Fates of Grenora: Return of the Night

"Ingram!" Adeline called when her and her unit saw the pearly white walled metropolis of Dremetica.

Ingram rushed over on his horse, sidling up next to her to talk in hushed whispers. "Yes commander?"

"When we pass the gates, the men and women are to disperse until further notice. You and I will go report then we will head directly to grandfather." She informed him.

Ingram nodded his agreement, "And the other issue?" He said, discreetly looking back at Finston marching alongside a group of people that listened to his preaching about the need for a crusade against all those that oppose Dremetica's sovereignty.

Adeline looked back as well, a frown forming on her face as she watched the man work his charms into her unit. "For now, leave him be; there isn't much we can do," She coldly stated, etching each person who listened to him with rapt attention into her memory for later.

"Aye commander," Ingram pounded his breastplate and dipped his head before wheeling back on his horse to relay the command.

Adeline marched ahead of her unit. It had taken them a month to get back because of the destroyed jump-gate that connected Lor-Vold and Dremetica, as well as the wandering Undead that were stragglers left behind. She was glad to be back but also a bundle of nerves after what Ingram had told her of the past and the Exiled Humans that lived on the fringes of the empire. The news would be something her grandfather would be eager to hear, as well as the revelation that Aldrin was alive and somewhat well.

She sighed to herself that made her shoulders slump, then noticed that Finston walked towards her. A spike of irritation and annoyance briefly threatened to bubble up, but she quickly tampered it down before it made itself known on her face. "Mi'lady," The Bard bowed in a flourish.

He had taken to always wearing a charming smile whenever he talked to her, something that earned the ire of her annoyance to resurface. "Finston," she flatly said, not bothering to look in his direction.

His hands shot up to his heart in a look of pain. "Must you be so cold with me? I thought our time together on the road would have softened you up some, but it seems to have only made you harder. Was it something to do with perhaps… a certain someone?" He said, his smile widening.

Adeline tensed for a moment, her hand drifting to the dagger that she hid on the side of her horse.

"I mean if he doesn't make a move any time soon I'm going to have to keep trying harder until I win your affections," Finston said, his eyes quickly flicking to Ingram, who rode down the line relaying commands.

The tension Adeline felt evaporated as she realized he was talking about Ingram. She laughed that had struck Finston as he had never seen her so much as crack a smile. It only reinvigorated his efforts to sway her to his side. He had a need for someone of her prowess and position to reach a wider audience.

"Finston, while your antics usually annoy me, this time, that was actually pretty funny and very untrue," she said. "Ingram has been at my side since I was 15 and joined the Holy Order. There is nothing going on between us," she flicked a quick glance at Ingram's back as he ordered the men and women around.

Finston caught it and his smile faltered a bit, but was back when a thought crossed him. "Ah, I see my charms definitely won't work on someone who doesn't even realize they are in love with someone else. Nonetheless, I have actually come for a different reason. I wish to seek an audience with the Bishops."

Adeline narrowed her eyes slightly. "I can do that. They will need your testimony anyway," she said.

Finston clapped his hands and bowed again, "Until next time then, mi'lady, and thank you." He turned and slowed down his pace to rejoin the group he was previously conversing with.

Adeline paid no attention to him as she formulated her plan that would probably get her killed at the worst and exiled as a fugitive and traitor at the least. Based on what Ingram had shared with her in the tent that night, it was a chance she was more than willing to take. Even her grandfather would have no choice once she reached him and told him everything, too.

It took them 20 minutes to reach the main road that was filled with a steady stream of people coming in and out of the city. Of course, her unit being part of the Holy Order, the people stopped and let them through. She was used to them staring in reverence and awe but something felt different in their stares, a fear that perhaps their proud Holy Order wasn't as steadfast in their defense against the Darkness. However, that fear hid behind the blissfulness they felt near the safety of the city. Adeline knew that they all saw the alert about Lor-Vold. It made her wonder how many of them had homes, families, or knew someone who lived there that they could no longer go to.

"I do not know if they will ever recover. There hasn't been an attack on the empire in years, let alone the fall of a city," Ingram appeared at her side, trying his best to offer comforting words.

"It's going to get worse before it gets better and Aldrin is none the wiser to it," Adeline said, staring back at the people.

Ingram scoffed, "Adeline, give your brother more credit than that. I'm sure he knows what's going on or at least has an inkling to it. He was never one to be stupid or oblivious to certain things."

She huffed in response, "That's what worries me the most sometimes. That he does know and is hurtling us all towards the end."

"If he can reach the continent first, then he will be beyond anyone's reach for the time being. All we can do right now is to be prepared as best we can with what we can," Ingram tried to reassure her. "Besides, I'm sure your grandfather would jump at the chance to do something, too."

Adeline gave him a small smile before reaching the gate. The guards had taken one glance over at them and let them through without any fuss. They marched through the wide cobbled streets, that could fit three carriages. She led their column to the eastern side of the metropolis that housed the Holy Order and its surrounding tenets.

