Khira Chronicles - The redemption of Eleannor

"Mother?!"

Mixed feelings built inside of Khira for having her mother standing right in front of her after such a long search.
She slowly took in her wounds, the emaciated look on her skin showing just how little she had fed for some time, weeks or maybe even months. She watched how Frederick gravitated around her in a protective stance and how much his expression still showed the love he had for her.
She opened her lips to say something and all that came out was a hoarse voice adding to Khira's suspicion of her mother being underfed.

"Eleannor, you should not try to speak just now. First you need to feed and rest, then there will be time for you girls to discuss whatever needs to be discussed." said Frederick while almost giving in to caress Eleannor hair falling down her shoulders.

Khira was lost for words, she felt anger for the woman who had casted her out and still all she wanted was to hold her and make whoever wounded her so severely pay for every scratch.

"Who did this?" she was able to ask while trying to collect herself from giving in to the sanguinary impulses that gave her the name she hated to be called.

Frederick hesitated and stared from Morgan to Eleannor as if looking for guidance. He was clearly nervous about whatever he was going to say and the anger inside Khira only stirred even more.

"Who?" She spoke with a growling tone added to her voice, unable to hide the animalistic urges and violence creeping into her blood every time her eyes headed on her mothers injuries direction. "Do not tempt me, I am not called the Sculptress for no reason..."

Eleannor cringed and mumbled the last word she had been waiting to hear "Mutts".

Morgan laughed loudly causing every one in that room to stare at her and started pacing in front of the door with a very sarcastic grin on face.

"So the mighty Eleannor Kiergarten, ruler of the pure casts of vampire and leader of the Elder council was trapped and defeated by wolves?" Morgan laughed one more time leaving them all confused. "That means war, daddy Fred... You know it means war."

"Morgan, it means retaliation not war. Calm down your hatred and blood thirst" Frederick said.

Khira growled and pressed her fangs together so hard it was hearable. She moved closer to Eleannor and kneeled at her feet before taking her pale hand into hers.

"Mother, I do not love you but in some way I do not hate you as well. I may never forgive you for giving me away and casting my out but not because of power, but because you refused me of being raised by you as my mother and giving me the love all children crave..." Her voice grew a bit hoarse, she licked her bleeding gums and continued. "But nevertheless, you are my mother and I will kill whoever did this to you."

Frederick moved in front of them with a concerned look on his face.

"You can't. Not now... Your mother is in enough danger as it is by being here. Queen Eunice will not like to know that official royalty is in her domain. Fragile as she is now Khira, she can't be left unattended and your blood is hers, it will work much faster than mine or Morgan's."

"Two days and I'll go hunt them down."
"I casted you out... to keep... you... safe... from the court. I promise I will explain... Thank you Khira, I do not deserve your vengeance or help. You are kind..."

"Not thanks to your guidance and teachings." Snarky Morgan spoke before leaving the room. "These people make me sick. I'll do all the hard work. " And with that she took off to find the warehouse where Eleannor had been trapped.

Khira Chronicles - Requiem

How long has it been....

The sore muscles of her weakening body burned. She tried once again to release herself from her restraints but the silver chains that held her must be enchanted.
Those damned wolves were waiting for her, she had been betrayed. The real question was by who?

When she reached the woods near the Forgotten Forest, a pack of wolves took her as prisoner and tortured her for days, even though she claimed to be just a traveller. It only made it worst.
Her memory started to fail after months of torture... She remembered only the bleeds and the burns...
The silence cut only by their mocking howls and Eleannor's screams and hisses.

I hear the sound of something dripping...
I'm being bled again...

The sound of approaching footsteps forced her to open her eyes. Her lids felt heavy and her vision blurry. Before her was Raven, the one that seemed to be the leader of her captors.

"Lady Eleannor, I can't help but to thank you for your precious contribution. We had never laid our hands in such pure elder blood." she grinned maliciously and poked Eleannor's right thigh with a burning red poker. "It's such a shame that you are becoming so weak... Maybe I should get you something to eat..."

Raven stroke her face violently and laughed hysterically.

"Soon enough, all of your disgusting and murdering familiars and kindred will fall. Thanks to your precious blood, you will all meet your doom."

She started howling then, soon all the others joined the deadly song, the song for the dead.

The song of my death...

The moon was full and soon Raven and her pack turned, running into the wild hunting and procreating.

Peace for now... She thought before hearing another noise. Her hurting eyes tried to inspect the rotten warehouse they trapped her in, she was too weak to focus, her throat burning with the thirst.
Then he came into view...

It can not be...

"Eleannor, dear... It has been so long..."
"Frederick? Is that you?"

