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[Kristof Ne'Sveti]

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Several months had passed since the aspiring Count's departure from the frozen land of their family, Kos Heb, with his dear brother, Radovan. The family's firm grip on Sosaria had been all but forgotten; the family's name no longer rolled off one's tongue with fear, but rather with ignorance: it was the belief of many the family had finally suffered a significant blow.

He recalled the first day he was commisioned from Kos Heb by the Head of the House, Amarok Ne'Sveti. Kristof obliged politely, knowing to disagree with him would mean certain death. Since a very young age, Radovan Ne'Sveti, Kristof's younger brother, had tagged along, never truly speaking his mind, but definately showing his innate abilities of the Ice Fiends.

Now, new secrets and rumors were emerging daily. The Rom, the loyal gypsy slaves, announced to Kristof that the House was deep in mutiny; in-fighting and rebellion swelled in the lands and blood once again met the icy snows. Kristof had not received word from Amarok or any others from some time, though he cared very little. He spent his time in Sosaria advancing his arcane studies and fencing ability.

Prior to his departure, Amarok had become severely angered and aggressive. Even when detailing the mission to Kristof and Radovan, he seemed uneasy, but Kristof disregarded it and believed it was caused by his Mark of the Beast. However, contrary to this belief, the Rom informed Kristof that Amarok had in fact been in distress for other reasons; the Ice Fiends had become agitated and unappreciative of the family's current actions. The Ice Fiends had granted many gifts to the family, and now were receiving little in return.

It seemed Amarok was constantly abused and harassed by the Ice Fiends with the recent "failure" by the family. His rage was fueled by this and simply wanting to please these unforgiving demons.

The Rom also informed Kristof of the slaughter of several of his immediate family, including his father, Jozef Ne'Sveti. Jozef had served the head of the Household completely loyally. The rebellion was caused by Amarok's tyranny and new found insane cruelness. He met his death by the hands of several renegade lycanthropes, attempting to retrieve Amarok's attention.

Kristof was slightly irritated by the loss, however, he had been away from his father from sometime. And even then, Jozef was hardly a father, but rather an elder companion. His true knowledge had been learned from none other than the famous Konrad Ne'Sveti, his former master.

*

Kristof abruptly awoke from his sleep, feeling a strange atmosphere, one he had not felt before. He did not understand this feeling however, and returned to his sleep.

*

"Master Kristof," a voice spoke softly into his ear, awakening him from his slumber. He looked up at the Rom with his ice-blue eyes, still slightly dazed from the sleep.

"We have received word from Lord Amarok. The in-fighting has dwindled and he has once again gained the favor of the Ice Fiends."

Kristof gave a faint smirk and nodded, understanding how direly important it was to have them in their favor. He glanced over to his still sleeping brother, Radovan. He knew Radovan would be pleased with the news.

"Lord Amarok also wished to inform you of a recent disturbance and perhaps opporitunity in Sosaria. The Ebon Skull has fled, and the Order has fallen."

Kristof quickly arched a brow at the slight mention of the Skull, understanding the feeling he had felt several evenings earlier. He nodded, not speaking any words, but rather pondering what Amarok had in store for him.

"From the ashes of the rebellion, Lord Amarok has sent your older brother, Ante Ne'Sveti. Amarok believes that Ante will help you and Radovan eminently. During your absence, Ante was able to quell the rebellion of the Beasts nearly single-handedly."

Again, Kristof smirked, nodding. He had not come into contact with Ante since he was but a boy in the lands of Kos Heb. Ante had always been a role-model for the aspiring Count, just as Konrad was. Ante seemed to be more significant to him, however, with the direct blood relation. Kristof knew Radovan would be pleased with the news. The family's grip on Sosaria would be restored.

[Radovan]

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Radovan shifted slightly in place , his cold face bending in a mixed expression of relief as his brother relayed the Rom’s message in the early morning hours, all the while reminiscing on the past few months.

It had been quite Radovan’s intent when he first heard news of bloodshed in Kos Heb to return with the utmost urgency to Kos Heb and rather violently assist with the expurgation of rabble rousers. Radovan always did have little patience for those who took the will of the Ice Fiends into their own hands, Amorok may or may not be mad, to Radovan this was irrelevant, he was despite all his and the families faults accepted as leader by the Ice Fiends, and so, until the Ice Fiends themselves said otherwise, he was to remain.

But, despite his own impulse to return to Kos Heb he remained at the side of his brother, who showed little interest in a return to the Frozen North just yet.

With the mentioning of the rather gruesome death of Jozef Ne’Sveti he could not help that for just moment to throw propriety to the wind and grunt, he was not particularly crushed, it was if anything a sign of his indignation on how brazen the rebels had become in their efforts. Radovan never did dwell on death, let alone the death of this particular Ne’Sveti but with a somber nod he did have something to say:

‘It vas an honorable death to be sure, never vonce did he compromise his loyalty or ze family…”

Kristof gave a word of agreement and quickly resumed with the news…

The Rebellion was put down, these were joyful tidings indeed Radovan thought as his moved his tongue over his white upper teeth only imagining with exceeding pleasure the punishment that awaited the traitors in this world and the next.

And the falling of the Skull…arrogant ghouls masquerading under the guise of those great allies of the family so long ago. Radovan developed a particular disdain for the leadership of the Umbran Order, often wondering how they dared compare themselves to those of Caina, of long ago of whom he had heard so much. He had hoped for Necromancers and Infernalists, what he had found were mere magicians, rambling clergy and meddling kindred.

As pathetic as they were though, they certainly succeeded in delaying the work of the family, mostly because of the shrewdness of one of the old ones, Tyranthraxus who held true to a grudge against the clan from his doings as a young necromancer under the Lich Lord Azalin.

And the news of Ante’s coming arrival was most pleasurable. It was not that Radovan was very close at all to this relation despite their mutual parental roots. Radovan always was quite to himself to a degree as a boy in Kos Heb, none but his older brother Kristof could boast that they really knew the mental machinations of Radovan, or even what his interests were for that matter. Ante for a majority of Radovan’s life was quite active, and quite good and what he did. Radovan held any Ne’Sveti like Ante in great esteem…the time to manifest the will of the Ice Fiends in Sosaria had come, and once again the Ne’Sveti would be a name to honor, fear, and respect.