For the Record

Skilled labor in exchange for refuge.

It’s not a bad trade, I’d say.

“That’s it? That’s all you want?”

The stately vampire, still on one knee, nods. “We seek shelter.”

I rub my chin. “Shelter from what?”

“The sun.”

...

I don’t get it.

(They’re vampires. The sun can literally kill them,) Nyx informs me.

Really? That sucks.

(Yeah.)

“The sun could kill you, then?”

“Yes,” the vampire says with another nod.

Nyx snorts. (I literally just told you that.)

Well, yeah. I guess I just wanted to hear it from them.

“Alright. Split yourselves up by specialization – and I don’t mean, like, by Class necessarily. I mean like labor, adventurer, administrative. Also, you, your name. What is it?” I ask.

“I am known as Aubrey of House Maxwell.”

Yeah, sounds pompous. Whatever.

“You are now appointed representative of your people. I’m going to split you up by skillset and need, but you’ll still be the one that other citizens will approach with any issues that arise. Rise and move.”

As the large swarm of night creatures begin dividing into groups, I call my retainers to my location – there's no way in all the hells that I’m doing all this administrative crap, I have subordinates for a reason!

My former Assistant sighs. (Lazy as ever.)

I’m not denying it. Besides, some of these vampires look like they’re pretty skilled, so I should be able to foist even more things on them!

After presenting me another flat stare, Nyx dematerializes.

***

Well, it took some time, but I’ve got the vampires all separated into groups – all definitely part of my plan and hard work, and not at all because they were self-organizing to begin with.

I put Izahne in charge of the adventurers; she’s always been a strong fighter and fiercely loyal, so I can’t think of a better person for the role. As a plus, she used to be a party leader, so this should come as second nature to her.

As for the skilled trades, Abaris and Omorth should make a good team. Between academic knowledge and practical skill, they should have plenty of room to gain experience and expand their abilities.

Despite not being one of my cult, I put Pearl in charge of everything faith-based. Olive objected at first, but a single Consume nudge was enough to silence her.

Since she was here from the beginning, I put Olive in charge of arranging the administrative staff, from clerks and management to maids and general personnel. I strictly directed her to stick to visual teaching aids, like her writing tablet; the last thing I need is an incompetent government entirely because they couldn’t understand their instructor.

The strongest and noblest of warriors I assigned to Vivianne. After all, if she’s going to keep hanging around, she can do some damned work! Especially if she’s going to spend so much time playing knight, she can train me an honor guard while she’s at it.

Nyx was surprised to find I had a role for her as well; I put her in charge of assembling advisory staff. She’s been my personal advisor for long enough, it’s only fair that she should have some help, as well as agency in choosing who exactly to offer that help.

For mercantile matters, Mimir seemed a good fit. He’s got extensive experience dealing with adventurers and materials, as well as having his Appraisal Skill at a much higher level than anyone I know – or at least that I’m aware of.

And finally, in a truly important role… His Highness Philip, Lord of All He Sees, Grand Master of Hissing at Me, Stealer of Table Scraps, will serve as my personal living space’s alarm system; if anyone enters, he’s sure to hiss, drawing attention to the intruder! Not that anyone would actually notice since he even hisses quietly in his sleep.

And just like that, the Shadowed Plane’s population has grown by another one-hundred and eighty-three, all vampires – some greater and some lesser. Things ought to be smooth sailing from here, I can’t think of any way this is going to be a problem.

***

“Nemesis, we have a problem!”

Of course we do. I sigh a cloud of ash, which I absentmindedly twirl into a spiral before reabsorbing it.

“Well, what is it?” I ask my consort.

She’d barreled in the door in a big hurry, enough that she’s out of breath – although I’m surprised she even needs to breathe. Although now that I think of it, I’m pretty sure some of the vampires were breathing…

Once she’s recovered enough, she continues. “We have citizens, mostly craftspeople, being found pale and on the verge of death. The priests have been able to save most of them, but we’ve had a number of deaths as well.”

