Sern and Ranloo were talking in the thief's room. Ranloo paced around as usual, sometimes stopping to look out the window. Something hit him in the back and he spun around in surprise. His eyes followed Sern's gaze to the floor. The wooden knife. He snorted, picked it up, and tossed it back. Sern laughed as he snatched it out of the air.
´You're terrible at avoidin' being hit.` He grinned and tossed the knife between his hands.
´I'm not,` Ranloo retorted. ´But I don't have eyes in my back, nor did I expect to be betrayed by my best friend.`
Sern's eyes widened in mock surprise. ´Betrayed?` he exclaimed and leaned back on the bed. ´I'm only tryin' t' help you!`
Ranloo huffed and crossed his arms. ´Help me by throwing knives in my back?`
´Why yes.` Sern held out his arms theatrically. ´A true friend wouldn't let you give in t' the evil ways of a vamp. It'd be too sad t' watch.` He sobbed, hiding his grin behind his hands.
Ranloo stalked towards him, crouching slightly as if prepared to attack. Sern chuckled, but his pulse increased. ´Don't press your luck,` Ranloo hissed, staring at the boy. ´I'm hungry.`
Sern fidgeted and looked away, blushing slightly. Then he returned Ranloo's gaze. ´Are you really?` He tilted his head. ´An' stop starin' like that. Tis creepy.` He laughed nervously.
Ranloo grinned but relaxed and sat down on the bed, drawing in the pleasant scent emanating from the boy.
Sern breathed out and ran a hand through his hair. ´You make me nervous when you do that, y'know?`
Ranloo nodded, a broad smile brightening his dark features. ´To be honest,` he said, ´I like scaring you.` As Sern's eyes went round, Ranloo's smile widened. He enjoyed the smells and sounds of his friend, excitement and fear in an alluring mixture. He wanted to bite him again but didn't want to ask. He was scared of hurting him, scared of making a mistake. But the mere thought made him shiver.
´You want somethin', don't you?` Sern asked, a slight tremble in his soft voice.
´Not if you don't want me to,` he replied immediately, unwilling to pressure Sern into something he wasn't comfortable with. But he was unable to look away, hungry from using his powers all night.
´I told you twas alright,` Sern said, a serious look on his face.
´I can tell it scares you though.` Ranloo's smile faded.
Sern shook his head and pulled at the hem of his tunic. ´You don't scare me,` he said. ´But I get nervous.`
Ranloo stared at his arm. It was still a bad idea, he decided. It was too dangerous, too tempting, and much too good. A pang of guilt hit him upon seeing the bandages around Sern's arm. Sern removed them, revealing the marks from last time. Ranloo frowned, uncertain. ´You'll get scarred from this,` he commented.
Sern pursed his lips and shrugged. ´I'm not exactly aimin' t' be a beauty queen.` With a dismissive gesture, he held out his arm.
Ranloo almost couldn't contain his excitement at the same time as he felt terrible about it. Reaching out, he gently grasped Sern's arm, hands quivering.
Sern nodded reassuringly. ´Tis alright. Go ahead.` Then he sat still, breathing calmly, his right hand jammed into his pocket.
Ranloo pulled Sern's arm up to his mouth and sniffed it, his fangs extending in anticipation. He tried to restrain himself but felt Sern stiffen as his fangs sank into his flesh. Then all coherent thought vanished on a red wave. The song of heartbeats and new strength flowed into him, warmed him to the core. At least, until he was rudely interrupted by a sharp light and a stinging sensation against his forehead. He flinched back from it and let go. His lips curled back in a grimace of dislike at the annoying thing in front of him.
´Thanks,` a faint voice said, but he couldn't place it. He wanted more, could smell the blood in the air and feel the rich taste in his mouth. Licking his lips, he stared at the bleeding wound. The annoying symbol lifted towards him again and he squinted his eyes against the light, backing off a little.
´Stay,` a sharp voice demanded.
His eyes slowly travelled from the arm to a young man's face. After a moment's blank staring Ranloo recognized him and blinked. Forcing himself to turn away, he stood and turned his back on Sern. It was better if he couldn't see him. It was less tempting. Inside, guilt warred with strong elation. He crossed his arms and stared out the window in an attempt to calm down. Outside darkness still reigned but the approaching dawn weighed on him.
´Are you alright?` Ranloo asked when he could trust his voice again.
´I'm fine,` Sern replied, his voice slightly strained.
Ranloo glanced back, worried that Sern had been too hurt. Sern made a face as he wrapped his arm in new bandages. He looked very pale. Ranloo furrowed his brows into deep lines. He couldn't do this often.
