Bound By Blood (Tall Tales)

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So, I was remembering a dream I had twenty years ago...
=Story By JA Baker=
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I wasn't sure just why I was sent to Nocturnus as part of the negotiations. Sure, my father was William Fitzalan, Duke of Arundel, but I was the youngest of six, with three older brothers and two sisters, so it wasn't like he was grooming me for a greater role later in life. About two months into the voyage, I started to wonder if he was punishing me for something I'd said or done, but nothing came to mind.
Arriving in the Nocturnus system was... interesting. It's a ultra-cool Dwarf star with six rocky planets and two ice giants. None have anything remotely approaching a habitable atmosphere, and indeed, few have any atmosphere at all. As such, the population of Nocturnus IV, otherwise simply known as Nocturnus, live in massive subterranean cities. And, even I have to admit, I was impressed with the sheer scale of them: crated by digging tunnels that connected preexisting caves and caverns, they're lit by massive lamps that also prove warmth, and are so big that many even have rivers and small lakes, with a decent approximation of open parkland. The light given off by the lamps struck me as slights odd at first, but it's not like ever star humanity has settled around was a perfect replica of old Sol.
The reason for our visit was the simple fact that it was an open secret that Lord Macaro, ruler of Nocturnus, either directly or indirectly controlled every pirate gang and bandit kingdom in the region, with each paying tribute to him. My father hoped that a treaty of alliance between our two worlds, and Houses, would protect Arundel from future attacks. The negotiations had taken years, but my father seemed to believe that they had reached the point where a treaty could be signed, and had sent me to sign in his name, stating that, as the Duke, it would be impossible for him to disappear long enough to travel to Nocturnus in person, especially given how many of our neighboring worlds considered Macaro little more than a Bandit King.
Fortunately, I didn't have to sit in on the negotiations themselves, only being needed to sign the final documents, so I was free to explore Nocturnus. And I have to admit, I was impressed with just how clean and orderly the city was, even when I ventured further away from the mansion. The people looked healthy, if a little pale from a lifetime under artificial lighting, but they seemed happy, educated and productive. I did encounter a few 'indentured' servants, and it didn't take me long to realize that they were little more than slaves without shackles, but even they seemed content with their lot, many saying that their lives on Nocturnus were infinitely better than they had been before.
Far better, it seemed, to be a second class citizen on Nocturnus than to be equal in the squalor found on most Periphery worlds.
One bright side of being left to wonder was Amelia, Lord Macaro's daughter. Close to my own age, she had been granted far more freedom than I ever had, despite being an only child. Even on Arundel, this would have made her a target for any individual or group looking to make a power-grab, one way or another, but somehow, she was free to walk the city without escorts, and took it upon herself to show me some of her favorite locations.
Perhaps the most interesting was an observation dome on the surface. Created from multiple layers of artificial diamond, and connected to the city by way of multiple redundant airlocks, it offered unmatched views of the stark beauty of the surface. It was just after sundown when we arrived, the faintest of glows just visible on the horizon. But above us shone more stars then I had ever dreamed existed, the faint smudge of the galactic core stretching across the sky.
"I like coming up here when we're on this side of the Star." Amelia explained, "Something about the view just..."
Neither of us had the words for it, but we both knew what she meant.
One thing that did rather surprise me about Nocturnus was the fact that the Spacer's Guild was not only present, but operated in the open. They had a massive Guildhall near the spaceport, and several businesses had the Guild insignia, indicating that they were affiliated with the mysterious and omnipresent organization.
"The Guild helped found Nocturnus. In return, they were granted the freedom of the system." Amelia had explained, "They have a long, complex history with my family."
Eventually, after several weeks, I was I formed that the negotiations were complete, and I should prepare myself for it ceremony. My father's Chamberlain had hesitated, and asked just how much I had been told about the agreement, and had looked more than a little concerned when I told him how little I knew. He placed a hand on my shoulder, which surprised me, given he had always be somewhat cold and distant, and said that I would need to remember my duty to my world and my family. Mode than a little nervously, I made my way to the massive ballroom that had been decorated for the signing ceremony, dressed in my finest clothes, complete with the handful of medals I had received during my time as a cadet at the Filtvelt Military Academy. Much to my surprise, Amelia was there, dressed in a black gown that only amplified her hourglass figure and her pale skin. She seemed just as nervous as I was, and I guessed that, like me, it was her first time representing her father in public.
When called upon, I stepped forward to sign the pact between Arundel and Nocturnus, and I was taken aback when I discovered that I was expecting to use a small knife to cut the end of my finger, then sign in my own blood. I'll admit I bulked at the idea, but reminded myself that it was my duty, and did as I was instructed. Lord Macaro followed suit, and then nodded to my fathers Chamberlain.
"In accordance with this treaty, our two Houses shall now be joined by blood." Lord Macaro announced, and Amelia stepped forward.
I immediately understood what was happening, and why I, the youngest son, had been sent to represent my father. Lord Macaro had no sons of his own, and it was Amelia who would eventually inherit his titles and position. As such, the best way to ensure that the treaty would continue to be honored in the future was for my father to provide a suitable husband and consort for the future Lady of Nocturnus.
Me.
Yes, I had certainly been attracted to Amelia, but there had always been the unspoken understanding that I was a guest in her fathers house, so pursuing a closer relationship had seemed impossible. As such, I had grown to see her as a friend, and nothing more. Now, suddenly, I found myself taking her hand and repeating the wedding vows offered by an elderly priest who had appeared out of nowhere.
The ceremony was short, as was the celebrations after, and by the time my head stopped spinning, I found myself alone, with Amelia, in what was obviously her private rooms.
''
"James, I know that this must seem very awkward and you're probably still trying to make sense of it all." my new wife stood before me in the same black gown, "I wanted to tell you in advance, but, well, our fathers weren't sure how you'd react. I know that this isn't the life you would have chosen for yourself... it isn't what I expected, but I have a responsibility to my people. And, soon, they will be your people too."''
She stepped up to me, nuzzling my neck for a moment. I felt her open my shirt enough to kiss my exposed shoulder, they I felt a stabbing pain, and my entire body felt like it was on fire. Stumbling backwards, I fell to the floor. Grabbing my shoulder, my hand came away damp with my own blood. I looked up at Amelia as she kicked her lips, wiping away the last drops of my blood, displaying elongated teeth.
"I'm sorry, but there's no better way of explaining things." she knelt beside me, and as she spoke, her teeth shrunk back to their normal size, "You see, the people of this world, my people, aren't the same as most of the human race. We have certain... needs, that have always kept us on the fringes of civilization, out of fear of persecution. You've probably heard the ancient stories of vampires... and while some are unfortunate true, they don't represent the vast majority of our kind. Like anyone else, we just want to live our lives in peace as best we can. That is why we came to Nocturnus, with the help of the Guild. Here we can live in peace, safe from those who would not understand, and would lash out in fear."
I wasn't able to respond. My body refused to respond to my commands.
"I'm sorry, but you're going to be one of us very soon. It's the only way that my people will accept you as my husband. But don't worry, because I will be here to help you through the change." Amelia continued, her voice full of genuine warmth, "Over the next few days, I'll show you the rest of the city, the parts we keep hidden from visitors. I'll introduce you to some more of the normal humans who live here, and they can show you how they donate blood every month, and in exchange they enjoy our protection, and a far better life then they'd have elsewhere in the Periphery."
She produced a small knife from somewhere, and slit open the palm of her left hand, before offering it to my lips.
"Now, drink, and the change will be complete." she smiled at me, "We've got a very long life together ahead of us, my dear husband, and I want to start enjoying it as soon as possible..."
The End
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