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When the sun set and the rest of the light of day subsided, Thessa and Sarren left the inn to explore the city ion Talt nestled in the largest forest of the kingdom of Vestia, the resident kingdom of the king of the six kingdoms. The city had guards from the king as well as from the city, being that it was the capital of Vestia, but there were not nearly as many as would be in King’s Cross to the east. Thessa stayed close to Thessa as she led her through the streets to the seedy north side of Talt. The northern gate was where the smugglers from Ironhold, in southern Adendalind, entered the city with their illicit goods. There were two taverns there, both filled with the kind of people Thessa was looking for according to Sarren.
If you want my instruction, I can tell you how to find those you seek.
“Yes, of course. Tell me.”
Your power lies in death and the evil in men’s hearts. You can sense the power in death on people. If they have killed, even if they are a soldier, you can sense it on them. It feels like a strong pull to that person. The more death surrounding them, the bigger the pull. If you open yourself up to it. You have to clear your mind and search for it with your feelings or you get nothing. She cocked her head. Are you sure you want to look like that in the tavern?
“Good point, but I have not made anymore blood feeders or caused any deaths. I am stuck this way.”
No, you can revert back to your normal look. Once you create a blood feeder, you can use the magic to change back.
“I don’t want to change back. What if my mother finds out I was here? I had better find someone to change into a vampire before I go into the tavern.”
All right, go in the alley behind one of the taverns. There is always something shockingly bad going on in the alleys.
Thessa nodded and rounded the corner to see a man who seemed to be hugging the side of the building When she got closer she realized he had a woman pinned to the wall. He was kissing her neck. The woman saw Thessa and mouth the words help me.
“Ah hem.” Thessa said.
The man turned his head slightly to get a look at her, “Bugger off!” He said.
“I think you should let the woman go.”
He turned abruptly, “I said bugger off!” The woman slipped from his grip and hastened her way down the alley, out of sight.
“Now see what you did, I was having myself a little kiss.” He stumbled closer to her. “I guess you will be giving me a kiss now then.”
Thessa back up and let her mind wander. She let her feelings run rampant and the man became a tremendous pull on her soul. He had not just killed, he had done terrible things to both men and women, mostly to women. Thessa’s revulsion almost made her puke. “Stay back.”
“Why? You ran off my date now you must take her place.” He walked toward her a little faster.
Thessa was frightened, She had never done this sort of thing on purpose. She had never given into her power as the Black Mage. “I am warning you. You don’t want to come any nearer to me.”
“I’ll tell you what, you are one nice looking woman, I would be honored to steal a kiss from the likes of you.”
Sarren was just out of sight in the darkness of the alley entrance. Do it! Let go! Stop holding back. I am watching the street, there is no one coming.
Thessa closed her eyes and let the flood of power she had pinned up inside flow into her. She was not prepared for the deluge of feelings that rushed into her. Her mother, the memory of being a blood feeder, the memory of all the kills she made as a blood feeder, and the anger she felt for both Sarren and Cassany. Her hands and arms felt red hot and whips of red mist blew up behind her. The man stopped his pursuit in awe.
“What in the two hells are you.”
She thrust the red mist over the man and he froze in terror. Her canine teeth began to grow and curve out of her mouth and her face felt hot. She felt overwhelmed with the hunger. Streaks of red lightning flashed around her head and she lurched forward like a ravenous cat focused on its prey. Her teeth sunk into the startled man’s neck and she could feel the life leaving him and entering her. It only took seconds, and the man fell to the ground, convulsing in the throes of death. She had done it! She had used her powers of death to turn a truly evil man.
How do you feel?
“Unholy!” She said. “This is what the pleasure Cassany gifted to the Black Mage?”
Yes, and now she has you, but you had no choice. You would have had to give in sooner or later.
“Where do I send this man after he turns?”
Send him into the woods to wait for further instructions. Pick a spot. You can send them all there to wait for you. You can build your army to defeat Tanyth.
When the man stopped convulsing and stood. “Go into the woods, find a small clearing and wait for me there. Kill anyone who approaches you who is not someone I send.”
“Understood mistress.” He said. He walked off toward the north gate. Thessa turned to Sarren, who was still in the shadows. She could see her there clearly now. “Who’s next?”
There goes one now. Sarren pointed her paw at a young man stumbling along the side of the tavern. Thessa moved into the shadows as the man walked by them. She let hers feelings go and felt the pull toward him. It must have been a good night to catch men who had done unspeakable things to women and children. Her anger filled her senses as she saw the images in her mind. SHe leaned down close to Sarren’s furry ear, “This one is worse than the last one.”
