Astucia was fairly knew to the top level vampires. Being a class a vampire meant a lot to the European Council of cadres. She was now the standard bearer for most of her kind but she wanted the elite level and she felt it was attainable.
Selene had given her walking orders and she would be going after four of her barons including her Sire Alexandre. He would be the last one she would go after as she wanted him to be fearful of who was after him. She only hoped that The Stalkers would not be after them.
She looked at the notes that she was given on each of the four Barons. She used the term Baron but one was a woman she just hated the Baroness term.
The first was Louis. He was a vampire fairly ancient in his age. Rank was class c. Reading about him he lived in Carcassonne. His special ability was he could leap huge distances. He was the weakest of the four
The second was Pierre who was a class b power base and he was based out of Bordeaux. His special ability was he had skin that was as tough as stone. He would be the most difficult to kill.
The third was the female who was born in Dijon and still was running around the town. Her name was Brielle. She was a class a just barely and her special ability was she could see far distances through her mind.
The fourth and final was Alexandre a class b vampire. He was going to be the toughest. He had at least 13 bound members for his retinue and they would fight to the death. He also had the power of fire and that was something she was extremely nervous about.
She knew that she could destroy the vampires especially with her power base but she sure did miss the Bands now. She wished she dared to bring some of them over but she didn’t want them brought here and put in the line of sight of Selene. She didn’t trust that she wouldn’t try and take them hostage so she could take over the North American areas and call herself and Emporess without ever having to fight her own people to get to that level.
—————
The hunt for Louis would start today, and that would be in the town of Carcassonne. She had never heard of this town before but she also knew that Louis wouldn’t stand much of a chance against her.
She walked up to the small home that the man lived in. He had only two guards and they lived with him full time. What she found that they were both females and that while they were solid fighters they just didn’t have the initiative to do anything. From what she knew they were both class f so not very powerful. She knew that Louis has broke the bond with the former master so as to become the boss of them.
The females also were sleeping with him and they both knew it but didn’t care. Did these women have no dignity that they both were with him. She knew that they may not have a choice but they seemed to enjoy it very much.
Aurelie and Darhine were both weak and had really no special powers. She approached the home Darhine was standing there with a sword at the wall. “What do you want? We don’t want your kind here.”
Astucia cast a quick spell that started to drain the power from her. She couldn’t even scream she then plunged a stake into her chest and she exploded in a shower of dust. Aurelie came out when she heard the combat with her sword.
Aurelie launched into the sword dancing. This really didn’t worry Astucia as it wasn’t an effective we at to fight. How did she think this was going to help her. She was able to catch her off guard and was about to sink her teeth into her neck when Louis came out. “Enough” he yelled
She stopped and Aurelie for up and ran for it. “Your guards were not much. Darhine died in anguish. You stopped Aurelie from feeling the pain of my bite. You are Baron Louis correct?”
“Correct and you have just attacked a Baron. So you think that you can defeat the Baron.”. He drew his sword.
She was watching him as beheading would also dust him. They began to swing their swords sending sparks everywhere.
He was a solid swordsman as he would have to be to live as long as he did and to get to the position he did. A Baron was going to be hard. “Wait, you are Astucia the bitch from Alexandre horde. He said you were good but you can barely match me.”
She didn’t talk just continued with parry and thrust. He swung but was being a bit slower as he did have minor wounds that were bleeding.
Astucia saw the blade coming for her neck. She spun in counterclockwise using her short sword. She felt the blade hit something solid quickly and then it felt like a hot knife passing through butter as her strength allowed her to chop off his head.
She saw the look in his eyes just before he turned to dust. He was shocked that some woman could outdo him. She wasn’t shocked that she won as he was not near as strong as she was.
Louis the butcher of Carcassonne was dead. All at the hands of one woman. A woman who was a fighter to the core.
One down three more to go. Next was the Bordeaux vampire Pierre.
—————–
It was two weeks later and she had spent that time with Queen Selene and had gotten further items that she would be able to use on the next Baron.
Pierre was strong more so than many of his brethren physically and his skin was tougher as he has armour skin. She would have to be more diligent in her fighting technique.
She may have to use more magic and not her physical prowess. She had already grabbed a duo knife set. These were special that she had stolen from a warmage when she had killed him. They were vampire killers which means she could say a special word and it would turn them to immolation blades.
As she walked up she could see Pierre had a small castle and he had many guards. Her plan was to challenge him and then kill him as he was honour bound to accept. She had found he never went against the challenge code of the cadres.
“I am here on behalf of Queen Selene she wishes me to talk to Baron Pierre. She has sent me with an order. Let me enter or face the Queen’s justice.”
She was admitted to the throne room and she walked in bowed to the Baron. “What does Selene want with me now that she sends another of her weakened thralls to me.”
She glared this was her opportunity “You dare insult me. I invoke the challenge. I am a touch reader and I am a class b vampire. I claim the Right of Blood.”
He laughed “You dare challenge me to the Right of Blood. What makes you think you would be able to take this right.”
In response she could concentrated and she quickly transformed to the mist flashing the challenge. Her mist glowed with red and orange highlights showing that she was his equal. He didn’t know she was actually a class a. “You must accept or you will be disgraced and lose your position. Beat me in this battle and you will have what you want I am Astucia”
He nodded and took off his foppish cape and his hat. “It seems like you are a knife fighter so we will duel with knives.”
“As you wish” she said as she grabbed her two knives. The immolation blades would do amazingly well.
He leapt off the dais and they began to use both knives. He was wearing her down as she had many shallow cuts. She has hit him numerous times but was not able to pierce the armour skin.
