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Tausau had a stupidly happy grin on his face as he watched his grand-niece with her lover and it didn’t seem like he had a care in the world, but seeing the diminutive witch gesturing at him and the other vampires, he turned his attention away from the lovebirds.

After all, there were practical matters to attend to and as the leader of the Mongrel Hord, there was a limit to how much time he could indulge himself in his identity as Nyrielle’s grand-uncle.

"You must be Sir Tausau," Heila said, welcoming the Clanless vampire. "Lady Ashlynn has made arrangements for you and your progeny to dwell in the cellars of the palace for the duration of our stay. I’m afraid it won’t be comfortable, but it will be more secure than placing you somewhere in the city. "

"I see," the portly vampire said as he pulled his gaze away from the young lovers.

"Lead the way, Madame Witch," he said. "But once things are settled in, tell me, what hunting rights have you secured for us?

Will we be feeding on willing donors as Her Eternity spoke of in the Vale of Mists, or must we hunt among the common folk? "

"Neither," Heila said firmly before a dangerous-looking grin spread on her lips. "Lady Ashlynn was told that you wouldn’t need to feed the night you arrived so we’ve prepared something special for tomorrow night. Even Sir Savis should enjoy the evening’s festivities then."

"I’ve been to the banquets of the High Fen before," the white-furred vampire growled. "What makes you think I’d enjoy this one?"

"Because Lady Ashlynn has heard of the traditions of His Eternity Bardas’s lineage," Heila said simply. "And she understands the traditions of High Fen City as well. So, tomorrow, there will be a grand spectacle in the arena. As a prelude to the night’s final fight, you may fight and feed to your heart’s content. "

A ripple of mixed reactions spread through the gathered vampires.

Savis’s golden eyes gleamed with barely suppressed eagerness and his lips curled back in a silent snarl, revealing his wickedly pointed fangs.

For months, he had been forced to bow and scrape, to serve as a herald while Nyrielle steadily built her army of borrowed soldiers.

While his fearsome reputation was mentioned frequently, he was never allowed to demonstrate his prowess, leaving many to wonder if the vaunted strength of the White Fang of the Tangled Wood had been greatly exaggerated.

The arena would give him a chance to put those rumors to rest. Few opponents could truly challenge the strongest vampires, and he promised himself that he would use this opportunity to show the world that being Nyrielle’s captive hadn’t diminished his strength or dulled his claws.

Behind him, several of his soldiers straightened their backs, already anticipating the chance to witness the greatest of their master’s progeny displaying his might before the weak and unenlightened masses of High Fen City.

Not far from the grinning lupine vampire, Tausau’s broad face split in a fierce grin.

Ever since Nyrielle rekindled the passions in his heart, he’d been looking forward to a chance to show the world that he and his progeny weren’t mutts to look down on but savage mongrels who would tear the faces off their foes if given the chance.

This opportunity that Lady Ashlynn had arranged gave him yet another reason to be thankful to the Seneschal who had transformed Nyrielle’s life.

The reactions among his Mongrel Horde, however, were far more subdued.

Some of his progeny drew closer together, forming small clusters as though seeking safety in numbers.

While a few of the stronger members looked forward to the challenge, many bore the marks of their mixed heritage in ways that made combat difficult.

Some suffered from twisted limbs, impaired vision, or other physical deformities that had forced them to rely on their brethren for survival even after making the arduous journey to reach Tausau’s haven for the Clanless and surviving the frequently fatal transformation from broken mortal to undying vampire.

"Your Lady is generous," one of Tausau’s older progeny said.

Her posture was bent and crooked and it was difficult for her manner to appear as anything other than subservient but she stood up as straight as she could and spoke out for her companions nonetheless.

"But perhaps some of us might serve better as attendants for the evening’s festivities? "

"The arena is vast," Heila assured them, understanding their concern.

"And there will be many ways to participate.

Lady Ashlynn has arranged for some prisoners condemned for violent crimes to be released into the arena.

The strongest among you may hunt them directly, while others might prefer to help corner prey or guard the exits.

There will be a role for everyone who wishes to join the hunt. "

"Remember," Heila added with an odd hint of pride that even she wouldn’t have expected to feel just two weeks ago. "Events in the arena are more than just battles, they’re spectacles for the entertainment of others. Opening matches often pit younger, less experienced gladiators against savage beasts or condemned criminals as a way to ’warm up’ the crowd.

But once you step foot on those sands, the blood that flows belongs to you and the crowd will cheer for every drop you spill.

Savor both the moment and the blood and your victory will taste all the sweeter," she said confidently.

The tension among the Mongrel Horde eased visibly at this explanation. Even those who couldn’t fight directly could still contribute to the group’s success, just as they had always done under Tausau’s protection, and there would be no shame in being one of the first to fight against weaker foes.

"Final event?" Zedya asked, raising an eyebrow at the diminutive witch as she listened to Heila’s explanation. Clearly, there had been many more changes in her diminutive friend than she’d expected after leaving the young woman to follow Ashlynn into the briar.

The softness and fear that had once lurked in the corner of her eyes was nowhere to be seen and now there was a flexible, adaptable strength that seemed to suggest that nothing could shake her, not even the famous arena of High Fen City.

"It’s a surprise," Heila said with a twinkle in her eyes. "For now, I should take everyone to their quarters."

Meanwhile, Ashlynn and Nyrielle were making similar statements to High Lady Erna.

"Since you’ve made such a fuss with your arrival, it’s impossible for me to let you off without a few days of feasts, celebrations, and events," the High Lady was explaining. "I know you’ll want to cross the pass before the heavy snows arrive so I won’t hold you long, but you must give me at least three nights. "

"I’ll give you five if you wish it," Nyrielle said. "Just not all in a row, and no more this night. This night," she said as she wrapped an arm around Ashlynn’s slender waist and pulled the other woman close enough that she could feel every contour of Ashlynn’s body. "This night belongs to us."

"Of course," Erna said, turning to leave the lovers alone. "Your Seneschal seems to know you even better than I do so I’ll leave you in her more than capable hands."

"We have the same rooms as before," Ashlynn said, stretching up to whisper in Nyrielle’s ears. "Carry me there, like you used to carry me in the Vale?"

"For you, my darling," Nyrielle whispered back, pricking the tip of Ashlynn’s ear lightly with a fang. "I’d do anything you ask..."