Gelehrter woke with a start. Cold sweat beaded down his forehead and the vivid dreams played through his mind thousands of times over. He wiped his face clean with his sleeve and slipped out of the bed.

The only other individual awake was Gavilis. The Grandmaster of the Justicar studied them as an artist would study a painting.

“You bore witness to old magic.” He mumbled. “Ernald's tale is one filled with many things we of the later generation could never understand. I have lived through his tale and I still do not comprehend everything.”

“You...?”

“Yes. I was one of the many from that time who took his lessons to heart. Ernald was a great fellow and it is why I hope for Arden to join us.” Though he appeared to be only a boy, Gavilis's eyes betrayed his age. “Sanguine Overlords are fantastic and everything, but it is the Justicar, the Templarate and knights who win wars. They are stronger than all of us, but we are the ones who march to die.”

Gelehrter remained silent and turned away.

“This story is one all Justicar must know?”

“It is a reminder of our failure. Justicar were formed then and could not help our Sanguine Overlord, Ernald, in any way. We watched him die.” Gavilis seemed to be lost in thought but continued briefly. “...Many lessons were taken from that fateful day. I buried my master and the vampires hid, knowing that we would mobilize against them. Since then, its been cat and mouse.”

“Sir, will there be war?” Gelehrter asked.

“Time marches on, young one.” His answer was met with a raised eyebrow. “We will see in the coming weeks. You should return to your dreams.”

The following morning, they had roused themselves from their slumber. Gavilis and Ovelia had left in the middle of the night—Gavilis after having a short word with Gelehrter—which was both comforting and disturbing.

“I should be heading to the stall now...I hope no one stole anything.” Ana mumbled and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Hastily she retrieved many of her items, dodging looks from the others. Her stubborn nature stole the sound from the air and she left without another word.

Gelehrter watched her leave. Arden and Rena stretched, oblivious.

“We should find the Grandmaster before he finds us.” Rena commented, pressing her fingers against the emblem on her chest. The spell of protection activated and the Blessed Star was illuminated, the dark armor stitching itself over her clothes. “Come you two, up.”

She motioned for them to follow. Arden grumbled, pulling on her tunic, her pants and boots. Her weapon, however, was nowhere to be found.

Gelehrter strapped his sword hilt to his side, the rest having been broken the night before.

They ventured from the Medical Wing shortly after, stepping into the lift. A quick pull on the lever allowed them to travel into the darker reaches of the Citadel. Torch sconces were lined along the wall evenly, but the glow from the flames seemed to be absorbed into the darkness. Their boots were muffled by thick carpet which released tiny puffs of grotesque air. Rounding a corner and heading farther still into the dim hall, they entered the interrogation room.

Tables and chairs were set farther from the door, most of the seats facing the only two entrances: one to the room itself, the other into the holding area. Counters lined with various instruments were within arms reach of the window which allowed for viewers to watch interrogations. There stood Gavilis, the Grandmaster of the Justicar. His boy-like nature took them aback, as his solemn demeanor betrayed his youthful appearance. He surveyed the only occupant in the interrogation room: Eloise.

She had more attempts during the night to escape, her forearms covered in her blood. Her mouth had been stained with her own essence as she licked her own blood as it trickled down her arms.

“Rena, Arden, Gelehrter.” He addressed them but took no time to glance over. Instead, Gavilis's eyes focused intently on the nude vampire before him, studying her form. “This is the vampire which used lifesap during the tournament, is she not?”

“Vampires are not human.” Arden spat. “You shouldn't give them--”

“They have a right to breathe like you do. Remember that or I will remind you what its like not to.” Gavilis snapped.

“Yes, she is the one.” Rena chimed in. “Where are her belongings?”

“There.” He pointed to the table behind him which her armor, clothes and weapon were all carefully lined together. “Several others were here during the night. They took notes if you wished to read them.”

Rena already busied herself with studying the contents of many scattered notebooks. She handed off others to Arden and Gelehrter, whose attempt at stomaching the clawing sprawl of handwriting was heartbreaking.

“Most of the wounds on her body she has caused herself.” Gavilis explained after a brief silence. “When a vampire hasn't fed in quite some time, the glow in their eyes becomes much more noticeable. Delacroix are the only Great House—Great Houses being Mortem, Dwyn and Delacroix—to have experimented with vampirism. Those who do however, are forced to relinquish their name and never return.”

“She still is proud of her lineage, though they denounce her.” Gelehrter observed.

