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((Finally here's part one of the Journal))

On a stand outside Alfonse's room is a leather bound journal connected with a chain to the wooden stand. The cover is worn but the Maldrant family emblem, the lily of blood, is still plainly visible in faded blue and red. The red ribbon bookmark still attached to the book hangs outside unused though you may occasionaly find a small slip of paper or a card that marks the place where some one has read to and not come back yet to finish. Upon opening the book and beginning to read you may see the following record written by Alfonse in the years following his human death.~~~~



THE MALDRANT JOURNALS



Written by Altar-Alfonse Telaire Maldrant



In loving memory of my family:
Grandfather: Altar-Malchus Aliol Maldrant
Father: Altar-Corin Elmeir Maldrant
Mother: Shamaness-Lily Meltriol Calcir/Maldrant
Brother/Elder: Morrow Zelem Maldrant
Brother/Younger: Allon Malchus Maldrant

and my wife and beloved then, now, and forever:
Marilice Imia Melchior/Maldrant



I write these journals that I may remember, and share with any who read this, a few of the major experiences of my life from two months before my thriteenth birthday to the day of my death on my eighteenth birthday, which, coincidentally, was my wedding day. My goal is to share with you these most important times of my life. I must apologize in advance to the readers of this journal for any jumbled feel in some places.

I begin on a night that must, by now, lie close to ten years ago. Though sensational stories might would demand that this night be dark and stormy and harboring ill omen this was far from the truth. The truth was that this night was fairly well lit in tones of gray-green, first by the setting sun and then by the full moon overhead. Narry a cloud was in the sky. It was early summer, in the days just before the weather grows hot. There was a summers breeze blowing on the forest-surrounded hilltop where Maldrant Manor stood. The Manor was a collossal wooden that was built on the design of an ancient parapetted castle that had once occupied the hill's crest. The house was laid out as such: There was a perimeter wall of thick wooden beams that measured off the enirety of the hill's top which actuall bowled downward as though it may once have been a large cave opening or pool that had been filled in. This measured out to be about fifty yards all around. At the four corners of the wall were large gaurd towers roofed in thin metal cones. These were used less for guarding and more as places to go and be alone with a good book.

The manorhouse itself was int he lowest point of the bowl. It was divided into a large dining room, a kitchen almost as large, and a small library. This library was where important visitors were brought for audience with the family's heads known as Altars. The Altars were nearly always male. There were a few occasions in the long ago past when marriages of noble families were arranged while the children were young that the future wife would be named Altar, and only once was a Maldrant born woman named Altar. However, she was never able to marry because of the Altar's strict obligation to hold the Maldrant name. It was her eldest nephew that was named as the newest Altar. Each Altar is selected at thirteen when the family's guardian visits the manorhouse.

Along the east wall were the family quarters. A two story building divided into many ten by fifteen foot rooms. These rooms are on and off occupied. Empty rooms are typically used to store uneeded items. There was a time when these rooms were filled to the last in the days before the branch families began to spread out in the world. Stretching between the manorhouse and the north wall was a large expanse of flower gardens all radiating out from a central granite fountain built in image and honor of the family's guardian Crow-Guidalia, though more will be explained of her later. Along the east and west ends of the garden were great rose hedges which had taken long to grow but now bloomed all through summer each year. Along the west wall were both the guest quarters and the large library in which all manner of books were kept.

Now on this far off night at an hour unknown to me I found myself awakened in my room in the family's quarters. I got out of bed and walked across the hall to the room where my elder brother slept and found that he'd not yet returned from the bounty he'd went seeking early the previous morning. I worried about him. He was three years older than I. He had not been chosen as the next Altar due to his penchant for wandering off and following his own will disregarding all statutes. A trait admirable in the Maldrant family but not in a proper Altar. This was the first in several generations that the firstborn was not chosen as Altar.

I fear I have wandered a bit off track. I was worried that something had gone wrong with my brother's job. He was pursuing a Nosferatu, a vampire that has lost nearly all sense of humanity. It was possible that he had been bitten and become a Nosferatu himself. The small village that had hired him did not have a vampire Shaman there to heal such wounds before the point of no return and it was not known if there were any hidden vampire colonies nearby the place. The small village, unfortunately, was one of the many that believed all vampires no better than Nosferatu themselves.

