☪Even in the darkness, all I see are the stars☪

He was so similar to Draven in many ways - his very being, his very essence exuded danger, an evil. Only in Draven, there was a passionate, a desire for the acts he commited. With Kershov there was… nothing but cold. His words were hissed like that of a snake, that of a different kind of beast. At least in Draven, there was something driving him, thereby setting forth a set of rules and outlines for him… but Briseis could not even begin to understand Kershov, why he was the way he was. Perhaps in some ways, her time with Draven had given her an ability that few had - she understand how he worked and why he worked that way. She had a connection to him even if she did not want that connection… and yet the connection she wanted - to her father, the one in front of her - evaded her. Yet she had no way of fixing it, no way of mending what was not even there. Her lips were sealed by her Master’s decree… and thus once again, happiness skidded past her grasp wildly. Her only choice was to walk upon the path in front of her, one step at a time, no matter how it played how. It did not matter to Draven whether Brie lived or died, as long as his vengeance was fulfilled. And it seemed that, at least for now, her path would continue alongside Kershov. Not as his daughter, not as his friend, not as his colleague, not even as his acquaintance… not… just as his pawn. Just as she was Draven’s pawn, so too was she now his.

And like the perfect like piece on a chessboard, she would do as she was told. He commanded her to cross back over the boundary, back to Caidir Olc - the last place she ever wanted to be - and to lead him to his daughter. It was not that she had not been expecting it. Briseis had romanticized her father in her mind, and the fact that he would go through such lengths to save one daughter would have made her ecstatic, thinking that he may someday care for her in such the same way, but it was all ruined by his cold indifference to her. He had saved her yes… but only for his own use. The femme swallowed and nodded slowly, before swiftly nodding once more, twice more, three more times. “As… as you say.” Bile rose up in the back of her throat, anxious, upset, terrified at the thought of Kershov feeding on Rogan. If Kershov killed him… her heart would never recover, because it would all be her fault. Indirectly it would be Draven’s fault, yes, but it would be because of her physical acts. Hesitant, trembling limbs drew her a step away from him and toward Caidir. With a slight whimper, she picked up the pace, weaving along the path of Laod Mor that she knew so well. How often had she explored around here, with her choices so limited due to Draven’s often commands to be back in his den by sunset. And now, now she was heading back there not because he commanded her to… but because her father did.

She did not say much of anything to him, other than the occasional whimper or sob, but as time passed, she calmed. It was hard to be continually upset, especially when she had essentially learned that no matter the situation, she was going to be helpless to change any of it for the rest of her life, however long or short it may be. And so she was eerily calm and quiet when at last the pair of them arrived at Draven’s den. Briseis gestured toward the interior and opened her maw, soft vocals falling out. “She’s in there.” Awkwardly, not sure what to do for the next moment or two, she shifted her weight back and forth, until at last she tilted her head around the corner and called in. “Gwyneira? It’s safe to come out…You were right about being rescued, but wrong about who.” Brie wanted to know what the next step would be - would Kershov drag her back with him? Would he leave her here? Would he try to find Rogan? For once, Briseis was glad that vampires had no scent...

Ω Briseis Ω Chained to Draven Ω Slave of Caidir Olc Ω Azura ΩTable Credit to Xathira