Damien sat back in the plush chair and watched the fire light sparkle off the fine edge of the ebony blade. He twirled the sword around in his hands and felt it cleave through the air. He could feel the anger in his body rising and waiting to be focused through the magnificent implement in his hands.
A wisp of smoke billowed from the ancient fireplace and cast a shadow across the blade. Damien grinned marveling at the pristine surface watching the reflection dance across his sight. He had waited a long time for this moment to arrive to finally have the chance to avenge his greatest disgrace. The awful day in that blistering spring heat.
Virginia, 1865
Damien pulled his cloak tighter around his face. Once again thankful that his lineage allowed him to only be weakened by the sweltering sunlight and not stricken by it. His aide opened the door to the tiny cabin. Bare and ramshackle, he climbed the simple steps with disgust.
The tiny single room was bare save for a simple table with two chairs on one side. Damien turned to his aide and finally spoke.
“Thank you, Fitzhugh. You may leave me.”
Damien moved to the west side of the large room where the stairs would help block the midday light from the windows.
The door burst open and with the arrival of the Thunderer.
“This is where we find the rat hiding!” He proclaimed.
Bard closed the door as he joined the two.
“Now is not the time Prince. Please be seated.”
Bard sat and The Thunderer joined him sitting at the table.
“Here are the details as agreed by the both of you.” Bard began. “Damien and his clan will retain their homestead in the state of Louisiana, and hunting territory east to Georgia and south into Florida. As well as the hunting territory in southern California, and New York. The Fey empire will retain exclusive rights to all other parts of the United States. As heir to the High Father the Thunderer will enforce the border from his homestead in Minnesota. Any dispute lodged by Damien will be enforced by me.”
Damien paced as the details were read. His hands clenched at his side.
The Thunderer took the pen from Bard and scrawled out his signature. Damien ignored them both staring into the fire. If his father or Bathory had come to his aid then he never would have been in this situation, but they saw no reason to risk everything to expand into the new world. Damien knew that he would have been able to rule his own empire, vaster than anything that his father had ever contemplated.
The Thunderer rose from his seat, sending the chair clattering back against the wall. Grabbing Damien by the neck he dragged him back to the table.
“Sign the paper, you swine. Sign now, or I will rein down on your filth with all of the fury of the Fey Empire.”
The Thunderer grabbed Damien’s hand and crushed the pen into it. He then dragged the hand down towards the page.
Damien wrenched his hand free and quickly signed the document.
Damien strode for the door with haste. He was stopped as the Thunderer gripped his shoulder with a massive hand.
“Do not step out of line Scum. I will be there to crush you and all of the bugs that you can a family.”
Damien once again yanked himself free and pulling his cloak around himself fled into the hot day.