Upon realizing that my fear may be unfounded, my brother could just as easily be with my father and grandfather in the audience library giving his report, I left the family quarters and walked down the dip to the main manorhouse. I went in the side door that lead into the kitchen. I turned to my left and went through a small serving door into the library.

When I first entered, no one was there I walked into the shadowed corner of the library where the leather bound journal I would use to one day record my experiences, in fact the journal in which I now record this, was kept. I pulled it off the shelf. The nameplate was empty where I would one day place my name. The cover was black leather and the book was tied shut by a small red silk rope from under the front cover an attached red ribbon dangled. On the cover, in bright red and blue. The Lily of Blood, the emblem left behind by the fighting members of the Maldrant families in the blood of the fiends. Long ago the Maldrant family had been murderers and some superstitious individuals still fear the mark. However, those who know the story of the Maldrant family's redemption, which I will not at this point record, have given it a second name: The Flower of Tears.

As I looked at the emblem and traced it with my finger the door to the dining hall on the other side of the room opened. My grandfather walked in followed by my father. They walked to the desk in the center of the room where my grandfather sat. My father took a chair just behind and to the right of him. This made me nervous because of his proximity to where was. He could not see me even if I were to go to the door however because his view was blocked by the bookshelf.

For a few minutes my father and grandfather exchanged a few quiet words then the door opened again to admit two cloaked figures. They pulled back their hoods and I saw that they were two young women. One looked close to my brother's age the other was about my age. I was stunned. The older of the two was one of the Elves. This was odd because by now the elves had hidden themselves away in the great forests. The younger one had long hellow hair and bright blue eyes and though she looked to be human she had an elvish feel about her. I could not see their attire because of the cloaks but the brooch holding each in place was the emblem of the elven house called Melchior.

"It is good tidings that the wandering house should call on us like this," My grandfather said, "I am Altar-Malchus Maldrant the elder Altar, and this is my son,"

"Altar-Corin Maldrant," My father said as he stood and performed a full bow. At the time I thought that odd. From what I'd learned house Melchior was of lesser status because, rather than being one family, it was made up of a great many of the elves who'd left the forest to wander among humankind. I would later find out that the reason my father had performed a full bow was because my brother was engaged to the elder of the two though my father and the older girl had never met.

"If you will have a seat we will discuss what business you have come for," my grandfather said motioning to the two large leather chairs. The two sat and unpinned their cloaks. The elder wore a pale green silk blouse that looked very elegant though her other attire was that of a traveler. At her belt was a small knife in a leaf-patterned sheath. The younger of the two wore a bright yellow blouse of the same material as the others. though about her waist was a chain of gold colored silk rope links pinned in place by a brooch fashioned to look like a tiny bird perched inside a honeybell flower. Aside from this, she too wore travelers leather boots and pants. The two had most likely ridden here so far from the road.

"I thank you, Elder Altar," The older girl said, "I am Myrella Melchior. By friends and family I am called Myr."

"I am Marilice Imia Melchior," The younger said in her turn, "Please call me Marilice,"different from the older girl's statement of fact, her request actually had a note of pleading.

"Marilice huh," My grandfather said as he rested both elbows on the desk in front of him interlacing his fingers so that he could peer over them, "Would that be the same Marilice Imia of the Lavandar family?" he asked with one of his knowing smiles. A shade of fear crossed across Marilice's face and Myr stood up with a start.

"If you know then...!" Myr's fear disolved with a wave of my father's hand, "We know that her former family is looking for her. Seeing that she is here I'm supposing that she if only half elf and has come here to hide. If you wish we will hide you from Lavandar and forestall their messengers from this point on."

"I must thank you Altar-Corin," Myr said sitting back down.

"Now then, since we are all settled down," My grandfather said, "I must call something to light," He turned to look at where I was standing and I flinched, "Alfonse, where are your manners you should have come out and introduced yourself after the ladies had. You could have easily faked just having walked in or even simply giving your father the surprise he paid me many times when he was your age."

As I walked out of my hiding place my father looked at me with shock and then a smile, leaned his head back over the back of the chair and let out a short laugh at the ceiling. Marilice was covering her mouth to hide her own laughter though I didn't know whether she was laughing at me or my father. Myr was smiling and I was caught in an odd position.

"I'm sorry for my rudeness ladies," I said immitating my father's bow, "I am Alfonse Telaire Maldrant"

"You might as well begin introducing yourself as Altar," Myr said still smiling, "Morrow was not named so I must only guess that you will be. Your younger brother, I am told, has too much affinity for the Light to be named."

