There is Honor in Death

When an angel of death slain me in battle I thought it was the end. Until in her mercy she chose to revive me for my honor and bravery in battle. Since then I have lived among them learning to be more.

[naivehippolytus]

"Can Lytos come out to play?"

“Yes, I am done my work for the night.”

[corinthiacruor]

The Battle of Agincourt

[naivehippolytus]

Ansel had placed his life in the hands of Lady Corinthia. If he had woken up alone he probably would have freaked out. She seemed to think this was normal despite the fact that had reached the other side of the battlefield at an unnatural speed. 

They came to a stop near the English and Ansel hesitated. He didn’t belong here. Despite everything they were still enemies even if the majority of them had no desire to fight either. They were so loud too. It almost hurt his ears. “I…” his voice came out a little louder than expected so he tried to turn it down. “I feel light. Almost like a bird. It’s confusing. And yet everything is so loud and fast. I feel like I’m working in slow motion.”

He swallowed. “It’s… I think the word is disconcerting?” he swallowed unsure of himself and only then noticed how dry his thought was. “I suppose I am a bit thirsty.”

[corinthiacruor]

Corinthia clasped the male’s hand between her two, and let her excitement get the better of her. Let her worry about her father another time. There would be no future for her latest if she did not manage to get him to feed. Too many times had she lost people because of their squeamishness at this hurdle. 

“No longer will you have to envy the birds for anything. Even flight you can simulate through running and leaping. Gradually you will become used to all you can do, the strength, the agility. I have gifted you with power over mortal men, I have given you invulnerability and immortality. But with everything, it comes with a price.” 

Walking closer to the camp, slowly this time, Corinthia swung their hands between them as a child might. “You will never have to fight in a war you don’t believe in… But you will have to give up food, and wine, and sunlight and silver. Blood is the only thing that can sustain you now, and the only life near enough to give it to you is in this camp.”

She wasn’t doing this right. She’d never planned on taking anyone from a battlefield. Most of her girls had come from the streets, and were eager to take their revenge! Then again… wasn’t it the honour of a good death that made her want to take this one? 

“We only take blood from those undeserving of life. Do you understand? No children, no innocents. But we must take blood.” 

[naivehippolytus]

Ansel was a bit taken aback by her joy. She was radiant against a dull landscape and somehow he knew that his life had drastically changed course. He didn’t really understand most of what she was saying. He heard immortality and power but they were foreign concepts to him. He never had power over anything and the idea of living forever wasn’t something he could really process.

He listened as Corinthia explained the rules of his new life. The idea of never seeing the sun was something he couldn’t quite imagine. He rose and slept in time with the sun because it was required for farm work. And drinking blood? It sounded wrong. Then again, he supposed if they were the rules of the woman who saved him then he couldn’t object. It didn’t mean he wasn’t bothered.

“How will I know if someone is unworthy though?” he spoke up when he finally able to find his voice. “What makes me qualified to judge others and how is it I should judge them?”

[corinthiacruor]

The Battle of Agincourt

[naivehippolytus]

Ansel was focused solely on Lady Corinthia’s words lest he might have noticed the changes present in his body and how it reflected the world around him. “Yes, mi'lady.”

He looked down. Her words strange to him. She specifically said drunk, not ate. Curious. He would ask but he was certain he would soon learn anyway. “Of course, I have already trusted my life to you.”

When she started off he stumbled. It was a struggle to clear his mind. He took a deep breath and urged his thoughts to quiet. He soon found he was able to keep pace slightly behind the young woman he owed himself to. It was strange it felt as if they were running faster than any cart, perhaps even faster than the horses the lords used to hunt ran.

[corinthiacruor]

The smaller blur of the two was pleasantly impressed with the younger blur next to her. This was an experience that could easily be terrifying and overwhelming. When she’d first turned she’d had an idea of what she was capable of, of the things she should and shouldn’t do. 

Corinthia slowed down, turning the run into a frolic; a skip. They’d arrived on the outskirts of an English encampment, already drunk and loud. Spinning her new prodigy around to face her, the girl peered up into his face. 

“How are you doing? Woozy? Elated? Thirsty..?”

[naivehippolytus]

Ansel had placed his life in the hands of Lady Corinthia. If he had woken up alone he probably would have freaked out. She seemed to think this was normal despite the fact that had reached the other side of the battlefield at an unnatural speed. 

