The Lineage

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


The Lineage
By 11


Chapter 12
Blood Thirst: Recall

Break him.

My body lurches forward. My legs drag up under me. My head rips from his hands. My legs lash back in attack and propulsion.

Rip their throats out.

There’s a satisfying crunch behind me. I roll to the ground and right myself. My attacker stumbles back, more in surprise than because of any injury. Most of them are wearing cloaks, only a few go without. They are younger ones.

My attacker regards me coolly, not advancing; no one moves to assist him or otherwise. “You are aware?” my attacker asks puzzled. The voice is low but fluid-like, I’m not sure if it’s a guy or a girl; the hair looks like it might be kind of long though.

“Hey – stop that!”

Filthy bastard – kill him.

I attack first this time. Lunge and make for the throat. But the androgyny was expecting this speed; a quick turn and he’s beside me. Hand ready to tear into my side.

Move.

I twisted my body, my leg to slam and block his arm. Maybe catch my heel in his face while I’m at it. But he whirls back and away at the last possible moment.

“I said stop!”

Hurt him!

But I have to catch him first! He’s agile enough to be some kind of dancer or acrobat I swear. Rushing to meet him he twists to the side to avoid my strikes. He dances around the quick barrage. I jump away again when he lunges for my throat.

“Are you really a regen?” the androgyny inquires as I stand in a slash of sun falling through the cracks of the collapsed tunnel above us. This must be a second layer to the lower sewer area.

No words; kill him!

Don’t have to tell me twice. I’m on him, and then there’s dirt; a strike above me. Roll away. Swing my legs up; he ducks and I flip my body backward away as he moves forward again.

Then he’s moving towards me, wait for it… and now! I lunge for his throat, torso, shoulders, anything that bleeds. But again he dances just beyond my reach. I’m forced to withdraw again before he turns and drives his arm through my chest.

“Are you wood-ears brain dead?!!”

My leg’s last lashing blow is held in stasis. I fall to the dust. A stream of alabaster skin lies before me, thick crimson staining white cloth. I can smell the intoxicating smell of his blood. Darkeyes glares at the androgyny, holding his clawed arm stiffly in place.

“He’s not an enemy.”

The androgyny tests Sasuke’s grip, and I can audibly hear as Sasuke’s nails slice past the cloak into the skin of his arm in retribution. The androgyny winces, and looks at Sasuke sulkily.

“Haku, I’ve already told you to stand down. Don’t make me repeat myself,” he hisses. The androgyny bows his head and steps back. Sasuke releases his arm, though the androgyny still eyes me suspiciously.

Look while you can; I’ll tear those eyes out sometime.

Sasuke looks much better without a shirt, given his torso is wrapped in bandages and so is his shoulder and neck… half of those injuries are my fault aren’t they? But anyway he still looks so good. He’s so damn pale, and the dark of his hair and eyes is so stark in contrast.

I really want to touch his hair now too; it looks so soft and smooth. But that probably wouldn’t go over well with these people, who were trying to kill me.

“He is a regen though, isn’t he?” the androgyny, or ‘Haku’, asked. “Sire?”

“Haku.” One of the few uncloaked ones calls him over. Haku frowns but goes; some tall guy with a bad hair cut and overly large pants.

“Naruto!”

Sakura! I look up and from the tunnel gap leaps my favorite redhead. Master’s here too, just behind her. Oh lovely, and they brought another bunch of random vampires with them.

“Lord Jiraiya,” the tall guy with bad hair greets my master. So he’s a ‘lord’ huh? Figures, the old fart is haughty enough, though I wouldn’t think he’d have the patience to go through with all the procedures and formalities and whatever else is involved.

“Captain Zabuza,” Sakura acknowledges as she walks straight up to the guy with the bad hair; guess he’s the leader here. “All of division 7 is just here?”

“There was an incredible bloodlust in this area a short while ago; we came to keep casualties to a minimum and found Prince Sasuke,” small dark eyes glance over at me briefly before back at Sakura, “and this one.”

“We thought he was attacking you, sire.” Haku supplied to Sasuke and not to Sakura. Ha, and Sasuke just scowls at him; serves him right.

Stand up, kit, you look ridiculous right now.

I slip my feet under me and stand. “The regens seem to have been forced out of the tunnels, but with the hunters in the way and so much confusion we suspect a great many of them have managed to escape.”

