As night fell, Ranloo woke and ventured out, nervous and pressed for time. He had to hunt. He hated being forced to do it but couldn't risk dying simply because he hadn't eaten properly. He shook his head at the thought. Eating properly. He stifled a laugh. Eating people was proper? Snorting, he hurried along the narrow streets.

The weather was perfect. Dark, rainy, and foggy. Jaris was a paradise for vampires with such weather. Especially since he wasn't bothered by the cold. It was strange, he reflected. He loved feeling the warmth of other people, but cold weather was nothing to him. Almost as if he was too cold himself to be affected. Dead. His skin crawled.

He sniffed the cool damp air. He had to hurry. There were other things to do before this night was over. He didn't want to meet them, those horrible hunters. An involuntary shudder ran through him. But he couldn't abandon his wife. What if they hurt her because of him?

´I won't let you,` he mumbled and clenched his fists. Not without a fight. He was doubtful about his chances but wasn't about to back down because he got scared. He would at least try. Water splashed up from the street and fog swirled around his feet as he ran, soaking everything. Yellow and brown leaves covered the ground, making the cobbles dangerously slippery. Street lights glimmered here and there but many had gone out, making it extra dark.

A group of three came out from a bar, singing and stumbling. They were unaware of both the weather and the darkelf. Ranloo studied them, wondering what to do. Making his mind up quickly, the need for speed essential, he shadowed them. When they reached a secluded place, shielded from view, he attacked.

Grabbing one of the men by the scruff of his neck, Ranloo pulled him backwards, flinging him to the ground and jumping on top. The man cried out in shock, and his friends, another man and a woman turned to look. They were too drunk to comprehend the situation and laughed. Ranloo bent down and bit the man before they could react. He screamed and tried to fend Ranloo off, but was too weak. His friends finally understood something was wrong and came to the rescue.

´Get off 'im you freak!` the woman shouted and pulled at Ranloo's cloak.

The man joined in and grasped Ranloo's right arm, pulling hard. ´Stop it!`

Ranloo let go of the man on the ground, seizing the hand on his arm instead and yanked it off of him. He stood and spun around. The woman hit him with her fists and yelled. Ranloo snarled and wrapped his hands around her upper arms. She cried out and struggled to get free as he pulled her close.

Even if he'd wanted to, he couldn't have stopped himself. Following his instincts, he bit her in the throat. Hollering, she fought to get away. Before Ranloo could finish, the man left standing ran into him, shoulder first. Ranloo stumbled sideways and lost his grip on one of the woman's arms. She was quick to punch him in the face. He reeled back with an angry snarl. She slipped out of his hands and ran unsteadily. After a few steps, she fell to her knees. Ranloo punched the man in the stomach to get him off his back and walked up to the woman again, picking her up. He wanted to finish.

´No, no, no! Please, don't kill me!` she slurred as he pulled her onto her feet. She tried to push him off to no avail. He sank his teeth into her neck, enjoying the rush. Vaguely, Ranloo registered the screams and fists hitting him in the back. Then his arm was pulled back. Annoying.

Letting go of the woman, he twisted around. The last man stared at the vampire with wide eyes, his fists raised as if ready for a fight. He wobbled on his feet and stank of alcohol. Probably the only reason why he hadn't run off yet, Ranloo thought vaguely through his blood lust. Whipping out a hand, he smacked the man on the side of his head. He stumbled sideways with a groan. Ranloo grinned briefly and followed. As the man found his balance again, Ranloo was upon him. He yanked him in close, biting him too. He wasn't hungry anymore but was wasn't thinking clearly and the man wasn't running. Embracing him, Ranloo drank until he sagged. Realizing he was about to kill the man, he let go and stepped back.

Ranloo tottered, almost fell. Blinking in surprise, he steadied himself against a light-pole, staring at the people on the ground. His head spun. Had he killed all three? Then he became aware of their heartbeats and faint breathing. Two of them still lived. He sighed in relief. He heard nothing from the woman, however, and assumed she was dead. A pang of regret stabbed into him but he didn't have time to linger on the deed. Instead, he turned his back on them and ran off, pushing his feelings of guilt aside.