They came to a stop near the English and Ansel hesitated. He didn’t belong here. Despite everything they were still enemies even if the majority of them had no desire to fight either. They were so loud too. It almost hurt his ears. “I...” his voice came out a little louder than expected so he tried to turn it down. “I feel light. Almost like a bird. It’s confusing. And yet everything is so loud and fast. I feel like I’m working in slow motion.”

He swallowed. “It’s... I think the word is disconcerting?” he swallowed unsure of himself and only then noticed how dry his thought was. “I suppose I am a bit thirsty.”

[naivehippolytus]

“Uh huh. I hope you don’t take their wallets with your mouth. That’s kind of gross.” Hippolytus offered shaking his head at the way Ysaac opened the door. “I imagine Antenor has a lot of good stories. He’s far older than I am and probably knows more about the early days of the elders.”

[inhismadness-blog]

“Oh no! I would hate to catch their germs! Geez, for a former peasant, you’re kinda squeemish. Chill out.” Ysaac stumbled forward. “Actually, there was one where…” He shook his head. “Nevermind. You wouldn’t be interested.”

[naivehippolytus]

"Ugh, just because I learned hygiene during my immortal life does not make me squeamish. Humans once thought that disease was transferred by odor and that walking around in our own waste was a fine idea. It's a miracle society survived." Hippolytus gave Ysaac a look of frustration. "Well I might not have been interested before but I certainly am now."

[naivehippolytus]

“I hope you don’t use your teeth to mug them too. It seems highly counterproductive.” Hippolytus joked. His face turned downwards when he heard what Antenor had to say about his turning. He was seething mad but tried to hide it. “I suppose it is but only he would phrase it as that. I fought her and she won, taking my life as her prize. She also happened to be Lady Corinthia so I never stood a chance.”

[inhismadness-blog]

“I use my teeth to mug them, and you, of blood!” He examined the door, then crushed the handle with one hand. The door opened. “I know. Kinda. Papa used to tell me bedtime stories about all kinds of old, fanged people whenever my nightmares were bad.”

[naivehippolytus]

"Uh huh. I hope you don't take their wallets with your mouth. That's kind of gross." Hippolytus offered shaking his head at the way Ysaac opened the door. "I imagine Antenor has a lot of good stories. He's far older than I am and probably knows more about the early days of the elders."

[naivehippolytus]

Lytos made a face unamused by the thought of explaining Kinthos watching Ysaac to Antenor. “I don’t know much about your growing up. You must have had something special for Antenor to turn you. He used to only think of himself.”

[inhismadness-blog]

“I never used to think twice about slitting someone’s throat and mugging their corpse. But I’ve grown since then. Now I just use my hands and teeth.” Ysaac came to a halt in front of a locked door. “Papa told me that you were turned after failing to fight a teenage girl. Is that true?”

[naivehippolytus]

“I hope you don’t use your teeth to mug them too. It seems highly counterproductive.” Hippolytus joked. His face turned downwards when he heard what Antenor had to say about his turning. He was seething mad but tried to hide it. “I suppose it is but only he would phrase it as that. I fought her and she won, taking my life as her prize. She also happened to be Lady Corinthia so I never stood a chance.”

[corinthiacruor]

The Battle of Agincourt

[naivehippolytus]

Ansel was taken aback by the animal like fangs that protruded from her lips. He hadn’t seen them in battle. Maybe they were also part of what he had become. “I don’t understand Mi'lady. What is it I must consume then?” He looked around wondering what she meant. “I will gladly follow where you lead but hurting the English for those shares little beyond a homeland with when the battle has already been lost seems pointless.”

He bit his lip nervously. Drawing blood far to easily as he dug into it with fangs he had not yet realized he had. “I was raised not to speak to my betters unless asked mi'lady.” He said as way of explanation. “The wound, does it still hurt after it scars over like that?”

He accepted her hand , confused for he knew how to run. He figured there must be more to it in that case.

[corinthiacruor]

As he spoke to her she saw the blood leaking from his mouth. Gods, he was a baby. “I ask you to ask me questions, is that understood?” She sighed… It had been a little while since she’d done the welcoming speeches, and a battlefield wasn’t the best place for them. 

“Yes, it still hurts. I could stop it from hurting, heal it fully, but I have been saving my energy because I have not drunk today.” She ran an hand though her hair, frustrated. “I need you to trust me.”

Taking his hand in hers, Corinthia set off at a pace she assumed would be achievable for the fledgling. “Trust me and stop thinking, let your senses do the running!” 

[naivehippolytus]

Ansel was focused solely on Lady Corinthia's words lest he might have noticed the changes present in his body and how it reflected the world around him. "Yes, mi'lady."

