As the friends entered the big hall, they were greeted by a din of voices; shouts, laughter, mumbles, and discussions, all blending into an indistinct murmur. It was deafening to Ranloo's sensitive ears. The room was hot with the crowd and the many lanterns lit along the walls. Sern complained loudly of sweating within minutes. Ranloo liked the warmth. He never felt warm anymore. Not cold either, but he liked feeling the warmth of life. However, being this close to so many made him agitated and tense, constantly having to repress his impulses to jump at people. He didn't like it.

He focused on following Sern towards the stage where Jackal, and a couple of other ruffians they hadn't seen before, stood. Beside the stage, Ranloo spotted Gesald's red hair and it made him instantly irritated. Ranloo glared at the young man as they passed by and he took a step back. They climbed up on the stage, hundreds of eyes on them.

One of the men on the stage walked to the edge and shouted, ´Order!`

The room slowly quieted into scattered whispers. Jackal walked to the centre of the stage and swept his eyes over the crowd of thieves, robbers, killers, swindlers, and tricksters. He waited until he had everyone's attention.

´Good evening. Beg your pardon for assembling you all on such short notice and at such a late hour.` He paused and waited for the whispers to pass. ´I have important information for you all, and thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce two new members as well.` His eyes travelled across the crowd and came to rest on Sern and Ranloo. Ranloo's hands knotted into fists at his sides in nervousness.

Jackal waited for the mumbled conversations in the room to die back down. ´I leave it up to you to pass the information on to our absent members,` he continued. ´First, we have a familiar face. He's never been a member of our guild before but many of you have seen him. This is Sern,` he said with a smile and beckoned for the boy to step forward.

Sern took a deep breath and sidled up beside the guild leader.

´He's an excellent thief and a very fast runner,` the guild leader said. This induced laughter and scattered applause.

As the sound died out, Jackal continued. ´The other one is a bit different, and the first in our guild of his kind,` he said and waited for everyone to quiet down fully. ´Ranloo.` He indicated the darkelf. ´An elf, and a very dangerous individual. You may recognize him if you've been paying attention.`

Some people nodded, raised hands or shouted questions. Ranloo stared out over the crowd, uncomfortably shifting his weight back and forth. One hand found the die in his pocket and squeezed it hard.

´He's wanted by the city guard!` someone shouted.

´They pay well for his head,` another one added.

Jackal raised his hands for quiet. ´So it is. But he's an asset here. And he's a member of the guild. Nobody will speak to the guards or anyone else about this. The darkelf is with us now, and anyone who rats him out will answer to me.`

´What makes him so special?` someone shouted.

´If you mess with him, you might find out,` Jackal said. ´But I cannot guarantee you'll get to keep your head.` Mumbles rippled through the crowd.

Ranloo didn't like where this was going but kept still and quiet, avoiding to look directly at anyone, awkward at being pointed out and used as a threat to keep others in line. Everyone stared at him. But a small part of him was secretly pleased by the attention and the looks of fear that he got.

´He's not the only one with a bounty here either. Ain't that right? Soryl? Ilena? Yakiew?` Jackal's eyes were hard as he glared over the crowd. Would you mess with them?`

Nobody answered, but Ranloo noticed how some squirmed and fidgeted in their seats, looking uncomfortable.

´Good. Remember that. We keep the city guards away from us, we help our members. If we don't, what good are we?` People nodded and mumbled agreements.

´Now, Ranloo's a member and will be treated with the same respect as anyone else. He's an elf, but I'd recommend to avoid starting a fight with him.` He smirked. A few scattered laughs followed. Jackal proceeded to give them general information about the guild, about new contracts and jobs, and reminding people who were under their protection.

Ranloo and Sern were allowed to leave and went back down to stand beside the stage by Gesald.

´You're like the new guild enforcer now,` Sern joked in a low voice. ´Did you hear how he threatend them with you?`

´I heard, and I didn't like it,` he whispered. ´Someone will give me away or fight me. And that's the end of this thing.`

Sern chuckled and shook his head. ´Don't worry. They listen to 'im.` Sern patted Ranloo on his shoulder. ´An' in the worst case, I know you'll handle it. An' I'll help you.`

Ranloo watched the crowd. Many of them still stared at him. Uneasy, he looked away again. ´I'm not so sure,` he mumbled. ´We're going to meet with some people after this, right?`

´Yeah. We're gonna work together with a group.`

´Insanity!` Ranloo grouched.

Sern shrugged. ´It'll be fine.`

Ranloo turned towards Gesald and glared at him. ´You step back!` he demanded.

The red-haired man's eyes widened and he scampered several steps back. He had slowly inched closer and closer, Ranloo had noted. Probably trying to hear what they talked about.