He moved quickly to her and released her restraints. He picked her up and carried her in his arms away from the putrid confinement she was in. He caressed her burned cheek and whispered against her forehead.

"Some of these will not heal, beautiful."
It was the last thing she mumbled before fainting.

"I know..."

Khira Chronicles - The passion of Frederick

To live the afterlife waiting for her was unbearable but to long for her daughter also was driving him mad. Their resemblance sent shivers down his spine and made his longing even harder to contain.
She had never loved him, she always used him to keep boredom at bay during her mission he now realised...
But the warmth and the passion were real, it must have been.

He laid on his chambers and looked up to the ceiling recalling her intimate touch and their exchange of blood.
The way she soothed him was beyond words...The wet trail of her tongue, the feel of her skin against his...
The sound of her voice and the taste of her...

To have tasted her and to have lost her was too much and now, Khira.
So much like her mother... Much more than she was willing to admit or maybe she didn't know better.
But then again he knew how cold and cruel Eleannor could be and Khira didn't seem the killer vampire her royal blooded mother was...

Khira sounded young, untouched... he felt his own blood boil of just trying imagine if she had any of her mother's skills in the sensual arts.
"I'd love to taste her..." he exclaimed out loud.
"Frederick, did you say anything?"
"My dear Morgan, I was just thinking out loud. Rest my child."

It would be much simpler for him to simply love his child, his Morgan, but to him she was as his own daughter.
Eleannor wanted to simply discard her after torturing and feeding of her, but he couldn't bring himself to simply abandon the poor girl.
"That's only sign of your weakness and why you can not even be my lover outside court, Frederick" She told him before she left the city.

"Zephyr came looking for the newcomer today"
"What did he want?" He turned to face Morgan with fiery eyes and a raging expression.
"He wanted to invite the girl to break her fast with him tomorrow evening." she said with a sigh and shrug.

He would not lose another Bloody Clan woman. If Eleannor was his drug, Khira was his salvation and he would not let go of her so easily... Especially to Zephyr, she would not become just another trophy in his collection.

"Morgan, if someone comes looking for me simply tell them I am hunting..." He paced back and forth restlessly and proceeded "If Khira comes by tell her, I'll get her want she is looking for and to avoid Zephyr."
"Yes, Father" she shrugged while looking hungrily over the balcony to a innocent girl that strolled alone under the moonlight. She licked her fangs and kissed Frederick on the cheek before jumping into the night.

"Time to find an old friend..."

What hides in the Dark - Desperation Room

The place was pitch dark and all she could hear was remote sounds of dripping water.

How long had it been since she was trapped there...

She couldn't remember how she got there, the only certainty she had was the sore body and gushing wound on her forehead.

Slowly she tried to stand up but the effort wore her out at the first try, her legs were aching from the muscle atrophy and her back hurt like she had been kicked several times.

She tried to adapt her eyesight to the blackness around her. She rubbed her eyes and the filth in her hands made them immediately sting and tears began running to clear her sight.

An ugly sound echoed all around her, making her recoil and lean against the mossy wall. 

the only sound now were her clattering teeth and shivers, she tried to focus on the shadows, moveing her head from side to side randomly, her panic taking over any remanescent sense of reason within her.

The hours passed and she slipped on and off sleep, her exhaustion taking over every nerve on her body. Light seemed to enter through tiny ventilation holes at times, but the dark dominated her spirit now more than the place itself. Her desperation was her biggest confinement and the will to escape was now almost non-existent.

She heard it...

There...

Once again she tried to move, she dragged herself trying to reach for the source of the sound. A million thoughts crossed her mind. What was there? Should she hide? 

A moving shadow caught her attention, all that she thought was to get closer, to escape from that awful confinement, to find help.

She tried to yell but no sound escaped from her throat.

She wanted to cry but her tear channel was too inflamed from the dirt and filth of her hands.

The shadow moved in her direction and as it reached her it stopped.

"Ready to beg Megan, my little whore?"

He laughed and started kicking her again on her torso.

"You'll never be free again..."

He spat on her face and started moving away from her, leaving her bleeding and hurting wishing for her death to come quickly.

Khira Chronicles - Beginnings

"I can see it's not going to be that easy to find her" she scratches her head gently tucking the locks of her hair behind her ears.

When Khira decided to go after her mother, she had no idea whatsoever of what she was going to find. Would her mother even recognize her? Probably so, but would she welcome her? Probably not, not after what she went through after looking for her herself, and probably not after seeing Khira chose the wolves over her at that time.

But what was to be expected from her after being abandoned by her mother...

Khira was a baby when she was delivered to an orphanage, her mother was dead and so the hospital placed her in a state facility. She grew up to meet the same destiny that came to her mother, she died... and then came back.