“Do we have any guesses why this is happening?”

Izahne looks awkward for a moment, as though she wants to say something.

I level my gaze at her. “You know, you can just –“

Nyx interrupts me, materializing in front of her. “You really are an idiot, you know that? You should have seen this coming. A full swarm of vampires present themselves, ask for ‘sanctuary’, and you think nothing of it. Nothing at all! Do you really have no idea what would cause mortals to suddenly show up drained of blood when there’s a literal mob of bloodsuckers in their midst!?”

Oh.

“Yeah, OH. Now go fix it!”

Izahne looks relieved; I guess she was hesitant to point this out… she probably thought it was obvious too, the same as Nyx.

***

“Most sincere apologies, my lady. I will instruct my subordinates to locate those responsible immediately.”

I may not have anticipated the issues, but at least Aubrey is reliable enough to have organized a number of his people to manage peace keeping and the guarding of settlements in ways that my kin can’t handle. It’s so convenient to have dependable personnel! At this point, the plane is practically running itself!

…Except that Vivianne still won’t let me move into the castle. N-not that I want to! I’m perfectly satisfied with my small practically-a-shack portal home!

Really!

(You’re not fooling anyone.)

Oh shut up.

(Or you could move into the mansion? You know, the one that Olive was maintaining for however many centuries?)

Yeah, no. No way. Nope, no, no. The last thing I need is to offer that deviant any more opportunities to treat me like a dress-up doll.

Although it is a nice mansion.

…

A lot nicer than the portal house.

…

…

Oh fine. I’m probably going to regret this.

***

At least this place has a throne room and a reception room, even if they’re quite a bit less decadent than the ones in the castle.

Given the massive number of rooms here, I’ve offered living space to my housemates, all of whom quickly accepted. Well, except for Philip, who had to be coaxed into his crate again so he could be transferred. Omorth’s Animal Handling Skill has shown itself practical already!

And true to her role, Olive has enthusiastically taken on the role of head maid in addition to being my personal maid. N-not that I need one, but it’d be a waste if she’s already so desperate to serve someone. It could be anyone, so it may as well be me! And since she’s arranged a full complement of household staff, I’ve taken the liberty of assigning personnel to my retainers as well; it wouldn’t do for them to have important roles and responsibilities without the appropriate compensation.

It also means that annoying fox can play dress-up with the others as well! Heh heh heh.

Although it does seem like she just spends that time fawning over me instead. Whatever, I guess; I can’t really blame her for fawning over someone as worthy of adoration as I am!

…

I’ve been relaxing in the reception room for most of the day, sipping my favorite tea and occasionally chewing candied truffles that Olive keeps serving. It’s not a terrible way to spend my time, but I can already tell I’m going to get bored of this quickly.

Nobody’s even come for an audience, so even calling this a reception room is a bit of a stretch at this point. It may as well just be my personal sitting room. I can’t even call for the others, since they’re all busy with the tasks I assigned them.

Even Nyx.

(I can still hear you, you know.)

Oh, I know.

…

How is it?

(Well… there certainly are a number of people qualified enough, but most of them are academics who don’t want to be cooped up in a governmental office when they could be out exploring ruins or searching for cultural artifacts. Some of the vampires were very interested in the role, and considering they had prior governmental or noble backgrounds before coming here, it only made sense to make use of them. I found a couple eldra as well. I’m not really sure how well they’re going to work out, since most of the group have differing approaches or philosophies or whatever you want to call it.)

Huh. So it sounds like we can let them all offer their opinions, and then act based on what sounds best, yeah?

(Yeah.)

…

You know, I’m curious.

(What?)

Are you still compelled to help? Are you still trapped?

(…)

She’s quiet for a moment. That’s fine; I’ll give her as much time as she needs. It’s not like I have anywhere important to be right now, other than right here on this divan, sipping my tea.

(I…)

A feeling of relief, as if she’d been holding her breath for months, radiates lightly from my bond with her.

(I don’t think so.)