“I’m not drinking that stuff,” Anusha said and pushed a glass full of mushroom mead away from her as she sat with three Shewish Giants at the Broken Sword tavern.
My-re had just placed the four drinks on the table.
“Why not? Gromp think mushroom mead good beverage for everyone,” Gromp said.
“I drank five glasses of that stuff once and was told I started to have an argument with an imaginary dragon,” Anusha said.
“Then pretty female we shall drink six glasses and finish the conversation,” Gromp said pounding on the table with eagerness.
“I’m not getting drunk. There is a vampire on the Isle of the Eye,” Anusha said and glanced around to see who might be watching.
“Gromp no like bitey things,” Gromp said scrunching his neck down and held his glass tighter. His two giant companions shared concerned looks.
“There is no way Lady Greywand is going to let a murderous monster near her island,” My-re said, retrieving previously emptied tankards.
“Have you not been on the Lake of Mists lately?” Anusha retorted.
“Point taken. How do you know anyway?” My-re asked.
“Here’s my proof!” Anusha said and held out a sheet of parchment in front of her. “Look at my fight transcript.”
All My-re saw were spidery writing in ink that didn’t have any meaning for her.
“Can’t you read?” Anusha pulled the paper back and recited. “It says, Lara Croff of the Dead Legends stable is a vampire!”
“Maybe it was a typographical error?”
“How do you typo vampire?”
“Did human female see pointy teeth?” Gromp asked.
“No, fortunately I had a wooden weapon, so I was too busy beating the nine hells out of the beast to check its smile,” Anusha said.
“Maybe she’s a good vampire?” Gromp questioned.
“Oh yes. Pardon me. I’m a bit famished. Do you mind if I bite you and drink your blood?”
“Gromp don’t know,” Gromp said exasperated.
“What I do know is if I match with her on the sands again, I don’t care if they call it, I’m not going to stop until I drive my weapon through its black heart,” Anusha said.
***
A few hours later after closing time….
“Here take my great sword,” General Pol said and hefted the bulky weapon out from behind the bar. “It’s a back-up.”
‘Why? I’m on an island full of Lord Protectors, as well as a Protector myself,” My-re said.
“There’s a rumor of a vampire stalking the area.”
“I heard. I’m not worried,” My-re said as she wiped her hands on a rag and folded it on the counter. Stepping outside and heading back to her stable, the night was warm with a strong, steady breeze brining in the fresh smell of seaweed from the nearby lake waters. Insects calling out to prospective mates carried on the air. As she proceeded down the road where lanterns lit the street, My-re noticed a long section of darkness where several lights were out. Likely due to the strong wind, but the specter that a vampire was on the Isle of the Eye started to make a nice home in her gut.
“Don’t be stupid,” My-re told herself. She took one step towards the darkened section and stopped. “To the nine hells with this.” She then darted off the path and into the coverage of trees. She quickened her stride, but after a short time the constant call of life in the night brought a sense of ease. She slowed her pace. The crunch of old leaves and twigs under her weight had a pleasing feel to it. Just a nice walk in the woods on a beautiful night. It was then she noticed the insects and other noises of life cease. It was like a leaver had been pulled. Even the fresh smell of seaweed dissipated. She stopped. The cannels of her ears opened up listening for sounds of a threat. Her breathing slowed to almost nothing. Time stopped. My-re felt like something watched her. She could feel her heart pounding hard. Her chest felt hollow.
A void of darkness passed overhead. A strong gust of wind followed almost knocking her off balance.
My-re launched herself sprinting forward. Her long legs stretched to their utmost as her muscles pumped hard. She noticed a large creature’s shade follow her overhead as she ran. It was as if reality itself was being distorted. The inky blackness was closing fast behind her. She broke from the woods. Something grabbed her tight around the chest. It stopped her in her tracks. Its strength was incredible. Instinct took over. Howling she snapped her knee up with full force at her foe connecting with leather. Its grip released. She focused all of her skill and power into devastating kicks at the figure in front of her.
“I yield! I yield!” shouted the voice of Vomarian Fae, the captain of the Unsinkable III.
Focusing My-re saw the Shagornan elf on the ground rolled up into a ball, holding up one hand in supplication and the other covering his groin. She snapped her head back towards the trees. Nothing. Turning back, the sounds of insects and other nightlife returned. Alastari’s full moon and the multitude of stars without number in the heavens shone brightly bathing the road in light. Breathing, the smell of fresh seaweed had also returned.
“Why in the nine hells did you knee me?” Vomarian Fae asked sitting on the road, but rocked back and forth in a semblance for comfort.
“You grabbed me.”
“You charged out of the woods like Ahringol, the god of the dead himself was chasing you. I reached out only to prevent you from running me over,” Vomarian Fae said.
“What are you doing out here?” Don’t you have a flying ship to oversee?” My-re asked.
“Looking for you actually? I was heading towards the Broken Swords.”
“Was I not clear two weeks ago? I’m not going to be your Rirorni interpreter.”
“Lady Greywand has asked me to invite you to the Stronghold Academy. She has someone she wants you to meet.”
“At this time of night? Who?”
“I didn’t meet her, but someone of importance it seems who has traveled far. She goes by the name Feriale of the Drakenfell Mountains.”