So this was the source of the beasts. The location where they had found their entry. It certainly possessed a different feel then the rest of the human town, and the bloodstains indicated that the humans here had been torn apart quite swiftly. Or perhaps that there was more then mere notes being taken in this place. The scent of blood and beasts from deeper inside, towards the room Dragan had entered, perhaps implied the latter possibility.

Given her fellow Lord had chosen to head deeper inside, Aleksiya took it upon herself to instead investigate the scattered notes.

"Meddling in such things... no wonder they brought pain upon their people," she complained with a sigh, "Idiots."

The other people in the village weren't to blame, of course, but whoever was in charge of this place certainly was.

But they'd seemingly reaped their harvest already.

Far more curious was the contents of the notes themselves.

Humans and beasts alike, warped by something deeper in the forest? The fact that whoever had penned the notes concluded a vampire was responsible? The place where one fell...

A smirk crossed the diminutive vampire's lips.

"Ah, perfect timing," she declared when her fellow lord returned, "I'd gathered as much, to be honest. Whatever idiot was in charge here succeeded only in bringing about their own deaths, and the deaths of the underserving. Or rather..."

Aleksiya raised one of the notes.

"That's what I would say, if not for this. Perhaps we can root out the source of these beasts and discover the resting place of another one of our fellows, hmm?"

@Psyker Landshark@Rune_Alchemist

Returning from whence she'd disappeared off to for a brief time, Luna contemplated within the study after hearing from the others, pinching her chin between fingers.

"Well, it should not be difficult to pin the source of this foul research from the townsfolk. We have all seen them- scrawny, scared little things. Strength is foreign to them, even moreso magic. There would be few among them who could even have the knowledge with which to carry out these studies. I surmise it would not be difficult for them to point a finger at the culprit among them," she said.

"Were it not for the ignorance latent in these pages, I might have guessed another undead was hidden amongst them. Now... should we find this purported vampire lord in the forest- what is our course? Forgive me if I overstep, but I sense that..."

Luna paused, and looked between Aleksiya and Dragan a few times each.

"...That we are not as bloodthirsty as our unnamed potential brother or sister. Despite our power and providence, a human village remains standing, untouched, by our presence. Our steps have been light upon the mortal realm thus far- would we accept the behavior of a vampire lord that dispenses things as this?" she asked, gesturing to the general grounds around them.

Location:
Human Village
@Psyker Landshark@Asuras@VitaVitaAR

---

As Dragan approached, the beast started growling, struggling against its chains snarling at the vampire as he approached, trying its best to claw and bite at the vampire, but its muzzle and bindings held fast. Whoever bound the creature up, certainly knew what they were doing in that regard it seemed, and so the blood spike formed…and was impaled right in the beasts still beating heart.

The beast let out a gurgled, pained howl as it’d continue to weakly struggle as Dragan left. Soon though, as it’d raise a shackled claw towards the vampire, its body would fall completely limp, death claiming the beast.

There was nothing really else of note in the room aside from what had already been gleaned. For now though, it seemed the small crisis was over with and they were safe enough to return to Giles and maybe see how Akyasha and Giselle fared above ground.

Location:
Human Village, Riverside
@Pyromania99@Click This

---

“A girl that wanted to survive.” Julene spat back towards Akyasha. “And…not sit on her arse while the others cower in fear.” The blacksmith held onto Giselle, her legs weak and strength drained from the fighting and inhaling a bit too much smoke to stand easily. “Aye, we should-” A series of sputtering coughs followed. “-but before that,” As weak as she was, she promptly pointed her blade towards Giselle and Akyasha both, glaring at the two of them.

“I thank ye both for helping me and the village.” The human suppressed a cough. “I want answers. What the bloody five hells are you and,” A cough, but the grip on her blade held tightly. “I saw the way you fought, fake holy woman. No way you and this one are normal humans.”

Well, it wasn’t like Julene could do anything to the two of them, even if she wasn’t currently injured and winded but it was hard to tell if she was planning anything or had some other trick up her sleeves.

“What are you…and what are you here for?” She’d narrow her eyes, messy hair swaying gently in a breeze, the blade shifting slightly in her hands to point tip pointed right at Akyasha’s neck. “I ain’t no fool so don’t play me for one either.”