He got to the end of the street before his legs gave out and he stumbled forward, catching himself against a wall. Confused, he blinked at the wooden planks in front of his face. What had happened? He pushed himself up, his vision revolving. Blinking rapidly to clear the dizziness, he considered himself. He felt stronger than ever, full of energy and vitality. He was ready to fight. But why was he so dizzy? He let go of the wall and shuffled to the left over the unstable ground. How could it be unstable? Could it be? He glanced back at the bodies further down the street. Drunks.

Gritting his teeth, he struggled forward despite his trouble walking straight. He had to hurry, there wasn't time for this. He had to get back to the guild, gather his things and prepare. Then find that place. He cursed as he took a wrong turn, temporarily confused about his bearings. ´Hurry you idiot,` he muttered and ran unsteadily in what he thought was the right direction.

Doseix Hall. He'd never been there before. He'd asked Felisei about it and she'd told him the way. He hadn't dared ask Sern because he was afraid the boy would follow him and get killed. Suddenly emotional, he choked back tears, swallowing his grief. He couldn't do this, he despaired. He had to avoid Sern. He couldn't take his puppy eyes or hear him plead to come with. He couldn't bring any of them. He wouldn't risk his friends' lives. Diquarl's potions were the only things he'd need. It had to be enough.

Ranloo arrived at the guild some time later, dripping wet from the rain. At least he walked straight again. The effects of the alcohol had been temporary, luckily. He was let in without question and hurried to his room. He was aware of Gesald following him but didn't care. He had to get ready, he'd wasted enough time already.

In his room, he produced a small key from a pocket and unlocked the big chest standing by the bed. He opened it and took out the small glass bottles he'd been given the other night. He studied them for a while. They seemed insignificant, like tiny bottles filled with water. But he knew they were much worse. He hoped they'd be enough to keep him alive. ”Don't drop them by mistake,” Diquarl had warned him. ”They're sensitive to hits and strong shakes”. He carefully placed them in a pouch on his belt. He also attached some daggers he'd acquired. Anything that could be thrown was an advantage, he thought grimly. He also had his sword, as always. He wondered how much of this would be in vain if he'd just get blasted with that horrible light. Grimacing, he looked around. He didn't need anything else. He had clothes, weapons, and Diquarl's potions. Now, all he needed was time and luck. Luck. Loads of it!

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His hand unconsciously went to his chest to hold the symbol of Mizar. It wasn't there, hadn't been there for months. He sighed and let his hand fall back down again. Maybe he should pray to Zeidon instead? He was the god of luck after all. He felt the die in his pocket. With a frown, he left the room, hurried up the stairs and started towards the door when he was brought up short by a voice behind him.

´Ranloo!`

He turned to see who had spoken. Listarl. The big man walked towards him, a gloomy expression on his face.

´Yes?` Ranloo asked guardedly as Listarl approached.

´Where are you going?`

´Out.`

´To your death?` Listarl said quietly and stopped in front of him.

Ranloo fidgeted, not in a mood to explain things.

´You shouldn't go alone. Can we help you?`

´No, please,` Ranloo mumbled. ´I don't want you to –`

´To get hurt?` Listarl finished for him. ´We don't want you to get hurt either, you know.` He put a big hand on his shoulder and smiled. ´If we can help you, please let us.`

Ranloo shook his head and removed Listarl's hand with a quick smile. ´No. But thank you. I'll deal with this myself.`

´Can you?`

´I don't know. Maybe.` He turned his back on Listarl. ´If I don't come back... tell Sern I'm sorry.`

´Wait. You shouldn't be doing this.`

Ranloo glanced back. The big bearded man stood in his black clothes, fully armed, looking at him with a sad expression. It felt strange. ´Don't worry. I'll be back,` Ranloo assured him with a faint smile. ´I don't intend to let them kill me. But I have to go now. Goodbye.` He left Listarl in the corridor, looking after him. Gesald watched too, from farther back.

´You better come back,` Listarl muttered, barely audible. ´Good luck!` he added in a louder voice.