As the meeting ended, Jackal asked them to follow him into the backstage room. They waited there for a few minutes for the rest of the group to arrive.

Four men and a woman entered the room one by one. The first to enter was a middle-aged huge man with a big belly, a thick black curly beard, and long hair. Everything about him seemed big, Ranloo thought and eyed him nervously.

A younger man entered, his hunched shoulders making his slight frame seem even smaller. Deep blue eyes peered out from a pale face, and his blond short hair made him stand is stark contrast to the other man. He stared in silence at Ranloo and fidgeted nervously. Ranloo wondered why he seemed so frightened. Did he know?

A woman entered next. She had long brown wavy hair, a small pointed nose, and hazel eyes. She was dressed like the others, in practical dark clothes. She looked strong, Ranloo thought as she sauntered in with confident strides. Noticing his look, she smiled and winked. Ranloo blinked in surprise.

Two identical men entered. Tall and well built, in their early thirties, they had long, straight brown hair, brown eyes, and short-cropped beards. They were both dressed in black and carried swords by their sides.

Ranloo slowly backed further and further away as each person entered. Being so close to so many people, even when he wasn't hungry, made him anxious.

Sern turned around after a while, looking for him. Grabbing him by the arm with a grin, he pulled Ranloo closer to the group. ´Don't worry,` he whispered.

´Listen up, everyone,` Jackal said and they turned to look at him. ´You're gonna be a new group, working together. I'll make sure you don't get too hard assignments at first to test your team. But as you get to know each other and, hopefully, learn to utilize your talents and work as a team, you will get harder ones.`

Everyone nodded with serious expressions.

´There is one very important factor to consider carefully when working together. I trust all of you, and some of you know what I'm about to say already. But before that, I must remind you about your promise to keep this quiet. It's of the uttermost importance.`

Ranloo stared at the guild leader, his breathing fast and shallow, his field of vision narrowing in his tense state. He feared what Jackal was about to do. Surely he wouldn't? The others gave the leader agreeing nods.

´Ranloo here,` he indicated with a hand, ´is a vampire.`

The statement was met with a few gasps and concerned stares. Ranloo flinched as if he'd been struck. He couldn't believe he'd just said it. He would get killed. He stumbled back a step. Sern steadied him with a hand on his arm.

´Now, don't worry,` Jackal said in a soothing voice. ´Like I've told you before, he won't be a problem if we adhere to the rules. Don't go to his room the hour after sunset. Stay out of fights if possible. If you're hurt, keep your distance.`

´Are you insane!` Ranloo barked, his fear temporarily subdued with fury.

Jackal studied him in silence for a few seconds. Everyone's eyes were on Ranloo.

´Calm down. They knew they signed up for a dangerous mission. And they're people I trust. You're quite safe.` Jackal paused, his eyes fixed on Ranloo. ´Are they?`

Ranloo sputtered.

´They are,` Sern interjected. Ranloo nodded, too shocked for words.

´Good,` Jackal said.

´A vampire?` one of the twins asked, his brown eyes narrowed. ´So that's the secret.`

´Indeed,` Jackal acknowledged.

´Interesting. I hope you know what you're doing,` he muttered.

Jackal gave a slight smile. ´You will use the vampire's unique talents to their fullest as soon as you learn what those are,` he said. ´I do believe he has better hearing and smell than any of you, as well as great strength.`

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Ranloo nodded, his arms folded, keeping his hands in check. He wanted to flee the room and the stares. They smelled of fear and excitement, they were so close and tempting. And so dangerous. He took another step back.

´So, this is a vampire,` the big man rumbled, stroking his long black beard. ´Interesting. I'd expected something more intimidating than an elf.` He laughed to Ranloo's amazement.

´I wouldn't be surprised if he's stronger than you, Listarl,` Jackal commented.

Listarl snorted and eyed Ranloo. ´That little thing is stronger than me?` he rumbled. ´I'd like to see that for myself.` He gave a barking laugh. ´No offence,` he added with a grin.

Ranloo shook his head, feeling small next to the giant, not sure how to react. This whole situation felt absurd to him. Everything was out of hand, out of his control.

´Let's introduce everyone, shall we,` Jackal continued as if nothing was amiss. ´Listarl Bodlom,` he indicated the big man with the black beard, ´is going to be the leader of this group. He'll relate new assignments to you later on. He's a great fighter and can pretty much intimidate anyone. He can also read well.` He scratched his chin and watched them before he continued.

´Felisei Martasi,` he said and looked at the woman.

She smiled and waved a hand. ´That's me.`

´She's a burglar, good at climbing, appraising, and excellent at picking locks. You'll need her to get in to places,` the guild leader said.

She smiled brightly and looked around, almost like she was expecting a round of applause.

