Saritia's Saga Two

Saritia's Saga Part Two

         Saritia awoke the next night just before dusk. As she opened her eyes, an unexpected sight invaded the enveloping darkness. She pushed the lid from the coffin and looked around. The room was the same, but different. Saritia saw faint starlight blue bands of energy weaving and twisting everywhere. A gasp escaped her lips as the wondrous energy circulated. “They are beautiful aren’t they?” came Lynelle’s slightly amused voice from the northwest corner. Saritia snapped her head in that direction. Lynelle looked off at some random spot as she mused, “After thirty-one hundred years, I still take time to look at them.” Saritia followed Lynelle’s eyes and asked softly, “What are they?” Lynelle chuckled, “They are the influence of the Magical Matrix. We call them Matrix Threads. The goddess Wynn weaves, upkeeps, and oversees them. The threads bind us all to everything.” Saritia took a deep breath, “You’re right Mistress. The threads are beautiful.”

         Lynelle told Saritia more about the Matrix Threads. She spoke at length about how the Matrix allowed vampires to use their blood for special abilities and heightened senses. Lynelle revealed that due to the unique physiology of kindred, the Magical Matrix naturally strengthened vampires every year. Saritia listened intently. Lynelle spent most of that first night talking with Saritia about the basics of her powers as a Broadwyn. Saritia learned each clan had their own unique abilities. The conversation went on for hours and then Lynelle took Saritia to the Elysium. As the very center of operations for the Obsy Inner Circle, all kindred needed to register there to be a member of the Jyhal Racial Guild. After registering and passing the entrance test, the elder vampires placed Saritia in the Neonus rank of the Jyhal Racial Guild. With dawn just under thirty minutes away, Lynelle and Saritia retired for the morning.

         Lynelle spent the next four hundred years mentoring and protecting Saritia. Her pupil ingested and relished every single lesson or tidbit of information. Over the years, Saritia learned the intricacies of the magic within the Broadwyn bloodline. Lynelle’s meticulous instruction matched Saritia’s thirst for knowledge. When Saritia’s Matrix lessons started, Lynelle ended up teaching her half the spells of all four elements. Lynelle noted Saritia’s brilliance. They made periodic trips to nearby villages, but rarely went far from Jyhal. Saritia favored trips to the barren lands of Gash. Predominantly a wasteland and filled with weakened undead, Gash afforded them ample privacy and practice area.

         Lynelle also honed Saritia’s fighting skills. From using her natural claws or melee weapons to rend a foe, to using mystical properties of her Broadwyn blood or magic from the Matrix, Lynelle masterfully groomed Saritia into a true Broadwyn. Saritia also adopted Lynelle’s logic, patience and cunning. Usually, kindred remained under the charge of their sires for upwards of six hundred years to a millennium. Sires required such vast amounts of time for several reasons. The Neonus’ reluctance to break with their previous existence predominated amongst these reasons. Saritia avoided this deficiency by embracing the vampiric lifestyle long ago. Since she made Lynelle’s task less and less difficult by the day, Lynelle decided to release Saritia early.

         Five hundred years to the day of Saritia’s Clasp, Lynelle summoned Saritia into the antechamber of the estate. Saritia arrived just after midnight. Looking over at Lynelle, Saritia smiled, “Mistress, you wanted to see me?” Lynelle nodded slowly, “The time approaches for you to venture forth on your own. I am greatly pleased at your progress young Saritia. I have but two more lessons on which to instruct you. When you complete these lessons, you will leave this place. I do not care where you go, or how long you stay away. When you return to Jyhal, you must be ready to take your place amongst Kindred society.” Saritia returned Lynelle’s compassionate gaze, “Mistress, shall I start these lessons now?” Lynelle replied, “That was precisely my plan. The first of these lessons deals directly with those in the heavens.” Saritia opened her mind and listened as Lynelle went over everything she knew about the gods. She spent several months educating Saritia and making sure she knew as much as possible.

         After a total of four months, Lynelle told Saritia the requirements to officially join kindred society. This entailed Saritia gaining at least two devoted retainers external from Jyhal. Once she returned to Jyhal with her retainers, she would go before an Elysium council. The council would judge her worthy or unworthy for entrance into the Obsy Inner Circle. Saritia completely understood the requirements to enter. She made up her mind that nothing would get in her way.

