Memorias de vampiro libro II

 

THE SANDS OF TIME

 

 

Enter,

Suck from us and live forever

Rotten beauty

Will haunt you for a lifetime

Hurt me, be the one

Whoever brings the night

(Nightwish. Whoever brings the night)

 

Constantinople, 1190

 

Hephaistion walked through the dark streets of Constantinople and he had done so many nights in the last century. Constantinople suited him, at least better than most cities, and he had a lot to say about other places since he had wandered around Europe, bored and sick of the mortals ignorance, for 500 years.

 

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the world had entered a dark and hollow time now known as the Dark Ages, people in those years, humans and vampires, were sad little creatures, pathetic and gray, as Hephaistion liked to think about them, with no dreams and no hope for the future. It was as if the time for great enterprises and great men had already passed something some found depressing but for the Tzimisce was only boring. He was living in the Byzantine Empire because it was the last light of civilization in the world, but he was planning to leave the city in a few more nights.

 

The world had changed much since the Pope Urban II called the First Crusade almost a hundred years before that night. I saw the Crusaders camping outside Constantinople in the year 1095, I saw count Raymond of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon and his brother Baldwin going to the imperial palace to talk to the Emperor Alexius. I heard the news of the Christian defeated at the battle of Hattin, I saw the French and German Kings Louis VII and Conrad III marched on the disastrous Second Crusade, and now here I was, hearing news of a Third Crusade, only that this time under the command of the English King Richard I.

 

I always knew that sooner or later I would have to go to the Holy Land, my research was reaching a death end in Europe and now it was time to move to distant lands.

 

When I was alive the most distant place I had been was Gaza, I had never seen Jerusalem but that was just about to change. That night I was walking to another vampire’s house, the house of one of my only 3 friends… You seem surprised. Do you think 3 friends for a 2 thousand years old vampire is very few? Other vampires would disagree. We are cursed, we are monsters who wander in the dark and drink blood to survive, we don’t have friends and to say that I have 3 good friends is to say a lot. My friends are from another vampire clan, the Ventrue. I hate Ventrues, they think of themselves as the vampire royalty but my friends are different, or at least I want to think they are.

 

I arrived at a magnificent house, or should I say a small palace; a servant received me at the entrance and took me to a beautiful hall where my friends were waiting: Anaxagoras and Lucius with someone I did not know at the moment but who later would become my third precious friend.

 

Anaxagoras is Spartan, the only one who survived the battle of the Thermopylae; he is much older than me even if he looks 31 years old. Tall, blond with amazing aquamarine eyes; and he is Lucius’ Sire. Lucius is Roman; he was a Centurion in the Second Legion under the command of Titus Flavius Vespasian. He is stocky man, he reminds me a lot of my Alexander, looks like a man of 35 years old with black short hair and pale green eyes.

 

And the third one…well, I hadn’t seen him before that night but I had heard of him. He was Lucius’ Child, his name is Eric, and he is one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot. Extremely tall, he is taller than me for 20 cm, blond-gold, long hair and intense blue eyes. He is the youngest in our group in two aspects: first, he looks 26 years old, and second, he was 343 years old at that time.        

 

—You arrive early, Phai –said Anaxagoras when the Macedonian entered the hall. Hephaistion stopped, seeing the new face there.

 

— I didn’t know I was interrupting something –Hephaistion sat down on of the couches. Oh yes! It could be Constantinople a thousand years after their time but they still had couches.

 

—You are not interrupting –said Anaxagoras, then the pointed at the other blond with his chin—This is Lucius’ Child.

 

—The Viking? –Hephaistion saw him with authentic curiosity. He had never before seen a Viking, of course he had heard of them, all Europe had heard of them some 3 hundred years ago, specially that prayer that presided their coming: “From the fury of the Northmen deliver us, o Lord”—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you –he apologized when he noticed that he was staring at Eric as if he were a exotic animal.    

     

—You didn’t offend me –said Eric in perfect Greek—I’m Eric Sveinsson.

 

—Phai Amyntoros, a pleasure.

 

Oh yes, at that time I didn’t used my real name, I still don’t use it. You’ll see, young vampires are always looking for a way to make themselves stronger and the best way to achieve this is drinking the blood of an ancient vampire, like me. We called this Diablerie. Diablerie is one of the very few capital crimes we have and vampires like me always hide our real age. I only have to say my real name and anyone who had read a little of classic history will knew who I really am, and more important, my real age.

 

Funny, when I was alive only my friends called me Phai, and everybody else called me Hephaistion, now only my friends know my name.    

 

— Tell me something Eric, how did you meet Lucius? –asked Hephaistion, leaning on his elbow with a natural grace that many would kill to have. His silky bronze-gold locks slid through his shoulder making impossible not to admire him. He had always been beautiful but, years as a vampire, had made him ravishing.

