Zillah's Tale

Let me tell the tale of Zillah38

first loved of Caine,

first wife of Caine,

the sweetest blood,

the softest skin,

the clearest eyes.

Alone of Caine's newest Childer,

did Caine desire Her,39

and she was not mindful of his

desire, turning away from Him.

Not gifts, not sacrifices,

not perfumes, not doves,

not beautiful dancers,

not singers, not oxen,

not sculpture, not beautiful clothes,

nothing would turn Zillah's heart

from stone to sweet fruit.

So Caine pulled at his beard40

and tore at his hair

and took to roaming the wilderness

at night, thinking of her,

burning for her,

and one night Caine came upon

an old Crone singing to the moon

Caine said to the Crone,

"Why do you sing so?"

And the Crone replied,

"Because I yearn for

what I cannot have ..."41

Caine said to the Crone,

"I yearn also. What can one do?”

The Crone smiled and said,

"Drink of my blood this night,

Caine, Father of Kindred,

and return tomorrow night.

Then will I tell you the wisdom of the Moon."42

Caine drank at the

Crone's bare neck,

and departed.

The next night, Caine

found the Crone sleeping on a rock.

"Wake up, Crone." Caine said.

"I have returned."

The Crone opened one eye and said,

"I dream of the solution for you

this night. Drink once

more of me, and then return tomorrow night.

Bring a bowl of clay.

Bring a sharp knife.

I will have your answer then."

Once again. Caine took blood from the Crone,

who immediately fell back into a deep slumber.

When Caine returned the next night,

the Crone looked up at him and smiled,

"Greetings, Lord of the Beast," the Crone said.43

"I have the wisdom you seek."

"Take some of my blood,

into the bowl you have,

and mix in these berries

and these herbs, and drink deep of the elixir."

"You will be irresistible.

You will be potent.

You will be masterful.

You will be ardent.

You will be glowing.

The heart of Zillah will melt

like the snows in spring."

And so. Caine drank from the Crone's elixir,

because he was so in love with Zillah,

and he so desired her love in return.

And the Crone laughed. The Crone laughed aloud.

She had tricked him! She had trapped him!

Caine was angry beyond compare.

Caine reached out with his powers,

to rend this Crone apart with his strength.

The Crone cackled and said, "Do not"

And Caine could do nothing against her.

The Crone chuckled and said. "Love me."

And Caine could do nothing but stare into her

ancient eyes, desire her leathery skin.

The Crone laughed and said, "Make me immortal."

And Caine Embraced her. She cackled again,

laughed with the pure ecstasy of the Embrace,

for it did not pain her.

"I have made you powerful. Caine of Enoch,

Caine of Nod,

but you will forever be bound to me.

I have made you master of all,

but you will never forget me!

Your blood, potent as it is now,

will bond those who drink it,

as you did, once a night

for three nights.

You will be the master.

They will be your thrall, as you are mine.

For though Zillah will love you, as you wanted,

you will love me, forever. Go now, and claim your

lovely bride, I will wait for you in the darkest

places, while I brew more potions for your health."

And so, heavy hearted,

Caine returned to Enoch.

And each night, for three nights,

Zillah drank from her Sire,

though she did not know it.

And, on the third night,

Caine announced he would marry44

Zillah, his sweetest Childe,

and she agreed.