51 Lake of bones- Part 1 (1/2)
Hearing what Nicholas said, Heidi nodded her head at the knowledge of why the empire was known and called as Bonelake.
”Is it really made of bones?” her eyes were transfixed on the smokey land. To her it looked like clouds which were containing the lightening, that was threatening to come out. The only difference was that the clouds were grey and the smoke here was an inky hue, ”I have never seen something like this.”
”Of course, you haven't. It is one of Bonelake's wonders.”
”What are the other wonders?” she finally broke her gaze away from the land to turn to look at him who stood beside her.
”Me,” was his simple answer.
”You hold yourself very high, milord.”
”Ah. It seems like we don't agree with it,” his said narrowing his eyes at her whilst he smiled.
”I never said I don't!” she replied back quickly. The lord was a peculiar man. He was definitely a one of a kind in the entire universe. The narcissist lord, thought Heidi to herself, ”You didn't answer my question. About the lake.”
”The smoke and fog you see are the remnants of the deceased. Animals, humans, vampires, half vampires, pure blooded vampires,” he listed, ”Most of the creatures that were or are deceased are brought and dumped here.”
”Dumped? But why, aren't the dead entitled for a respectful burial?” her brows furrowed in question.
”They are. You see, getting a decent burial for the so called after life, isn't easy here. You will find that there are a very few graves in this empire and the graves have their own hierarchy. The pure blooded and the other vampires aren't keen to have themselves buried next to a lower creature.”
”You're joking,” she murmured, taken back by his words. As it was, humans and vampires had classified themselves into different classes in the society but to think that it continued even after death. She shook her head in disappointment.
”The lowest graves are usually moved to another cemetery which are then brought here when a person cannot pay for the spot.”
”You said the lake has pure blooded vampires in it too.”
”I did. You might know well that not everyone are good. There are good and bad people in both our society,” he paused for few seconds before continuing to speak, ”Men and women who couldn't follow the rules and regulations of the empire, behaving like criminals and also who went against the lordship are often sent here. Don't worry yourself about it. Consider it to be more like a ritual which has been taking place for centuries,” said Nicholas.
”So there's no after life for these souls,” she muttered under her breath.