 

—The first time I saw him was the night of my Embrace –answered Eric—I was on my way back to Birka.

 

— Lucius told me in your land you have entire days of night –said Hephaistion with interest.

 

—That’s true, in winter we had very short days.

 

— How interesting. I should go to your land one of these nights –said the Macedonian. He really couldn’t imagine a day without sun, and, as a vampire, that could be most useful.  

 

— It’s a pity is a land of savages –said Anaxagoras. He was still furious with Lucius for Embracing this Viking, a barbarian; and his remarks, full with his hatred and disdain for him and his people, only served to enrage Eric.

 

— Eric was a respected warrior among his people, to see him fight is a fucking pleasure –the Roman defended him and his Child was grateful for that. The Spartan laughed as if he had never before heard something funnier.

 

— Warrior? –Anaxagoras mocked him—He is a thief.

 

— You don’t know me –said the Viking with apparent calm, but the glow in his eyes betrayed him. Lucius was alarm and Hephaistion very interested in the outcome. The Spartan smiled.

 

— Tell me something Viking –he pronounced the word as if it were an insult— In what major battle had you fought? And I mean a BATTLE not the sacking of a city or a monastery –Eric fell silent holding Anaxagoras gaze the best way he could— I fought at the Thermopylae against the Persian King Xerxes; Phai fought at Gaugamela against King Darius III and Lucius fought in Britannia against King Caratacus in Camulodunum.

 

The Viking concealed his surprise. He did not know this, just a little about his Sire’s story and none about the past of these men, no, these vampires in front of him.

 

—I was part of the hippies, a member of the elite group known as the 300; Phai was the hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry and Lucius was a Centurion, a Prefect in the Roman Legions –Anaxagoras continued— I don’t like you Viking because you came from a barbaric race that sacked, stole and killed just for greed. In this room the 3 of us fought under the orders of Kings against Kings for the construction of great Empires and, what bothers me the most, is that you are now part of MY linage, of MY clan.  

 

A heavy silent fell on the hall, covering them as the embrace of a mother.

 

Anaxagoras was being very hard with Eric but Anaxagoras was very old and he was Greek, for whom we, Macedonians, were barbarians. And Macedonians thought Romans were barbarians, and Romans thought Germans were barbarians, so you can imagine what Anaxagoras was feeling about having a Viking as his Grandchild.

 

— Anaxagoras, I accept all that you have said –said Eric in a very calm voice—I have never been in a professional army and I have never conquered other people; but I don’t have 1,600 years…

 

—1,700 –the Spartan corrected him. Eric smiled without humor.     

 

— Fine, 1,700 years; and I wasn’t born in the Sparta of King Leonnidas or the Macedonia of King Alexander or in the Rome of Emperor Claudius –the Viking continued—But I’m not ashamed of who I am. We are what our time made of us, I didn’t chose to be born in Scandinavia but, if I could have chosen I will have chosen to be a Viking again.

 

Hephaistion laughed.

 

— He got you –said the Macedonian. Anaxagoras clenched his jaw.

 

— And why are you laughing Lucius? –the Spartan complained but his Child continued laughing, relaxing the atmosphere. 

 

I still don’t know why but I liked Eric the instant I saw him and I knew I could trust him, that was why I decided to tell him my plans too, plans that only Anaxagoras and Lucius knew.

 

Two nights after they met Hephaistion was standing before a map of the known world, hanging from one wall in Anaxagoras impressive house.

 

— I always thought Spartans were austere –said Eric, admiring the luxury of the study. This small palace had being one of Emperor Justinian I properties about 5 hundred years ago. 

 

— Not after a couple of centuries –answered Anaxagoras.

 

— What are you doing, Phai? –asked Lucius, walking to him.

 

— Deciding our route to Jerusalem –said Hephaistion, looking at the map.

 

— Jerusalem? –asked Eric and both vampires turned—Are you going to the Holy Land?

 

— You didn’t tell him, Lucius? –asked Anaxagoras, sitting on a chair.

 

— I hadn’t the time.

 

— Tell me what? –the anxious Viking wanted to know.

 

— Anaxagoras, Phai and I are going to Jerusalem next week –Lucius explained—We have been planning this for sometime.

 

— Why are you going to the Holy Land? –Eric sat on a chair near his Sire. 

 

— Constantinople is decaying –Anaxagoras explained—Soon it will be in the hands of the Ottoman Turks and we don’t plan to stay here to see it happen. Every time an Empire falls the situation becomes unstable, it’s better to leave before the riots start. 

 

— I understand…

 

— I doubt it –said Anaxagoras and Eric saw him with cold anger. Oh, how he hated the Spartan. 

 

— But if you are trying to avoid trouble, why do you have to go to the most conflictive place in the world? I heard the Christians are planning a new Crusade –Eric pointed out.

