Sern and Jackal finished making preparations for their escape and Sern promised they'd both be working for him. They agreed on a provision and Sern left. He arrived by the inn in the afternoon, leading a sheep on a thin rope, tired but positive. As he entered the courtyard to the inn, he spotted the door to their room. Still broken, it hung slightly ajar.

He had to talk to the innkeeper about that right away. With a sigh, he tied the sheep in the courtyard and walked around the inn. He entered through the front door to avoid letting sunlight into their room. He spoke with the innkeeper who got mad about the ruined door but calmed down as soon as he was paid for the expenses, muttering about unnecessary work.

Sern ordered another bath, shuffled back to the room, and waited for the tub to be brought and filled. Ranloo lay on the bed, sleeping quietly, undisturbed.

As Sern waited, he spotted the blue die lying on the table. Where did that come from, he wondered and picked it up. It was a nice die but he didn't think Ranloo played. And where had he got it from? Strange. He replaced it, sat on his bed, and watched the vampire as he pondered the guild. It bothered him that the provision was so high. They'd barely get to keep anything. But he knew it was for the best, right now.

A knock on the door startled him and he looked up, remembering the bath. He hurried to the door and opened it a crack.

´Hello, young sir,` one of the men outside began as he peered out. ´We brought the bathtub.` The man raised an eyebrow when Sern didn't open the door more. ´Is everything okay?`

´Yeah, thank you. Everything's fine,` he said with a weak smile.

The man indicated the bathtub. ´D'you want us to bring it into the room, or d'you want to do it yourself this time too?` he asked.

´Just leave it, I'll get it in,` Sern said and tried to look calm and relaxed. Anxiety always beset him when he had to keep the door open with Ranloo sleeping behind him. He didn't open it fully until the men had left.

When the bath was filled, he got in and soaked for some time. His thoughts returned to the apparition he'd seen. Had it really been a ghost? He'd never seen a ghost before. He wished to talk to Ranloo about it but was afraid he'd laugh at him. Claim he was seeing things. He decided to keep it to himself for now. Still, it made him uneasy. He'd never thought ghosts were real before. On the other hand, he hadn't believed in vampires either, he reminded himself.

Afterwards, he dressed in new clothes from the thieves guild. While of better quality than his earlier garb, they were brown and tan to not attract attention. He'd also received new clothes for Ranloo. He placed them on the cabinet by the door. Then he headed back out again, waiting for nightfall so he could tell Ranloo about the thieves guild.

He wondered what Ranloo would think about his promise to join the guild. He knew the elf wasn't happy about thieving. Then again, surely he'd realize it was the best for them right now. Still, Sern felt a slight unease at the thought of telling him.

Night fell. A while later, Sern carefully entered through the backdoor and was greeted by Ranloo who'd just dressed in his new clothes. Black leather boots, breeches, and belt, a parchment coloured tunic, and a dark grey cape with a hood. Sern thought the darker colour-scheme would fit the vampire better since he spent most of his time outdoors in the dark.

´You were gone a long time,` Ranloo noted when Sern entered.

´Well, I've gotten us a new hidin' place. They'll come get us at midnight,` he said with a smirk.

´They?` Ranloo turned around and studied him. ´Who are they?`

Sern laughed. ´Always so suspicious. They're thieves from the guild of course.` He sat down on the bed.

Ranloo crossed his arms and tapped a foot on the floor. ´They'll get us?`

Sern's smile widened. ´Yeah. With a carriage and horses. Like fine people!`

Ranloo didn't look equally pleased. ´That's not very discreet, is it?`

´Tis more discreet than havin' you rampagin' an' killin' people,` Sern retorted.

Ranloo inhaled as if he was about to say something, but instead, he turned to the back door and stepped out.

´Where're you goin'?` Sern asked, suddenly worried he'd hurt Ranloo's feelings with his remark.

´Just, out. I need air.`

´I'll come with you. Or you'll get into trouble.`

´I don't need someone to watch me at all times,` Ranloo said without turning, his voice low with anger.

Sern stopped in the doorway, watching his back, a knot in his stomach. ´Look,` he began. ´I'm sorry I said like that, but it's true. Tis more discreet to go by carriage. You're wanted, everyone's lookin' for you, an' you're kinda easy to recognize.` He said the last part almost apologetically. ´We simply can't make any more mistakes right now.`

Ranloo sighed and turned to face him. ´I understand,` he said. ´But I don't like it.`

Sern fretted, he wasn't sure how to tell him about his promise to the guild.

´What is it?` Ranloo asked, noticing his distress.

´Uh, well, the thieves guild...`

´What about it?`

´Well, you see. I kinda promised them...` He cocked his head.

Ranloo had heard it too and tensed, staring towards the street. Heavy footfalls accompanied by metal scraping and banging reached them. It sounded like armed forces. Sern turned a concerned glance to the elf. What was going on?

Ranloo approached the gate to the street, pushed it open a tiny crack, and peered out. His eyes widened and he quickly closed it again, taking several steps back.

´What's the matter? What is it?` Sern asked in a hushed voice.

´Get in!` Ranloo hissed and pushed him towards the room.

