Livenh'aad

It was Livenh'aad. The start of the winter season and the hunt that marked the change of the season. This is the land of Kaningr'ad.

What better marks a beginning than blood spilled?

"Gr'aad!" A woman yelled out, bringing all the attention of the campers in her direction. She is standing on top of the podium set up in the middle of the Camp. There is no sun, it is not dark either but blue shadows are cast across the trees that shroud those all around the camp. The group is deep in the forest of Savac where there are only pine trees and of course, snow. There is no such thing as the absence of snow in this place. The camp is lit up by torches covered in glass— a device called a lantern invented by the humans and the tents are made of animal processed tarpaulins and it didn't smell nice but the people didn't mind. They have gotten used to the smell and can barely distinguish plain air from the stench.

"Enter! Her Majesty! Queen Elyna!" The same woman announces and crunch of snow can be heard throughout the camp. The occupants of the camp have assembled themselves in a straight line, bowing their head down.

The woman who appeared after the announcement seemed like a force to be reckoned with. She was dressed in thick fur to protect against the chill of the place. She looked over the people assembled in front of her with a slight tilt of her neck. She was a striking beautiful woman, with sharp feline eyes covered by a strip of black lace and full plump lips colored dark red with rouge. She is dressed in a thick red dress lined with fleece and it covers all the lengths of her body, stretching out upto her wrists and covering her feet. Resting on top of her fleece dress is the royal cloak of red and tampered with fur generously. She opened her mouth and they all waited with bated breath, making expectations of what she would say.

"Commence." She gave the short command with all the power of her stand in her voice. Normally the reigning monarch of the Vamp'ire Folk would give a motivational and inspirational speech for the people in their court at the beginning of the winter season. Winter marked an important period for the Vamp'ire People as the sun would make an appearance for a span of seven days during this season, during cold December. At the end of each year, the old Vampires would step out into the sun to end their lives, an opportunity that only came up once a year and it was the only way to end their life as nothing could impose harm upon their bodies except for the straight lines of sunlight.

"As the Queen has spoken! Commence the Livenh'aad!"

What was Livenh'aad?

Through every start of the season and to mark the change in season, the Vamp'ire Folk held a festival at the beginning of the month. The Queen or King would finally grace all the members of the High Council with her presence. Wrought with power and the control of every cold blood that runs through the veins of the members of the High Council of the Vamp'ire Folk, the Queen was kept hidden away in the fold walls of the Black Titanium walls of the Nef'phyr Castle. But the festival of Livenh'aad marked a new beginning and the start of the season of death.

What was Livenh'aad?

Humans killing each other.

That was what. Humans are commodities for the Vamp'ire Folk in the land of Kaningr'ad. They are marketed, farmed and even sold but for the Queen, she had the highest caliber of blood providers in the form of her cortège.

Livenh'aad was a game of the fittest. Humans were set free into the forest of Savac and only a few came out alive. They were commanded to kill whoever they met. The ones who were to come out alive in the festival were made a part of the Queen's cortège and were provided with a glorified life until they met their death around their forties. They didn't live long as they were constantly providing blood to the Vamp'ire Folk.

"My Queen. Please." Lejik walked up to the seat where the Queen is seated. The Queen doesn't look at her. Instead she looked down at the cup of red liquid handed over by her attendant. Lejik was a woman of remarkable talents that made it her birthright to stand behind the Queen.

A small smile touched the Queen's lips.

"Blood tastes remarkable in the chill."

"I would say that's exactly why."

"And the humans?"

"Handpicked, Your Majesty. The High Council made it their best interest to choose the plumpest and healthiest."

"Hmm. Call the Council and set the table. I can barely wait to watch. After all, winter only comes once a year." The Queen dismissed her highest attendant with the swipe of her hand. A chill passed the air as the Queen raised her hand and tucked a strand of air behind her hair. Her pointed ear pricked and flicked in the cold and she shook her head, feeling the chill running down her mind.

She watched leisurely and sipped the tumbler of red as small stodgy imps ran up, dragging a long table to their place. One of the members of the High Council had the power of projection; she would be communicating with All Seeing Eye to forecast the festival— the brutal fights that happened between the human men that were set free into the forest. This was her first Livenh'aad. She had seen the rough and the shine of wars, she had been to many battles but she had never seen the cowardly desperation of humans at the last moments of their lives. She wanted to see them scuttling about, pulling out every thread of strength in their puny bodies in order to hold on to their lives. She had heard that it was such a delight to see humans fight for their lives in such petty, backhanded manners.

The table was set, a heavy marble set that the imps carried easily. Imps came into Kaningr'ad for the sake of finding labor and Vamp'ire Folks were glad to rest their powers for once in the castle. The ground was dug up and elevated for the purpose. The High Council members soon gathered around the table and stood a few feet away from it. They were waiting for the signal of the Queen.

"Ingr'aad." The Queen instructed, meaning be seated.

And the members of the High Council slowly fell into place in their seats.

"The selection is exquisite this year, Your Majesty." Kehr commented. He was the one who had the blessing that enabled him to listen to anything within his eyesight. He was the eighth member of the Council. He had ears slightly larger than the rest of the Council members and narrow eyes paired with his pale skin. All Vamp'ire had pale skin but his was a tone lighter that made him look positively ghastly. It took time adjusting to get used to his face. He looked like a corpse.

"The High Council has worked hard. I pray that your efforts are met soon enough."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind." Lyn reverently whispered in her soft voice. I forget what blessing she possessed, The Queen thought, frowning. Ah, her forehead cleared, Yes. She could kill even a bear with her bare hands. She had no qualms in hiding her thick muscled arms, even through the cold. It's as though she couldn't feel the cold shearing through the skin. Maybe the Queen was too weak. She felt cold easily.

"Now, enough chatter. Er'haan." The Queen looked to her right, and to the small child who sat there. She had completely white eyes, not a dark spot in her irises. And she wasn't a child, she was at least a hundred years old. She merely looked like one.

"Shall we begin?" Er'haan smiled.

The Queen smiled by the fraction as well.

Let the Livenh'aad begin.