Ranloo opened his eyes, and looked around, disoriented and confused. Recognizing his room at the guild, he remembered where he was and took a deep breath of relief. He was safe. He was home. As much of a home as he could have now, he thought and stood. Running a hand through his filthy hair, he grimaced. His stomach growled. Hungry. He padded to the door and listened. Hearing nobody near, he opened it and went out. He wondered if they had remembered to get an animal for him this night, and headed to the next room.

Upon entering, he smelled the presence of a goat before seeing it, and sighed in relief. He killed it with a knife and drank its blood. Weak. Tasteless. But necessary in stalling his hunger, keeping him in control, something he'd missed for a while now.

He turned and left, ran along the corridor and up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. He emerged at the top of the stairs and spun around, spotting Gesald there as usual. He almost smiled at the familiarity of it. Gesald, however, almost jumped out of his shoes at the sudden appearance of the vampire.

´I need a bath and new clothes,` Ranloo demanded as soon as the red-haired man looked at him. ´I also need a new sword,` he added as he remembered that he had thrown away his last one.

´I'll see what I can do,` Gesald replied, his eyes wide.

´Now, please,` Ranloo said and smiled, showing his sharp teeth.

Gesald shuddered and hastily left. Ranloo had to remind himself to not stalk after him and attack. Not allowed to kill anyone in the guild. Not good to kill anyone at all, he corrected himself quickly. He shook his head, trying to keep the threatening memories away and followed Gesald at a distance. He wanted to feel clean again, needed to have some decent clothes. He was a smelly broken mess. He didn't want to see Sern again, looking like this. Glancing up at the ceiling towards his room, he wondered if he was feeling better. The boy had seemed very ill the other night. Ranloo had smelled the sickness and felt his fever like radiating heat around him.

Frowning in worry, he followed Gesald to a room behind the kitchen where they kept big wooden bathtubs. Each tub had a small half-open tent in colourful cloth over it to keep in the heat and give the one bathing some privacy. Ranloo looked around curiously. There were bathrobes, towels, and soaps on shelves along one wall. He grabbed what he needed and went to one of the empty tubs.

´Gesald, get this thing filled up now,` he ordered without looking at the man.

Hearing shuffling feet behind him, Ranloo glanced over his shoulder. ´Now,` he repeated and watched with some satisfaction as Gesald fled the room through the back door to the kitchen. Then he sighed and sat on a bench to wait.

Some time later, two strong young men came into the bath, carrying big buckets of steaming water. They filled the bathtub slowly, going back and forth for more water several times. Every now and then they glanced nervously towards him. When they had finished, one of them stayed beside it. Ranloo approached him, hearing his fluttering heart and smelling his fear. Annoyed, Ranloo glared at him. Why was he scared?

´If you need my help... uh...` he said, sweating and fidgeting.

´Leave. I don't need your help,` Ranloo said flatly.

The man bobbed his head up and down and swiftly left, slamming the door behind him. Ranloo took a deep breath. Finally alone. He undressed and sank into the hot water. If he had been alive, the hot steaming water would have burned him, he realized. Now, he didn't care. It was a strange feeling. He felt the heat and, in a way, it did burn him, but his skin didn't redden from it. He bathed for a long time, making sure to get all the filth out of his hair and off his body. The faint marks from his latest battles were almost gone already, he noted. And for the most part, his skin looked as smooth and fine as any elf's. The only scars he had were the ones he'd got before he'd become a vampire.

Gesald entered the bath again, carrying a pile of dark clothes.

´I'll put your clothes here,` he said and laid them on a table in the centre of the room.

Ranloo nodded but didn't bother to reply. Gesald looked at him for a moment before leaving again, frowning. Ranloo wondered what he thought about, but didn't care enough to ask. He assumed Gesald would be waiting outside the room. Keeping an eye on him, as Jackal had said. He huffed to himself. He didn't need ”looking after”. It was only annoying him and increasing the risks. He was glad the room was empty. Even if it meant battling his thoughts and memories more. He would have to face it soon enough anyway. They all wanted to know what had happened, and he couldn't claim to have been lost for a week.