One of Akyasha’s blood bats landed on her shoulder, hissing at Julene in an irritable manner.

“Hurt me. Fun, but hurt. Smashed against wall. Can eat?”

The other one that had become Giselle’s friend took a position on her shoulder too this time instead of her head. Though, from the fact it was rubbing its head against her cheek now like some sort of impish feline it remained to be seen if this was an improvement.

Location:
Pirates End
@crimson Paladin

---

“You have my thanks.” The maid replied with a tired nod of her head. Getting to shore was fairly easy. The undead seemed to settle down, vanishing back into their watery grave as the vampire carried his ward across the ships and towards the shoreline. Cynthia remained quiet as she was carried up until they had finally arrived at their destination, atop the sheer cliffs overlooking the now calm sea below.

“Here, put me down.” Cynthia would say, and whether he did or not she’d swiftly leap out of his grip either way, seemingly tired still, not no longer unsteady on her feet. “I must say, I’m quite impressed. Mhm, perhaps if I had my fellow Maids or a handful more vampire lords we could have given that thing a thorough walloping and send it back to its terrible sleep.”

She’d rub the eye she had used to gaze at the beast with, but otherwise made no mention of whatever it was she did.

“...Your destination is that way.” She’d point in a vaguely northerly direction. “A river that leads out into the ocean. Follow it to the east and you’ll arrive at that village. You should be fine on your own, now and it's better if we split ways to avoid any suspicion.” She’d pull a small charm from the pockets of her maid dress. “...normally I’d say I’ll come find you, but here,” The charm was in the shape of some sort of religious icon, though it afforded no discomfort to the vampire. A blooming violet, whose stem turned into a blade while the crossguard seemed to form scales upon which to weigh something. “If you need my assistance or wish to speak about our deal, I shall come as soon as I am able…or if it's particularly urgent I may ask a favor of my colleagues.”

As Luna caught up, Dragan considered their current course of action. Both she and Aleksiya did make a fair point that there was very likely another vampire lord somewhere within the woods. Of course, Giselle had presumably run off in that direction already, so continuing on in this vein was logical. Luna did raise an interesting point, but Dragan wasn't quite certain as to whether or not it had any merit in truth.

"Frankly, I have my doubts as to whether this purported vampire lord within the forest has any conscious control over what is being created here. My hundred former brethern were rather thorough in their work, by all appearances. Regardless, I would not let speculation stop us from at least going to judge for ourselves first. Should they not prove tractable, there are enough of us to...rectify that error."

Dragan turned to exit the building, his hammer resting on one shoulder.

"I will catch up momentarily. There are words I would have with the village headman first. Moreover, Giselle and Akyasha must be informed of this development, if either of you two would care to seek them out."

Undead Princess, de Farry

---

Giselle pushed away the gorebat that was using her cheek as a rubbing post, sending the human girl an unamused and equally unimpressed stare. “A very strange way of offering your thanks,” she spoke evenly. “Are you even in any state to use that thing?” She was almost tempted to straight up confiscate the weapon from the injured girl before she ended up injuring herself in a misguided attempt to threaten her and Akyasha, but thought better of it.

Even if she had something else up her sleeve, Giselle didn’t feel overly threatened. What she did feel annoyed about was that she knew nearly nothing about this village or this girl, and couldn’t plan accordingly. Giselle intended to straight up reveal her nature; it was not her style for subterfuge that was flat out lying, and that sort of frank admission always went a long way towards trust.

But she didn’t know how much farther the reputation of her kind had fallen in the millennia since, or what the village’s views on the matters were. Considering that evidence was increasingly looking like another vampire was still existent in some form and terrorizing the human settlement, that decision was starting to look questionable.

After sparing a glance towards the vampire cleric, she decided to take her reply in a slightly different direction. Despite the girl’s… minor insolence, she was tempted to make her hers. She had the skill and the spunk that she favored in her former maid corps. She hoped the fanatic would not ruin it.