"He must not until Guidalia has named him," My father said sternly. I was too stunned that Myr knew my brother to respond. Marilice simply looked at the various faces appearantly confused.

"You know my brother?" I thought aloud after a moment and they turned to me.

"He hasn't told you?" Myr asked clearly puzzled then seemed to remember something and continued, "Has he said anything to you about meeting a Moonshadow?" She asked. It was then I realized both how she knew my brother and why my father's bow had been so formal.

"Yes, he did, his Moonshadow that he fell in love with," I said and still a little taken aback, "You are his Moonshadow?"

"Yes, but please call me Myr. He refuses too though I don't mind him much," I realized then that what she meant was that he was the only one to call her that. I looked at my grandfather and he looked back our mouthes both curving into the same knowing smile.

Then Marilice spoke up, "Ummm will we have to sleep? It will be dawn soon and I slept most of the day, I doubt I could sleep again." The question was so nervous that I felt sorrow for her. It was the type of question those our age are always afraid to ask foreseeing refusal.

"Is that all you're worried about?" My grandfather asked, "Don't worry the household has already begun rising and and making preparations for the coming summer day. Aside from that I doubt anyone will sleep more tonight."

When my grandfather said this I looked at the large wooden clock and saw the time. I hadn't known that it was that near to morning. I looked to my father and spoke, "Morrow hasn't returned yet," worry filled me again and leaked through my voice, "That is why I came here I hoped to find him here."

"He's not?" my father asked and my grandfather adopted a grave look taking the feel of the area surrounding the manor. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to find out if my brother was anywhere nearby.

"He isn't on our land," He announced after a moment, "I wonder if we'll get word of him."

As if beconed by this query a gardener burst into the room, "My apologies, Altar," he said out of breath, "but Morrow has come in the garden gate. He's been bitten by a Nosferatu. He still has time before the transformation starts it's permanent phase but he needs help."

All those assembled sprang to their feet. My father said, "Send for the Shamaness, send for my wife to come to the fountain, I suppose you've had the sense to take him there," My father took the servant and left the room followed closely by Myr.

My grandfather let out a breath, "Lily will already have fealt the vampiric energy and rushed to the scene," he said, "I felt a vampire and thought it was another visitor, I'm getting rusty," My grandfather walked out leaving Marilice and I alone in the room. I was too stunned at the news to rush to the fountain like my legs told me to.

"Your mother is a shamaness?" Marilice asked, "Is she a vampire?" she did not sound afraid as most elves would she must have lived outside the forest for awhile.

I snapped to attention and looked at her for a moment, "Oh...no...I mean she isn't a vampire, no," I said and walked over to the chair where Myr had been sitting. I sat down on impulse and then was glad that Myr had taken her cloak with her.

"Then how...?" Marilice began and I answered the question.

"My mother was orphaned at birth. She was taken in by vampires and learned their shamanic arts from her adoptive mother. It was because of this uniqueness that my father met her. She was a Shamaness at a small village where my father went to wipe out a small band of Nosferatu. Once the band had been diminished my mother came here to live and they eventually married," When I was finished Marilice nodded then looked at me with a start.

"Your brother!" she exclaimed, "We should go too," I snapped out of the chair and waited only long enough to get the door for Marilice before I ran through the kitchen and out the opposite door into the garden.

When we arrived at the fountain my mother was kneeling next to the fountain where my brother was floating in the water. Myr knealt beside her watching. I stopped at an empty bench, there were few because my father, grandfather, and a great number of servants were sitting on most of them. Marilice sat down beside me and asked, "Why did they set him in the fountain?"

I replied without looking at her, "The fountain's waters are blessed by Guidalia and prevent the spread of transforming magics." From the corner of my eye I saw her nod and for the rest of the time we remained silent.




