Ranloo ran. He wanted nothing to do with the pesky guards or the young priest. Even though they hadn't realized what Ranloo was, if they had decided to fight him, they would have seen his true nature.

Since he couldn't safely visit the library, he'd avoid it until he had a better plan.

The night was far from over, but he still took the shortest route back to the inn. He entered through the front door, not in the mood to go all the way around to the back. Inside, a bright fire roared in the hearth and a fair amount of people sat around, eating and drinking.

He stopped, staring at the people and the blazing fire, transfixed by the sounds, smells, and sights. His nostrils flared and he had to resist the urge to attack the patrons. He looked back to the fire, the constantly moving flames calming him. The innkeeper frowned at him when he turned his way. Ranloo gave a sharp nod and hurried past, stalked down the corridor to their room and entered, slamming the door behind him with unnecessary force.

Sern jumped as he stormed in and threw himself onto his bed. At Sern's wide-eyed look, Ranloo relaxed and gave him a weak smile.

´What's wrong with you?` Sern snapped after a few seconds of silence. ´You near scared me t' death. Again.`

Ranloo let out a long breath and smoothed some wrinkles from the bed-cover. ´The library.`

´What about it?` Sern asked, his tone softer. ´You went there?`

´Yes. But they wouldn't let me in!` his tone rose as the memory angered him again. ´And the stupid guards refused to even listen to me.`

Sern nodded. ´Well, you look like a thug. Why'd they let you in?` He half-smiled.

´Because I need that book!`

´So, because you need it, they should let you in?` he snickered. ´Logic.`

Ranloo snorted but couldn't keep a faint smile off his lips. ´Yes. They should. Why won't they allow people to read books? It's stupid.`

´Is it?`

´Yes! In Sel-Faeyth we can enter libraries,` he grumbled.

´Well, you're not in the elven kingdom now, are you? You were a known ranger there too. Would they let you in as you look now? Really?`

Ranloo glanced down at his clothes, lips pressed together into a firm line. He hated to admit it, but maybe Sern was right. ´Still, I would have liked to know.`

´Know what?`

´What temple we were in. I haven't seen those symbols before. What deity was it built for?`

Sern shrugged. ´Does it matter?`

´I don't know,` he mumbled. ´I'd like to know since I can't...` he trailed off, a lump in his throat.

Sern studied him in silence.

´Never mind,` Ranloo finished after a while.

Sern's brows knitted. ´I'd stay away from the library if I were you. Or break in after closin'. If you really wanna read about it.`

Ranloo shook his head angrily. ´I don't want to break in.`

Sern folded his arms over his chest and glared at him. ´Look, you may not like it, but you're a vampire now. You can't walk around pretendin' t' be unaffected by it.`

Ranloo shrugged. ´I'm not pretending anything. But I don't like to –`

´You gotta accept it,` Sern interrupted. ´You're friends with a thief, you can't be 'round people easily, you've got no income.` He poked Ranloo in the chest with a finger. ´You gotta do what's safe, not what's right.`

Ranloo blinked in surprise. ´Maybe,` he said slowly.

The lock clicked and the door opened. They both jumped to their feet and Ranloo placed his hand on the sword, prepared for battle. Sern drew a knife. His pulse quickened and temporarily drew Ranloo's eyes sideways instead of to the door.

The bushy face of the innkeeper appeared. He studied them for a few seconds, then opened the door fully and entered.

The friends stepped back, confused, lowering their weapons.

Sern's face coloured, his voice sharp. ´What're you doin'?`

Ranloo took another step back as a precaution.

The innkeeper closed the door behind him before answering, his voice low and raspy. ´You,` he pointed at Ranloo, ´shouldn't walk in through the front door.`

Ranloo glanced at Sern, then back to the innkeeper, confused.

´Today we had a pair of customers asking for you,` he explained, glaring at them.

Sern raised his eyebrows questioningly at Ranloo.

The innkeeper continued, ´They were not just normal people. They were head-hunters of some kind. Armed to the teeth an' lookin' for you.` He folded his meaty arms over his wide chest. ´You'd do well not t' be seen in the dining room again. I cannot claim not t' have seen you if you openly enter.`

Ranloo stared at the burly man, even more confused. ´You didn't tell them I was here?`

The innkeeper snorted. ´Of course not. You're paying customers an' you haven't caused any problems for any of us here,` he said matter of fact. ´I don't care what you have done,` he said, his eyes shifting between the elf and the boy. ´Or what you are. But if you intend to stay here, you need t' be more careful or you better find another residence soon.`

Ranloo's stomach plummeted, he felt sick. The vampire hunters had been here. And the only reason he was still alive was the innkeeper's unexpected support. He nodded to the man. ´Thank you so much for your help.`

The innkeeper shook his head and grunted.