Apprehension bubbled in her stomach as she got closer to the towering citadel. She wondered if her grandfather had been scrying her location the whole time. Knowing him, he probably was, but luckily it would soon be time to stretch his legs. Reaching the steps, she whirled around on her horse to address her unit.

She cleared her throat as the men and women gave her the attention and respect she earned. "We have finally made it home. Rest and recuperate, spend time with your loved ones, and tomorrow will be a new day on the Shining Queendom!" She raised her sword.

Her unit cheered, clamoring their weapons and raising them in the air. A few shortened their celebration short as they broke off to return to their own homes. Adeline gave an encouraging smile to those who looked at her. Ingram was at her side in moments as the two unsummoned their horses and walked up the steps.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Pardon me! Would it be ok if I accompanied you? I have never seen the inside of the Sanctum and yet I've always heard it's a marvelous sight to behold." Finston said with an award-winning smile that made Adeline's stomach turn.

"That's fine. Visitors are always welcome," she said, side-eyeing Ingram.

The ever vigilant Ingram gave a perceptive nod and stepped aside to allow Finston to pass. Adeline walked beside him up the steps where small groups of two or three were coming down. There were some people that had come to pay homage, priests going out for their evening services, even some clerics sent out on missions passed by them. Reaching the top, four High Paladins guarded the entrance to the enormous fortified citadel. Adeline knew that the four standing guards were the only ones visible. She knew they were being watched the moment she stepped foot in the district. No matter the status anyone carried, all were subject to scrutiny.

Inside the pristine gilded halls of the Holy Order, its members talked in hushed whispers as some stared at Adeline, Ingram, and Finston. The trio ignored their whispers and staring as Adeline led them to the chamber where the bishops of districts often gathered. The closer she got, the more uncoiling she felt in her stomach.

Coming to a stop at wide stone doors with a motif of the Shining Mother, Dremetica, and her angelic followers descending beside her. Adeline and Ingram gave a sharp salute to the High Paladins and their commander, a Shining Crusader, who gave a sharp salute back. The commander eyed them, using inspect to confirm their identities.

His eyes flicked back and forth between the two, then at Finston who stood in the back, twiddling his thumbs, trying to look as least threatening as possible under the scrutiny. "Seeker Adeline, Seeker Ingram," he said with a nod. "What business do you have worthy of the Bishops?"

Adeline took a breath and steeled her nerves, "The doom of Lor-Vold. I was there and have first-hand accounts of what really happened."

The commander's light pink eyes widened before he composed himself. With a quick nod to the High Paladins behind him, they shifted and pushed open the doors, immediately silencing the cacophony of arguing voices as all the Bishops looked at the entrance.

The commander strode confidently forward, his white trimmed golden armor clinking with every measured footstep. "Seeker Adeline has come forth with information regarding the doom of Lor-Vold!" He announced once he got to the middle of the chamber.

Adeline ignored the stares and took in the Roman-esque small auditorium that the bishops sat in. Some wore chain-link armor similar to the crusaders from Earth's history, and others wore the robes typical of bishops. There were a few that wore hoods that concealed their faces along with leather armor meant more for flexibility, the Holy Order's branch for more unsettling things the public would condemn them for. Noticing them all, Adeline clicked her tongue as she stared at the three distinct factions within.

The bishops whispered in hushed voices as Adeline took the spot where the commander once stood. All attention now rested on her and she squared her shoulders. "May the Shining Mother bless you all on this auspicious day," she started, internally cringing on every word, but the bishops were sticklers for having their religious figure's ego stroked and, by extension, theirs.

"I come forth with facts of the events that took place when doom befell Lor-Vold," she said, making eye contact with every member of the room. "From my understanding, Feral Vampires were being held at the campus," Adeline paused as shouts of outrage rang from the bishops.

"Heretics!"

"Blasphemy!"

"Who condoned this!"

Adeline listened to each shout of disbelief that was thrown around until one bishop raised his hand, silencing the crowd. "Continue, Seeker Adeline."

Adeline nodded gratefully to the bishop, then took a breath. "They summoned somehow a horde of undead that managed to burrow beneath and around the city without us ever knowing…. They were organized.. and purposeful.." Adeline finished, hesitating on the last part, listening to the growing voices that were rising from whispers.

"Purposeful?" One voice boomed.

Adeline turned to the sound of the voice, unsure of who it actually was that spoke. "They didn't attack wantonly. They only attacked in self defense." She paused again as another round of outrageous uproar erupted from the chamber.

Adeline turned to see Ingram grimly looking at her, frowning to express his displeasure. Beside him, Finston looked serene, almost like he was…

"Your holy council!" Finston charged forth. "I bring even more dire news than this!"

Adeline looked alarmed as she watched Finston step into the center of the chamber beside her. "Who are you?" asked a bishop, confused by his unannounced presence among the Seekers.

"The Bard that got away, Finston Kosirid, at your service." He bowed elegantly that made Adeline almost lose decorum and roll her eyes.

