Bertrand had been awake almost two days, and he was very tired. He was in no mood for a council meeting, but he had to finish what he started.
He stayed awake for two reasons. One was to keep an eye on his sleeping comrades, and the other was to see if it were true. Had Bartholomew become a Daywalker?
Bertrand watched closely as the sun began to rise, and when it did, Bartholomew fell dead asleep almost at the same time as Xander and the others. Either he was faking, or he really was asleep. Bertrand was so tired he no longer cared. He was just ready to get on with his plans.
Once they got within one mile of the castle, the carriage stopped in the very same place it was when they left.
“Why have we stopped?” Bartholomew asked.
Bertrand looked at Sirus and said, “Sirus, I want you and Corbin to take him down to the holding cell beneath my chamber. Don’t let anyone see you. Put him in the shackles we use for interrogation, and gag him. After this is finished, you’re to go and wait outside council chambers. Xander and I will be there shortly. Corbin, you stay with Bartholomew. Keep your pike, and if he moves, kill him. When we’re ready for you to bring Bartholomew before Hannibal, Sirus will come and let you know. Go.”
“Yes, my lord,” Sirus and Corbin said in concert, as they got out of the carriage and took Bartholomew with them.
Once the three of them were out of earshot, Bertrand said, “Now comes the hard part.”
“Convincing Hannibal to do something?” Xander asked.
“No. Explaining to Jayde where I’ve been for two days.”
Xander laughed aloud and said, “Good luck.”
“Well my friend, I need you to gather the other council members, and I’ll gather the elders.”
“What’s the topic of this meeting?”
“What else? We have a rogue amongst us.”
All of the elders and the council members, minus one, were on their way into the council chamber an hour later. As Bertrand passed through the door, Sirus stood outside council chambers, acting as a guard. “Stay here,” Bertrand said. Sirus nodded as Bertrand continued through the door to find his seat. Hannibal opened the meeting. He didn’t even notice Bartholomew missing.
“Good evening brothers and sisters. I didn’t call this meeting this evening, but it’s one of great importance. Word has reached my ear that there’s a rogue amongst us.” Hannibal then looked up and noticed that Bartholomew was not in his chair. “Where is Master Bartholomew?” There was a quiet mumbling within the chamber. “Do none of you know where he is?” Hannibal asked aloud.
Bertrand then stood up and announced, “My lord, I’ve taken Master Bartholomew into custody.”
Hannibal was shocked. “For what purpose have you done this Bertrand?”
“Master Bartholomew is our rogue.”
The council chamber erupted with chatter. Hannibal waited until it got quiet and he asked, “Are you certain of this? This is a serious accusation against one of our own.”
“Yes, I’m certain, my lord.”
“Master Bertrand, on whose authority did you arrest Master Bartholomew?”
“Forgive me, my lord, but I took matters into my own hands.”
“I see. Did you have help in your endeavor?”
Xander stood up and said, “Yes, my lord. I assisted Master Bertrand.”
Hannibal placed his head in his hand, sighed, and said, “I can assume you wouldn’t have helped him if you didn’t also believe this to be true.”
“That’s correct, my lord.”
“Well since neither I, nor any of the elders authorized this, let it be known that both of your council seats are in jeopardy. If the evidence you present to us doesn’t prove that Bartholomew is what you say he is, I’ll dismiss the both of you from the council. Is that understood?”
Xander and Bertrand both replied, “Yes, my lord.”
Hannibal couldn’t believe what a ruckus Bartholomew was causing in his once peaceful coven. He, however, had to do what any good king would do. He would hear both sides of the story and judge accordingly. “Well, where is he?” Hannibal asked.
“If you’ll allow me, I’ll send Sirus to retrieve him.”
“Fine,” Hannibal responded, his impatience growing by the second.
The council doors opened shortly thereafter, and three vampires entered. It was Bartholomew, escorted by Sirus and Corbin. Corbin still held his black wood pike to Bartholomew’s neck. Hannibal was surprised.
