I got the idea for this from staffsergeant. I'll keep the series going as long as I can until I wander off. It's interesting to write like this. Hope you enjoy.

1

The Last Knight of Cainhurst

Blood dripped from the Blades of Mercy onto the cobblestone ground. Several men lay scattered on the ground with several of their limbs disconnected. Blood had splattered onto the walls of the alley that would leave grim reminders for the residents of what had happened here for many days to come.

Vashti looked up towards the moon with a quizzical look on her face. She looked down at the bodies and the blades held in her hands. These men had been gutter trash, not worth wasting space on a canvas. Killing them had done nothing in bringing her pleasure. Why was she here again?

This city was… Lescatie. A city far removed from Yharnam. A city controlled by an organization called The Order. Another church that held sway over a large population. Except this one only fought against these things called monsters. She didn't know what they looked like but knew that they were nothing like the beasts or hunters that she had faced during the long night.

She looked down at her dress and grew disgusted with herself. The men's blood had stained her dress beyond saving. It would have to be burned the next chance that she got. If this had been Yharnam, she would have reveled in the blood, but this was Lescatie and this was not beast blood. She flicked the blood of the blades and flipped them into one.

She gave one last glance towards the bodies lying in a heap. A low score if they had been beasts. A nonexistent score as they were only ordinary humans. What was she to do without the hunt? What was she to do in a world that was different to her form of common sense?

These monsters that the order faced did not kill humans if they could help it. Rather, they did much the opposite. They enhanced the lust of men and women, turning them into monsters as well. Humans weren't dying, they were being changed into slaves of lust. If anything, this place just seemed like another dream.

Vashti left the alley and glided through the near empty streets undetected. A pebble thrown here, or a trick of the light distracted any who she encountered. It was odd to move this way without killing anything.

She glanced at the front entrance of the Hound's Prayer before silently going towards the back. She didn't remember how she had ended up at this inn in the first place. She had woken up here with nary a memory before standing in front of the door with nothing but a few weapons and a change of clothes in a bag.

The back of the inn was empty of life other than a few horses left in the stable. She headed towards the well in the corner and pulled up a bucket of water. She stared at the rippling surface for a moment before pouring it over her head. She then stripped out of the dress and poured water over herself several more times to clear her head of any stray thoughts.

After that was done, she threw the wet dress over her shoulder and looked up towards an open window on the second floor of the inn, her room. She easily climbed up and into the room. She threw the ruined dress in the closet and planned to burn it later.

Sam was the owner of the inn. An older man with greying whiskers and a bald head. His inn also ran a small restaurant. In the morning, many of the residents would eat here for breakfast.

Sam had worked long and hard over the years to buy this inn in the inner part of the city. It was called the Hound's Prayer. Named for a kobold that he had as a child. Many rich travelers would stay here for a night or two. Some would even be nobles, such as the new tenant coming down the stairs now. She was an unusual guest from a far-off land.

She wore a red and black outfit that looked like the highest of quality materials were used. Not a dress, but something of a hunting outfit or the like. It had a long coat and was stylish of a sort but nothing that was used in this part of the world.

She had pale skin with striking red lips. Her eyes were often softly narrowed so that her red eyes were hidden serenely. A small hat with white feathers sticking out of the side, sat upon her head. Her white hair was gathered beneath it in a tail. Her face had a bold beauty to it that wouldn't attract many from the uncanny way she held herself.

The way that she held herself was graceful but a warning to ward off people. He had only seen a few people who had acted as she did. Only one of them had talked to him about it while drunk. These sorts of people had waded through bad situations and came back alone without their allies.

It was almost akin to dread that he felt when looking at her. Only when he looked away did he feel at ease. When she had showed up the other day, he wasn't sure if he had wanted her here. But from the little he had seen of her eyes told him that she hadn't known where she was. She moved, sure of herself but without a goal.

She had tried to pay in coins from a distant land. He had told her to keep them until she could be taken to a money changer. They were without a doubt a real currency which is why he had decided to let her stay pro bono. After she ate her breakfast, he was going to send one of his serving girls to take her to get her money changed.

He believed that giving people a good turn was an obligation. He just wondered where this errant noble was heading. His intuition told him that she wasn't going to have an easy road ahead which was why he opened his doors to her. He hoped that this act of kindness would be repaid by her to someone down the line.

Vashti sat at the table with her back straight. She tapped a gloved finger against the polished wood slowly. People watched her but none were predatory as of this moment. Sam, the owner, kept an eye on her. She didn't know why he had let her stay nor did she care to find out. As soon as the food arrived, she tucked in, with all the grace befitting a noble.

The food was unlike any that she had before. Although if she was to be honest, she didn't remember eating while in Yharnam. All that she consumed was blood. She smiled softly to herself. There was little she cared to remember of that night, other than swearing her vow to her queen who was now gone. In a dream far removed from her own.

