We left.
Sitting on top of the box, I look behind to see what had been my home for nine long years go up in flames, embers carried high in the windless sky.
Those mortals took my lair. We live to fight another day but the need to flee leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. My instinct to turn and fight conflicts with the knowledge that there is nothing to be gained and the house being already lost makes a difference in helping me stay put.
I do not dare imagine how ...
2019-12-02 01:49:37 +0000 UTC
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Hi everyone.
I'm going on vacations today. I will return on December the first. I will keep writing while away but I am not sure I will be able to edit and post normally. Worst case scenario I will see you on December the 2nd. Cheers!
2019-11-22 04:37:47 +0000 UTC
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Normally upon waking I immediately exit my sealed sarcophagus. There has been a lot to do recently, and time is precious when one is slumbering for as long as I do. Now, my hand reaches for the lever and hesitates.
I need a moment for myself, to think.
Last night was full of lessons. The first one is that my romantic life will require me to stop myself from eating my partner if he is a mortal. I can see that this would be problematic. The easy solution would be to cou...
2019-11-19 13:13:27 +0000 UTC
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My dream palace melts in a phantasmagoria of shapes and colors. Awareness comes and goes with the ebb and flow of the riotous tide that pushes me forward. I know in my soul that I am here for a reason, an important one. An evanescent feeling of purpose. It calls to me from beyond the mirage swirling around my essence.
As I think this, I breach a sort of membrane and fall forward into a body that is not my own. I do not have the time to consider any of its physi...
2019-11-14 03:25:26 +0000 UTC
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The documents we recovered at the Baxter Estate turn out to be rather useful. It appears that we found the main base of operation of the Brotherhood in Georgia. This makes our failure to recover its leader intact that much more regrettable but also allows us to learn quite a bit.
Many of the notebooks detail transfers of supply and money to various local cells, and by checking against records we ‘convince’ merchants to share, we identify three hideouts in the span of a ...
2019-11-07 13:34:52 +0000 UTC
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August the 3rd 1812, Higginsville.
I look around Loth’s study number three, the one he usually uses for storage and long-duration experiments. It has now been cleaned, emptied and placed at my disposal for my first complete project. Time and time again, I have conducted my own studies, written my own dissertations and run experiments. This time is different. This time, I am handling this task from beginning to end.
And what a project it is, to go toe to toe with the...
2019-10-31 16:16:04 +0000 UTC
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I open my eyes to an embroidered canopy. In the distance, the pops and hisses of the hearth’s fire welcome me. I know where I am. This is my mind fortress in all its slumbering glory.
I hear a deep sigh coming from outside. I walk down a flight of stairs to the grand entrance. The gates open as I pass.
Under the serene gaze of the Watcher, flowerbeds extend on manicured lawn according to a bizarre pattern. I make my way to the nearest wall of towering thorn trees and they part before ...
2019-10-27 03:38:24 +0000 UTC
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“I already hate this Hunt.”
“Ye’re just a sore loser, lass.”
“Just because I end up being a loser a bit too often for my tastes...”
Loth looks like the very picture of innocence, which I find extremely suspicious. I insist that we change the way we select who will go first every time, and yet I still lose. Surely, Loth is not capable of cheating at every game.
Surely...
“Wipe that smirk off your face, mister. “
A howl...
2019-10-20 16:27:35 +0000 UTC
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Following our heroic return from opening a bank account and killing six people in the process, Dalton and I continue much like before. As a charming lad with good prospects and a secured income, Dalton starts receiving several discreet inquiries from good families to see if their daughters could be a match. He systematically turns them down. This only gives wind to the rumor mill. Now everyone says we are an item. Fortunately, we are protected by our good reputation and we are th...
2019-10-17 02:05:42 +0000 UTC
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I manage to convince Isaac to grant me enough time to get changed before our assault on the Frederickson Estate. I have cobwebs on my nice blue dress just because of that stunt on the beam. If possible, I would rather avoid bloodstains as well. Cobwebs can at least be brushed away.
I decide against taking my rifle. It is useful but unwieldy, and thus unsuitable for infiltration. The sad truth is that I have difficulties moving around when burdened with it. I wou...
2019-10-12 15:28:07 +0000 UTC
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A warm welcome to the cohort of new patrons. Just a reminder that we have an official Discord where you can send correction, suggestions and complaints:
https://discord.gg/Np67QFt
Thanks for your support. It means more than you know.
2019-10-09 16:03:08 +0000 UTC
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Forget about gentle reserve, this man is utterly scandalous! Who would ask something like that on the first night? This is bold, quite bold in fact!
“Isaac! How outrageously daring of you!”
His face scrunches in displeasure. His shame must be great indeed for him to display it so.
“Of course, Ariane, I must apologize for being so very forward, yet I beg you hear me out before you pass a final judgement. My awkward request is dictated by ...
2019-10-09 16:00:35 +0000 UTC
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When we return to Higginsville, Sinead is long gone. Loth does not tell me where he went and I do not ask. The Lichaean prince did leave a few things for me, the first being a letter.
My dear Ariane,
You are not a bad sort for a Nightwalker, and I am sure we shall meet again after you have grown into your new self. I look forward to it, and I have left you two things as a gesture of my appreciation.
2019-10-06 16:29:06 +0000 UTC
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First comes the smell, then the buzz of flies, and last is the sight of a desiccated limb covered by loose strands of fabric. The bright colors of the improvised shrouds turn the bodies into macabre puppets.
This one is a child, I note idly. They were the second to go, after the sick and wounded.
“Another one?”
“Yes.”
We have been following the trail of the lost Three Rivers tribe for two days now, and my patience is running short. Nashoba in...