         In another week, Lynelle released Saritia and sent her from Jyhal. Saritia traveled for a day bound for Aisentralys. Lynelle only spoke of the place. She never actually took Saritia to the intriguing central city. Saritia figured this place would afford her priceless social knowledge and experience amongst beings outside of Jyhal. She also figured such a variety of people would make retainer selection a lot easier. During her journey one evening, the beautiful vampire found Quednernon Cave. Unknown to her, a reclusive species known as the Lojwa inhabited this place. They resembled a cross between lizards and humans. In that region, the Lojwa bothered no one and no one bothered the Lojwa. Their resistance to magical influences and natural regenerative abilities rivaled even that of elder Kindred.

         Saritia’s curiosity pulled her deep into the subterranean dwelling. The lack of light from Altair did not affect her vampiric sight. Saritia casually walked through the lower depths of the cave and suddenly surprised a group of twelve Lojwa. Enraged, the reclusive people attacked her with the force of a tornado. She had only seconds to repel the first few Lojwa and then flee the cave. Their relentless assault persisted only to the mouth of the cave. Unaware of the Lojwa’s resistance to magic, Saritia took her lack of magical effectiveness to heart. She immediately changed her course from Aisentralys to Gash. She wanted to spend more time strengthening her magical influence. The more time she practiced, the easier life in Gash became. Saritia spent five years in Gash before again heading for Aisentralys.

         Saritia traveled mostly by night on the way to the central city. Twelve hours away from the city, she happened upon a conflict in progress. Using her powerful senses, Saritia discerned a strong holy aura about the sword wielding combatant. By sheer scent alone, she could tell his foe was a non-kindred vampire of the noble House Caine. Her instincts took over. Living so long in Gash made Saritia fearless and proactive towards quickly finishing conflicts.

         The clash of their weapons ceased when Saritia barked, “Abandon these hostilities!” The male vampire smiled, “Sister, we are of the blood. Help me tuck his tail between his legs.” Saritia looked over at the man, “Why are you attacking him?” The elven male lowered his weapon and spoke in a stolid tone, “I am a Sentinel of Aisentralys and a Paladin of Lady Divina. My name is Tonthurs Divinia. I must apprehend this subject to stand trial for serial murder. He is Mewbar Caine. I carry documentation of House Caine’s compliance with Aisentralys law and a warrant from the Aisentralys council for his arrest.” Saritia’s expression of intrigue didn’t change, “As I understand it, Divina is the goddess of Justice, yes?” Tonthurs nodded and Saritia looked over at Mewbar. Extending her hand, she spoke in a snide tone, “Do not call me your sister wretch.” She quickly chanted, “Hellfires come forth and lay siege!” Successfully casting the Consume spell, Saritia engulfed Mewbar with magical flames.

         Mewbar screamed and rolled around on the ground as the flames seared his flesh. Tonthurs quickly ran to the ailing Mewbar and shackled both his wrists and ankles. He looked back to Saritia, “Thank you for your assistance stranger, but why did you help me?” Saritia’s emotionless gaze did not change, “By nature I am a being of peace, but I do believe in fighting for Justice and Righteousness. Your goddess champions Justice. The logic of my choice was clear.” He stood from the restrained and unconscious Mewbar and walked over to Saritia. The powerful female stared at Tonthurs as he bowed before her. “You now know more of me than I of you,” he said after raising his gaze. “Saritia Broadwyn of Jyhal,” she replied, still maintaining the same gaze. The paladin welcomed Saritia back to the city. He figured she could collect the bounty that the council placed on Mewbar’s head. Despite Kindred being solitary creatures by nature and having been content in Gash’s harsh environment, Saritia remembered the allure of companionship. She agreed to go to Aisentralys with Tonthurs, if only to make sure Mewbar remained docile.

         During the twelve-hour trip, Tonthurs taught Saritia some of the intricacies of his faith. Saritia’s voracious appetite for knowledge took over. Every detail that he revealed burned itself into her memory. The goddess of Tranquility, Justice, and True Faith intrigued Saritia to no end. So much discussion ensued, that the half day trek seemed like only a couple of hours. As they approached the city, Saritia’s eyes lit up. So many stories, musings and mentions of it from Lynelle did not do Aisentralys justice. Though Jyhal boasted a vast landscape, she reasoned Aisentralys’ territory dwarfed it threefold. She marveled over the massive octagonal mithril and obsidian wall. The thick balsamic wood of the southern gate raised high, allowing them access to the city. With an awestruck Saritia in tow, Tonthurs brought Mewbar to the city jail. He made sure Saritia received the full twenty-five thousand in gold that comprised the reward for Mewbar’s capture.