Sern looked up with a weak smile. ´I'm a bit tired,` he chuckled. ´You should probably go sleep too before you fall t' the floor.`
Ranloo nodded and went to the door where he hesitated. ´Are you going to be alright?` he asked again, guilty for hurting his friend and weakening him.
Sern nodded and waved a hand for him to go.
´Thank you,` Ranloo said softly, opened the door and left.
As soon as the door closed, Sern gritted his teeth and slumped back on the bed, nauseated. The room spun and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. His arm pounded insistently, painfully. Worse than the first time. Probably because he hadn't yet recovered and healed before getting bit again, opening up the wounds anew. Maybe this hadn't been such a smart move after all. But he wanted to keep his promise. He could stop Ranloo and was sure he wouldn't get killed.
The real problem was if Ranloo became too hungry. That was when he got really dangerous. Doing this kept him in a state of control. Most of Ranloo's needs were sated with the animals, but with this little extra from Sern, he could keep from killing people in the streets and drawing attention to himself. He hoped.
Slowly, Sern drifted off to sleep as he lay pondering the problems and perks of being friends with a vampire.
* * * * *
The next night Ranloo sneaked up the stairs from the basement to not alert Gesald to his presence. He carefully peeked around the corner and spotted the red-haired man a short way off, leaning against the wall and reading something on a parchment. Ranloo grinned to himself, in an unusually spirited mood, and slowly sneaked towards Gesald. He was fully aware it was a bad idea to scare the man, but the thought made him giddy and he almost chuckled aloud.
As he approached, crouching slightly, Gesald turned his head in his direction. Ranloo charged. Gesald uttered a terrified shriek, flailed his arms at the vampire and dropped the parchment. Ranloo flew forward and slapped both his hands flat against the wall beside Gesald's head. His eyes went wide as platters, and his breath caught in his throat.
Ranloo laughed at the man's terrified expression and, without really meaning to, leaned in to sniff his neck before hastily stepping back and giving him some space.
Gesald panted, his face white as a sheet, a hand against his chest as if to still his racing heart. ´What in the abyss are you doing, freak?` he uttered angrily after a few moments of staring in shock.
Ranloo shrugged, still grinning. He wanted to attack him for real, wanted to bite him and drink him dry. But he suppressed the feelings and enjoyed the sounds and smells instead, on the verge of control.
´You're insane,` Gesald muttered and shakily picked up the parchment from the floor.
´I'm just waking you up,` Ranloo laughed. ´You seemed a bit bored.`
´I'm rather bored than scared to death!` Gesald yelled at him and shook the rolled parchment like a club in the air.
Ranloo gave him an amused look and tucked his thumbs into his belt, giving off a nonchalant air.
´I thought you were going to kill me,` Gesald muttered and straightened out some imaginary wrinkles from his tunic.
´The thought crossed my mind,` Ranloo replied in all honesty, eyeing the man closely and noted the instant reaction in his movements and breathing.
´Damn you,` Gesald growled and stuffed the parchment away, giving himself a few seconds to calm down.
Ranloo chuckled and walked towards the dining room where he assumed some of his friends might be. He heard Gesald follow him hesitantly.
Upon entering the dining-room, he spotted the Hasvien twins by a table and sauntered up to them. Some people from the tables around stared at him as always, muttering and whispering. But they swiftly looked away as Ranloo's eyes swept across the room.
´Hello, elf,` one of the twins said as Ranloo sat down by their table.
Ranloo looked at the man, studied his sharp brown eyes, straight nose, the well-cropped beard, and straight hair.
The twin's brows came together as Ranloo stared. ´What're you looking at?` he asked, sounding a bit tense.
´Just trying to figure out which one you are,` Ranloo said and kept staring.
The twins chuckled and waited for him to guess. Ranloo leaned forward and sniffed the air, making the closest twin raise his eyebrows and lean back on the bench.
´Pei?` Ranloo said then, a bit unsure.
The twins glanced at each other, then nodded and laughed.
´What gave it away?` Pei asked, genuinely curious.
´Did you see anything different?` Aedil asked and leaned forward.
Ranloo was pleased with himself and smiled smugly. ´You look the same and you sound the same. It's impossible to tell you apart. But you smell slightly different.` His smile widened as they gaped at him.
´You really are creepy,` Pei commented and snorted. ´Don't smell me.`
Ranloo laughed at his discomfort and Aedil patted his brother's shoulder with a grin. ´I'll do what I have to,` Ranloo retorted. ´And if I can tell you apart like that, I will.` He leaned back against the backrest with a smug look as the twins finished their meals.
They were joined by Felisei, and some time later by Sern. He looked drawn and pale with shadows under his eyes. Ranloo felt a pang of guilt as he saw him.