Zabuza listens and then turns his head abruptly, all silent for a second no more. "The second group has found the last Infestation."

Then his face curls into a snarl, hideous even with the bandages to cover his dark and gnarled skin. "There's a horde of ghouls with them."

"So those cretins left a parting gift, did they?" Sakura sneers. Zabuza nods his head to Haku to assume momentary control, and with another signal he and seven others take off down the tunnel, towards the rest of "Division 7" I assume.

"How many were there my lord? We estimated around a couple hundred when we first entered, but the scent grows stronger the deeper in we go." Haku questions, Jiraiya, keeping his head slightly bowed when addressing him.

It seems almost childish in manner, a kind of submission that he himself does not agree with. "A couple thousand?" Jiraiya shrugs.

"Too many got away, we thought It would be somewhere around 400 ourselves. At this point I'd guess around 2000, 3000, likely many more; even 4000 seems a small number."

Sakura bristles, "It's like they're making an army."

"Seems that way doesn't it," Sasuke seems to laugh.

"You think it is something else?" Jiraiya ponders.

"Regen are too stupid to congregate an army, these ones were all new; not even sentient beings yet." Sasuke reminded him, an obvious enough fact.

"Then you suggest that there is someone leading them?" Jiraiya presses.

Pale lips curve in a frown, "Now you're just reading too much into it." Sasuke tells him coolly. "There are probably a thousand explanations, none of which Include the kind of conspiracy that you're thinking of."

"And what conspiracy is that? Are you saying it would not be an older regen that's leading them?"

Sasuke starts and then shakes his head, a shallow smirk crossing his face. "Forgive me, not I am reading into words too much."

"Perhaps," Jiraiya agrees, still watching him with thoughtful crimson eyes, "Ah, but you are forgiven, and I too I hope."

"You are." Sasuke concurs. "So, the hunter's are theorized to have let some regen slip by them? That seems unlikely for them though."

His question was directed at the androgyny. "There were Initiates among them, so their patterns weren't as drawn as usual. Surely they killed hundreds, but among the thousands of the nest the humans' interference was more of a hindrance in this situation."

"There was no need to collapse the tunnel either." Sakura grumbled, still covered completely by Sasuke's thick cloak. "I'm sure half of us may die from the heat if not direct sunlight."

That's right, I remember and glance around again; Haku, Sakura, dozens of others still here - they all wear cloaks to shield the sun. So many of them are young - so many are not yet over a thousand years old. I wonder:

"Do most vampires die young?" I ask aloud, addressing my master. He looks over at me slightly startled and then turns to Sakura.

"You don't need to exaggerate Sakura." he tells her, and she looks away in exasperation; but it was not her comment that makes me ask. It's just strange, I would think many more of the legion would be older vampires like Sasuke, Zabuza for example wore no cloak. Why are so many of them under a thousand years of age?

If a life with other vampires means constantly having to make sure no one snaps your head off your shoulders, I can believe that.

"Seriously though, the hunters have gotten a lot more restless. They seem to be everywhere now." Sakura finishes in annoyance.

"It's true, we encountered them at the last Infestation as well; a sea wharf. They had taken over all the buildings from pier 3 to pier 15." Haku coincides information, "Many regen escaped in that case too. It wasn't the best day for an attack, so many thick clouds."

The hunters… that's right, Shikamaru!

I assume I won't be accosted now, so I turn and head over to the open area. This is about a kilometer or so up from where we first sighted the hunters and the tunnel caving in. Farther up, and this was probably around where I saw the brunette hunter.

I thought it might have been Shikamaru but I can't be sure, it's also possible it was female; I'm not sure if there are gender rules for the hunters but somehow I doubt it. All I know if that they had brown hair, pulled back like Shikamaru used to wear his.

Yes, it must have been here. I stop and glance around, at the ground, the concrete slabs, for anything that might be a clue that I may have actually seen him.

You won't find anything.

Shut up.

I know I saw something. I stoop to search, and feel our with my other senses; I can hear the soft flowing of the last of sewage, there's a bleeding arm somewhere dripping blood. I just need a scent, just a small piece of him; hair, cloth?

Nothing.

The smell of blood and ash washes everything away, it's too strong it blots out any other smell I could possibly attempt to trace!

I told you, kit.

I know, shut up.

Still mad at me for before?

What do you think?

