A Tribe of Strays and Mutts pt 4

Kira sat atop the roof as he still felt the coldness of Draig's gaze in his bones, that gaze held so many vile emotions that it even made him sick physically. The Old Wolf knew that if Draig didn't die tonight then he would be the one who paid for those fool's attacks, it was with that thought the old Wolf seemed to dance on the wind casting the scent trail far to the east.

'That should at least redeem me a little bit in his eyes' thought Kira.

He had many complicated feelings for the young Feratu, on the one hand their was nothing but awe and respect for the Vampire being able to gather so much power at such a young age but at the same time he had a duty to his people. The wolf cursed himself for being in the middle of the two sides.

'But what else could I do, without him I would never have returned to my family. Asagi would still be ruling the tribe with an iron fist, at least with the brat we have the potential to prosper beyond those noble tribes.' contemplated Kira as he watched those three wander back into the village.

As he sat there he began remembering what had caused this tribe to form, it was the war to purge Beta Bloodlines. It was horrifying as he was only a pup at the time, he possessed noble blood and as did his father but it didn't matter to those larger tribes who held true Alpha's among them.

'We gathered together to make our own tribe out of the stragglers, and here we are today' snorted Kira as he heard the sound of music start to play in one part of the village.

'A tribe of strays and mutts, we had a blessing laid before us but these damn mongrels can't think beyond what they are having for lunch.' Kira's internal dialogue was cut short when a misty figure was seen in the distance.

Rubbing his eyes he found it had disappeared.

'A premonition carried on the wind?' wondered Kira as he tried to shake that disturbing feeling.

He was determined to head in for the night when several pained howls rang through the night and he soon understood why as the ring on his hand began to heat up significantly.

Far into the west Kraus and the rest of the Original Dread Knights screamed themselves hoarse as they wriggled on the ground holding that scalding piece of metal.

'Your close aren't you leech' cringed Kraus as he forced himself to his feet ignoring the pain.

It was obvious to those in possession of the rings who the cause was and this cause knew nothing of it as he remained in the hole seemingly dead but it couldn't be further from the truth.

However there was a deeper meaning to this death like state, the Heir of Feratu was facing something even the likes of Dracule had never experienced.

'Wake up wretch' came the harsh call as a firm strike landed on Draig.

The young Feratu woke with a groan and found himself in a familiar place.

'The Feratu rights of Inheritance' recounted Draig as this was something he had learned from the Founder, the man who was standing before him and looking upon his weak form with malice.

'I said get up' roared the Founder planting another kick into Draig's prone figure.

Coughing harshly Draig attempted to stand barely making the climb, the Founder seemed to be enraged by this and once again rained blows upon him leaving the Young Heir lying on the ground broken.

'Get up' commanded the Founder and Draig complied trying to correct whatever he had done wrong previously.

'Faster, but not better' stated the Founder as he planted one more strike right across Draig's face causing him to grit his teeth in humiliation as he once again got back up.

'Now that you are awake we need to discuss your current condition mortal' stated the Founder though he held no feeling when he spoke the word mortal unlike Draig.

'Founder, I am aware of my condition and it's cause' answered Draig but upon gazing underneath the helmet of this titan of a man he felt weak.

'You are as aware of your condition as a tree is aware it's a tree or a rock is aware it's a rock. You are so far from the main source of your condition that I find it disgraceful to be lumped with you' retorted the Founder.

'Forgive me Founder, I ask that you enlighten me' answered Draig as he prayed to avoid being struck again.

'You call me Founder but you do not think of why I am such, I was indeed the first of Vampires but do you not wonder how that came to be?' asked the Founder causing Draig to actually become speechless.

He hadn't thought of that before, how did one become a Vampire without the means to contract Vampirism. What is it that made this man before him into the first of the Vampire race, how did he do it.

'Please explain' asked Draig calmly as he had managed to regain a bit of his composure.