´Lay down your weapon!` one of the surrounding guards demanded. The horses snorted and sidestepped around him.

´Never!` Ranloo shouted back. ´Leave me alone. I don't want to fight you!` He raised the sword towards the bearded man. Someone laughed, some called him a liar and monster. Fury threatened to overtake his reason and he almost charged. ´All I want is to be left alone,` he said bitterly. ´Why can't people leave me alone?`

´Lay down your weapon, monster! Or we'll have to shoot you down,` the guard who had spoken earlier called, raising his crossbow.

´Why haven't you already?` Ranloo roared back at him, baring his fangs. ´You've had plenty of time!` He held out his hands to the sides, holding the sword out. ´But you don't dare to, do you?` he asked and turned around.

His shoulder pained him horribly, but he was determined not to show them, even though his right arm quivered slightly from the strain. The guards hesitated as they aimed. They might hit their friends on the other side if the Ranloo moved. He snarled at the riders. A faint click was the only warning he got as someone fired a bolt at his back. He automatically threw himself sideways and the bolt clattered along the ground, startling a horse in front of him.

Ranloo spun around, lunged forward, and screamed at the man, ´Coward!`

The guard frantically pulled the reins of his horse, making it rear up and beat its hooves in the air. Several voices shouted in alarm. Ranloo stopped short of its reach. He didn't want to get kicked, nor did he want to hurt the animal.

´Stop resisting!` the first guard yelled. ´You're going to die tonight. Be it the hard way or not. If you know what's right, you'll lay down your weapon and take your punishment like a man.`

It made Ranloo seethe with anger. In a moment of complete rage, he swung the sword towards the man and let it fly. It flew straight through the air with a vibrating, ringing sound. Ranloo was sure he was the only one who heard it, and for a moment, time stood still as he was entranced by the sound.

The blade flew right at the guard, slicing into his left shoulder, right below the neck. Blood sprayed into the air. He howled and fell backwards off the horse, a shocked expression on his face. Ranloo was fascinated by the beautiful, glittering red droplets hovering in the air. A small drop hit his face and distracted him.

Then the guard and the sword crashed loudly to the cobbles behind the horse. It whinnied and bolted forward. Ranloo threw himself to the side to avoid getting trampled. The guards hollered and cursed at him as they moved in closer. Some of them had halberds, Ranloo only now realized. He'd been too occupied with the crossbowmen before. They leveled the long weapons at him and he found himself in a shrinking circle of sharp, metal points. The smell of blood triggered him, making him dizzy and unfocused. On top of that, he was terrified, sure they'd kill him any moment. Spear him like a fish.

´Are you happy now?` he yelled, trying to hide his fear. ´I'm unarmed!` He spun around, avoiding the closest halberds. He couldn't breathe, couldn't focus. The guards shouted, the sharp points gleaming wickedly in the light. Ranloo saw himself being killed in his own mind. He shuddered involuntarily as he looked around.

´You're dead, monster!` a guard yelled and jabbed at him with the long weapon.

Ranloo evaded it by pure instinct, then reached out and grabbed the weapon behind the sharp tip before the guard could pull it back. He held on with both hands and pulled it towards him with a forceful tug.

The unexpected move unbalanced the rider and he let go of the halberd with a loud curse to avoid falling off. The horse snorted, tossed its head, and backed off. Ranloo used the butt of the long weapon, swinging it in a circle to force the riders back. He was almost certain now he was still alive because they were as afraid of him as he was of them, and nobody dared to go first.

As they gave him more room to maneuver, he spun the weapon around in his hands and held it in front of him. It was a weapon designed to fight riders, to pull them off horses. Perfect. The pain in his shoulder still throbbed and crippled him, but adrenaline and fear made it possible to ignore it to some extent. He didn't want to die. Not here, not like this. He snarled at them.

´Leave me alone! I only fight because you force me!` he shouted, his voice taut. ´I just want to live!`

´You're already dead!` someone shouted back.

´You killed our friend just then! How is that not fighting?` someone else retorted.

Ranloo glared at him. ´You attacked me first,` he yelled and jabbed at the man with the halberd. He wasn't used to such weapons, but it was easy enough and he had the strength to wield it with just one hand. He held it with both to avoid the pain in his right shoulder, however.

The guard managed to pull the horse back just in time and the jab narrowly missed. A searing pain in Ranloo's left arm made him twist around, bringing the long weapon about. It connected with a horse, hitting it in the side in front of the rider's leg. The blade of the man's halberd gleamed dark red.

Ranloo grimaced, furious that he'd been forced to hurt an animal needlessly. The horse whinnied and reared, beating the air with its front legs. The guard flailed his arms in a desperate attempt to stay on before falling off with a thud, dropping his weapon. The halberd clattered across the ground. The frantic horse came back down, turned, and bolted.

Ranloo saw a chance at escape and rushed after the fleeing animal. The riders moved to close the circle, almost trampling him. He dashed between the horses' legs, narrowly escaping. With a prayer of thanks to whatever deity would listen, he fled. The riders yelled and cursed, the blaring of horns rising again, shortly followed by the clattering of hooves. The hunt was on again.