´What? Why?` Sern strained to look towards the street but couldn't see anything as Ranloo propelled him through the door. ´What is it?` he asked again.

Ranloo didn't answer but turned and yanked the door shut. He tried forcing it to stay closed by pulling hard at the handle. The wood creaked and groaned.

´Stop it!` Sern whispered, afraid the vampire would break the door.

Ranloo let go and it miraculously stayed shut. They stared at it in silence for a few seconds, then Sern turned and studied the elf. Ranloo's eyes were wide, his pupils dilated.

´What'd you see?` Sern asked quietly.

Ranloo met Sern's gaze, his amber eyes glowing slightly. Sern flinched back.

´There's a patrol of Eldon paladins,` Ranloo whispered. Then he stalked to the bed and sat, his eyebrows furrowed deeply.

´Eldon paladins?` Sern asked in disbelief.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

´They were walking towards me as I peeked out,` Ranloo said with a lopsided smile. ´I got scared.` The faint glow in his eyes dimmed.

´D'you think it's to catch you?` Sern asked. ´I mean... Just for you?`

Ranloo nodded. ´Probably. I did kill people twice in three days in this area,` he mumbled.

´Yeah, but still? Isn't it a bit much to get Eldon paladins into the fray?`

Ranloo shook his head slowly. ´I really, really wish they hadn't done that.`

´Well, they'll probably just pass by. They've got no reason to come here. Right?` Sern said fearfully.

Ranloo focused on the door, his head tilted as if listening. ´Yes, I think they passed us by,` he said. Then he shifted his intense gaze back to Sern. ´You promised the thieves what?`

Sern almost jumped at the question. He thought Ranloo had forgotten about it. ´Well, umm. To get help from my friend,` he said, suddenly very uncomfortable with the vampire's eyes on him. ´I had to promise we'd work for 'im,` he finished quickly.

Ranloo blinked. ´What?`

Sern blushed and fidgeted. ´Well, he's gonna give us a place t' hide and make sure you get food every night,` he explained. ´In return, he wants us to help his guild with some things.`

´You could have asked me first,` Ranloo said in a steely voice.

´Well, there's no time and we need help. It's gonna be much easier and safer for us this way. Y'know that as a part of a guild you get certain benefits an'...` Sern blabbered on about all the good things that would come from joining the guild.

Sern's voice droned on. Ranloo didn't listen, he was angry. He realized it was better than to continue like this, but he didn't want to join a thieves guild. He wasn't a thief and he definitely didn't want to become part of organized crime. He could accept that crime was a necessary part of life as a vampire. But he didn't want to actively commit crime if he didn't have to.

´Are you even listenin'?` Sern asked after a while.

Ranloo started and looked up guiltily.

Sern sighed. ´Anyway, it'll be much safer for us both to join 'em.`

´I suppose you're right,` Ranloo mubled. There was nothing he could do about it right now anyway. ´Maybe we should get ready to leave?`

Sern agreed and they packed their few belongings and made sure the room was in as good shape as possible. Sern went to the main room and spoke with the innkeeper who was still awake and told him they'd be leaving. Then there was nothing left to do but wait for the carriage. They sneaked back out into the small courtyard and waited in silence in the cool night air.

The clattering of hooves alerted the friends shortly before a pair of brown horses, pulling a small black carriage, arrived outside the inn at midnight. They walked out to greet the driver, a man in a black coat and a hat.

´Evening. Are you Ranloo and Sern?` he asked and studied them. They nodded. ´Alright. Put your belongings on the roof, and then get in,` he said without getting off the carriage.

´Bad service,` Ranloo whispered to Sern who smiled at the remark. ´It's not quite like fine people. I think you overstated the ride,` he continued.

Sern huffed with suppressed laughter.

Ranloo placed Sern's bag and their money-box on the roof, then they both climbed into the carriage and sat on the narrow seats. The small space and worn hardwood seats weren't comfortable, but Ranloo had to admit he enjoyed the ride through the dark city. It was shaky and jarring, but it was also the first time either of them had travelled in a carriage. They had the curtains drawn almost shut, but being too curious they kept a slit open, allowing them to peek out.

The carriage rolled into a dark courtyard behind a large building. The tall house had a ground floor in stone supporting two wooden floors. Lights glimmered in some of the top floor windows. Ranloo and Sern had seen from the carriage that the bottom floor had storefronts with big windows facing the street, currently shut. Passing under a big gate through the middle of the house, they came out into a courtyard filled with boxes, barrels, piles of rope, bales of hay, and a small stable. The carriage came to a rough halt and the driver jumped off. The door opened and the man told them to get out.

Ranloo and Sern jumped out onto the cobbles, curiously looking around.

The driver pointed towards a doorway in the big house. ´Go there, knock, and say Dragonfly,` he instructed them. Then he left, leading the horses into the stable.

Ranloo and Sern looked at each other, shared a smile, and went to the door, bringing their things. Ranloo knocked and a small hatch in the door opened.

A man peered out at them, staring for a few seconds before asking, ´What's the password?`

´Dragonfly,` Sern immediately replied.

