then viscous. She also knew part of his past as he was almost slaughtered during the Rwandan genocide.
There was a woman with him. She knew the woman she had short cropped black hair and she could see the body. She was slender and she also had tattoos on her face. This was Saraya. She was one of the vampires best trackers. If she got a taste of your scent with her mind she could find you anywhere on the continent. What she didn’t know was that her power was limited as any other psionic could potentially block her tracking ability. She just didn’t know that empaths like her had some natural protection and shielding.
Saraya was one of the worst of the court. She had no conscience at all and would gladly kill, maim or torture to get what she needed. Working with her a lot of times was scary for Astucia as she knew that she could easily destroy the vampires secret existence and that couldn’t be allowed. She knew she could potentially kill her but Saraya was a much better fighter than her but her magic was weaker.
Obsidian spoke with a deep voice that carried with ease up to where she stood. “We are looking for a pair of our kind from Europe who escaped and disobeyed the orders of the Royals and have come to Canada. Jamil is the master and he is wanted for crimes he has committed his son is Damon and he is more dangerous. On the order of my Emporer we are here to bring them to justice.”
SummwrFawn glared at the dark skinned man “I am sorry that your search for Jamil has ended in failure. He attacked our people here and was out down like the rabid animal he was.”
The lady spoke next almost as if in babyspeak. “Then we will hunt for Damon and any other of our kind who has strayed to the forbidden world”
The native wasn’t happy with this and glared at both of them “I am sorry but we can’t allow you to stay. You could ruin our peace that we have cultivated so carefully. Please do not hunt or track on our land we can’t afford the fallout.”
They glared and wre about to speak when the lady looked directly at Astucia. She quickly jumped off the balcony and landed smoothly. They looked shocked as they surely must know that she had abandoned her post. “Colonel. What are you doing here”
Astucia glared at them “That’s enough you heard what the leader has said. You need to leave. I will deal with Damon”
Obsidian flashes a smiled “You left your post my friend. You know longer can command us. Our orders stand from the Emporer himself. We will also take you in as well”
The native looked happy at that. “You are guests in my home. She is my family and you have threatened to take her back where she doesn’t wish to go. You know from the past that we don’t take kindly to that. You won’t hunt on my land or any of the people’s lands. You will leave immediately.”
Astucia just looked shocked “Neither one of you can beat Damon alone. He needs to be handled by someone who knows him. His defences aren’t like most they are always on and I can deal with him physically but it will take magic to overcome him. And not just vampire magic, he is susceptible to mind magic. Neither one of you have anything to be used against him. I suggest you leave and forget to tell the Royal Court I am here. Let us handle the mess you guys made”. Astucia turned to walk away but felt a rush from behind her. A foot before Saraya got to where she was the power of the Native American vampire came into play as a shield so strong blocked her from getting to her.
The shield sparkled with blue and gold dots and surrounded Astucia. It felt warm as it went around her for protection almost as if she had stepped into the jacuzzi. A shield that was bring was unheard of with the children of the night. Who had cast the spell, whoever it was had to be adept class at least. She could feel the magic flowing even if she couldn’t touch it.
A small lady walked out. Her hair was white and long done in two braids. She was holding her hands out. The power was Holy and she knew if the lady intended it could get the vampires as easily as keep them separated.
This old lady was a shaman that much was clear. The power radiated out from her that even those that were not gifted with magic would see her power. She didn’t diminish her strength at all.
“You are not as strong as you think Children”. The old lady smiled, it lit up her eyes when she smiled. “How dare you try and attack us in our sacred homes. Have you no manners or have you no shame”
Obsidian bowed “My dear Wise woman” he said knowing from his studies she would likely be that. “Please forgive my colleagues rudeness. All we want is to find our rogues and return them to where they belong. They need to face justice”
Astucia came stand by the old lady. She heard Saraya saying “You won’t find Damon without me. And you can’t defeat him without help from us.”
Listening to this she knew in her heart that without the help Damon would take years to find and would surface only when he was ready. With the help they could cut that time down to a few weeks. She knew Obsidian well and he would never turn her in. This Saraya she would betray anyone to get ahead. It’s why even though she could track she seldom kept partners for longer than one mission.
Would the people here trust them to help enough. With only these two people she could potentially get rid of a problem as well. Damon was very good and could potentially destroy any one of them. Maybe Saraya would be gone and then she could stay safe.
She had a plan but it would require trusting the court one more time. Could she do that, they would need at least one more vampire and she knew who she would need. The person was Feryn he was a gifted vampire and could use Farsight as well he created gates. She didn’t know if she could trust him at all since her Sire had made both of them he was also a strong person who wanted to go places. If he brought her back he would be promoted above many others.