Fine, be that way; you can die next time a pureblood takes in his head to kill you.

Then you'll die too.

Pity, I'm such a treasure to be lost too. It will be your fault.

I shake my head to clear it; my parasite is calm now, and bored. But I have no reason to attempt and hold a conversation with it. It's not my place to make sure it's amused. I sigh in defeat as I stand again and start back towards Jiraiya and the others.

There's no way I could have seen Shikamaru anyway. Why would he have any reason to tread back into this world I 'died' for him to escape from? Wishful thinking I suppose, guess there's still part of me that wants that old life of mine back.

"I knew he was a regen!"

"Then we should kill him!"

Shit, what now?

"Sire, why did you tell us to stop then?"

"Lord Jiraiya, have you lost your mind?!"

I pause at the door to listen, I'm at a good place; if they try to kill me again I can definitely get away I think.

"Do you really think he is a simple regen?" Jiraiya's bold tones cut them off, the edge of anger and abrupt authority silencing the others that had crowded around towards Jiraiya, Sakura, and Sasuke. Haku still stood closest, he frowns as the old man says this.

"He is intelligent and he may walk In sunlight unscathed." Sakura nearly growls, "But you affirm that his age 'is' less than a year?!"

"That is correct. Can you now think more clearly on the matter?" Jiraiya asks the legion before him, they remain silent. He turns back to Sakura, "And you?"

"It is difficult to believe that he is a regen if this is the evidence, though he certainly is not of the immaculate line." Sakura frowns.

"He can walk In sunlight, not yet a thousand years old. His sanity is also puzzling…" she ponders a moment more, then fixes her steely eyes on Jiraiya. "He is not a sired vampire is he?"

Jiraiya is now turned away from me so I cannot make his expression, but I see Sakura's as triumph spreads to her eyes. "He smells like a vampire, but at the same time… he's human in a way isn't he? But there's no way he is one."

"Then you must have reached the same conclusion?"

Why does Sasuke's smirk look like he wants to laugh - as if such a suggestion is incredulously stupid?

"A half-breed."

Haku was the one who spoke, and a quiet murmur seems to go through the others who stand nearby. "How rare…" someone breathes.

Hmph. I can see where Sasuke may be incredulous; do they actually believe that load of garbage? Half breed indeed!

"Such a legend, I thought such a thing was physically impossible…" Haku starts suddenly skeptical again. But Sasuke cuts in, not unlike before; where Jiraiya questioned my ability to walk in sunlight.

"So did I, but it is probably the only explanation that makes sense and fits all the facts." Sasuke reminds him, "And all legend is based part in fact. It is of course unlikely that like the story goes he was born with dual genitalia, or possesses a third eye."

A quiet snigger ripples through the group, and I turn my back to the conrete and listen still. This whole exchange makes no sense whatsoever. There is no way I'm a half-breed.

No I'm not in denial, even though at one point I may have said that vampires didn't exist and yet they do. But my mother and father, I may not have actually met or known them, but I do know who and what they were - they were human.

I have birth and death certificates of them both. They were human, my mother was an anesthesiologist, and my father was a corporate manager of some kind of water firm.

It just doesn't make any sense, surely they should know that too. These guys must be pretty idiotic for thinking that.

But then, perhaps those three are spreading rumors to keep you safe?

Really? I don't know, it's possible; probable I guess, but the things they brought up are valid…

It is likely from darkeyes' blood, remember? You're being so foolish right now.

But that still doesn't make sense…

Meh. I don't care, you shouldn't either. It doesn't really matter anyway as long as you're still alive, right?

I guess so.

“Naruto, come on over,” Jiraiya calls out to me, “Don’t hand back there. Why’d you go off anyway?”

“I was looking for my watch, it was sliced off at some point. I’d hoped I could find it.” I lie. Beyond the odd look of why-would-you-care-about-a-watch Jiraiya does not question or detect my lack of honesty.

“A watch?” Haku is the only one who questions with incredulity. “Silly.” He scoffs to himself and turns away. It was spoken softly but I heard it, doubtless the others did too. Hmph, I don’t care. He’s not worth my time.

My eyes fall to one gliding behind the others towards me. He stops short a few feet, looking out from his hood at me. His eyes are shielded with dark glass and even beneath the cloak his sweater comes up to cover his chin.

He’s kind of creepy looking actually, not like a vampire, but like a drug dealer or nuclear bomb guy or something...