The man closed the hatch. A rattling came from inside the door. It swung open and revealed a big man with a long curly beard and long curly hair, dressed in dark grey clothes. He carried a short sword in his belt, and two crossbows stood leaning against the wall. Another man sat on a chair further into the hall. He was young and beardless, had long red hair and was dressed like the other man, in dark grey. He studied them with rapt attention as they entered.

´Who're you?` the big man asked.

´I'm Sern and that's my friend, Ranloo,` Sern explained. ´Jackal told us t' get here.`

The man snorted and turned to the young man with the red hair. He was leafing through a worn book full of scribbles. After a short while, he nodded to the big man.

´Alright,` the doorman said. ´Welcome to the The Iron Lock. Follow Gesald. He'll show you your rooms.`

Ranloo and Sern walked up to the young man. He beckoned for them to follow, opened a door at the end of the hall, and lead them further inside.

Ranloo was nervous. He didn't like being indoors with lots of people, and he heard there were plenty in this house. He also detected a whiff of fear from the young man in front, as well as hearing his heartbeats, somewhat faster than they should have been. Then there was Sern, right beside him, distracting him as well with his smell and pulse.

Ranloo tried to focus on their guide, and on memorizing the way. Gesald led them at a swift pace, passing through many corridors, rooms, and a dining area. Mostly empty at this late hour, they still got some curious glances from the few people there. Ranloo avoided looking at them. When they met people in the corridors, he stayed as far away from them as he could, almost pressing himself to the walls, drawing amused looks.

Gesald went down a flight of stairs, going into a dark basement smelling of damp earth, stored food, mould, and other less recognizable scents. A stonewalled corridor with many doors greeted them. It split into three just below the stairs. Lanterns were set in the walls at intervals, lighting the way. Ranloo wondered why they were here. Did they have rooms in the basement? It seemed strange, but he suspected he was the reason for it.

As they came to the end of one of the corridors, Gesald stopped. He opened a door to a small furnished room. A bed rested on the stone floor beside a small table with an oil lamp. Two cabinets stood along the wall, and a big box with a heavy padlock sat by the bed.

´This will be Ranloo's room,` Gesald said and indicated it with a gesture, giving him a fleeting glance.

Ranloo nodded.´Why in the cellar?`

The man shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. ´The next room had a door leading outdoors,` he explained. ´Your food will be brought there. I'll show you.` He opened the next door.

Ranloo followed, troubled by Gesald's remark about his food. They entered a storeroom lined with shelves, boxes, and barrels. The floor rose into a short, narrow ramp leading to a sturdy door. As Ranloo followed the red-haired man into the room he stepped aside, halfway hiding behind the door, giving him a forced smile.

He must know, Ranloo thought, distracted by his behaviour and smell. Not good. Nervous people were more distracting and prone to do stupid things like run, he thought irritatedly. He went back to his given room. ´There's only one bed,` he commented.

´Yes, yes,` Gesald said, sounding apologetic. ´Sern's room is upstairs. I'll show you right away.` He scurried past and beckoned for them to follow.

Two flights of stairs and some corridors later they stopped outside another door. The room was almost identical to Ranloo's, only this one had a wooden floor, was warmer, less damp, and sported a small window.

Sern slipped inside and inspected it quickly, then exited again. ´Alright. Now we know which rooms are ours. Anythin' else we need t' know?`

´The dining room's downstairs, we passed it by earlier. You get one meal a day. If you want more than one, you've got to pay extra for it. There's a common room on the second floor as well. Sometimes we've got meetings there for important information regarding the entire guild. There's a meeting tomorrow at midnight. I'll show you where it is,` Gesald explained and set off again.

Ranloo leaned close to Sern as they walked and whispered, ´I think he knows what I am.`

Sern raised his eyebrows. ´You think? I couldn't tell by his hidin' behind the door,` he whispered back, smiling slightly.

´That's not good,` Ranloo said. ´He's very nervous, and it's triggering.`

Sern looked a bit concerned but shrugged. ´Nothin' we can do 'bout it.`

Ranloo sighed. They entered to a big room filled with benches and a raised stage at one end.

´This is where the meeting will take place tomorrow,` Gesald said. ´You'll be introduced to the present members here. Before that, however, you're expected to meet with Jackal. He'll send for you.` He fidgeted in place. ´Well, I'll have to return to my guard-duty by the door. I think you can find your way back to your rooms.` With that, he turned and left in a hurry.

The friends ambled back to Sern's room and sat talking for some time. When Sern decided to sleep, Ranloo went out for the rest of the night. He wanted to learn the layout of the new neighbourhood. He didn't like not knowing where the night patrols of the city guards were and he wanted to see if any Eldon paladins were around as well.

He returned to the guild shortly before dawn, and after some confusion, found his way down to his room. He wasn't thrilled about the damp basement, but the room was nice enough and shielded from light and unwelcome guests. At least he hoped so.

There were many people in the guild, and if they came down here at nightfall it would pose a problem. He would have to trust the guild leader had made sure nobody would. At least it had a sturdy door, he reflected and locked it before lying down on the bed. He reminded himself about where to go upon waking. Left, not right. Out, not into the house. He fell asleep.