He looked down. Her words strange to him. She specifically said drunk, not ate. Curious. He would ask but he was certain he would soon learn anyway. "Of course, I have already trusted my life to you."

When she started off he stumbled. It was a struggle to clear his mind. He took a deep breath and urged his thoughts to quiet. He soon found he was able to keep pace slightly behind the young woman he owed himself to. It was strange it felt as if they were running faster than any cart, perhaps even faster than the horses the lords used to hunt ran.

[corinthiacruor]

The Battle of Agincourt

[naivehippolytus]

“Ahhh, I think I can learn in a month.” He had learned to fight in a month. Not well apparently but he might have made it a few more battles had it not been for Lady Corinthia.

“It is mi'lady. 30 pieces. I can commit it to memory.” He looked at the wound pink and yet already scarred over. He wanted to know if it hurt her but he couldn’t work up the courage to ask.

Ansel considered her words. His throat felt dry as if he had not drank in a number of moons. “I suppose I am mi'lady but I drank the last of my rations before the battle.”

[corinthiacruor]

Sharp teeth poked out from Corinthia’s lips. “Well there we have another lesson. You shall never again partake of mortal food, child. We cannot consume it unless we wish to expend great energy; energy that as of yet you do not have. You are stronger than you were but a weakling in certain circumstances. No, now, we must find some of those English, and you may get some revenge at least for fallen brother’s in arms. 

“You mustn’t be afraid to ask any questions, or you may end up…” 

Corinthia’s head snapped to the right. Off in the distance she was suddenly aware of where her father was, and a little closer, where Astraea was. She had come looking for her mistress, undoubtedly under Ambrogio’s instruction. 

“Come. We must go. Take my hand, I will show you how to run.” 

[naivehippolytus]

Ansel was taken aback by the animal like fangs that protruded from her lips. He hadn't seen them in battle. Maybe they were also part of what he had become. "I don't understand Mi'lady. What is it I must consume then?" He looked around wondering what she meant. "I will gladly follow where you lead but hurting the English for those shares little beyond a homeland with when the battle has already been lost seems pointless."

He bit his lip nervously. Drawing blood far to easily as he dug into it with fangs he had not yet realized he had. "I was raised not to speak to my betters unless asked mi'lady." He said as way of explanation. "The wound, does it still hurt after it scars over like that?"

He accepted her hand , confused for he knew how to run. He figured there must be more to it in that case.

[naivehippolytus]

“I know. Hyakinthos can be very demanding at times. As long as he doesn’t have to put up with me being boring I imagine it’s allowed. I could always ask him to babysit you if you’d rather.” That was a recipe for disaster but it would teach Ysaac and Kinthos a valuable lesson assuming they both survived. “Sneaking around reminds you of being mortal?”

[inhismadness-blog]

“Okay. Go ahead. But only if I get to watch you try and explain why that was a good idea to Antenor.” Ysaac furrowed his brows. “Duh. Breaking in, moving in the shadows, stealing shit. That was the life I knew before papa found me.”

[naivehippolytus]

Lytos made a face unamused by the thought of explaining Kinthos watching Ysaac to Antenor. "I don't know much about your growing up. You must have had something special for Antenor to turn you. He used to only think of himself."

[naivehippolytus]

“And Lady Corinthia would beat him. That being said I wouldn’t hurt you just be the most boring babysitter ever.” he followed Ysaac silently.

[inhismadness-blog]

“You’re not allowed to be boring. The giant man-child told me that he forbids it.” Ysaac led Lytos down towards the basement. “This reminds me of being mortal.”

[naivehippolytus]

"I know. Hyakinthos can be very demanding at times. As long as he doesn't have to put up with me being boring I imagine it's allowed. I could always ask him to babysit you if you'd rather." That was a recipe for disaster but it would teach Ysaac and Kinthos a valuable lesson assuming they both survived. "Sneaking around reminds you of being mortal?"

[naivehippolytus]

“Okay, I’m in.” Hippolytus said eager to get inside and see what there was to show. “You better not be lying to me about the records.”

[inhismadness-blog]

“So what if I am? Papa would kick your ass around the globe and back again if you even thought of laying a finger on me.” Ysaac poked his head out of the nearest door. “Just try not to get us caught.”

[naivehippolytus]

“And Lady Corinthia would beat him. That being said I wouldn’t hurt you just be the most boring babysitter ever.” he followed Ysaac silently.

[naivehippolytus]

“What gave you that idea?” Hippolytus chuckled. “I don’t really look like the type for breaking and entering do I.”

