The rest of the journey from Gromit to Castle Draco was uneventful. The carriage and wagon rode on though pasturelands and villages, and finally into larger towns. The community around the castle itself could rightly be called a city by Sylvanian standards, as it fanned out from the base of the mountainside the castle was built into.

Like the abandoned border keep where they started, Castle Draco is carved out of the black stone of the barrier mountains, although it has clearly been added on to over the centuries. New towers and battlements betray themselves by being of lighter colored stone and clearly assembled from cut blocks. The two tallest towers of the castle climb the cliff wall, their tops curving outwards into the visages of horned and toothy dragon-heads.

There is even a moat, although not of the traditional sort. As the carriage rattles over the drawbridge, the sounds (and smells) of innumerable hogs rise up from below. These pass as the coach and wagon enter the main courtyard, and the group disembarks. A pair of uniformed Khattas lead them all into the castle, and escort them to a suite of comfortable rooms. "You can rest and clean up here before your audiences," one of the guards explains, before retreating to stand outside the door.

Even before everyone has settled in, Lilith pulls Alptraum aside and whispers to him, "You and I will be going first, so let's get ready. You should bring your dagger and that dragon-head torc you found as well."

The closer they got to the castle, the more nervous Alptraum became. By the time he's in the castle, he can barely keep himself still. So, when Lilith grabs his arm, he lets out a muffled squeak, then clamps his hand over his mouth. "Mregh," he says, then quickly removes his hand and tries again, "I have to bring the dagger? I was hoping to keep some information to myself. I mean, it's mine and my duty to settle. I'm worried she may demand it. The torc, well, that I was going to bring anyway."

"You can leave the gourd here, for now," Lilith offers. "I thought you'd want the dagger with you, just in case."

"Well, I keep it with me all the time anyway," Alptraum admits and nods. He fetches his bag that's carrying his more 'formal' attire, then asks, "Will you help me get dressed? Or at least looking a bit less wild? I would like to put on a good impression. I haven't met many of great power, well, other than … doesn't matter who, really."

"Of course I can help," Lilith says, glancing quickly to Alptraum's long hair – which the ride on the roof of the carriage hadn't been kind to. "Did you want to wash up first?" she asks.

"I should, yes," Alptraum agrees and runs his hands through his long, and now clumped and sticky, hair. "So, where is the bath here? We can talk a bit while I bathe, too. There are a couple things I'd like to know to make sure I don't do something completely stupid."

Lilith nods and takes Alptraum's hand, pulling him into one of the bedrooms. A door at the back leads to a small private bath with a tub and sink. Lilith gets the water flowing, then starts rummaging around in the cabinet under the sink. "Make sure the water isn't too hot or cold, I'm not sure of your preference," she says.

"Depends on what my goal is for the bath," Alptraum comments with a half-grin. He starts fiddling around with the knobs some, then testing the water. Satisfied after a bit of tweaking, the bat starts disrobing with Lilith still there, even. He must be somewhat nervous if it's not giving him a pause having her there. "So … " he begins as the tosses his shirt aside, "How well do you know the Countess? I may have asked you this some time ago, but I honestly don't remember."

Opening the lid of a white jar, Lilith sniffs the contents before replying, "Well, I've met her of course, but didn't grow up with her or anything. She's really a normal person at heart, even if she never seems to age. You really are a bit twitchy though. Want me to get Phlagaea to relax you a bit?"

"No! No, I don't need that kind of relaxing," Alptraum admits as he finishes disrobing and waits for the tub to fill a bit more. "What is her full name? And, does she prefer a particular way of being addressed?"

"Well, her name is Rosalind. Rosalind Draco," Lilith explains, setting the jar aside on the sink before watching Alptraum. "Generally, you should refer to her as just 'Countess'. She doesn't much go for fancy title or Your Highness, Your Majesty, and so on. Frankly, she was never too happy with the position."

"That I can relate to," Alptraum notes as he finally starts to get into the tub. It takes him a minute to position his wings, then he slides down. "It's hard when people all look to you do to something to save them, make their world better, or this or that," he says as he looks over to Lilith. "And even harder when you can't. Did I ever tell you much about my life in Babel?"