“SummwrFawn I think we should take their help. Tracking him down would be much easier with her using her powers. We will need more help though. I know one who has the necessary talents to get it done. We need a gate creater as well as we need Farsight.”
The native nodded. “Do not fear child. I have a very good person who can do these items though they aren’t vampiric in nature. His name is Astyn and came to us many years ago. He is half native from this band and his father was a wanderer wanting to see the wilds. He can do what you need.”. She didn’t mention that he had four strong powers the two she needed gating and Farsight but he also was one of the strongest telepaths that they have and could reach anywhere in North America. His fourth and final power was also tricky he was a powerful psi shield to anyone around him.
The only reason he wasn’t a vampire yet is because he had a family. His triplets were 16 years old and not yet old enough to understand the change that was needed. Astyn had already agreed that he wanted to wait till they were older to be turned. She had an idea that Astucia would make a good Sire to him in a few years. He would be the start of a new type of group in the North. They were the future while she knew in her heart she was the past.
Astucia nodded and was glad that her newest friend had someone “We need to start the tracking. Do you have what you need Saraya?”
The small diminutive lady looked down her nose in a haughty fashion. “You aren’t in charge here girly. And yes I have everything that I need. Asking stupid questions is going to make you a hindrance”
Obsidian out his hand on her shoulder. “That’s enough. I am sorry for her lack of manners. She doesn’t play well with others but she is the very best at tracking rogues. Please bring your Astyn person so we can get ready to start the hunt”
SummerFawn nodded. “It will be done. I suggest Saraya to learn more about having patience as well to be gracious and honourable in another’s home. I am tempted to send you home but she has indicated you can do the job that is needed. However at the end of this mission you will never return to this country. If you do their will be serious consequences. Also” she glared at both the vampires “You will not harm Astyn or any of our people that are here. Understood?”
Obsidian nodded and he squeezed his hand onto Saraya’s shoulder so she wouldn’t be inclined to fight with this lady. It was her land and he could tell that she was ancient and could probably take on and defeat almost anyone in the courts back home.
——-
A few hours later they were sitting in what way referred to as a planning room. It wasn’t like what anyone was used to it was comfortable chairs and a fireplace that jutted out from the wall. It was in rich warm brown colours with gold trim. There were three large rolling white boards. There was a large stone table that was hexagonal in the centre was a clear quartz crystal that had jagged edges sitting on the table.
Someone had done some amazing work on this room. It felt like home and the quartz was resonated with the room. They must have done research on stones and the magic that it can use. Knowing what this room was used for it was probably a special room where they did scrying so most likely the place where Astyn spent most of his time.
Astyn was different. His hair was short and was a dark brown instead of black. He had frosted tips and it was spiked. He had hazel eyes that were fairly large looking. On the back of his neck was a tattoo of an eagle over the sun. On his hand he had the feather tattoo. Definitely not what was expected. He also was a very calming aura about him. He felt like am old soul in her mind.
He looked at them all. “Alright so as you guys know I am here to help you and transport you were you need to go. It won’t be easy with all of us going. You tracker have already tracked his presence. From what you have said I know the location and have already seen where we are. This won’t be easy as he has managed to get himself a little group of followers. Obsidian you will need to get rid of them while Astucia you will need to get to a place where you can cast your magic from. Saraya you are a fighter and will need to distract him”
She glared “What will you be doing?”. Her voice was very accusatory.
He smiled at her “I will link us back here with the home base and I will need to conserve my strength so we can get back here. I am not a fighter and against a vampire I couldn’t hold my own. Are we ready?”
They all nodded as he spread his hands and started to let his sight to get to the perfect place. The tendrils of the gate started to form a spiderweb effect. It stabilized quickly and you could see a silverish pathway made out of spiderweb lines. “Now”
Entering gate is very unique and can cause serious issues for some. Many refused to take this form of travel as it was scary. They all felt the pull of energy and knew that in a few moments they would be there and would need all their wits about them.
As they exited the gate they could see the forested area and a large fort. Astyn opened his mind and viewed the surroundings. There are three others here they are vampires. I can sense nothing about them and they all look confused.
Obsidian smiles and quickly moved over and as the three rushed out he turned his skin into stone. He could still move and fight so long as his concentration didn’t wane. The vampires were the muscles type and had spears with them. As they rushed they tried to skewer Obsidian. The spears crashed into his stone skin and shattered against his skin.
Astucia rushed in rolling under the arms of Obsidian with a large wooden stake in her hand. This was a one off move, as she came up the stake impaled the one vampire going through his ribs connecting with his heart. He turned to ash quickly.
Obsidian let his stone skin leave and he grabbed one of the other two vampires in his strong arms. He allowed the strength to course through his body as he tore the head off the vampire twisting and pulling at the same time.
