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The gate out of the sewer opened, and Lucius and his mercs ran on all-fours out of the cistern.
Morta, pleased with her deal, enshrouded herself in purple light, and turned into a bat, and flew back towards Castle Gern. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 19:59:02

Lexius:
Languishing in his cell, the only thing Lexius could do was wait. Judging by the position of the sun shining through his cell, it was 5:00. It was the only time the sunlight, shining through the rainclouds could be seen through the barred window of his cell. Purvinas had left the area, Though Lexius could still smell the Vergas’ filthy scent. Strangely, he could hear a woman moaning. It was strange, and faint. Then the woman screamed “GET OFF ME!” Her voice reverberating throughout the hall of the prison block.


Lexius wondered if he’d ever be out of the cell. He waited not five minutes until someone opened his cell door. It was Vykdyti.

“The Council is ready for you” Vykdyti informed Lexius. “And may I suggest you see Tingus before you head into the chamber. He’s just outside it. Lexius' eyes widened.” “Father is HERE?!” Lexius barked. “It was Balta’s request that he show up.” Lexius shook his head “That wasn’t very thoughtful, whenever he shows up, the vampires who serve him, and the vampires that serve mother, are at each other’s throats. Brawling usually ensues.
“There’s more going on than you know. Things are changing.” Vykdyti said Lexius got up and exited the cell, following Vykdyti.“What do you mean?” Lexius asked as he passed the cell, where he found Purvinas having one-sided fun with an elven prisoner. It seemed Lexius was not the only one who liked frolicking with the slaves and prisoners. Lexius wondered what Purvinas' score of women was that he had done that too as he moved on. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:21:42 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2022 16:08:54 by Pink 4 Twink

“You’ll find out” Vykdyti said, as she led Lexius out of the cell block.

Walking from the Cell block to the area outside the throne room took about fifteen minutes. Castle Gern was a very large castle. As Lexius walked past the survivors of the siege, they hissed at him out of hatred. Even people he once called friend refused to look him in the eye or greet him.

Finally outside the throne room, his eyes met with the one man he despised more than anyone in the castle. Lord Tingus Gern stood by a window, watching something screams of victims permeated outside the window, perhaps execution victims. Beside him was a rather fat vampire that Lexius recognized. His name was Barnabas. He was a public defender. “Father?” Lexius asked ignoring Barnabas completely. He expected a delusional mess from his father. Ten thousand years of immortality tends to induce insanity, but in Tingus’ case, there were also deep mental scars stemming from his belief that he should be a woman. Yet he had to hide these scars for thousands of years in order to keep the Clan from falling into civil war.

Tingus’ bald head shone in the light of the setting sun. “Lexius,” Tingus said “I hope you are prepared to get berated by the entire clan for your stupidity. Getting drunk during a siege is unbecoming of a Lord of Clan Gern.” Lexius chortled “Says the man who abandoned the clan and took half the clan with him when his dirty little secret was exposed,” Lexius said bitterly. “Come to gloat as your son gets executed?” Lexius continued barely containing his resentment for the man he blamed for ruining the clan.

Tingus turned around, “No, I’ve come to defend you from this mess. Idiot or not, you are still my son, even if you hate me.” Tingus said. “And what if I don’t want your help” Lexius asked. “Then you’d still get my help. Getting drunk during a siege; undermining the morality of the defenders; releasing the beasts; failing in the line of duty, and dereliction of duty. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:26:07

These are serious charges, and I have brought someone who can help you beat these charges,” Tingus informed Lexius “I figured as much. When last Barnabas and I went to trial, it was for forcing myself on Lord Vovolga’s slaves. “Yes, but keep in mind that those were minor compared to this” Barnabas informed. “The penalty for the charges you are accused of is death. More specifically you would be burned alive. Clan tradition for nobility dictates however that you would be able to choose how you die though. A lesser vampire would never get such a choice if accused of what you are accused of. I’ve spoken with the council, and they are hell-bent on putting you to death. I’ve gone through my books and have discovered an ancient tradition for the accused. I think I can use this.”

The doors to the throne room opened slowly.

“Perfect timing!” Tingus said, “And Lexius… Let Barnabas do the talking.” Tingus urged. Lexius took a deep breath and walked into the throne room with Vykdyti and Barnabas. As Lexius entered the throne room, he noticed that the 7 councilors were arrayed around the throne room in a circle. And in the center of the circular chamber, there was a single table and chair for the accused and his council. When Lexius entered the chamber, all the vampires except the councilors hissed, some even tossed tomatoes at Lexius. The juices of the tomatoes caused his face to swell like a balloon.