 

— It’s complicated –Lucius was thinking how to explain everything to Eric without telling him the whole truth. He knew the Viking was very intelligent and wouldn’t be satisfy with just any explanation.

 

— We are going to Jerusalem because I want to go –said Hephaistion—What do you know about the Templar Knights? –the Macedonian walked to him. 

 

— The same everyone knows, they are a religious order of warrior-monks who protect the Holy places and the Christian pilgrims –Hephaistion nodded.

 

— Some years ago the Templars took the Temple Mount and called it Templum Domini, in fact their headquarters are there –the Macedonian explained, walking in the study as if he was giving a class—I heard they found there a great treasure and in this treasure are ancient scripts that talk about immortality. And that’s what I want. 

 

— Is it fine to tell this Viking all your plans? –said Anaxagoras—We don’t know him.

 

Hephaistion smiled, holding Eric’s gaze.

 

—He is Lucius’ Child, if Lucius trusts him, so do I –Lucius nodded—There! –said the Macedonian as if that settled everything—Besides, it couldn’t hurt to have some help when we enter the Templars’ headquarters.

 

—Are you planning to steal from the Templars? –Eric was in shock.

 

—What’s wrong? I thought you were used to steal monasteries and kill monks –said Anaxagoras—Or this is too much for you Viking? 

 

—When are we going? –asked Eric in a defying tone.

 

Lucius laughed.

 

—That’s my lad –Hephaistion smiled.

 

—As soon as we decide on which route to travel –the Macedonian saw the map again.

 

—By sea is faster –said Eric, walking to the map. He pointed with his finger—If we sailed from Taranto we could reach Jaffa, here –he stopped his finger on the map—From Jaffa to Jerusalem is a short journey.

 

—Taranto is in Italy –said Anaxagoras as if Eric was retarded—You are saying that we should go back to Italy, lose a week traveling by horse and then sail to Jerusalem; but we are closer from here.

 

—Yes, but the only port that had ships sailing to the Holy Land is Taranto –Eric insisted.

 

They could have argued all night but at the end we decided to follow Eric’s advice and travel to Taranto in order to sail with the troops of King Richard, it was safer that way. Traveling by sea is dangerous for vampires, being confined in a small place for days. It’s always raised suspicions when the passengers begin to die or fell sick, and having not one, but 4 vampires in one ship were risky but necessary.    

 

We arrived at Taranto on September and soon we heard the news: King Richard was not going to travel from here; he was going by land.

 

— We are traveling with the Templars and the Hospitallers –said Eric to Hephaistion, who was standing a little away from the crowd of the port. The Macedonian was wearing a fur coat, covering his head and that caught the Viking’s attention. It wasn’t that cold, or maybe he was too used to real cold to feel it anymore.   

 

— When are we going? –Hephaistion wanted to know.

 

— In a couple of hours. I must say to you I’m surprised, I didn’t think that they would sail by night –said Eric—But I heard they want to avoid the storm.  

 

— Lets go then.

 

We had to pay a fortune in order to have our own private cabins, there were very few and were reserved for the superiors of the Templars and Hospitallers. Eric saw with curiosity that I never took off my coat, always hiding my head, and finally he asked why I was covered like that.

 

Hephaistion smiled.

 

— You are going to think that I’m egocentric but I don’t want to draw too much attention –Eric didn’t understand, until he remembered something Lucius had said to him about Hephaistion being the most beautiful creature in Europe:

 

— When Phai was mortal he was extremely beautiful, then, he became a vampire and that gave him a bonus –had said Lucius—When a vampire reaches one thousand years he changes, we become less human and more… divine, and Phai has now 1,434 years old. If immortality made me looked good you can see what did to him. And last, he is a Tzimisce, which means he can manipulate flesh and bone, reason why he doesn’t have marks or scars like me, Anaxagoras or even you.      

 

And Lucius was right, just in the way to the ship more than one head turned to admire the magnificent Macedonian, even if he was covered with his coat.

 

The first days on the ship were really quiet and boring. And then on the fifth night Eric found Hephaistion on the ship’s deck, looking at that great black mass that was night sea. It was an impressive view, the lazy waves under the star ocean. The Macedonian looked like a dream come true, as if God had arranged him especially for Eric’s delight.

 

— Did something happen? –asked Hephaistion without looking at him, and the question woke the Viking up. 

 

— No, I was just surprised to see you here, I haven’t see you since we left Taranto –said the Viking walking to him.

 

— I don’t like to travel by sea –the Macedonian turned, resting his back on the ship—When I was mortal I got seasickness.

 

Eric smiled.

 

— You are curious: you, Lucius and Anaxagoras, you are too use to travel by land –said the Viking—I miss traveling by sea with my brothers in arms. 

 

— Tell me about your homeland, Eric –Hephaistion was curious, until a couple of centuries ago he didn’t know there was land at the north of the Germans’ territories, let alone people living in there; and he had heard many things about the Vikings since they sack the monastery at Lindisfarne, in England, in the year 793. 

