The sun rose and a new day began in a common village. Everything proceeded as normal. Animals were led to graze, people prepared for breakfast … a minotaur was retching near their well …

"Ey you bloody idiot! Get away from the well", Deimos shouted. Pulling the kneeling figure of Tak back.

"I think I am going to die!", Tak exclaimed, holding his stomach. "There is so much pressure..." ... He farted.

"You animal!", Deimos responded, holding his snout with his free hand. "How much did you drink last night?"

"Only a bit." Deimos began to pull Tak at the head, grabbing one horn firmly, heading towards the single inn in the village. "Maybe a bit much."

"You don't say", a minotaur, holding his head with one hand, another one that drank too much, came towards them. Deimos handed over Tak. "How is the rest?"

"Well one half is", the minotaur looked at Tak, "like Tak. The other is mostly fine. Some headaches that is all."

"Good. Get them ready. That was the last stop."

"Finally back to Rome?"

A scream interrupted their conversation. The minotaurs, especially those with a hangover, whined. The villagers also all looked towards the inn. After a few seconds, the noise disappeared. People were looking at them with suspecting glances.

Most of their entourage began to ready the mounts and cargo. Waiting for the few people missing to finish their journey home. Deimos entered the inn. The innkeeper didn't look amused.

"What is the meaning of this? Are you kidnapping a girl? This will have consequences for you", the woman promised, a broom in her head.

Deimos put two ducats on the table, "You have heard nothing. And the next time you call me a kidnapper will be your last."

The woman gulped. Deimos headed up the stairs. The wood creaked with every step he took. It was easy to find the room in question. The werewolf stood in front.

"What do you want?", Luna asked. Eyes looking unfocused. Hair unkempt.

"How long till we can move on?", Deimos said. Lowering his hand as the werewolf moved to block the door handle. "That crazy girl is not going to get better by staying here."

There was a growl and teeth were fletched. "Don't you dare call Lenora crazy."

"Of course. Sleeping, starring aimlessly and screaming is perfectly normal. Nothing crazy there."

"You know why she is like that", Luna growled again.

"So when do we go?"

"Let him inside Luna. Lenora is asleep", Alaric spoke from within.

The werewolf only hesitated for a moment. The door was opened. Revealing a bed and the girl lying on top of it. Alaric sitting next to her. Holding a hand.

"We will move soon. This was the last stop", Alaric said. "It seems rest alone is not enough to help her. Maybe the healers in Rome know a way."

Deimos shrugged. "So you coming then?"

"Yes. Give me a moment. Make sure everybody is ready."

Deimos left the two, or three if you counted the crazy girl, and headed to his men.

"Your command?", Luna inquired. Looking at Lenora with worry.

"She won't wake for a few hours. She will ride in front of me. I will hold her steady", Alaric answered. "Give me a hand."

They collected their things and Alaric carried his sister downstairs. The woman behind the counter glared but there wasn't a further comment. The villagers looked on in interest as the party left for Roma.

They made the rest of the journey without an incident. Lenora slept, while her brother held her.

They entered the city and quickly moved to the Forum. Again nothing happened. The minotaurs split up from their group after entering the forum. They handed the horses over to the ducal guard. Alaric was moving to his mansion with Lenora in his arms. Followed closely by Luna.

"Excuse me Lord Dracula, the governor wants to see you immediately", the guard informed.

"Tell Lucius I will arrive. Give me a few hours to sort out a few things", Alaric answered, turning around to move home.

"The prince hasn't returned yet. Governor Remus is waiting for your arrival", the guard clarified.

"In that case, tell him I will see him tomorrow."

The guard nodded hesitantly and moved towards the residence of the governor.

A room was prepared for Lenora. The servants were told how to treat her. What and how much she is supposed to eat and drink. How to act when she screams or fidgets uncontrollably. Either he or Luna should always be near Lenora.

Luna stayed behind in the room. Her bed next to that of Lenora. Alaric moved to his study and ordered dinner to be brought to him.

An hour later Iratus entered the room with a steaming piece of meat accompanied by cooked vegetables and a few sliced fruits. Alaric began to eat.

"It seems a few things happened while I was absence", Alaric remarked.

"They did. Shall I start?", Iratus asked. Sewn eyes looking at Alaric.

"You may."

"The prince went to Napule. The exact reason is unknown to me."

"What about governor Remus?"

"Romulus Vespasianus and Remus Vespasianus were sent here with the legions. They are to lead the province in the prince's and your absence. This was ordered by the prince himself."

"So we have three legions in the province?"

"Yes Dracula."

"What about the rest of the council?"

"The council seems to operate as usual though detailed information was not available to me."

"Problems with acquiring it? It seems I missed something. Has the dark-elf returned? The wyvern?"

"Lady Nightbringer has yet to appear to my awareness. The black wyvern has been spotted several times in Italia"

"A shame. She would probably have interesting news. How is the war progressing?"