´I would have been killed if you hadn't lied to them. I cannot begin to –`

The innkeeper cut him off. ´Just don't be so careless. Use the back-door. There's a price on your head,` he growled, glared at them for a moment, then left.

Shocked and nervous, the friends shuffled back to the beds and sat down.

´Alright,` Sern began. ´You gotta be more careful!`

Ranloo agreed, but he hadn't been in a calm state of mind when he returned. ´I wasn't thinking clearly.`

´No, you weren't,` Sern agreed. ´You'll get us both wasted if you don't start thinkin'.`

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Ranloo looked down at his feet, feeling stupid. It cut deep, being scolded by a teenager. Idiot. He always got his friends into trouble. He didn't want anyone else to die because of him. Angry and stressed he got back up.

´Where're you goin'?` Sern asked as he headed for the back door.

´Out,` he replied and opened the door carefully.

Sern went after him. ´I'm comin' with you,` he said and patted Ranloo on the shoulder.

Ranloo wanted to be alone but didn't comment on it. He shrugged off Sern's hand. They went out into the dark streets, walking in thoughtful silence.

´Maybe we should seek another place t' live?` Sern asked when they'd walked a few blocks.

´Why? They have already looked here, if we move now the risk of them finding us in the new place is bigger,` Ranloo said and pulled up his cowl to hide his face.

Sern scratched his hair and looked up at him. ´You got a point.`

´And we can't expect everyone to be as... understanding,` he added. The innkeeper's help had surprised them both but also given them a small sense of security.

Sern nodded. ´What now?`

Ranloo didn't know what to do. His life was in total ruin. He had no place to go, no place to call home, everyone distrusted or hated him, he had lost his religion, friends, and family, and was hunted for simply existing. It made him furious. ´I don't know. But if I could just find other vampires, maybe I could get help from them.`

Sern made a disapproving face. ´I dunno if that's a good idea. I mean, why'd they help you?` he asked. ´Even if you find 'em. They've got no reason to take you in.`

Ranloo nodded. ´I still have to try,` he said, thinking about the man who had ruined his life. That vampire.

Sern sighed. ´I think you should simply stay with me an' help me become the most famous thief in the world.`

Ranloo gave him a surprised look, and Sern grinned. ´Why would I do that? he replied, a smile tugging at his lips. ´I don't even approve of your thieving.`

Sern waved a finger in front of Ranloo's face. ´Oh, but you do! You'd been a lost cause long ago if it wasn't for me an' my fantastic skills,` he boasted.

Ranloo laughed at the stupid remark. ´You're nothing but a lowly thief,` he teased.

´This thief saved your life,` Sern replied and patted himself on his chest proudly.

´Yeah. You've done a good thing, thief,` Ranloo remarked drily. ´You've saved a monster from a sure death.`

Sern's smile vanished. ´Don't call yourself a monster,` he said with affection.

´But it's the truth.` Ranloo didn't understand Sern's admiring gaze.

´Tis not. No monster would care 'bout the people he wasted, or try t' avoid it happenin' again.` Sern grabbed Ranloo's arm and turned him around to face him. ´You know it's true!`

Ranloo didn't want to listen. He knew Sern meant well, but he didn't deserve it. He should have left Sern long ago. He'd only get into trouble because of it. ´Look,` he said, ´I could kill you at any time! You make one mistake and you're dead.`

Sern shook his head stubbornly. ´You won't.`

Anger got the better of him and he shouted, ´You don't know that! I don't want to kill you. How d'you think that'd make me feel?`

Sern hushed at him, quickly surveying the street. ´Calm down, you're too loud.`

Ranloo snorted and started walking again. ´I don't want you to die because of me. Can't you understand that?` he asked through clenched teeth.

Sern nodded, his young face pale. ´I know. But you won't. I know you'll help if I need it.`

Ranloo almost laughed. ´Like I helped when you were followed by those thugs?` he looked sadly at his friend. ´I attacked you.`

´You did. But you'll learn. 'Twon't happen again,` Sern said with conviction.