“It is rather painful to watch.” Rena grimaced. “She is named after Eloise, the first?”

“Yes. Its a rather popular name.” Gavilis fell silent and raised his hand to signal for them to approach the window.

Eloise's eyes lulled into the back of her head before she regained consciousness. Desperately she struggled in vain against the chains, blood trailing along her skin.

She lapped her own essence and tears flowed from her eyes. Her moans of agony echoed through to them.

“What a dreadful sight.” Arden mumbled.

“It is cruel, but we are Justicar. She would not show mercy if she were in our shoes. As part of the investigation process, we break their will. Eloise will beg soon, she only has so much blood in her body.” The Grandmaster of the Justicar spun on his heels and waved his hand over a small device. The pot formed itself into a bowl which then filled itself with red drink. The surface of the container released a mist into the air and it trailed with Gavilis as he then headed into the interrogation room.

He strode to the center of the room, the lights overhead brightening as he approached. With great care he laid the bowl to rest between them. They were equal distance from the bowl on both sides.

“Y-You...you again.” Eloise feigned her strength, attempting to stand again. Her legs wobbled and she crumpled to the stone floor with a thump.

“Tell me what you know of your spear.” Gavilis's emerald gaze fixated to hers. “Who forged it?”

“Who do you think did it?” Her lips loosened after a spell of deafening silence. “He's still out there, you know.”

“I am aware. You know the rules of the Grand Tourney, what drove you to cheat?”

“I could not best a Mortem. Nobody can. If you have a remote chance, you've got to make it weigh in your favor.” A smirk played about her lips, weak though she was. “I won the match.”

“You did not. Enchanted weapons are banned from the tournament.”

“Then why did nobody know it until a smith—a new one, I might add—recognized it?” Her question carried little merit, however.

“Lifesap is an enchantment which has not been seen or documented in quite some time.” Gavilis answered quickly. “It is long enough for the populous to forget, as the vampire threat had been nearly wiped out.”

“Nearly?”

“Yes. The defense matrix has been good to us, as you should be.”

“You think you know.” Eloise leaned against the wall, her confidence rising from deep in her gullet. “But even you could not hope to--”

“If you spill, I will let you eat and go home.” Gavilis tapped his fingers impatiently against his knee, his tone shifting.

“...Yes, quite. Valtieri forged it. He gave it to me and convinced me to enter. His argument was: 'You could redeem yourself in the eyes of the public and reclaim your Delacroix name.' I bought what he had to sell.” Eloise shrugged.

“How many more vampires are in hiding?”

“Many.”

“Estimate.”

“...Many.”

She must not know how to count very high, or she actually has no idea. Gavilis analyzed. He stood upright. His emerald gaze tore through her, confidence being replaced by fear. Magic weaved about his hands as the blood within the bowl forced itself down her throat. Her body felt rejuvenated, though distraught, as her eyes blankly stared at the wall adjacent to her. The corners of her mouth were covered by foam and she fell unconscious.

Gavilis exited the room quickly. He motioned for Arden and Rena.

“Her clothes and armor.” Gavilis then shifted to Gelehrter, who seemed at a loss for words. “After they clothe her, help me clean her up and get her out of here.”

“But sir, surely she knew more?” Arden asked.

“Not enough to keep her longer, her usefulness was wearing thin.” Gavilis then entered the room again.

Rena and Arden hurried after him, Eloise's clothes and armor in hand. They hastily unchained her, clothed her, fitted her armor to her frame—Rena took the time to quickly clean her wrists, mouth and other areas of dirt. Gelehrter lifted her ankles while Gavilis took the arms. They heaved her into the observation room onto the floor. Gavilis gently pushed them aside. He waved his hands about, her body suddenly vanishing after a few complex incantations.

“...What in Sanctuary's name did you do?” Arden whispered.

“Sent her to a tavern, the one nearby. It is a trusted place for Justicar and I have an arrangement with the owner. If a strange body appears there, alive or dead, they are taken care of.” Gavilis smirked.

“Sir, I must speak with Ovelia concerning a mission we must partake. Please test Arden while I am away.” Rena unfastened her own weapon and held it aloft for Arden to take. She blinked and grasped the sheathed weapon. Without further delay she was gone.

Gavilis then answered by drawing his blade. The observation room had nary any space for a duel, as the table was only a few feet away.

“Sir, Rena just gave you orders.” Arden appeared to panic, but she unsheathed her weapon. Cold sweat beaded down her forehead.

“Nay, it was her intention to leave you here while she is briefed.” He assumed his stance.