 

They talked for hours. Eric told him about his days as a mortal, his travels, his Gods, his customs, the cities in Scandinavia and everything he could think about, which had the Macedonian fascinated.

 

— Your people are more complicated and fascinated than I had thought.

 

— Yes… is a shame they have disappeared, engulfed by Christianity… my hometown doesn’t exist any more –said Eric, sadness was obvious in his voice.

 

— I would have loved to meet your people –said Hephaistion, cocking his head. 

 

— I can take you to Scandinavia whenever you want –Eric gave him a fangy-smile. There was something in Eric that Hephaistion liked, but he couldn’t tell what exactly.

 

— I will have to think about that –Hephaistion brushed his hair back and then his locket, the one he always wore, fell, bounced a couple of times and opened.

 

The Macedonian opened his eyes scared, and quickly he lifted his locket, retrieving the lock of blond hair that was inside, watching the objects as if this was the first time he saw them.

 

— What’s wrong? Is it broken?

 

— No –answered Hephaistion without voice, caressing the blond lock with his thumb—Is just…it had never fallen like that. 

— Is it old? –asked Eric, trying to touch the locket but the Macedonian didn’t let him.

 

— Almost as old as I am.

 

— The brooch is broken –said the Viking, looking at the locket—A jeweler can repair it.

 

Hephaistion continued caressing the lock.

 

— You…know something about jewelry? –the Macedonian began to relax, he had seen in the locket’s fall a bad omen, and now he reproached himself that irrational fear and he remembered himself that he had never believed in such things. Eric was right, it was a very old locket and it was natural that the brooch was worn out. 

 

— A little, but if you don’t let me check it, I can’t tell you if I can fix it –the blond smiled.

 

Fair enough –thought the Macedonian. He put the blond lock safely in the locket, and gave it to Eric.

 

The Viking checked the locket and the chain. It was a beautiful jewel of gold, the size of a small egg. 

 

— It’s beautiful. Someone gave it to you?

 

- Yes, Alexander gave it to me –Eric saw him through his gorgeous blue eyes opened as round as the moon, and Hephaistion smiled—I suppose that Lucius told you my real name –the Viking nodded, he didn’t want to cause his Sire any troubles but lying to the Macedonian was a very bad idea—Don’t worry, even if Lucius hadn’t told you, you would have guess. Anaxagoras gave you all the clues the night we met: “hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry that fought at Gaugamela”. You only had 2 options: Philotas son of Parmelio or Hephaistion son of Amyntor.

 

— It must have been wonderful to live in your time –said Eric and Hephaistion smiled, a sad smile.

 

— It was a time as any other.

 

— Lucius won’t agree with you –said the Viking—He is still crying for the fall of the Roman Empire and the lame state of Rome these days.

 

— Fair point –said Hephaistion—But for me buildings are not as important as people. I don’t miss my time. I miss HIM.

 

Eric lifted the locket.

 

— Is his hair the one inside? –the Macedonian nodded—Phai, there are many things I don’t understand. Why are you so interested in the scripts of the Templars? I mean, you are immortal, why do you care about a script talking about immortality?

 

— Because I want to learn how to steal from Death itself –those words made Eric shivered.

 

— Steal from Death? What do you mean? –the Viking understood even less.

 

— I want to take back a Wraith to his mortal body –said Hephaistion as if he was talking about cooking—In other words bringing back a dead person.

 

— Is that possible? –Eric was in shock, was this man serious?

 

— That’s what we are going to find out in Jerusalem.

 

— Phai… Who do you want to bring back from the dead? –that was the key question and for the Macedonian expression it was clear that he was expecting it.

 

— You can’t guess? –Hephaistion put his hand over Eric’s hand, the one that was holding the locket.

 

— You are kidding!

 

— No, Eric, I’m very serious –Hephaistion’s beautiful gray eyes hardened— All my no-life I have been researching to bring him back.

 

— But he died more than a thousand years ago…and I heard that after 3 days you can’t bring back a dead person because…

 

— The soul leaves the body –the Macedonian interrupted him—For 3 days your soul stays in your dead body, you just exists but without conscious of what’s happening around you. We can call it a waiting period and is in this waiting period when you can cheat death and trap a soul forever in a non-living body.

 

— A vampire –Hephaiston nodded— And what happened next? –Eric wanted to know and Hephaistion gave him a smile that made him shiver.

 

— Why do you want to know? What I know about the “other world” I learned it on the hard way –now the Viking understood why vampires were scare of the members of the clan Tzimisce; there was something in Hephaistion’s voice that made his body scream: danger!

 

The Macedonian noted he was scaring Eric, even if the Viking made a great job concealing his fears, and got close to him. He kissed Eric tenderly on the lips, taking the Viking by surprise. 

