Chapter 5 An Impossible Task

IN MODERN DAY England, the people have managed to live in peace once more for almost a thousand years. While others still believe in vampires, some people choose to ignore and believe in what is real. But people like Iafleur, Dracyan and Lariel--- knew all along.

But though they knew all along about the truth, Iafleur who had recently held a vampire's dead body was still in shock to witness a live one. Not many things had yet occurred but little did she know that her life is about to change when she finally decided to tell the Council about the vampire she found.

"Good morning, Iafleur dear!" Lord Killon cheerfully greeted. Iafleur smiled and lowered her head in respect to the lord. Lord Killon always has this sort of nickname for her. At first, she opposes this but since Lord Killon is just as persistent, she'd just let him call her that until she finally got used to it.

"Good morning, my lord. You're early today than your usual time-in. Did you have a good night's rest?" They both arrived at the same time in the parking lot. Lord Killon doesn't really live within Welson House. He has his own flat nearby and he couldn't leave it for the reason that it was his mother that bought it for him.

"I always do, Iafleur dear. What good would your night do if you can't even use it for a good rest?"

"Well, you have a point, my lord."

Iafleur glances at Lord Killon who is currently busy waving and greeting every woman they pass by. He often loves attention and when they were finally alone in the corridor, Iafleur raised the question: "My lord, do you have any idea of the princess' well-being at the moment?"

He glances at her. "Whatever do you mean, Iafleur dear?"

"I mean if you have any idea if the princess is doing fine as we speak."

Lord Killon gazes at her curiously but answered her question truthfully. "I haven't been able to visit the United Kingdom for quite so long now. I've got so many duties as part and a new member of the Human Council. But, my guess is that the princess is doing fine at Buckingham Palace together with the King and Queen."

Iafleur pressed her lips. Lord Killon takes notice of her hesitation and asks, "What is it, Iafleur dear? There is something that bothers you."

She stopped on her track, eyes still down on the floor while Lord Killon beside her awaits her response. Iafleur sighed and bravely meets the Lord's eyes. "Do you think it's possible to break into the palace and take someone?"

Apparently, Lord Killon's forehead only creased in confusion. "What do you mean 'break into the palace'? Did something happen at Buckingham?"

Iafleur noticed the alarm slowly creeping into his eyes and immediately changes the subject. "Oh, no. Nothing of the sort, my lord. My curiosity is often out of the place. I mean nothing harmful to what I had asked. I just sometimes get too much worry for the crown and with regards to this recent Umbran rumour, it only added."

"Oh!" Lord Killon cried in relief. "I see what you're getting at. All of us are worried if these rumours could be proven true. I mean, the people are at stake here. Of course, we don't want any more of the past to repeat itself today. But I can assure you that nothing and no one can break into the palace, Iafleur dear. The place is just too heavily guarded. And any suspicious movements around the place would rouse the soldiers on guard and shoot them on site.

"You know, they are licensed to kill after all. They're now quite dangerous these times because of these bloody vampires. But you've got nothing to worry about, Iafleur dear. Buckingham Palace is as impenetrable as the seal of the Sacred Woods."

Lord Killon paused for a moment as though he remembered something and continued, "Didn't Lord Ferron task you yesterday to investigate the source of the rumour? He told you not to return without that person. What are you doing here now? Have you found him already?"

With that being said, Iafleur suddenly remembered her task. But she had a more important thing to talk about with the Council that she choose to delay earlier. "H-he did. But I have something very important to discuss with him right now and this can't wait until tomorrow."

"What is this matter that you want to discuss with him in such urgency? Is that more important than what is happening now? Or do you know something that we don't, Iafleur dear?" Lord Killon's voice sounded serious. His lively countenance had also faded and was replaced with a stern look.

Iafleur had nearly backed away if Lord Ylandar's voice had not distracted the two of them.

"Lord Killon, Miss Iafleur."

"L-lord Ylandar." Iafleur bowed her head.

Lord Ylandar approaches them and greeted his fellow member before turning to Iafleur. "What are you doing here, Iafleur? Aren't you supposed to be at Faerrionn and investigating?"

"I-I have something important to discuss with Lord Ferron first."

His cold countenance never ceases to draw away those around him for even Lord Killon retreated and stepped back. "I'm afraid that discussion will have to wait until Lord Ferron's return."

"Where is he?" Lord Killon inquired. His lively countenance is back again.

Lord Ylandar answered without looking at him. "He was summoned by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace last night and left shortly."

"Do you think he'll be back soon?" Iafleur consulted.

"Afraid not. He did tell me it was an urgent matter. I reckon it might take him long."

"I see." Iafleur gently nodded her head. What is she going to do now? But that question of hers was then answered by Lord Ylandar's cold voice.

