Chapter 3 The Dark History

THE GREAT SLAUGHTER or what only a few people would call the Blood War, is an event that occurred in the past where many people, both innocent and sinful lost their lives on that frightful and unforgiving night. It was called to be one of the most brutal wars to happen in all the history of England. While people sacrifice their lives for the crown and to protect their country and their family, some beings would do the opposite by taking lives instead of protecting them.

Vampires have long existed since ancient history and some believed and claimed that they have seen one, others claimed that they have been acquainted with one and some even claimed to have befriended one. They used to be a part of the history of the Eibrellion Kingdom. Indeed, Eibrellion City used to be a hidden kingdom in ancient times, where people live in harmony alongside the creatures; vampires, werewolves and witches.

Three kingdoms of three different races, divided by fences co-existed. But even though no deaths have been reported yet about vampires feeding off of humans, the people inwardly live in fear. And no one would have expected that their greatest fear would soon be granted by wickedness.

One night the Human Kingdom was awakened by loud noises, screams and cries for help from the people. Soldiers were immediately deployed to protect the Human King. War broke out on that frightful night, lives were lost when vampires begin attacking anyone they see. Werewolves arrived to join the war, not to side with anyone but to join the killings.

The three races who used to live in harmony attacked and killed one another. Many innocent lives were lost. Blood tainted the pure grounds. The war started in the palace itself when a vampire killed the first Human King of England. The King's Council immediately thought of a way to subdue the vampires and werewolves. That was when they had pleaded to the Goddess of the Moon to grant them their wish of planting a curse against vampires and werewolves.

The Goddess heeded their plea and the vampires were soon weakened by the sun and the werewolves become ordinary humans during the full moon. And that is when the Great Slaughter began. In daylight, the soldiers and people joined forces and together hunt for vampires. And during the full moon, they would altogether hunt for werewolves.

Eventually, the human race managed to eradicate the entire race of vampires and werewolves, including witches who remained neutral during the Blood War and aided no one. Since then, they sealed that past to the place known today as the Sacred Woods, where surviving vampires and werewolves are still believed to lurk to hide from humanity.

Vampires and werewolves were since then depicted as bloodthirsty monsters. The Royal Family who used to live in the old Kingdom of Eibrellion relocated in hopes of forgetting the past. Many years passed and many successors reigned on the throne of England. Today, the present reigning Royal Family now resides at Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom.

Ever since the Great Slaughter, no inhuman creatures resurfaced again. It wasn't until the reign of Queen Annaria in May 1707 that she called forth trusted people, direct descendants of the people who led the Blood War in 939 AD. She formed what is called now the Human Council. She also relocated the old kingdom to what is called now the Eibrellion City, and there she assigned the Human Council to govern the city to watch over the Sacred Woods where they had sealed the monsters away.

"The Human Council has been operating for over 950 years. And we, as members and part of the council are tasked to protect the crown and the people," said Council Member Ylandar Laimos Farrir. The Human Council is merely composed of 12 members, all of which are men. Their customary uniform consists of formal clothes with the British flag drawn on the front. These people are also often addressed as Lords.

Iafleur was in the library of the Welson House, the place where the Human Council Members currently reside after being declared as one of the members. Dracyan's information about the Vampire Queen had her thoughts run and she found herself searching in the archives for historical facts when Lord Ylandar coincidentally found her going through the history books.

The books in the library and the archives in the Welson House are not also available to the public. All the information in every book's contents was quite confidential. Only the people who work in the Welson House are given access to them but it comes with a certain rule; whatever information they might find in there, they are not allowed to slip it out to anyone outside the Welson House.

Iafleur smiled to Lord Ylandar at his comment and replied, "Sometimes I still can't believe that the Human Council was actually appointed by the crown. I'd often think that the priests were too paranoid to have people guard the Sacred Woods."

Lord Ylandar chuckled. "While that is true for the people, Queen Annaria, the person who created the Council had it made clear not to tell anyone about it. The crown also simply wants to protect its reputation. Queen Annaria also made it clear the importance of the Council. Without the Council, the Cloaking Spell and Protection Seal of the Sacred Woods will crumble."

"But what is it that bothers you at this moment that you'd have to re-read the entire history?" he added.

Iafleur sighed. She glances at the book on the table before answering Lord Ylandar. "It sounds weird but I heard that if you read a book over and over again you will find another new piece of information even though nothing of the words have changed."

"I see. And what is this piece of information you were searching for?"

Lord Ylandar's question made Iafleur still. She was unsure how to answer him. She knew they all doubted the Vampire Queen's existence and they were even told not to speak of her name. For they believe that the more they speak of her, the more she becomes real to other people. When Lord Ylandar repeated his question, Iafleur heaved out a sigh and averted her eyes and confesses: "I just became very curious last night of whether or not the Vampire Queen did exist."

Lord Ylandar was a bit surprised by her answer but he held it back. He replied, "We talked about this, didn't we? The Council made it clear almost every time that she is not real."