“Very well,” she announced, with all the confidence of her standing, and speaking as if what she was implicitly given by her title, “I am Giselle de Farry, sovereign princess of the Principality of Farry. A very long-lived princess that appears to have the misfortune to outlive it and its people after a rather prolonged and involuntary slumber.” She affected a chagrined look at this. As far she knew, this was fact, and it continued to chasten her every waking moment that she had ultimately failed to protect those under her charge. “I cannot speak for the rest of my companions, but as for my personal intentions in these lands, it is my intention to investigate the state of civilization and then to properly to rebuild it.” She flashed the blacksmith girl an almost cheeky grin, turning on a bit of charm but speaking earnestly. “If you think my cause a worthy one and can cast your suspicions aside, I would welcome more allies to the cause.”

A reward was implied, but left unsaid. What reward could be more fitting for a girl that wanted to survive than the ultimate gift a vampire lord could give?

Captain Argus Fellborn

"Perhaps, Ichor willing, we'll rematch that monster with a proper crew someday," Argus replied, putting the maid down. "Nevertheless, I see no shame in a well-executed escape." Unlike the last time he cheated an almost certain death, he pulled it off deftly enough to not warrant sacrificing anyone, he contemplated as he felt a sense of satisfaction in his chest, no doubt from the sense of pride of having pulled it off without deigning to take the easy way.

The pirate still wasn't sure what Cynthia had done with her eye, but she definitely cast the impression that it had taxed her.

Cynthia was unwilling to continue onward, claiming it would be best if the split up, but she gave the vampire directions to the village that she had offered to lead him to. With any luck it shouldn't be too difficult of a walk, assuming there wasn't anything like that sea monster walking around up on land.

"Aye, if I need you, I'll make use of it," he said, accepting the charm, and taking a moment to examine the pattern. "Farewell, lass." He tipped his hat to her and started on his way to the village where, according to Cynthia, other vampires awaited him.

There was much to consider. There was the job to retrieve the blade, of course, but the pirate had other things on his mind. He needed to find corpses for a new crew. He needed to find a source of blood. Perhaps he also needed a ship, but with the collapse of civilization, there would be no wealthy merchant enterprises to plunder out on the seas. Besides, if there was a chance that the Silent Swordbill was still out there awaiting her captain's return, he did not wish to be unfaithful to her.

@Rune_Alchemist

Akyasha spoke back to the gorebat that had asked if it could eat the human ignoring said human's blade with nary a care. "No." She commanded back before turning her attention back to the blacksmith girl and Giselle. After Giselle was done, Akyasha knew what she was implying. How frustrating, trying to encroach when Akyasha already had her sights set on her.

"As for me, please call me Akyasha and I am no 'fake' holy woman. I am fully devoted to my Goddess, though perhaps she is one foreign to you. She is benevolent to her children." Well, no more was needed said than that. "As for what I am doing here... Supplies I suppose? And also to see if more would follow my faith, of course, though that is hard to ask in the best of times forget these current ones." To the both of them there, it was obvious which of the two reasons Akyasha really thought she was here for. Of course, to an outsider, Akyasha did sound like she belong to a religious cult... To her fellow vampires as well.

"And can you put the blade down? If I wanted to harm you, I could have done it long ago." If Julene had seen her fight, it was quite obvious a blade as such meant nothing to the cleric. "Instead, how do you fair? Do you need me to carry you into town?" Akyasha asked, wanting to make sure the human girl were in great shape. "My Goddess has instilled within me great strength." Akyasha mentioned, a good portion of her issues healing up. If it were some broken portions of her body, she could fight through it.

The vampiress turned her gaze towards the hole leading out into cold air, and hummed after Dragan's theory. The drifting apathy in her smooth hum exposed her own doubts -she seemed inclined to believe the nameless lord had at least some hand in this violence. Luna moved to the ladder, and turned back to Aleksiya.

"I would have us reach Giselle first, wherever she may be. She was last with us outside the gates. If she is yet in the forest, she may be in the most danger," Luna explained before climbing up the ladder. Her absurdly long hair hung below as she ascended, like the tail of a golden fox. A fox that, plainly visible to Dragan and Aleksiya, was in dire need of cleaning. Through their travels thus far, the floor-and-then-some-length hair had collected all manner of mud, twigs, and leaves at its splayed ends. The rungs of the ladder helped to sift out only a small amount of the debris.