"A little, but not in any detail," Lilith notes, bringing the jar over to the tub. "It was a real surprised when you said you knew Phlagaea. Dunk your head."

Alptraum dips below the surface. After a bit he comes back up and blinks his eyes. "She was one of maybe two real friends I had in Babel. You know how we became friends? I talked to her as a person and not as a Priestess," he explains. "I had a hard life when growing up, so I've tried not to judge people until they prove themselves to be bad. I give people a chance. Probably foolish to be so willing to allow people a chance, but … well, when you've seen another's life through their eyes … which I have before, you get a different perspective."

Lilith scoops out some of the gooey contents of the jar, and starts to massage it into Alptraum's scalp until it lathers up. "A suppose seeing her as a Priestess of Plague would have made it difficult to like her. You don't mind that I'm a spy, do you?"

"I'm not so easy to condemn someone, I guess is what I'm saying," Alptraum adds as he leans back. "You? No. You have been an ally, you haven't done anything to betray us so far, and you've listened. I count you as a friend and would aid you if you needed me." He sighs softly, then notes; "I failed in Babel in many ways. I had hopes to try and make things better, to foster some unity and find some peace that didn't require slaughtering. All that got me … was seeing that both sides of that place were equally bad. The side that was trying to bring 'progress' to Babel … they sent children to die as part of their plans. They … told those kids that stealing some bauble from the tower would aid in financing to help slaves escape and building a force to stabilize the city. No. Those baubles … were nothing more than a way to trigger bombs. Those kids were blown apart as a distraction for an invasion that killed hundreds if not thousands. I was there when those kids died, I heard the explosions and I comforted those who wept over their bodies."

"It's hard to forget … or forgive, that," Alptraum admits.

Lilith's hands pause for a moment, and she says, "That's horrible… I'm sorry you had to go through that. But I can see how that would make you so determined to help Sylvania, I think." Then her hands start up again, working the shampoo into Alptraum's long hair.

"Well, there is more to it than just that … but it taught me that I could not sacrifice who I was inside, my willingness to give people a chance, in pursuit of something. If you want to bring something better, you have to be better. You can't give in to using underhandedness to accomplish goals, no matter how temping it may be," Alptraum says, "And the other reason I want to try to bring a better place into the world … to pay for all those who died because of me. Part of the war of Babel began in some sense because of me. I don't want their deaths to have been pointless; I want some good to come out of it." He then sighs and smiles a bit, "I'm a romantic at heart, I suppose, as much as I am a bit of a trickster."

The female bat tweaks one of Alptraum's ears between her soapy fingers. "Hah, a trickster are you?" she says. "I hope you aren't being corrupted by all the strange people you associate with!"

"Of course I am!" Alptraum asserts and flicks that ear, making the ivory ring in it swing a bit, "I just haven't found the right glue yet to coat Arkold's underwear with for my next prank, you see." He then leans back and grins up at Lilith, adding, "As for corrupting and strange, well … I like strange. Bad trait. It's why I like to hang around with you." He sticks out his tongue.

Lilith hmmphs at the tongue, and says, "Dunk!" Then she tries to push Alptraum under the water herself.

"Ackpth!" goes the Eeee as he goes down into the water. He comes up a bit later, sputtering and grinning. "And that reminds me," he adds when he can finally speak again and taps his ear, "Don't forget the earring that symbolizes you while we're here. Or were you thinking something else?"

"I was thinking… that I should mention to you what went into my written report," Lilith notes, backing away from the tub now in case Alptraum decides to splash her. "It mostly covered Vorgulremik and his death, which was my assignment after all. I also mentioned the Yodhblakat, but not how you disposed of Hekatt. I can't promise to keep the dagger or the Light of Nala a secret – in fact I guarantee I'll be telling the Countess about them later, unless you and Tulani tell her first."

"I figured as much," Alptraum comments as he turns over and rests his chin on the tub rim so he can look at Lilith. "You are a spy and your duty is to Draco County, not us, really. My gift to you is that I trusted you in spite of knowing that and having faith that you do not intend us harm. So, I've put my life and future in your hands, you know. Stupid? Well, I guess I'll find out tonight."

Lilith just gives one of her enigmatic grins and a wink. "Need help drying off, or would that make you less relaxed?" she asks, and leans back against the sink.