~This is the record of the night I first met Marilice. This was Two months before my thirteenth birthday, which (as joyous chance would have it) was also hers. That night my mother was able to keep my brother from becoming a Nosferatu. However, he had reached home too late to completely stop all transformation and hence he became a half-vampire. He left, and Myr with him, to study the shamanic arts of the vampire's from a person better fit to teach him than my mother. Though my mother was a powerful shamaness, not even the most powerful shamaness can teach a shaman. This is because it requires that the teacher form a deep link or channel of power with the student that, for some odd reason, can only be formed by those of the same gender. Also about the time of my birthday, my younger brother returned from having learned the greater workings of the powers of light from sages in a far off land. I am leaping over the two interim months to tell of my and Marilice's thriteenth birthday when I was named Altar by Guidalia and when she told me the beginnings of the secret that I unknowingly then held within me.~



It was a bright morning. I was strolling along the rose hedge on the east side of the gardens. I was looking forward to that evening when our birthday feast would be held. I thought longingly then about Marilice. I had wanted her company this morning, but she had gone into town for the morning for a reason she wouldn't tell me. I thought it poetic justice though I didn't like it. A week earlier I myself had made such a trip. I had picked up a very special gift for her. A gift that I'd had to work my a** off for all that day, but I'd gotten it. I thought about the yellow rose bloom preserved in a thin layer of hard crystal. It was light enough to be worn on a chain hung from one's neck and yet it would not break even under a smith's hammer. I wondered what she would say when she saw it. She would never have expected me to have gotten it for her, even though she'd remarked at how she'd have loved to have it.

I picked one of the dew covered red roses fromt he hedge and spun the stem in my fingers to strip it of it's thorns. When I had done this I turned in towards the fountain where my mother would be preparing the pavillion for the feast. I knew she missed my elder brother as much as I did and I thought perhaps I could cheer her up by finally showing that I could distinguish a blood-rose from the crimson lion variety that was only a hair different in shade.

"Good morning, mother," I said well before I reached her. Unlike most of the other family members she cannot sense people approaching from behind. Unless, of course, they are vampires. When I had reached her I handed her the rose, stripped of thorns and said, "Crimson Lion noble and kind," When I had said this she quickly cupped her hand beneath the bloom. When she saw that no thorns had sprung from the stem as a blood rose would do she smiled at me.

"You finally did it. Now that you can tell the difference here the rest of the herblore shouldn't be a problem. I dare say you'll be as good as your father. He told me it took him just as long as it did you to learn this. I'm sorry I don't have more time to talk, but the workers are having the usual hard time," She placed the rose in the bow-knot of her sash and rushed off to make sure that the workers didn't flatten any of the garden's plants by droping a pole on them.

I sighed and then threw the bottom piece of stem into the bushes off to my left. I'd fashioned a dart out of it while I stripped it of it's thorns. From the midst of the bush came a yelp followed shortly by my younger brother, Allon.

"You knew I was following you?" Allon asked puzzled, he was only close to fourteen months younger than me and would be turning twelve two months from that day. Of course since he was still at the point when his head was filled with pride he thought that since he was a prodigy in the arts of Light he was a prodigy at all the Maldrant skills as well.

"Yes, you need to learn that your skill is light magics, and not every skill you've been taught. I could track you across the Maldrant property in the dark just by the sound of your breathing and you'd never know I was there," I was not saying this in a disgusted tone. I simply was trying to be the kind of brother to Allon that Morrow had been to me. I felt an overwhelming need to be kind to my younger brother. I acknowledged his skill in the arts of light and was always on hand to help him, if the rare need arose, with one of his experiments.

"It doesn't make sense to me," he said a little upset, "then again you've been telling me this ever since I got back haven't you?" He asked and grinned, "I'm sorry, suffer a young fool a while longer eh brother?"

"Yeah sure, never a problem little brother," I put my arm over his shoulder and we walked through the garden for awhile. Before long we came to the northern gate of the property and we heard the sounds of the woodsmen's tournament going on outside the gates.

"Say, Alfonse," Allon said, "I think they're calling for combatants to even out the numbers and father is overseeing the registration. You don't suppose we could enter. They are using practice weapons after all." I looked down at him.

"I would but I don't have the entry fee and you know father would say that..."

"'If we want bruises we can pay for it,' well I have enough for one and I want you to enter. So I'll pay for your bruises and if you get beat up too badly you can take it out of my hide afterwards," He said.

I looked at him for a moment, saw that he was serious, and bolted out the gate to the registration desk. When my father saw me he shook his head and waved me on through bending down to tell the namekeeper. I saw my brother approach the desk and pay for my entry. As I stepped through the doors of the impromptu arena that had been set up I heard the announcer yelling in a deep clear voice.

"It appears that the young Alfonse Maldrant has entered the competition. Perhaps we'll see some of the boy's bragged of talent displayed here today. And with him the tally comes to the needed sixteen," The announcer stopped to drink from a waterskin. Then bellowed out the names for the first match. I fought well throughout and defeated many men twice my age and much more muscularly built. I weilded two short lathe bundle practice swords. I earned a very few bruises and watched the other competitors to try and get a handle on who my next opponents would be.

