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THE FESTIVAL got under way in the immense Hall of Stahrvos Glen (also known as the Hall of Gathering) Every vae as the Hall ere squeezed in like sardines Looking around while aited for sunset, I counted at least four hundred heads, possibly as htly colored clothes The few fe dresses, and most of the men wore handso red costumes and looked like father and son as they stood side by side Even Harkat had borrowed new bright blue robes for the occasion

I was the only one who looked out of place I was itching likethe dull, thin shirt and pants that Vanez had given me in the Hall of Perta Vin-Grahl Even that fli it off , but I couldn’t

"Coed atwhich will ease "

I started to thank the old quarter sounded loudly and cut ing of the gong Moments later the three Vampire Princes appeared at the head of the Hall and mounted a platform so that all could see them clearly The Festival of the Undead and the Ceremony of Conclusion - which would come at the end of Council - were the only tinable Hall at the top of the mountain At least one of theood to see you, my friends" Paris Skyle beamed

"We welcome you all to Vampire Mountain," Mika Ver Leth said

"And wish you well during your stay," Arrow added

"I know all of you have heard the ru ti these next three nights Because this is the Festival of the Undead, where every vampire is equal, and all er to get the festivities rolling," Mika said "But first the roll call of those who’ve passed on to Paradise since last we met for Council"

Arrow called out the na the past twelve years As each name was announced, the van and muttered in unison, "Even in death, may he be triumphant"

When the last name had been called, Paris clapped his hands and said, "That is the last piece of official business out of the way There shall be no more until the close of the Festival Luck to you, my friends"

"Luck!" the va their capes off, roughly hugging each other, and hollering at the tops of their voices, "Luck! Luck! Luck!"

The next several hours were so exciting, I al I ept along to the gaainst old friends and foes So and boxing in the tunnels on the way They were kept apart byand protesting - down to the Halls, where they could fight in comfort and for the benefit of an audience

It was chaos in the three gaames masters were on duty, there was nobody to bark co proceeded in an orderly fashion Vaing anyone who got in their way, lashing out joyfully

Mr Crepsley was no better than the rest His usual dignity disappeared in thepunches, and leaping around Even the Va Paris Skyle, as eight hundred years old

I bobbed along as well as I could, trying to keepvampires The initial burst of crazy activity had scaredit - but I was soon having great fun, dodging between the legs of tussling va them over

At one point I found ht up in the rush with the rest of us and was busy tossing vas of cotton The vampires loved it - they couldn’t understand how so up to test theainst hi behind Harkat - nobody was interested in a half-vae Once I’d recovered so of battling vampires

Gradually the chaos died down A lot of vaed the paused to wipe the sweat fro drink

After a while the ga rings, and bars, two or three at a time, the way they were athered around the sparring va It was some form of karate, and he was red-hot at it His hands , fast even for a vampire, and he knocked down his opponents like flies, usually in aThe one-eyed gareat time he’d predicted While I was in attendance, he sent three va heads, and wasa jousting ring when a laughing varabbed me and pushed me forward to compete I didn’t protest - it was a law of the Festival that you never refused a challenge "What are the rules?" I asked, shouting to be heard

"See the two ropes hanging froed me in asked I nodded "Grab one and stand on the platforrabs the other and faces you Then you swing out into the ets knocked off"

My opponent was a large, hairy vampire who looked like a ainst hi a fir out tofeet and fist I ed to kick him in the ribs and slap him around the head, but my blows had no effect, and he soon hit me square in the jaw and swattedrushed forward to help me up "Are you OK?" the one who’d volunteeredue to see if any were broken "Is it the best out of three or five?"

The vahter I was led back to the rope and went head to head with the gorilla again I only lasted a few seconds, but nobody expected anything different I was carried away like a cha of beer I didn’t like the taste, but it would have been rude to refuse, so I drained the glass, sain, then wobbled away to look for a place to sit down and rest

A lot of beer, wine, whiskey, and brandy was being consuot drunk This was because vae vaets tipsy As a half-vampire, I wasn’t as iht-headed afterof beer and ht!

Kurda joined"Crazy, isn’t it?" he said "All these va it would be if anyone saw us!"

"It’s fun though, isn’t it?" I laughed

"Certainly," he agreed "I’lad I only have to endure it once every twelve years"

"Kurda S around, we spotted Arra Sails on her favorite set of bars, twirling a staff over her head "How about it, Kurda - like your chances?"