"And the little part of how I could do horrible things to your soul if you betrayed us, well … don't think too hard on that," Alptraum adds after a bit of thought. And after a minute of holding a serious expression, he grins and winks. "And if you believe I'm being serious about that … I'm not." The Eeee then stands up and allows some of the water to drain off his body and wings. "I'll only be less relaxed if you decide to get touchy-feely while helping dry," he notes with a grin, "But I never really got the feeling you felt that way about me. So, towel away. It's always a pain to dry wings."

Handing Alptraum a towel to work with himself, Lilith uses a second one to dry off his wings, back and hair. She only gooses him a few times, none of them too blatantly obvious though.

Alptraum has to do the occasional dance when he's goosed and trying to towel off. "What, are you trying to make me less relaxed?" he teases with a look over his shoulder. "If so, I'll expect you to help me relax." His brow waggles playfully and he finishes toweling off his front and feet.

Lilith grins, and says, "Now, if I wanted to make you feel more anxious, I'd tell you about some of the things Ravenia and I would get up to to entertain ourselves back at the Twisted Keep. But I was hoping to save those stories to torment Arkold with."

"Just promise me you'll let me be around to see his reaction. You want to really mess with him … demonstrate for him … then go to bed," Alptraum suggests with an evil smile. "So, I guess I'd better get dressed so we can go see the Countess. I shouldn't keep her waiting too long."

"I'll leave you to that while I go change my own clothes," Lilith says, giving Alptraum a final towel-swat before leaving the bathroom.

Alptraum whips his towel at the leaving Eeee, but misses. With a chuckle, he heads back to get his finer clothing and proceeds to dress. That turns out to be more of an ordeal than he expected, really. Dress clothes are a lot more complicated than his rough travelwear. "They should provide instructions with this stuff," he grumbles as he finally figures out how to tie and hook the pants. The battle with the blood red dress shirt … well, that's too embarrassing to describe. It was at least a great way to relieve some frustrations with creative insults for clothing.

Lilith returns to fetch Alptraum just as he finishes dressing. She's changed into a flyer's pair of skirt-pants and a white ruffled blouse that matches her fur. "Ready to go?" she asks the Eeee.

In the end, Alptraum has assembled the denim clothing, fitted on his nice leather vest over the blood red shirt, then over that, the dress jacket, where he buttons only the first button. This leaves the Eeee with his hair. He stares into the mirror for a bit, tilting his head this way and that. Ultimately, he decides to braid it back and is in the middle of that when Lilith returns. "Yes, just give me a second to finish the braid," he says.

The spy leans against the doorjamb and waits. "Still feeling nervous? The Countess can have an odd effect on some people."

"Yes, I am. Just … what sort of effect are you talking about that she can have?" Alptraum asks.

"Hmmm," Lilith hums, tapping her chin. "Well, remember that really oppressive feeling that Vorgulremik used to give off? It can be like that, or else like the exact opposite of that."

"Ah, yes, I do," Alptraum says with a nod, then has to pause. "Hmm. I was rather sensitive to every feeling he let off. That does not make me less nervous. But … thank you for the warning. At least I'll know why I want to run screaming, or something, when I meet her." With a nervous grin, he offers his arm to Lilith and asks in a rather formal tone, "Will you do me the honor of escorting me to her, Lady Lilith Draco?"

"Of course, Master Barsunala," Lilith says as she loops her arm through Alptraum's. The door guards do not follow them, so Lilith really is Alptraum's only escort through the halls of the castle. The path they take leads downwards, but not too far towards the back of the castle. A pair of guards stand at attention before an ornate, lacquered door and salute. Impressed into the red lacquer of the portal is a black silhouette of a circle with a gap at the top, filled with the profiles of two dragon-heads facing one another. One of the guards turns to knock lightly on the door.

Alptraum walks along with Lilith, arm in arm and his free hand draped lightly onto her forearm. He can't help but look around as they go, impressed by the castle and the guards present. When they reach the door, he profile of the two dragons, then the entire door. "Draco, as in dragon, is very accurate for this place," he thinks, then draws in a long and deep breath, trying to calm down his racing heart.