"But how did the people know about a Vampire Queen? They even call her an Umbran, said to be the rarest of breeds of vampires."

"How many times must we tell you this; the vampires only created a Queen image to inflict fear on their enemy. They made everyone believe that she was an invincible being. A vampire so powerful, has no weaknesses, doesn't burn under the sun, could not be killed with a stake through the heart and can use black magic--- the most perilous form of magic. It often drove their opponents away. This is one of the reasons why werewolves were always afraid to pick a fight against them."

Iafleur was astonished to hear his answer. There was something about his words that gives her a sensation of familiarity. But what was it? Her thoughts were halted once more when Lord Ylandar spoke again.

"Please, if you have anything that confuses you, you know you can always come to me and ask. I will try my best to answer them all. But I must implore you, Iafleur, to stop researching more information about the Vampire Queen. For you could and you never will find anything about a creature who never existed in the first place."

There was always a reason why Iafleur doubted her existence. And it was because of the lack of information about her identity.

"Do you promise, Iafleur?"

Their eyes met and she caught the glimpse again of his coal-black eyes, so deep yet enigmatic. Iafleur smiled. "Yes, my lord. Forgive me for disobeying your orders."

"It wasn't actually ordered in the first place. We just don't want to encourage anyone to dig deep into a fictional person."

"I understand."

"Very well. I'll see you later for the meeting. Have a good day."

"You too, my lord." Her cheeks flushed again but thankfully Lord Ylandar had already turned away.

Amongst the 12 Council Members, Lord Ylandar Laimos Farirr was the youngest yet one of the wisest members. He was ranked Number Two because of his explicit intelligence. Number One of course goes well to Lord Ferron Magnolia, the oldest member of the Human Council and he is also considered to be the leader.

Aside from that, Lord Ylandar is also the most attractive member and many women from outside Welson House would always look forward to his coming out and morning walk in the park. Iafleur also admits that she too feels attracted to Lord Ylandar. It seems to her that his age is the same as Dracyan's.

♛♛♛

THE COUNCIL MEETING took place at one o'clock in the afternoon. Lord Ferron Magnolia began by asking the members about the condition of the seal in the Sacred Woods. Lord Ferron is actually a man in his fifties but his old physiognomy is not that evident to display his wrinkles. And his full white beard and moustache somehow gave off a spitting image of a young-looking grandfather.

Lord Ylandar answered him, "I take a visit to the Sacred Woods every morning to check the seal. But you have nothing to worry about, for now, my lord Ferron. The seal is still intact and strong. As of this moment, it is unlikely to be penetrated by anything."

"It's been over 950 years. Those monsters might have gotten stronger by now. It could be possible for them to penetrate through the seal," said another Council member, Lord Myoda. His appearance goes like that of a military father. He has this strong yet serious countenance.

"Without the sustenance of blood for hundreds of years? I highly doubt that, my lord," said Lord Ylandar.

'Even though he's the second youngest member, he is not afraid to talk back.' Iafleur mentally pondered.

"Lord Ylandar has a point. Those creatures might have already weakened over the past centuries. Moreover, they're more likely to die without proper sustenance," Lord Ferron agreed. Alas, his countenance transitioned into a sterner one that the rest of the Council members instantly hinted at the bad news from his expression.

"Yes, there is bad news," he told them, as though he already perceived their surmise.

"What is it, my lord?"

He sighed. "There have been rumours spreading in the town near the Sacred Woods. The men we assigned to guard the entrance heard the people speaking about an Umbran who has somehow found the lost Kingdom of Vampires and is now ruling it."

"But that's impossible. Our ancestors already killed all the vampires!"

A commotion started amongst the Council. Iafleur was only intently jotting down minutes for the meeting and suddenly felt her legs trembling--- not in fear but anger. 'An Umbran? Alive? Kingdom restored?'

"Some of them, unfortunately, survived," Lord Myoda reminded them, "otherwise, we won't be sealing the Sacred Woods."

"Could this be true?" asked Lord Ylandar. "How could the people have heard such a thing? Any information regarding an Umbran has been sealed in our archives."

"I agree with Lord Ylandar," said Lord Uzel. The clean-shaven man of the Human Council. A man in his thirties who prefers to have a clean-shaven face to the extent of shaving his head bald, including his eyebrows. Somehow it does make him look quite a bit attractive. "Someone might actually be spreading false information to the people."

"What do you suggest, my lord? That a vampire has escaped from the Sacred Forest and spread this rumour?"

Iafleur made a deep swallow upon hearing Lord Myoda's question. A vampire escaping into the city would likely become a big problem for the Human Council. She and her friends might find it astonishing and irritating at the same for a vampire living within their city but for the Council members, it will mean a large threat.

The image of the vampire she found by the river in Graydel Woods unwillingly flashed into her mind, making her lose grip on her pen and drop it on the floor. The fallen pen created a small sound and attracted the Council's attention, making them turn to her.

