Cid and Kveldulf arrived to the gate of the city guards. One of the guards saluted the two men. “Master Cid, Lord Kveldulf,” they said, “good to see you both again.”
“Hope the city hasn’t been too harsh on the guard,” Cid said to the sentry.
“No more than normal usual,” the sentry replied.
“That’s fair,” said Cid, chuckling, “I was wondering if we could see the captain? We had some business we were hoping he could help us with?”
“Of course,” said the sentry, waving them in, “I’ll send someone up escort you both to him right now.”
Reaching the central command of the city’s guards, Cid and Kel found Captain Laurent sitting at his desk discussing matters with two individuals. Both dressed in black leather brigandine armor. One was a man, brown hair down to the base of his neck and a well-trimmed beard and moustache. The other was dressed the same as their companion, but had their head covered with a barbuta helm, with narrow slits in front of their eyes.
Laurent spotted Cid and Kveldulf before turning back to the other two and standing up and holding out his hand. “Excuse for a moment, please. Cid, Kel!”
“Captain,” Cid replied, gripping the captain’s forearm, “sorry to catch you in the middle of something.”
“Not at all,” said Laurent, “in fact I was just talking about you and the others to these two just now.”
“I’m not sure if we should be flattered or concerned,” Kveldulf said to the captain.
“The captain has done all but sung your praises,” the man said, rising to his feet and extending a hand to the two.
“Now that is something I would’ve liked to have seen,” Cid said to Kveldulf. “Especially to someone I do not know.”
“Fair enough,” said the man, “I’m Teodore Galca and this is my partner, Gabriel Cutov.”
Gabriel bowed their head forward. “Well met,” the voice was distorted through the mask.
“So, what odes have you sung to our fame?” Kveldulf asked.
“Ones you’ll just have to keep waiting for later,” Laurent said, turning back towards his two guests. “However, as I was saying, I believe the two of you might have some mutual goals.”
“Oh really,” Cid replied, “How so?”
“Well, we’ve been made aware a member of the Kolvilles clan has found a sizable bounty on their head.”
Cid cocked an eyebrow up. “We heard about that, too. Though we haven’t really decided on if we’re taking the bounty or not.”
Kveldulf looked at Cid before turning back to the two others. “How you two had a run in with these individuals before?”
“Personally, no,” said Teodore, “but they’ve made themselves … known to some of other associates.”
Cid and Kveldulf looked at each other before looking back at the two. “Should we be discussing this in a more … private setting?” Cid asked.
“It wouldn’t be a horrible thing,” Teodore replied.
Gabriel nodded silently in agreement before rising to their feet.
Laurent led them to one of the interrogation rooms. “Sorry if it’s not … homely. We weren’t expecting it to be entertaining guests,” the captain said slightly embarrassed.
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“Nothing to fret, my friend,” said Cid. “This should suit our purposes quite nicely.”
As the four sat down around the small table Cid turned to Teodore. “So, what exactly can we do for each other?”
Teodore cleared his throat, raising his eyebrows high before regaining his composure. “Hmm, excuse me. So, while we don’t want to say we’re trying to be, well, I don’t want to use the word secretive.”
“I guess ambiguous wouldn’t help,” said Kveldulf.
“I was thinking that for a moment,” said Teodore, “but no.”
“We would prefer it not made public knowledge,” said Gabriel.
The three turned to them before looking at each other.
“I’m certain there’s a simple word that doesn’t sound ominous,” said Teodore. “But in any case, we’ve been made aware that the Kolville brothers have gotten themselves into a bit of a bind with their upper peers.”
“We’ve heard a little bit about that,” said Cid, “But I don’t see what this would have to do with your … associates? I’m sorry, I don’t think we know who you’re working for specifically.”
“We’re members of an order referred to as The Crimson Blades,” Teodore.
“Right the vampire hunters,” said Kveldulf.
Both Teodore and Gabriel looked at each other. “We prefer sentinels, if it’s all the same to you,” Teodore said to them.
“How come?” Cid asked.
“Hunters can give the implication that we’re hunting all vampires. And that’s simply what we do.”
“And what is that your people do?” Kveldulf asked.
“We hunt vampiric criminals,” said Gabriel, “those who risk adding further wrath upon those who simply wish to live their lives in peace.”
“Not to mention perpetuating some of the harsher iconography when one thinks of vampires and other creatures that go bump in the night.”
“Ah, so you’re more like specialized guardsmen,” Cid said to Teodore.
“That’s a fair assessment, yes,” said Teodore. “And a good portion of our numbers of vampires themselves. Be somewhat contradictory to be in a good dedicated to the eradication of your people, as well as yourself in the process.”
“And how did the Kolvilles get your attention?”
“After the Vamprye Disporia, many vampires journeyed to various parts of the world,” said Teodore. “The vast majority residing in the Prydainlands for refuge and safety. When they arrived, they had brought some of their more sacred artifacts of their culture and faith. Tapestries, religious tomes, statues, royal jewels, things of that nature.
“As you can imagine, not everyone was thrilled to have such esoteric neighbors. And made this well known. One of the lords, Eustace Kolville, had been trying to wrest land granted to the refugees by his own high king. This led to some rather violent incursions between both parties. Recently, one of his curs born progenies absconded with an item of significant importance to the community.”
Held his hand over his mouth and silently took in the words as Cid responded. “What type of artifact are we talking about here? Cultural, religious, magical?”
“It has a high value in terms of it as a relic of the past.”
“But you don’t know if it has magical properties?” Kveldulf asked.
“We don’t know,” Gabriel replied. “Much of our past was lost during the Disporia. And what we do know is a little better than educated guesses if not pure myths.”
“And what pray tell did the Kolvilles steal?” Kveldulf asked.
“It is a stone sarcophagus called The Heart of Evenstar. We’re not certain who is buried in it. But it’s been a hallowed relic of our people for thousands of years.”
“And what does this Eustace wish to gain from taking this vestige?” Cid asked.
“We don’t know,” said Teodore. “And that’s what we’re concerned about.”
“We’re not certain if this is a relic of incredible magical power, if it has a curse placed to prevent it from being opened, or if it is simply someone’s resting place,” said Gabriel.
“And what exactly would you have us do?” Cid asked the two.
“We’ve been tasked by the High King of the Prydainlands, to keep the peace and bring vampires who break the king’s laws. However, we’re not allowed to go after other criminals. And if we made a move against the Kolvilles, it could potentially make vampiric subjects targets for reprisals and even full on pogroms in cities and villages,” said Teodore.
“And we’d want to take on the Kolvilles?” Kveldulf responded.
Gabriel reached into an inner pocket in a vest and pulled out a small folded piece of paper and placed it on the table, pushing it towards Cid and Kveldulf. “I do believe one of your own has had a well-established history with the Kolvilles.”
Cid took the piece of paper, unfolded it and read it carefully. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath and handed the slip to Kveldulf. “Oh no,” Kveldulf said in a low growl.
“Well, when she goes, she goes big,” Cid said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“You should probably know a few bounty hunters have already arrived to collect,” said Gabriel.
“How do you know that?” Kveldulf demanded, shooting up from his chair, his hand already grabbing the handle of his shortened halberd. Cid grabbed Kel’s arm and gave him a stern gaze.
“They were on the same ship we traveled on when we arrived here,” Teodore replied. “One of the reasons we came here was to get in contact with your group so has to alert you all to this.”
“I hate to be rude,” said Cid, rising from his seat and talking quickly, “but we need to attend to this matter right now.”