Then you know what you must do.
Thessa stalked the young man into the alleyway. He would not get away with the horrible things he had done. This man was the perfect candidate for becoming one of her blood feeders. He needed to pay, and this time he would pay with his life. She let the red mist flow behind her again. It was a blood red mist coming from seemingly thin air. She could guide it, and she sent it to ensnare the young man. He froze. Thessa was behind him but she could feel his fear and she imagined his face twisted in terror just like the first one. She moved in to transform him and was surprised to hear him whimpering.
“Please, what are you doing?”
Thessa was terrified and angry at the same time. She didn’t know they could speak to her and pled. She attacked before he could say anything else. The same convulsions the first man had gone through made this man writhe as well. When he was done, she sent him away to join the other. She turned on Sarren, who was still in the shadows. She could see the cat as if she were in full daylight standing in the sunlight, “You didn’t tell me they could talk or pled for their lives! I can’t do this if they are begging me to let them go.”
Why not? They are still the evil men you sensed they were. They are undeserving of your sympathy. You must never forget that about them. Making them gives you power beyond anything you can have without them.
“I do feel better physically than I ever have before. How will I use this power in the tournament? I can’t turn people in the arena.”
You try to turn the other mages. Also, the more blood feeders you make and have out in the world, the more power you will have. You can draw on them for your strength. If you have none, you are weak.
“I don’t know if I can do this long enough to build an army to go after Tanyth, no matter how good it feels.”
Sure you can. You just have to hate him enough and want to protect your interests enough to keep doing it. It gets easier over time.
“Are they all men or do women do bad things too?”
Women are just as guilty, don’t worry.
Thessa grinned, “Then I want to turn one of them next.” She started toward the tavern entrance.
You are still the pretty Zarina.
“Yes, I know. You catch more flies with honey. Why should I change?”
Well, because the power was given to you to change, so no one recognizes you as some crazed vampire and hunts you down. You can still be a pretty woman.
Thessa hesitated, “Maybe you’re right.” She used the power and changed her appearance into a lovely young blonde woman. She looked for Sarren in the shadows, and they had gotten a bit dimmer. “A moment ago I could see you as if you were in broad daylight, but now the surrounding darkness is dimmer.”
You only created two blood feeders. If you want to keep the power, you can drain it from them or keep adding more. The more you have, the longer your power will regenerate and the more power you will retain.
“Stay out here. I doubt you would last long inside.” Thessa entered the tavern. The place was loud, smoky, and smelled of old boots, ale, and unwashed bodies. She immediately stood out. All eyes seemed to turn to her. She tried to hide her nervousness behind a wide smile.
“Ay, you lost lady?” A near toothless man shouted at her from somewhere left of her.
“Yeah, you must ‘ave lost yer way.” Another said.
Not knowing what to do, she let the red mist flow along the floor of the full tavern. No one seemed to notice at a first until it began to ensnare people.
“Hey, what is this on the floor?” A woman shouted as she tried to pull free. Others looked upon Thessa in terror. She let the mist gather quickly around the tavern. She had not intended to turn a whole tavern, but this was her first time and she didn’t know what kind of person she needed to look like to blend into a place such as this. Besides, Sarren said, the more she turned the more power she would have. She let her fangs grow, and she bared them instinctively.
“Oh, by the two hells and the gods, what are you?” The barman said from behind the counter.
“Cursed!” It was all Thessa could think if to say. She moved at lightning speed as the charged red lighting around her also struck and numbed the patrons around her as she went. She was made to take on as many people as she wished, and she did. She let their shouts and cries fall on deaf ears as she worked her way through the tavern. A new patron entered as she did her work, and he was ensnared as soon as he entered the mist. She turned on him and made him her last victim. Sarren rushed into the tavern from outside before the doors closed her out.
What did you do? Look at all this. You were supposed to be discreet. As soon as the people of this city realize a whole tavern full of people are missing, they will know what you have done!
Thessa stopped, “Let them know!”
But you can’t hide from this.
“Let Cassany worry about that. She made me the way I am.” The people began to awaken as blood feeders. “Go to the clearing and wait for me! Go to your brethren.” The people began moving toward the door. Thessa followed to dispose of any guards or people who should show up and get in their way as they traveled through the north gate and into the forest beyond. Sarren sighed and followed after.