“ORDER IN THE CHAMBER!” Balta shrieked “Lord Lexius Gern, my son, you are accused of getting drunk during a siege, undermining the morality of the defenders, releasing the beasts resulting causing havoc in the castle, and dereliction of duty, resulting in getting hundreds of defenders killed. How plead you,” Lexius due to the swelling of his face could not speak.”
“Not guilty,” Barnabas said. “Since Lexius cannot speak at current juncture, I will take over as his voice.” Barnabas said. “Fair enough” Balta said. As is law, the prosecution begins first. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:27:59 - Last edited on 12-Mar-2022 22:28:38 by Pink 4 Twink

Lexius looked around the room for the prosecutor, to his dismay, he found that his prosecutor was his former retainer, Sven’s wife, Sonja. The two hated each other, moreover the entire chamber was filled with people who hated Lexius. This wasn’t going to be a fair trial, Lexius concluded.

Sonja looked at Lexius and snarled at him, “Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for coming to see Clan Gern justice be delivered to a man whose dereliction of duty got your friends, husbands, wives, in some cases even children, and even slaves killed. Last night we were attacked, and the man in charge of the defense of the castle was drunk. It was his birthday, he did not expect a siege, but evidence has come in suggesting the man in charge of the defense received the reports and did nothing to strengthen defenses.”
Clamoring in the wrecked hall began.

“EXECUTE HIM!” someone exclaimed. “BURN HIM!” a female vampire demanded before throwing more tomatoes at Lexius, which caused his swelling to get even worse.

“ORDER IN THE THRONE ROOM!” Balta shrieked again “I order the assailants of my son escorted out of the throne room to calm down and return when they are ready.” Sonja began speaking again. “As witness, I bring forth Matuas, a spy for Vykdyti.
Matuas, a very tall vampire, entered the throne room with an intricately crafted golden box full of letters. “Matuas, may I ask what is in the box?” Sonja asked. “Correspondences from me to Lexius warning him of impending attack.” “How many letters did you send the accused." “Eight, once per month, I tried to update him on the situation via letter, my duties in Vilnius kept me from the castle. I was to keep an eye out for rumors regarding the insurgents and follow them to verify their legitimacy. Most rumors were just that, rumors, but starting a year ago, we began to notice more resistance activity, rumors of an offensive began to circulate. I followed the rumors, to the source and ended up joining a cell of vampire hunters. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:32:10 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2022 16:15:51 by Pink 4 Twink

. It took mere minutes to gain their trust, and they immediately began telling me of their plans. Mortals are so easy to fool after all. It was after days of listening to them talk, that I knew that these rumors were true, I sent a message via courier to Lexius warning him of impending attack and waited for a response.”

“Objection!” Barnabas shouted. “Be quiet, Barnabas, you will have your chance to speak!” One of the councilors shouted “Matuas, may we see these letters?” Balta said softly. Matuas nodded, and handed the letters to Patikimas, who opened one of the letters, and began reading the first one.

“To my Lord, Lexius.” Patikimas began

“My lord. I hope this letter finds you well. I am Matuas, a spy for Vykdyti. I write this letter to tell you of an upcoming offensive that the insurgents are planning. May I suggest you take what I have to say seriously? I tracked the rumors, just as my duties demand, to a group of vampire hunters in Vilnius. If we strike now, we may at least delay their offensive. I am still working out who the leader of this offensive is, but once I do, I will update you on progress.

Sincerely,
Matuas Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:33:19 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2022 16:17:24 by Pink 4 Twink

One of the councilors scratched his chin. “Did you ever receive a response, Matuas” the councilor asked “Never. At first, I thought he had more information than I did, so I endeavored to ask my lord Lexius himself when my duties permitted. What I found out, when that chance arrived… disgusted me. Rather than see to the defenses of the castle, my lord Lexius was busy having carnal relations with the female slaves, he was doing everything except his responsibility.”

“Anything to say, Lexius?” the councilor asked Lexius frowned.

Patikimas opened another letter.
“To my lord Lexius” Patikimas began

“I write to you to inform you that I have found out that the leader of this offensive will be Vyras. I recommend assassinating the old man before things get out of hand. We have enough time to end the threat before it begins.

Sincerely.
Matuas.”
-

“What happened next?” Balta asked “Same thing, no response. This became a pattern. I’d write to him warning him of danger, and I would receive nothing, not so much as permission to kill Vyras." Matuas informed the Vampire Queen. "I will read one final letter.” Patikimas said, as he opened the rest of them to see which one he should read next. Finally, he picked one. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:34:41 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2022 16:20:04 by Pink 4 Twink

To my Lord, Lexius.

