It all began in the year of our Lord 1346.  At least where my story shall begin, but not end.  As you know, this was a time of intrigue, conspiracy, and betrayal.  It was also a time of war, with the land ravaged and which suffered because of it. A war between two countries:  England, and France, that would continue until it would reach its one hundreth year, and would lead all to much suffering.

      Myself included.....Oh wait,  Let me not forget my introduction, before I continue with the story, for I do not wish to display rudeness:  My name is Latimer, not that this will ever be important, for no one has the unfortunate chance to know my name unless they are being made by me, or meeting their end by me.

      I do apologize.  Back to the story.  Now where was I?  Ahh yes: 

      A dark year in my existence.  Edward III, also known as the Black Prince, had defeated the French at Crecy and Calais, and the English had also captured King David II of Scotland at the Battle of Neville's Cross.  My father was a Duke who served under the King, and had lead his men out to battle against the Scots. 

      My father would never know just how much my heart would break, for I held a secret.  I was in love with the enemy, a Scot.  The woman whom I wanted to marry was only a peasant, which would even add more coal to the fire.  Ailee would never be accepted. 

      I had always been against war.  I was a young man who wanted to explore the world, not get caught up in such dark acts.  My father always thought that his son was nothing more than a coward.  Instead of becoming interested in the ways of war, or politics, which made me sick to my stomach, I had become interested in academics, philosophy, mathematics, science,  and ways that were far older than the mind could comprehend.  It was perhaps because of this that my father would shun me, and pay more attention to my brothers.  It would also be because of this that a new "mentor" would take interest in me, and Embrace me into a new existence.  I would begin anew, on a much darker path, but not before I commited a dark act of my own.  The choice was never mine to have.

      Love was never mine to have as well.  I would watch Ailee die at the hands of my father.  He would only jest, and say to me, "How did you ever expect to have a life with a lower classed piece of filth like that?"  In a rage, I retaliated and I murdered my own father.  I would have to flee, for the authorities would demand justice.  It would be as I fled that I would meet the vampire known as Sidra.  Had she been watching me the whole time?  How long had she been watching?