After she finished eating, Sam walked up to her table with one of his serving girls. "This is Tess. She'll be the one taking you to the money changer today." Tess was a young woman who had loose black hair to her shoulders. Her waitress uniform was a black dress with a white apron. However, the apron and dress were cut low to show off a large amount of her bountiful cleavage. Her dress also stuck to her skin, emphasizing her body.

She stopped tapping her fingers against the table and stood up to give her a small bow. "My name is Vashti. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise, my lady, " Tess said. Her black eyes flickered for a moment, full of uncertainty. Not quite sure what to make of Vashti's presence. It was an odd thing but before she could think more on it, Sam put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

She looked up at the man. She didn't know why her boss was being so kind to the errant noble. There was something off about her smile. The way she held herself. It was different from all the other nobles whom she had served. It was almost like an animal making sure its territory wasn't violated she decided to herself.

Vashti picked up the sheathed sword that had been leaning against the table and fastened it to her belt. A strange long wood and metal contraption sat hooked on her waist below the sword. Vashti caught Tess staring and smiled. "Shall we get going?"

Tess walked alongside Vashti as they headed towards the bridge where most of the money changers did their business. People who got in their way, cleared out of the noble's path unconsciously. The noble in question didn't care to notice and just kept a hand on her sword hilt, tapping out a rhythm on the top of the handle.

"So," Tess began, eager to break the silence. "Why did you come to Lescatie?"

"I didn't have a particular reason. I just ended up here as a matter of a dream." Vashti watched the city, and its people walk on by. "I suppose that I'll find a reason to be here soon enough."

Tess lowered her eyebrows in thought at that sentence. "You came here because of a dream?"

"I don't think I got here any other way. I just remember looking up at the Hound's Prayer sign and going in."

Did this noble mean that literally or was she having a bit of fun at her expense? Looking at her nearly closed eyes Tess couldn't tell if she was serious or not. What kind of a noble was she anyway?

At this point she would have to leave such questions for later as they had come to the bridge overlooking a river where a few money lenders, and changers did business. She spotted one of the more honest changers who went by the name of Hugh. She led the way towards him with Vashti a few steps behind.

"Well, hello Tess. Have you brought another stray with you?" The man had sandy colored hair tied back in a tail. In between his knuckles he rolled a coin back and forth. He sat on a rough chair with a table in front of him. A scale sat prominently in the center.

"Yes, this noble has a currency that comes from a far-off land."

"From the deserts?"

"From farther away," Vashti cut in. "It's probably something you haven't seen before."

He turned to look at Vashti and for his credit, only his eyes widened slightly. "I doubt that I haven't seen it…"

Vashti set the heavy sack that she had tied to the other side of her belt onto the table. His eyes widened as he looked at the gold, silver, and copper coins. She sat in one of the opposing chairs and gestured for Tess to sit in the other one.

"I'll be damned. This is something new," he said while Tess sat down. He took out a few instruments from under the table to measure the purity content and got to work.

"So, Tess. How have you been?" He asked while peering at a coin through a magnifying glass. He didn't bother to try and talk to Vashti as her eyes were now fully closed.

"I've been fine. I haven't missed you one bit, just so you know," she said while watching him work.

"That wounds me more than you could know." He got out some liquid that Tess knew from past experiences would change colors and let him know how pure the coin was.

"You might get your wish that I vanish Tess. I might have to close up shop soon. People aren't bringing as many odd coins back to me."

"Why's that?" She at the very least looked a little curious.

"As you know, my main source of income was from people robbing the Pharaohs ancient tombs. Turns out a Pharaoh woke up recently and is making her presence known. I might just move locations soon."

Vashti's ears pricked. "What do you mean awoken?"

"Surely you've heard of the ancient Pharaohs? Due to the influence of the Overlord, they have been waking up occasionally. Any man or woman going into that desert would just join the newly awakened country."

After some more small talk he set the coins to the side. "I can give you a good amount of our coins for these as the purity content is high. However, there is still my fee. I want thirty percent."

"That's highway robbery. Five percent," Tess countered.

"And that isn't? Remember, bringing in personal business isn't professional," he softly warned her. "I have to make a living as well. Twenty five percent."

"Ten."

"Twenty percent and no lower."

"Fifteen percent," Vashti interrupted. She opened her eyes a little more than usual, just enough for him to see the red beneath. His breath caught for a moment and then he looked away.

"Yes… Fifteen percent." Sweat began to coat his back.

"Good," Vashti got up from her chair and took a couple of paces back to stretch. "Tess, take care to manage-"

Vashti was bumped aside from a noble walking by. The noble whirled around offended. His guards stood close behind him.

"How dare you not watch where you are going." His voice was nothing remarkable but it was a few decibels higher than was comfortable. "Apologize this instant and I may forgive you." He was young, eighteen or twenty. Sandy colored hair cut short. His body was fit but it didn't look like he used it towards anything practical.

Vashti's eyes opened just a little wider than normal, jerked out of her lethargy. "What?"

