Red Rose Clan
2249 hours
Herbert Fletcher Zaeheri
Invoking memories had always been the most dangerous process in any handbook of magical beings. He learnt from Elvia and Melia regarding memory suppressing to prevent any further hazard to the creatures. Lost memories were not meant to be retrieved. They act like poison to the fresh mind, and when Yueru insisted to retrieve the past, Herbert strongly protests, but a person's determination and stubbornness can never be anticipated in the long run. Strapping his sword behind his back, Herbert followed the sworn siblings of the Red Rose Clan to their sacred garden.
In the middle of the garden, a blood-red rose stood tall by itself. A periwinkle dome surrounded it safely to prevent any possible threats. Herbert could see sparkles forming from the edge of every petal that stuck on it artistically. From their conversation during supper, Ethan and Yun Ru had been kind enough to explain that the flower was the source of the clan. The core of these lands depended highly on this rose. Roses grow in bushes, but this remained in force alone, hence the name of their clan. It took nearly ten years for the three youngest siblings to form the perfect potion to shield the rose from all sorts of dangers from the outer world.
As a vampire, Herbert never really understood magic. The way they drew magic, and channelled those sparkly stars or hideous colours from anything around them just made him confused. His sisters often explained to him that magic is their energy, like his vampire strength and his other persona, but Herbert still could not grasp the idea of watching unknown flares whirling from different sources to form a stronghold. Not understanding might even be a better way for him to live in peace with the world. He never apprehended himself, and he turned out fine. In a way.
The pink moon was generous enough to provide them with sufficient lighting to thread among the grass. Herbert heard the siblings whispering among each other. From behind, he could make out the nervous figure in front of him. Yueru's palms were held behind his back, fingertips scratching onto the sides of his palms that were beginning to turn red. Only when the group stopped in their tracks did Herbert place his palms on Yueru's fingers to assure him that everything will be alright. Lifting his gaze towards the group, Herbert's eyes connected with Wane's brown ones.
"On your requests, my brother and I will try to relieve his memories, but we do not guarantee his livelihood or the effects aftermath. The decision is yours to make," Wane spoke sternly, stepping front from the perfectly formed circle with the second eldest net to him who strode ever so gracefully like the first snow descending from the skies. "There is still time to turn back. However, should you insist on proceeding, and permanent harm comes after, I need your assurance and witness, Golden Hands that you and your companion would not seek revenge and declare war with us. Not you or any of your descendants."
Before Herbert could utter a word, Yueru outspoke.
"We won't," Yueru answered swiftly, holding out his palms to signal Herbert to remain silent for he refused to put Herbert in an unfair position, considering how the elder was only here because he demanded that they go as a 'buy one free one' package. "Herbert will be our witness for tonight, but should there be any complications in the future, all we wish is to seek your assistance, and that will be the only request from us. Revenge and war will never be our options. We promise."
Herbert could read Wane's crystal clear and unmasked reaction when the eldest's eyebrows raised at Yueru's speech. Somehow, there lacked the power in them to convince Wane. Doubts swam within those brown seas as if there weren't enough exits to relish themselves in. Straightening his back, Hebert exchanged a short glance with Yueru which met Yong Min's desolate stare. It reminded him of stories that had been circulating among the werewolf clans across lands that Yong Min, the last and only and only descendent of the extinct Shae clan could wipe out the whole population easily with just intention and power.
When Yong Min's stare did not budge from his direction, Herbert knew that he meant no threat and he too assented to the power Yong Min detained in himself. Like him, Yong Min would sacrifice anything in the world to protect his clan and all of his sworn siblings, including the people he had sworn to protect in this clan. They shared a similar goal which is to protect the survival of the kingdom and its people for trust and assurance withered over the time as future emerged.
"A promise it is," Herbert assured, meeting Wane's brown eyes calmly. "I will stand by Yueru's choice and statement. Assistance and possible alliances in time to come will be our request since our lands are exposed to potential foul enemies that lurked around. This will be the last time we are asking your clan for such a strong and risky favour. Return Yueru's memories and we will leave in peace."
Another round of chatter and whispers from the siblings indicated their ambivalent views. Herbert could only watch as Wane and Yong Min exchanged glances that resulted in a tiny assertion. Watching the siblings, he had to admit that Herbert had the ability to hear what they were whispering about, but ever since he set foot in this clan, he turned his hearing off. As a matter of fact, he took his sisters' teachings seriously.
If you find yourself in need of help from anyone, it is always best to turn off your abilities when necessary. You have abilities that vampires would burn or rot for, Herbert, but you must always remember that respect is earned by actions and heart, not by a title. A title is nothing without visible sincerity.
It did not take long for Mar Ke to step out of the perfect circle. The third youngest stepped out and stood tall behind Wane like a guardian. His long purple robe draped against his muscular figure, and the edge o the cloth sparkled under the generous pink light. Even the clouds seemed to cooperate as Herbert caught sight of Mar Ke's perfect jawline and veiny palms that gripped firmly onto an empty tiny bottle. He almost caught a glimpse of purple that flushed through his eyes.
"We thank you for the assurance and the understanding, but it is still our duty to undo what was done," Mar Ke explained, advancing his steps towards Yueru, studying the hybrid prince from head to toe before taking a glance at Herbert and proceeded in examining Yueru's features. "Your mother was quite the persistent one. That is one thing similar between you and her, little prince. I could remember the cold winter night clearly. She was begging us for help. Turning her away from our clan was supposedly the best choice, yet my brother taught me to be kind. Rhos always had an altruistic personality and when he saw your lifeless body, he demanded us to help you."
"He was too young to miss the sight of the revolving universe," Yun Ru spoke and continued. "Were his exact words."
"Of..."
"Story time's over," Yong Min intervened, running his black leathered palm against the back of his neck, trying to stifle a yawn that failed. "Spare him the upcoming narrative, Rhos. You are causing him headaches even before they visit, just like bees drown by the scent of just the honey itself. We will retrieve the child's memories, and perhaps an alliance can be formed when all the mess in Roa is cleared. Perhaps, we could send Nathaniel for a political union. Now, shall we proceed?"
Wane tilted his head as a sign, and Herbert watched the other siblings took a step backwards while Rhos sneered at Yong Min who cut his words off earlier. Rhos had abandoned his position to gesture for him and Yueru to advance further into the dome that split itself open with Mar Ke's command. Violet magic sparkled on the boy's palms. He lowered the dome as the sight of the red rose became apparent. The rose depreciated the beauty of all the roses Herbert had set his eyes on.
"An alliance with Roa does not sound risky to you?" Rhos whispered to Yong Min, left arm clinging onto the second eldest to gain his attention. "We were just attacked by demons a few months back, and now, we are offering potential foes closer steps into our home? Have you forgotten what happened with the dear old impotent dragon?"
Yong Min patted Rhos's palms, leaning close to his ears.
"It's unlikely to forget such matter, Rhos. As much as I have to agree with Wane that we should not put our trust easily towards outsiders, I do trust Nathaniel's views towards a kingdom and their ruler," said Yong Min confidently and his eyes met Herbert's for a split second before the elder paid full attention to Yueru, exchanging words of amenity. "Besides, I have met the child's mother and I believe both her and her son, including Herbert are worth a try. More alliances than enemies."
Word Count: 1553 words
Cumulative Word Count: 3222 words