         Tonthurs inquired about Saritia’s plans. This being her first time in Aisentralys, she conveyed her intentions to stay in the area a while and explore it. Tonthurs noted her intrigue with Divina’s portfolio and indicated she might want to pay Divina’s temple a visit. Bidding her good journey, Tonthurs left Saritia to her own ends.

         The curious vampire wandered Aisentralys for hours, taking in the terrain. From the tall buildings to the cobblestone streets, Saritia thoroughly fell in love with the picturesque metropolis. Through various inquiries and proactive investigation, she bought a moderately sized manor. Saritia mainly purchased the substantial dwelling for her future retainers to live in, but the dwelling’s three subterranean catacombs increased its appeal. Sunrise arrived before long and Saritia felt the familiar fatigue setting in. Over the years, Saritia’s resistance to Ailys’ sunlight grew. She had about three hours before her body would collapse. Through her exploits, Saritia learned how she could discreetly purchase a coffin. She bought a lavish coffin and paid a high ranking mage to magically send it to her catacombs. Saritia went back to her new home, climbed into her coffin and fell asleep.

         Saritia awoke early the following evening. She felt the hunger for blood pulsing within. The first ravenous instinct of most vampires is to relieve the living of their blood; however, Kindred were taught early to curb the Pulse until a retainer or reasonably acceptable feeding situation availed itself. Especially proficient at quelling her Pulse, tonight Saritia needed to feed. She climbed from her coffin, dressed for an evening out, and then left the manor. In minutes, she arrived near the Aisentralys’ Thieves’ Guild. While she initially explored the city, Saritia saw the amount of alleys in the area. Saritia traversed the alleys making herself available for someone to try to steal from her. Eventually, a male and female Drow duo took the bait. By the force of her will, Saritia pinned them both against the wall. She smelled the air to sense the properties of their blood. The male’s blood was as common as the next. She reasoned he would make a reasonable meal. The female’s blood was unusually pure. Perhaps she just started this shady lifestyle.

         As Saritia approached the would-be criminals, the thoughts of the female suddenly flooded her mind. This surprised the vampire, as she did not know her powers sported such finesse. Saritia delivered the Caress to the male’s neck. She drank every drop of blood in his body. Saritia thought the young female’s thoughts would be filled with fear. The very opposite occurred. Named Jaemasu Cabano, Saritia used her indomitable will to enthrall the Drow female. This action proved invaluable towards an easier retainer conversation Saritia planned on having in the future.

         After releasing Jaemasu, Saritia went the long way back to her manor. She came across a building that had symbols engraved on it. They matched the symbols on Tonthurs armor. Figuring the pure white gold structure was Divina’s temple, Saritia casually ascended the steps into the building. She walked through the foyer admiring the many depictions of angels in the artistic works along the walls and corridors. Several people welcomed her into the illustrious structure, but the mystique and grandeur of the temple held her attention. Saritia absentmindedly continued to ignore passersby as she entered the sanctuary.

         An elated Tonthurs smiled when he saw the marveling vampire. Both the shimmering white gold of the cathedral ceiling and the thousand-candle chandelier dazzled Saritia. The increasingly remarkable temple kept Saritia hypnotized until Tonthurs tapped her shoulder. The two conversed for a few hours concentrating mainly on the temple and the faith behind it. After two hours of walking and talking through the temple, Saritia inquired about following Divina. Since no emissary existed of Tranquility existed, Saritia would need an audience with Divina herself. Tonthurs thought for a moment before hatching a brilliant idea. While he thought, Saritia noted that she felt more at peace within this temple than anywhere in the world. The feeling of inner peace permeated her being. It dispelled the paranoia she naturally carried as Kindred.

         Tonthurs’ idea centered on an event that happened once every five years at House Divinia. During the Faithful Communion, Divina herself came and gave lectures on True Faith and all the portfolios of the gods. This event afforded her the perfect opportunity to get face to face with the goddess. Fortunately for Saritia, the Faithful Communion took place in only three days. Tonthurs’ planned to leave soon for House Divinia to attend the event. He invited Saritia to accompany him. She agreed without hesitation.

End Part Two