In my semifinal match I saw Marilice in the stands watching and cheering for me alongside my younger brother and father. I battled long and hard and felled my opponent with a decisive and skillful blow to the chest that left the man so winded that he was forced to resign. Before he left I caught the man's attentiona and when he turned around I gave the loser's salute to the man.

Looking him in the eyes I said, "I apologize that I could not match you in skill or strength it was my quick feet alone that saved me from the swift defeat I deserved," I knew these words would filter back through the crowd explaining the spectacle to those who couldn't hear.

"No, young man, you earned the victory in skill and have earned this man's respect for your show of honor. My blade will serve under your banner should you ever call for me, My name is Marcus Delmiras and I come out of hiding. Tell me do you have a personal sigil?" The man, Marcus, said with a smile across his face as he offered his hand to help me to my feet.

"No, sir, but yours will be the first ear to hear when I do. It would be my honor to have you for a friend though I don't understand what you mean by coming out of hiding," I replied to his question and in turn offered my hand. He took it and shook it firmly.

"You'll know soon enough young master," He said and left the arena without a word more.

When I took a seat next to my father in the stands he looked at me in awe and said, "You've already set a scene for Maldrant history and you aren't even an Altar, do you know that that man's identity has been known to us for years and he's refused to come out of hiding to fight for either our house or even my personal banner as it is said he has done for you."

"I don't understand, he told me his name, but I don't know what he means about coming out of hiding."

"Alfonse, brother, I'm sorry to say this but you must not have been listening as well as I have to local whispers," Allon said, "That is the same Marcus Delmiras who wielded the Sword of the Lion, for the Golden King in the last war against the wraiths."

I stood in awe. I had not realized simply by the name. I had had no idea whatsoever and was even more stunned that I had won out against him in combat. I looked at the floor in my embarrassment at the truth of the statement I'd made to him while in the loser's salute. I soon heard the call for the final match and asked my father for information on my opponent as he'd fought through the tournament.

"Well he hasn't cheated if that's what you're worried about. I'd keep an eye on him though he's been known to cheat before. I doubt you'll have much luck his victories have been flukes and now that he's in the finals he'll be cocky," I nodded to my father and then looked and spoke to Marilice.

"I'll win this match for you as a birthday gift," I said with a smile, "And when we get home I'll give you one that cost me alot more than this." I saw my father shaking his head all the way to the stairs. I knew that since I'd said that I'd have to win or he'd have my hide.

I eyed the man who was to be my opponent and was confident of my chances. He was a little on the pudgy side as though he might be an inkeeper. He'd chosen a long quarterstaff as his weapon. I eyed his sleeves and saw the ring that lie on the base of the man's throwing knife. I shook my head. He was planning to cheat and had been clumsy enough not to hide the evidence.

As the start was called he shook the knife into the flat of his palm and threw it at me. I allowed it to glance off my short sword and slide up my sleeve into my arm. Sealing off my mind from the pain I continued to fight and in short order I defeated the man thoroughly. As he was giving the loser's salute I raised my voice so that it could be heard and said, "You do not deserve to give me this salute. You did not deserve this match. I would like to ask you why, after fairly fighting and somehow defeating three men twice my age you felt the need to cheat against a bow just into his teens," when I had proclaimed this I pulled away my sleeve and revealed the knife dug into my arm.

My brother jumped from the stands and somehow managed not to split his skull open. He ran to me yanked out the knife and set to healing the wound.

"I must say that you weren't smart to take the knife in the arm though at least you were smart enough to leave it there and move it as little as possible to prevent bloodloss. I had wondered why you were favoring that arm," after this shpiell of words I looked my younger brother in the eyes.

"Thanks for coming to my aide but if you ever jump off something that high to do it again I'll personally take it out of your a**, that is, if the fall doesn't kill you first," I said this in a serious tone but we were both smiling as I said it. By that time this was said my father and Marilice had reached us, by a more practical way I hoped.

"I oughta take that stunt out of your hide myself," My father said sternly, "but seeing as there was no other way to prove that he had thrown the knife I won't blame you. I doubt anyone will be buying a cup of ale at the Black Adder for awhile."

"I would if I were old enough," I said getting three puzzled looks.