 

— I was being rude. It’s natural that you feel curiosity, death intrigue us all: mortals and vampires –the Macedonian leaned his back against the ship’s mast—What happened with a soul after 3 days? Well, it doesn’t go to Vallahala, that’s for sure –he smiled adorably—A soul goes to the Dark Umbra, the land of the dead also called the Empire of Stygia. The Umbra is the spiritual world, the Kingdom of the Intangible, and is divided in 3 parts: Dark Umbra, Dream Umbra and Spirit Umbra. Souls or Wraiths, whatever you call them, inhabit in the Dark Umbra.     

 

— How do you know all of this? –Eric asked, even if something in him told him not to do it.

 

— I told you, I have researched all my no-life to learn how to bring back a Wraith to his mortal body.

 

Eric shook his head.

 

— But Alexander’s body is embalmed in Alexandria –Hephaistion laughed.

 

— The body in Alexandria is not the body of my Alexander –and the Macedonian told Eric everything about poor Bagoas’ death.

 

— You must have hated him –said the Viking, speaking about the eunuch.

 

— Not really. I was just angry and sad knowing that my soul mate was dead and beyond my reach…Bagoas was only in the wrong place at the wrong time –they felt silent, hearing voices of other passengers not far from them. The ship cracked and the wind blew harder, pushing the sails.

 

—I have always wondered –Hephaistion continued, changing the subject— What would have Anaxagoras thought of me when I was mortal? I was…I’m a very skillful warrior but not such a good commander…did you know that Anaxagoras had 4 Children before he Embrace Lucius? He gave them the Final Death because he considered them unworthy of being part of the clan Ventrue –that took Eric by surprise—Lucius is Anaxagoras pride, that’s why he doesn’t like you. He thinks of you unworthy of his precious Child… I do not agree with him.

 

Eric bowed his head and smiled, some blond locks fell to the front.

 

— Do you have a Child? –the Viking asked with curiosity.

 

— No, I don’t have time for that –said Hephaistion—Since I left Babylon with Alexander’s body I have been researching. First, I went to Thrace with my Sire, Bendis, and there I learned the Disciplines of my clan. The first time I left Thrace was to attended Leon’s funeral…

 

— Leon?

 

— Leonnatos son of Anteas. He was my brother-in-law –Hephaistion made a pause, it was difficult to talk about his friends and family— He died fighting against Antipater in Lamia for Alexander’s Empire. They called that war the Diadochi war –Eric nodded, he had read about that—Leon and Perdikkas were my friends, the best after Alexander. I was very sad when I heard of Leon’s dead…the second time I left Thrace was to talk with Perdikkas. He had married Alexander’s sister, Cleopatra, and with that he became the enemy of Antipater, Antigonus the One Eye and Ptolemy. I wanted to warn him that he was doing a lot of mistakes and I traveled to Egypt.

 

He fell silent for a moment. Perdikkas had done some terrible things to his son but he was still his friend and he had to see him.

 

— I didn’t know what to tell him in order to explain why I wasn’t dead, but I didn’t care, I needed to talk to him…on my way I heard that Ptolemy had stolen Alexander’s “body” and I was so angry that years latter I paid him a visit –Hephaistion smiled—Poor Ptolemy, he was so scared when he saw me… Perdikkas was killed when he was planning to invade Egypt by 2 men, one of them, a man who had grudged against him for some time. When I arrived he was dying…

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion ran to his friend’s tent, the strong smell of blood floated to him arousing his senses. He had 3 years of being a Tzimisce and he still had many things to learn about self-control. He closed his eyes making an effort to hide his fangs and entered the tent. Pedikkas was on his bed, covered in blood. He had been stab and beyond help, his life was leaving him through his wounds… maybe if Hephaistion knew more about Vicissitude he could have saved him and do something more than sat at his side and lifted his head.

 

— Perdikkas –Hephaistion called him softly.

 

His friend opened his eyes and, when he saw Hephaistion, he didn’t seem surprise. Perdikkas smiled.

 

— Phai… you came for me…I’m so glad to see you… –Perdikkas’ voice was just a ghost. Hephaistion kept silent, what he could say? His friend was dying and he wasn’t going to lie to him—Leon… poor Leon…we couldn’t… the Empire…

 

— You did what you could –Hephaistion’s voice trembled.

 

— It was…not…enough…I am so…sorry…Aki…

 

Perdikkas died. Hephaistion saw him a few seconds before closing his eyes tenderly. Perdikkas was the last of his friends that was still alive and it took him a while to understand that now he was completely alone.

 

That smell.

 

The smell of blood was so strong, he kissed his friends cheek and felt to urge to lick the blood from his face, and that scared the living hell out of him.

 

Yes, he was a monster now. 

 

XXX

 

— Why didn’t you Embrace him? –asked Eric.

 

— And turned him into a Tzimisce? Have you ever had friends that you loved like brothers? –the Viking immediately remembered his best friend.

