[B]"Please...my lord...spare me-ee-ee.."[/b] He sobbed, his voice quivering with an intense fear as every single pore on his body expelled a drop of sweat. Dried blood ran rivets across his face and neck- mixed with dirt and perspiration, he smelled like a rotting corpse already. His eyes, once brown, were now bloodshot and glossy with tears as he fell to his knees and placed his forehead to the cold surface. [B]"I...I know I have failed you...but please have mercy, I know not what I've done..."[/b]

A suspenseful silence was broken with the sound of boots smacking the ground with each and every step, growing closer and closer until they stood just before the cowering slave. [B]"Oh, but you do...you know exactly what you've done"[/b] A deep, penetrating voice answered, the candlelight illuminating a man's face- except he wasn't a man at all. He had thick, golden brown hair which was slicked back and barely touched his broad shoulders. His skin appeared ghostly white and almost pasty...but the single most captivating feature, was his eyes. They were red- no, crimson, and piercing like a dagger. He wore a marble white tunic, the sleeves ruffled with lace, and his midsection tied off with a wide brown belt adorned by a real silver buckle. His outfit concluded with fashionable black trousers and heavy steel-toed boots. He was older, appearing to be in his 40s, but in reality he hadn't aged in over 500 years. 

[B]"N-no-ooo...no, I swear, I swear I don't! "[/b] The metal shackles around his ankles rattled as he crawled forward and kissed his prosecutors feet, [b]"I would never disobey you, my lord"[/b]

The man before him bellowed a loud uproarious laughter before reaching down and grasping the prisoner by his throat, and throwing him in one effortless motion against the chamber wall. [b]"LIAR!..heh, you know, the only thing I enjoy more than killing traitors...is killing liars."[/b] His lips curled in a vicious grin, revealing a set of razor sharp fangs protruding from his mouth. Screams echoed off the concrete walls, but no one came...and no one cared. The slaves body crumpled to the ground, void of life, with a wide pointless gaze that often accompanied death. 

His killer, Roderick Delacroix, the lord of Dragoncrest, wiped any remaining traces of blood from the corner of his mouth and snapped his fingers- signaling two armored guards to carry the body away. Another figure approached from the darkness- but he had sensed it long ago. Never turning to look or even bat an eye, he addressed this figure with confidence- after all, it was his daughter. [B]"Evangeline, what have I told you about about trying to spy on me?"[/b]

[B]"That it won't work?"[/b] she answered guiltily, coming slowly into his view, her radiant red hair glowing like fire under the candlelight. [B]"I am sorry, I just wanted to see Father. Why did you kill that human?"[/b]

Roderick turned on his heels and placed his hands firmly on his daughter's shoulders, [b]"Well, I think a better question is...why not kill the human? Why spare a life less worthy than mine. My dearest love, you will someday come to see that out of all who inhabit these lands- we, the immortals, are the imperial race. WE shall rule them all. And one day..."[/b], he smiled, running the back of his hand across her innocent face, [b]"One day you will rule them too, and I will be so proud of you, Evangeline..do you understand?"[/b] 

His eyes delved deep into her innocently blue ones, as she nodded and smiled affectionately. She was too young for him to explain how this particular human had escaped, and tried to expose the human trafficking circle. Luckily he was hunted down before he reached any neighboring human village. If they knew what was going on right under their noses, it could cause a backlash so great, anarchy would break loose. 

But she was still too young, at only nine years old, she had many years of teaching and understanding to do. [B]"Come along my sweet, it's time for dinner and we have a very special event to attend."[/b] Every year, on the mark, the Lord would throw a masquerade ball in his kingdom and invite races from all surrounding lands. It was a bash to remember- though half of the attendees were never heard of again. Some called it, the Masquerade of Death. 

[B]Twelve years later, our story begins... [/b]

The city of Dragoncrest was alive and bustling with activity, even as the hot sun began to fall behind the mountains to the north. Horses trotted, lamp posts flickered to life, ships docked, stray animals began to dig in dark alleyways for food, and taverns filled with patrons ready to fork over a gold coin for a fresh ale. Dwarves, mages, nymphs, vampires, wizards, hobbits, and the occasional werewolf alike came into town, escorted by the bard who will take you to port for a small fee. 

In the center of it all, a brooding castle looked over the wondrous laketown, watching, waiting. It was Delacroix Manor, home to the lands prestigious family and Lord Roderick who ruled with a charming smile and a silver tongue. He sat comfortably in his throne, holding the dripping wrist of a dead woman over his wine glass as it filled with her precious elixir. 

[B]"M'lord, I am sorry to interrupt your dinner, but I have some news you may be very interested in.."[/b], an old, shriveled little man announced, coming through the chamber doors in long council robes, only a little longer than his tangly white beard. He was Roderick's personal advocate, and had been for many years. He was a dark mage, capable of dark magic. 

[B]"Oh yes, yes, do come in my friend, what news have you for me?"[/b] Roderick smiled, tossing aside the woman's corpse without a care and standing to greet his assistant. [B]"I hope it's good, I've had one hell of a day.."[/b]

[B]"Well actually, sire, it's about your daughter...the guards checked her quarters and...well, she's gone. Again..that girl needs to be nailed to the floor."[/b]

[B]"Don't fret, Evangeline has always had such a free spirit. She will come back, and when she does, make sure you bring her to me. I need to have a talk with my little rogue princess, hmm?"[/b] He nodded his head and gestured over to the group of chained women, scantily clad in tattered rags, crying and begging for their pathetic lives. [B]"Come, why don't you join me for tonight's uh...entertainment?"[/b]

------------

The night sky was dotted with twinkling stars, as she rode down the hill towards the docks. Pulling tightly on the reins, her horse came to stop just before the bard and his taxi. [B]"Good evening, Jacob, think you can give me a lift into town?"[/b] Her smile sparkled as she yanked back the hood of her cloak- exposing her red hair, and blue eyes. 

[B]"Evangeline! I didn't expect to see you out here. You know I'm always willing to give a pretty lady a lift. Where'd ya get the horse?"[/b] Jacob was a mortal, one of the lucky ones that Roderick found a good use for besides slavery. He'd been guarding the docks his entire life, and at 25, he'd seen more kinds of people go in and out of Dragoncrest than any old man who'd lived a full life. His hair was black and greasy, falling to his shoulders, bringing out his peculiar green eyes. 

[B]"Oh it's not mine, let's just say I borrowed it?"[/b] She smirked, jumping down with ease and sending the horse off in the direction she came with a quick smack to its side. [B]"I was in the forest today, looking for herbs and-"[/b]

[B]"You're looking fer trouble is what yer doing, Evangeline. Do you know how dangerous it is out there? And your father...oh, God, your father-"[/b]

[B]"Please Jacob, don't be silly. My father would keep me locked up all prim and proper in that castle for the rest of eternity. I for one, am happy taking risks and having adventures. Besides- I wouldn't get to see you if I never went out of town, would I?"[/b]

Jacob grinned, shaking his head as they began to float away on his boat. A light fog loomed over the lake, the bright lights of the town flashing through like a signal drawing them near. He looked at her, and she looked onward- the calm waters sloshing up against the sides and pushing them with the beating current, towards the city of Dragoncrest and into a new adventure. The beginning of the unknown.