The Burden of Duty

Concordia, Nine Hundred and Forty Years Before

“How have you found being regent?” Thaelen asked Sigrid, wincing as the priest with his sharp tools and ink worked the pattern into Thaelen’s skin. It was a fascinating process of piercing the skin and pushing ink into the wound over and over again in order to leave the vampire wearing the symbols of his people.

The priest had positioned Thaelen under the fall of light through a window for the process, and had four acolyte assistants – one supervising the equipment needed, one helping to hold Thaelen’s skin taut, another which marked the pattern on Thaelen’s skin ahead of the priest’s needles, and the final holding the design so that all could see.

Thaelen was reconsidering the rash decision to have the tattoo done, however it had been offered and he had been intrigued. Sitting for the hours required for it’s completion, however, was tedious and he had been relieved when Sigrid had joined him. She had brought with her a set of throwing bo