A voice calls out, from inside, and the guard opens the door. The room beyond is a bit small, counter to the impression given by the elaborate door. Lamps and candles keep it well lit, and are needed in order to find anything in the piles of documents, books and other clutter to overflow from shelves, tables and unused stools. The only truly clean surface is that of the mahogany desk behind which sits the Countess Draco. The Eeee's lustrous black hair and fur shines in the light, and the irises of her eyes glow a bright red, as opposed to the entire eye glowing that marks the Sylvanian vampire strain. Lilith's warning lets Alptraum know the welcoming, inviting aura for what it is, even as it urges him to relax his guard.

The Countess' eyes flare up brightly as she meets Alptraum's own gaze, and there's a sudden sense of familiarity between the two. Despite her station, the Countess is dressed much the same as Lilith, wearing a simple blouse and skirt-pants. Her leather armor and dragon-skull helmet hang in the corner behind her on a standing frame.

"Countess," Lilith says, giving a little bow of her head. "Allow me to introduce Alptraum bar Reisender," she finishes, and gives Alptraum a little push forward.

Alptraum almost stumbles forward at the nudge, given his gaze is transfixed on the Countess and the odd feeling she gives off. Which becomes even stranger when there's a sense of familiarity to it. Recovering quickly, the Eeee bows to the woman and says, "Countess, thank you for your hospitality and the aid that your soldiers and your agent, Lilith, gave us. It is an honor to meet and speak with you." While bowed, at least she can't see his expression as he thinks on how lame he probably just sounded. He then draws himself back up and waits to be bidden to sit, or whatever else the Countess may request.

"Please, sit down the both of you," the Countess says. There's a mild echo in her voice that wouldn't be noticed by non-Eeee, and she appears to be in her mid to early twenties – even though Alptraum knows she has to be at least ten years older than that. "Would you like some tea or blood?" she asks, smiling politely.

Alptraum pulls out the chair a bit for Lilith, then settles himself down in the other and folds his hands into his lap. "Whichever is easiest. I do not wish to impose," Alptraum says politely with a smile. He can't help but keep looking at the woman; a bit baffled by her appearance and the odd feeling she invokes.

The Countess nods to a tea service next to Lilith, and asks her, "If you'd do the honors, Lil?" She then turns her full attention on Alptraum, the red rings in her eyes flickering like flames. "I'd like to thank you for helping to rid my southern border of a potential threat, and bringing my cousin home safely. She tells me you are, at the very least, a Reaper, but I can tell you are much more than that. Are you truly the Barsunala?"

"Straight to the point." Alptraum thinks. After a moment, he bows his head in agreement, saying, "I am as close as could be born to meet the requirements of the legend. I was born from a Srinala; a life from someone caught between life and death and sustained through magic. The spirit which represents the Barsunala was bound to me a few years ago when its power was bolstered by all the events in Babel. It has been linked to me ever since. As of late I have been trying to learn how to focus the abilities it grants me to aid however I can." He pauses, then says, "I … hope that you will believe me when I say I pose no threat to your lands and wish to help them if it is within my abilities."

"Oh, I have no trouble believing that," the Countess says, smiling. "A conjured loa rides you. You are not, then, fully dracul, but perhaps at least as powerful as a nosferatu." After saying this, Lilith pauses in preparing the tea to note, "Forgive me, Countess, for not mentioning it earlier, but Alptraum was not raised by a vampire family. He may be unfamiliar with certain things."

"I was going to ask what you meant by that, yes," Alptraum admits with a weak smile.

The warm aura fades for just a moment – an indication of surprise, perhaps, although the Countess' outward expression doesn't change. "Now that is unusual, indeed. It must have been a difficult life for you, growing up. I will try to explain then. A loa is a symbiotic spirit, which can exist only in Sylvania. All vampiric Eeee carry the potential to bond with one, although this varies considerably between families. It is surprising that a midian – one who is not of the original vampire bloodline – can form such a bond. Do you understand me so far?"

"I think so. I honestly do not know much about my actual bloodline, but … I suppose you can tell my bloodline by looking at me?" Alptraum inquires, still looking a bit confused but trying to follow along.

Waving a hand, Draco notes, "You told me yourself: your mother was a Srinala. It must have been your father who was a vampire. The vampire offspring of a vampire and a non-vampire is a midian. Technically, all existing vampiric Eeee save for the first Count are midians, including myself, but the term is generally used to denote one far removed from the source."

