Saritia's Saga One

Saritia's Saga Part One

         For the Obsid to restore a Golden Age through the mortals, an unexpected catalyst needed to restore balance to Despair. While we knew someone would rise to fill the role, the randomness of these elements warranted subtle intervention. By this, we do not mean we created Saritia Broadwyn for this purpose. In influencing, Saritia toward being this catalyst, we ensured the presence of all active elements to institute the next age. Our children grew content with the Age of Resolution. The time approached for its summation. In this short tome, we convey the relative aspects of Saritia Broadwyn’s life.

         Near the Shadow Temple in Jyhal lived Leyshun and Doluny Terwa. Of all the family names in Jyhal, the Terwa were known for being true Kindred loyalists. They dedicated themselves to furthering vampiric society. In Jyhal, the term High Factions defined families self-committed to supporting vampiric ways of life. High Factions designated certain generations for vampirism. This sect of the Terwas had a baby girl named Sairahi two years into their marriage. Both Leyshun and Doluny’s births fell on generations that avoided vampiric assimilation. Usually, High Factions automatically designated the first-born in any sect of to become Kindred. At the Age of Competence, sixteen for humans, the parents presented the young man or woman to the corresponding vampiric clan.

         Leyshun and Doluny taught Sairahi early on about her duties and responsibilities as a vampiric candidate. She agreed with the way of life. In fact, during her childhood, Sairahi read all the material she could find about her impending change. All sects of the Terwa faction supported only one of the numerous vampiric clans in Jyhal. Fortunately, they supported one of the most prestigious, the Broadwyn Clan. Clan Broadwyn always saw to the needs of the Terwas. Sairahi grew up in a stable home very much loved by her parents. She wanted for nothing. Per the influence and stature of both her family and future clan, Sairahi developed into an elegant and beautiful young girl. By age ten, Sairahi already knew more about vampires than most vampiric youth.

         From her family and friends, to the members of the Broadwyn that she admired, people noticed how she embraced vampirism. She often played during the day with other human children, but when Sairahi could not sleep at night, she would walk to the Broadwyn estate. Amongst her intended clan, she learned more about vampires than books could teach.

         In her twelfth year, Sairahi’s physical development multiplied. At age fourteen, young men of all races took notice of her loveliness. Sairahi was already a tall girl at five feet and four inches tall. She carried a small waist with naturally broad hips and an ample bosom for being so young. An overall lithe petite frame boasted the signature olive skin of her parents. Having never cut her hair, her silky black locks hung to her thighs. If not her full lips that composed a radiant smile, Sairahi’s aquamarine eyes captivated all that saw them. She took no interest in men. Sairahi religiously sought vampiric knowledge. Many servants of both the Terwa faction and the Broadwyn Clan made sure Sairahi’s schooling afforded her the knowledge of a genius. The broader her knowledge expanded, the more Sairahi carried herself with refinement and a sense of purpose.

         The morning of her sixteenth birthday, Sairahi awoke before her parents. The detailed procedure for the Clasp Ceremony loomed in her mind. At dawn, an escort walks the candidate into the clan’s estate. The person leaves the candidate alone in the estate while the vampires are asleep. The clan informs the candidate ahead of time that they should spend the day learning every inch of the estate and acquainting themselves with the retainers of the clan. Depending on when the vampires rose for the night, they confined the candidate to their quarters afterward. The clan enforced this policy on candidates until they were ready for the Clasp. Vampires used the Clasp to transform the living into fledgling vampires. The period between the candidate’s arrival and the time of their Clasp had no standardized timing. The Clasp often violently wracked the person as the body died. To use the Clasp without the consent of the Obsi Inner Circle, usually came with the inflexible consequence of death to both vampires.

         Sairahi dressed in the ceremonial robes provided by the Broadwyn Clan, specifically tailored for her. She boiled with anticipation over the coming events of the day. Dawn rapidly approached as a ritually dressed Sairahi woke her parents. Since the Terwa faction had a deep-rooted rapport with Clan Broadwyn, Sairahi’s parents escorted her into the estate. Both Leyshun and Doluny hugged Sairahi tightly and then exited the lavish dwelling. All of the retainers knew Sairahi very well, so she spent the day learning about the few parts of the mansion she did not know. The retainers told Sairahi that for part of the ceremony, her sire would come to her that night and speak on the details of her stay before the Clasp. They also informed Sairahi that the waking time for most of the clan was dusk. When dusk arrived, Sairahi complied with the house rules and immediately retired to her quarters. Though not fatigued, but in accordance with procedure, she climbed into bed and tried to rest. Boredom set in and Sairahi eventually dozed off.

         An hour into her reluctant slumber, Sairahi quickly sat up in bed. A single loud knock on the pine door startled her. The young human told the visitor to enter. A remarkably beautiful vampire slowly entered. Sairahi recognized her immediately as Lynelle Broadwyn. “Lynelle!” Sairahi exclaimed before leaping from the bed and hugging the tall vampire. Lynelle gently smiled returning the hug, “Sairahi Terwa, Your presence pleases me. Have you taken advantage of your time here today?” Sairahi continued hugging Lynelle tightly, speaking with a quiet lilt in her voice, “Are you my sire Lynelle?” The tall vampire nodded; her smile remained perched on her lips, “I, of the Obsy Inner Circle, am to be your sire Sairahi.” Sairahi felt happy beyond words.

