The Scrying Game – edited version

This is a short story based in the Vampyr World.  This is revisiting the last of the line of Ashlana.

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Ashlana sat in her room looking at the water fountain that was below her out the balcony 100 feet away.  She could see clearly with her enhanced vision from her Vampyr senses.  She didn’t realize when she became one of the blood drainers that she would increase in power.

Her powers had strengthened over the past millennium.  She could cast magic with blood powers of the Vampyrs.  She also had her empathic abilities as well as she could cast her mind and find anyone that she had ever shared magic with.  Her skills had become legendary and her own ability at telling the future was something that had been brought to the attention of the Council of the Vampyrs.

Her own master who she had managed to sever ties with after just half a century astounded all of the Council.  No Vampyr had ever severed ties so quickly on their own and to make yourself a Master so early in your years was unheard of.  She was a law unto herself and she didn’t tow the company line.


Not all humans were food and she didn’t like the way that Vampyrs believed that humans were bred to be food,  Ashlana as an Empath couldn’t fathom that and didn’t kill unless she had to.  Her abilities would make that impossible.  She was so powerful and could sense emotions at an extreme distance.  She could even feel when another Vampyr fed and that caused her to feel ill.

Most of the Vampyrs that were in her city of Curitiba Brazil didn’t seem to have the same feelings that she did for the humans.  They were an older grouping and were violent creating some of the most heated rivalries in the area.  Her own masters didn’t even know of her ties and her ability to get to Brazil.  The Kings themselves feared coming to Brazil and thought that it was a lawless place.  The Prince of Brazil had killed his father the King in a fit of rage.  Since then no one else could get in there to fix the problems.

The Princes and Princesses were still in contention to become the next leader.  It was never going to be resolved unless they sent in the Blood Guard who could destroy those currently in power.  Ashlana didn’t have a lot of hope for them of course as there were a few who were just too strong.  The Blood Guard would never be sent here as the Cadres had no control and they did fear the group in regions.  Many were called Murders after the crows and they could easily cause issues and fight to the last member of the group.

One in particular was Ariana who was a strong Vampyr who was able to predict the weather as well as when she touches people she can send a shock that could knock out or even kill people.    She was a violent person who had no regard for human life.  She had lots of allies including a group of 15 under vampyrs whom she had created.

That faction called themselves the Guards de Morte or in better terms The Death Guards.  They were all good fighters, most having been Grand Masters in one form of martial arts or another.  The guards were all powered up as well even if they generally were weak in the way of the blood magic.  It’s also why they were easily controlled by their Sire.  It was a great sign of weakness and they would never be able to compete with Ana, nor would they be able to break free and become masters in their own rights.

Ashlana would have felt sorry for them but she also knew that she didn’t want to really push things either.  They weren’t strong enough and the only way they would break free would be to have another master to take control from their original Sire. 

Would she have wanted to have any of them as part of her own retinue? the answer was no.  She could kill Ariana and that would release them all and it would allow another Master to snap them up, one that might be a better person than the current Master.

She has been shunned for so long as her religious views were not that of her home country.  She wasn’t Catholic and in fact she hated the whole fervour that was part of the Vampyrs of this country.  Did they not realize that the religion was so against the Vampyrs that Holy Water and the Cross was something that would harm them.

Ashlana was Wiccan and had changed for many years to that of a Pagan faith.  How could she not when she saw just how powerful she was.  Being a Seer meant that she followed her own advice.  She wasn’t one that was ever religious before, her parents were Catholic and really wanted their only daughter to become a nun. 

She never had thought of doing that as it made her scared.  She knew that the secluded life of a nun suited some but for her she was not a loner and she was into being out there doing something.  When she was given the opportunity she had taken the chance and escaped. 

Of course escaping one future meant that she had put herself into the path of the Winds of Fate and it made her now what she is today and what she would be in the future.  Her ability to see the future had caused her a lot of discomfort and she was used by her Sire.  When she broke free she made sure as a Master she would never be bound again by anyone. 

She opened her mind to her surroundings and began scrying around her complex.  She had what was known as a Drug Cartel complex even though no drugs had ever been through this place.  She had built it and in fact the Cartels had taken her idea and used it to make them stronger.

Ashlana was the one who brought people in and she had the ability to create great amounts of honest and honourable members for her guards.  She had no yet wanted to create her own super squad or Blood Warriors.

That hadn’t stopped the Council from assigning her an honour guard.  Jakob was a vampyr who had thousands of years experience as a guard.  He would never reach the Adept class of the Vampyrs and he was a very low level Master if he chose to break the bond of the head of the Council.  He was loyal to the Cadres but he also would never betray anyone who was designated to protect.