"Since he's still away, why don't you head now to Faerionn Town and investigate instead of waiting aimlessly? Wasn't that a job you should finish before returning here?"

Iafleur's mouth parted in disbelief. Thankfully, Lord Killon was there to save her from further embarrassment.

"Now, now, Lord Ylandar. It's still so early in the morning to get steamy. Now, Iafleur dear, why don't I just escort you back to the entrance and get you a ride to Faerrionn Town."

Iafleur gulped and forced herself to speak, "Y-yes, please. That is much appreciated, L-lord Killon."

"Come now."

She can't believe that Lord Ylandar had to be the one to tell her that. Of course, it could have been worse if it was Lord Ferron who came and knew that she hasn't finished the job yet but it was still quite an embarrassing situation that she had put herself into. While Lord Killon by her side try as he might comfort her a bit.

"I apologise for Lord Ylandar's harshness. I've only been in the Council for a year but he and I don't really get along well. I heard from the other members how he always preferred solidarity. I even heard his room was the farthest and away from any other members. Which makes me wonder why he hadn't bought a flat instead." Lord Killon chuckled at his own words. Somehow, Iafleur was cheered up.

"It's no big deal," Iafleur replied. "Lord Ylandar was already here when I was accepted as a Secretary. We've been together for quite a long time now and he's always been that way. But he's not really that bad once you get to know him very well."

"And have you?"

Iafleur thinly smiled. "He's quite the enigmatic man."

Lord Killon called for a taxi for Iafleur and told the driver to take her to Faerionn Town. But after they drove away, Iafleur told the driver to make a stop at Ellen Street where her flat building was located.

Iafleur tiredly sunk onto the sofa near the window inside her room. Half of the curtain was drawn and the sunlight partially beamed through her window, illuminating the room. It was only the other day when Iafleur found that vampire's body. All of a sudden she remembers Dracyan's teachings about vampires.

Werewolves were also quite famous but Dracyan specializes in vampires. Most of the time she'd caught him in their school library very absorbed in researching some facts and evidence that would prove their existence. Apparently, among the three of them, it was he who was always excited to meet one.

She could remember well the day when Lariel finally revealed to Dracyan that she was of a witch descent. He was so enthusiastic that he even asked if she could perform a seance and see through time if there are any vampires in the city.

Iafleur softly chuckled at the memory. "What a simpleton he was--- but he's my simpleton."

Hours must have passed for when Iafleur woke up the sky was tainted with orange and red. It's nearly sunset. Iafleur recomposed herself in front of the mirror and glanced at the clock on her wall.

"It's half past 4," she muttered to herself. She fell asleep for nearly the entire day.

Iafleur called another taxi back to Welson House. As usual, soldiers standing on guard by the entrance bowed their heads as she entered as a recognition of her position as Secretary.

Iafleur's position as Secretary to the Human Council is not only being a normal Secretary; sorting files, sorting their schedules and reminding them and handling scheduled meetings is not really a part of her job. Her job is to take notes of any important events that occur in the city, her job is to detect if there be any inhuman beings living nearby. The Human Council controls the supernatural and paranormal events happening in Eibrellion City where they are assigned to.

It is also a part of Iafleur's job to investigate the events which the Council deemed as unnatural.

When Iafleur reached the Head Council's office the guilt suddenly dawned on her. However, she fought against it and is still confident that it's not yet too late. 'Besides, what can one dead vampire do? Not only that, but she's also my prisoner now.' she thought privately.

Grasping the courage, Iafleur breathed in and out before eventually lifting her knuckles and knocking three times.

"Come in," said the voice inside.

Iafleur gently pushed open the door much to her surprise. She expected only Lord Ferron inside his office but why are the other eleven members of the Council also in there?

"It seems like you've returned already. Have you accomplished the job already? Have you found the person?" Lord Ferron's series of questions only doubled her spotlight for now all their eyes are on her.

When she didn't answer immediately, Lord Ylandar's impatient voice nearly startled her. "The Council leader asks you a question, Iafleur."

"Now, now, Lord Ylandar. Let's not pressure the poor young lady. Give her time to speak. She must be tired," Lord Killon placated him.

Iafleur's eyes were fixated on Lord Ferron and when he nodded, she finally revealed, "I found a vampire!"

"What??"

"What did you say?"

"Impossible!"

Her revelation started a commotion. All of their eyes turn to each other with questioning looks. Some of them are surprised, not because it sounded surreal but because they are in disbelief that a vampire managed to escape through the seal.

"Silence, everyone," Lord Ferron commanded. The voices faded and silenced overruled Lord Ferron's office. "Is this true, Iafleur?"