She would soon run out of energy. She said the magic word and dived in stabbing the knife into the thigh. The blade came life and the fire erupted in his very skin. It only took a few moment and he was gone.
“This man insulted me and wanted a knife fight, he lost and now is gone. The Queen will soon choose a new Baron for this place. Do not let the castle go to the dogs now that he is no more.”
She walked away smiling as she was going. That was much fun and while she was injured slightly she had enjoyed playing with him.
Two down two more to go. The Queen would be pleased. Those who witnessed this would not dare to talk about what had occurred as they would be scared of her.
——–
She didn’t heas back to the Queen she was heading to Dijon and to Brielle. She had met her once she had long blonde hair and blue eyes. Her hair was slightly curled more like a wave.
It would be fun as she remember Brielle was not able to be fight worth a darn. She was planning to do something different as she didn’t want to kill her that much at least not up close and personal. She had nothing about the lady but she had been ignoring the Queen for so long.
She was preparing her process of what she will be doing. She knew that Brielle got a special potion every day from a specific potioner who Astucia was paying off.
Astucia went to the shop Moraine I am here to take over your potion for the Dutchess today. The potioner nodded and she began her work. A concoction of garlic made into an oil, a shot of tea with sugar to make it so it was sweeter. She put in honey as well plus he put in holy water and just a tad of wine.
This would kill her quickly but generally Brielle liked this type of potion that would help increase her inner eyes so that she could see all over the entire area of the cadres.
She waited for the maid to come and pick up the potion for her master. It was harsh but the maid may be killed afterwards or whipped for letter her master die. Astucia while she felt bad this maid was not very good lady as she had been bringing children to Brielle to eat.
She then sat in the shop with a crystal ball and scrying using her blood magic to watch what happened. She watched on in anticipation, this was exciting as she was learning the tricks of the assassin’s. Brielle would not soon be around.
Brielle she saw sitting in her throne room watching as the children were being brought in foe her to feed. None of her retinue cared for children’s blood. She grabbed the potion now in the silver cup she always used. It was heated slightly, she downed the potion. She knew immediately something wasn’t right. It burned the potion never burned.
She slowly began to burn from within and died a very painful death. Astucia enjoyed it she also watched the kids flee they would be safe now.
——–
The hardest kill would be next and that was her Sire. She really didn’t want to kill him but she did hate him. While he did treat her poorly at least he wasn’t quite as bad as her father who molested her and abused her physically as a child.
She knew the place like the back of her hand. She had stayed there for years and had even had her own rooms. She wasn’t looking forward to the torment.
She walked to the gates and saw one of his guards who glared at her. “I am here to see Alexandre. Open the gates now”
He laughed “He said you would return and that you were not to be given entry. She glared and sent a bold of pure red energy destroying the lock on the gate and pushing it open. She had her knife out and slashed his head clean off his shoulders as he stared in shock.
She entered the grand hall and stormed up to where Alexandre was. “Astucia so you have returned and you have come with news from the Queen. You will go to what were your quarters and you will rest. We will talk in 5 hours”
She stormed out and went to what was her room. She was scared as Alexandre was the one who turned her and she knew she had to find the alternate way to succeed without killing her sire which was the worst thing a vampire could do.
She paced and worked out she was going to have issues tonight. Finally a servant showed up that she knew as Laryne. “Mistress you shouldn’t be here. Oh how I have missed you”
She smiled and embraced Laryne. “My friend I want you to head for the Queen’s residence. You will become my personal assistant. I need you and love you and won’t allow anyone to harm you again.”
She nodded “If you insist my lady”. She quickly ran out the door. She knew that Laryne wouldn’t stay long and would leave soon. She had a gift while it was a minor one she could run quick. She also could see auras which was useful.
Alexandre was waiting and it was time. She walked in wearing her ceremonial armour that her queen Selene had given to her special. “Hello my Sire. I am here for a couple of reasons but only one should matter to you. The Queen has ordered your death and that of your co-conspirators. The others are all dead and you are the last. However I don’t believe I can kill you and you know the Queen will send more.”
He nodded “You are right you can’t kill me as you are weaker than myself. The Queen was foolish to send you to fight me. However you are right I can’t stay as I will be dead within a year or so depending on who she sends next. I will leave and we will report my death. Hopefully my get here will be promoted. Maybe she will give you my place”
She laughed “Not likely. She knows I don’t want a title as I won’t be staying that long with the Queen. She also knows I don’t care about having any more power than what I do. Also as for being weaker.”. She let her power flare out. “I am much stronger than you remember. I now rival the Queen herself. It is time for you to flee”
Astucia hid her evil smile. He explained what was happening to his guards and they all knew it was for the best.
She smiled a bit as he was about to flee she through some holy water that splashed down his face leaving a permanent mark. “That was for you turning me into your sex slave.”
She then quickly left the castle. She doubted she would ever see her Sire again. It was now time for a vacation.
She turned into mist and then went back to the Queen.
———–
As she approached Selene she saw her mentor smiling. “You have accomplished everything I have asked. My rule in this land is at its peak and you my lovely lady are going to be my assassin.”
This would be a long and desperate road that Astucia must take. Guard, weaponmaster, and now Assassin. She would make it work until she couls go back to Canada and be with her love. It could be years but she would make it.
She whispered the words and Alenna materialised. “You called me.”
She nods “I want you to take Laryne to Canada and get her settled there. I must remain here but one day soon I will return there and you will be my maid of honour when I marry. “
With that she shimmered away. It would take a long time for her to be able to escape her past. One day it would happen and she would allow herself to be forgiven for what she had been forced to do to be free.
Crazy Canadian Writing 
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