She likes attention too, Ranloo thought with a slight smile.

Jackal turned to the twins. ´Pei,` he said and waited until one of the twins raised a hand, ´and Aedil Hasvien.` The other twin nodded. ´They're former mercenaries and usually go in first if we're expecting a fight. If not, they keep everyone safe, watching your backs.`

The twins smiled and Aedil patted his sword hilt. ´We like fighting, and we're good at it.`

A tingle of fear ran through Ranloo. They might be the biggest problem if he lost control. They'd be dangerous and might hurt him, maybe even kill him. He'd better stay clear of them in dangerous situations. Ranloo tried to differentiate between them, but couldn't for the life of him tell them apart.

´Last we have Diquarl Thed,` Jackal said.

The small, pale man nervously fiddled with his hands and moved his weight from one foot to the other, back and forth, his eyes darting between the vampire and the guild leader.

´He's our chemist,` Jackal explained.

´I know about explosives and corrosive liquids,` the small man added carefully. ´I can break down any door whose lock Felisei can't pick.`

Felisei smiled and her eyes glittered at the comment.

Ranloo watched the chemist. He seemed so small and frail. And he practically reeked with fear. To be on the safe side, Ranloo stayed as far away from him as he could.

Jackal eyed the small group, waiting until he got everyone's attention again.

´So, you're wanted Ranloo. And we don't need undue attention here, there's only so much we can do to keep the guards off our heels. I suggest you all lay low for a while. Get to know each other and figure out your roles. And maybe you should introduce yourself, vampire. I can't do that for you. Now, I'll be leaving. I'll contact you for your first mission in a few weeks. And remember to keep this quiet.` With that, he turned and left.

Ranloo studied his new comrades carefully, noting their looks and smells. He had to be very, very careful, he thought. Working together in a group might get dangerous really fast. If there was a fight and he got injured, who knew what would happen. Worry for them all crawled in his chest.

Everyone turned their attention to Ranloo. Spreading out into a semicircle around him, they started asking questions. How long had he been a vampire? How had that happened? Was it voluntary? How strong was he? Would he survive if he got his head cut off? Could he turn into a bat and fly? Did he kill people every night? How long had Sern known him? How had they met? Was Sern the vampire's slave? Did Ranloo sleep in a coffin?

Ranloo shrank back from them, unwilling to answer half of the questions, not knowing the answers to others. He stuttered, overcome with their curiosity and lack of fear.

´Alright people,` the woman said after a while. ´We're drownin' 'im in questions. Let 'im introduce 'imself properly. Manners, please!` she said and smiled.

Relieved, he nodded to her. ´My name is Ranloo Liendar Amin,` he said after a moment's hesitation. They looked expectantly at him, listening carefully to every word.

´First of all, I'm not a thief. But I will do what I can to help you. I got into this mess quite by accident,` he said, choosing his words carefully. ´I am a ranger, and I come from Sel-Faeyth. I've been in Jaris for about two months now.`

´Welcome to The Iron Lock,` Felisei said and held out her hand.

He slowly reached out and took it. She had a strong grip and shook his hand with confidence. She met his eyes unwaveringly.

He let go and continued, ´I haven't been... like this for long. I don't know everything about it. But I do know that I can run faster, jump higher, and survive things that would have killed me before. I can also hear and smell things better than ever. I don't know how to help you with your missions –`

´Our missions!` Sern interrupted and grinned.

Ranloo shook his head at the comment. ´I don't know what I can do to help you, but I'll do what I can.` He shrugged, feeling lost.

Felisei smiled warmly and winked. ´I'm sure we'll find some use for you.`

Ranloo squirmed uncomfortably. He didn't dislike the attention but it was a forceful reminder of his abscent wife. And he was too tense and tired after such a long night, trying to focus on what was being said, learning names, and finding his way around the guild, all while ignoring people's smells and pulses. He wanted to go back home to his own life, his family.

´What happened to your hand?´ Pei asked, pulling Ranloo from his painful memories.

Ranloo glanced down. It still throbbed dully. ´I got burned.`

The man looked at him curiously. ´What burned you?`

Ranloo didn't feel like answering and snorted, saying nothing.

A slight crease appeared between Pei's brows. ´Alright. Don't tell me.` He turned to his brother and whispered. ´He's an elf alright. Snobby as they all are. Vampire or not.`

Ranloo heard him just fine but didn't bother to comment on it. The twin brother shrugged and they moved further away from him.

´Don't care about them,` Felisei said, sidling closer to Ranloo and smiling. She had a sweet smell, he thought, and he could faintly feel her body heat because of her nearness.

Sern watched her with a frown, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Ranloo suspected Felisei had an agenda all of her own. He nodded and stepped aside from her, closer to Sern. Her face fell for a second before regaining the smile.