´You're pale as a ghost,` Pei commented as Sern sat down with a loaf of bread and a steaming cup by the table.
Sern smiled weakly and yawned. ´I slept poorly. Nothin' t' worry about.`
´You're not gettin' sick again?` Felisei asked and reached out to feel his forehead.
Sern slapped her hand away and glared at her. ´I'm fine,` he snapped.
Ranloo gave him a concerned look and Sern smiled reassuringly as he noticed. ´Don't worry,` he added in a softer tone.
´Sorry for caring,` Felisei muttered angrily and pouted, caressing her hand.
Ranloo eyed her hand, red where Sern had hit her. Apparently, being drained of blood puts you in a bad mood. Who could have guessed? He felt responsible for her pain. ´You okay?`
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She looked up in surprise and flashed a smile. ´Yeah, I'm fine.` She gave Sern a sour glance. ´But someone else isn't,` she muttered.
Ranloo smirked and gave a slight nod.
´So, are we doin' anythin' together tonight?` Sern asked. ´Because if not, I'm gonna see how much I can filch from the market.`
Ranloo raised his eyebrows. ´What do you mean?` he asked. ´Isn't that what you always do?`
Sern laughed at the remark but shook his head. ´The king's birthday, remember?` He poked Ranloo in the side with a finger.
Ranloo nodded. Sern had told him about that earlier but he'd forgotten, not used to the customs of the human city. ´It's now?`
´It's tomorrow, but the markets always start the day before,` he explained and the others nodded.
´We're going there as well,` Pei said. ´There're lots of things to buy and see after all, and we need to get better gear.`
´Listarl is coming too,` Aedil added. ´Someone got his sword and bow burned not too long ago.`
Ranloo smirked and looked away guiltily but knew full and well that wasn't the reason he'd come.
Felisei laughed at his discomforted look. ´You can come with me, I'm goin' out too.`
Ranloo smiled and shrugged. ´I think I'll go with Sern,` he said to Sern's obvious satisfaction. ´But you can join us if you want?`
´Sure,` she beamed.
´Great. Did you have any plans?` he asked curiously.
She shook her head and munched on some bread. ´I just wanna look around, get my hands on some free food and lost belongings, and enjoy the shows.`
´Lost belongings?` Ranloo huffed.
She laughed and waggled her eyebrows.
Ranloo rolled his eyes, smiling. ´Is there a market and festivities for the queen as well?`
´Of course,` Felisei answered. ´But that's in early summer. I guess you missed it.`
´I guess I did.`
Sern glowered at her but soon gave up with a resigned sigh and finished his late breakfast. Ranloo noted that Sern watched him, glancing back and forth between him and Felisei as they talked. Ranloo met his gaze and a slight smile crept over Sern's lips.
The friends set out towards the nicer parts of the city, splitting up as soon as they entered the market. Lanterns glowed above the streets on ropes strung between light-poles. Stalls crowded the streets and filled the squares. People milled about despite the late hour, and merchants called out their wares to the crowds. Ranloo looked around in amazement at the amount of people. He hadn't seen so many since he'd been turned into a vampire. It was always too late for people to be out in any masses. But tonight was different.
People milled about, buying and inspecting everything from food and clothes to animals and weapons. There were tents set up with fortunetellers, and wizards showed off magical tricks to crowds of delighted people. In one of the tents, Ranloo spotted a real mage staring into a large crystalball swirling with strange shapes. He would have loved to see but was scared of being found out.
He pulled his hood up further, trying to keep his face hidden. He had tied his revealing hair into a ponytail again, keeping it from falling out too much of the hood. Sern and Felisei tugged him in various directions, pointing and talking about everything they could see and do, explaining that there was free food being given away at special places and that the next day at noon, the king and his following would parade through the city.
Ranloo didn't much care but listened to everything they told him as he watched the things going on. Lots of drunk people milled about since all the taverns were open. With so many people around, of course they'd celebrate by getting drunk. Ranloo shook his head at the strange ways of humans. On the other hand, they had the next day off as it was a national holiday.
For the first time since entering Jaris, he also saw other people than humans around. They weren't many, but now and then he'd spot a party of dwarfs, a group of lizardmen, and even a small gathering of elves around a stall selling jewellery, elven bracelets, necklaces, and other trinkets. Their graceful movements, colourful clothes, beautiful faces, and clear elven speech tugged at his heartstrings. Ranloo's eyes locked on them longingly until Sern gently grabbed his arm and pulled him along. He turned away with a deep sigh, knowing it was lost to him forever. He'd never be able to go back home, could never find acceptance there like he could here among thieves and other criminals.
