The moment Catarina stuck her waterskin out for Vivian, Malkai used some sort of spell on the both of them. Suddenly it felt less hot and much more bearable. She wasn't even all that thirsty anymore. But then he had a bunch of water splash on Catarina and Vivian both. It it wasn't refreshing, Catarina would have been pissed. She didn't stay quiet though. [color=fff79a]"Kya! Stupid oaf! I swear if I had my weapons on me I'd stab you!"[/color] Followed with a chuckle, Catarina didn't really mean it. But she did stamp her feet against Malkai's back ineffectively, knowing that she wasn't really going to hurt him.

Vivian too a drink from Catarina's waterskin, mentioning that her gratitude was all she could give. And for a drow, that wasn't much. Catarina didn't really have a responds to that. If she was anyone else, Catarina would have said something like "It's alright, I trust you" or "I'm your friend, you don't owe me anything". But she couldn't. Vivian has so far proven to be nothing but loyal and dedicated to the group... And for a drow, that was odd. Maybe it was just Catarina being paranoid again, but she swears that Vivian was up to something. Vivian mentioned resting up for a bit to Malkai, making Catarina really wonder just how much trust was being passed around. For Vivian to go to sleep right now, she was making herself vulnerable to anyone who wants to take advantage of her. Not to say that Catarina wanted to, yet...

Looking over at Vivian, Catarina noticed how soaked she was. Those thin strips of cloth she calls "clothes" did nothing to protect her modesty. Catarina could see Vivian's bare skin through the wet strips, every bump and curve on her lithe yet supple body. Her skin, despite being darker than most, was like a beautiful ebony. Indeed, her body was beautifully shaped as if she was carved from wood by a master craftsman. Vivian's wet hair was as dark as night, but the water droplets reflected light as if they were stars. Catarina's breath quicken before she realized she was starting to become... Lustful. Averting her eyes Catarina drank what little of the water she had left, trying to focus more on other, more important things than Vivian's tantalizing body.

[color=fff79a]"It's a trick. That's how they get you. Kind words, a pretty face, a gentle touch... Don't let them use you again Catarina. You're better then that. You've already learned your lesson."[/color] Catarina said quietly to herself. She remembered a moment a short while ago, Catarina thought she was in love. But there was no love, just lust. Catarina gave herself to her lover and thought they were going to be together... But the morning after, Catarina was left cold and alone. She should have known better, she has seen similar things happen to her mercenaries she worked with. She joked at their expense at how they were tricked by a common whore out of their wages, but Catarina fell for the same tricks. She should have known better, but her own naivety thought she knew exactly what she was doing. but she wasn't going to make that mistake the second time.

Finally calming down, Catarina tried her best to keep watch. She tossed a silk blanket over Vivian to protect her from the sun as well as to make her comfortable. Catarina didn't know if drow skin gets sun burnt, so if it didn't at least the blanket would make for a decent pillow case. After that Catarina took her crossbow out, loading a bolt, and kept watch for any enemies on the horizon.

[hr]

Parum watched with great interest as the inquisitor and company interrogated the lowly thugs. While most kept their mouths shut one was willing to spill the beans about their vampire master. This was getting very interesting: Perhaps these thugs didn't merely intend to mug the handsome stranger, but also bring him to their master for feeding or slavery? Additionally, Parum was rather amused that there was a [i]vampire[/i] living in a [i]desert city[/i]. Perhaps the absurdity of such a thing is what has allowed the vampire to survive this long. Parum continued to eavesdrop, hearing the name of the inquisitor and her quest. Vampire slaying was no small task. Not only are vampires themselves powerful foes, but they often had many minions and lackeys of considerable strength. At least stronger than these thugs here.

By the time Erika and the others had left the alley, Parum was gone. Based off Erika's outfit and purpose the halfling merchant could guess which monastery they were staying at, though it helped that Parum had followed the guards all the way back while they were escorting the prisoners. Parum didn't know where this "Wilhelm" person was or the pawn, but Parum knew this city well. Sure she may have just showed up, but Parum would never go somewhere she didn't know the in's and out's of. Parum's knowledge of the local area was so great that she could easily pretend to be a local, which is exactly what she intends to do when she meets the inquisitor. While Parum didn't have magic, she was still a great bluffer and has lied even in a zone of truth. Well, twist the truth, but essentially the same thing to her.

But before she would meet the inquisitor, Parum needed to do some trading. If they were going to hunt vampires, they would need vampire hunting tools. And Parum, being the extraordinary merchant she was, knew exactly where to get them at the best price.