Written by Ronak Shah

on March 05, 2019

Elven Star - The Council of Vampiric Realm

Kristopher, sat on the bar and sipped spiced blood ale. The bar was dingy and smelled of stale meat, warm beer and urine. I’m bored, he wanted to think, but the buzz in his head rose gently after gulping downing 10 mugs of spiced blood ale stopped him. He turned around to look at the room and found it empty except a few drunken vampires sulking in the corner.

“Stop drinking, will you?” the bartender—a beautiful woman— urged him, “It’s middle of the night. You have no work to do?”

“Nah…” he said in a raspy voice, “My days are over. I’m bored to death. Since Dracule became the Vlad, he’s brought peace between us and the humans. They no longer hunt us.”

“Go find some other job.” The bartender said as she cleaned the sticky bar platform. She exposed her bosom to seduce him.

“That won’t work on me you know.” he said pointing at her bosom, “I love someone else… What is this made of, Rebeca?” he said raising the mug.

“Deer blood mixed with cattle semen.” Rebeca answered, “We brewed it for 48 days in oakwood barrels. You won’t find anything like it in all of Vampiric Realm”

“It tastes delicious.” he downed the raised mug and thumped it against the platform, “I’m starving, get me something to eat… And oh, give me a refill.” he said pointing at the empty mug.

Rebeca went to the kitchen leaving him alone in the bar. The drowsing vampires in the corners snored loudly. He rested his head at the wet bar and allowed his brain to settle into the buzz when the swinging door creaked open and a tall, muscular woman wearing blood red robes of medieval England walked in. She looked grossly out of place in the stinky bar. The woman ran her thick hands through her curling brown head and shouted, “Kristopher.”

Her voice pierced his buzzing head, “Isabella.” Kristopher raised his head as he let out a sigh, “Go away. I don’t want to get involved in your shit again. Piss off, Isabella.”

Isabella smirked and gave him a look that sent shivers down his spine. She’s terrifying. He smiled to himself as she crossed the bar and took a seat next to him.

“The Council sits tonight. Vlad has summoned you.” Isabella produced a holographic tablet by pressing a cube that was strung around her neck. She handed it over to him who pressed a button on the edge. The tablet sprang to life with Vlad Dracule’s hard, bearded face staring at him.

“The Knights of Moon, The Warriors of the Elven Star and Golden Gate Mercenaries, I, Vlad Dracule, the protector of Vampiric Realm and the King of the Night, summon you all to join me on my council tonight at the strike of midnight.” The hologram flickered and disappeared.

Rebeca was back, holding stale meat burger, “So Elven Star, your boredom is finally over.” She handed him the platter in a rude fashion and went back to wiping the tables. Kristopher took a mouthful of the stale Burger and sighed. “You guys won’t let me die with boredom.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and got to his feet. “Lead the way, your Highness.” He bowed mockingly, and Isabella glared at him. From a small hanging pole, he pulled a silvery cloak and wrapped it around him. Pulling up the hood, two exited and walked down the narrow lane to find a Rolls Royce Phantom idling at the curb. he vinced at the sharp pain raising on his skin Ah, the Sun. They got inside and the driver pulled the car into motion, winding it towards the Citadel.

The black and red stone walls of the Citadel gleaned the moonlight and gave it a haunted look. Kristopher pulled out a metal flask from his suit’s breast pocket and sipped from it. “Will you stop drinking, you gigantic arse?” Isabella glared at him. Smirking, he tucked the flask away.

The Royce rolled to a slow stop and Isabella elbowed him to get off the car, “Behave.” She ordered. The Citadel gate was heavily guarded. A machine gunner stood at the ready behind a small bunker. At the top, above the Iron door, the Guards of Rising Sun stood sentry. These unnatural beings. The vampiric technology has advanced a lot. We can now build artificial vampires who can stand guard under the burning sun. he cursed the technological advances. A bulky soldier in a blood red armor gave an ancient salute, “Your Highness.” He bowed low to Isabella who nodded in approval. The guard turned towards him and tilted his head a little mockingly, “The Elven Star – Kristopher.” he waved his hands at him dismissively and pulled the flask and sipped from it.

The Vlad’s personal soldiers escorted Isabella and Kristopher throw the doors of House of the Ancients, inscribed with The House of Dracula’s Order. Kristopher took in a deep breath as the guard pulled the door open and announced their arrival.

“Kristopher.” An old man with taut skin and muscular build said in a firm, commanding voice loaded with a hint of resentment, “You’ve made your appearance.”

Kristopher faced the senile man and went to his knees mockingly, “Lord Beckman.” He gave his honors to the Vlad and went and sat to the right of Lord Beckman, “Why am I here, Lord?” he whispered in his ears with a hint of irritation.

“You’ll be filled in.” Lord Beckman quieted drunk Kristopher, “Follow my orders.”

“Always at your command. After all you are the Commander of the Elven Stars.”

“Everyone is here.” Vlad spoke in a sharp voice, enunciating each word, “Let the session begin.”