As soon as the door closes behind them, Madara continues to walk rapidly with Amalia but says, "I am sorry for looking like such a fool in there, Amalia. But my fears are real! Giacova could be heartless-- she told me everything about her...time with Katerina. I could tell she felt something for her because of..." Madara can't bring herself to say it, and looks straight ahead.
Amalia pulls Madara to a stop in the hallway, turning her so they are facing. "I am not Giacova," Amalia responds evenly, staring down at Madara. "In fact, you insult me with your fears that I would betray you as she did." She gives her a little shake, both hands gripping her arms.
Amalia waits until she is sure Madara is really listening to her before continuing. "Giacova had her own selfish reasons for doing as she did. The Toreador Clan was perfectly suited to her, she was ruled by her passions and gluttony for fleshly pleasures." Amalia's lip curls in disgust.
"Were she here today I would make her pay for how poorly she treated you," Amalia's eyes burn coldly from her luminescent face.
"You realise we are in a difficult situation in this city," she continues. "Different factions all around us, and even in our very home there are power struggles going on under the surface. I have not forgotten what you told me you had seen. Everything I do, I do to protect you, Madara. Can you not see it?" Amalia looks questioningly into Madara's eyes. "Your memories and hurt of Giacova's betrayal are clouding your present judgment. Were you not so openly jealous and covetous of me, Katerina's interest would have lain dormant. Now she sees a chance to assert her dominance over us and flaunt her powers above that of even our Prince."
Amalia shakes her head. "No, no.. I do not blame you, Madara. You have suffered much. But would that you could reign hold on your temper..." Amalia sighs. "Katerina is very powerful. We need her as an ally. Our enemies are too numerous to add another to the list, besides which, our Prince is entangled too deeply with her to cause her slight without risking the destrucction of our city and all we have built here. Do you see why we must not anger her?"
Madara suddenly feels foolish. "I am sorry, Amalia! I did not mean to insinuate that you would give in to Katerina willingly-- I...I am afraid of her powers...afraid that she has some kind of Dominate-like ability that could override anyone's senses." Madara smiles a little. "You would really stand up to Giacova for me...were she here?" Madara feels prickles of happiness cover her flesh. She lifts one of Amalia's hands to her lips and kisses it. "No one has ever defended my honor in such a way! Giacova DID help me to escape from my Sire, but like you said, I am sure that it was for selfish purposes now."
Madara thinks for a moment. "I do not know if I can reign in my temper, Amalia. Katerina spoke to me in my mind...mocking me! Provoking me! I think that whether or not I could learn to remain calm, she would know my heart...my love for you...and use it against me just to see me in pain! I will KILL her with my bare hands if she harms you, Amalia!! Forced ally or not! Are you not at all in fear of travelling alone with her?? I must know that I will see you again!" Madara starts losing it again, red tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
Amalia shakes her head. "Of course not. Why should I fear her, when I have done nothing to risk her ire? She is our ally, we work towards a common goal." Amalia sighs again and releases Madara's arm to touch her cheek with a cold hand. "We must do what has to be done to keep her happy." Amalia's gaze bores into Madara's and her voice becomes softer. "The reasons she torments you is because you make it easy for her. You have become sport to her, as have I. When she tires of the game she will leave us be, but as long as you fight her you will keep her interest. Do you understand?"
Madara nods slowly. "I do understand, Amalia. I am such a fearful, emotional creature. I am sorry to be this way-- you are so patient and good! And...so beautiful..." Madara leans in slowly and kisses Amalia's lips lingeringly. She pulls back and looks into Amalia's haunting eyes. "I will try to ignore Katerina. I do not like to be made sport of...not at all." Madara looks down, thinks, and then looks back up again. "I will send my faithful raven Zaran with you-- that you may send back any messages you wish. He knows Europe well after being with me for over a century. He knows the fastest routes to get from you to I-- no matter where you may be. Will you take him with you, my love?"
Amalia nods, relieved at how much calmer Madara is. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Madara. I have something for you as well, but it must wait. Katerina wishes to speak to me about something of importance. If you like, you may wait at my home for me to return, though I do not know how long we shall be." Amalia wipes the tears from Madara's cheeks with her fingertips, then raises them to her lips. Her eyes never leave Madara's, and the Tzimsce can see a hungry gleam alight in their depths.