2019-10-04 08:52:19 +0000 UTC
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“And what is this?” I ask as I get out of the carriage.
We are in the middle of a meadow off the beaten path. Besides Loth’s moving fortress there is also another one, an actual coach of outdated but solid make.
“That’s yer ride. I need to keep Asni and the wagon with me, ya know?”
“Yes yes, I was referring to the man.”
A prisoner kneels between Loth and Dalton. Sinead is standing a hundred paces away, busy drawing something in a note...
2019-10-03 04:08:26 +0000 UTC
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So there are three of you now. Thanks for the support it means more to me than you think.
On top of additional chapters you guys can also influence the story. If you give me good ideas like Sven did when he suggested native American folklore I’ll follow through.
2019-10-01 23:59:07 +0000 UTC
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I am walking back to the manor when Rose storms out in a panic. She immediately spots me and rushes to my side. From the red in her cheeks, I can tell that she has been running for a while.
She still stinks of tainted blood.
Gah, what is it with tonight? Can I not enjoy this party in peace? Is it too much to ask that the world polices itself for one evening?
“Miss Ari, your uncle asks for you, he has been challenged to a shooting competition and tu...
2019-10-01 14:47:43 +0000 UTC
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“What is this place?” I ask as I exit the sarcophagus.
“We are inside the Tillerson plantation house Mistress. The largest and most expensive manor in a hundred-mile radius! The furniture was made by a famous Philadelphia artisan and it has no less than forty windows. Please note the wonderful Corinthian column on the front porch, so lovely.” Says Dalton, deadpan.
I am grateful that vampires rise fully awake.
“The Tillerson are very proud of the ...
2019-10-01 05:56:10 +0000 UTC
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I wake up to the sound of animated discussion. I quickly don one of my armored dresses in dark blue and wonder if I should pick up my pistol. So far, I can only hear irate voices and the appearance of someone armed might do more damage than good. Let us try diplomacy first.
I step out of the tent and realize that we are at the edge of a native city of respectable size. An earthen pyramid dominates the vista in front of me, surrounded by wooden buildings that form a ci...
2019-09-26 12:17:59 +0000 UTC
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I open my eyes to the familiar darkness. I am still wearing the ruin of the maid outfit and the congealed blood sticks to my skin in a most unpleasant way. The smell is not much better.
Outside I can hear two heartbeats.
I slide the sarcophagus open to the canopy of Loth’s large tent. Just like six months ago, it is basked in a soothing blue light.
“Good evening.”
“Good evening lass, quick take this!”
He hands me a silver chalice with...
2019-09-23 15:15:24 +0000 UTC
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Stairs have been dug into the side of the mountain and railings placed at strategic positions. It does not help, I feel like I am a trespasser in a place that should have remained untamed and untouched.
We quickly reach a small landing. Nestled between two planes of the mountain is a shack. It is little more than a shelter and when we enter, I notice that it can barely contain all three of us. A cot and cupboard have been pushed against the farthest wall. Most o...
2019-09-21 06:17:29 +0000 UTC
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“… Potent blood for the experiments, Leonard…”
“… Over there next to the others, and cover her in chains…”
“… Costly, but think of the possibilities! She is fully turned; we now have a benchmark…”
Time passes.
Sometimes I move my eyes. There are bricks.
Sometimes I hear a sound. People are crying.
Sometimes I smell fear and unwashed body. And blood.
Time passes.
I cough. A few droplets flash blue and tu...
2019-09-18 14:23:01 +0000 UTC
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I trail Rose through a set of doors and smaller stairs. We do not come across anyone and soon reach a side of the manor. In front of me stand the stables and in the distance, I can see a few barns of great size, possibly home to over a hundred beasts. More houses rise around interspersed with trees.
After a quick glance to the Silent Watcher for serenity and good luck, I order Rose to walk ahead while I stealthily move after her. My guide only crosses path wi...
2019-09-17 13:51:50 +0000 UTC
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I put the dessert spoon back on the empty plate and rest both hands on my round belly.
“Where are the kids?” Asks Achille with a smile.
“Mine or yours?”
“Both.”
“They are outside. Roger is looking after them, don’t worry.”
“Good. There is somebody I wanted you to meet.”
“Really? At this time?”
“You already know him.”
A you...
2019-09-16 12:56:12 +0000 UTC
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I quickly retrace our steps. As expected, a blind child could track us down. In half an hour I slow down when I see the smoke and ember of another camp.
I creep closer until I happen upon the remainders of the ill-fated Valiants.
Most of the group lounges dejectedly around the campfire. They lost more than half of their numbers today. Many men sit apart from each other. Eyes do not meet.
A real group bound by links of blood or friendship would cling togeth...
2019-09-13 09:30:39 +0000 UTC
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Bonk.
“Ouch.”
BONK.
“Ow! What in the!?”
I open the sarcophagus and jump out in a fury. I am inside the carriage. It is currently running at full speed on a bumpy road. Why would they ever do something so…
Bang!
Ah, of course.
I open a small slit that allows sight to the forward coach.
“Uncle? I take it the negotiations did not pan out?
“Ah, Ari. We can’t seem to shake them off. Can you think of something?...
2019-09-13 08:52:24 +0000 UTC
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I wake up to the same thing I have woken to for the past hundred days: complete darkness. My hand easily finds and pulls a handle. With a loud clang, the top of my sarcophagus slides up and away on a pair of rails with nary a noise. The exterior is completely smooth. It can only be opened from the inside.
My room is rather small but I like it. It is well furnished with a bed I barely ever use, a desk, a wardrobe that hides a secret exit and a small but well prov...
2019-09-13 01:20:36 +0000 UTC
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