Then, ahead came something worse. Two men, riding hard. A big bearded man on a huge destrier and a tall man with a hat on a smaller steed. Shining sun-medallions bounced around their necks. Their searing light hurt his eyes and Ranloo couldn't look at them. They were just like the Eldon paladins.

Gasping, his entire body shuddering with dread, he skidded to a halt. Slipping from the sudden stop, he almost fell. The riders yelled something but he didn't understand them, staring at their silhouettes behind the bright glares of the symbols.

Whimpering in horror, Ranloo scrambled backwards, turned, and fled into an alley. Shouts and the clattering of bolts hitting the cobbles and walls around him followed. He covered his head and ducked as they bounced around him. A beam of light lit the alley and he yelped in fright, a hot burning sensation on his right side, where the light shone for a second.

The brightness left him temporarily blinded and he almost stumbled into a wall before he managed to turn around a corner. He ran heedlessly down the streets, blinded by terror and pain. Another shaft of light shot out behind him and he threw himself around the next corner, the burning light glaring on the walls.

These must be the vampire hunters. How would he ever get away from them? ´Please, please, please...` Ranloo panted under his breath. He didn't want to die, didn't want to burn. Tears of frustration and fear ran down his face. Then he spotted something in front of him. He stared at it as he ran closer. Something on the ground. Something metal.

He made a quick decision and threw himself at the grate in the street. He grabbed it with both hands and pulled with all his panic-infused might. The grate bent and soon tore out of the ground, spraying rocks and dirt. Ranloo fell backwards as it gave way and landed hard. Shaking his head to clear away his hair, he saw the riders closing in, one holding a crossbow, the other his sun-medallion raised high and aimed at him. A strangled sound escaped him as he twisted around, got back up, and jumped down into the dark sewers of Jaris.

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Stomach churning from the drop into the dark, he landed heavily on dirty wet stoneslabs below. Angry shouts from above echoed down into the tunnel. Wasting no time, Ranloo bolted. The dirty waters splattered his legs and the horrible smell choked him. He held his breath and kept going. He could make out the walls, rounded ceiling, and sidewalks in the pitch-black darkness somehow, which was a small mercy in this dire situation. At least he could avoid falling into holes or stepping in the worst of the filth. After what felt like an eternity in the dark stinking tunnels, he slowed down by an intersection.

Standing irresolute for a while, he looked in all directions, not sure where to go or where he was. Then he set off again. He didn't dare stop, not yet. He had to get as far away as he possibly could or they'd find him. The night passed while he slugged forward through the muck. Eventually, the heaviness of approaching dawn set in.

Utterly lost and filthy and with no means of navigation or light, he decided to stay where he was until the next night arrived. He was exhausted and knew the sun was beginning to rise over the city again.

Lips curling in revulsion at the dirt and stench, but left with no other choice, he looked for a drier place to rest. Ranloo sat down with a sigh, leaning against the crude stonewall. At least there were walkways, even if they weren't always high enough to avoid the dirty water. Angrily, he hit the wall with a fist, immediately regretting it as pain lanced up into his shoulder. His left arm had stopped bleeding but still hurt. His entire right side was sore, like from a strong sunburn, and his shoulder pounded. He grabbed the bolt stuck in his back with his left hand and yanked it out with a yell. He studied it, dark with his near-black blood, then threw it into the disgusting water with a snarl. He sat back against the wall and closed his eyes, feeling terrible but grateful to still be alive.

* * * * *

Glissai and Brandal followed the hunt with excitement, looking from the rooftops as the dark vampire was trapped between two groups of riders.

´Ooh, he's dead now!` Brandal whispered as the rogue got surrounded.

Glissai nodded and leaned forward to see better. She wore a slight smirk on her lips. The guards hesitated to shoot at the elf, probably scared the vampire would attack if they did. But as he turned his back on one of the guards, he fired a bolt. The elf was too quick and dodged it, twisting around and yelling at him.

´He's got guts,` Glissai commented, mildly impressed.

´He's desperate,` Brandal said but agreed with her. He was brave, making a show of it instead of trying to flee, begging, or giving up on the spot. He was quietly impressed by this elven vampire. He seemed to have an extraordinary control for being such a young vampire and in such a dire situation. Many would just have gone berserk and gotten killed. The elf threw his sword at the guard who'd shot at him, and they both gasped in delight as the blade hit home, making the man fall to the ground with a scream.

´He's got some talent!` Brandal breathed, more impressed than he cared to admit. ´Maybe we should invite him to the clan if he lives?`

Glissai gave him a stern glance and shook her head. ´No. He won't survive. He's too young and they are too many.` She studied the elf again. ´Besides, we have orders to either kill or drive him off. If we were to bring him home, do you really think the Master would be happy?`

Brandal's mouth tightened and his jaws worked. ´No,` he replied after a while.

They turned their attention back to the fight. The guards tightened the circle and jabbed at the elf with their halberds. He sidestepped them gracefully, grabbed one and yanked it from a guard. He used the weapon to force them back from him. Someone hit him from behind and he swerved around, bringing the weapon in a wide arc, hitting a horse. It bolted, and the dark vampire followed.