"Never forget what I have told you today. Katerina is a mortal and unlike us is ruled by human frailties and passions. Though we may submit to them, we need not be ruled by them unless by choice, and that has never been my way. You have all that I have to give, Madara, something that cannot be taken by force. Think on that the next time she is taunting you, for you have something she does not and that will give you power over her." Amalia moves swiftly and kisses Madara hard on the mouth, clutching her tightly then without another word vanishes into the shadows of the darkened castle, leaving Madara standing alone under the vaulted stonework.
Madara stumbles back a step when Amalia disappears-- blinking and stunned! She is breathless...speechless...and at last she understands what Amalia has been trying to tell her. She has Amalia's love-- something so rare and precious that it makes her heart ache when she realizes how afraid she had been of losing her! Madara puts a hand to her spinning head and smiles a slow, happy smile-- still feeling the imprint of Amalia's arms around her body and her lips hard against Madara's lips. She will see Amalia later tonight...! Madara hugs her arms, grinning like a love-sick puppy, and walks lightly down the hall humming, on her way to Amalia's catacombs.
^*^
The Countess Katerina was waiting for Amalia after her meeting with Madara. The countess seemed unormally hurried. "We must make haste. It is imperative that the Ventrue and Tremere join forces if Belgrade is to survive. Jurgen may be able to hold off the Tzimisce for a time, but not forever. That is why you must go to the Lord Jurgens castle, and insure that the alliance is sealed." The Countess comes to stand right in front of Amalia. "And more importantly, we have something more important to gain. The Tremere has something that we want, something that we will have, if you can manage to secure this alliance." Katerina notices that Amalia seems somewhat distracted. "What is it Amalia? Surely its not that silly fool Madara?" Anger flashes in her eyes as she steps back from you. "When will you learn? Those pathetic worms are nothing! You are beyond them all now. Power like they could not believe is within your grasp, but you still cling to lessers!" Katerina's eyes glint with cold fury. "Know this, Amalia, that I am the voice of thy master, and that you belong to ME. There is no room for love in your life!" Katerina had completly lost her composure, and for a moment, Katerin's voice became deeper, and more menacing than anything Amalia had heard on this world. "No love shall you know. No love but for me! Not for Madara! Not for Balgrade! And certainly not for that THING in your busom!" Katerina's hand flashes forwards faster than Amalia can see, and she feels as Katerina's finger slices effortlessly into her flesh.
Amalia gasps as she feels Katerina's manicured fingernail lightly touch the soul stone in that Madara had so carefully flesh crafted there. Katerina wrenches her finger loose spraying gore across the room. Amalia drops to her knees, suddenly overwelmed by the unexpected pain. The Countess stood across the room, her back to Amalia. She took a moment and straitened her dress, pulling her long black gloves back on. Her voice was calm and collected when she spoke again, as if nothing had happened. "We must leave within three days Amalia. Be prepared by then."
Amalia covers the wound on her chest and concentrates on the blood flowing through and healing it. She stares impassively at Katerina, unmoved by the emotional outburst, and once she feels the wound close she pulls herself to her feet.
"Truely Katerina, such loss of control does not become you. I do not understand either you or Madara, both clawing at each other like cats in heat. We should be above such petty concerns yet you both seem to wallow in them." Amalia brushes at her clothing, concealing the look of scorn that graces her face.
"You begin to try MY patience. I serve our Master always, HE knows what is in my heart and does not need to sink to these paltry threats and accusations to discern it. I have Madara perfectly in my control, willing to do anything for me, a perfect bodyguard, spy, ally, slave...anything I should wish, and what do I pay in return? A few empty words and time spent simpering over dresses." Amalia walks closer to Katerina, her face still impassive, eyes cold and emotionless as a snake's as she studies the Mage.
"I DO serve our Master, and my ways are my own. As you so thoughtfully reminded me earlier, if I were to depend on him for everything he would have no need of me. Take care to keep your fingers out of my affairs, mortal. You could not possibly understand my ways or my motives, and long after YOU are dust, I shall be alive to reap the rewards of service."
Amalia slowly and deliberately looks Katerina over from head to foot, then turns towards the door.
