All of the warriors gathered in the Great Room of the Great Hall and celebrated their victory over the young army. Their casualties were light and their victory certain. Only but a few escaped into the desert. There was music and drinks and all were jovial. All except for Lucas. He was still thinking about the conversation Kimberly had with Cinnin before he ended her. He was watching Cinnin celebrate with the others and wondering what there was to it. Lanius had said that Kimberly was but a lieutenant and the general was unknown, possibly an elder. It appeared that that elder was that Cinnin.
Cinnin has been a trusted ally for centuries. Never ambitious nor a general. Why would he suddenly turn after thousands of battles by the side of Lanius?
Despite this he watched ...
"Lanius." Lucas spoke softly into the ear of his lord. "We must begin talking about cleaning up the mess in San Francisco. What information did Sarasoto and Balor return with regarding the human's investigation?"
"In good time, Lucas. Rejoice for now as we are victorious this day. There is the matter of San Francisco at hand but it can wait until tomorrow. The real investigation must begin soon thereafter to find the general to the slain army. That is most important to me now. For the moment, we shall celebrate our victory. Relax and have fun."
Lucas sat back in his chair and sipped his beer. He found himself watching Cinnin again. He was uneasy about the future but trusted Lanius to be correct. There is time for all tomorrow. He decided he would tell Lanius about Kimberly's last words in secret, but not tonight. He cast it all aside and joined the dancing. He was going to enjoy their victory this day, as his lord commanded.
`
The following day Lucas returned to Diana to see her condition. He found her weeping softly in the bedroom.
"Hello, my lady. How does today find you?"
"Lonely, Lucas. And you? Where have you been? With Lanius?"
"Yes. There was an uprising and Lanius called together The Patriots to fight. I'm sorry for my absence but you know I remain loyal to the work of The Patriots."
"I suppose I'm not a Patriot anymore, then? I didn't receive a call to fight. I have been with Lanius since before the forming of The Patriots and now I am not called upon in times of required duty? How many men and vampires alike have fallen to my sword, Lucas?"
"Many, my lady. A truer warrior has not crossed my path but we thought it best to leave you be. Lanius decided."
"Of course. He doesn't want me around him."
"He wants his enemies to view you as neutral. If you fight by his side you are certainly not that. I'm sorry, Diana, but for the time being you must accept neutrality and stay out of the business of The Patriots and The Council. It is for the best, believe me, as your brother."
"Are you taking his side?" she squelched "Do you think that he was right in leaving me?"
"No,... yes, I am on his side but I am still your brother. I spoke with him. He truly believes that you are safer now. I cannot say I agree or disagree, only time will tell. If his enemies view you as neutral and keep their distance, then he is correct. If they do not, then he will surely ride to save you, as will I and all of The Patriots."
"I cannot believe you are on his side and still you say you are my brother. If you are with him, then you are against me."
"Diana, please, that is not the case. As I said, I spoke with him. For the time being just accept this new neutrality and see if he is correct. I have reserved the right to revisit the conversation with him and he has agreed. I am your brother. I have only your best interests in my heart and I believe this is best for you, for now."
"You are not my brother if you believe such. Get out of here and never curse my door with your shadow again!"
"Diana, please. Trust me as you have for millennia. I have thought this out. Please trust that I am your brother."
"Get out!" she yelled and began pushing him toward the door. Her strength startled him and he made only a soft effort to push her away. She released her grip and they stood face to face. Lucas searched her eyes and saw only blinding pain and sorrow. He decided it would be best if he did leave, at least for now.
"Fine. I will go, but not for long. I will return to check on you tomorrow."
"If you do you will meet my sword."
"I will see you tomorrow."
He closed the door behind him and left the property. Diana was furious and anxious, both exasperated and exhausted, frustrated and lonely. She wanted Lanius back. She wanted Lucas to stay. She hated them both. She loved them both. She returned to the bed and began to sob softly again. How dare they do battle without me she thought I am a Patriot. He cannot take that from me. How can Lucas be on his side? He cannot strip me of my whole life just because he wants to.
`
The following day Lanius met with Lucas in private at Lucas' request. They met at Lanius' Chandler property and sat in his living room again.
"Why did you ask for a private meeting, my friend?" Lanius asked.