"And what… exactly do you offer?" The same bishop asked.

"Why a tale to beat all tales!" He sang, taking out and strumming his lute.

"Please, no singing. Just tell us what you know," the bishop waved dismissively.

Finston deflated a bit as he hurriedly put his lute away. "Right. Well, it all started on my journey back here with my Adventuring Group. It was late at night.." Finston lost his jovial nature as he began to remember.

The bishops quieted down to hear, noticing how Finston's gaze glazed over. "There was this… man that came stumbling out of the woods…" He licked his lips. "He was shaking, very pale, and sickly looking…"

Adeline frowned as she listened with rapt attention, occasionally looking at Ingram, whose face hardened. "Johnathan, my friend, went to approach him and that's when all hell broke loose.. that man!" Unshed tears brimmed Finston's bright blue eyes as his lips slightly trembled. "That man.." his voice cracked, "bit Johnathan's neck and drained him into a husk…"

Collective gasps rang, "my group scattered, and I ran for my life through the woods. I glimpsed it before escaping with the help of my friend…" Finston said. "It was the Progenitor Vampire.."

Adeline frowned deeply at Finston's revelation, knowing who he meant. The bishops stopped in stunned silence. "The warning was right!" One said reverently.

"Did it sense the other vampires at Lor-Vold?" One questioned.

"More than likely it's come to destroy us!"

"We must inform the Queen!"

"Time to bring back the crusades! Woo!" One yelled with more glee than he intended.

"Hold! Hold my brothers and sisters in Shining Light!" One bishop stood amongst his sitting peers. "Seeker Adeline, did you witness anything strange… at Lor-Vold to confirm this young man's statement..?" He asked, scrutinizing her features.

"I did, but I was more focused on getting the people out than confronting a danger. I was ill-equipped and under-manned to combat the size of the horde to begin with. Then, once we realized the undead didn't attack those fleeing, we prioritized the citizens," she calmly stated.

"So you let a menace escape into the night to grow in power?! You've killed us all! Take her head!" One bishop screamed, getting others to join in.

Irritation flashed across Adeline's face at the accusation and blatant disregard for the people she helped save. "I see you value safety more than your flock," she spat, cutting through the noise that silenced them all. "You weren't there. None of you were there!" She scowled at them, daring any of them to step but none did as she turned and left, Ingram was hot on her heels, leaving Finston to finish his experience.

Adeline and Ingram marched away from the council, her pace seeped in fury as Ingram stoically walked step by step beside her. "Fucking idiots," she swore under her breath.

Through the halls they walked, then up a few sets of stairs and finally arrived at her grandfather's quarters. She knocked sharply once, then entered. Seeing her grandfather's messy room filled her with a sense of comfort. "Grandpa!" She called as she entered deeper into the room.

"Grand-"

"I'm here!" Her grandfather stumbled over some books coming from a back room. "What happened?" He asked as he took in her appearance and rushed to her.

With unshed tears brimming her eyes, "He's alive," she croaked as she moved to hug him tightly, to which he returned. Ingram allowed them their moment as he looked to find a couple of seats.

"How? Where? Why? Do you have him with you?" Her grandpa broke the embrace to look at her.

Adeline shook her head. "No, he's not, but he's safe, or as safe as he can be." She took a heavy breath that released the weight she carried. "Grandpa, he's different." She said, looking him in the eye.

He furrowed his brows, "Different how..?" He said like he was tasting the words.

She looked at Ingram, who shrugged his shoulders in response. "He's undead. A vampire, to be exact," he said, metaphorically ripping the bandaid off, earning a glare from Adeline.

Her grandfather stumbled like he had been slapped, "I've lost another grandchild. How much more must this world take from me.." he quietly lamented.

"He's not mindless. He's still… him but not," she tested, taking a step closer.

"You spoke with him?" Her grandfather asked with renewed hope.

She nodded her head, trying her best to look strong but failing as a stubborn tear fell. "And he's got people who are helping him."

"More vampires?" Her grandfather asked in disbelief.

"No. Friends, or at least I think the one that found me was. His name was Jared, and he seemed like a nice guy," Adeline informed then took another breath. "Look grandpa, Aldrin has changed into something much bigger than either of us and if what Ingram told me is true, then we are about to be in the middle of history."

Her grandfather looked at the stoic man that managed to find seats for them in the cluttered room. "If you wish, I shall tell you the same as I have told Adeline," Ingram solemnly said. "But we must make haste and be on our way with that Bard talking."

"On the way? To where?" Her grandfather repeated.

"We are going to break dad out of jail first and foremost, then head north to steppe plains to link up with the remnants of exiles. His people," Adeline gravely said, jutting her chin in Ingram's direction.

Her grandfather stared at her in disbelief, "Adeline.." his mouth opened and closed a few times as his thoughts raced, trying to be the first one voiced, then resolve bloomed over him. "What exactly are you proposing…?"

"Rebellion and justice," Ingram cut in this time.