The Viscount packed his instruments and closed the barrel.

  “It should form finely now, m’lord,” he said, and wiped his sweat. I offered him a drink from the tester, but he declined, so I left it on the table, on the barrel. “The female blood works wonders on our metabolism too, and it should be a new taste for the ever-hungry tongues of the lords and ladies of the court.”

  “Respectfully, Viscount, I tolerate your ideas, because they are a cut above the hedonistic, uselessly political ideas o’ the court,” I said, and wore my coat. “Congratulations on your daughter's wedding. Consider this barrel a gift from me, on the occasion of her wedding.”

  The Viscount laughed and tapped on the barrel and said, “Of course, I hope this 'gift' reaches me safely tonight.”. I nodded and he left soon, on horseback, and I had to begin making preparations too.

  I chose a crimson coat and leather trousers, brown and ancestral in their value. Lined with studs and gold embroidered jewelry, the kingdoms had no lack of jewelers and tailors around the lord's manors. Boots of oxen-hide and clothes of cotton, I’d hoped that I displayed a meagre amount of authority that my father possessed in bounds and fathoms. My black head of hair reflected the light, and I tied it back before deciding against it. After the afternoon meal of braised meat and warm wine, I set off to visit the Viscounts' court.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  In the back of my mind, I had to take care of the butler and the monster, but that could wait until after the party was over. She was somewhere, away, and waiting. I look out of my window and see nothing but pitch dark blackness of the sky, choking the kingdom. The mountains in the endless far, holding some vast unknowable things from the outer spaces and yet, possibly, nothing at all.

  I never should’ve let that monster into my manor. She enticed me, made her hold over me, and tempted me into killing her. This barrel of wine is my victory, my domination over her, and one day, when I find her, I…

  “Welcome, welcome, Lord. I hope the journey hasn’t been too taxing upon thee.”

  “I am well. Get someone to hold a toast in the court, I have an announcement for all.”

  I close my eyes, and far below, there’s something, something that awaits my turn.