A man sat in front of Eloise. He was garbed in the black of the Justicar, the Blessed Star of Sanctuary emblazoned on his chest. His dark hair and glowing emerald eyes studied her. She had been stripped bare, chained to the wall and had been forced to sit on the ground.

Her skin bore the resemblance of a being who had freshly perished, the hue sickly pale. The scarlet of her corneas bore the mark of a vampire, the hunger and lust for blood. She remained steadfast before the man, who surveyed even the slightest of her movements. Chagrin had been laid onto her like a blanket onto a child and her wrists bled from her earlier struggles.

The chamber resembled a giant metal box. On the floor where she sat and attempted to struggle free from her binds, marks had been carved into the stonework from thousands of others before her.

Between the man and the prisoner was a bowl which was enchanted to keep the blood within it cold.

“You can't do this to me.” She squeaked after another attempt at breaking the chains.

“If you tell me what I wish to know, then you will eat.” The man replied.

“I don't know what it is you're asking for!”

“But you do.” His gaze pierced through her and his words struck a nerve.

“Lifesap? What would I know of lifesap?”

“It was enchanted onto your weapon. A smith of great skill can do such a thing and we are looking for one. Do you happen to know who did this?” The man simply waited for her reply as she now thrashed about, the hunger within her eyes growing. Her binds groaned, but remained steadfast.

“I don't know anyone of that name!” She bellowed and slipped, her head crashing against the floor. Eloise dangled for a moment, unconscious.

The man stood upright and grasped the bowl of blood. He headed for the door behind him, taking one final look to the woman. He shook his head in dismay, witnessing her futile attempts at resting against the wall.

Before Ovelia could address him, he made the first notion. “Hello, my Overlord. What brings you to the dungeon this time of night?”

“I have come to inquire about a few things.” She sighed and turned her attention to the window. Fashioned against the wall was a one way window where they merely watched the disgruntled vampire merely stare at the adjacent barrier for a time.

“She has not fed in quite some time. Lifesap helps to alleviate that, but it is by no means a way out.” He murmured and set the bowl inside of a strange device which seemed to devour the contents. “What else have you come for?”

“Gavilis, what are your intentions on this girl?” Ovelia crossed her arms as she addressed him, watching as Eloise helplessly sobbed.

“No doubt she was sent to challenge Arden and hope to win. The challenge rules as stated by Ernald in the First Eon during the War of the Magistrate are as follows: 'Thou shalt not stain the blade with filth of magic, poison, or trick, but face the opponent in truth.' It is taught among all practices of military, whether or not they like it.” Gavilis continued his low tone and appeared to study the vampire before him who now decided to wail. “She seems to not know the implications of such an act. I would hope she cooperates.”

His movements could be called poetry. Gavilis was a tad shorter than his superior but held the presence of mountains. Skin of ivory and the slight tint of olive trapped his organs inside of his body and the man's dark hair was parted just over his left eye. To some, he was the splitting image of Ernald, but Gavilis was merely Gavilis. The Grandmaster of the Justicar peered tirelessly, the Dwyn lineage enabling his curiosity to be his only need for survival. His emerald eyes shone like he was born yesterday and with the life of thousands of questions lined behind them.

“Rena's student, Gelehrter, seems to be coming along well.”

“Oh, I've heard much about him. He was Stolzer's, but then was inherited by Rena when he passed. I am glad to hear the boy is doing alright.” Gavilis's demeanor remained still despite the cheerful manner within his tone. “Is he fighting like us?”

“In a lesser manner, yes.”

“I will have to meet him. This one can wait in the mean time.” Gavilis beamed and headed for the door. His longsword, battered and worn, was retrieved as he turned the knob. She followed him outside and met his stride. Gavilis nodded to a Justicar who was stationed outside and they headed into the observation room.

“You are excited for this one, aren't you?” Ovelia commented and waved aside several individuals fighting for her attention.