Dalia was an empath just like Ashlana and who had the same background as her.  She was a strong fighter who didn’t seem to have the same compunctions that Ashlana did about killing.  While she wasn’t as ruthless as others in her way she was still not fond of the way the Cadres were.  She was a mid level master who was sneaky and had secretly bound herself to Ashlana and was now a real member or her retinue and not just a Council Lackey.

Ashlana felt the pins and needle sensation that meant that a blood portal was opening up into her abode.  It wasn’t a magical power that she was used to, all she knew it was a Vampyr and it was a strong one.

She turned and looked and saw an asian male that was so skinny that he looked anorexic.  His eyes were a dark blue that seemed to bore into you as if he could see into your very soul.  Well that was if you had one according to most Vampyrs couldn’t  have a soul, that it had gone on the next plain.

He bowed low and in a slightly accented tone “Adept Ashlana.  My name is Yan-sun and I have been sent to your home to inform you that the Council of Regency wishes to meet with you to discuss the happenings with the rest of the Cadres.

She shook her head “I don’t think so.  I have no plans to leave here  anytime soon I am doing the Council’s work.  If they wish to meet with me they can come here.”. she knew that it wouldn’t happen as her territory was large and many feared her.  The poor man didn’t even realize he had left the continent of Asia.

A deep throaty laugh came through “So you believe you are better than the rest of the Adepts and don’t want to follow the Lordships rules” 

She turned and saw an old friend, one that was a very low level Adept.  “That’s right Raphael.  I don’t pander to the wishes of the Emperor or this Kings and Queens.  I have work to do here and no time to go to see the Regency Council.”. She knew that they wouldn’t dare challenge to much as she was more powerful than almost all of the adepts as well she knew were all the skeletons were buried.

He laughed “I said the same thing for many centuries but you know to keep your home you must at least make nice with the councils or they will remove you as a leader of this territory.  You know that they are looking to put someone in to prevent the ruthless killing that has been happening here.  Now why don’t you get yourself together and we can then use the portals to get to the council.”

She laughed “Alright Raphael we will head to the council.  I am not sure what they think a discussion will accomplish as no one will be able to push the prince and princess out of the realm without the force of the entire blood guard”

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After an hour she was ready to go and she knew some of what to expect in this meeting.  She wasn’t sure that she would like this meeting of the Regency Council.  She hated the people that she would be dealing with.

The Empress Valdiche was powerful and one didn’t cross her lightly.  She was ancient beyond any of the other members of the Council.  Her power that she brought over from her human days was quite destructive.  She could kill with a touch and that wasn’t just humans but if she touched a Vampyr she could turn them to dust.  It wasn’t something anyone had seen before and when she proved it by killing the last Empress it was a shock to no one just who should lead them in the coming days.


Raphael was the first to enter the chambers and kneeled before Valdiche as was the custom.  He kissed her hand as was another custom though only those who were brave would ever attempt with the might of the special gift that Valdiche had. 

Ashlana slowly walked up to the Empress and kneeled down and reached out slowly to grab the hand.  There was no trepidation, just a tiny bit of slowness that Valdiche found amusing.  She kissed her hand as gently as she could even though Ashlana hated this ridiculous old school style and her teeth all they wanted to do was bare so that she could bite that tanned hand.

“Welcome Adept Ashlana”  Valdiche said with a harsh sounding accent but a very cultured voice.  “We are pleased to see you at our council session” 

She nodded “It is my pleasure Empress.  I heard that you wished to discuss the situation that is happening in Tokyo”  It was the last thing that she wished to speak about as the power in Tokyo was very hard to really show.  The eight princes and the current princess all were ruthless and power hungry.  They didn’t care who they hurt to get what they wanted which was of course what they all said they were doing.

“Yes of course we wish to speak of that.  You know that we have a power drain in that area there are too many vampyrs who are killing not for sustenance but just to kill.  We also are trying to figure out which of the Kings children will take over as King”

Ashlana nodded “I will admit that I don’t think any of these people would make a good commander of the Tokyo Cadre.  They are very ruthless and very violent with no desire to live in peace with our Human brethren.  They are food and to be disposed of when and if they so choose”

Valdiche nodded but it was Adrick who spoke “As it should be Adept Ashlana.  We all know that you are powerful and your lack of skill in killing means that your opinion should not be held in such high regard.  The fact that Valdiche likes you so much is not going to help you with this.  The council will not allow you to ruin Tokyo “

Ashlana looked at Adrick who she had hated dealing with for most of her life as a Vampyr.  He was a bit younger than her but because of his link to one of the Councilors being a true born heir to one and later turned.  He was strong and was made into something more because of it.  He didn’t care who he alienated least of all a person that he had no love for. 

