That Bastard the Vampire by Beckett Blaise

Author:Beckett Blaise [Blaise, Beckett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampire, witch, ghoul, werewolf, supernatural, blood, interview, horror, dark fantasy, urban fantasy
Publisher: Shadesilver Publishing
Published: 2023-05-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14: The Broken Lands

When Ephaltus returned to the Earth Chamber, Marlee was talking to one of the dryads about redecorating. He heard a snippet of the conversation as he was putting up his cloak. “What is all this about?” He asked as he moved to where Marlee and the dryad talked.

“This place needs a woman’s touch.” Marlee said. “You don’t expect me to live here like this, do you?”

“Like what?”

“With the place like this. Like a man decorated it.”

Ephaltus looked around. “It’s always looked like this, even when I was an apprentice.”

“Exactly!”

“Well, you don’t live in it as much as you sleep in it. When you are Tourney Master, you will spend ninety-five years asleep.”

“And those ninety-five years will be in a comfortable place I decorated. If the time I am awake is the only time I am conscious of it, then I want those waking years to be comfortable.

“All right, it’s your Earth Chamber after this tournament.” He decided to use this opportunity to talk to her about his journey. “Marlee, are you comfortable enough to hold things down here and with the mages while I run an errand?”

Marlee instantly brimmed with excitement and then acted subdued, “You would trust me with everything?”

“If you can remember to recalibrate the Ocularius Magnus, then yes.”

“Oh, I can! What kind of errand and how long will you be gone?”

“I am afraid it is a lengthy one. I may be gone a few weeks. I have to travel. I won’t be gone long enough to be missed. I realize I have duties here.” He glanced at the dryad who was frowning. She changed her expression when he looked at her. “But I also realize that I have a competent assistant who can handle things temporarily this time around.” Marlee beamed. “Besides, the dryads are here to help you too should you need them.”

“I will make you proud.” She said.

“Well. I should hope so, but if all goes well, you should not have anything to make me proud of as it were.” He winked at Marlee. “You remember what I told you if you should need me?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Good. He rummaged through some of his belongings near his favorite chair. I might need my reading glasses and pipe.” He tucked the two items away in the robes of his pocket.

“You are leaving now?” Marlee asked.

“No time like the present. The journey is long and I want to get there and back as soon as I can.”

“Are any of the mages near where you are traveling. You can use one of them to travel to.”

“No, I am afraid I will have to do this one by foot. None of the mages are off to the south that I know of at this hour.” He put his finger to his nose. “Wait a moment. Where is the Black Mage?”

“Last I checked, she was in Emlestra in the kingdom of Craessa.”

“Yes... Yes, that will do. I can go to her. She is about halfway to my destination.

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