At the surface, Luna instinctively spread her arms wide and stretched, as if taking in the glow of a moon which was no longer there. She turned about then, gaining her bearings after being hidden underground in an unfamiliar place.

Location:
Human Village
@Psyker Landshark@VitaVitaAR

---

Dragan would make his way back up, passing by a few people who somewhat timidly, expressed their thanks, as if expecting him to be angry for doing so. They were already starting to tend to the dead that had been left alone, burning the beasts and starting to remove them. As he’d find his way back up the stairs, it seemed Giles had kept his word and barricaded the room but after a bit of insistence the villagers would remove it and allow the vampires back into the abode.

“Did you actually manage…to drive the beasts back?” Giles would ask, seeing Dragan return mostly unharmed. “...forgive my disbelief, I wasn’t expecting you to return.” The boy that had run up earlier was running down now, likely to look for and check for his parents that had been left behind. “I don’t suppose you found where those creatures came from?”

Location:
Human Village
@Asuras

---

Luna climbed the rather hastily made ladder. Whoever made it likely intended to use it as a secret entrance into the village below. Climbing up was easy enough, the old thing creaking under her weight as she’d pull herself out of the tunnels below and into the lightless world above.

She was met with an unfamiliar sight.

She was close to the river, not extremely deep into the forest but far enough away from the village most villagers likely wouldn’t bother with it. The ladder itself came out into what was a pile of boulders that seemed to have been purposefully placed to hide it, causing her to have to step out of a little rocky passageway to be outside properly. If she hadn’t come out of here or knew that it was here, there was a good chance it’d have gone unnoticed.

In the distance, back towards the village she could see the burning smolders of a house. She could see the carcasses of a few dead beasts back that way, too. Giselle’s work? The fire seemed contained at least.

This far into the forest though, she could smell it. The stench of blood coming from across and further down the river. It was faint, likely being much further away but it was present, but the fact she could smell it so far away meant there could be no small quantity of it. Perhaps it’d be better to meet up with her fellows before pressing onwards.

Location:
Human Village, Riverside
@Pyromania99@Click This

---

Julene was quiet as the two explained themselves, grip on her blade not faltering for a moment.

“I can stand on my own, fake nun.” She’d say after a few seconds, though it soon turned into a fit of coughing, as she’d point her blade to the ground, impaling it into the earth and using it to help her do it. “I don’t buy a word of what ye said, but…well, I don’t think you’re here to harm us at least.” She’d wheeze a bit, taking a few lungfuls of air. “Sorry about the poor welcome…urgh, but I can’t be too careful about vagrants like you two.” She’d, perhaps through sheer force of pride and her desire not to show weakness, managed to stand back up, face still covered in soot.

“...I can let ya both stay at my place if you need a place to lay your head for a bit. Ain’t big, but I got space for a few extras just in case.” A frown, glancing towards Giselle. “I dunno what you’re talking about. Ain’t no civilization that can exist out here…all people here can do is survive. Ain't no gods either.” She’d narrow her eyes at Akyasha. “Except beasts and evil things claiming to be one. We don’t need either here.”

Location:
Pirates End -> Forest of Beasts
@crimson Paladin

---

“Fair winds and safe travels, Captain. Remember - the Violet Witch rewards loyalty.” With that, the Maid would fall silent, watchin Fellborn leave, heading north towards the river that she had indicated. As he left, she would soon as well, disappearing into the forests in the opposite direction.

She had a report to make.

Argus would make his way across the rocky shoreline, eventually finding his way to the aforementioned river not long after parting ways with Cynthia and a forest. Following it upstream was a trifling task, with the ability to see in this lightless world the beasts that would have beset most travelers were wary, scurrying around just in the shadows deeper in the forest. Aside from a few hounds and similar beasts and having to cross to the rivers opposite shoreline to get up a particularly large waterfall, it was an uneventful trip.

This did however, put him on the opposite side of the village mentioned as well as in the middle of a forest. It had become much thicker now, with the few bits of foliage that remained on the trees obscuring the lightless sky and their twisted branches and roots making it not the easiest of places to traverse.

It was curious then, that the Vampire would catch campfire light in the distance. While he could now see some ramshackle buildings across the river where the village would be, this person was both across the river and a fair distance away from it still.