Ranloo emerged from the baths, dressed in black from top to toe. Gesald watched him and nodded, a satisfied look on his face for some reason.

´You look nice in black,` he commented. ´Evil.`

Ranloo huffed and strode past him down the corridor. Evil. It disturbed him more than he wanted to admit. Just because he had become a vampire didn't mean his personality had changed. At least not much, he told himself. He wasn't evil. He did everything he could to stay on the good side. But it seemed like the world was bent on forcing him away, pushing him into a corner until he no longer could escape the brand. It wasn't his fault people kept attacking him, hurt his friends, pursued them. He had to defend himself, had to protect his friends. Jaws working, he went up the stairs to Sern's room. He wanted to see his friend, the only person in the world who actually liked to see him.

Upon entering Sern's room, he became instantly aware of the smell of sickness. He wrinkled his nose. But upon spotting Sern in the bed, face pale with cheeks blushed red, and his breathing strained, Ranloo quickly strode over and sat on the edge of the bed. Unsure if he was awake or not, Ranloo gently took Sern's hand in his and held it for a while, listening to his irregular heartbeat and rattled breathing. He clearly wasn't fit to do anything but rest for now.

Beside the bed stood a small table with a jug of herbal water, spreading a fresh, sharp scent. Ranloo let go of Sern's hand, went to the window and opened it. Fresh air was needed in the room. As he gazed out the window, the boy coughed behind him. He turned to see Sern watching him from the bed.

Smiling Ranloo went back to him and sat down. ´How are you doing?`

´Still alive,` Sern coughed.

Ranloo smirked. If he was joking he'd probably be fine. ´I wanted to see that you were alright.`

Sern nodded. ´I'm fine. You should go an' talk t' the others. Get somethin' t' do, talk. I won't be doin' much for a few days,` he croaked and gave Ranloo a faint smile.

´I will. But I wanted to check on you first,` he said.

´Now you have,` Sern said with laugh that turned into a coughing fit.

Ranloo frowned, hoping it wasn't too bad of a disease.

´You look great in black by the way.` Sern studied him with tired but admiring eyes.

Ranloo snorted, but couldn't hold back a grin. ´Thank you. But I'd have liked a little more colour.` He glanced down at his new black clothes. They were well-fitting, he supposed.

´Nah, that's fine.` Sern patted him on the arm. ´But I gotta sleep. You should go.`

Ranloo nodded and looked sadly at the boy. ´Get well soon,` he said and quietly left the room.

Going downstairs, he found Listarl and Felisei sitting and talking. They looked up as he entered the room.

Felisei greeted him with a bright smile and Listarl welcomed him back. Ranloo studied them for a moment before replying, not entirely sure about them. They hadn't exactly been on the best of terms. He went over, their eyes following him through the room.

´What happened?` Felisei asked curiously. ´You were gone for days. We thought you were dead for sure.` She tossed her head, flicking a lock of her warm brown hair back from her face.

Ranloo looked from her to Listarl's bearded, strong face.

´You made us go out into this terrible rain every night for days,` he laughed. ´Or, Sern did. He wouldn't let us stay here and wait for you.`

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That made Ranloo smile. ´Yes, I know. He's a bit obsessed about me,` he apologized.

They both nodded knowingly and laughed.

´He sure is,` Listarl agreed.

´What happens now?` he asked, pulling out a chair and sat down on it backwards, leaning his arms on the backrest.

´We've got work t' do.` Felisei pointed to the map on the table.

´Another break-in?`

´No,` Listarl said and glanced at Felisei with an amused smile. ´It's an intimidation mission. We think you'd be excellent at it.` He barked out a laugh.

Ranloo frowned. Intimidation. He could do that pretty well, he was aware. But he didn't like to do it to just about anyone. When he scared people they got excited, and that triggered his hunting instincts. Just being close to living people was a challenge in itself. He was getting used to it, getting used to ignoring his feelings and instincts. But intimidating someone when he wasn't angry was an unnecessary trigger. It could get bad consequences.