"Is there anything else our Master wishes me to know?" She asks over her shoulder. "He may be assured that I shall be ready to leave within three days time, and my mission will not fail."
Katerina smiles. She seems very pleased with Amalia's cold hearted response. "Just this, the Tremere are evil. I knew well the founder of their order in the days before he became as you are." The way that Katerina swayed her hips left no doubt as to the nature of their relationship. "In those days he was one of the greatest and most powerful mages to have ever walked this world. It was he who invented the Certamen, and who first discovered that magic was leaving this world. He was always ambitious, and lusted for power above all things, and I expect that his lust for power has only increased since he took on the mantle of Caine. He is a truely dangerous ally, but one that we must have in the coming nights."
"Also, Reynold is a fool if he truely thinks that the elders of the Clan Ventrue would hesitate to topple his reign if they thought it would strengthen any one of them. Which is another reason why it is so important to ensure the alliance between the Tremere and the Ventrue. That will leave another with which the Ventrue elders will have to contend, and they will find it much easier to leave Reynold on the throne rather than risk it falling to the magi. The Cainites are a nest of Vipers, Amalia. The ALL seek to gain dominion of all that they see. That is the nature of the Jyhad, and the true curse of Caine. Reynold may be too blind to see that, but we must not be."
Amalia turns, nodding. "I have had dealings with Tremere in the past, I know how dangerous they can be. And if Reynold will not see that his precious Clan could betray him, he will be made to see it. I have no intention of watching him lose his position in the city from carelessness."
Katerina smiled in satisfaction. "Good, then you understand what you need to. We must hurry though, for time grows short. Return when you are ready, I have already arranged for a boat to take us up the Danube River to Vienna. From there you must go on alone to Prague, and then up the Elbe River to Lord Jurgen's fortress at Magdeberg. With luck and favorable winds, you will arrive just in time for Jurgen's Ball."
"Well then, if there is nothing further, I have much to do to ready for the journey. I shall see you in three days time." Amalia inclines her head then turns and exits the room.
^*^
Amalia steps out into the street, revelling in the harsh winds that blow around her, tossing her hair about like leaves and pulling at her cloak like the hands of starving children.
She directs her driver to stop at one of the public fountains, where she rinses out the blood from her dress and straightens her disheveled hair. Making a small noise of irritation, she wonders again at how a woman as obviously strong as Katerina could let her emtions range so far out of control, and over such a petty thing. Something else must be going on, but now is not the time to worry about it.
She thinks of Madara waiting for her at home, and steps up into the coach, instructing her driver to make haste. As the black coach careens down the cobblestone streets, Amalia lightly strokes her collarbone, sensing the soulstone within. "Soon, my love," she whispers to it, hearing the low moans waver in response. "You shall not be trapped much longer. Have strength."
Soon she is within the familiar confines of the catacombs below her manor. A servant rushes to take her cloak and disappears back into the house as Amalia strides quickly through the tunnels underground. She reaches the parlor that has been converted from an ancient tomb and steps inside, closing the door quietly behind her.
"Hello, pet," Amalia says softly, moving closer to the fire to glean warmth from it, but keeping her eyes on Madara's. "You see, I was not gone overly long after all.." She smiles, revealing the glint of sharp teeth.
Madara feels her own fangs grow at the site of Amalia's, and in a blur she's suddenly at Amalia's side, wrapping her arms around her and placing her lips to Amalia's neck. She doesn't break the skin-- only lets the points push at the skin as she kisses the flawless porcelein that is Amalia's throat. Then she smells the faint scent of blood, and tracks it down to Amalia's chest. In alarm she pulls back the fabric of the dress...and feels relief when she sees no wound...but the scene of blood is still there. Madara sniffs again like one of her dogs, and then her eyes shoot up to Amalia's. "Why is there blood on your dress?" Her eyes narrow. "Did she...hurt you?" Madara's voice is very even and dangerous-sounding.
Amalia sighs, entwining her arms around Madara's waist and rests her cheek against Madara's shoulder.
"It was just a scratch, love, I've taken care of it," Amalia responds. "She'll not lose her temper with me like that again." Amalia can see the faint pulse of blood beneath Madara's flushed skin and she feels her teeth sharpen as desire stirs within her.
"Come, I do not wish to speak of her any more, we have only a little time left to us before I must go to Germany," Amalia says, pulling Madara down with her to the couch near the fire.