"That type of underhanded tactics may be disreputable in a contest of skill such as this or say a duel, but that is the type of man you want on the battlefield beside you," Marcus said surprising all there.

"I've left my insight at home," my father muttered, "Sir Delmiras, I hope to make better acquaintance with you. I am.."

The man cut him off, "Corin Maldrant. An upstart who thought the skills of his family and the name itself would earn him a spot in my regiment. It was that blatant youthful disrespect that kept me hiding from you all for so long. The young lord Alfonse here has made ammends for your family but I will not draw blade for you personally unless he bids it. He is a great man in the making Altar-Corin, I hope he will learn from your mistakes as well as his," with that he shouldered his pack and headed out muttering under his breath, "I had a lot to learn from my father.

"Let go of me, Allon, you've finished healing the wound," I said quickly and he did giving me a knowing look. I hurried after Marcus.

"Sir Delmiras!" I called as he was mounted.

"Yes, young lord?" He asked looking down at me fromt he saddle.

"I want to know if you were holding back and if so was it because I was a child?" I said looking at him with as stern an expression as I could muster being only thirteen. He looked me in the eyes for a moment and then nodded.

"I was holding back, but let me tell you something else, I fought no more lax against you than I have any man since I came to Maldrant land. In fact, you pushed me so hard that I had to take it up a notch. You really are quick on your feet lad else you wouldn't have landed that blow to my chest. I've been wondering since the match how much further you might have pushed me had you not landed that hit. When I saw you take that knife in your arm I was amazed that a boy your age should be able to do that," With this and another thoughtful look off into the distance he rode away. I took a broken piece of lathe out of my pocket and tossed it in the direction of the arena's door. I was rewarded with Allon's welp.

~(Back^Home)~

I walked into my room followed by Marilice who left the door open behind us though we wouldn't be there for long. One of the gardeners that particularly disliked Marilice had started spreading rumors months ago and refused to quit. However, you could never quite trace the rumors back to the man even though you knew he was the source, hence he had not yet been reprimanded for it. Once we were inside I went over to the bookshelf and took a small paper package from on top of a particularly tall volume.

"Remember that day I went into town awhile back and didn't tell you why?" I asked holding it in one hand when she nodded I drew off the cloth wrappings revealing the yellow rose bloom. When she saw it she jumped and her hands flew to her mouth in shock.

"How did you afford this!?" She asked in a startled whisper.

"I worked a full day for the smith so that he would let me have it," I smiled at her then, "even then I had to convince him very difficultly that it was for someone I loved." She looked at my eyes then the bloom and slowly reached out and took it.

"Thank you," she said quietly then she looked back at me with a smile, "I love you to, Alfonse," She said and kissed me on the cheek before walking out of the room. I stood there stunned for a few moments before I walked to the door and looked down the hall at her.

"If I were you I'd get ready for the feast!" She shouted over her shoulder. Her smile was infectuous. I found myself walking back into my room and shutting the door with a wide idiot's grin on my face. This time, however, I didn't wipe the grin from my face when I saw it in the mirror.

The festivities were wonderful that evening, but I found my greatest joy simply in sitting in the place of honor next to Marilice. When it came time for me to name those to whom I gave the most thanks it was my mother and Marilice that I named, though they didn't come to mind in that order. I added in Allon and Marcus on the next round and on the last in what was supposed to be the place of honor I named my father and grandfather.

After this there was a lot of nibbling and sipping and friendly conversation until one of the gatekeepers came forth to announce that, "The honored emissary of the Four Crows, Lady Guidalia, has come and will see the young master here shortly," then I climbed down from the seat of honor and knelt awaiting our family's guardian.

When she entered it was as had been described to me. She wore a high collared black riding dress that was sleeveless to allow her to reach the sword breaker at her side. Her skin was pale but youthful, her mid-back length hair was so black it seemed to be a cut out of the surrounding space, and coiled about her neck was an adder. A bronze adder addorned the hilt of her sword breaker. When she approached me she said in a voice that was at once melodious and mournful, "Rise, Alfonse Maldrant," She said which brought a nut of fear to my chest. Though it was said that an Altar could still be chosen once asked to stand it had never happened in family history.

"You have been seen by the Crows and the raven," She said and placed a hand on my chest, "I release the first seal. Three remain. Should you be watched, considered, and accepted it will be your destiny to hold the sleeping soul." I felt a strange sensation in my stomach, then again perhaps it was my soul.