"Ah. Yes, well, I would rather not discuss my father," Alptraum remarks quietly, then nods. "But please, forgive my interruption and continue."

"The glowing eyes that are common among vampires are the markers of those with loas," the Countess explains. "For most, they are simply minor spirits or fragments of spirits inherited from their parents – nothing which could be considered a partner to their own spirits. Tell me, does your loa speak to you?" she asks.

"No, it does not. The spirit by itself has no personality; I provide it that. On occasion, I have been able to use its abilities to save a life … or see a life through another's eyes and experience what they did," Alptraum explains after thinking a bit on it. "In an odd way, I've somehow … ridden someone else briefly, I think. At least from how you're explaining this it sounds like it. That can usually only happen on special holidays when I think magics are at their strongest."

"Fascinating," Draco says, leaning forward with interest. "You are truly unique. Alive, but with many of the capabilities – I suspect – of a nosferatu. That is what we call the most powerful of the vampiric undead. I don't suppose you've really explored your abilities yet, have you?"

"No. I've been afraid to push too far, for fear of what I might become. But … I think it is time that I do, because those same abilities may allow me to help. I know I should have the raw ability to manipulate life force, as it were … but no real knowledge of how to use it. One of my companions, a Yodhinala, is to assist me in at least starting the path of how to more completely bond with that side of myself and tap it," Alptraum says, "And I have a duty to perform which needs me to develop those skills."

Lilith slides a cup of tea before Alptraum, then serves the Countess and herself as well. "Alptraum has shown some abilities that are unique to the Barsunala," she comments. "He can move spirits around, like a Reaper, but actually into and out of living beings."

Alptraum nods at that. "I have done that, yes. We needed the assistance of a mage after we defeated the dragon. Since the dragon had taken a mage, we were able to recover that spirit and it temporarily resided in our friend Ravenia. He was the one who helped seal away the Shadow of Amena and buy us time."

"That raises an interesting question then," Draco says, after sipping her tea. She studies Alptraum once more, and then asks, "With such an ability, you could have become a full dracul when the dragon Vorgulremik was defeated. Why didn't you steal his spirit?"

"For several reasons. The main one is that I saw what having that level of power did to that dragon and it is not something I wish to become. I want to be an aide to the world, not a threat. And secondly, I do not wish to lose myself," Alptraum answers quietly but firmly. "Also, we could not destroy the dragon, only seal him away through an ancient spell that was bound to him. That spell cannot destroy him until all the spirits he consumed have been freed from his grip. That is a task that will take lifetimes to complete."

Draco leans back into her chair, cradling her cup of tea as she mulls this over. "You hold the dragon then, but cannot control it," she finally concludes. "Dracul is an ancient word which means 'dragon-paired' in a certain dead language. I am dracul, for my power comes from the Shadow Dragon that my ancestor made a deal with, thus becoming the first vampire. Without certain… advantages… I too would fear being overwhelmed by the dragon's will."

"Does the fact I am not disappoint you, or please you?" Alptraum asks curiously and tilts his head.

"Only a fool seeks power that cannot be controlled," the Countess recites. "So you are not a fool, at least," she adds with a grin.

"Although, if you were dracul… it would certainly solve certain problems," she mutters as she takes another sip of tea.

"Others might dispute that I'm not a fool," Alptraum comments with a grin. He then tilts his head and asks, "What problems are you seeking to solve that it would have helped?"

"Poor timing," the Countess says, her smile looking a bit sad. "I was about your age when I had to take up this position. Too young to have borne any heirs. The line of Draco ends with me."

"And you cannot bear any children now?" Alptraum asks next.

"I've had ten years to try," the Countess says. "It appears that while male dracul are able to sire offspring with normal or vampiric Eeee, the same does not hold for the women. The power of the dragon flows through my every cell, including my eggs. The seed of mere mortals can't penetrate them."

Alptraum looks like he doesn't quite know what to say about that. He pauses, thinking a moment and rubs his chin. "Well, I have an odd suggestion and I have no idea if it is possible," Alptraum starts to say, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Before you offer your services, I'm quite certain you are not, at this point, up to the task," Draco says, not unkindly. "Your loa is not a Shadow Dragon."

