Pleasure to Serve

“I understand completely, mistress. Then, I’ll take a nap until it is later.” Damara inclined her head to the woman and went to occupy a couch, rather than a bed. For a while, she just laid with her eyes closed. No, she couldn’t sleep. She had expected this problem.


Despite her calm disposition, she couldn’t sleep with vampires near. The vulnerability of it was too much.


Eventually, it seemed like enough time had passed, and she rose. She didn’t bother to look for her mistress, but walked off, trying to find out where it was that Ariana even slept.


Of course, she ended up asking a servant, and she was pointed in the right direction.


At Ariana’s door was a guard, a man, and Damara walked right up to him, “Excuse me, I need to speak with Ariana.”


The vampire gave her a queer look. He didn’t recognize her. “Who are you? And why?”


“I’m Damara Felix,” she answered him, “and I am here on behalf of my mistress, Maria, who has sent me as an emissary of good will.”


Tristan scoffed at the idea. “Sorry. You can wait until she’s awake.”


“No, I really must now. Maria will harm me if I do not fulfill her commands.”


Tristan knew that Maria’s cruelty had gotten them all in this mess. “Hold on then, I’ll have her woken.” Tristan didn’t enter fully, but opened the door to lean in and whisper something to Veronica, who stayed within the room.


Veronica calmly approached Ariana and knelt besides her. She placed a hand lightly on the sleeping woman’s shoulder, “Ariana dear,” her voice had just the faintest hints of an accent from the long-lost Russian civilization. “Ariana, please wake.”

She rubs her eyes. "Whaa..Veronica....." She mumbles sleepily sitting up. She was told Damara was here to see her. "Yes, please let her in. " She didn't even think to feel uneasy. She knew Maria was crazy, but she didn't know how deep it ran.


----------


Maria was too angsty to sleep. Everything was going to go her way. She was sure of it.

Veronica returned to the door and informed Tristan that it was all right. So, Tristan stepped aside, and the door was opened for Damara.


Damara calmly walked in and laid eyes upon the servant that caused Maria such distress. She gave a friendly smile and noted Veronica. There would be no getting that guard to leave, so that left Damara with two options: attempt to kill her in plain sight, or confess.


Either one would get her what she wanted, it was just a matter of which was more in her favor.


Seeing how Stephan didn’t trust Maria at all, she opted for confession. It would look better, “Hello there. I was told by Maria to kill you.”


And she allowed a pause, to see how all parties would react to the blunt statement.

Ariana was not really surprised by the revelation. Stephan thought she would attempt retaliation, hence Veronica and Tristan. "Well if you are not here to murder me in my sleep, then you have made a friend." Ariana offers a smile, sitting up on the edge of bed. She thinks about what should be done. "Well, Stephan is probably awake somewhere around here. I am sure he will be thankful to you. " She noted Veronica tense nature until it was realized that Damara wasn't actually there to kill her. "Come with me we can go talk to him,if you want. I know I am going to speak to him now."


Ariana opened the door quietly, silently begging it not to squeak. "C'mon." She walked silenty down the hall way, avoiding the places in the floor that over time- she learned creak.. She sighed in relief finding the hall to look clear.


She made it about half way, the pair found her waiting, leaning against the wall. Ariana did not recall a time that she was ever more frightened. "Well, hello ladies.....going anywhere in particular?" She changed her stance to a "ready to pounce" pose. Ariana was frozen in place. She knew she couldn't outrun or out-anything a vampire. "Guess I will just do it myself I suppose. Your next SLAVE! Didn't I ask you to kill her? " She flashed her fangs at the two girls. With one quick move she slammed Ariana into the wall. Ariana grunted in pain as her back hit the drywall and an oh-so-perfectly-placed stud. The grip on her throat tightened quickly. She tried to call for Stephan, but could scarcely breathe. She looked over at Damara.

Maria was far too rash. Had she been the smarter vampire, Damara would have chosen her over Stephan. As it was, she was stupid. She didn’t even appear to see the two guards, Veronica and Tristan, that followed with the two girls. A question was asked, and Damara did answer, “To Stephan.” Though obviously, Maria was being rhetorical.


There were quick movements. As Maria ran at Ariana, Damara stepped back and towards Tristan. She took the blade from him that was sheathed at his hip.


Blood-farm girl, she was not, and it never showed more clearly then in that moment. With Maria’s focus on Ariana, and Veronica shouting, “Go get Stephan!” to Tristan, Damara moved around to Maria’s back since it was exposed in pinning Ariana to the wall.


She didn’t even hesitate as she moved to plunge the blade through the vampiress’s back, and hopefully, through her heart. She’d killed enough vampires to know it was a possible result, albeit difficult when going in from behind.


Tristan took off running, since it was he who was disarmed. He knew where to find Stephan.


Veronica, in the meanwhile, drew her own blade.

