#2277    Penthesilea

     She follows him out of the sewing room  and catches up with him.  “I haven't been alone since I returned. It's in my suite now. Should I go open it now?”

#2248 [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     After leaving Penthesilea, Kodiak went to the Infirmary and once his injuries were treated, he headed for the Castle Pub. It was a good place for him to gather further information on the rumors Lord Stephan was spreading.  Off the top of his head, he had no idea who the man could be and he hoped that whatever accusations he was making would give him a clue.  He would have to confront him soon if for no other reason than the thought of anyone putting his hands on an unwilling Penthesilea made Kodiak’s blood boil. He knew that Penth could take care of herself but he didn’t care. He was her Lord Marshall and her friend and he would protect her!
     Word of his return quickly spread and as he sipped a pint of ale, people began to stop by to speak to him. Some were simply acquaintances looking to arrange a card game or some other amusement and at least three servants arrived with invitations to dine -- with “entertainment” afterwards -- from their respective mistresses whose favors Kodiak had previously enjoyed. Kodiak smiled inwardly and gravely sent his sincere regrets to them, explaining that his duties as Lord Marshall would be demanding all his time for the near future.  And that was very true. The army was gone and they needed a new one. The bandit problem in the southeast was still active although Kodiak hoped that whatever it was that had decimated his army and found the elusive bandit’s camp as well! And there was the puzzle of Lord Stephan. Kodiak had obtained a physical description of the man but it rang no bells. And certainly would have remembered Jasmine if he had met her previous to their encounter in a tavern on the way inland!  Kodiak was mulling over the problem when his man, C, entered the Pub and after placing his order at the bar took a seat at Kodiak’s table. C was an older man and something of a philosopher and he reminded Kodiak of his first Master who had essentially raised him after his foster father had thrown the orphaned boy out of his house.  C’s drink arrived and after taking a swallow, he began his report.

#2250  [Rewritten by Penthesilea]
     
     “Yes,” Kodiak admitted. “I had no choice but I felt a kinship with them as I do all creatures of the night. If things had gone slightly differently, I could be sitting here as a True Vampire. I would be no different than they are.”
     “Perhaps, my Lord. There are different kinds of vampires in this world and if you had been sired by a Demon-Vampire, then you would be a monster deserving to be killed on sight. But there are other vampires who retain their souls after the Change and, if they were honorable to begin with, they remain so.  As it is, you have a chronic disease. No more, no less. Some people do react badly when they discover someone who has it and that must be dealt with.” C thought for a moment. “Have you told the Lady?”
     “I didn’t give her the whole sordid story. She knows that I need blood. She’s seen my fangs. She knows”  he paused for a moment, “she knows what I can do.” C could see what Kodiak clearly did not wish to admit to himself. The younger man was not willing to admit his feelings for the Castle’s Lady and how she might feel about his infection. Inwardly, C shook his head. The young were so very, very foolish.

#2252      Darklord Kodiak

     “Killing your own kind is very hard for some people. Humans do alot of things I dont agree with. THey kill in the name of religion also. I protected the castle at all costs. I have fought for years to provide a safe place for night kind, so they can be at home and safe to do what they do and now have wiped out a whole colony. Now what I have fought against I have become. I am The Dark Lord, The Lord Marshall here. I have minions to guard to the Castle while I am away.”

#2272   Darklord Kodiak
     
     “What we need to fear the most now is a battle within. I feel Lord Stephan is going to plan an attack on the castle of some sort. Castle security is a must right now. I shall take your words of wisdom and ponder them. If you shall see Lord Stephan or any of his crew they shall be detained in the dungeon or killed. We cannot take any chances right now.”

#2280   Darklord Kodiak
     
*Enters the quarters.* You sent for me my Lady? I see by your face you have opened the box. Is it too much? I apologize I never should have.

#2282   Darklord Kodiak
     
I put my life on the line for you everyday and have no regrets my Lady. Please accept it, it would mean alot to me.

#2284   Darklord Kodiak

I feel it is too late for that now. It has gone too far already. I am willing to throw what little caution is left to the wind.

#2286     Darklord Kodiak
     
*Reaches into his pocket and pulls out another small black velvet box along with a note.* Both of these were to be given to my one true love. Please read this note before opening the other box. I hope you shall wear one of them to the party, there is where I will await. I bid you farewell I am returning to work on the wing of the castle. Be well my Lady.

#2288   Penthesilea
     
     The Keyholder reads the note then puts it and both boxes away. With magic and cold water she erases the evidence of her tears and goes back out into the world.....

#2290  [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     Penthesilea was composed when she went down to the Dining Hall for dinner. Kodiak was in the Main Hall when she entered and he offered her his escort into dinner which she happily accepted. Daemon was already there and she took the opportunity to introduce the two men. Watching them had made her giggle and they had both responded to her mirth with sour looks which had made her giggle more. Then the three of them took places at the High Table and the two men began the process of getting acquainted while they ate.

#2292  [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     After escorting Penthesilea to her tower door, Kodiak returned to his own rooms. Fortunately, they were empty when he arrived. He had no wish for female company on this night. When he returned from this mission he would commit himself to a single woman. Until that time, he would remain celibate -- no matter how much it went against his nature!  He locked his door behind him and told the Castle that he was not to be disturbed for anything less than a major emergency. He readied himself for bed, laid down and, as he had for so many nights, he drifted off to sleep with thoughts of Penthesilea  in his mind....