Iafleur confirmed by nodding her head. The Council members started another commotion. And Iafleur could fully understand how they instantly became very worried. For this could mean to them that the rumours regarding the Umbran could also be true. Iafleur felt the disappointed look in Lord Ylandar's eyes. When she looked for him and met his eyes, her surmise was accurate.

Iafleur was inwardly saddened. It was her job to inform them of anything unnatural but she choose to ignore thinking it might be harmless at all since the vampire was already dead.

Lord Ferron silences the members again before asking Iafleur: "Are you sure it was a vampire you saw?"

"Yes, my lord."

"And where did you say you found her?"

"In Graydel Woods, my lord."

"When was this?"

"On Sunday evening. I found her body on my out when I was about to head home."

"I'm sorry, did you say 'body'?" Lord Ferron asked and emphasized "body". The ambience of his office somehow heated a bit.

"Y-yes, my lord. The vampiress was already dead when I found her."

"Vampiress? It was a woman?" Lord Ylandar cried in surprise. Iafleur too was surprised to see his expression.

"Why haven't you told us this, young lady?" said Lord Uzel.

Iafleur could only bend her head in shame. But Lord Ferron's next question would utterly bring everyone distraught.

"Tell me, Iafleur, and be honest. Did you or did you not touch the vampiress' dead body?"

Silence befell the room. She knew she would never lie. Iafleur heaves a deep sigh and bravely lifted her head.

"Please, lend me your ears and allow me to explain everything."

Lord Ferron nodded and Iafleur wasted not another second and divulges to them everything that happened. Even told them about her and the vampiress' conversation and how she entered into her dreams. And even though she assured them that she locked her inside her own darkness, the other Council members are still reluctant to feel relief. Iafleur also never forgot to mention the missing princess.

When she finished, everyone was looking into each other's eyes as though they were communicating. Iafleur sighed and anxiously waited for their response, concluding that she might actually get punished for this. She could hear them whispering to one another and dart gazes upon her and nod their head. If only she could hear what they were saying, her hands wouldn't tremble badly.

But Iafleur was soon spared the misery when Lord Ferron once more took the spotlight. With a grave look on his face, Iafleur already knew the sentence awaiting her. And when Lord Ferron finally spoke, her heart felt like it burst into pieces.

"I want you to accept this vampiress' offer."

She gasped loudly. "My lord Ferron!"

"You need not find the person spreading the rumours about an Umbran anymore for all facts have been confirmed. The King and Queen called me last night for an urgent matter. Upon my arrival at Buckingham Palace, His Majesty King Carlson told me immediately that there is still indeed a surviving Umbran within the Sacred Woods. The information that vampiress told you about the two Umbrans--- they were all true. The King himself finally admitted that they hid it from us thinking that no such creature would ever penetrate through the seal. But five days ago, reports were given to them by a trusted witch that a group of vampires called the Eldentri are planning to resurrect the other Umbran--- the Vampire Queen herself!"

"What? But you said she wasn't real!" cried Lord Ylandar.

"What is the meaning of this, Lord Ferron?" added Lord Myoda. "This is not the time to play around with some old jokes."

"What I am telling you now is all true!" Lord Ferron bellowed and it silenced the Council. He sighed and recomposes himself. "King Carlson himself confirmed it. There 'are' two Umbrans that existed long before the Great Slaughter."

"This could be a disaster! What will happen now if that Umbran gets loose from the Sacred Woods? We cannot allow that to happen. This could mean another war. Maybe we could ask the Goddess of the Moon to strengthen the seal!"

"Lord Myoda is right," Lord Killon followed. "But long ago, the Goddess had already helped us by granting the Sun and Moon curse. Now it is up to us to make use of it to save our people."

Iafleur's mind was no longer on the main subject. Everything they told her, was all a lie? After all this time, the Vampire Queen was real after all. But that was not what concerned her the most--- it was the fact that they had to lie. She only snapped back when Lord Ferron called her name.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Accept this vampiress' plead."

"The princess," she unknowingly uttered.

"Your concern, for now, is not the princess. General Pendrius and his troops of elite warriors have been sent out to search for her in the Sacred Woods. Your task is to use this vampiress to find the lost Kingdom of Vampires and report back to us."

"But that's an impossible mission, Lord Ferron," Lord Killon argued. "Surely you are not going to send her alone? This is very risky. Are you forgetting the other Umbran?"

Apparently, Lord Killon's concern was drowned when Lord Uzel raised his hand and spoke, "But why is this Vampire Queen more fearsome than this Umbran who found the lost kingdom when they're both Umbrans themselves?"

"Because she's a 'Queen', my lord," Lord Ylandar uttered. "Nothing is more fearsome than facing the Queen herself."

For a split-second, Iafleur thought she saw Lord Ylandar's eyes turning red and the image of the vampiress popping into her mind, causing her to lose consciousness and collapse on the floor.