 

— Yes.

 

— If you had been in my place, would you have Embraced him? –Eric didn’t have to think about that.

 

— No, I wouldn’t –Hephaistion smiled.

 

— What I did for Perdikkas was to kill one of his murders: Peithon. I let Seleucos son of Antiochus lived because he was on his right to hate my friend and to claim his life… –said Hephaistion remembering the sweet smile of his son, a son he missed with all his forces— I don’t know, perhaps I would have ended killing my friend. I loved him but he did something I could not forgive…—those words intrigued Eric but the Tzimisce did not continue— It took Peithon a week to die, and when I finished with him not even his mother could have recognize him.

 

They both fell silent. That was an amazing story, a story that Eric wouldn’t have thought possible.

 

— How did you learn about the Umbra? –if Hephaistion could remembered how to sigh he would have do it.

 

— The only way possible, I learned Necromancy –said Hephaistion—I looked for the Masters of Death, the vampire clan of the Cappadocians –Eric had heard about them, a legendary vampire called Ashur founded them and the rest of the vampire clans fear them because they could speak with the dead. They called the Cappadocians: Tomb Thieves.   

 

— And you convinced them to teach you? –that was almost impossible to achieve but Eric was starting to learn that with the Macedonian everything was possible.

 

— Yes, it wasn’t that hard –said Hephaistion, having fun at seeing the Viking expression—I seduced one member of the Ciclopea Alliance, they are the faction of the Cappadocian clan devoted to learn about magic, they have a close relation with the clan Tremere, the wizard-vampires, and they know a lot. It was easy to make my Cappadocian to fall for me, they are intrigue by us, the Tzimisce, but they are too scare of us to approach, the real challenge was to stand him. Have you ever saw a Cappadocian?    

 

— Never.

 

— They are horrible, the great majority –said Hephaistion—But the uglier the wiser. They inhabit in the cemeteries and in rare occasion they had contact with the rest of the world. My Cappadocian came from Carthage, his name was Hanon, he was Embraced at his 40 years old, he was tall, too thin and always dressed in rags, but he knew a lot about everything. 

 

Eric didn’t doubt for one second that Hephaistion had seduced this Cappadocian, he was painfully beautiful, intelligent and very hot.

 

— I made a blood bond with Hanon and he told me all his secrets –the Macedonian continued—The fool found the Final Death fighting against a Tremere and I kept all his books and Wraiths.

 

— Wraiths?

 

— Oh yes! A Necromancer can manipulate the Wraiths at his will –said Hephaistion—Don’t look at me like that.

 

— What did you do after that?

 

— After that, I traveled to England, I heard that there lived a great wizard named Merlin, it was during the VI century. The guy was an egocentric son of a bad mother; he was immune to my Disciplines: Dominate or Presence, so I couldn’t control his mind –Hephaistion explained— At the end he only gave me riddles.  

 

Eric laughed.

 

— And were them useful?

 

— Yes –Hephaistion admitted, making the other laugh—That was the sad part; his riddles were very useful.

 

— So, here you are! –exclaimed Lucius, walking to them—What are you doing?

 

— I was telling Eric why are we going to Jerusalem –answered Hephaistion.

 

— Oh, so now you know what is Phai up to –the Viking nodded.

 

— How long did you know Phai is trying to bring Alexander back? –asked Eric.

 

— I don’t know, maybe a thousand years ago, maybe less –answered the Roman—We have been friends since Trajan was Emperor of Rome. I met him in Dacia, when the Roman army invaded King Decebalus’ lands, isn’t that right, Phai?

 

The Macedonian nodded.

 

— Tell me something Lucius, do you think Phai can bring Alexander back? –asked the Viking as if Hephaistion wasn’t there.

 

— You didn’t tell him? –the Macedonian shook his head.

 

— No, you tell him.

 

— Tell me what? –asked the Viking, his eyes traveling from his Sire to the Tzimisce.

 

— Phai can summon Wraiths –Lucius explained—One night he made the ritual to call Alexander’s soul; he had everything to succeed –the Roman counted with his fingers—A strong bond with the deceased, a possession of Alexander, which in this case was his hair, and he knew his name.

 

— And then? –the Viking was very intrigue. 

 

— I couldn’t summon him, something is keeping Alexander’s soul in the Dark Umbra –said Hephaistion—I don’t know why, but I need the help of a werewolf to know more.

 

— Why a werewolf?

 

— Because werewolves are the only ones who can travel across the Umbra –the Macedonian explained.

 

They felt silent. A group of knights were laughing near them and the vampires waited until they walked away to speak again. That was an amazing story. But it was a lot of information and the Viking would need time to assimilate all. He was still young, not even 500 years and what he knew about the world was still nothing compared to what his Sire or Hephaistion knew.