[inhismadness-blog]

“The basement acts a giant archive of records. Think of all the cool shit you could learn from pouring through those.”

[naivehippolytus]

“Okay, I’m in.” Hippolytus said eager to get inside and see what there was to show. “You better not be lying to me about the records.”

[naivehippolytus]

“Yeah, yeah.” Hippolytus rolled his eyes again. Ysaac made him to that a lot. “I’ll stand guard then unless you need more for something else.”

[inhismadness-blog]

“Sure you don’t wanna come?” Ysaac slipped through the gab in the window. “I thought this would be right up your alley.”

[naivehippolytus]

“What gave you that idea?” Hippolytus chuckled. “I don’t really look like the type for breaking and entering do I.”

[naivehippolytus]

“Yes and yet you fail to display such abilities when you need them.” Hippolytus rolled his eyes. “I know that I simply wish to know what you intend to do once we get inside.”

[inhismadness-blog]

“If I wanted a lecture, I’d have stayed at home.” Ysaac pushed at the window until he felt the lock snack under his weight. “I’m going to snoop without getting caught.”

[naivehippolytus]

"Yeah, yeah." Hippolytus rolled his eyes again. Ysaac made him to that a lot. "I'll stand guard then unless you need more for something else."

[naivehippolytus]

“I know you have but you’re obviously in need of more.” Hippolytus sighed. “I don’t want Antenor coming after me for not taking care of you. Now, tell me why is it you wish to break in?”

[inhismadness-blog]

“I’m not a baby. He knows that I can feed myself.” Ysaac examined the window. “Because we’ll get caught if we just walk through the front door. Duh.”

[naivehippolytus]

"Yes and yet you fail to display such abilities when you need them." Hippolytus rolled his eyes. "I know that I simply wish to know what you intend to do once we get inside."

[corinthiacruor]

The Battle of Agincourt

[naivehippolytus]

He was still sort of dumbstruck. The words she was saying weren’t processing. He wasn’t dead though and that was more than he could have asked for. “I… I think that… I think that I understand.” His own voice was loud in his ears and he couldn’t help but shiver a little bit at the far off sounds of the English celebrating their victories.

He accepted her hand and stood, shielding his eyes from the moonlight with his free hand. “I am not educated on matters of wealth or height but my life is yours to do as you wish mi'lady. You won that right in battle and I can’t help but think that following you could work out well.”

One thing bothered him though. Loyalty and respect was something he could easily provide to such a remarkable woman. Keeping secrets wasn’t difficult either but the mention of religion was strange to him. What need would an angel have for religion? “Will you teach me the laws you expect me to abide by. It would be a shame to trespass accidentally. The silence of death is not something I would like to face again so soon.”

[corinthiacruor]

“There’s a month’s grace period. As long as you don’t attempt to harm me or mine in that month, no harm will come to you. I will tutor and guide you.” Corinthia wiped her blade on the back of one man’s shirt, but finding it was beyond cleaning with so simple a method, she merely lay it down. “First rule, which is for your safety, is never touch silver. It doesn’t matter it’s quality, nor quantity.” She outstretched her hand once more, showing him her pink scar from moments beforehand. “Mine will heal, yours… Well you won’t learn anymore rules if you break that one. I believe it was also the metal Judas was paid in, if you choose to remember it that way.” Corinthia was rambling. She was wondering how on Earth she was going to explain this to Ambrogio. “But enough, for now. You must be thirsty?”

[naivehippolytus]

"Ahhh, I think I can learn in a month." He had learned to fight in a month. Not well apparently but he might have made it a few more battles had it not been for Lady Corinthia.

"It is mi'lady. 30 pieces. I can commit it to memory." He looked at the wound pink and yet already scarred over. He wanted to know if it hurt her but he couldn't work up the courage to ask.

Ansel considered her words. His throat felt dry as if he had not drank in a number of moons. "I suppose I am mi'lady but I drank the last of my rations before the battle."

[naivehippolytus]

Lytos allowed himself to be pushed away by the younger vampire. “You may not need help but you certainly need blood.” he held his wrist out to Ysaac offering the younger vampire some of his own blood. 

[inhismadness-blog]

“Blood doesn’t fix everything. I’ve already eaten.” Ysaac turned away from the bloody wrist. “I’m breaking in. Are you going to help or not?”

[naivehippolytus]

"I know you have but you're obviously in need of more." Hippolytus sighed. "I don't want Antenor coming after me for not taking care of you. Now, tell me why is it you wish to break in?"