"What do you mean what is going on?" I asked bewildered. I knew it was permissable to ask one question and though this was two as one I doubted it would matter.

"You may have the potential to be the next Ravenlord," She said as she drew her swordbreaker, "I give you this weapon with my blessing for I must leave this world after this night until needed again. Guard your family well young sir," as she said this she kissed the blade of the sword-breaker and gave it to me. I took it and then she intoned, "I give you my blessing to be of the Altars."

Then the adder coiled about her neck lashed out at me and I felt all at once the slicing pain of the slash, that started at the bridge of my nose and ran over the top of my head heralded by a streak of turned-white hair to the middle of the dip in the back of my head, and the strange sensation of it healing and leaving the Altar's scar.

When this had ended a most shocking thing happened. Guidalia knelt before me and looked up into my eyes. The last words she said before vanishing from sight was, "Live long, love one, prepare for sorrow, hope for joy, may the Crows guide your path and the Raven spread his wings before you, farewell my lord, the seen, farewell Altar-Alfonse Telaire Maldrant."

Upon her vanishing the crowd began mumbling amongst themselves and I was startled when a hand was laid on my shoulder. I turned around and saw my father.

"The Altars must speak in private," he said and I saw the solemn face of my grandfather just behind him. I nodded and the three of us retreated to the Altar's Library. Once we were inside I started with a question.

"What was all that? It was nothing like you've ever told me of the Maldrant family history,"

My grandfather replied taking his seat behind the desk, "Alfonse, it has been near to five-thousand years since Guidalia has spoken those words. It is a well guarded secret that the Ravenlord's final host, the one in which he is prophecied to keep for the rest of eternity that he may keep the world from straying too far into chaos, would be from the Maldrant family. Guidalia, has only twice before named a Maldrant as the Seen. Both of those times that was as far as the person got. They both died before they could be watched. There are those in the world that would see any Maldrant dead and that emotion is strengthened tri-fold if he is named Seen by Guidalia."

I listened intently. I knew the legends of the Ravenlord. I knew that he was an ancient spirit who had inhabited many hosts over the years. He wielded the shadows that lie between the dimmensions of space as a weapon. He was the holder of the excess power the Four Crows had retracted from the once all-powerful Specters. He was their equal on this earth and must refind the secrets he wrote into the Eulogy of the Raven.

"Son, I must show you something," My father said taking me to the large ovular mirror on one wall of the room. At the compass points of the mirror were four wing-spread crows engraved.

"What is so special about this mirror?" I asked.

"This mirror connects to a specific time in another dimmension," he said, "Only one family member will be capable to use it to retrieve the final copy of The Eulogy of the Raven. You will enter a strange world if you ever must walk through the gateway. You must find the place in that other world called The Shinigami Library that will be a good place to begin your search. I will say no more of that place. You will, perchance, see it one day."

"You forgot," My grandfather said from over our shoulders, "To tell the boy that the one who goes through to get the Eulogy will come out years after the set time and will unfreeze the gate so that no one will be able to return to that time through it again. Or rather they'll fix the gate. It's broken, that's how it only leads to one time. However, this is the least of the things you must know Alfonse. Now that you have been named seen you have to take charge of Family matters or appoint another to do so until you feel you're ready."

"I must?" I asked feeling the weight of things beginning to bear down on me. My grandfather nodded. I had never thought that this would happen. I'd never asked for this sort of thing. I didn't want to be the person who would maintain the balance of the entire world for all eternity. The thought that that person might be me at once frightened and excited me and yet there was an underlying tone of dread no matter which I concentrated on. For now I had to train and prepare myself for the day I would take over the Maldrant family.

"I name father as my interim. I am not yet ready to run the family," My grandfather smiled and my father placed his hand on my shoulder.

"It is a great burden you have on your shoulders," he said, "I will do anything I can to help you my son. There is one last thing you must know. Now that you are an Altar you should call us by our first names. As we will you."

"Alright, Corin," I said and looked my father in the eye. This I had known already and had looked forward greatly to. The day when I could address my father by his name only. A small sound at the door caught our attention but it was my grandfather, as it had been that night two months be before, who answered the question on our tongues.

"You have a visitor, Alfonse, I think Marilice wishes to speak to the knew Altar of the Maldrant family," He wore his knowing smile. My father and I let out the exact same muttered curse turned to grandfather and my father spoke what was on both our minds.

"Must you do that?"