´Are you sure this is a good idea?` he asked skeptically.

They shared a glance.

´Yes,` Listarl said. ´We heard what you did yesterday from Pei and Diquarl,` he explained. ´But we don't need to hurt them at all, just threaten them. Unless they resist of course.`

´Are we all going?` he asked, looking around the room.

´No, just us three.` Felisei gave a warm smile, her eyes wandering up and down over him.

´What? Why?` he asked, perplexed, pretending not to notice her obvious interest.

´Basically, it's a mission for you,` Listarl explained. ´We're just coming to make sure you don't overdo it.` They laughed.

Ranloo didn't join in, shaking his head. ´How are you going to stop me?` he asked quietly.

Their smiles vanished instantly, turning into uneasy looks.

´What do you need us to do?` Listarl asked.

Ranloo sighed and looked into the ceiling, tapping his fingers on the backrest of the chair. He wasn't sure. He knew Sern could stop him. He only had to shout, stand in the way, or use the symbol. But he wasn't sure that'd work for the others. But maybe. ´Do you have a sun-medallion?`

Felisei nodded. ´We got one just t' keep you away if you were t' get... umm... too much,` she said carefully and studied him.

´Good,` he said flatly.

´Mind tellin' us what happened t' you?` she asked then. ´You were gone for days.` She searched his face, her brown eyes attentive.

Ranloo shook his head. ´I don't want to tell you without Sern,` he explained. ´He's going to pester me about it anyway later.`

They laughed, knowing it was true.

´Just a little?` She begged, tilting her head to the side and giving him a sweet smile.

She was quite beautiful. For a human. But just admitting that to himself made him feel guilty and pain raked his insides, reminding him of his terrible loss. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, holding back the turmoil.

´You alright?` she asked.

Ranloo opened his eyes again and realized they were both watching him with worry etched onto their faces.

´Yes, sorry.` He gave a faint smile. ´There's just been a lot going on lately.`

They nodded and assured him they understood, even though they all knew they had no idea what he was going through.

´I was chased by the vampire hunters,` he said quietly. ´I had to flee. When I came back out I was lost. As I tried to get back here I was found out by... some people,` he said vaguely and tensed at the memories. ´I'll tell you later.`

´Alright. That's fine by me,` Listarl said, slapped his big hands on his thighs and stood. ´Are we ready to go?`

´I need a weapon,` Ranloo said as they left the room and patted his empty scabbard. ´I lost my sword,` he explained and remembered the gleaming blade soaring through the air with a beautiful sound, splattering blood on the ground as it hit the guard. A slight shiver of delight passed through his body and he quickly suppressed it, feeling bad about the whole thing. He wasn't supposed to like such things, he reminded himself angrily. ´Forgive me,` he whispered to himself.

´Sorry?` Felisei looked at him, her hazel eyes filled with undisguised curiosity. ´Did you say somethin'?`

He shook his head.

´You can borrow a sword from me,` Listarl said. ´Come.`

He led them to a bigger room on the second floor. It was the same kind of room that Ranloo and Sern had. Simple and practical. But it was more than twice the size and had more furniture. The big man walked over to a locked cabinet and opened it with his keys. Inside was a small assortment of weapons. Swords, axes, knives, bows, and a crossbow. Ranloo noticed the bows first and asked if he could borrow one. Listarl nodded and gave one of them to him.

´I don't usually use bows,` he said. ´You can keep it. Here.` He tossed a quiver with arrows to him and Ranloo caught them in the air.

´Thank you,` he said and smiled.

Listarl handed over a sword as well. ´You may borrow this, but I'd like it back later.` He studied Ranloo intently. ´Don't lose it.`

Ranloo shook his head with a wry smile as he studied the blade. It was a fairly nice sword. Not as well made as his elven blade had been, but still a well balanced quality sword. He removed the old scabbard and added the new one. It's black leather fit well with his new clothes, he noted.