“So you’re not a pure or a regen then.” He speaks softly. And I see no reason at all to respond. What does this guy want?

“Your kind hasn’t been defined, there is no recent case. Half breeds have only ever existed in legend anyway.” He tells me. So? I don’t care. I glare at him, even if I can’t see his eyes I’ll assume he can see mine.

“Vampires generally don’t mate with their food,” he notes, still totally deadpan. “It’s a kind of perversion really.” So fucking what?! “What is it like being a born of perversion?”

EXCUSE ME?! What the hell is up with this guy?! How can he ask something like that with a straight face?! He’s freaking serious – what gives?!!

“Shino, drop it.” Sakura hisses at him. Jiraiya’s blank, Sasuke looks vaguely disdainful of the subject; everyone else watches with a near apprehension. Am I expected to attack him for that? I don’t care, what the hell does he want?

“What’s it like being a shit-faced druggie vampire?” I ask him coldly. “If you want to fight, you can just ask me to spill your guts.”

His lips twist upwards and his body starts to convulse, and there’s this weird grating soun- oh fuck, he’s laughing? He’s laughing. Man that’s the creepiest laugh I’ve ever heard. Yes I’m recoiling! He’s fucking creepy!!

“I see.” He says as his spasms finally subside, he’s still giving me that creepy grin though. “I’m Shino. I like you.”

I don’t! Not interested freak!! I glare until my forehead muscles start to cramp and contract. Is he seriously not getting the message? Still standing there with that creepy grin. What he wants me to respond?

“That’s nice.” I manage to bite out. Although that reply is several sentences short of the profanities I felt like spewing – anything to get him away and wipe off that creepy grin.

He laughs again, “Not like that. Did you really think that was what I meant? My interest is purely physical.” TOO MUCH INFORMATION!! “I think it would be interesting to fight you. I’ll keep your offer in mind.”

Oh… oh! Man… that’s still so creepy. Way too creppy! Dude, learn to speak in tongues that other people can understand. Or, you know, don’t be such a psycho and learn how to be vaguely social – or is it practice to try and insult/provoke everyone he meets?

I turn away and head towards Sasuke, no one stops me this time. Sakura sighs and asks something about how long Zabuza could possibly take to wipe out a bunch of ghouls and stray regen.

I move to Sasuke’s ear, tilting my head so that no one else can tell; they can’t hear me, but darkeyes can.

“You know what I am?”

“Yes.” He mutters, with minimal movement, “I know exactly what you are.”

“A half-breed?” I wonder, not letting my doubt or incredulity slip through. He snorts, and turns away.

“Hm.” He most nearly scoffs at the term, “It’s best if that’s what you call yourself for now.”

I see, so do Jiriaya and Sakura also know that that’s a ruse? His dark eyes lock on mine.

I’ve been looking for you for a long time…

Just a whisper on my consciousness, and then he turns from me again and joins into the conversation pondering Zabuza’s absence.

Again the concern is of the regens number and the speculation that all of these regen have been indiscriminately feeding to result in such large numbers without order or provocation.

Jiraiya insists there is an order to it. They wouldn’t have all known to congregate together in the tunnels, their very nature goes against it. They wouldn’t group together they’d spread apart and the infestation would be easier to take care of in small pockets with little to take care of at once; all loose ends attended to.

I can’t really concentrate on the conversation immediately though. That whisper occupies me, if indeed I truly heard it.

You didn’t. Get over yourself, of course you want him; and yes he wants you – but that’s entirely in body language kit. Just jump him already, he won’t object I promise.

Your promises are shit if I remember.

If I remember I never promised you wouldn’t wake up while eating.

Oh that’s what you were doing, my mistake.

You are insufferable!

So are you. And I don’t think that’s what he meant by that anyhow!

Of course he did – he’s been waiting for someone worthy enough to stick a dick in his ass. He wants it bad, so give it to him.

Why must you be so crude? And he’s turned down my advances! Stop fiddling in my head.

Oh but it is so much fun.

Fuck you.

No you’re the one that needs a fuck. So grouchy, you must be a frustrated virgin for this much repression.

Am not!

Oh so you are a virgin… great. You officially lost any respect you may have had of me.

You’re sick.

I’m bored, aren’t there any more regen around? How about hunters?

Shut up.

I don’t want to.

