Underdark- Unending Abyss Region
Nightwell Fortress- Barracks

I watched the two combatants kick punch, dodge, and deflect blows, and while I was watching the bout, I was more concerned with their state of mind. "BREAK!" I shouted and June jumped back. Chalxae started to move to follow her but I jumped foreword intercepting her. "STOP! Control it, don't let it control you." I told her and her blood-red eyes slowly started to dim as she relaxed as she took several deep breaths to regain control of her emotions. 

"Well, you were right. This is helping but how long will it take to gain control of our emotional swings?" June asked from behind me but I kept my focus on Chalxae while I responded.

"I have no idea, the Queen didn't exactly give me a 'How to' book on being a Vampire. It was more throwing me into the deep end of the pool, sink, or swim. So far I have managed to keep my head above the water, which I was I sent all the prisoners back to the city instead of casting judgment on them myself." I told the Ranger as Chalxae finally opened her eyes.

"So all our emotions are heightened, not just physical sensations. I assume this has to do with the transformation?" Chalxae asked and I nodded in agreement.

"As far as I am aware, yes. This is why I am monitoring you all to make sure your transition is as smooth as possible. I don't want you to lose yourself in the emotions or worse, turn feral and become nothing but a mindless beast driven by your instincts and Thirst." I told her causing her to shudder.

Chalxae's former captors had been only a few steps from turning feral, so I was sure she knew to take my warning to heart. "Sessa, your up!" I told the hybrid who shifted uncomfortably in her padded leathers. She was used to wearing robes since she was a Pyromancer, but for the physical and mental training, they were useless. "Come little one, I promise I won't hurt you. In fact, you might hurt me since I have seen how quick you are with the punches." I told her causing her to blush. 

Chalxae smirked at me, "If I remember correctly, you liked spanking my ass." the Rogue commented causing me to stumble slightly and blush. "Once you got going though...Well worth the weight." The Assassin added as she bit her lip making my blush deepen as I tried to concentrate on the here and now. 

"I am trying to teach you all control while maintaining my own, that is not helping," I commented as Sessa threw her first punch and I managed to block it causing my hand to sting from the force of the blow. The next two shots I managed to deflect or absorb on my arms, while I was stronger than Sessa in sheer power, she was faster and far more nimble. 

"I am just trying to help Master," Chalxae commented causing me to miss the next punch as both she and June giggled and started to whisper, thankfully the blow landed on my cheek and didn't bust my nose but still rocked my head to the side. While the damage was minimal Sessa danced away shaking her hand. As a mage, she wasn't built for physical combat even with the natural Racial bonuses. 

"Don't forget in real combat you would be going for your enemies' most vulnerable points, eyes, ears, balls, kidney shots, anything that could hurt from a finger or sharp jab. You are not built for a slugging match, so don't try. Play to your strengths, which are?" I asked Sessa who stopped moving as I stepped back. 

"Speed!" Sessa responded and I raised my hands. I threw a laze punch at her and she easily deflected the shot before launching a counter-attack that hammered my short ribs causing me to hiss in pain as I retreated. 

Sessa immediately broke off her attack as I retreated to the edge of the makeshift combat arena. "Fuck, ok new lesson all of you come here," I told them as I pulled my shirt off and as they saw the damage on my left side, I got more than one glare. "I took a shot from a Goblin spear, I am not suffering any Debuffs but both the ribs and muscles are still tender and healing naturally as you can see. As Vampires our natural regeneration almost has no parallel, but we do take time time to heal. The greater the injury, the more time we do need." I told them as they studied the bruised portion of my body.

"Why didn't I notice this last night?" Chalxae absently commented and I smiled in amusement which turned into a grimace as my ribs twinged again.

"We were both kind of distracted, it had been a long time for me and I was enjoying myself as much as I could," I told her causing the Drow to blush for the first time as June snickered. 

"Well, you should have come to me after getting injured!" Drax called out as he entered the small ring, his hands glowing as he started chanting. 

I shrugged my shoulders, "I wanted you to focus on the injured from the battle that could die. They have been and will always be my priority over my health and safety." I told the Orc who grunted as the bruises and arching started to fade allowing me to breathe easier. While healing magic was amazing allowing people to heal from injuries in a matter of moments that would take hours or even days, it still took some energy from both the healer and the patient. 

Point of fact, I had been slightly hungry before after helping finish up the second mushroom cave and the well and reservoir. Abraxxus thought it best to carve out another well and reservoir, but with the number of people we had, we only needed one for now. It was tight but due able to have water for cleaning, cooking, and consumption. Eventually, we would have to build a cistern but for now, the well with the reservoir would have to do. 

"Go, get some food, and rest for the day. No combat training, no working around the settlement beyond reading reports. Is that understood?" Drax stated as he stared at me. I bowed slightly towards the Shaman as I smiled and the Orc rolled his eyes before turning his eyes on my three companions. "See that he rests, that includes no strenuous activity with them either Jacob." the Orc stated before walking away as I tried to form a response as the three women laughed at me. 

I did my best to scowl at them before walking off, with the constant work around the developing settlement, Miss Dotts had a small buffet ready for anyone hungry. I quickly snagged a plate and filled it. As I shoveled food into my mouth to help compensate for the strain on my body I pulled up my Menu and panned over the Settlement Interface to review the building details. 

I dismissed the information, another cavern for a mushroom farm was already being dug out with a second barracks and Engineers Hut as well. All three construction projects wouldn't be completed until after we had returned from Ineford though. Abraxxus had also advised that I start looking for a Scholar to hire to help work in the Engineer's Hut as well. When I asked him why Abraxxus had just chuckled and told me to be patient and that I would see when I got back.

"My lord." I looked up and spotted Thorgron striding over and sitting opposite of me with a plate of food.

"Everything ready Sergeant? You got your twenty picked out?" I asked the man as I continued to eat. 

"Yes sir, I got four squads chosen and ready to go. We already pulled the supplies from our stocks and everyone's armor and weapons have been repaired." the Duergar responded as other guards started to sit down. 

Before we could get into any more details about the trip I noticed Abraxxus moving towards us. Unlike me, while the Lich was another type of Undead, he was not a living Undead and did not require food as Vampires did. Lich's needed to rest eight hours each day otherwise they suffered debilitating Debuffs. "How can I help you Abraxxus?" I asked the Lich as he joined us. 

"My lord, the Queen has sent back two of the prisoners with an unusual request." the Lich stated and I frowned before putting my fork down and pushing my plate away, and indicating for him to go on. "The Queen has requested that you take these two prisoners on has both political and military advisors, that while their loyalty is not to you or our people, it is not with House Dhalmass either." Abraxxus finished and I frowned as I took the letter from his hand. 

"Sergeant, do you know what stocks are?" I asked the Duergar as I put the letter down and tried to control the surge of anger I felt.

"Yes my lord." the man responded carefully.

"Can you go grab one of the Geomancers, either from the guard or construction crew, I want two stocks set up in front of the town hall as soon as possible. The two new, guests will be placed in them. If they offer any resistance, execute them. Is that understood sergeant." I told the Duergar who nodded as he stood. "Good, they are to be kept under guard. While in the stocks, that cannot be physically assaulted, but they will be kept in their restraints." I told him and with a salute, the Duergar was off. 

I pulled out one of the few Portal Scrolls I had that led to Eternal Night and popped open the seal. "My lord, please don't do anything rash." Abraxxus cautioned me but I ignored him as I touched the portal causing me to go through as I went to face the Queen to see what exactly she was thinking.