Ranloo raised a hand in farewell but didn't look back. He couldn't face his friend again, not without hesitating. He wanted their help, yearned to have them with him. But he was afraid and he wouldn't endanger them for his own personal needs. He could probably handle the hunters on his own anyway. As long as he stayed away from the light they made with their sun-medallions. Maybe he could even talk to them, make them see that hunting him, or at least punishing his wife for his crimes, was a terrible idea. The mere thought of Minira kidnapped made him tremble in rage. How could they even consider doing such a thing? Pulling his cloak tight around him and the hood forward to hide his face, he set off at a run. He had to find the place before midnight, and he was pressed for time. However, he didn't go straight towards it. First, he wanted to pray.

He ran to the old abandoned temple where he had once been saved from the hunters. Maybe he'd be saved again? It was a vague hope and nothing he'd trust in. But he missed the feeling of security and guidance that prayer brought to him. Even if it wasn't to his goddess. She wouldn't listen, he thought sadly. But maybe Zeidon would. This fickle god of luck and destiny. Even if he wasn't a proper follower, even if he had only prayed to him once.

Half an hour later, Ranloo left the old temple. He'd left a small gift on the altar. He had no idea if it was anywhere near enough for what he was asking for, but he figured it was better to try it than not. Either way, he'd do all he could to survive on his own.

Running swiftly through the dark streets, Ranloo surprised a patrol of city guards but didn't stop. They shouted behind him as they recognized him. They didn't matter. He could easily outrun them, and they didn't know where he was going. He dashed down the dark foggy streets, swift and silent as a shadow. The jingle of armour and heavy marching of knights or Eldon paladins reached his sensitive ears. He turned down a side-street, avoiding them. They were too loud to surprise anyone, he thought with a slight smile. There were more patrols in the finer areas of the city and he had to be careful or risk never getting to the hunters at all. His exceptional hearing guided him well on his way. He soon found the place. Doseix Hall.

Ranloo stopped and stared at the building, a large old stone hall. It was built in the shape of a large U, pillars lining the open side towards the street. His chest constricted in fear as he looked at it. The large building rose three stories tall and with many windows covered with ornately curved iron bars. Once, they'd have looked beautiful, he thought. But now they were rusted and brown, staining the white walls of the house.

Forcing his legs to move forward, he tried to be as quiet as possible. He peered in between the pillars and spotted an old fountain in the courtyard. Old leaves filled its empty basin. The courtyard lay empty and dark. Was it the right place? He licked his dry lips nervously. He loosed his sword in its scabbard and checked that he had everything with him again. He was terrified of going out there but forced himself to take one step after the other, bringing him closer. He listened carefully for any sounds indicating the hunters were there. But if they were, they were still and quiet. They would know, of course, that vampires had excellent hearing and wouldn't alert him by talking needlessly. As he approached the tall pillars he stopped again, testing the air. There were faint traces of people having been here and some other smell he couldn't place. Shivering with apprehension, he tried to spot anything that seemed out of place.

Pillars lined the square courtyard, creating an arcade along the house, supporting the second floor. Two trees grew in the far corners. Everything seemed still and quiet. Then, a flicker of light drew his attention. He placed a hand against a pillar and peered through the rain. A glimmer in one of the windows on the second floor. He stared at it. A figure stood in the window looking out. He sucked in a breath and stepped closer, staring intently at the window. A woman in a green dress with long blonde hair falling over her shoulders.

´Minira,` he whispered in the cool air as the rain pattered against his upturned face. He hadn't thought he'd ever see her again. Dazed, he stepped forward and reached out towards the window, almost as if he could touch her.

He couldn't breathe. Thoughts rushed though his head like a whirlwind, making no sense. She was right there, standing in the window, unable to get out. At least he thought so. Could he get to her? Eyes wide he slowly approached, despite the faint warning in the back of his mind. He knew it was a trap, a trap he willingly walked into. But where were the hunters? He dismissed the thought. His wife was right there, looking down into the courtyard. When he got closer he could just make out her beautiful pale face and wide eyes. She covered her mouth with a hand, as if in shock. He stopped, unable to move, his eyes stinging with tears. Could she ever forgive him? Would she ever be able to see anything but a monster, he wondered in despair.

Something clicked behind him.