Revision #1 in post #4
Synopsis
In fourteenth-century Scotland, vampires (called sumairach fala) inhabit the country alongside humans, and have done so for hundreds of years.
In 1360, twenty-three-year-old ÓLAN STEWART lives with his parents and siblings on a farm outside of Edinburgh. When he is killed by a vampire [not sure if I should use that word or "sumair fala" (singular of "sumairach fala") -- thoughts?] and rises from his grave as one himself, he leaves his human family behind and seeks solitude in Eilean Donan castle.
Soon after settling into the castle, Ólan finds CIARAN, an older vampire whose eyes have been burned out, left abandoned on the moors. Deciding friendship is better than solitude, Ólan takes Ciaran in and cares for him. As he recovers, Ciaran explains to Ólan about their curse, and shows him that vampires who drink human blood transform into hideous winged demons when exposed to full direct sunlight. Ólan resolves never to succumb to such temptation himself.
In 1362, a human clan seeks refuge at the castle. Ólan is initially reluctant, but he lets them stay in hopes that the benefits for everyone—increased security for the humans, and a steady supply of blood for the vampires, from the wolves who would otherwise prey on the livestock—will outweigh the drawbacks and temptation of human blood for him and Ciaran.
A hateful clansman discovers the vampires' secret, and tries to murder Ciaran while threatening to expose them to the other humans. Ólan drives him out and hunts him down, intending to kill him without tasting his blood. Another vampire intercepts the hunt and steals the kill. Thinking Ólan meant to drain the clansman's blood, the vampire takes him to the City, an underground haven ruled by CONALL, the forefather and self-appointed Lord of Scotland's vampires.
When Ólan discovers his father is among the human captives kept as food, he flees the City with his father via an underground river. They come ashore in a labyrinth of tunnels, which eventually return them to the surface. Ólan sees his father safely home, then heads back to Eilean Donan. En route to the castle, Conall and his followers accost Ólan, demanding recompense for his "theft" of his father. Conall's right-hand vampire helps Ólan escape and flee.
Ólan reaches the castle in a raging thirst, having not stopped to rest or feed along the way. When he nearly bites a human child in desperation, his secret is exposed, and the clan turns on him. He tries in vain to make a truce with them, knowing Conall's pursuit of him is a greater danger to all. Conall arrives at the castle soon after, and demands Ólan be brought to him for justice. Ólan and Ciaran, having barricaded themselves to escape the clan, fight Conall when he bursts in on them.
Conall recognizes Ciaran, and reveals him as Ólan's killer. Ciaran confesses his love for Ólan just before sacrificing himself to protect him. Ólan kills Conall in revenge before collapsing from his wounds. Ciaran is resurrected as a human because of his sacrifice. He and Ólan discuss their relationship as Ólan recovers, and they decide to take things slow between them.
Conall's right-hand vampire, now Lord of the City, offers Ólan the right-hand position, seeing his potential to change the City for the better alongside him. Ólan takes a low rank instead, to work his way up through the levels of society and bring the changes with him.