A loud screech echoed between the buildings, making him jump. Everyone turned to look. He couldn't see what had caused it but there were some commotion farther down the street. Some laughed and others yelled, but nobody seemed overly alarmed.
´What in the abyss was that?` Ranloo strained to see over people's heads.
´I dunno,` Sern said, his eyes wide. ´Let's go an' look!` He pulled Ranloo's arm, pressing between people and animals and stalls. Felisei followed, and soon they came close enough to see what had caused the commotion.
In a large square, a section had been fenced off, and the most magnificent animal Ranloo had ever seen stood there. He stared, Sern and Felisei at his side, gaping in amazement.
´By the grace of the Gods,` Felisei breathed.
None of them had seen one in their life before, but they all knew what it was. A big animal, sleek feathered tail, powerful lightbrown legs, long black claws, big white wings, and a sharp shiny beak. Its big golden eyes stared at everyone who got too close. Its head moved back and forth with sharp movements, giving off an air of intelligence. A tall slender man with long golden hair and slanted blue eyes, dressed in half-plate armour stood near the animal, a hand resting on its feathered neck. He cautioned people not to get too close or to try and pet it.
´A gryphon,` Sern breathed in disbelief.
´An elven emissary?` Ranloo wondered aloud. He knew they used gryphons to fly important messages from Sel-Faeyth to other countries and cities, but he had never seen them up close before. Maybe this one was here because of the king's birthday. Maybe they had sent a message or a gift to the king? But why stand here, showing off the animal at the market? Surely it wasn't for sale? He looked around but saw no other elves nearby. Maybe it was a mission combined with showing off for the masses to impress them? He stared at the animal, wanting nothing more than to touch it, feel the soft feathers and maybe even ride it. He was a ranger after all and had always been good with animals. He walked closer to get a better look. Sern and Felisei happily followed.
´Are you allowed to pet it?` Felisei asked.
Ranloo shook his head. ´I don't think so. You're probably just allowed to look at it. They are regal animals after all,` he explained even as he thought about asking.
She pouted in disappointment.´So, only the emissaries and other people from the elven court may ride them?`
´More or less,` Ranloo answered as he admired the animal.
The gryphon turned its head and regarded him with interest as he got closer. It shifted its head, gave him a piercing stare and scratched the ground with a clawed foot. A low rolling clicking escaped its half-open beak. The rider turned to face them.
´Don't get too close,` he called out in accented common. ´She doesn't like strangers much.`
´Why are you here? If you don't mind my asking,` Ranloo asked in elven to the surprise of the armoured elf. He peered at Ranloo curiously, trying to see who he was.
´I'm here to show some goodwill from our people to the humans,` he replied. ´Who are you?`
´Just a ranger who got stuck in the city,` Ranloo replied with a half-smile.
The elf lifted an eyebrow.
´Would she allow another elf to touch her?` Ranloo asked then, excited and a bit scared. The gryphon still stared at him, her yellow eyes piercing.
´I don't know. She seems agitated by something,` he answered slowly and patted the animal on the neck. ´You can try at your own risk,` he said after a moment.
Ranloo glanced to his friends, then back to the gryphon. He took a few steps closer. She lowered her beak and ruffled her feathers, making her neck look big and fluffy. She half extended her wings, nudging the elf beside her.
He frowned and shook his head. ´I don't think she likes you.` He studied Ranloo again. ´Maybe you should stay back.`
Ranloo stopped, feeling betrayed. Animals used to like him. Maybe she could sense what he was, he thought, suddenly fearful.
The gryphon opened her sharp beak, stretched her neck and snapped at him. It clapped shut only inches from his face. He flinched back. Felisei yelped and tugged at his arm, pulling him back.
´Whoa! That was close!` Sern exclaimed, his eyes round.
The gryphon seemed pleased with their reactions and settled down, folding her wings neatly again and flattening her neck feathers. Bending her head back, she preened her feathers.
´I'm so sorry. Are you alright?` the gryphon rider asked in elven and hurried up to them.
´Yes, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten so close. But I have never seen one up close before,` Ranloo answered, shaken by the sudden attack.
´She doesn't usually bite at people,` the elf said in a strained voice. ´Do you have anything on you that smells strange? Or do you own some other rare animal?`
Ranloo shook his head, not sure what to say.
The elf's forehead creased and his eyes narrowed as he watched Ranloo. ´You're a ranger?`
Ranloo nodded again and took another step back.
´Are you that half desert-elf I've heard about? From Lemirath?`
Cold dread washed over Ranloo. He mustn't get recognized. ´I'm not from Lemirath,` he lied. ´Half desert-elf, yes. Can't deny that.` He gave a nervous laugh as the other elf stared at him. ´I doubt you've heard of me,` he added.
