The Vampire & Her Witch

Telent Rundel felt his heart sink to his stomach the instant Ashlynn announced this ’High Table’ as he realized he’d made a critical error of assumptions.

As a baron, he’d held a seat on the Lothian Court. He expected that he would hold a similar position in what Ashlynn had renamed the ’Verdant Hills.’ As a powerful and influential figure with access to the highest councils of the Bloodroot Empire, the intelligence he could supply to Brighde’s family would be invaluable.

Moreover, as a ’man on the inside,’ he would have ample opportunities to sow discord, slow the momentum of Ashlynn’s efforts, and buy time for the Kingdom of Gaal and the Church to rescue them from these demons.

Brighde might still be entertaining ideas of gaining favor from both sides so they came out ahead no matter who won, but that thought died in him the instant he realized how terrifying the forces of the Empire really were. Watching ’Empress’ Nyrielle all but manhandle Sir Garrik into submission as a loyal vassal, now bought and paid for, only further cemented his resolve.

But now, it seemed like ’Lord Gardeners’ would only barely be lords at all, and the power of this ’High Table’ would sit somewhere above them, presided over by men like Loghlan Dunn who couldn’t accept his ’charge’ and his promotion quickly enough.

”I accept, your Dominion,” Loghlan said humbly. ”From today forward, I will govern my protectorate in your name and represent the interests of my people across the empire. You have my word,” he said solemnly.

”Thank you, Lord Governor Loghlan,” Ashlynn said with a kind smile. ”I know you wanted to retire soon and allow Liam to take his place on your throne. Perhaps, when the time finally comes, he’ll be ready to set down his sword to take up your burdens, but for now, I intend to make use of his skills and experience elsewhere.”

”It will be good for him,” Loghlan said, smiling up at Ashlynn. ”Besides, I still have at least a decade left in me, plenty of time for him to fight his wars, find his love and start his family... He can think about thrones again once the rest of his life is in order.”

”Father!” Liam blurted, his face turning a faint shade of pink. Next thing he knew, his father, or worse, his mother, would announce to everyone that he still wasn’t betrothed and that they expected grandchildren!

”Don’t mind an old man for doing what old men do,” Loghlan said with a warm, hearty chuckle. ”Now, buck up, lad. It’s our turn.”

”Old men, my left boot,” Liam groused, ignoring the seriousness of the moment. ”If you call yourself old right now, then what are you calling Empress Nyrielle, Father?” Liam said, instantly wiping the smile off his father’s face.

”I like you more and more each time we meet, Liam Dunn,” Nyrielle said with a slow smile that revealed a hint of her fangs. ”At times, you remind me of Thane.”

”I’m honored to be compared to the Lord General,” Liam said smoothly, looking up at the powerful vampire who had sat next to Nyrielle at the beginning of the gathering.

”Don’t be,” Thane teased. ”Not when she’s smiling like that. If I were you, I’d run, Liam. While you still can.”

”I think it’s too late for that,” Liam said, turning to Ashlynn as if she could rescue him. ”After all, I’m supposed to take up a charge.”

”You were,” Ashlynn said, holding back the laughter that threatened to burst past her lips. Briefly, she glanced over her shoulder, looking from Thane to Virve as she tried to figure out which of them had become a bad influence on the normally respectable Liam, but both of them smiled innocently at her, leaving her with no choice but to corner them later.

”Lord Commander Liam,” Ashlynn said, attempting to regain the seriousness of the moment. ”Your office is one that can only be earned through meritorious deeds and demonstrated competence. On more than one occasion, you’ve proven yourself to be not only a capable commander in the field, but one who cares deeply for the lives of his men.”

”As a Lord Commander, you serve the Empire. You will be stationed in the Protectorate of Dunn, where you will build an army to rival Commander Bassinger’s First Army. In time of war, you may be called on to lead your army in battle far from your homeland,” she warned him.

”You and your army are charged with the protection of the borders of the protectorate of Dunn, particularly our northern border with the Kingdom of Gaal and the March of Crew,” Ashlynn said. ”You will be responsible for the construction of hill forts and watch towers, for patrolling the roadways and waterways of the protectorate to keep them free of bandits and highwaymen.”

”In ordinary times, you have no seat at the High Table,” Ashlynn warned the young lord. ”But in time of war, your voice will be most welcome in our councils.”

”How large of an army am I to build, your Dominion?” Liam asked, matching Ashlynn’s serious tone. ”And should my army include the forces of the Lord Wardens?”

”If you need to call upon the Lord Wardens and the Wardens to defend our borders against invasion, you may,” Ashlynn said. ”Otherwise, the Empire requires an army that serves the demands of the Empire, not the individual lords within the Rides.”

”For now, you may recruit an army of five hundred men,” Ashlynn said, glancing briefly at High Lord Dirar. ”And I would encourage you to look to the whole of the empire for the talent you need to protect the Empire from our neighbors to the north. We’ll be counting on you to be our first line of defense in the Protectorate of Dunn, Lord Liam,” she warned sternly.

”Of every charge I’ve given so far, this is one that absolutely cannot be failed...”