The Vampires of Ipswich

Vampires are meant to be strong. They are meant to be charming, alluring, decisive, cunning, intelligent. That is how they remain hidden in a world where everyone else fears them. Richard was all of those things. He was young, at the ripe age of 22 when he took over the coven after his father’s death. Richard’s mother died many years before, and his father spent years preparing him for his eventual role. Stressing the upmost importance on keeping the coven secret from the surrounding world. His father died after being attacked by a group of mortal humans. He went outside of the territory lines to protect members of the coven that liked to wonder themselves into trouble. After his death, Richard knew his rein would be difficult and potentially short. Rulers over the coven must be chosen from birth, and may gain control once they reach the age of nineteen, when they grow into all their power. With most instances, this happens in the event of death from the previous ruler. Richard was grateful to have gotten more years with his father than others in the past, and he was well prepared for what he must do. His first order of business was to try and make amends with the town folk who killed his father; for he knew that if it came down to a fight, the already small coven wouldn’t stand a chance against the townsmen nearby. He sent out official apologies making an effort to stop the fighting and trying to remain cordial considering the outside world now knew of the existence of vampires in his coven. This worked for a period of time. He would promise to only hunt animals of the wild, not to interfere with the town’s livestock or humans. The town people agreed for the time being. Second order or business was to choose a bride. This was no small feat for the coven leader as his bride would need to be a virgin in order to produce heirs for him. Richard knew already whom he would like to take as a bride and hoped she would agree on such short notice. Elizabeth was as kind as she was beautiful. Petite in frame with long silver hair. Her already big eyes grew brighter at the question Richard had just asked her. She agreed to be his and they had a rose ceremony that same evening. She had secretly hoped he would ask her for years now and was delighted to have the chance to give him children. She was mousy and quiet in nature and had just hoped to fulfill her duties. This ceremony consisted of Richard exclaiming his love for Elizabeth, exchanging a simple red rose for her favor. A small scripture was read by on of the elders of the coven. With that, they were wed and ready to move on with their life together. It wasn’t long before Elizabeth fell pregnant and the coven seemed to be doing well. Everyone was happy and safe from the outside world. Nearing the end of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, threats from the townspeople began to trickle in. Richard tried to reclaim the peace but to no avail. He knew that there would be a fight, and he wasn’t sure if he would even get the chance to meet his unborn child.