The gryhpon rider shrugged and stepped back, returning to the big animal. ´I guess I was wrong,` he said. ´Have a good evening, and apologies for my friend here.` He patted the gryphon again. She gave Ranloo another piercing stare and he flinched farther back.
´Tis alright, no harm's done,` he blurted, sounding like Sern. Giving a small bow, he turned and left.
Sern and Felisei hurried after him, and as soon as they were out of earshot from the elf, they bombarded Ranloo with questions. What had they talked about? What happened? Why had Ranloo got scared?
He didn't answer at once, cursing his relative fame in the elven kingdom. He was a well renown ranger and being one of the few with dark skin, he was easily recognized. He had somehow forgotten. But then again, he hadn't thought a gryphon rider would know about him, a lowly ranger, no matter how good. As his friends continued to pester him with questions he gave up and told them everything.
Some time later, when Sern and Felisei had filled their bellies and brought as much food as they could carry, they stopped to watch a street show. Horned khelrind acrobats danced, a fire-salamander juggled burning torches and spat fire, and some humans sang about heroes and dragons. The crowds had thinned markedly but the numerous drunken onlookers were loud.
Ranloo was secretly relieved that people were leaving the streets. It was hard enough to stay focused and in control. If he hadn't bitten Sern the night before he'd have been fairly lost, he was certain.
As the acrobats finished their last number and started packing up, the friends turned to leave. The moons had sunk behind the rooftops and only the stars glittered above. The crisp predawn air nipped at their noses.
´Tomorrow's bound t' have just as many people out,` Sern said happily. ´I can lay my hands on so many things.` He practically beamed.
´You can steal things whenever you want,` Ranloo commented. ´Why are you so happy about this?`
Sern gave him a disbelieving look. ´You've turned my day-to-day routine on its head an' I don't see this many people as often as I used to,` he said, looking at him pointedly. ´Most people're out during the day, you know.`
Ranloo arched his eyebrows and pretended not to understand what Sern meant.
´It's much easier to nab things when there's lots of people around. Especially in crowds where people're less likely t' notice if you bump into 'em.` Sern slapped his arm and Ranloo grinned.
´You two are so childish,` Felisei commented with a smile. ´Always jostling an' fightin' about stupid things.`
´We're not fighting,` Ranloo said. ´We're discussing important matters.` He said it in a serious, pompous tone and both Sern and Felisei laughed at the remark.
´Indeed,` Sern agreed.
´So, we're goin' back to the guild now?` Felisei asked, munching on a pastry she'd gotten her hands on earlier.
´We're goin' t' the park again t' practice,` Sern replied. ´He needs more toy knives in 'is face.`
Ranloo gave him a long look that Sern pretended not to see. Ranloo cleared his throat loudly.
´Hmm?` Sern turned his head towards Ranloo, not quite meeting his eyes.
´You said what?` Ranloo asked in mock anger.
´I dunno what you're talkin' about,` Sern replied with an innocent tone.
Ranloo snorted and shook his head. ´You are terrible.`
´Yeah.` Sern grinned. ´If I wasn't, I wouldn't be friends with you.`
´You're both terrible!` Felisei laughed.
Ranloo huffed but was happy about his friends, happy they accepted him as he was. Just as he was about to tell them how much he appreciated them, a wooden knife struck the side of his head. He blinked, then charged with a roar. Yelping, Sern darted away. The chase ended quickly. Ranloo grabbed Sern and hoisted him into the air, yelling and laughing, and soon had him turned upside down. Ranloo threatened to drop him on his head if he wasn't going to play nice.
´Please, please, don't drop me,` Sern begged laughing, his face bright red.
Felisei strolled up to them with a wide smile on her lips, the wooden knife in her hands. ´Ranloo, don't break his neck, please,` she chided good-naturedly.
He turned his head to look at her, his amber eyes glittering mischievously in the shadow of his hood. ´He asked for it.` He shook Sern by the ankles.
´No, no, please... forgive me, master!` Sern grabbed for Ranloo's hands, but couldn't quite reach.
Ranloo chuckled and eased Sern down on the cobbles.
Passersby gave them surprised stares but didn't interfere. A man laughed loudly as he lurched past. Sern scrambled back to his feet, panting and red-faced. Ranloo looked down his nose with a smirk. The boy dusted himself off and got the knife back from Felisei.
She shook her head and placed her hands on her hips. ´So childish.` She smiled broadly. ´Are we goin' or not?`
They nodded and set off again, talking about what they'd seen and what they were going to practice.