He said he knows what I am… not a half-breed, I knew that. What though, there’s definitely a vampire strain though, I can tell that much.

Doesn’t matter. Whatever you are, it’s not like you can change just because you want to. You are what you are, and I am what I am and neither of us will ever change. So when can we jump darkeyes?

I’m ignoring you now.

But I make sense don’t I?

I won’t give it the gratification of saying that yes it does make sense. My parasite is helpful and baleful all at once, it’s so strange.

“Zabuza.” Haku and Sakura greet him as he returns, six other vampires following him. What? That was all there was in the second group or whatever? They don’t look really strong, their aura’s about the same as the other’s too.

“It was a lost battle.” Jiraiya gathers before the captain can even respond; he gives a short nod, and he looks ireful as he does so. But he’s not angry with Jiraiya; his wrath seems self-directed.

“The regen had already escaped, the hunters also suffered casualties.” Zabuza grits out, and I look over the small group again. So there were probably many more, but they’re dead now. Ghouls though… like zombies? Super slow and easy to kill, right? How did that happen?

“Are zombies that fearsome?” I wonder, hoping either Sasuke or Sakura will fill me in. That creepy guy has approached my other side again, and he is so creepy.

“Not really,” Shino’s hollow voice speaks from beside me. To my credit, I merely flinched. “But when they’ve already been given a surplus of blood they can become ravenous. They’re much faster too, and stronger; they’re like more united regen really, and they’ll eat a group of living beings alive if there’s enough of them.”

He’s smiling as he says it, those glass covered eyes turning slowly toward me… why is he such a creep?

Does he mean to be, or is he seriously unaware of how much he bothers people? “Anywhere from 20 or 30 ghouls with surplus blood can drag down almost any younger vampire.”

So how many ghouls? A couple hundred? Where did they get the surplus blood to begin with then? The hunters? No way, those guys would be too good I would think? Unless some of the ‘initiates’ were stupid and… not thinking about it.

“Zabuza,” Jiraiya calls his attention, “I apologize for not checking as much about the infestation, I should have been aware of the ghoul situation.”

“It’s no fault of yours sir, I was ill-prepared this time.” He waives off my master’s surprising display of concern.

“It was difficult from above ground I’m sure.” Jiraiya presses.

“They’ve moved on now.” Zabuza states, petulantly.

“It was not your failing captain.” Jiraiya rebukes him loudly. But it is not a rebuke for self-loathing even I can tell that. It is for shame that Zabuza would show this side of weakness to those in his division.

A leader must never appear weak… so Jiraiya may have been a general, was that what they’d muttered about before? It would make sense.

“I regret this had to happen within my jurisdiction. But the problem is taken care of for the moment. If any other incidents occur I will take care of them, myself.“ Jiraiya tells him, “Have a safe trip back.”

He nods his head and with a short bark to me starts off out of the tunnel. I follow him, and Sasuke glides to fall in step beside me on our way.

“Lord Jiraiya!” Zabuza calls after him. Jiraiya does not stop at his quick walk. It’s late in the day, it surprised me; the sun has become so low in the past few hours.

A group of pale silver and dark shadows fall across the ground, and Jiraiya halts as another group of vampires appear before us, Zabuza and all of division 7 plus Sakura now stand behind us.

This doesn’t feel right, it’s like we’re surrounded, and instantly my hackles are raised. But my parasite doesn’t seem bothered, not yet at least.

“Kakashi.” Jiraiya greets the silver-haired vampire who has appeared now. He wears his cloak with the hood back, sun falling over his pale cheek. The only bit of skin that is bared. His face is covered beneath a dark mask of cloth. “It’s been so long.”

“After you retired I have since taken up as a vassal to Tsunade, my lord.” The one identified as Kakashi tells my master. He nods to Zabuza, and they acknowledge a quick acquaintance and again he speaks with Jiraiya. “This situation encountered here has been occurring across the country.”

Jiraiya’s mouth curls down in something like anger and disappointed exasperation. “Yes… I was afraid of that.” Comes the dark mutter.

“Regen nests number in the thousand sand hundreds of thousands in some instances,” Kakashi continues. There’s something apprehensive about this situation, if Jiraiya is apart of the Order, an old general, and war is expected… I see.

“I’m afraid there’s been a recall from the Order, we are all to assemble as nearly as we can to the High Lair.” Kakashi informs him.