"Well, my lord, something I saw in the caves after our battle has been troubling me. As you saw, Cinnin and I both gave chase to Kimberly as she fled. I was delayed by a vampire attack and entered the cave to hear the last of Kimberly begging for her life as Cinnin stood above her. It is what she said which is troubling me. Before Cinnin dispatched her with a swing of his axe she pleaded with him not just as a bested warrior but more like a child whose parent is disappointed finally saying 'Please give me another chance' and Cinnin said that she had failed him."
Lanius pondered this information for a moment. Cinnin is the general they seek?
Lucas continued.
"I cannot believe it, but Cinnin is the one we seek. It seems Cinnin has betrayed us?"
"I find that hard to believe. Cinnin has been with us for centuries and has proved his loyalty time and again. And he was never the scheming type, always a straightforward brute. Indeed we must keep this information between us, and in the back of our minds, for the time being. Come, we must meet with Sarasoto and Balor to get information about their investigation in San Francisco."
`
They met at Balor's apartment. Pulling up to the building Lanius noted how pristine and new the building was. It was six floors and Balor occupied the third floor. Entering the apartment they passed through a meticulous kitchen. Everything had a place and all was straight, neat, and clean. Everything at a right angle to the other thing, or exactly parallel.
They passed into the living room and again Lanius noted the cleanliness and order that Balor kept. Even the remote controls for the Tv were neatly set in a holder which was directly center and along the back edge of the coffee table. Lanius sat in the leather sofa and Lucas sat next to him.
Sarasoto and Balor sat across from them on two chairs which sat equidistant and with their backs to the TV. Obviously they were not for reclining and watching the TV but for conversation.
Balor began. "The investigation in San Francisco by the human police into the Goldman murder, and in loose connection with other murders, is being headed by Inspector Martin Gendron. So far as we can get information from our contacts there they have not had much luck so far.
The autopsy report on Amanda Goldman identified that she had been exsanguinated and there was a drug administered to the two puncture wounds in her neck as an anticoagulant.
Of course they think it is a drug but we all know this to be the natural enzymes in a vampire's saliva. They will not be able to identify it as a known drug. Our contact there called this morning and said that the Inspector had followed a lead on a human conspirator of Kimberly's named Jeffrey Stott. He had been the one to rent the trucks which carried the vampire army here. They were unable to locate him at his last known address but they dispatched a forensic team to that apartment. So far no word on results from that forensic team."
Lanius and Lucas looked at each other. Lucas spoke first.
"Marty Gendron. You do know what that means, don't you my lord? ... Mirella."
"We may not need her. He has been persuaded to look the other way before, we may convince him to do the same without drastic measures as of yet." Lanius replied.
"Mirella?" inquired Balor.
"It doesn't concern you now, Balor." Lanius said leaning forward in his seat. "We must make contact with the good Inspector at once and convince him to dead end the investigation. I believe that if the situation is explained to him he will help us." He sat thinking in silence for a minute as the others looked upon him questioningly.
He spoke again. "Balor, would you be willing to return to San Francisco and explain the situation to the Inspector yourself? Do you think that you can convince him that the threat to his city is past and to help us?"
"I will do my best to serve you, my lord." Said Balor. "but who is this Mirella that Lucas mentioned? How does she fit in to this situation? I should be apprised of pertinent persons and information if I am to carry out this duty."
"As I said it matters not at the present time. Do your best to convince the Inspector that the threat is past and to help us. I would like you to leave for San Francisco as soon as possible."
At that Sarasoto stood. "Sir, I would like to accompany Balor back to San Francisco. I think that if Balor has trouble convincing the Inspector that I could ... persuade him."
"Certainly not." barked Lanius. "We will not threaten or harm a human policeman. If he will not be convinced there are other measures that we can take. You shall remain here in service to The Council. In Balor's absence I would like for you to present these findings to The Council as Balor has done for us here today. They have a right to know all of this. There is a meeting convening tomorrow. I will put you on the agenda."
"Me? I cannot make a presentation like Balor." Sarasoto retorted.
"I have a printed report you can read, brute." Balor interjected in a low voice. "You can read, can you not?"
"Yes i can read." snapped Sarasoto.
"Settle down you two." said Lucas now leaning forward in his seat as well.
"Yes." Lanius said. "Settle down. Balor, your report will be most useful to Sarasoto and he is grateful for your help. Now, let us adjourn. Balor, make preparations for your trip and thank you for providing a report to Sarasoto. I dismiss you to your affairs my friends, as I will attend to mine."
They all stood, as Balor graciously ushered them out Sarasoto again asked of Lanius to let him go to San Francisco and again Lanius denied him.