“Training a Justicar is a massive undertaking and I am appreciative of Rena for helping him fight like us...however, the magical and academic route is what he lacks. I will have to give him reading material and his own Blessed Star, though it will have to be in Rena's care for the time being.” Gavilis rounded the corner and increased his pace. Ovelia followed suit, but found no need to match his speed. “I will wake Arden. She has had enough time to recover.”

“Gavilis, it has only been a few hours.”

“Lifesap does not demand much of a Mortem's energies to resist. This may be her first bout with it and thus, she is Justicar material as well.” His analysis of the young Mortem heir worried Ovelia, though her visage veiled it well.

“Her first meeting with Lifesap, but you wish for her to become a Justicar at such a young age? You are jesting, I am sure.”

“I—do—not—jest—My—Overlord.” Gavilis halted at the lift and turned his emerald eyes to pierce into hers. “She was not killed in the initial blow, but fainted. Most are destroyed and devoured. That is why the Blessed Star was crafted.”

“I understand, but you will not take--”

“I am not asking, my Overlord. 'If one survives the lifesap then they are Justicar.' That is what you said, wasn't it?”

“Indeed, but Arden is--”

“She is your adopted daughter. I understand your feelings toward her but--”

“I will think on it, Gavilis.” Ovelia held out a hand to stop his advancing. The doors to the lift opened and they stepped inside. A lever was turned over by Gavilis.

“I am not taking no for an answer, my Overlord. I will tell the tale of Ernald.”

Ovelia grimaced.

“You will not deny me this.”

“If you must.”

“Rena will teach her.”

“Unheard of.”

“Mortem must learn somehow.”

“Yes, from other Mortem.”

“There are others, but they are--”

“Dead, or missing. I remember.”

“Dwyn are able teachers, but they--”

“Are awfully persistent.” Ovelia sighed and the doors opened again. Ruckus from both Gelehrter and Rena as they danced about. Arden and Ana clapped with the rhythm they made.

Gavilis glanced to Ovelia, who made no remark. He strode into the Medical Wing, his presence causing them to halt.

Rena's eyes grew to match the moon and she snapped to attention.

“G-Grandmaster!” Rena saluted hastily, activating her Blessed Star.

With a wave of his hand, the protective magic was dispelled. “You will have no need of that. I am glad to see you alive and well, Arden. Who are our guests?”

“This is Ana and Gelehrter, my student. I believe this is your--” Gavilis quickly strode over to Gelehrter and drew his worn blade.

“Humor me with a duel, young one.” The Grandmaster of the Justicar's emerald gaze focused onto Gelehrter as he bowed. They took a few steps back and moved the beds over to form a pseudo arena. The boy answered him and faced his new opponent with a bow.

“''O, Lord, bless this conflict. Ensure no harm comes to those who uphold your holy word. May the victor grant wisdom to the living.'” Gavilis ended the prayer with a quick lunge, similar to that of a fencer.

He does not wait. Gelehrter dodged a few blows and finally drew his blade. Their steel sang as they clashed together. The duel was ended quickly however; Gavilis's fist burst into flame and plunged itself into his sternum. Metal hissed at it melted instantaneously and Gelehrter staggered backward, his breath forced from his lungs.

Gavilis merely waited for him to recover.

“W-What...kind of duel...is this?” Gelehrter wheezed and finally gripped his blade. The steel in his hand quivered as his muscles attempted to hold the weapon aloft, his stance weakening.

“All recruits are tested by the Grandmaster. Their worthiness is judged by their duel and if you are found worthy, then he will bid you welcome. If you fail...” Rena's voice trailed off and she turned to Gavilis.

“If you fail, you are dead.” His answer struck deep into his psyche. “When a Justicar is in the field or even off-duty, that is when others think you are the weakest. Your first lesson is in your own endurance. I am life itself, beating you down. I am unrelenting, will you be found wanting, or will you triumph?”