“Master Corbin, you can let go of Master Bartholomew.”
“Forgive me, Master Hannibal, but he’s able to use magic.”
“He can’t use magic within this chamber. You can let him go and you and Master Sirus are excused.”
“Yes, my lord,” Corbin said. He and Sirus exited the chamber and closed the door behind them.
Hannibal stood up and said, “Master Bartholomew, you’re late for a council meeting. Did you not get word that we were to have this meeting?”
“Masters Bertrand and Xander told me you wanted to see me. I didn’t believe them.”
Hannibal then started pacing back and forth as he spoke. “I see. Two of my most trustworthy council members show up at your door, tell you I want to see you and you refused to come?”
“It’s as I said. I didn’t believe them.”
Hannibal stopped pacing, looked at Bartholomew, and asked, “Why not?”
“When I asked them what you wanted, they didn’t tell me.”
Hannibal started pacing again and asked, “Do you think that they did they not tell you because they chose not to?”
“I don’t believe so,” Bartholomew replied.
“Why’s that?”
“Because they told me they didn’t know why you wanted me. They only told me you wanted to see me.”
“Yet, you still refused to come. Why?”
“It didn’t feel right, my lord.”
Hannibal stopped pacing and again looked at Bartholomew and said, “Instincts. Those of us, who have reached at least 100 years, have seen enough to know when something doesn’t feel right. Do you know what Bartholomew? Your instincts were right on. I had no desire to see you. Bertrand and Xander abducted you. As to what purpose, we’ll get to soon enough.” Hannibal began to pace once again. “So Bartholomew, tell me what happened when instinct kicked in.”
“I ran.”
“Thus causing them to chase you down and drag you back here.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Hannibal stopped moving, looked up at Xander, and asked, “Is this true?”
“It is.”
“I see. Bartholomew, why do you think they came for you?”
“I have no idea.”
Hannibal stopped pacing momentarily and asked, “Bertrand, why did you go and arrest Master Bartholomew?”
“I’ve heard of his abuse towards his people.”
“This alone made you take him into custody?”
“No, my lord. Word had reached my ear that my brother was abused by him.”
“Master Boris?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Bartholomew was shocked. He had no idea who Boris was when he came to work at the farm. If he had, he never would have touched him.
“It’s a well known fact that you haven’t spoken two words to your brother in 200 years. Why did you care?” Hannibal asked.
“Regardless of our differences, he’s still my blood.”
Hannibal began pacing the floor again and said, “Loyalty. More importantly, family loyalty. Master Xander, why did you assist Bertrand in this?”
“Because my daughter also has been abused by him. I love my daughter, my lord.”
Hannibal nodded and continued to pace. “Again, family loyalty. Family loyalty across clans. In this, I’m very proud. Bertrand, you haven’t spoken with your brother in several years, Xander, you gave your daughter up to Bartholomew. Neither of them are members of your clans any longer. Bartholomew has a right to do what he wants within his own clan. Why should I punish him?”
Darth suddenly spoke up. “My lord, if I might intercede. I agree with Bertrand. I wouldn’t let someone abuse anyone within my bloodline. I’m a strict task master, but I’d never allow this.”
Julian also spoke up in agreement. “I wouldn’t allow this either,” he said as he stared at Bartholomew.
Hannibal stopped pacing, looked at Bartholomew, and said, “Well Master Bartholomew, two of the cruelest amongst us wouldn’t allow abuse to happen to anyone in their bloodline.” Hannibal looked around the room and asked, “How about the rest of you? Would you let anyone in your bloodline be harmed by another?”
A wave of “no” responses filled the room. Hannibal started pacing again, and continued. “Well Bartholomew, it’s agreed amongst your peers that they wouldn’t allow this either. Tell me, would you want one in your bloodline to be abused by another?”