´Are we ready to go?` Listarl asked. Felisei and Ranloo nodded.

* * * * *

Tealas and Odefin had been talking to the colonel for hours. They weren't pleased. Several guards had been killed over the last few days and their morale was low, the colonel said. They didn't want to go out alone anymore. Taseil had been the last drop. Everyone knew he was brave, very strong and fast, skilled with the sword and not afraid of anyone. He had come back wounded, and by his own words, hadn't had a chance. The only reason he was alive was that the vampire had let him go. The other guards didn't like it and they were tired of being cannon fodder for these evil creatures.

The interesting part of the story was that the vampire hadn't been alone. He'd had two other friends with him and they had attacked to free the boy Taseil had caught. That meant capturing the thief worked. The vampire had been furious. The hunters could use that to their advantage, if they could find him again. An enraged vampire was surely dangerous but also less likely to think things through properly. But they needed the city guards to be able to keep an eye on things. However, they refused to cooperate now. They were scared.

Was that the dark vampire's work, or was it someone else's, Tealas wondered. They had found another vampire and killed it. It had probably been part of a clan, unlike the darkelf. He was afraid they had poked the hornets' nest with that kill. If that was true, they'd soon have a bigger problem coming. They needed backup, and the city guards were backing out. They had to speak to the Eldon paladins and ask them for more help. Tealas didn't like it. He preferred to keep it between hunters and vampires. The paladins were always more noticeable. But he'd have to admit they could be quite efficient.

Tealas tapped his fingers on his crossed arms in annoyance. If only Taseil had managed to get the thief to the arrest. They could have used him as bait. Now they had to find him again. At least they knew in what area the boy could be found now, he thought. They'd have to hope for another lucky chance. Or use other means, he thought with a glance towards Odefin. He'd go ask the Im priests himself. No need to involve his friend in that.

´The guards can go back to patrolling the streets in groups of four or six like they used to do,` he told the colonel. ´But ask if there are still some volunteers that would be willing to work with us in disguise.`

The colonel nodded, writing things down in a big book by his desk. ´I'll ask. But don't be too hopeful. They've given you their all, and they have been killed and hurt because of it,` he snapped. ´They are scared and need to get back to their routines.`

´The vampire's still out there,` Tealas reminded him, his voice rising. ´He won't stop killing people until he's dead.`

The colonel glared up at the hunters. ´I know this,` he said. ´But it doesn't change the fact that my guards are not vampire hunters, they are just normal people. Men and women who patrol streets for a living. They aren't used to handling monsters.`

Odefin nodded in understanding.

Tealas snorted but didn't argue. There was no point. ´Very well.` His voice was barely more than a whisper. ´Ask them. Then get the rest into their old routines. We'll get the Eldon paladins to help us instead.`

The colonel nodded, a displeased look on his face at the hunter's tone. ´Agreed. And we'll keep you informed,` he said and stood, holding out a hand to Tealas.

He took it and gave the colonel a sharp nod. Then he left the arrest.

Odefin stayed behind to exchange a few more words with the colonel before following him out. Already on his horse, Tealas looked out over the city with a gloomy expression. The rain had finally stopped but clouds still hung low in the grey sky.

´Let's go to the temple,` he said quietly as Odefin approached.

´You didn't tell him about the possible vampire clan,` he commented as he sat up on his big horse.

´He'll find out,` Tealas said without looking at him.

´Yes, that's what I'm afraid of,` he answered with a worried look.

Tealas turned in the saddle. ´Don't worry. The vampires will have us and the paladins to play with. It's only this Ranloo character that's threatened them.` He gave Odefin a slight smile.

´All right, Tea. But what if you're wrong?` he said apprehensively.

´If I'm wrong, they'll come back and be happy to help us,` Tealas stated confidently, kicked his horse into motion, and steered towards the temple district. ´And don't call me tea!` he called back.

Odefin snorted and followed him with a smile.