As the two women sit, Amalia's great cat pads into the room, a deep purr rumbling from it's chest. It rubs up against their legs with it's velvety hide and finally curls up at their feet, still purring contentedly.
"I told you that I had something for you," Amalia continues, fingers lightly tracing the countour of Madara's neck and throat, distracted by the warmth of Madara's skin. She glances down at the cat then back at Madara's face. "Take her, she will keep you company while I am away."
Madara didn't think anything would be able to distract her from her swiftly strengthening need for Amalia at that moment, but Amalia's gift quickly snaps her out of her trance...for the moment! Madara looks from the cat to Amalia in disbelief. "Oh Amalia! It would be an honor to care for her!" Madara drops down next to the cat and runs her fingers through the soft fur fondly. She looks into the cat's blank eyes and sees her reflection mirrored in the many facets there, and even though Amalia said it wasn't a real cat, it seem real enough. Madara looks up at Amalia. "What is her name? Does she require anything?" Madara's hand keeps moving through the dark, rich fur while she speaks.
Amalia smiles, pleased that her gift has made Madara happy. "You know, I have not thought to give it a name. Would you like to name her?" Amalia sinks to the floor next to Madara and idly traces a line down Madara's spine while she pets the animal. "She requires no care, though be sure to keep her away from water. Her hide is made from velvet and it would spoil it. She's nothing more than a giant plaything, really.. though she does get lonely if she doesn't have enough attention."
Amalia stops what she was doing to Madara and reaches down to pick up one of the cat's paws to show her the lack of claws, then opens its mouth to reveal a velvet red tongue but no teeth. "As I said, she was my first project.. I have been getting better. Soon I will be able to create warriors, then perhaps we can have an army of cats prowling the house to protect us!" She glances over at Madara, her mouth crooking up in a smile.
Madara goes from being distracted by the cat to distracted by Amalia's touch...then back to the cat again as Amalia shows her how the cat was made. She shakes her head in amazement. "I cannot believe it-- I am amazed! You have a skill that I thought only God could possess! You made life out of cloth! I can transform life..." Madara runs her fingers through Amalia's hair back from her forehead to get a better view of her face. "...but I cannot create it from nothing." Madara absent-mindedly continues to run her fingers through Amalia's hair with one hand as her other hand rests on the cat.
"Do not worry about..." Madara thinks for a moment, looking the cat over, "...Vashira, I will give her plenty of attention." Madara turns her eyes back to fix on Amalia's depthless eyes. "I will lavish on her all the love and attention that I would her mistress...were she there, instead." Madara pauses, and then continues in a softer voice. "I would that she were...do not worry, my matchless beauty, I understand why you must go, and I do not fear for you. Zaran is perched in the graveyard above..." Madara's eyes automatically flicker up to look at the ceiling, and then back to Amalia. "...but do not think I will not long for your return." Madara drinks in Amalia's face, motionless in awe. Giacova begins to croon softly in the back of Madara's mind about how exquisite Amalia is-- like no other woman.
"I shall miss you beyond words," Amalia replies. "Your face haunts me when we are apart. The memories of your touch.. your kiss.." She trails off, eyes alighting with hunger again. "Never have I met a being as extraordinary as you. Every night brings a new wonder to behold when we are together. I shan't forget you while I am away, Madara. For you shall be with me even in my dreams."
Madara stares at Amalia with her mouth slightly open and her eyes full of emotion. "Oh Amalia...that was...the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me." Madara clutches Amalia's hands in her own and brings them to her lips to kiss. "The things I will show you when you return! The solitary cliff overlooking the city...the wolves howling a mating-call below...the secret pond in the forest...the clearing when the moon is full...you will stand in the center with luna's silver light pouring down upon you, and I will kneel before you and worship you!" Madara goes down on one knee before Amalia-- still holding her hands-- and looks up at her with adoration.
Surprised, Amalia's mouth curves into another smile. "I would like that....very much." Her eyes linger over Madara's supplicant posture and she feels the blood quicken again in her body. She makes a small noise in the back of her throat. "Madara you don't know what you do to me.." Tightening her hands in Madara's, she draws her to her feet. "Come, I will show you just how much I am going to miss you."