"That was not what I was going to suggest," Alptraum says and shakes his head slowly. "Two possibilities. One, if I could manipulate your energy on a small scale, such as within your eggs, long enough to allow. Second, I ask others who may know how … the other dragon spirits bound by Vorg. I can dive into his prison and speak with those contained. Perhaps I could even find a spirit capable that could be temporarily bound to the mate of your choosing."

A clawed finger taps on the side of a porcelain teacup as the Countess considers this. "That is something to think about. However, you also mentioned the Shadow of Amena," Draco says, and casts a quick glance to Lilith. "I'm told this is what drew in the dragon, and others as well. What is your connection to it?"

"Mine? None save of the fact that the shadow itself refused to touch me. A good thing, given what I saw it do to the corpse of Vorg," Alptraum says. "It was a map carried by my two companions which led us to the shadow in the first place, on our quest for the Light of Nala. Which, I should also note, we found as well."

"I also have something interesting to note about the shadow of Amena. But, you may already know this; it is a bound and altered Shadow Dragon," Alptraum adds after a thought.

"The Light is a legendary power," Draco comments, looking into her tea for a moment. "It is of no use against the Shadow though. You would need something very different to affect it."

"Oh, I know. Using the Light of Nala directly against it would likely destroy all of Sylvania. The conflict between the two is the source of at least one of the Forbidden Zones," Alptraum says with a nod. "I'm honestly not sure what to do with the Shadow of Amena other than seal it away as best we can." He then looks at the Countess for a bit and reaches into his jacket. "And … for some reason I have a feeling this might belong to your family." He draws out the metal torc and sets it lightly down on the desk in front of them.

There is a rattle and then a crash as the cup falls from Draco's hands. The Countess practically lunges across the desk to grab up the torc, her warm glamour vanishing in the same instant. "Where did you get this?" she demands, bringing the torc close to her face as she examines it.

"It was with the Light of Nala, in the tomb of the Necromancer King. Or rather, in the coffin of his queen," Alptraum replies slowly and leans back. Apparently, he wasn't expecting a violent reaction.

Lilith lets out a started squeak, and has to set her own cup down for fear of dropping it as well. The Countess' brow pull together in confusion as she studies the inscription and then the tension seeps out of her as Alptraum explains where it was found. "This isn't… that is, this doesn't belong to my family. Ours is still in my possession," she says. She then sets the torc down on the desk, almost reverently. "I can't tell you what the inscription says, but I can tell you what it represents."

"Oh. You thought I stole yours," Alptraum realizes and slinks down a bit in the chair. "Well, I'm glad that was quickly cleared up. So, what does it mean … and do you want it? If not, I'll just hold onto it."

The Countess pushes the torc backs towards Alptraum. "I have no use for it, but you might. The language inscribed on it is Exile. It is the True Name of the Shadow of Amena – the means to control or destroy it."

"Ah. Well, that could be handy provided I can figure out its name," Alptraum says as he takes the torc back and then tucks it away in his jacket. "I can't imagine what I would do if I could control the Shadow of Amena, though. Destroy perhaps." He then considers something and then nods, adding, "And yours is how you keep your pairing under control, isn't it?"

Draco nods, and leans back in her chair. She's back under control, but doesn't conjure up her glamour again. "A thousand years ago, the Shadow Dragon came to these lands. In Sylvania, its power was that of a god, and it ravaged the land and demanded to be worshipped as such. And so it would be still to this day, if not for the Exile Knight. He came bearing a torc just like this one, but with a different Name. What the dragon hadn't destroyed already was laid waste by their battle, and in the end the Knight was mortally wounded, and the Shadow Dragon only slightly less damaged. The Knight passed on the secret of the torc to my ancestor before dying, and he used it to tame the dragon – to demand of it repayment for all it had destroyed. The first Count Draco."

"Then this one must be how the Necromancer Queen took the other and made it into the Shadow of Amena and controlled it," Alptraum says after the Countess finishes speaking. "Well, perhaps someone else could use this one to bind to the Shadow of Amena and solve one of the problems you have," he suggests. "Another Shadow Dragon pairing."