"I-I'm sorry," Iafleur apologised and picks up her pen.

"Are you alright, dear Iafleur?" inquired Lord Killon. And like Lord Ylandar, he is also a young member of the council, the last member they recruited and his distinctive feature of coal-black hair had always made his pale-looking skin stand out. But unlike the other lords, Lord Killon is the kindest and warmest amongst them. "You look a bit pale. Would you like a bottle of water?"

"N-no, thank you, my lord. I'm fine."

Shortly after the meeting proceeded on the main subject, still on the rumour about an Umbran. 'And I thought they weren't real?'

"As far as I'm concerned, my lord Ferron," Lord Ylandar intervened, "if it was indeed an Umbran, it can only be one being--- and that is none other than the Vampire Queen herself."

"Lord Ylandar!"

"What nonsense!"

"Blasphemous! No such creature has existed!"

"Need I remind you, Lord Ylandar, we all agreed that her existence is nothing but a farce," Lord Ferron firmly declared. "The rumours did not deceive us in the past and we will not be deceived by them now. Vampires from the other side of the Sacred Woods might not be able to escape the seal but they can still make contact in the outside world with the help of their witches who survived the Great Slaughter."

Iafleur was intently listening to Lord Ferron's words but her eyes are not leaving Lord Ylandar. Since her sitting place was in favour of her being able to see his face, she took that chance to examine his coal-black eyes, a feature that reminds her of Dracyan, but like Lord Ylandar's cold countenance, those eyes of his bore nothing but coldness also.

"We cannot let this rumour pass through our city or it will cause panic to the people--- or worse, it could lead them to investigate the Sacred Woods! Some people might still doubt but some are determined to believe in their existence. We cannot allow them to enter the woods or they'll end up as sustenance for those monsters."

"Lord Myoda is right. For further precautions, we'll send someone to investigate who created these rumours," Lord Ferron suggested. At that same moment, Iafleur felt a heavy spotlight raining on her and when the lord called her name, her heart felt like it was about to explode.

"Iafleur Ina."

"Y-yes, my lord?" His eyes hinted at Iafleur of his request.

"You know that your position here as the Human Council Secretary is not only limited to being a secretary and writing down notes on our meeting. I want you to go and investigate the town and find the person spreading this false information. I want you to bring him in for an interrogation."

Lord Myoda's forehead wrinkled in confusion but he voiced out, "Why would she need to bring that person here? Iafleur is very well capable of things like that. Why don't we let her do the interrogation and bring back answers? Besides, it might just be someone making a prank."

"In situations like this, we must be cautious, Lord Myoda," Lord Ferron reasoned. "We are the protector of humanity and taking lightly to such things will not be tolerated in the council. I want to know for myself what this person's motive is for spreading such ridiculous rumour and to make sure that he will do nothing of the sort again."

He turns to her again. "Go there immediately and report back at once. But do not return here without that person. Do we have an understanding, Iafleur?"

Iafleur willfully nodded her head. "Yes, my lord. I will not fail you. I will return here at once when I get a hold of that person."

"Good. Now, go."

Iafleur ascended from her seat and took a bow as a form of respect to the Council. But before leaving the room, she could not help but take one last glance at Lord Ylandar's face. Sadly, his eyes are fixated on the table and did not meet hers.

Iafleur thought their meeting would only be just discussions about strengthening the seal on the Sacred Woods and the economy of Eibrellion City. She never would have expected to hear the Vampire Queen's name again.

Just as Iafleur was about to climb down the flight of stairs, a voice from behind called her and she halted. Her cheeks flushed red again when she realised who it was.

She slightly lowered her head. "Lord Ylandar, what is it? Is something the matter?"

"I could not be seen by the other council members giving you this." He took out something from his pocket and on his palm was a bronze necklace with a full moon pendant with a curly wooden design around it.

"Why are you giving me this?" she softly inquired.

"I want you to be safe on your journey. A friend of mine from years ago gave me that. She laced it with a spell and whenever you're near a vampire, the moon will turn red," he informs her.

"I-I don't know w-what to say," her voice trailed.

He softly chuckled. And for a moment there, his coldness warded off. "Just a nice "Thank you" would be appreciated. And the reason I can't be seen by the other members is that I don't want them to think the wrong idea about us. Consider that necklace as my gift for you and all you've for us at Welson House."

She swallowed and forced herself to smile formally. "T-thank you, my lord. Honestly, I don't know what else to say."

"You've said enough. You best be on your way now. Be careful."

Even after Lord Ylandar disappeared from her sight, Iafleur's lips are still stretched into a wide smile. She could barely keep them from grinning ear to ear. She never thought that her simple attraction to Lord Ylandar would allow her to feel this way.

She breathed out. "Despite his coldness, it seems like he knows how to show a little warmth somehow."

Iafleur glances at the necklace's pendant to admire its unique design when suddenly the moon glowed red.

"What? W-what is the meaning of this?"