Ariana was shocked at how quick and resorceful Damara was. But most of all, she was grateful not to be dead. She had no clue on fighting a vampire, though she had heard something about silver....or maybe that was warewolves....she couldn't recall. Maria howled in pain as the blade sunk into her back, dropping Ariana who scooted away. Maria whipped around very quickly to face Damara. "YOUUUU!!!!" She hissed, fangs glaring. Ariana did not know of Damara's skill, and she was scared for her new found friend. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Veronica, blade drawn. She decided she needed to get further out of the way, but feared drawing Maria's attention to her again. Her heart was racing so hard she swore she could hear it in her ears. She tried to scoot away a bit, but Maria's eyes shifted to her. She panicked, stood up backing up quicker, not willing to turn her back on the merciless, crazy vampire. Ariana's eyes were wide, as a deer in the headlights.

It was difficult not to laugh at Maria, “Me,” Damara agreed with the woman’s hissing comment.


The blade was still in Damara’s hand, slick with blood. Maria wasn’t really good at paying attention to the threat she had turned towards. When Ariana moved, her eyes went right to her. Two things happened in that instance. Damara rushed forward to plunge the blade she held into Maria’s heart, and Veronica stepped between Maria and Ariana, making it painfully clear that Maria would have to fight through her to get to Ariana.


~***~


Tristan didn’t bother with formalities when he reached the room where Stephan was. Though Stephan rose to chastise him, the look on Tristan’s face caused his anger to turn to worry. “What is it?” Stephan demanded.


“Maria has attacked Ariana.”


No further questions were asked. Stephan followed Tristan to the scene.

Maria dropped back, falling to the floor, and by the time she hit the floor, she was dead.


Ariana swallowed hard taking a a breath, she was so scared she was holding her breath and didn't realize it. She sat there unmoving for a moment. She couldn't believe Damara saved her life....again. Ariana's pupils were dilated, barely showing their color. Her eyes themselves still wide, mind trying to process what had just happened. Her heart was still thumping away very quickly. She was in awe of Damara's skill. She was something else, something awesome.

Success came, much to the surprise of Veronica. In fact, the very realization that Maria was dead on the ground caused Veronica to draw her own blade and point it at Damara. “Drop your weapon.” No please. No polite talk.


“You’re asking me that while threatening me? I think not.” Damara retorted, quite certain this woman before her would be easy to take down. The question was, did she, or didn’t she?


At the sound of hurried steps, she realized the answer was no. It would mean her own life, as well as all chances to get information on how to destroy this town. So, she didn’t lower her weapon, but she did point it skyward. Her other hand she held open, and she took a step back from the body as Stephan and Tristan returned.


Stephan blinked in surprise. Maria was dead, and Ariana looked unharmed. He wasn't sure how he ought to react to all of this. He certainly wasn't expecting to find Maria dead. “Veronica, did you—” and then he realized who was holding the bloody sword.


It was offered back to Tristan, hilt first. “What happened?” Stephan asked of all the gathered, as Tristan cautiously stepped forward to take his own blade back.

Ariana was ignorant of why Veronica was drawing a sword. However it wasn't Ariana's place to sway an opinion of Stephan's guard. Thankfully, she heard footsteps, then saw Stephan. Seeing him, brought further relief to her.


As Stephan asked what had happened Ariana spoke gushingly. "I guess it is a long story, sir...so, in summary...Maria sent Damara to kill me in my room Instead of killing me, she came and spoke of Maria's plans. We came to find you and inform you. Somehow Maria was waiting and tried to kill me. Damara saved my life." Everything came out breathy. She was fine other than the bruise she could feel from hitting the wall. Considering what could have occured, she did not mind much.


She turned to Damara. "Thank you, I owe you my life twice over."

Stephan listened to what Ariana had to say, and glanced towards Veronica, who nodded but did not lower her blade. He understood why. Damara may have saved Ariana, but she had done so by killing a vampire. A human with such skills was a danger.


“You’re welcome,” Damara said to Ariana.


Not to mention the nightmare this was going to cause politically…. “Why did you save Ariana?” He inquired of Damara. She had no reason to do so.


“I was quite certain what Maria was asking me was illegal, and not only would she get in trouble for it, so would I.” It was partially true, but not wholly.


Stephan narrowed his eyes. “You were a rebel, weren’t you?”


Damara smiled at his use of the past tense, “I am.” That much hadn’t changed. That much wouldn’t change. She felt comfortable admitting it, given the circumstances.

Ariana's jaw dropped for the umpteenth time today. She now understood how Damara had such finesse in dropping Maria. Though still appreciative of Damara sparing her from death, she couldn't help but wonder about her motives. She wasn't sure what they were, but decided she would be a friend and yet refrain from any of the trouble she starts.


It impressed her how Stephan was so quick to figure out Damara. However, Ariana was not one who had much worldly experience being on a breeding farm and then sold to Stephan. Sure, sh had heard rebellious talk from people like Mark, but she never indulged in any of that. She enjoyed her relationship of trust with Stephan as a servant. He was a nice man....er...vampire and seemed to be fair.


It also seemed bold to admit her status as a rebel. These days it was a dangerous endeavor in itself to be human...but to be a rebel was far more risky.

The situation was a mess, but quick actions and decisions needed to made. Damara had guessed correctly that Stephan felt a debt to her. What she was unaware of, though, was that his relief was two-fold. He had been wanting to contact someone in the rebellion. Mark was not sufficient. He was still a human servant with no strong ties.


