VAMPIRES AGAIN

Sitting in my study with my personal guards and Cinda at my call, I slouched back in my chair, eyeing the pile of reports I had to painfully read through and sign off.

CINDA

I believe in you, sire.

She praised me. I let out a huff and sat up straight.

LEON

Indeed... these reports won't read themselves.

I mumbled and slid off the first sheet of the pile and placed it before me. Hours into my work, I saw that most of these documents were provisions and write-offs for Biggs and Wedge's safety—including their apprentices.

I was reluctant to sign off on it, but the stone masons made a case by mentioning the use of adventurers. I shook my head and moved on, noticing requests for additional land purchases just shy of the gates by the stable owner. These were the ones I could happily approve of since they were protected by the guards, and the land previously belonged to them.

Several hours later, a scuffle reached my ear, and I looked up at Don entering.

DONATELLO

More work to keep you put, Chief.

He stated with a soft smile and materialized a stack of reports onto my desk.

I groaned in defeat and leaned back in my chair. Don eyed the signed reports, noticing it was a far smaller stack than the one he had just brought in.

DONATELLO

Need help?

I sprung back up and slid the following report in front of me.

LEON

Cinda believes in me. I can handle this.

I could feel Cinda gleaming behind me as Don nodded and placed a finger on the stack he had just brought in,

DONATELLO

These are requests from Gate regarding funds, the city's new borders, and recruitment.

I nodded,

LEON

Thanks.

I felt him still staring down at me,

LEON

I'm fine—I can handle this.

DONATELLO

I believe in you, Chief.

Don turned to leave but nearly ran into Sarah, another servant who, if she was here, had news from the courts.

LEON

Oh, that reminds me, Don.

He doubled back,

DONATELLO

What is it?

LEON

Scryers. I saw that Cain was using them. Could we afford a few ourselves?

He thought about it for a moment before slowly nodding,

DONATELLO

I believe we can sire. They are costly, but the issue with Scryers, if I recall correctly, is the lengthy production time.

I nodded in understanding,

LEON

I see. If we have the budget for it, feel free to make a request at your discretion.

I took my attention to Sarah,

LEON

News, I presume?

I asked, noticing Don standing by to listen in as well.

SARAH

Yes, sire,

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

She bowed her head politely,

SARAH

We have reports of adventurers encountering two vampires at the west ruins.

LEON

What?

I blurted out as my skin prickled with fear, and my old nightmares of Vampire Lich resurfaced.

LEON

Vampires again?

I asked more calmly, and she nodded.

LEON

Do we have a detailed report?

I asked, already searching through the piles of documents on my desk.

SARAH

No sire.

I frowned up at her,

LEON

Why not?

DONATELLO

We would only have such a report if the adventurers went into detail with a guard or an assessor.

LEON

Then we should find these adventurers and ask them.

Don was already shaking his head,

DONATELLO

No sire, adventurers are independent, remember. They are not our citizens but, more or less, guests in our city. I can assure you, if we were to question them, they would put a hefty price on any information.

I stared at him for a moment before shaking my head in defeat,

LEON

Ridiculous. This is dire news, Don.

DONATELLO

Sorry sire, but we must wait for the guild's officer to arrive. Think of them as the liaison between the guild and the city.

He folded his arms and rocked slightly on his heels,

DONATELLO

To be honest, we should be grateful for such news. I am sure these adventurers did not inform any guards. I suspect an injury was obtained, and the word spread naturally throughout our city.

I attempted to digest his prompt tutorship for a moment before asking,

LEON

So I should just leave it to these adventurers?

Don nodded eagerly as I glanced at Sarah's uncomfortable look and gestured for her to leave.

DONATELLO

We could even set up our own quests for these adventurers.

LEON

If we have the budget,

I shrugged, but he materialized a ledger and handed it to me.

DONATELLO

I have already done so.

He touted proudly as I gave him a side-eye. I opened the thin ledger, and with a quick look, I saw that he had already drafted dozens of quests, each being no more than five thousand puries.

LEON

Requesting scouts?

He nodded again,

DONATELLO

Adventurers seek fame and glory, but beneath it all, they all have a sense of fear. If the price is right, sending adventurers off to scout an area has both the sense of danger and the alleviation of not having to hunt down an objective.

I nodded, reading that he forced the adventurers to camp out at a certain distance from the city.

LEON

I see... have adventurers play the role of vanguards... For our soldiers?

He smiled uncertainly, but I shrugged,

LEON

I can't say that this isn't cruel, but these adventurers, as you say, are our guests. If they wish to be used as pawns, I can not say anything against them.

I handed him back the ledger.

LEON

Complete it and return it to me.

He bowed his head politely and took his leave.

I sat back in my chair and expelled a breath of fatigue.

CINDA

You should go for a walk, sire.

I shook my head and postured myself,

LEON

No time. I must finish this.

CINDA

But you haven't visited your father yet today, sire.

Dammit, she was right, and I massage my forehead at the quick sting of a headache. I exhaled once more and stood,

LEON

Let's go.