´Quick reactions,` Glissai mumbled.

Brandal nodded, following the fleeing vampire with his eyes. Was he going to get away after all, he wondered. But then two riders appeared over a rise, galloping towards them, sun-symbols gleaming brightly on their chests. Glissai and Brandal both started as they spotted the two men. They recognized the vampire hunters and with a shared glance at each other turned and ran. They had no intention of getting entangled with the hunters. It was too dangerous. The young vampire was surely going to die now. But they didn't want to stick around to watch. The risk of getting spotted had suddenly increased. They sped away over the rooftops, back to their clan.

* * * * *

Felisei entered the dining room on the second floor and looked around. Disappointed, she put her hands on her hips and pouted slightly. Then she walked up to the counter and ordered a meal. While she waited, she studied the people in the room. Several men and women sat eating, drinking, and talking in low voices. Most of them wore dark practical clothes in varying degrees of filthiness. She sighed, not seeing who she was looking for. Then she spotted someone else. A small young man with short light-brown hair, eating alone by a table. Her mood brightened and as soon as she got her food, she walked over to his table and slid onto the bench without asking.

´Hello, Sern,` she said with a smile.

The boy glanced up, grunted a reply, and continued eating his food, clearly not interested in conversation.

She tapped a finger on the edge of her plate, studying the young man. ´So,` she began, unsure of him. ´Have you seen Ranloo?` She smiled again as Sern looked up sharply. She didn't know why he seemed so mad at her all the time.

´No.`

´Umm, not at all?` She took a piece of bread and chewed as she watched him, trying to see his thoughts with pure willpower. Why did he have to be so difficult?

´Yeah, I saw 'im some hours ago.` He sighed. ´He went out. Haven't seen 'im since.` He met her gaze, his blue-grey eyes unreadable. ´Why d'you ask?`

Felisei shrugged and tried to feign that she was just curious. But in truth, she was very intrigued by Ranloo and wanted to get to know him more. He had scared her but also seemed nice as long as he wasn't fighting. And his strength was oddly intriguing.

´I just thought it'd be good to get to know him more. I mean, we're workin' together an' all, and he's different from the rest of us.` She hoped he couldn't see her intentions too clearly.

´Sure,` Sern said flatly and went back to his food.

´So, when will he be back?`

Sern shrugged.

´You must have some idea,` she pressed.

He put down his spoon and glared at her. ´Look,` he said, a sharp tone entering his voice, ´I dunno where he went, and I dunno when he'll be back. He left and wanted t' be alone. I hope he'll be back before sunrise, okay?`

Felisei leaned against the backrest, hurt by the boy's angry tone. ´Why wouldn't he be back before mornin'?` she asked. ´He can't stay out in daylight.`

Sern grimaced. ´If you knew how often he gets into trouble you wouldn't ask.`

´He's good at that?` she asked, a smile tugging on her lips.

He almost smiled, then ran a hand through his hair and sighed. ´He's amazing at it,` he emphasised. ´He's almost gotten killed several times. Honestly, I'm scared somethin's gonna happen when I'm not there to stop it.` Sern took a deep breath and looked down on his plate again, continuing to eat.

They ate in silence for several minutes, each with their own thoughts.

´Can't you tell me about him?` Felisei asked after a while.

Sern glanced up, scratching his chin thoughtfully. ´I really can't,` he replied after a moment. ´He's... different. I mean, he's the only elf I've ever known and he's a vampire. He's mostly trouble, to be honest.`

She laughed. ´So why d'you hang out with 'im then?`

´'Cause he's a good friend and he's fun.` He shrugged with a lopsided smile. ´When he's not tryin' to eat you,` he added, giving her a steely glance.

A shiver ran up her spine. ´That's not something that happens often, though, right?`

His eyes widened and he nodded exaggeratedly. ´Oh yeah, it does. He's tried eatin' me at least four or five times,` he said in a stage-whisper, leaning forward. ´Once, I had t' run for my life and hide by some animals. Lucky for me, someone else got in his way.`

´You're lying,` she protested, the hairs on her neck standing up.

Sern watched her intently with his bright eyes. ´I'm not.`

She stared, her hand halfway to her mouth with the spoon. ´Will he be a problem for us? I mean, he caused quite a scene last time.`

´Probably.` Sern shrugged. ´But I can handle him. Most of the time.` He smiled and stood. ´Anyway, gotta go.`

´Where're you goin'?`

´Out. Gotta keep an eye out for fleein' vampires.` He quickly vanished from the room.

Felisei looked at her plate and pondered. Was Ranloo really that dangerous? He had attacked Pei and Listarl back at the merchant's house, but that had been in a fight for their lives. Surely he'd just lost it because of the blood and the excitement? Surely, he wouldn't attack them for no reason? He didn't seem that out of control. Quite the contrary. He'd been fun and nice, acting just like anyone. Quite charming even. She smiled to herself as she remembered his handsome face and beautiful amber eyes, his bright smile as they'd talked and his easy graceful movements.