In a quick moment, Teodore and Gabriel were escorted by Kveldulf into Cid’s quarters Gabriel now had her hood and mask off. Revealing amber eyes that turn red near the pupil, short raven hair, and pale skin. Cid noted the stoic demeanor he had seen with officers back during his days in The Cold Company. He noted how, with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, it was relaxed but nearby to unsheathe if needed, in a place of safety.

Cid stood from his seat walking up to shake their hands. “Good to finally see you both in the flesh,” he said to them.

“Well it isn’t as if we haven’t met before,” Teodore said to him.

“No, but your friend doesn’t need to shield herself from the sun.”

Teodore turned to Gabriel. “He does have a point.”

“For the record, our doctor will probably have some questions for you when you meet him.”

“Actually, he was the one who invited me into the keep, he noticed I was standing at the doorway when the others had already entered,” said Gabriel.

“That makes sense,” Cid replied.

“I was surprised he recognized that.”

“The doctor is well versed on … esoteric knowledge.”

Teodore and Gabriel nodded. “Hmm,” Teodore said, “good to know.”

“So, what brings you both to our part of the world?” Cid asked, taking his seat, gesturing the two to do the same. “I figured we had gone over most of what needed to be discussed.”

“Most,” said Teodore. “Though there was something we were hoping to ask.”

“What’s that?”

“The order felt it was imperative to have one of our own members be a part of this effort. To ensure our interests were being taken into account.”

“I see,” said Cid. “And I can imagine you’re aware this is already going to be difficult with Jeanne’s history, yes?”

“The point has not been lost on us,” said Teodore. “And we recognize this is coming at a rather precarious moment.”

“And I can imagine us saying no would only cause more problems for both our groups?”

“I don’t see it making things easier,” Teodore admitted.

Cid let out a long groan as he stretched his neck, a couple of pops sounding out. “Then may I ask who you plan to have tag along?”

“I was nominated,” Gabriel replied, tilting her head forward.

“Right, and I don’t suppose you have experience in these types of situations?”

Gabriel pulled out a dossier and handed it to Cid. “I thought you’d appreciate a more organized collection of my credentials.”

Cid went over them carefully. “You know, I shouldn’t be surprised how extensive your record is, but I am.”

“I hear that a lot.”

“So, I can assume taking orders from me is not going to be an issue?”

“As long as it does not anything to needlessly harm civilians, vampiric or other, I shouldn’t see that as an issue.”

“Good,” said Cid. “We’ve got a good group of people here. And would not want to see them hurt because of some hothead.”

Teodore snickered at the comment.

“Was there something I said?” Cid asked.

“If you knew her, you wouldn’t need to worry about that.”

“I appreciate the ringing endorsement, Teo.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Oh, you know it’s true.”

Gabriel shook her head before turning back to Cid. “To address your concern, I will work to avoid the ‘hotheaded’ path in these situations.”

“Good,” Cid said to them before raising from his seat. “Well let’s get you introduced to the rest don’t think you got lost while on your way back.”

Cid saw Teodore pressing his lips together and Gabriel point a finger at him.

Arriving to the library Cid, Teodore and Gabriel found Leonidas leafing through a book with several other parchments strewn about the table. “Doctor!” Cid called out, “Do you have a second?”

Leonidas perked his head up. “Whatever I did, I didn’t do it?”

“Not this time, at least,” Cid replied. “I want you to meet our liaison to the Crimson Blades.”

Leonidas stood from his seat, stretching out his hand to the woman. “Right, we met at the keep’s entrance, correct?”

Gabriel nodded. “You gave me an invite into the place.”

“I hope that didn’t appear presumptuous.”

Gabriel shook her head. “Not at all. You’d be amazed how many times I’ve had to stand outside for an ungodly amount of time because someone forget to let me in.”

“Still, I know some vampires prefer not to be addressed as such. But I also don’t want to appear rude.”

Gabriel laughed softly. “Still, I was impressed you could tell who I was?”

“Well, the ambered eyes, pale skin, and needed to be invited inside our headquarters, were the big give aways. If you weren’t of the vampiric persuasion, then throw egg on my face and call me flatulent jester of kings.”