Creeping up to see who they were, would reveal a single human. It was difficult to tell much of their appearance beyond their short, brown hair, pale skin and somewhat long, thin fingers for it was obscured by a thick, heavy cloak around their shoulders. They were seemingly writing in a book of some sort, hunched over a small desk as a cauldron bubbled away over a campfire. Didn’t smell like food. A number of glass vials and if he was a learned man he’d recognize other alchemical equipment sitting on it. Oddly though, there did not seem to be anything in the way of a shelter. Perhaps they didn’t intend to stay long.

They didn’t seem to have noticed Argus…and perhaps it’d be best he didn’t engage whoever this was. Something about this traveler would make him uneasy.

While the girl questioned them once more, Akyasha grabbed the bat that had been bothering Giselle and brought it to herself. Then she spoke to the one that had brought her to the human girl. Quietly. "Go find the others and report to me their whereabouts later. No snacks."

Still such worries about beasts and evil things pretending to be gods. "My, you seem quite insistant on there being no gods or anything of the such, but I continue to draw strength from mine. For example." Akyasha tread forward and scooped the human girl into a princess carry.

If she and Giselle waited on her to waddle all the way back home it would take ages. Sure, they would be fine, but she'd likely die of old age! Well, probaly not. "I have no problem carrying a young girl such as yourself. Please do not fret, however. I merely plan on carrying you until we reach your home. Do enlighten us on how to reach it."

Captain Argus Fellborn

It didn't take Argus long to determine what this woman most likely was.

Judging by her her alchemical apparatus, her choice of clothing, her gaunt fingers, and the fact that she's out here in a forest full of beasts rather than within the safety of the village, she is probably a witch.

Anyone able to survive out here alone was potentially quite dangerous, and even the vampiric pirate captain found himself a bit uneasy at the sight of this woman. The safest thing to do would be to avoid her and instead head straight to the village.

However, Argus hadn't gotten where he was by taking the safest option available to him. Ever since he peeked into that suspicious crate, he had tempered his sense of discretion with an adventurous curiosity. Ships were meant to leave the safety of the harbor (although Argus had proven several times that not even a harbor is truly safe), and he would not have become a pirate if he had not been willing to take considerable risks.

With that in mind, he slowly strode into the camp, making no effort to conceal himself. He was prepared for a fight- and for a bite- but his goal was not to make trouble.

"Quite the surprise to find a learned woman like yourself out here away from the warmth of the village," he spoke, revealing his presence. "Forgive the incursion, I an Argus, a ship's captain driven to shore by a band of skeletal sea-dogs. Judging by your glassware, are you perhaps a traveling apothecary?"

With his elaborate captain's garb, was no way that he could pass as a humble sailor, or a humble anything for that matter, so there was no point in lying.

@Rune_Alchemist

Undead Princess, de Farry

---

Giselle had been perfectly sincere, so she felt a flicker of irritation at being dismissed so. Instead, she retorted, “Rather bold of you to call someone that just introduced themselves as a princess a vagrant.” Unlike the other comment, she didn’t take offense at that and found it amusing. The white-haired vampire shrugged at her offer, but didn’t decline. They had other things to do beforehand, anyway, such as check in on the others.

“That’s not true,” she said, disagreeing with Julene’s comment. “The existence of your village itself is proof of civilization, no matter how small. As long communities still exist, then the seeds of a new civilization exist. It just needs to be nurtured and allowed to thrive.” It was obvious, though, that this land as it is lacked the luxury of being left alone. Not anymore, though. Was that not one of the reasons that Giselle and the other lords were brought back?

She ignored Akyasha’s conversation about gods with the blacksmith, until the cheeky maid suddenly scooped up the human woman into a bridal carry. She was also fairly sure that the girl, as the strong independent type was not going to appreciate that. Giselle gave the ‘fake nun’ an unamused look. “I’m sure she can stand on her own. If you’re done playing games, we should check in on the village and the others first,” she pointed out. “I doubt this attack is fully over. From my investigation of the beasts’ corpses, it appears there is a…” she briefly glanced at Julene, “a greater, likely hostile foe in that forest that is sustaining them.”