Bartholomew thought of the fourteen children he sired, some of which were working for him. “No,” was all he could say.
“Well then, why would you do this?”
“I don’t have an answer for you, my lord.”
“No? Well, I’ll tell you what,” Hannibal said as he began to pace again. “As far as I’m concerned, right now, you’re innocent of what you’ve been accused of.”
All in the room began to mumble amongst themselves in confusion. Hannibal smiled, as he sometimes enjoyed causing havoc himself. Bartholomew, however, was grateful.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Hannibal stopped pacing and looked directly at Bartholomew. “Don’t thank me yet. I did say you were innocent for right now.” Hannibal turned his attention to Bertrand and asked, “Master Bertrand, since we all know you haven’t spoken to your brother, how is it you learned of his abuse?”
“Lady Isabella.” Bertrand stated plainly.
Everyone in the room again began to mumble amongst themselves. Hannibal saw their reaction, and began to pace the room once again. “I seem to remember Lady Isabella as being somewhat of a rogue herself. Why did you believe her?”
“She has proven to be a changed woman. When she first came to me, I did doubt her words, but by the time she left, I believed her.”
Hannibal stopped and turned his attention to Xander. “Master Xander, I only can assume since Brie was recently here, she has told you herself of her abuse.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Hannibal turned his attention back to Bartholomew. “Well then, Master Bartholomew, before we pass judgment, I’d like to hear from the ones you’re accused of abusing.”
“You would like to speak with them, my lord?” Bartholomew asked.
“Yes. I need to speak with Master Boris, Mistress Brie, and Lady Isabella. We’ll hear their stories, and decide if you’re indeed a rogue. Are you a rogue Bartholomew?”
“I don’t believe so, my lord.”
Hannibal was enjoying his superiority at the moment, and began to pace once more. “My definition of rogue is one who is acting independently and using unorthodox methods which are unpredictable and are likely to cause trouble. Is this you? We’ll soon see.”
Hannibal sat in his chair and continued, “We’ll continue this tribunal in two days. This will allow time for Lady Isabella, Master Boris, and Mistress Brie to get here. Bertrand, you may once again detain Master Bartholomew until then.”
Bertrand stepped outside of the door. “Sirus, Corbin please return Master Bartholomew to the interrogation room. Don’t shackle him. He will be there for a couple of days. Please choose two human males to put in the room with him. This will allow him to feed. Lock the door and continue to stand guard. I myself will come and get you when it’s time for him to come out.”
Sirus and Corbin stood on either side of Bartholomew. He stood up and left the council chamber with Sirus and Corbin following closely behind.
Hannibal returned to his chair and said, “Good. Two days from now, we’ll continue.”
The following day, a message arrived at Castle of Farmers. Tristan received the message, and reported directly to Isabella.
“Mistress, a message has arrived from Master Hannibal.”
“What is it, Tristan?”
“You, Master Boris and Mistress Brie are to report to the Castle of Kings.”
Isabella’s heart started beating a mile a minute, yet she remained calm. “Does it say when?”
“Tomorrow, my lady.”
“Thank you, Tristan. Where’s Master Alec?”
“I haven’t seen him, my lady.”
“Locate Boris, Brie, Selena, and Alec. I would like to speak with all of them.”
“Yes, mistress.”
Minutes later, the four of them were in Isabella’s chamber.
“What is it?” Alec asked.
“Hannibal has requested the presence of Boris, Brie and I. Should we go?”
“Of course. I’m certain you don’t want someone from the Castle of Kings to drag you off in the middle of the night like Bartholomew. When are you to see him?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Well then it seems as though a tribunal has begun. I only can assume that the three of you are witnesses. Begin packing immediately. I’ll arrange your ride. Brie, Emma will again take care of the children. With any luck, he will be gone once this is over. I want all of you to tell the truth. Remember, our livelihood, our freedom, and the welfare of the children depends on what you say.
~~~