"If the Shadow has not been too corrupted, perhaps," Draco says. "But the Name is the key, and only another fey creature could read it – an Aeonian or similar, for they all share the same tongue somehow. And while I can call on certain abilities from my own dragon, understanding this writing is not one of them."

"There are literally billions of immortals which are bound by Vorg. I could ask the guardian spell to put out a query to them for a translation, perhaps," Alptraum suggests, then rubs the back of his neck. "She takes the appearance of a dragon, by the way, because her crafter was a dragon."

"Perhaps you are fated to become a dracul then, with so many dragons around you," the Countess says. "Even your companion, the Sphynx, was transformed into one according to Lilith."

"She was, yes. I had … intended to try to push that to occur again when we go deal with the necromancer who is trying to dig out the Shadow of Amena and resurrect Dagh. Using the Light of Nala, I may be able to reactivate that transformation," Alptraum comments. "Any little bit will help when dealing with him."

"I will consult with my war chiefs to see what we may be able to do as far as offering support," Draco says. "For certain, we can get you back to Crossroads with haste, when you are ready. Since the sky did not bleed this past holiday, I assume your foe has not yet reached the Shadow, so there is some time yet to prepare."

"We collapsed the tunnel. He will have a hard time digging it out," Alptraum says, thinking back to the delay, "And we know a back way in."

"Yes, although from the report, you used Earth Magic to do so?" Draco asks.

"To collapse the tunnel? Yes," Alptraum says with a nod. "The back way in is an underwater escape passage."

"Time conspires against you, then, I suspect," the Countess notes. "The Apex of Earth is soon upon us, and the most likely time for your sorcerer to clear the tunnel. Ten days later is Midsummer, the best time for an attempted resurrection."

"I wish it was near the Apex of Life, the day of my birth. I am most effective on that day," Alptraum muses and rubs his chin.

"Really? That's my birthday as well," Draco says, smiling again. "Do you have any questions or requests of me at the moment, Alptraum?" she asks next.

"Yes, I was born on the Apex of Life," Alptraum says with a nod, then thinks on the other question. "Man I ask you a personal question?"

"I don't see why not," the woman replies.

"Do you ever … feel really alone or isolated? For me, being what I am … there are times I've felt others don't fully understand how hard it can be. I'm not dracul, as you put it, but … odd as it may sound, you felt familiar to me, similar," Alptraum inquires. "So I was wondering if you have ever felt the way I often do."

"Lilith, would you excuse us for a moment?" Draco suddenly asks, startling Lilith out of her own musings. "What? Oh! Of course Countess!" she says rapidly, as she gets and hurries to the door. The portal opens and closes with barely enough time for the Eeee to squeeze through.

Alptraum blinks at this too and watches Lilith leave. "I hope I haven't offended by asking that question," he says as he turns his attention back to the woman.

Draco stands up then, and comes around to sit on the edge of the desk next to where Alptraum is seated. "Yes. I'm unique, like you. There is only one dragon, so there can be only one dracul here."

Alptraum looks up at the Countess. "For me it's … I look normal, more or less. But you could tell I wasn't. Others can tell at times too. Having the abilities I do, I … it's hard to explain. When I was just a child, a few weeks old … the Yodhsunala who had guarded my mother was sentenced to die because of the transgression of my birth and what it implied. She was thrown from the mountain and I was to follow. Except, she didn't die. She survived all the wounds and broken bones … and she survived because I wanted her to. She was my 'mother', because she was the voice I knew. A few years ago I stopped a Savanite from dying because she begged me to let her live. Then in Babel, again I saved the life of another Yodh, one who thought that since she had talked about me to another, that she should die. She did what my 'mother' did and again I willed her to live. That was the first time I actively felt it happen. I pieced together the other events in my life and moments like that."

"When I realized what I could do and what it implied … my whole life changed. I couldn't just continue on being the gypsy I was raised as," Alptraum continues. "Even now, I have friends, people I enjoy just talking with, joking, having fun. But, they don't completely understand me, or why I feel there are things I must do. I'm sorry to lay all this on you, it isn't your concern at all. But … if even just for the moment we have to talk tonight knowing someone understands how it feels to be different and the weight that follows, it well … makes it easier. If that makes sense?"