Astucia had already moved and went to the building with Saraya as Obsidian staked the final vampire. “Is he in there Saraya”
She nodded. The plan was in motion it was time to end the threat. As they went through the doors Astucia broke off and went for the high ground where her spells would work better. As a master she wasn’t the strongest in this group with magic but she was the one who knew the combat spells that would make him easier to control or to make his mind mush.
Astyn tagged along with Astucia. “It’s time. I have been in contact with home base and they are ready to put into motion whatever is necessary to protect the family. “
Damon was a large man and you could see the anger on his face. He moved over and grabbed his sword. It would be hard battle but these ones wouldn’t be able to take him. He was invincible and would not be taken as easily as those poor young bucks.
Saraya moved in removing her short sword from the sheath. The metal of her sword was red stained that way permanently. All of the deaths that sword had inflicted left it looking horrid and there were nicks on the blade from past battles. She charged in and swung with all her might.
Raising his arm he let the sword strike him. He could feel the pain as his armour was not strong enough to take a full force blow. They began trading blows with the sword. He swung at her neck and he knew it was the end of this bitch now. As his blade was about to taste her blood a body stepped between them. The sword hit the chest covered in stone.
Instead of doing what was normal he soun away and grabbed another sword this one shorter. Now it was him using a two blade style. He knew that the stone man the swords wouldn’t penetrate so he quickly spun on his leg and dropped into a leg sweep. The stone man went down hard.
Obsidian went down hard and his stone skin dropped from his body. He was winded but he knew he had to get up. As he was starting to move feebly he saw Saraya dive into the battle. She was a blur with her blade but even she wasn’t a match for a two bladed style. He managed to capture her arm that held the sword.
He yanked it hard and fast using his own momental to break the arm. He smiled evilly and kicked at her leg she went down to one knee. His swords gleamed and he put both under her neck and as he smiled he amputated her head from her body. The scream is pain was silenced very quickly and the dust that had been the tracker was floating out in the room.
Damon growled loudly and turned his attention to the other man who had stone skin. Just then he saw a woman dropping lightly to the ground, hands glowing with the red flare of blood magic. As she reached over to him he heard words that he couldn’t understand and felt the spell that locked his limbs and made him not able to move.
“Damon. Long time no see.”. Astucia said and grabbed a large torch and went to the fire where she set the torch to allow for it to light. She then pulled it out. “I am sorry but this is how it has to be.”. She cast a spell where oil appeared and surrounded Damon.
“No” Obsidian yelled as she through the torch at the oil. As it lit he rolled far away and could see the form of Damon only for a moment before the fire engulfed his frame. His body turning into dust as the fire destroyed his eternal life.
He jumped up and grabbed the sand bags and quickly snapped them open suffocating the fire so that it went out. This wasn’t good they wanted him alive but he didn’t make it. Saraya dying was the worst thing that could happen in his eyes. She was powerful and was what the Royal Court needed the most. There would be hell to pay when he returned to them and he would probably be banished for a while. He could go back to Africa and start his family again one day to rival the power.
Astucia limped over and he could see a twinkle in her eye. She was happy this was the best ending for her. The tracker dead and the only one who could betray her would never do so. The criminal Damon now gone she would be safe for a time.
He turned to her “This is a sad day for the Cadres. Saraya was much sought after for her skills and would have been elevated after this mission”
She laughed “She was sought after only for her skills. She could never work with people more than once because she constantly put others at risk. In fact she wasn’t going to be elevated she was staying where she was. The reports before I left showed they wanted more control over her and we’re going to force bond her to someone stronger.”
He glared “You knew and you trusted her with this mission”
She shrugged “I had no choice in this as you guys wouldn’t let me handle this by myself. She pushed and it was what got her killed. She was overconfident that she could outright him. She should have known better.”
Astyn came through. “So Saraya has went to her final death. We must leave soon as you Sir Obsidian must get away from this part of the world. Remember what you were told don’t come here again.”
He opened the gate and they stepped through back to the Fort and what was Astucia was beginning to feel as a second home to her.
——–
It had been three days since the death of Damon and of Saraya. Obsidian had returned home with the help of Astyn. It had been days of restless sleeping for Astucia, she had a lot of thoughts running through her head.
She felt guilty that Saraya was dead but she also felt relief at this as she wouldn’t be able to be tracked again. None of the other trackers had ever been around her so the Royal Court wouldn’t be able to find her that easily.
She already had spoken to SummerFawn and the Fort that she could have easily destroyed was now hers. The fort had a name and it was Fort Spruce. She would make a life for herself in this New World as they called it. She had safety for now.
Crazy Canadian Writing 
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