"You heard me. Apologize and I'll forgive you. I demand respect from those lower than me in class."

Tess grabbed Vashti's arm before she said anything back. "Just apologize. His family is powerful, and his older brother is a hero." She had looked at the crest emblazoned on his breast.

"That's right. My older brother is a hero. Another reason why my status is better than," he looked at her and waved a hand rudely. "Yours."

This was a child that didn't know that respect had to be earned. Was he one of those nobles who rode along on the accomplishments of their family members? "Heroes are less than dirt at the presence of the kingdom's ever shrinking borders."

"Excuse me!?" His eyes widened in shock, not used to being addressed in such a way. Nor was he used to having his hero of a brother mocked in such a way. No, this woman was mocking all heroes of not just the kingdom, but all of the Orders heroes.

"That is not something that I can forgive," he said with barely contained rage. Before his two guards could stop him, he took off his glove and threw it at Vashti. It hit her in the chest and fell to the ground.

This child didn't know what he was getting into. If she picked up that glove, then she would kill him. She reached up to grab his hair before his two guards pushed him back and stood in front of him. They wore light armor, overly decorated with extravagance.

"I will kill you if I pick up that glove whelp. Think wisely or lose your life."

He snorted as he pushed his guards away. "All I hear is the squawking of someone afraid of dying."

"So be it." She knelt and picked up the glove, placing it in her belt. "Tess, stand behind the table."

"You're really going to fight him. Even if you win, his family will take revenge." She did do as she was told and stood behind Hugh who watched intently. At this point they had gathered a crowd who stood on either end of the bridge. They made space for the duel as both the arrogant noble and Vashti walked to either side of the bridge.

"You are a noble, even if you are lower in status. I can tell from your garb." The whelp said arrogantly. "Name yourself." He drew his sword from his belt and held it in front of him like a fencer.

Vashti sighed and drew the Chikage from its sheath. Killing him wouldn't satisfy the bloodlust that she wanted sated. It was better for her to not get a taste at all than to hope for a good fight. "I am a noble from a far-off distant land."

The two guards stood at the handrails of the bridge on opposite sides, ready to start the duel at any time. One already had a coin out and ready to toss. They didn't look nervous, confident that their master would win.

"My name is Vashti, the last knight of Cainhurst. May I have the pleasure of yours?" At these words she allowed herself to try and enjoy the fight. Her blood raged through her veins. Urging her to let her sword sing, encased in blood. Her sword deserved better than this waste of a noble. She pointed her blade towards the side, leaving herself open.

The young noble snickered to himself. This would be easy to regain the honor of heroes. What sort of knight stood leaving themselves wide open? "My name is Henry of the house of Blondell." He nodded to his guard to start.

"Once the coin falls to the ground, then the duel starts. Do both parties understand." Vashti and the noble nodded. "Then may the one blessed by god win." The guard flipped the coin into the air and as soon as it hit the ground Henry leapt into action. He rushed forward to stab Vashti through the heart.

Vashti whipped her sword around and parried his attack. She stayed on the defensive, waiting for Henry to do something interesting. However, he did nothing of the sort. Instead, his sword moved slowly to her eyes. Growing tired of this charade she parried his attack one last time.

She knocked his sword to the side and kicked him back. He staggered from the blow and tried to regain his balance. His eyes widened as she thrust her blade forward into his Adam's apple. She opened her maroon eyes fully, to stare into his blue ones.

He let out a strange scream as blood poured from his mouth. Only now realizing his mistake. She drew back the sword and sliced off the hand that held his sword. A slice towards his leg and he started to fall. She brought her blade back up to slice off his non-dominant arm and brought it back once more to separate his head from his neck.

For the people watching this all happened in a moment. His guards stood, stunned and leapt to attack her as his blood flowed across the bridge. Their lives meant nothing now that their charge was dead. Their swords flew towards her body as she still stood with a strange smile on her face.

"What a breach of etiquette," she murmured. She blocked one of their swords and her other hand quickly lifted Evelyn to knock the other guard's sword away and jammed it in his face. She pulled the trigger and his face vanished in a spurt of blood. The other guard hesitated for a moment and Vashti kicked in his knee. As he fell forward, she beheaded him in one quick motion.

She stood among three bodies as their blood began to mix with the water below. Her smile idyllic as she managed to find some pleasure in the killing. One of the women in the crowd screamed. Tess recoiled in horror at the deaths that happened in only a few moments. She knew that the errant noble was dangerous, but she didn't know that she was this dangerous.

Vashti slipped her sword back into the sheath without wiping off the blood. She looked at the bodies still trying to get high off of killing. They were arranged magnificently, even if they weren't beasts or hunters. Her smile faded as she did realize that they were nothing worth hunting. It was just a whelp and two overdressed guards.

If they had been hunters, this would have been a good portrait. As it was, it would be nothing worth remembering. What little high that she got faded and she closed her eyes as she ignored the rustling crowd and instead listened to the blood slowly drip into the river.