´What about you, Sern?` Listarl asked. ´Tell us about you.`

Sern snapped out of his glare and blushed self-consciously. ´I'm a thief an' a robber. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty good. An' I can throw knives kinda well,` he said.

Ranloo smiled at the boy's modesty. ´He's actually really, really skilled at throwing knives,` he added.

Sern squirmed but smiled proudly at the praise.

´He hit me just fine when I attacked him and he was in a total panic,` Ranloo added with a grin.

They looked at him with fascination, their eyes wide.

´He hit you?` Aedil asked with interest.

Ranloo nodded, suddenly regretting saying that much.

´Yeah,` Sern laughed. ´You scared the livin' daylights outta me!`

´Where'd he hit you?` Aedil prompted, and looked at Ranloo as if trying to see any marks on him.

´Right in my chest,` Ranloo said uncomfortably.

´Did it hurt?` Felisei asked, eyes wide.

´Of course.`

They stared, waiting for him to elaborate. Hesitating, suddenly very self-conscious at their scrutiny, he muttered, ´Well, it hurt, but I think it mainly made me mad.`

Sern nodded vigorously at his comment. ´You were pissed!` he said with emphasis.

´Well... maybe.` Ranloo looked down at the floor, hiding a smile.

´Creepy,` Pei commented.

´It was really scary,` Sern said with emphasis. ´But he didn't kill me,` he added with a grin.

´Well, that's a relief,` Pei said with a snort of disbelief. ´How did you end up as friends anyway?`

Ranloo shrugged. ´Ask him,` he said and indicated Sern. ´He's insane.`

They laughed, and Ranloo dared to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could become accepted for what he was here. Maybe this would work out after all. Feared and admired by thieves instead of looked up to by young elven and human rangers. He sighed. But it was better than nothing.

´What about religious symbols?` Diquarl asked quietly, fiddling with his hands. Ranloo wan't sure he appreciated the chemist's sudden interest.

´Yeah, what about that?` Listarl agreed.

´Uh,` Ranloo hesitated, not liking the subject.

´Does it hurt you? How close can you get?` Pei asked.

´It varies,` Ranloo said defensively.

´In what way?` Diquarl wondered.

´It feels... bad,` he said. ´And it burns if I touch them. But not always.`

´Why not always?` Listarl asked and stroked his black curly beard.

Ranloo shrugged and looked to Sern for help. The boy just smiled and shook his head.

´I'm not sure,` Ranloo said after a moment. ´Something about blessings I think.`

Diquarl nodded enthusiastically, seeming to forget his fear. ´It makes sense. If a symbol has been blessed by a priest, it has been imbued with the power of that deity. The stronger the priest or blessing, the greater effect it should have against evil,` he prattled eagerly, smiling and gesticulating in the air as he talked. He didn't notice the embarrassed looks everyone gave him.

Ranloo cleared his throat and crossed his arms.

´What?` Diquarl asked, snapping out of his thoughts. ´What did I say?`

Ranloo glared at him.

´You said evil,` Felisei said with the tone of a parent reprimanding a distracted child.

´Oh,` he blinked owlishly. ´I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. But you are a vampire and most people would call you evil, I'm pretty sure,` Diquarl excused himself.

´Well, I'm not,` Ranloo snapped.

´Of course not,` the small man agreed and bobbed his blond head.

Ranloo wasn't sure about his sincerity, but let it slide for now. He didn't want any arguments.

´So, how 'bout we meet here again tomorrow night?` Felisei said. ´It's been a lot to take in for you both. Lots of new people 'n places 'n everything. So, let's meet again 'n talk.`

Everyone agreed and after a few good nights and see you tomorrows they all left.

Ranloo sighed and plopped down on a chair as the last person had gone.

Sern gave him a worried look. ´How're you doin'?`

Ranloo shook his head and rested his chin in his palm. ´I'm tired, I'm confused, and I don't know what to think about them. I don't know them and I don't know what I'm supposed to do. It's all stupid,` he huffed.

Sern grinned. ´You'll get used to it. Don't worry so much. An' I'll be here too, y'know. An' we're not goin' on missions just yet.`

Ranloo smiled at that. ´I'm glad.`

´Come on, let's go to our rooms.`

Ranloo stood and started walking with Sern when he changed his mind. ´It's not that late and there're a few hours left 'til sunrise,` he said. ´Let's go out instead. I want to be outdoors.`

Sern gave him a cheerful smile. ´As you wish.`

Ranloo thought he looked unusually pleased for some reason but didn't linger on the thought. Instead, he led the way towards the front door. Only a few paces away from the meeting room Ranloo heard steps behind them and saw that Gesald was following again. This was going to get old fast, he thought irritatedly.