Dragan had removed his helmet as he made his way back up, graciously accepting the villagers' cowed thanks. There was no point in being angry at the ignorant. Human peasants didn't know better, especially in this dark age. Of course they would be suspicious of armed strangers. So with that in mind, he simply smiled and nodded as he returned to the village headman.

After Giles spoke, Dragan favored him with a single nod before beginning to explain.

"The beastmen have been driven back. As your villagers will attest, they are either slaughtered or in full retreat. However, you have another problem." This time, the vampire lord gave Giles a hard stare. While he doubted the headman was aware of what exactly had been going on underground, he still had to impart the gravity of the situation upon him.

"Were you aware that someone among you has been experimenting on captured beastmen? He'd had a specimen in his chambers that I put out of its misery. Moreover, I suspect the breach originated from that building. I can take you to it, and then you can point out exactly who occupies it. Whomever it is has brought these raids upon your village, be it inadvertently or otherwise."

"It was an atrocious scene, to be sure," commented Aleksiya, cocking her head back with a smirk on her lips, "Whoever was responsible surely seems to be a depraved sort. But you wouldn't have any idea, would you?"

Of course, she didn't expect he was actually involved. But at the same time, it was hardly a poor idea to prod him towards divulging any guesses. He had the most experience with the people around here, so even if he didn't have any idea who did it specifically it was possible that he had a guess.

Still, she had another goal in mind. Stepping away from her fellow lord, the diminutive vampire approached the nearest of the beast corpses. Perhaps, if there was traces of the force that caused this...

Extending one small, pale hand, she reached into the creature's lost blood, splattered across the ground. It began to vibrate, the puddling ichor responding to her power. It was vile, distasteful, but even blood of such grotesque nature could offer information.

She just had to see if it was there.

@Psyker Landshark@Rune_Alchemist

Location:
Human Village
@Psyker Landshark@VitaVitaAR

---

“I beg your pardon, sir? Show me, immediately.” Giles demanded, frowning deeply at the statements Dragan was making. How could…why would someone do such a thing? He couldn’t fathom it, let alone someone among the villagers. Certainly some had thought that capturing and training or studying them was a good idea, but he had always refused. Too dangerous.

Had someone gone against his orders?

However, when he was taken to the scene, all he could do was sigh.

“...So that’s how it is.” He’d grumble. “This building was unoccupied, until very recently you see.” He’d hold a hand to his mouth, quietly stifling a gag as he’d observe the scene. “Quite a dreadful scene…ugh, anyways,” He’d glance towards Dragan. “Three travelers arrived some time ago. Asked if they could stay. We had no reason to refuse. A man and two women. Two dressed like they had come right out of the old world, and the third claimed to be a traveling scholar and alchemist, though her manner of dress was much more…shall we say, old.” He’d frown. “She made an effort to inform everyone she was just traveling with them for a mutual deal for now, but the other two claimed to be from something called the ‘Ithica Society’. They left for that damned city some days ago now. The alchemist left a few days before them, into the forest.”

Aleksiya’s own investigation however, would not go unfruitful. It was faint. Diluted. Horribly so. To call it the blood of a prestigious vampire lord was laughable…but she could feel it. Something familiar. Something ever so faintly familiar. A feeling of animalistic vigor…but also irritation and anger. An almost feral rage at…something.

There was no mistaking it. Kordelia…but what was she so angry at, and was she doing this on purpose if she was still alive?

Location:
Human Village, Riverside
@Pyromania99@Click This@Asuras

---

The gorebat chirped, a bit annoyed it couldn’t eat the human and was forbidden from snacks, but it did as it was told, swooping off into the darkness.

“Hmph, any gods that do exist aren’t ones I’d want to-Weh!?” Julene shouted, not expecting the woman to just pick her up so easily. She’d struggle only briefly. “Y-you put me down! This instant you hear me!” But alas, her pleas fell on deaf ears as Akyasha would refuse to do so. “Tch, fine. Whatever you fake nun, fine! Thata way.”
Julene’s directions would soon enough lead them towards a surprisingly well kept and reinforced home, from the looks of all the others. The walls had all been reinforced, remade, and several walls had obviously been replaced. The first floor had even been expanded quite a bit, to make room for an indoor forge as well as a general workshop it seemed. The second floor had well, been completely removed. One of the walls completely knocked out, a ladder leading up to the roof with several platforms along the way stocked with barrels and also what seemed to be toher supplies.