She on the other hand just didn’t care.  She knew the Council Rules as well as they did having served her time as an Adept and also coming up through the ranks.  She had been brought before the Council many times.  Had she so desired and had she known she could have challenged for a spot on the Council.  The way to get on the Council was violence and she didn’t really want to destroy another member of the Cadre just because she wanted power.

“Empress you asked me to come here am I to be insulted by this little Diablo.  “  She bared her teeth letting the last few words come out more as a snarl in what would normally have been a very pretty face and voice.

Valdiche nodded slightly “You know that he is Council it is up to you how you respond to his actions.  You have the right as an adept to do whatever is needed”

She glared and knew that what she would have to do is fight and claim Adrick’s place on the Council “I will do as needed.  “  She spun around and quickly snapped her hand into the throat of Adrick.  “You dared to talk to me like I am no one.  In that case I offer you a quick death by challenge or you may step down”

He laughed but it came out as a gurgle sounding laugh.  “You won’t win”  he charged forward and all of a sudden his claws grew long and as sharp as steel blades.  He was going for a quick death.  She cast up a red sphere that would shield her from close to anything that he could do.  As he reached where she was the shield quickly enveloped him and began to drain his strength.  She jumped and flipped over and away going behind him with the ease of a ballerina.  She quickly chomped down on his neck drawing out his life force with ease.

The battle had lasted only seconds.  It was no shock as many knew that Ashlana was one of the strongest Adepts to be created.  She was unique in how fast she managed to become a Master.  Now she was at the top of everything as an Adept and had a Council seat.

“Let it be known that Ashlana has taken the role of Councillor from Adrick.  She has the full authority of that role and will be granted the respect that is due to her.  Should any question arise, they will deal with me”  Valdiche said with a sing-song voice.  No one wanted to fight her as she was the most violent and most crazed fighter that any of them had seen in millennia.

Of course the Adept now Councillor wasn’t sure just what she had done to earn the respect for Valdiche to protect her with such fervor.  It wouldn’t do well to dwell on that “No as a member of the council I want you to look into the special situation in Tokyol.  I also want to know what your thoughts are in regards to the power sink that was left with the death of the King.  Who do you believe should rule?”

As Ashlana knew this was not an easy question “The family of the King is the one who is responsible for his death.  The children of him are all powerful in their own right but when I see the future I can’t see any of them ruling for long or well.  Ariana is the one who looks to be on the verge of winning as she is the most ambitious of the lot.  I don’t recommend her as she will destroy any and all contenders to her throne.  The only one that I don’t see that from is Jorge who seems to have a different complex.  His powers aren’t as strong as the others but he has one thing that he can do that many can’t.  He can create a forcefield that can protect him and others.  I think he would work well as he has honour but he also might work better as a guard to one of the Council or to even yourself.  I think if he was to rule it would end up causing more stryfe and the council would then have to intervene.”

The Empress just smiled “You have thought long and hard on this Ashlana I really do appreciate that.  I do fear that you are too right in regards to who should rule.  I may have to think of another one.  For now Ashlana you will take control of Tokyol and ensure that whoever is chosen will have a smooth transition.  Now I do need you to go back.  My servant Alenna will make sure you get back home without any issues.”

Alenna a lady of African descent who had long hair that was as wild as the lions of her home country.  The hair was usually tied back in dreadlocks and she wore the dark make-up.  She was a beauty but she was over the top in her looks.  By reputation she did know who this person was and it made her scared as she destroyed the Queen of China due to the fact that her sister was killed on a successful attack on the Evacateur Stronghold. 

Alenna came up to her “Take my hand Councillor”  as she reached out they touched and the shimmer of power went through both of them and they were gone from the Council.

Valdiche nodded while this was not the way she had anticipated but who would have thought that Ashlana would take up a Council seat and that she would be needed to rope and wrangle in the Brazillian Cadre members.  If she didn’t succeed in bring some stability back to the country then she would die a quick death and someone better for the Council would be found to be her replacement.

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Welcome to the first installment showing the craziness of what Ashlana will be going through.  Some of these characters have been a major voice in other stories that I have been writing.  In next chapter the start of the War over Brazil will happen and you will get to see more of Alenna and her powerful abilities. 

This story is copyright to Sean Talbot any similarity to other books or to characters that others have seen is purely coincidental.  This story is part of a larger fiction that I have been working on for years and is not really the first part but it was dealing with one of my all time favourites from the original series Ashlana.