"The east is heading west it seems. Pannonia and Illyricum are under attack. In the west, Charlemagne is moving south. A dwarven legion has recently been defeated."

"Interesting. That is enough for now. I will get the details tomorrow when I meet with Lucius' cousins", Alaric said and went back to eating.

"Very well Dracula", Iratus said and left the study quietly.

Alaric continued to ponder a bit in his study. Later, before going to bed he checked on his sister. She was still asleep. He kept her company for a bit before heading to bed.

The next day the first thing Alaric did was to check on his sister again. She seemed to be still sleeping peacefully. He repeated his prior instructions before heading to the governor's place.

The guards inside the temple pointed him towards Lucius' office. Alaric entered and a single person sat behind the desk. He had expected to see both of the cousins. Remus looked much like Lucius, though blond hair instead of brown and a green and a brown eye instead of blue ones. Remus also looked more muscular and a bit bigger. Both had shaved facial hair.

"It is good to finally make your acquaintance", Remus said. Gesturing to the chair in front of him. "Please sit."

"Likewise", Alaric responded. The man in front of him wore a blue toga with a red drape. He himself was cladded in fine cotton clothing. An ornate white shirt and black pants.

"I heard you left to deal with family business. Is it finished?", Remus inquired, signing on the bottom of a paper as he did so.

"You could say that. Is there a problem with me resuming my duties or why have I been summoned?"

"Not in the slightest. I just wanted to get to know you and inform you on the states of things around here", Remus replied smoothly. "By the way, the girl you carried, is she a part of your family?"

"Yes", Alaric answered in a defensive tone. Remus raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't mean to stick my nose where it doesn't belong", Remus placated.

"No problem", Alaric said.

"Very well. Where do I start?", Remus began searching in a drawer pulling out a stack of papers after a while. "There we can start."

"When will Lucius return?", Alaric inquired.

"One or two weeks. Now listen", Remus began to tell him what happened since their arrival. He told him of the last council meeting and the decisions made there. He told them of the reform plan for the legions, he told him that he was legate and about the prospect of another war.

When he finished Alaric sat there tapping the desk. Complementing the current circumstances.

"I mostly acted as an advisor for Lucius. Do you want me to advise you? Or do you have another task in mind?"

"Please do. Also you are the legate of Legion Primum Multarum. Your duties will include managing the legion. We are to fortify the border against an eastern invasion", Remus answered. Putting the stack of papers back into the drawer.

The two settled into a rhythm. After a while, Alaric stood to Remus' left as they began to move through the reports and plans on the desk. They gave out orders and instructions.

A few days passed like this. Alaric meet with the other council members and asked about their progress. Most of their time was used to support the war effort in some form.

The cousins and Alaric were focusing on preparing the legions for war. Drilling them in formations and manoeuvres. Increasing discipline and instructing them to built fortifications alongside the border.

Anaitis and Aellelorn were building up supplies for the war. Grain was stockpiled together with everything that could be dried out and persevered for months. Stockpiles of cities and villages near the border were moved further south. Preventing the enemy from capturing supplies. It also ensured that there were enough supplies if the population has to flee south.

Duvira and the craftsmen were working on the standardised equipment. This did include mostly weapons and armour, but also things like marching packs, wagons, tents, tools for construction camps and more.

The warden, Constantine, was continuing to train his guards. Ensuring that order was kept even if the legions have to leave the province. They still worried about Roma but incidents between the nationalities have been on an all-time low. Though the different kinds of citizens still didn't interact much with each other.

Valerius was at this point mostly observing was his father did and informing us of any progress on the diplomatic side. Though he did maintain the relations between the duchies and the province. Both sides were very happy with the trade deal.

Statilia was the only one doing something that wasn't connected to the war effort. She was occupied with her education project. Alaric didn't understand why funds were wasted for such a thing if they had a war to win.

The replacement for Statilia proved most capable. Orela Iustinianus only took two days to understand their taxation system to the point that she didn't need the help of Statilia. She proved capable in collecting taxes and managing the finances. So much that they had 200 ducats more than expected. Though they were still going to be bankrupt in a year with the current spending.

Alaric also looked into his former masterpiece. The trade and information network they had built up in the east. An answer from Aegyptus had arrived. House Bilibin and house Ptolemy were willing to buy the rest of the company.

The price they offered was low. But it was either selling low or waiting till the east seized the company during the war. Alaric didn't plan to consult Lucius on that. They needed the money fast and he didn't know if the houses would change their minds. The extra ducats would extend the deadline on their treasury for about half a year.

While Alaric supported the council and cousins his free time was spent with his sister. She stopped screaming when waking up, but she instead just stared at a wall or the ceiling. It was heartbreaking to see her like that but it was still a minor improvement.

"So he hasn't returned yet", Juladia said to herself as she looked at the empty bedroom of Lucius. "Better find the vampire then."