 

— Phai, I want to ask you something –said Eric changing the subject—Are you and Anaxagoras lovers?

 

Lucius laughed.

 

— Not anymore, why? –asked Hephaistion amused.

 

— Just curiosity, how did you meet him?

 

— Well, it was during King Philip’s V reign –the Macedonian remembered—Oh, how I hated that man! He was the descendant of Antigonus the One Eye. After the Diadochi war Antigonus’ son, Demetrios, crowned himself as the new Macedonian King.

 

— Wait a second –asked Eric—If you were around during the Diadochi wars, why you didn’t protect Alexander’s son?

 

Hephaistion brushed his hair behind his ear.

 

— Which son? –he asked, feeling a knot in his throat.

 

— Achilles –the sadness on the Macedonian face was evident and heart breaking.

 

What did I say? –thought Eric, confused.

 

— I was too young…Bendis did not let me go to him… –he did not want to talk about Achilles and Eric saw Lucius shaking his head. It was not a good idea to press the subject. 

 

— And what about Alessandro, his son by Roxanne? –asked the Viking.

 

— That’s complicated –Hephaistion said in a low voice—Alessandro was not Alexander’s son.

 

Eric saw him through big round eyes.

 

— How can you know that? –he exclaimed.

 

— I know, trust me. Alessandro was very much like his mother, and Roxana was an evil, vicious, ambition, intelligent, slut and manipulative woman –said Hephaistion, it was obvious that he hated Roxana—Reason 2 of why I didn’t like the boy at all, he was that woman’s child, and he was a little sociopath, when he was 10 years old he killed a dog in a horrible way. Besides, after India, Alexander did not want to see her again….When Cassander killed Alessandro, I didn’t move one finger, not to save him or his mother or Olympias, the 3 of them died by Cassander’s personal orders. 

 

The same as him –he thought, feeling tears threatening to come out.

 

— You were telling me about how you met Anaxagoras –the Viking changed the subject, seeing how much this affected the Macedonian.

 

Hephaistion nodded.

 

— Philip V was the Macedonian King, and he was having a lot of troubles with Rome –said the Macedonian—Philip had allied himself with Hannibal Barca when he attacked Rome and, when Scipio the Africanus defeated Hannibal in Zama –a mischievous smile curved his lips thinking about Scipio— Rome was ready to intervene in Greece. Philip had been attacking many Greek cities and Athens went to cry at the Roman Senate for help –Hephaistion made a pause—The Roman pro-consul Titus Quinctius Flamininus defeated Philip at the Battle of Cynoscephalae.

 

— The fuck he did! No one could stand against the Roman legions, and I’m telling you this lad, I fought against many armies, even against the Parthians when I was a Centurion, and NO ONE fought like us –said Lucius with pride, crossing his arms—If I had lived in Phai’s time, we could have defeated even Alexander himself. 

 

Hephaistion just smiled, he knew it was pointless to argue with Lucius when they talked about Rome.

 

— As I was saying, even if he was defeated, Philip continued plotting against Rome. It was the year now known as 196 BC –the Macedonian continued—I had 160 years in that time, Anaxagoras had 317 years, and he went to Pella with a Spartan embassy. You see, Philip wanted an alliance with the Spartan Tyrant Nabis and he proposed him to married his sons with Nabis’s daughters. Anaxagoras came with that embassy to discuss the alliance terms, as the last favor he did to his Sire, a Ventrue called Artemis.   

 

XXX

 

Anaxagoras felt the presence of another vampire in the area outside Pella. First he thought it was his companion Lysander but when he reached the hill he found a creature of outstanding beauty. Hephaistion was there, one knee on the grass and the other leg bent, his gray eyes staring at the front, looking a beautiful old house. If the Spartan still believed in Gods, he wouldn’t doubt he was watching one.

 

— You make too much noise –said Hephaistion without looking at him.

 

— I wasn’t trying to hide me –said Anaxagoras with all calm—Is this your territory?

 

— No –Hephaistion stood up—But this used to be my home.

 

— Are you Macedonian?

 

— Yes –Hephaistion walked to him, and his eyes stopped at the red cloak Anaxagoras was wearing—And you are Spartan? Did you come to see the clown we have for King?

 

— Something like that.

 

The Macedonian smiled.

 

— Of course not, you came for the book –he said, watching the Spartan closely—Every vampire that came these nights are looking the same thing, the mysterious page of the book of Nod that is said to be in the King’s treasure.

 

He is very smart –thought Anaxagoras.

 

— I’m Anaxagoras son of Leotychidas.

 

— Hephaistion son of Amyntor.

 

— Do you know where is this page of the book of Nod? –the famous book that told the story of the first vampire: Kaine.

 

— Maybe, but if I knew, why should I tell you? –Hephaistion saw him with intensity.

 

— Because there are some things that is better to do with company –said Anaxagoras sounding sinfully hot and the Macedonian smiled.   

