STORIES
248 - Over-Stepped
2019
Zyfan Syrrah Vanni
Saturday morning ...
ZYFAN:
… I am much better, I promise. And now I grow bored.
Tell me when may I get out of this bed?
SYRRAH:
Soon. Your color is much improved but you still look tired to me.
ZYFAN:
I am only tired after I drink that tea of yours.
SYRRAH:
One of its purposes is to help you sleep, but I can lessen its strength.
Still, I do not want you putting your weight on that foot just yet.
VANNI:
Syrrah, I just left Racolo - is it true?
ZYFAN:
Good morning Vanni.
VANNI:
Morning Zyfan. Wife, I'd like an answer.
SYRRAH:
And you shall have it but you will not like it. If you are inquiring
about Esmodonti, the answer is yes.
VANNI:
How could you?
SYRRAH:
Recent events have made me realize she is dangerous.
ZYFAN:
Has something happened?
VANNI:
Es is not responsible for the attack on Zyfan. You acted before
you had all the facts. Herita was behind it. It is all her fault.
SRRAH:
Explain.
VANNI:
Herita had Racolo's book on vampires. She used it to mix a potion
which Es, unknowingly, drank. The effects caused her to have an
insatiable need to feed. Herita hoped it would force Es to make her
a vampire but she miscalculated resulting in Es's attack on Zyfan.
SYRRAH:
Why am I only hearing of this now?
VANNI:
Racolo said he tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen.
SYRRAH:
I see.
VANNI:
Do you know how to fix this?
SYRRAH:
Not at this time but it was always in my plans to find a way to
wake her. However, even with this new information I stand
by my decision. Esmodonti was a danger and now she is not.
ZYFAN:
Will one of you please tell me what has happened?
VANNI:
Wife …
SYRRAH:
I asked Usagi, a skilled necromancer, to use her magic to put Esmodonti
in a deep sleep to make her impotent. She will remain ...
ZYFAN:
You did what!
SYRRAH:
She nearly killed you, Zyfan. She has it in her to do great harm.
I cannot have a dangerous vampire living amongst us.
ZYFAN:
And what of Karanthir? He is half-vampire.
SYRRAH:
I have not yet decided.
ZYFAN:
You have not…! What gives you the right to decide such things?
SYRRAH:
I am High Priestess and one of the Daughters of IlluminatA ....
ZYFAN:
Well I am to be the next One! You have over-stepped your authority.
You will make no decision concerning Karanthir. And you will tell
Usagi to wake Es before he finds out what has happened to her.
VANNI:
Zyfan, I think I speak for both of us when I say we’re dumbfounded.
This is the first time I've ever heard you disagree with your sister
- and then order her about. I'm impressed.
VANNI:
… Aren't you too, wife?
SYRRAH:
I expect I will think back on this day and be proud of his newfound
assertiveness. However at this time, I find I am quite irritated by his tone.
ZYFAN:
Regardless Syrrah – you will leave Karanthir be.
VANNI:
He drank the same potion as Es and didn't become
dangerous. I don't see how he's a threat.
SYRRAH:
Yes, you are right husband. I am glad you brought this to my attention.
SYRRAH:
… Zyfan, I will do as you ask concerning Karanthir. Now please
understand - Usagi owed me a debt, and to be free of it she had to
follow my instructions perfectly. I purposely had her magic
Esmodonti in such a way that her spell is reversible.
VANNI:
But Racolo doesn't know how to do it and Usagi left this morning.
SYRRAH:
I believe she would have found a way to help him. Racolo
will be find a way, of that I am certain.
VANNI:
So am I because in the future, Es is our friend. I only hope, however
her resurrection comes about, it exonerates you in the process.
ZYFAN:
Yes, what he said.
SYRRAH:
And I will assist him - as I had intended all along. I may not be a
necromancer, but my fellow priestesses will aid me. First however,
Racolo must find a way to make her immune to outside magic,
so this cannot happen again.
O M A K E
Before and After
Syrrah’s new permanent faceup by Jay’s Petite Salon