“I write to you, and still receive no response. My lord, the assault will begin on your birthday. You had plenty of time to have Vyras killed, and you have done nothing. You have not responded, and you have no time left. Vyras has completed his preparations, everyone who dies next week will have died because of you. There are no more sweet words left in me to tell me just how badly you have screwed up. When I wrote to you last, I asked permission to kill him, and received no word, so I asked the Balfura Twins to hunt Vyras down. In short order most of that team died not due to resurrected minions of the old man, but due to the fact that they’d been spotted by guards tracking Vyras down in town. someone warned the old man, and he somehow evaded death again, and the Balfura Twins ended up being the only survivors of that assassination team. How does it feel to be the laughing stock of the entire clan, My Lord? You act like a child, and care nothing for your duty. It will be the end of you.”

Sincerely,
Matuas.

The throne room was outraged.

"YOU ALLOWED VYRAS TO ATTACK US! BURN HIM” several vampires Screeched.Vykdyti cleared her throat then screeched.

“THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL BURN WILL BE THE ATTENDEES IF THEY DON’T GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER!” Balta took a moment to breath in.
“Damning evidence, My son.” Balta said “Barnabas do you have anything to counter the charges. Barnabas nodded his head. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:37:49 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2022 16:21:55 by Pink 4 Twink

“There is another way. An old tradition among our clan. He need not die." Barnabas said “What are you getting at, Barnabas?" Patikimas, who stood next to Balta asked.

“In year 549, the gates of the great city of Beol were breached by the forces of House Tilvus, while Tilvus’ artillery pounded the streets of the great city with trebuchets from outside the walls, their ships decimated our forces using their fire mages at sea. In the middle of the chaos, the general who failed to foresee the assualt, General Keld turned himself in to house Gern authorities to face the council of House Gern. In a 9- 10 vote in favor of sparing the general, but stripping him of command, he was made a Fenikso Valdovas, a phoenix lord. He was given the best armor and weapons, and using his training, he would lead the charge, alone, into the enemy. Keld, a stout warrior of great ability, using the weapons given to him was able to destroy most of the trebuchets on land, allowing House Gern and House Draconis to push back Tilvus forces. Were it not for Keld, Beol would have been lost to the House Tilvus opportunists. Though Keld died in the fighting, he was given a place of honor as a hero of House Gern.

“The tradition of Fenikso Valvodas is only used in times of great strife.” Vykdyti said testing Barnabas, though personally she liked the idea.
“We are in that time of strife, Milady, Lord Sudaro Draconis has brought an entire fleet to Sudovia, just as we feared he would. If he planned on catching us off guard, his plan worked, and on top of that, there was an assassination attempt of Lady Gern. If they team up with the resistance factions it will be a very tough time for us. More to the point, who’s to say House Mortus isn’t on its way with its Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:41:26 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2022 16:24:17 by Pink 4 Twink

way with its army. House Tilvus may show up too; long have they craved power and recognition from House Draconis. In addition, Lord Vovolga is controversial and is therefore weak, he could conceivably lose his power if he is not careful, which means we could be attacked from the north by House Draconis and its allies, and local resistance factions from all directions. The Fenikso Valdovas is a powerful symbol meant to bolster morale, and Lexius is among one of the most powerful vampires ever conceived! He is ideal for this role” Barnabas reasoned

In unison, the councilors nodded, and stood up off their table “He makes a valid argument, Lady Gern” A white bearded councilor said “What do you think, Balta” he asked her. “He’s right unfortunately, Balta said. “Very Well. Lexius, please stand.” Balta said said Lexius got out of his chair. His face was still puffy from tomato juice.

“In light of the circumstances around us, you are to be stripped of your titles as Lord Lexius Gern. You will take up the arms and armor of the Fenikso Valdovas, and you will lead the charge With Patikimas to eradicate the resistance. The enemy is all around us. You will fight the enemy on the front lines until all are defeated, or until death takes you. No more are you Lord Lexius Gern. In fact, Gern is no longer your surname. As tradition states, Fenikso Valdovas have no surnames, and only use first names, only in death will you ever be remembered as Lord Lexius Gern.”

Lexius for his part was shattered, no longer was he a contender for the throne, Barnabas’ argument ensured that, though he was alive, a new phase of his life was to begin, and he hated everything about it. Now even the lowliest Vergas could order him around, and Lexius could do nothing about it.

Barnabas left the throne room, and the guards took custody of Lexius and led him to out of the throne room, the attendees of the trial were stunned. Just your friendly neighborhood gay boy!

12-Mar-2022 22:44:42 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2022 16:29:44 by Pink 4 Twink