         In Kindred society, the term sire applied to any vampire cleared to use the Clasp on non-Kindred beings. The sire of the new kindred now harbored the responsibility of educating and protecting them. Kindred society differed greatly from most other groups at large. The consequences for going against Kindred tradition or rulings of the Obsy Inner Circle were always swift and absolute. Lynelle and Sairahi conversed several hours into the early morning. Lynelle spoke on the specifics of the Clasp Ceremony in a candid way. Though Sairahi knew a little about the procedure, Lynelle made her aware of some of the more intimate details.

         The first of these details entailed Lynelle drinking most of Sairahi’s blood. While Sairahi drifted between life and death, Lynelle would feed Sairahi some of her own vampiric blood. The thick vampiric blood drains the remaining life from victim. After several moments, Sairahi would die then awaken as a vampire. After Lynelle finished giving Sairahi the details, Sairahi only had one question, “I know you determine how long I wait before I am Clasped. If I may know, could you reveal the amount of time?” Lynelle’s face brightened as she spoke, “Your research and knowledge of our ways is well-known amongst the Kindred. You know more than even the most elite candidate. I will Clasp you this very morning.” Sairahi took a deep breath, “I am ready Lynelle.” Lynelle’s feet slowly left the floor. The powerful vampire floated a foot above the floor as she conducted Sairahi from the room.

         They proceeded down a long marble corridor, stopping in a large antechamber filled with many awaiting members of the clan. The assembled group surrounded Lynelle and Sairahi. Lynelle flashed another gentle smile, “The bond we make today shall last for the rest of our days. Sairahi, are you ready to die?” Sairahi nodded slowly, “I give up this life to start a new one.” Lynelle opened her arms and Sairahi stepped into the hugged. Lynelle hugged Sairahi tightly for a few moments before sinking her fangs into the flesh of her neck. The term for a vampire biting into the flesh of the living is called the Caress. When using the Caress on a retainer, most Kindred did not drink deeply. This minimized the physical trauma on the retainer. For the purpose of either killing or Clasping an individual, a vampire’s Caress required substantial depth for drawing more blood in a short time. Such a deep Caress usually inflicted uncomfortable sensations on the subject. Sairahi felt completely at ease.

         In Lynelle’s Caress, Sairahi relaxed and allowed her blood to flow freely. Lynelle drank in long draughts draining Sairahi to near death in a matter of minutes. Sairahi took short breaths as Lynelle laid her limp body on the floor. As she lay there, Sairahi felt a euphoric state come over her body. She opened her mouth, knowing the next step of the Clasp. Lynelle kneeled to Sairahi’s side and cut her own wrist. She lowered the wound to Sairahi’s lips allowing her to drink the thick blood. After her first gulp, Sairahi felt her body dieing. The dense vampiric blood stung every inch of Sairahi’s insides. She winced slightly, but drank heartily of Lynelle. The clan members stared on in complete silence, each face devoid of emotion. Sairahi bore the seething pain better than most, since she had prepared for it from childhood.

         Death wracked Sairahi and the young female made no attempt to resist. In Sairahi’s mind, this was the way of things. Eventually she stopped breathing, laying on the floor bereft of life. Lynelle’s wound healed instantly. She continued to kneel at Sairahi’s side. The final steps of the transformation slowly happened. Sairahi’s long wavy black hair gained a shiny gloss and lay dead straight. She grew to five foot ten inches tall and her olive skin darkened to caramel. Sairahi opened her mouth revealing the slightly elongated fangs of a vampire. Her eyelids gave way to fuchsia hued eyes. As Sairahi’s awareness climbed, Lynelle helped her up from the floor. The surrounding Broadwyn Clan members backed away from Lynelle and their new clan member.

         Lynelle looked directly into Sairahi’s fuchsia eyes, “I am not going to ask how you feel. You would tell me not much differently than you did before. I tell you that your feelings are not in congruence with the truth.” Sairahi nodded, “Sire, I will learn and adhere to everything you teach me.” Lynelle spoke in a pleasant tone, “The first thing is your name. As a parent names a newborn child, a sire renames one who is reborn to the blood. Your new name is Saritia Broadwyn.” Saritia smiled hearing her new name. Lynelle went on, “Saritia is not a play off your former name. It is a rare name buried within Kindred lore meaning Tranquil Gift. Our clan name means Divinely Noble. Placed together in the old tongue, your name means Serene Gift of Heaven.” Saritia spoke in a humble tone, “I understand. Thank you for giving me such a beautiful name sire.” Lynelle shrugged, “That name best suits you. Another thing, a new sleeping chamber awaits you. It should suffice until I feel you are ready for a formal suite.”

         The ring of Broadwyn’s opened to reveal another corridor. Lynelle conducted Saritia down this corridor to a large cedar door. Inside the modest room, Saritia found a cedar coffin. Lynelle removed the lid and ushered Saritia in, “All Jyhal vampires feel a mounting state of fatigue when dawn approaches, but fledgling kindred are especially susceptible. In an hour or so, you will find it impossible to stay awake.” Saritia noted the validity of her words and lay down in the coffin. She listened further to Lynelle’s words, “This is the first of many lessons you must learn. One last thing, I am not a taskmaster. Address me as Mistress, not Sire.” Saritia nodded slowly as she dozed off to sleep. Lynelle smiled at her and closed the coffin.

End Part One