Night came. Bodies were still being retrieved from the cocoons with the help of the townspeople. The Eye's victims were carried away, to be buried or sent to families. Under the twinkling stars, many families cry over their lost ones.

Drac, Marina and Bob sat together under a tree. Bob silently stared at the townspeople handling the bodies. Drac's body still suffered from the rebound of using aura and his talent. His eyes closed, meditating. His muscles are on fire. They sting with every movement. Marina, arm folded around her legs, stares at Drac.

"I am that handsome?" Their eyes were still closed.

"Yes." She retorted back. Drac raises an eyebrow.

"Stare any longer and you might cast IGNIS with your eyes."

"Oh sorry! I was just thinking."

She could do that?

Don't be rude, Hood.

"I have heard stories. Stories about a hooded man in black, faster than an arrow. A shadowwalker."

Drac opened his eyes.

"I heard that he is a killer. A murderer for hire, armed with a short sword." Marina points at Drac's sword across his lap.

Drac grinned. "Never heard of him." He shrugs.

Marina pouted. "If you say so. By the way, that sword. It looks as foreign as you but I have never seen a sword like that. Especially the guard. Does it have a name?"

Drac looked at the sword. A nostalgic feeling flowed through him.

Its name… its name is Hēilóng. A gift from a friend.

"Hēilóng."

"Eastern! Amazing!" Marina comes closer to see the sword. Drac pushes her head back with a finger.

Drac stood up from the ground. "About time I hit the sack."

"W, w, wait! I have a proposal." Drac looked at Marina. Bob turns to Marina.

"No, Marina." Bob's voice was stern.

"Bugger off! Drac, just a minute." She pleads. "Listen to what I have to say."

Don't listen to her.

Drac sits down on a tree root. "What do you have to say?"

She stands, hand offered up. "Join us."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Huh?

Drac giggles. "Ok, part-timer. What do I get for joining your illustrious crew?"

"Money. A Lot of it."

Oh lord.

Drac giggled. "Wow! Very tempting. But sadly I have a destination I need to reach."

"We will travel with you. Food and board paid for." Marina's eyes lock on Drac.

Things we need no help with. But it would be nice to have extra money for weapons and equipment.

Marina continues. "Along the way, there will be trouble needing to be solved. A kille- I mean a murdere- I meant a strong warrior like yourself is bound to attract trouble."

Seems true so far.

"So, while journeying you can have us as muscle." Marina flexes.

Drac speaks. "My destination is the capital. No detours."

Marina grinned. "Even better." Bob sighed.

"One thing."

"What is it?"

"Teach me." Drac requests.

"Teach?" Marina pulled back.

"Teach me spells."

Marina and Bob look at each other. Bob shrugs and turns back to watch the workers carry the bodies.

"I can do that. Deal?" Marina offers her hand out again.

Drac grabs her hand. "Deal."

Drac was down a path back to town.

Why did you agree?! Now we have extra weight to slow us down.

"Extra weight? They held their own in this battle and the fight before.

Strong they might be, but it's still better to have no distractions.

Drac walked further down the path as he kicked tiny round stones.

"It will be good for us. Monsters to slay. People to save. Friends. Companions."

…Mm. But don't trust them so easily.

Drac was elated. "This is going to be so fun!"

Morning arrived and Drac stood in a courtyard behind an inn. Fog settles in the town. Drac holding Hēilóng, shirtless and sweaty is practising his stances. He moved slowly, switching forms. An S was marked in the air by Hēilóng then a stab. Hēilóng was swung around Drac’s back to a jumping lunge.

Hands clap behind Drac “Fantastic!”

Marina leaned on a wall smiling. She is wearing blue today with black trousers. “Here.” She throws a towel to Drac.

Drac catches. Choosing to end the training session, he walks to Marinna.

“Bob is packing our essentials on our carriage. We’re set to leave in an hour.” She leaves the wall and turns back.

“Marina. What's the real reason” Drac says as he dries his forehead.

Marina smirks “I also have secrets to keep. Now put on a shirt, pervert.”

After saying farewell to the town. Drac and his band ride away in the Marina’s four-horse-drawn carriage. Drac sat together inside with Marina, while Bob drove in front.

Mm. It doesn't look exuberant. But the carriage is very well made and sturdy. Seats made of leather and glass windows. A priest as a driver? Who is this girl?

Night arrived. Drac and Marina sit by the blazing fire eating rabbit meat caught and skinned by Drac. Bob erects a tent for Marina.

“Little miss, you can't let your manservant do everything for you.”

“Manservant!? How dare you. Bob is a very good friend of mine. He just happens to like helping me, that's all. Right, Bob?” Bob grunted and shruged, continuing to fix her tent.

“See. He’s very helpful.”

Drac, Footsteps.

Drac grasped his bow and an arrow. He notched the bow and let an arrow fly. It hit a tree.

“Come out Slowly and the next arrow goes through your head.”

The bush separated as two people came out. Covered in soot and injuries. A mother and a child.

Trouble…

Marina looked at Drac “Trouble.”