[https://i.imgur.com/sfHqwWT.jpg]

At the quarterdeck, Marina scanned the new addition to the party. She sat on a barrel with her thigh boots on another, pursing her lips as she looked up and down, unnerving the new girl.

“Who the fuck is she?” Marina asked.

“Yes, that’s a good question,” Drac said. “Who are you?”

The woman straightened herself and said, "Ahem... The name is Flida. Imma tracker, you see. Do you want a beast found? ” She poses with her hands on her hips. Need someone located? I am the gal for ya! Master Tracker of the Great Forest is at your service!”

Fuck another loud one.

Drac leaned, arms crossed, on the railing. He inspected Flida.

“You lot stare too much.”

“Sorry. I am just wondering why twenty or so Aura users would search for a simple tracker.”

“I ain't simple! Thank you very much. I just... I just know how to find something they need.”

“That is?” Drac asked Flida.

“If I tell ya, you will want it too.”

Drac glanced at Marina and Bob, who stood by the side, reading. They glanced back, sharing his sentiment.

“Fine. We won't pry. But if it becomes a distraction-”

“Leave. I get ya.”

“Tell us so we can help you deal with the problem quickly.”

Florida rubbed her forearm. “Okay.”

"We dock at Penketh tomorrow morning. We should go to rest. ” Drac said, stretching his arms.

“Come Flida. I’ll show you where to sleep, far away from the smelly, scurvy-ridden bastards.” Marina jumped up from her barrel and escorted Flida with locked arms. Flida seemed uncomfortable with the contact.

“I better go down as well. You coming, Bob?”

“They were not mercenaries.”

“What you say?”

Ah.

“They were trained formally, and their clothes looked new and clean.”

Drac thought for a second. “You figure it's a special operation by a noble.”

Bob nodded his head and folded his book. “Goodnight, Drac,” Bob said to Drac, and he left to rest.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Fuck. You should've left one alive.

Doesn’t matter. The girl knows all. We just have to wait till she tells us.

Drac walked over to the railing overlooking the main deck. Five sailors with broken noses and welts on their faces clean the floor of blood.

So…

Yes, let's play chess.

Drac stepped out of the cabin, leading the mist down the ramp onto the dock.

“Bob. If you would get the caravan, please.”

“Yes, Marina.” Bob disappeared down a path.

“Drac, your "brother," is he as strong as you say?”

Drac led Mist down the dock. Marina walked beside him with an anxious Flida, looking around.

“No idea. Never met the guy. But Drac seems to think so.”

He has trained in aura techniques and swordsmanship his entire life. While I have had to pick up bits and pieces. To truly realise our potential-

“‘-he is needed.’ is what Hood said.”

Flida looked at Drac like he was going mad.

As expected.

“I think it's starting to dawn on me how special you are.”

“Figuring out that I am special now?” Drac giggled.

“No. Before, you were a normal genius-special. But your potential... It is mind-blowing.” Marina had an enormous grin. “I knew following you was the best decision I have ever made.”

Drac pivoted away from her face, reddening through his dark skin. Marina chuckled. Flida, walking between them, looked at both like they had gone crazy.

A large red caravan rounded the corner to meet them. Two gigantic horses pull the Vardo down the road. Bob rode on top. Drac went closer to touch the different chiselled patterns on the wood.

“It's beautiful.”

Flida came close to Drac and said, “Like what I ordered? It's a Vardo, used by travellers as a mobile home as they traverse through the woods. Should be good enough to fit about eight people.”

Drac patted the wood, testing for its thickness.

“It's made of trees grown in the great forest. It's strong as hell.”

Drac peeked at the horses. Mist nozzles the much larger horses.

“Great job. Let's pack our things.”

Riding out of Penketh on a muddy road, Drac read a book above the Vardo.

So in exchange for close to eternal life, vampires have to suck the human body out of their life fluids and soul.

Blood is an easy way to consume a person's soul.

Now that they have lost their food source, where will they go next?

That's a problem for Isaac to deal with. Look ahead. We are at the ravine.

The road ends abruptly. Jumping from the roof of the Vardo, Drac joined the others, looking at Ravine. A small stream flowed on shiny smooth rocks. Lush forests grew on the slopes.

Over there.

At the end of the stream, there is a waterfall. A narrow walkway led the party behind the falling water and into a cave. An old man with a gold and black cane waits for them.

The Handler.

“Hello There! It's nice to meet you. As you can see from my face, I have come to get him.”

Under a white, bristled beard, the man said, “Leave.”

“Huh.” Drac looked back at his group in confusion.

"Leave, or I will make you leave.”

What's going on here?

“Ok, sir. There must be an understanding.”

The old man vanished.

Something gold appeared under Drac's chin. He managed to slip by to the right. Then a smack to the face took him off his feet, spinning the air and into the wall.

“Drac!” Marina shouted as she shot fire at the attacker.

The fire was snuffed out by the swing of a cane.

The handler stomped his cane on the ground, and the wind moved his grey wool coat.

“I said leave.”