Intentionally done, perhaps?

“You can put me down now.” She’d huff, and if Akyasha didn’t drop her, she’d give the nun a whack on the top of her head until she did.

“Here. Workshop takes up most of the place…ah? Another one?” This was about the time Luna would walk up on the trio, earning an exasperated sigh from the Blacksmith. “...I ain’t even surprised anymore. Whatever.”

Location:
Forest of Beasts
@crimson Paladin

---

The woman, did not respond.

She’d keep writing into the small book she was writing in for a few long, awkward seconds after Argus responded. It was only after these few long seconds, that she'd turn around, and immediately set eyes on the pirate.

“Moons tears!” She’d shout, jumping back a few feet and bumping into the table and causing the glassware to rattle. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to sneak up on someone? They might turn you into a toad!” She’d close the journal she was carrying, stuffing it into her tattered robes. Now that he could get a good look at the woman in question, she was…well, she fit right in with these woods.

Short, shoulder length messy brown hair with yellow eyes with more baggage than an emotional nobleman from the old world. The clothes under them seemed to almost be falling apart at the seams, with just a cloth covering her chest and a small skirt covering her lower body. The cloak though, was the most curious thing. Well taken care of…but it certainly wasn’t something she could have made herself. It seemed older. Almost more regal.

A bone ring adorned her finger, made out of some sort of small bird skull.

“What do you want? I am a busy woman and have no time for idle chatter. If you’re heading towards that village in the distance, there’s a place you can cross the river not far down that way.” She’d huff. “If you’re looking for my services…I’m curious as to how you found me all the way out here, but stranger things happen. I don’t come cheap as a healer or scholar.”

Giles's reaction told Dragan all he needed to. The man had no knowledge of what was going on down here. Good. Dragan at least somewhat approved of the man. He was simply trying to keep his own people alive, something that the Death Knight wasn't exactly unfamiliar with. A good man, thrust into a nearly impossible situation. Whatever suspicions the headman had towards him were more than warranted. And likely justified, considering some of the company he traveled in. What he said further was cause for much greater concern, though.

The Society? Elena had spied something related to...whatever that organization was, back in the city. Before she'd most likely passed on. This was the second time they'd come across this group, now. Their status in relation to Ichor's brood was still unknown, but whatever they were, they were at least able to pass as human, if what Giles said was any indication. Dragan paused, trying to remember what exactly Elena had said about them, before the memory ran through his head.

"These 'Society' people. What were their names? Was either a Rykard or Rhea? Of the three, how did they behave while they were within the village? Moreover, what does your village know of this city, exactly?" He added the last one on as an afterthought. It would be good to know exactly what was said of Alavaris in the centuries that had passed. Judging by what little Giles had said of it already, it would seem prudent to not mention they had come from there originally.

Captain Argus Fellborn

Argus had not lost his touch when it came to scaring people. Perhaps this woman might not have deserved to be frightened in this manner, but he preferred that the mortals whom he dealt with feel at least a twinge of fear or unease. Better for everyone that way, he felt.

"I did not mean to startle you," he assured her. "I am clearly a bit rusty at making a proper entrance."

The woman identified herself as a healer and scholar. Her knowledge might prove useful, Argus surmised. Assuming, of course, that he could pay her. Just what sort of currency would these broken people use, anyway? Surely the precious coins and metals valued in the previous age would not hold the same worth to such a broken civilization.

"There is something of an arguably scholarly nature...that I would like to know," he proposed. "I have a specific interest in the the ship graveyard, and the malevolent force that commands the dead. Just what manner and form of payment might you request for such knowledge?"

@Rune_Alchemist

Akyasha put the blacksmith down gently and took a step back to look at the place. She wasn't exactly surprised to see all the barrels. Or the forge. As she quietly observed, she heard another approaching and it was Luna. "Luna, how pleasant to see you again. No life threatening situations I hope." Akyasha asked, thinking back on the situation she and the blacksmith girl had just been through. Well, hopefully, they had some small minutes to catch their breath. "We ran into a situation just some minutes ago but it's all but taken care of by now. Luckily, Giselle showed up at just the right time."

