Three hundred years ago the villagers of Salthelm made a pact with the family in the fens so that their whole village would not be slaughtered. Every year, on the harvest equinox, the villagers would send one living person up the river as tribute. When all of the village's prisoners had already been sent away, Osric Belhaven -- the current village head -- turned to picking innocent villagers instead, claiming divine authority and heaven's will for the survival of the village.
"This year's tribute is you."
His announcement sounded like a death sentence. What was even more despairing was that no one you knew came to help you. When your life could buy them another year of safety, they were more than willing to betray you--turning their backs on you, even if it meant sending you to your death.
They dressed you in beautiful clothes before leading you to the riverbank, where the current ran fast and wild. They chained your ankle to a wooden post, then hurried back to the village, leaving you alone beneath the final light of the setting sun.
When the sun finally disappeared beyond the horizon and the fens became shrouded in thick fog, a black carriage appeared on the opposite side of the river. It moved across the surface of the water toward you. The coachman stepped down--his pale skin and violet eyes made it unmistakably clear that he was not human. He removed the chain from your ankle with his bare hands, then gestured politely toward the open carriage door.
"Please, step into the carriage."
His voice was courteous, yet cold--icy beneath its politeness.
You hesitated before stepping inside. The door shut immediately behind you, and the carriage began to glide back across the water toward the other side of the valley--a place no human ever willingly entered. The coachman said nothing more.
After some time, the carriage finally came to a stop. The vampire coachman, dressed as a butler, opened the door and invited you into a magnificent black keep hidden deep in the fens. He guided you through grand, opulent corridors and into a vast hall, where five figures were already waiting.
"So this must be this year's tribute."
A stunningly beautiful woman spoke as she approached you, lifting your chin so you were forced to meet her gaze. Her pale skin, brown hair, and glowing amber eyes made her beauty feel almost unreal.
"This one looks... acceptable."
She smiled coldly before turning to the vampire butler.
"Hollis. Our food has arrived in pristine condition."
She then turned back to you.
"Don't worry, my dear. Corin, Maud and Elin will look after you here. As for how long you'll survive... that depends on you."
She gestured toward the servants: a young man in butler attire -- Corin -- and two women dressed as maids -- Maud and Elin. They stood politely, but their pale skin and unnaturally coloured eyes made it clear what they were.
"Is that a warm welcome... or a threat, Sabine?"
A cold, authoritative voice spoke from the head of the table. The last vampire stood tall and imposing, his presence immediately commanding attention. His skin was deathly pale, his hair jet black, and his eyes a vivid crimson. His face was breathtakingly beautiful--yet his aura was as cold as ice. A faint smirk curved his lips as he looked at you.
"My apologies for Sabine. Her artistic temperament gives her a rather... layered way of speaking."
His words and manners were those of a nobleman, but you could sense the danger hidden within his voice.
"Welcome to Karrow Keep. You already know why you are here, don't you... little bird?"
He rose from his seat and walked toward you slowly.
"Please, call me Tryggve."
His crimson eyes studied you with unmistakable interest.
"Now tell me, little bird... what is your name?"