 

XXX

 

— And I decided to help Anaxagoras –said Hephaistion.

 

— Why? You didn’t know him –said Eric and the Macedonian shrugged.

 

— I have a weakness for blonds. 

 

— Phai, and what happened to your Sire? –the Viking wanted to know.

 

— Bendis? Well, I killed her –that answer took Eric by surprise—I drank all her blood.

 

— You WHAT?! –the Viking turned to look at his Sire, then again at Hephaistion— I thought Diablerie was a crime.

 

— It is a crime, but, with Phai, things were complicated –said Lucius.

 

— She asked me to drink her blood –Hephaistion explained.

 

— Why? –Eric didn’t understand why would someone want to be drained.

 

— In her words she was tired of her no-life –said Hephaistion—I didn’t understand her at first. It was the year 100 and I was traveling across Europe learning about Necromancy, following the lead of a Druid priest when she came to me…

 

XXX

 

— Why are you asking me this? –asked Hephaistion impressed by her words. The flame of the candles bowed at the mercy of the wind that was blowing through the open window.

 

— I’m tired, Hephaistion –said Bendis, her voice soft and modulated, it was the voice of someone who had thought a lot before making a decision—There is nothing in this world that interests me, everything bores me, the world is nothing more than a trash can, a rotten apple.

 

— Why do you want to be…? Why me? You could just wait for the sun –Hephaistion understood even less. Bendis smiled tenderly.

 

— Your no-life has sense, meaning, you have a propose and I… —Bendis shrugged—In a way I want that my no-life to has any sense, to became a bunch of ashes will be meaningless, it will be the same as if I have never existed. But, if my blood, my life, my strength, is in you I would have a propose and all my powers would be yours…   

 

XXX

 

— And that is how Bendis found the Final Death –said Hephaistion.

 

— You really have a complicated no-life –said Eric.

 

— We all have –said Lucius, looking at the sky— Being immortal is more difficult that any of us could have ever imagined. 

 

— I couldn’t agree more with you –said Hephaistion—The night Bendis Embraced me, she said “you will be frozen in time, you will never die” I didn’t understand those words in that moment… and I’m sure, that you Eric, still don’t understand what does it mean the true meaning of “living forever.” 

 

Lucius nodded.

 

— Now I have 1,182 years old –said the Roman—And for 1,182 I have seen the same bastard of 35 years on the mirror. I haven’t age a fucking day in more than a thousand years. It’s not until you see your family and your friends die that you understand the meaning of the word “immortal.” That’s why we move away from everything we know, is easier for us… —he smiled, a sad smile—A thousand years… I not only saw my friends die, I saw Rome died too. The Forum… soon it will be nothing more than debris; the Circus Maximus is in a lame state… and I used to gamble there! For fuck sake…but I’m still here, and I will be here even after there is nothing left of the Circus Maximus…

 

— You can imagine then how I feel…I lived in the golden age of Macedonia –said Hephaistion taking back his locket from Eric’s hand— And I witnessed the decadence of my kingdom…the kingdom of my Alexander. I saw Cassander became a King, then, I saw Antigonus the One Eye descendants became the new ruling dynasty. Antigonus! Who was Antigonus before Alexander? Antigonus II, Demetrius III, Antigonus III, Philip V and Perseus, all of them terrible kings… I saw the Battle of Pydna, the one that the famous pro-consul Lucius Aemilius Paulus won against that retarded Perseus –the Macedonian was angry.

 

— It was before my time but, for a kingdom as strong as was Macedonia, it was as terrible defeat –said Lucius.

 

— The Battle of Pydna… Alexander would have never lost a battle like that. And what happened next? Perseus ran away like a coward from the battlefield. And when he was convinced that it was nothing left for him excepted to surrender the kingdom to Rome, he went to the Roman camp with his 2 sons: Philip and Alexander –Hephaistion forced a laugh—Philip and Alexander!!! How ironic. And Aemilius Paulus paraded the Macedonian royal family in his triumph in Rome.

 

— After that Macedonia was divided in 4, right? –asked Eric and Lucius nodded.

 

— Yes lad, and a few years later it became a Roman province –the Roman surveyed the sky—It will be dawn soon, we better go now.    

 

What happened next? Well, it’s a long story. We arrived at Jaffa and from there we travel to Jerusalem. I don’t have to tell you that it was a very difficult journey but we reach the Templars’ headquarters after a month. 

 

What did I find in Templum Domini? I didn’t find a manuscript but I found something much valuable, a gem of Kaine’s sword. And Kaine’s sword is the key to open a path to the Dark Umbra, and to reach Alexander’s soul. 

 

XXX

 

A/N: Again all the information about Vampires, Werewolves and Wraiths, are based on the outstanding work of White Wolf: Vampire the Masquerade, Werewolf the Apocalypse and Wraiths the Oblivion.