The dark-elf left the temple. The night sky was dark and clear. The stars and the moon lightened up the paved ground of the forum. There were a few guards patrolling, they didn't see her as she travelled to Alaric's mansion through the shadows.

She emerged in front of the door. It was dark. Inside candlelight was visible. Juladia tried to enter viva the shadows inside the mansion. It didn't work. She put her hand on the door and tried again. A light sizzling on her hand was the only result

"I hate runes", the dark-elf said and knocked instead.

Surprisingly it took only a short moment for the door to open. Her eyes widened a bit at the sight before her. She might have screamed if she were 10 years younger.

The man, she presumed he was male, had sewn eyes, yellow and wrinkly skin. He looked more like a corpse.

"What can I do for you miss?", Iratus asked.

Curiously Juladia looked at the man. How did he know she was a woman?

"I heard you saying you hate runes", Iratus informed with a smile. "Nightbringer, right?"

Juladia nodded, then realized he couldn't see that. "Yes I am. Bring me to the vampire. I have information to share. And Lucius has still not returned so he will have to do for now."

"Very well, follow me", Iratus said and lead her upstairs. "It is the last door to the right. Give him few minutes … it takes a bit of time to wake him up", with that Iratus moved downstairs again.

The dark-elf moved to the door in question. Her hand moving to knock. A noise reached her ears, they twitched.

"A girl crying? Has Alaric broken the heart of somebody?", she asked herself with a smile. Moving to the door where the noise came from. "Let's take a look."

She opened the door. Two persons inside. A woman sleeping in a bed. And a girl crying in her bed.

"A bit smaller than I thought", the dark-elf sneaked next to the girl's bed. She had her eyes closed and was hugging the pillow. "Hey."

The girl didn't respond. She poked it, turned it around and pulled its blanket away. The girl's eyes opened and the crying stopped.

"You have dead eyes", Juladia said. Her smile forming anew. Sharp teeth showing. "You are broken. Who broke you?"

The girl starred. Not moving except for breathing slowly.

"Boring. Can you do anything? Wait! You look like Alaric. Are you his relative? His sister?"

Silence.

Juladia equipped a dagger and took one of the girl's hands. She poked a finger. Expecting some kind of reaction from the girl.

"Why aren't you bleeding at all?", she looked at the hole. She could see the blood but it wasn't leaving the finger wound. "Strange." She pressed the finger, a drop of blood left the wound. The dark-elf licked it up.

"Somebody has been taking things she shouldn't take", Juladia stated. The girl kept staring at her. "Boo!"

Again silence.

"You are boring."

The woman in the other bed grumbled something.

"I better leave. Was nice getting to know you", Juladia whispered into the girl's ear. Leaving the room and knocking on Alaric's door.

She knocked several times and waited for far too long. How long did it take to get dressed? He could at least say something. She asked the servant that had opened the door several times if Alaric really was inside and why the door was locked.

The answer was always the same. 'Please have a bit of patience Nightbringer'.

Finally, Alaric left the room. He looked a bit exhausted. What a wimp.

"You are slow", she remarked. Meeting his stare.

"Don't talk about things you don't understand", Alaric replied coldly. "We will talk in the study. And I hope you have a good reason for waking me in the middle of the night."

"Somebody woke up on the wrong foot."

Alaric didn't react visibly, but she knew her remarked had some kind of effect.

They reached the study and sat down. Juladia looked around the room. Enjoying the tapping of Alaric's finger against the table. A fine study.

"Are you going to talk or do you want a tour of the mansion?"

"Can I?"

Alaric starred, she smiled widely. "If you are just here to show me your nightmarish smile you may leave."

The smile disappeared. "Fine. I am here because I have finished my task and because we gathered information better delivered in person."

"What information?"

"Well first let me tell you about my task. All of the important cities and fortifications of Raetia in Italia are well maintained and have enough soldiers and supplies to last months. The people are also less likely to revolt. In fact, most of them seem content with the new status."

"The last time you said they were ready to revolt if given the chance. What changed? This is bad for Lucius' plans."

"They confiscated the goods and lands of most human nobles and gave that to the commoners. Most commoners fear they will lose their wealth if somebody else reigns in Italia", Juladia explained.

"That is an excellent move from Archduke Widukind", Alaric remarked, a frown forming. "And bad news for us. What else?"

"The Pannonian tribes have entered Italia. A million strong, most of them can fight on horseback with a bow", she shared the news. "They are being followed by eastern legions."

"That is … concerning", Alaric tapped the table. "Any rumours about the war between the east and Raetia?"

"No talks of war and no talks of an alliance. Though Raetia has yet to attack the eastern forces entering Italia."

"The east has entered Italia? Does your mother know? Does the duke?"

"They are either aware or they soon will be. I will head to Napule to inform them and Lucius."

Alaric nodded. "Good. Where are the tribes heading now that they are in Italia?"

"They are heading south."