Draco smiles and reaches out to brush Alptraum's cheek. "I understand a little. I was not born this way, but my life also changed in an instant. You see, my father was only the third Count Draco. In 273 years of life, he sired over eighty children. I never thought he would die. But when he did, it just shattered my world, perhaps even moreso than my becoming the Countess, since I was the only one young enough to survive the bonding. This isn't the life I wanted or dreamed of having. We're both victims of fate, it seems."

"I wish I could have met your father. He must have been impressive. Mine was … " Alptraum says as he reaches up to take the Countess' hand lightly in his as it brushes his cheek. "Mine was not a good man. He's responsible for the death of thousands and a war."

"Mine sacrificed himself to repel a Gallisian attack," Draco says. "He used the power of the dragon to slay them, but the strain burnt him out inside. Don't dwell on the sins of your father, Alptraum bar Reisender. They aren't yours to answer for, merely to remember so that you do not repeat them."

"Except the war was started in part to try and protect me from the Sabaoth, who wanted my body for his own," Alptraum remarks quietly, "Which at times weighs on me because I heard their cries once. It does make me want to make a difference, to make my survival 'worth it'." The Eeee then shrugs and says to the Countess, "I'm young; it's been a lot for me to bear with no guidance on how to bear it. And please, just call me Alptraum or Traum. How did you cope in your early days?"

"I didn't think about it," Draco says. "And you can call me Rose, or Rosalind, in private. Back then, I thought my father would live forever, and all I cared about was having a happy life. I'd have a chosen a better boyfriend if I thought I was going to become the Countess, for one thing. I admit that now there isn't much to comfort me, no voice to justify my sins to myself. I'm a creature of necessity. Maybe I can muster up some hope for the future though, now. Promise me you'll come back, after your battle with the sorcerer? Even if only in a gourd?"

Alptraum stands and takes a breath. "I don't want to offer you false hopes. I don't know what I can offer you for a future, or if I can somehow fashion a way for you to have a family," he admits as he takes both of the Countess' hands in his, "But, I will do what I can. The best promise I know can make is that I can be a friend and be someone who can be there to listen if you need someone to vent to or lean on … even if it's from a gourd." The Eeee pauses, then adds, "And, if you do not mind me doing it, practicing a bit with directing the power of the Light of Nala before we go after the necromancer would increase the odds we do not die."

"I'll have my wizards aid you in that, if possible," Draco says, then glances at the door. "Lilith may think we're sucking each other's faces off by now. I usually try to control which rumors get around about me, so perhaps we should part company for now."

"Why would she think that … oh." Alptraum says, head tilted. He then shakes his head and sighs, "You are probably right. Likely my tale of meeting Doctor Floribunda Pike and managing to get her to turn bright red and run out of the room may have something to do with her thinking that."

Draco breaks out in laughter! "Oh my, you ran into Bunny Pike? She hasn't changed a bit then, if she reacted to you the way I imagine she did. Of course, your own spirit-aura probably had a little to do with it as well."

"I don't think she saw that, but … well, with the way she was acting, it rather triggered my old gypsy habits to 'perform'. I couldn't help myself. It was too … cute to see her flustered to have some dark vampire flirting at her," Alptraum admits with a sheepish grin.

"You probably bit her then?" Draco asks, showing her own fangs as she smiles. "I'll have to teach how to do a proper vampire love-bite sometime, seeing as how you were deprived in your childhood of vampiric education."

"Uh," Alptraum says and looks away. "Well, she wanted to be bitten… " he admits. "I've never been bitten myself and not sure what was so exciting about it… "

"Ask Lilith to show you tonight, I'm sure she wouldn't mind," Draco suggests, patting Alptraum on the shoulder.

"Heh, she would look at me funny if I asked her that," Alptraum notes as he steps away from the Countess. "I'll perhaps talk to you later tonight Coun … Rosalind. If not, then I wish you good dreams." The Eeee bows again to the Countess.

Draco returns to her seat, and nods to Alptraum. "Good day, Mr. Reisender. Please let Lilith know that I can see Tulani next in an hour or so, and Arkold immediately."

"I will," Alptraum says. The Eeee then heads to the large doors and slips his way out to find Lilith … whom he expects to be waiting on the other side of the door and trying to listen. "Curious woman," he thinks, "Not quite what I expected. I do hope I get to see her again."