Drac lounges inside a carriage. His trusty Sword Heilong lays on his lap. His shoulder is in so much extreme pain, he can not move his right arm past his chest. He rests his head back on the seat, feeling mentally and physically drained. A few inches. Just a few inches to the left and it would’ve been over. So close to death and so far from his goal. These thoughts run through Drac’s tired mind repeatedly.

He hears a muffled noise. Drac straightens in his seat. Opposite him, Banner lies on the seat hogtied. Muffled shouting from a stuffed mouth. Banner moves about like a rabid dog, ready to chop off Drac’s neck. Drac leans forward, getting closer to Banner's face. Left hand held up, a fire flickers, lighting the inside of the carriage.

“I don't need you alive.” He makes the fire grow. The muffled shouts stop in an instant. Banner is calm but his eyes are wide and on the fire.

“Good.” Drac extinguishes the fire. Knocking on the window, he calls for the driver to go faster. A long rest awaits him at Gove’s tavern.

The Tavern's door is forced open with a kick. A man in a black hood drags a hogtied man by his blonde hair. Customers look at the commotion by the door. Gove’s shock turns into glee. Maki smiles softly. Marina dashes to Drac. She looks him up and down, noticing injuries across his body. Not minding the severely injured gang leader.

“Maina… get… Bob… plea… “ The last of his energy evaporates. His strained legs give up. Drac falls to the dirty tavern floor by Marina’s side.

Drac tries to open his heavy eyes. Something thick, soft and warm covers his body from head to toe. Drac feels a pillow behind his head, he sinks into its soft material like a bird. A large white Duvet wraps around him. Drac tries to sit up, with muscles tense. His clothes feel different.

Pyjamas?.

“Hood! Didn't see you last night.”

I was in a deep sleep, just like you.

Drac looks around. An extravagant room, furnished with the best money can buy. Paintings with gold frames. A giant clock on the wall. Chandeliers adorn the ceiling. The Bed frame is carved from dark wood, with leaves decorated onto the poles. White Bed linen stitched with amazing patterns. Drac struggled to get to stand up from his bed, however, he felt rested. More rejuvenated than he has been these past days. He discovers his clothes on a table. Stretching himself, Drac stands up to change out of his newly acquired nightwear. The door opens. Drac's friend enters, stunned at the sight of Drac awake. Marina runs into his body, Giving him a big hug that takes his breath away. Drac checks his shoulder for pain. Nothing there. It has healed almost completely.

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

Wow. She has gotten much stronger since our aura training.

“Marina, relax. I won't run away.”

Marina unwillingly lets go. Her eyes water. “It has been days, Drac. I thought it was… I thought you were… thankfully for you, Bob was around.”

Drac feels guilty. It was his fault for taxing himself like this, making others worry about him.

Without her signature vambrace, Marna punches Drac in the chest. “Don’t get hurt like that again.” She walks back to the door. “I’ll go tell Bob you woke up.” She slams the door after leaving Drac perplexed.

Don't mind the mad fire girl. Bath, get dressed. We have a man to interrogate.

Drac Agrees. He grabs his clothes on the table and exits his room to find a communal bathing area in the Inn. Flower petal gilded lanterns light up his way down the corridor. Red carpets line the floors. Dark green wallpaper embossed with leaf and vine patterns.

An old couple entered the corridor from the right. They glance at him, pause and glance at Drac again.

“Boy.” The older man said. “Where’s your master?”

Mmm?

“Master? What do you mean by that?”

“The one you serve, stupid boy. How would you have been let into this establishment if not by your master's wishes.”

Play along and get this pompous old fool out of our way.

Drac bows slightly. “Oh sorry sir, the one I serve prefers to be called Lady. She went out for a while with another. Now if you would excuse me-”

As Drac walks past them. A frail hand stops him in his tracks.

“Hold on boy.” the older madam speaks. “Please give word to your lady that the couple in room twelfth would love to talk about… ‘rare products’.” She moves her bony hand down his chest. Drac moves away, a nervous smile graces his face.

“Sure, madam. I’ll do as you say.” He bows and scampers away.

Should've cut off the old bitches hand.

You told me to play along. And also violence cannot solve all issues, Hood.

It has for me.

That's because all your issues are violent.

Bathed, dressed and rested, Drac entered a carriage with Marina and Bob. During the ride to Gove’s tavern, Marina recounts the day he fell on the tavern floor. The panic, the rush to get Bob. Marina insisted on bringing Drac back to the Inn to rest properly. Gove and Maki reluctantly agreed. Marina told Drac about Banner. How he couldn't endure the interrogation by Maki for more than two days. He was willing to spill a lot of secrets as long as Drac was there to stop her from killing him. Drac could feel Hood smile with pride.

Banner sits in the middle of the operation room below ground, tied to a wooden chair. Due to his use of Soulflame, his ability to use Aura has decreased considerably, although he wasn't the best fighter to begin with. With Bob's help, Banner's injuries were mended but his limbs remained maimed. Gove, Maki and Drac stand around him, ready for his answer. Marina is by Bob, picking at her nails, bored.

“Go on,” Drac said.

Banner, terrified of the matters he speaks of, licks his lips.

“A Coin. A large coin mint with a flower.” His voice trembles.

Marina looks up at the leader of the Bones. “A WHAT?"