This woman seemed different. “Tristan, it will be you who takes responsibility for this,” he said, since it had been Tristan’s sword. “Have her body taken to the morgue, and explain to the police that she tried to destroy my servants, and you acted in defense. Explain that I will be keeping her property unless her will says otherwise, since it is already within my home.”


His gaze then shifted to Veronica, “Forge Maria’s will if necessary.” If there even was a will. Likely, she was too arrogant to make one, thinking herself truly immortal.


Then, his eyes fell upon Damara. “If you wish to leave, you may do so.” The look of surprise that crossed her face was what he hoped for. “If you wish to remain and find out why I’d allow you to go so easily, you may, but I will not discuss it right now. You have a night to make your decision.”


And then to Ariana. He turned to fully face her, and he said in an apologetic tone, “I am truly sorry for allowing her to be here for so long, and for what you’ve seen today,” witnessing death could not be good for her. “Is there anything I can do for you right now?”


Tristan and Veronica were moving already to tend to their tasks.

Ariana's knees were shaking a bit as she stood. "Please don't apologize, sir. I did not make you aware of everything until today, anyhow."H...honestly I don't know what I need." As the adrenaline wore down, she began feeling sick to her stomach seeing Maria's lifeless body on the floor. She also came to the realization that she was exhausted.

Stephan could see the way she was shaking, and her inability to think of what was needed. He recalled that she had only decided to go to sleep a little while ago, and so he said, “Then please return to sleep. We can discuss this more when you wake,”


Tristan hoisted the body of Maria onto his shoulders, with some help from the human. He eyed her warily, but did allow the help. Maria wasn’t too heavy for him, but the body of a person wasn’t as well proportioned so far as where weight was carried. Balancing it over a shoulder was not always an easy task. “Sir?” Tristan spoke to Stephan, “May this human accompany me?”


Strange request. “Why?”


“I believe she may have a better idea if she wishes to go or stay if she sees the town.”


Stephan considered, and then gave a nod, “That is fine, then.”


Tristan glanced down to her, arching an eyebrow. Damara shrugged, and then walked along with Tristan as he moved to leave the home of Stephan.

Ariana nodded, bowing lightly, but wearily. "Goodnight, master. " She shuffles her feet lazily down the hall, turning towards her room.


Once in bed, she sighed heavily, laying on her back. The cool sheets surrounding her form felt nice. She had a bit of trouble trying to shut her mind off, seeing the events of earlier replay in her mind. However, it wasn't long before the exhaustion took over and she was fast asleep, body relaxed. She didn't have to worry about Maria hurting her.

Stephan frowned at the use of ‘Master’, suspecting he’d done something wrong for Ariana to be so formal with him. He wasn’t sure what it was, and did not halt her to inquire about it. She only ever used ‘sir’ with him, and even that seemed too stiff, considering how long they had known each other.


So, he walked off to return to his own area of the house, puzzling over the significance of the term all the while.


Veronica returned before dawn and informed him that she had not been able to find a will, but she had written false one up in case it was necessary. Her handwriting matched Maria’s perfectly. “Thank you. Now please return to guarding Ariana, just in case.”


Veronica left to do just that.


~***~


Outside the walls of Stephan’s home, Tristan and Damara traveled into town. “How did you get captured?” He asked. Seeing that she’d killed Maria, he found it difficult to accept that the rebel was alive. Most would have fought to the death, or committed suicide. Only a rare few (and he’d heard some rebels considered the likes of Mark cowards) allowed themselves to be captured alive.


Damara didn’t fit the stereotype of coward.


“Blood farm incident. I’d rather not talk about it,” not entirely false. She had been caught on a blood farm…after destroying it and freeing what humans she could.


“Mm.” He paused at the gate to the town and looked to it, “You can go, as he said,” he had walked her safely to the gate. She did look out that way, and Tristan said, “but it may be to your benefit to stay.”


“I’m sure many humans are convinced of that.”


“Not for safety.”


That earned Tristan a curious glance. He spoke evasively, “There are some things about Stephan that may interest you to learn. He’s been wanting to talk to someone like you for a while.”


Damara arched an eyebrow, and then Tristan walked on. He couldn’t say these things too loudly, nor too obviously, in town. Other vampires would hunt Stephan down if they knew his views.


Damara followed after Tristan, and the rest of their trip was mostly in silence as they entered the town, and Tristan made his way to the police office.

Ariana must have slept for a very long time. The sun was very high in the sky when she opened her eyes. She dressed and found Stephan. "I am sorry I slept so late. I was absolutely exhausted. Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" A smile had returned to her face, her eyes were soft with a well rested look on her face.

As she spoke to him, there was a knock on the front door, an impatient one. It was a messenger. He rushed inside. "Sir, the city of Pinehurst has mounted an attack on the vampires. The king will be coming through here on his way to deal with the survivors of the uprising. " The thought of the vampire king frightened Ariana. He dealt very harshly with humans. She had seen his picture and even that struck fear into her heart. She was sure that it was a private conversation, so she exited the room before finishing her conversation with Stephan.