Luckily, the cleric's body was starting to fix itself full and she felt somewhat just fine. "This is... The Blacksmith Girl... I suppose." Akyasha mentioned. Come to think of it, the girl had yet to introduce herself. "Hmm. I think I mentioned mine before, but my name is Akyasha. What is yours, miss, if you don't mind me asking." The cleric asked, looking toward the girl hoping she would answer it. Akyasha had on her usual smile as she waiting to see if the girl replied.

Luna strode back into the village and took little time to sense her way towards Giselle and Akyasha. Julene's reaction earned a confused tilt of Luna's head. Whatever it was that had annoyed the blacksmith was unknown to the vampiress. She spared questioning the circumstance and approached her sisters, eyes briefly cast upon the reinforced building that had appeared to be approaching.

"None," she replied to Akyasha's question, "...and I trust you two remain in good health as well," she began, folding her fingers together and offering a warm smile. "Oh my -carrying her like that without even knowing her name? I did not take you for one so bold and expedient, Akyasha," Luna said, seemingly mostly sincere. Brushing aside a lock of hair from her face, Luna wasted no more time in detailing their own findings beneath the town.

"Dragan, Aleksiya and I have split up for different tasks. We ventured beneath to find tunnels rife with beasts as well as their apparent means into the town. It seems as though someone amongst the townsfolk's ranks was experimenting on them down there, though the human in question was nowhere to be found. What's more, this mad scientist also seemed to propose that the beasts were coming from none other than a..." Luna paused, and for a moment just barely seemed to glance towards Julene before continuing, "A vampire... Somewhere within the forest nearby. We were concerned that you, Giselle, might have found your way too deep into the forest. I am glad you're safe, however."

Luna gave Julene another brief look over, followed by the workshop, and smiled again.

"What have you two been up to?" she asked.

Undead Princess, de Farry

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Giselle decided to ignore Akyasha’s shenanigans, even if she disapproved. She simply followed the cleric silently, but not before collecting Julene’s sword. She gave the weapon an eye. She supposed it was a good weapon for this new age, but of course, the princess of creation could do better. The purity and composition of even base metal in this era left things to be desired. To Giselle, though, remedying deficiencies in something as mundane as the mix of iron and carbon and removing impurities even her state was child’s play.

With the time she had, she made sure to ask the girl a few questions about the village and surrounding region, even if speaking to her while she was in a princess carry was… awkward.

By the time the trio arrived at the blacksmith girl’s house, she had made some quality improvements to the blade, for only a modest expenditure of blood.

While Giselle didn’t quite whistle –that would be inappropriate of someone of her standing, even if she spent centuries cultivating a reputation of being the friendliest vampire lord—she was somewhat impressed by the home that the girl lived in, if only in relation to the rest of the homes she saw in the village and in this age. It had the marks of a girl who knew what she was doing with engineering, though it was obvious that she never been to a true school… then again, what sort of architectural or engineering institution would still be extant in this time?

Despite that, it was clearly built with defense in mind. That was something that she could respect.

“It’s clear that you’ve put a lot of thought into home defense,” she admired. “If we continue to work together, I wouldn’t mind sharing some of my own ideas and techniques. It is something of a specialty of mine.” Indeed, a few firing slits here and there, and perhaps installation of some shaped charges in strategically placed positions like doors and hallways would make it all but impenetrable to the threats that the three of them had faced earlier.

If they were to ever make this village a temporary base of operations, then the village’s defenses would need some proper refurbishment, too.

When Akyasha put the girl down, Giselle handed her sword back. “It got a little dinged up during the battle, so I fixed it for you,” she said modestly, before noticing Luna approach.

“Ah, Luna. How fares it inside the village?” She frowned as the songstress relayed her information. The news of a breach and further mysteries was surprising and unfortunate news… but informative. “I see. I trust they have the situation in hand now. As for what’s in the forest… I suspected something similar. I’m not foolhardy enough to investigate without sufficient force in hand. I would like to have a look sooner than later, however.” She gave a look towards her fellow vampires.