Apparently, or so Bogart told her, she must have caught some of the blood change during the birth that caused her to be reborn after dieing in an car accident. Her first times were brutal and bloody, just like it is for all members of her Undead family as she came to know later.

When the Elders became aware of the existence of a stray child, she was hunted and that's when she discovered that she did have a certain talent for sculpting flesh,and set about perfecting her craft. She gained a reputation due to her particular craft, the Sculptress, the Elders and the Royal House clans called her.
Eventually, an older vampire got hold of her and left her to die a second time however it was then that her vampire classical story ended... and not in ashes.

Once the old vampire left her, the scent of blood caught the attention of a wolf and in this state of near death she was welcomed by a pack. In their care, she learned about herself and about principles no one had ever bothered to teach her. She learned about unity and family with them and at the same time gained much of the hatred they had for her own kind.

So, you see when Eleannor, her mother, came looking for her it wasn't a warm welcome that was expecting her. The wars between the wolves and vampires have existed for centuries and although Khira was an exception, a bastard daughter of a Royal Vampire house like her mother was not as happily welcomed. She was treated as a spy, tortured and bled. Eventually she got away, Khira never fully understood how but she did.

Ironically, the time came for the reverse to happen - Khira in search of her mother. The differences between the wolves and her grew more and more as years gone by and her needs as a vampire separated them.
Bogart, the wolf that rescued her that night, told her she must claim her heritage and learn the extent of her power. He send her off with a hug and she felt alone again...

After a few months she made it to a city run by an Elder woman of no Royal blood, she heard of her poise and ruling and became curious. It happened that her instinct guided her correctly, her mother had been there not long before she arrived. She met a strange vampire there.

He claimed to have loved her mother and that she never returned her feelings for him although she shared her bed with him, but he didn't seem very reasonable...
Soon after discussing her mother, he started to sweet-talk her and it became obvious to Khira that this Frederick clearly had some unfinished business with her mother and was trying to project it on to her.
Fool...

-image: Young Vampire - Vieux River - Uberwald by Fayte Devious - Glimpses of Discworld - An Assassin's Perspective

Khira Chronicles - Lost and found

Khira comes up around the corner and notices the familiar face. She hesitates by seeing he is not alone and the feels their auras. After many considerations she approaches silently and waits in silence to be seen and recognized not disturbing the others. His eyes glow brighter as he looks at his dear friend.

 “My Khira, please approach and hug me.”

Queen Eunice glances back to Zephyr and recalls memories of numerous times when the elders have stood as one, the back bone of the Tapes strength, then looking to Frederick she replies absently not noticing the approaching girl.

“They are indeed,”  she looks out the corner of her eye to the stranger and watches her carefully closing in, looking her up and down sensing her nature and intentions. Khira stares with disdain at Frederick ignoring the Queen’s evaluation of her.

“I belong to no one but myself”

She frowns to him and turns to nod politely to the others present and speaking softly almost as a song. Frederick leans towards his Queen and speaks gallantly.

“If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace. May I introduce to you my friend Khira?”

“Pardon for my manners” Khira elegantly curtsies never losing eye contact or awareness of her surroundings as she does.

 Queen Eunice Tapes’ crystal eyes begin to change from their cold crystal form to that of a baby blue as she senses the stranger’s dark gift.

“Well good day to you Khira” She offers her hand to her, which she without hesitation takes to kiss the vassal ring.

Zephyr smiles at Frederick’s words and overdone movements but also in belief of his own abilities turn to observe the newcomer. His eyes flicker as he takes in Khira.

“Hmmm… A new face... It’s always good to see newcomers in the city”

He speaks slowly while extending his hand toward his face to flicker away a raven strand. Khira amused by the slight touch of madness that emanates from him smiles pleased.

“Sir you must confess what gave me away, if you please. It is, in fact, true, that I have only arrived two days ago.”

He nods grinning at her letting his fangs show slightly.

“These eyes of mine are ever watching the happening of this city. Your very presence is what gave you away. I hope you are finding things to your liking.”

Frederick feeling utterly ignored looks at Khira wondering if he has upset her in some way and starts to feel uncomfortable as her probes and feels the auras around, prospecting for more knowledge of those before her , she senses great power and refrains herself from her bitter humor. She nods in agreement to the Zephyr’s statement only adding a few words.

“I have found a long lost friend” she points to Frederick and gives him a tiny smile.

The Queen listens to Khira and Zephyr’s little interlude and feeling ignored decides to interrupt the happy gathering.