Ranloo sighed, but maybe he was right. Nothing had happened between them since they got into their routine. Maybe it was safe enough. ´Alright,` he said after a while. ´How do I help you become the best thief in the world?`

Sern's face lit up with a grin. ´I'll show you.` He began talking about what he wanted Ranloo to help him with as they walked.

* * * * *

Days passed, and no more reports of missing people came in, no more dead in the streets. At least none attributed to vampires. Tealas stood by his horse, looking out over the harbour, his grey eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts.

´Do you think we missed him?` Odefin asked with a dejected sigh. ´Maybe he left on a ship? Or moved further away?`

Tealas turned, his face expressionless. ´No, I think it's still here. It's hiding somewhere,` he answered quietly.

Odefin fingered his axe and looked around the big harbour, filled with ships and boats of all sizes. Sailors milled about, pulling carts onto ships, hauling crates from oxen-drawn wagons, shouting, and raising and lowering sails. The smell of fish, and other less pleasant odours, permeated the air.

´Well, he's not here right now,` the big bearded hunter said. ´Maybe we should ask others for help.`

Tealas frowned and retreated from the edge of the pier. ´Who should we ask?`

Odefin nodded towards the temple district. ´We have friends there. Why not ask them?`

Tealas sighed. He didn't like asking for help. He preferred if he could deal with the problem himself. The priests always took the credit when involved. But Odefin had a point. When people saw vampires, the Sun God was the first thing they turned to. ´Let's go,` he said and mounted his brown mare.

Odefin smiled and got up on his own horse. ´I suppose it's best not to waste too much time.`

The hunters steered towards the temple district and set off at a trot in the hot midday sun. It was easy to find the Eldon temple. It was the biggest building in the area, ostentatiously ornamented with an impressive glass dome, tall colourful windows, bell towers, lanterns, arches, reliefs, and decorations. Beautiful statues stood along the walkways in the temple garden.

It was excessive, Tealas thought with a glance at Odefin who openly admired the beautiful building. But that wasn't surprising. A slight smile touched his thin lips. Odefin had once been an Eldon paladin after all.

They tied their horses to a rail outside the surrounding white stonewall. The wide double doors to the temple stood open, allowing people to enter at all times of the day. They stepped inside and looked around. Two acolytes were cleaning the porch and nave floors. Tealas walked up to the closest one and asked if there were any priests or priestesses nearby they could speak with. The boy, dressed in a simple orange robe, nodded and pointed, explaining where to go.

The hunters passed the nave and out into a wide, polished arcade. Graceful pillars and arches held up the rounded roof. Opening to an inner yard, it gave a nice view of the lush plants growing there. They walked to the other end of the pathway and stopped outside a heavily decorated door. Tealas knocked and it soon opened. An elderly high priestess in glittering yellow robes and thinning hair peered out at them.

´Good afternoon,` she said. ´And how may I help you, gentlemen?`

Tealas removed his hat and bowed at the waist. ´My name is Tealas Herlaan, and I'm here in the hope of acquiring information,` he said softly.

The priestess nodded and studied them both. ´What kind of information? You don't look like you're here for spiritual guidance.` She gestured towards their gear and added in a disapproving tone, ´Weapons should be left by the entrance.`

Odefin bowed his head to the priestess. ´Please forgive us, Sol, but we are in a bit of a hurry and didn't want to risk losing our weapons.`

The priestess considered him with pursed lips, then stepped back from the door and waved them in. ´What is it you wish to know?`

They explained the situation with the vampire and that they had to find him soon, before the trail got too cold. The priestess listened attentively.

´Can I ask you a question,` she said when they had finished. ´Is this vampire perhaps a desert-elf?`

´Yes! We think so,` Tealas said, leaning forward eagerly. ´Have you got information about him?`

The Sol nodded. ´A ranger came here a few days ago, telling me of a friend of hers who had disappeared for a week, then returned in the middle of the night. He had acted strange and apparently jumped over a high fence.`

Tealas and Odefin exchanged looks. ´What more do you know about this man?` Tealas asked. The priestess told them everything she knew. She also said she had asked The Voice of the Sun about the matter and had been instructed to rid the world of this plague if possible. She would lend them any help they needed.

'Thank you, Sol. We greatly appreciate it,' Odefin said before they left.

'You're very welcome. May your path be illuminated.' She made a circle before her with her hand.

'And yours.' Odefin mirrored her gesture and bowed.