Ship

They left Brian behind as they walked, for he would tend the graveyard. Darius soon realized they were walking towards the river docks. As they walked Bathory offered exposition. “I am sure you know some of this already, but I will still explain our nature. We are undead, and the sun will kill us. Running water harms us, though you can cross it on a boat. Holy symbols and holy water are detrimental to our health. You must sleep in your grave, or somewhere where earth from your grave has been taken. To enter a living person’s residence you must be invited in…a relatively easy thing to do as you can hypnotize your playthings.”

As they walked he saw they were approaching an old fashioned two masted sailing vessel, like one would find in the 1700s or amongst the poorer folks of the 1800s. Bathory continued: “We feed on the blood of the living, human blood. Drink your fill but don’t drain them and your victim will recover…and probably won’t remember what happened. Drain them and they die, unless you have also allowed them to drink of your blood, in which case they will rise as your undead spawn, slaves to your will.” She paused and caressed Darius’s face. “Unless you consciously give them independence. You see, my friend, though I called you my spawn…which in a sense you are, as I gave you this gift…or some would say curse…of vampirism, I have also given you independence; you will not be compelled to call me Mistress, for I have shared a portion of my power with you. Be warned though, I am far more powerful than you.”

He nodded that he understood, and they continued walking. “You can also create a grand total of three living thralls, by allowing them to drink of your blood without killing them. This will make them slightly faster, stronger, and more intelligent, while also extending their life span; for every five years that pass they will only physically age one year. They will be enslaved to your will, and can move about during the day. If you wish to create a fourth thrall…you’ll have to release one of the others; to reiterate, you can only have three thralls at a time.” Here they arrived at the ship, called ‘Bloody Mary’ and Bathory gestured for Darius to board the ship. “Come, I will show you how to feed before we part ways.”