The Mad Vampire Prince Amon

A man who looked no more than thirty sat in a high-backed chair, waiting for the duke. Completed around the thirteenth century, the chair was a most typical "Papal" chair: its back was exceptionally broad, formed of three pointed arches, while each of the three faces formed by its legs bore three more pointed arches. In all, one could see twelve arches and dozens of slender columns upon it. Above the arms were curling lines rather than armrests, and its seat was spread with a brocade cushion, gold-thread tassels hanging from all four corners. Other than this chair, there was no furniture in the room, only draperies and tapestries. The wall panels were deep black, and richly scented candles burned in brass holders hanging down from above.

Only after Duke of La Rochefoucauld saw the other man extend a hand to him did he dare step forward and kiss the ring upon it. The icy chill emanating from that hand made the duke shudder.

"Your Highness..." the duke mumbled. That hand withdrew and waved dismissively. "I know what you wish to say," said His Highness. "But there is no need, Duke, no need, because we have been watching you all along, my good sir." He said teasingly, "We know what you have done."

The duke's knees immediately went weak, and he fell to his knees without meaning to. "Your Highness... ah, Your Highness..." he pleaded. "I swear, I can swear before God..."

Only when he heard someone snickering did he realize he had misspoken.

"All right," said His Highness. "Have you truly done anything? I believe you, Duke. I would not say you are particularly loyal, but I simply do not believe you possess such courage."

For most men, those words would have been a humiliation, but to Duke of La Rochefoucauld, they were nothing less than a pardon. He raised his head gratefully, only to lower it again involuntarily when he saw those eerie red eyes. "Raise your head," His Highness commanded. He had no choice but to look into those eyes once more. He saw his own reflection in them, as though Duke of La Rochefoucauld had been submerged in blood. The sight filled him with terror, yet drew him in beyond his control.

"Come closer, Duke," said that voice. The duke obeyed at once, shuffling forward on his knees until he nearly touched the footstool before the chair. He could clearly see the relief carving on its panel: four oak leaves and doves, as well as lilies. The four-leaf ornament symbolized the Four Gospels; the dove and lilies represented the Holy Spirit and purity respectively—how ironic. Such a solemn, sacred chair was occupied by a vampire.

Amon, patriarch of the Tzimisce clan within the Sabbat, was, by vampire tradition, a prince and the sire of every vampire in the Tzimisce Family. It was precisely because Duke of La Rochefoucauld had submitted to him that he could retain his youth, possess a handsome face, a powerful body and agile movements, as well as an allure to women and even some men. And for that very reason, Amon did not believe he could betray him. Compared to wealth, honor, and faith, what Amon could grant the duke was far more important and precious to him.

"You have not betrayed us," Amon said. "Then I can only assume that you have kept delaying our meeting because you were unable to fulfill my request."

"Yes," the duke said quietly.

"You need not have done so," Amon said with a smile. Though creatures of darkness—including the Camarilla and neutral clans among the vampires—believed that everyone in the Sabbat's Tzimisce Family was mad, judging solely by appearance and manner, so long as one did not look into those crimson eyes, no one would think this refined, ever-smiling gentleman was a monstrously brutal and cold-blooded creature.

In truth, quite a few vampires of the Tzimisce Family had died at Amon's hands. The duke might not have known it, but he could sense it now and then—yet his thirst for power made him unable to refuse Amon's gifts, even as the things the other man asked him to do became increasingly dangerous. "You know I have always been tolerant of you," Amon said. "And sometimes, I miss you very much as well. Though you are not yet my child, there are not many around me with whom I can discuss literature."

He paused. "Some are too rigid, while others are too frivolous."

"I am deeply honored, Your Highness," said the duke.

"I know you have always been cautious," Amon said. "Perhaps you simply did not wish to come before me empty-handed. But that is all right, Duke. Even if you merely tell me some interesting rumors, I would be very willing to listen."

"What sort of rumors would Your Highness like to hear?"

"Your king—Louis XIV, perhaps?"

"I can only say that he is still a child."

"In mind, or in body?"

"In body," said the duke. "He is still young, but already a lion."

"That sounds truly surprising," Amon said. "There are rumors that he has not yet received a proper education."

"Some people seem born able to be kings without needing to learn," said the duke.