Captain Lion strode forward suddenly and spoke in an old Earth language that unless you knew what it was, it sounded guttural, Slavic even.

The thrall gasped in shock and fell silent. How could this human know his language? It bothered him greatly but now knowing this the half elf blurted out, "Three masters. There's three masters. That's all I know. I swear!"

"A triumvirate!" Prince Birch gasped, "This news is both ill and foul."

"Soon all of East Port will be under the masters rule!" The thrall declared openly. "All will bow and call them MASTER!!"

"As long as we keep the company of heroes, as long as we hold true to our bonds of fellowship and as long as we draw breath, knave," Prince Birch boldly declared, "Your vision and your masters vision of our future will NOT come to pass!"

Irzen's ears perked up when he heard that language spoken. His human side had heard it once before and Irzen turned towards Captain Lion, "That was Slavic. Romanian I believe. You're from Earth! Somewhere in Europe I would suspect. British perhaps? Since when did a Grand Tour of the Continent include a side trip to Transylvania?"

"Of course, I am from Earth, Swordsman. My wife and I lived during the reign of her majesty, Queen Victoria but it was also an era when the vampire hysteria came about. The stories about Abraham Van Helsing hunting down vampires is legend although I did not meet the man himself. Still, there were other vampires that broke away from the most famous one, Vlad Dracula. Those were the vampire masters who picked out their targets as it were to add to their covens." Captain Lion addressed him.

Irzen nodded in agreement.

"But to answer your questions about knowing the old tongues in Europe," He leaned over to Irzen, "Come to my airship later and I will reveal more."

"Fair enough! I can wait." The Swordsman smiled at Captain Lion before he turned his attention back to the vampireling, "Now, Bob, I hope you don't mind me calling you Bob. It's better than me saying 'Hey you!' all the time. So, Bob, you are led by three master vampires. That's good to know! How many vampires and vampirelings are running around East Port these nights, Bob? And where do you like to congregate for those after-slaughter parties I hear so much about?"

The thrall shook his head, "We're everywhere and nowhere."

Both Quake and Sir Gonagle burst out laughing for a moment. They realized this was a serious matter and calmed down.

Captain Lion walked pulled out a gold lined ruby necklace from around beneath his shirt holding in front of the thrall's face. His expression changed to something dark when he spoke in Romanian,"'You will tell me how many places, thrall!'"

The half elf's eyes went wide with fear, "The Heart of Blood...but..but how did you?"

"'Answer my question,'" The Englishman said calmly.

"The Dandy Muse. The docks near the north gate. There's a series of caverns that lead from the coast to under the palace. That's all I know! Take it away!" The prisoner begged him.

"That means they might already have infiltrated the palace," Irzen confessed to the others, "Prince Birch?"

"Yes, Lord Drow?"

"I have a suggestion." The Swordsman offered, "Get some Clerics and Paladins in here as fast as you can. Have them pair off and consecrate every single room in your palace from the highest tower to the deepest dungeon. Also, until the Clerics and Paladins arrive, have you and your palace staff arm themselves with any holy items of the gods you worship. Make sure everyone pairs off! No one goes anywhere alone--not even to the outhouse! When the Clerics and Paladins arrive, then we can arm ourselves and have them bless our weapons. We need to take every precaution we can."

"But what about the docks near the north gate and the series of caverns along the coast that lead to here?" Serna asked Irzen.

"We leave the caverns to our resident Earth Elemental, Quake, and our resident Earth Elementalist, Alyson." The Dark Elf smiled with a vicious grin, "What do you say, Quake? Would you and the Lady be up for collapsing a few tunnels and burying a few vamps permanently?"

"And the docks near the north gate?" Prince Birch asked eager to begin, "What of them?"

"We unleash you, your Clerics, your Paladins and your City Guards upon them, your Highness." Irzen replied, "Captain Lion, Sir Gonagle, would you like to give them a hand? The rest of us will remain behind with the Palace Guards to protect Serna, your family and your palace staff."

"My airship would be a safe place for Serna, should the palace come under attack, your highness. Too much lead, silver and its consecrated and blessed by the Bronze Man himself." The Englishman stated.

"Yes! Yes, of course!" Prince Birch replied, "You should take the child there, Captain Lion. With such formidable defenses I have no doubt she will be safe aboard your airship."

"Serna?" The Swordsman turned towards The Shield Maiden.

"You don't have to ask me twice!" Serna declared, "I'm ready when you are!"

"Good girl!" Irzen gave Serna a friendly wink of the eye.

"Ye gods you have a nose for strategy, Lord Drow!" Prince Birch clapped Irzen on the back so hard that he almost fell over, "We shall crush these villainous vermin yet!"

"Uh, sure. Excuse me for a moment." Quake walked out of the cell and into the hallway. ~Umm...Lady...Irzen's got a plan to take down the vampires.~

"Captain Lion, Sir Gonagle, I recommend you take Serna and her Elven Guards with you right now," Irzen suggested, "The longer we wait, the more time we give them to infiltrate the palace."

"My wife and I will go and summon the Clerics and Paladins of Labelas Enoreth to our aid," Prince Birch took Princess Calaudra's hand as they walked out of the cell with their Elven Guards in tow, "They will honor our summons and do all they can to rid us of this menace."

******

Alyson mumbled in her sleep, "...okay Quake."