“What?” Jiraiya hisses, although it seems he expected this as well.

“You are not the only one unhappy about the decision, nonetheless,” Kakashi continues, “The council has come to the conclusion that the regen are congregating and planning an all out attack. Someone is organizing them and it is suspected that a full on war is not far from now.”

“It is necessary now that the third and final elder is to preside in time of war.” Kakashi insists, all the while Jiraiya glares with the clear message: I don’t want to. “All the sannin must be assembled.”

Turning his attention to Sasuke, he completely ignores me though, “Sire, your return is necessary as well.”

“Understood.”

Why is Sasuke so unresistant?! Damn. Wait – hey!! Does that mean I’m going to be left alone?! For how long? Shit!! I’ll be so damn bored if they both leave!! Wait, is Sakura staying at least?

“I will report back to Tsunade as soon as possible, myself,” Sakura speaks as she strides forward, “I trust she is not yet so impatient with me?”

“Ah, you know our fickle mistress best, Sakura.” Kakashi seems to smile with her, his single visible eye turning up in a half moon.

NOOOO!!! Boredom is certain now!! Certain like death and taxes!!

“Very well, if it must be, it must be.” Jiraiya grumbles and then turns back to me. “Naruto, watch the place while I’m gone, don’t neglect your duties just cause I’m not there making sure.”

I frown, and contemplate over what else could occupy me all day long if not cleaning that huge stupid place as slowly as I possibly can. My parasite seems keen to give his advice on what I should do, but I quickly squash those thoughts out the moment I hear the words ‘darkeyes’ and ‘fantasize’.

Yes that would be just the thing to make me lament my lonely fate more than need be. How long are vampire wars anyway? Decades? Centuries? I really hope not, I won’t be able to keep myself amused that long on my own I know it.

This sucks!!

“Why should Naruto stay behind?”

Jiraiya glares back at Sakura for her insolent question. “Why would he not come with us? He’s useful enough in battle, surely you wouldn’t leave him alone in that manor with a war going on?”

Sakura? Oh Sakura! I… I think I love you!!

“I agree, it makes little sense. We should certainly bring him with us.” Sasuke’s opinion coincides with Sakura’s.

Kakashi’s single eye settles on me for the first time, I can’t tell what he’s thinking either, he betrays no expression with a single eye and carefully controlled expression. Weirdo, why are they all such weirdos really? There was the guy with bad hair and pants, the androgyny, the creep, and now this Cyclops guy.

“I have no intention of bringing him, there is no reason to bring him. He’ll be safe enough in the manor, and there’s a large enough blood supply. He’ll be fine.” Jiraiya brushes her aside gruffly.

“Jiraiya, is that really what you think?” Sasuke asks coolly, smirk in place, “If you bring him Naruto would officially join the clans at that point. He would be more permanently apart of our societal world. He has very little way of gaining knowledge of our kind all the way out here.”

“The High Lair is not the best place to learn,” Jiraiya growls, “Not the first time, and you know that. I only wish I’d had someone to save me from that fate.”

Why does he make it sound like a bad thing? I think it could be fun… provided they’re not all as totally creepy as these guys… but you know I like Sasuke, and Sakura, I’m sure there’s others. And It’s still gotta be better than rotting in that empty manor.

“I think I’d like to go with you, if that’s alright with you, master?” I’m sure to pay complete respect, then he’s more likely to let me come along.

Jiraiya just scowls though, “You have no idea of the bother it is to be bound to this society of rules and hierarchy.” He hisses at me.

“I want to see it.” I insist. It can’t be all that bad, I’m sure it can’t.

“Why not bring the young one, my lord?” Kakashi questions, his first acknowledgement of me in his speech. “It would not be bright to leave him behind, he is still young, and there are so many regen nests at large now.”

Jiraiya’s mouth twists and his muscles clench and unclench as he tries in vain to think of a counterargument. “Very well.”

It’s his only consent, and with it the matter drops entirely, and there is no loss of dignity at his reluctance. The pause was too short to truly quantify. Jiraiya may be pigheaded, but he does know reason and he can see where he cannot protest further.

The High Lair? That’s where I’m going. I’m going to see the council; the Order. In a moment the prospect of boredom is forgotten and I am filled with apprehension and excitement. I don’t know what or where it is but it sounds fantastic.

The High Lair… and I’m going there.

---

Review.