“Yes, Zephyr is right, there is little that goes on in this city of which we are not aware and our scouts and scholars notify us of any new presences within the city. So my dear, considering you have already met one of my Elders council and one of the fledglings, I must introduce myself, I am the Queen of the Tapes coven.”  With that Frederick moves to stand next to the Queen, adding proudly while looking deep into Khira’s eyes.

 “And I have sworn allegiance to the Queen.” His eyes start to dim as a wave of sadness overwhelms him at her indifference as she takes another deep bow to the Queen.

“A true honour to be standing in front of your eyes and to be worthy of your words” She raises herself once again. “I have come in search of my lost mother but I was already advised that she has departed in a mission. So now I stand here as a… tourist with no other purpose but sight seeing and being attacked by zombies.” She adds smiling.

 Eunice nods in understanding as Khira's words fall on her, images of her own past searching flashing before her eyes, only to be put to rest with the images of her own present strong family bond with her children of the night.

“Well we can't have you becoming zombie fodder now, can we? If you wish I can get Frederick to show you our humble home, there you will be very safe indeed.”

As the Queen finishes her invitation Frederick shivers and tenses waiting for Khira’s answer, watching her bowing again and nodding politely to her words. A stern look crosses her face but she accepts her offer.

“I’d be honored Milady. I intended to have a private word with Frederick, if you'll be so kind to allow.”

The Queen nods and then turns her attention back to Zephyr trying to recall their last words to one another. She calls him to her and whispers something to him before turning away. Khira can almost touch all the emanating power from them that all her skin tingles. In the corner of her eyes she sees Frederick stumble and reach out to the metal railings beside him trying to regain composure.

“Shall we?” She pronounces as she takes his side, her eyes inquiring about his fragility. He looks at her and asks softly.

“Have I upset you?”

Khira just shakes her head

“Then, why such a cold heart?”

Khira gets closer to him rubbing her forehead in his chest as an animal seeking petting.

“I do not enjoy any words that may claim possession.”

“My heart is still broken from missing your mother. I am not sure I can cope with it being hurt a second time. I much rather close my heart and freeze it in time and lock it away, then to be hurt again.” He looks at Khira not wanting to show any emotions.

“My words were not of possession but of love... Perhaps it is best that we…”

His voice trails off stopping him of proceeding as a wave of sorrow engulfs him. She looks deep into his eyes trying to read his thoughts and then holds his chin speaking solemnly.

“I will not ask for you to endure such pain, I will not claim or elude your heart as my mother did…” - She sighs and acquires a serious tone “And you must understand I am not her. I was raised by wolves; I see feelings as a sign of weakness until proven differently.”

“Very well Khira, so be it...Now if you’ll excuse me I have matters to attend.”

“Wait.” She calls as he starts to walk of, he then turns back to face her scorned look darkening his face. “I thought your priestess had given you a request to show me your quarters.” She looks at him cruelly with a dark smile starting to flourish.

“Indeed she did...It was a request not a command”

“Didn't you claim your liege to her? I believe that this is called disobedience. I will leave you but first listen to me just one more time.”

She sighs and proceeds slowly with her soul in her eyes.

“You barely know me and yet you claim love for me?” She smirks sadly. “If I stay with you with promises of love I will never know if it is because of my resemblance to her or true feelings for myself.”

She turns her back on him and adds before walking away.

“You do not know me enough to love me; you haven't tasted my blood yet…”

Frederick turns to walk off but collapses startling her. "And that would be only a drop...” she turns and sees him on the ground. She whispers to him, kneeling beside him.

"Are you OK?” slapping him gently to see if he regains his senses. His breathing is shallow and his skin is clammy but he tries to open his eyes.

"Khira… I am so…" he loses consciousness again

She throws her hands to the skies.

"Why the hell...” she lowers herself and places him on her back, walking slowly, carrying him on her back to the blood pool.

He crashes over the side and his lips suck on to the liquid as soon as she drops him slowly. She starts walking away as soon as he starts feeding.

"I am only half wolf, if I was a complete one, I’d have killed you myself"

Her words startle him and he looks up at her but remaining silent.

“Feelings make you weak... learn that “she walks away recalling the blood tears shed when her mother left and the teasing from other Lamia kids. With trembling voice she adds "I can't be weak when I have only me"

Frederick raises himself to his full height and calls out.

"Khira"

She turns slowly.

\“Don’t you understand? You are alone no longer. You have a family wanting to take you in and you have found me...A friend lost to me has been returned. I am not sure if I can remain in this city if I don't find peace here. You are a part of my life and I am not sure I can be whole again"

"I’ve been here for two days... how can I be the one to make you whole?!!" she yells "I am not my mother" and she runs fading into the darkness.