“He is an eccentric one, isn’t he?” Gabriel asked Cid.

“To be fair, we all are,” Cid replied.

“Though in all fairness, I’m still trying to tell dhampirs, vampires and the other more humanoid varieties apart.”

“Is it truly important,” Gabriel asked lifting an eyebrow up.

“For me, yes, because each one requires different approaches to treat wounds.”

“Sort of like that tonic you have that can kill lycans,” Cid replied.

“Precisely!”

“Good to know,” said Gabriel. “I was concerned there was more to it than that.”

Leonidas shook his head. “Oh no, I learned a long time ago, what truly defines a person is their actions, not their birth. Besides, I knew a few vampires back in my time in the Outlands. Fine people. A little off kilter, but still fine people.”

“Good to know,” Gabriel said to Leonidas. “Though in all honesty, it’s hard to tell dhampirs and vampires apart.”

“I still throw some people off when they meet me,” Teodore said to Cid and Leonidas.

“How come?” Cid asked.

“Because I’m not a vampire.”

Cid looked back at Leonidas before turning back to Teodore. “I should’ve guessed that.”

“I’m surprised to see both human and vampires working together,” said Cid.

“Since we answer to the high king of the

“So, what brings you all to my wonderful workspace?”

“I thought general introductions would be good, since she’ll be coming with us on this little excursion of ours.”

“Oh?” Leonidas said, his eyebrows creasing, “How come?”

“The Kolvilles aided in stealing something of value to one of our noble patrons,” Gabriel said, “and to our people, and we want it back where it belongs.”

“Don’t I can ask what this item is?”

“It’s a sarcophagus, specifically.”

Leonidas jerked his head back sharply. “Huh, why would they steal that?”

“Well, you know the rumors and innuendos that can float around about vampires. How garlic is somehow a fatal weakness for us. Or for some reason all we do is tie our diet with an ungodly amount of copulation.”

“Oh yeah,” Leonidas said, rubbing his chin, “that is a common trope.”

“Is garlic actually harmful to vampires?” Cid asked.

“No,” Gabriel said, shaking her head, “they just give us exceptionally bad breath and enough flatulence to shake the floors.”

Leonidas and Cid exchanged glances. “Did you know about that, Doctor?” Cid asked.

“No, and I now, I sincerely regret learning this.”

“Regardless, there is a prevailing rumor that our blood as a magic property to it. Some people think it can cure diseases while others swear it can imbue themselves with new abilities.”

“So, they pinched this thing for someone to try and surpass their limitations. How quaint,” Leonidas said, closing one eye as the other twitched.

“And there’s no word on if this has an enchantment or some other incantation placed on it?” Cid asked.

Teodore shook his head. “No, we tend to assume they do until we find a document saying otherwise, or we find someone who can determine one way or the other. Better to play it safe and not set off the magical explosion from curiosity.”

“I’ve heard of a few those occurring when I was in the Outlands,” said Leonidas. “The aftermath was – unpleasant.”

“Really?” Cid asked.

“Absolutely! You had people who paid no heed to any form of caution when diving into dungeons, caverns, or some other obscenely darkened place of the world. And a few times they’d set a trap off which would get someone killed or maimed or hexed with something terrible. Do we know who’s in the sarcophagus?”

Teodore and Gabriel both shook their heads.

“We don’t have any records who is inside,” said Teodore. “All we know from the material and design is it was someone of high stature.”

“Outstanding,” Leonidas said with a groan.

“And of course it’s in the hands of those who’ll take all sorts of precautions regarding the cargo,” Cid followed.

“It seems these Kolvilles are just making friends everywhere,” Leonidas replied.

“That’s certainly one way of putting it,” Gabriel said to the doctor.

“I recommend we try and nab this thing before those idiots set off something that could wipe out half a city from their stupidity.”

Cid shook his head rapidly. “Let’s hope no one is dumb enough to consider that thought before then.”

They turned as Kveldulf popped his head into the library from the staircase. “Hey Cid, we have a royal herald here with a letter.”

“Who’s it for?” Cid asked.

Kveldulf cocked an eyebrow up. “You, sadly.”

“And I can guess who’s it from,” Cid followed.

“It is.”

“Out … standing,” Cid said regretfully.