Wow, I can't believe I actually updated! I haven't wrote this story for ages, maybe a year? I don't know, but hey, I figured I'd try it again. Well, my writing style has changed for the better, and although I haven't seen VHD or Bloodlust in awhile, I think I'm up to doing this once more. This one is a short one also, hell, they'll probably all be short from here on.

Disclaimer: The rumors are true! I don't own VHD.

Tragar didn't talk for 3 days, they buried Gean the next day and set off. They reached a small town and Tragar paid for his horse. They tracked Grimbane to the west for a half a day. They arrived at a large campsite at nightfall. Everywhere they looked they saw destruction. None of the dead where bitten, all brutally murdered. They stayed for the night. Around midnight, D was woken up by a rummaging in the camp. He found an old man trying to steal food. D snuck up behind the man and put his hand over the man's mouth.

"Don't move." D whispered. The man complied and they creped back to their temporary camp site. D removed his hand from the man's mouth. "Who are you?" D asked, "And what are you doing here?"

The man looked to his left and right, then back toward D. He had the look of fear in his eyes and surprise on his face. After coming to the realization that he could not escape, he opened his mouth.

"I-I-I am Sarka, some call me 'Old Man Sarka.' I was just looking for something to eat. I'm very sorry, please don't hurt me, please don't make me end up like these people!" he said in a wavering voice.

D thought on this for a moment, all the while the old man was shaking more and more. D threw some dried meat at the man. The old man was so surprised that he fell on his seat. He then looked up at D.

"Why did...you give me this?" he asked.

"I did not kill these people, I am currently tracking the one who might have done this. Take the food and get out of my sight, I do not need another person slowing me down." D said softly.

"I can be of service sir!" Sarka jumped to his feet with what seemed like a new found energy. "I may be old, but I have knowledge of weapons and can also pick many locks!"

"But a smith would have a home, and a thief wouldn't make as much noise as you did."

"I said I knew of these thing, I never mentioned making a living off them." Sarka said in a challenging tone.

"How can I trust you?" D asked, hoping this question would finally drive off the man.

"I would ask the same to you hunter D, but your reputation tells me otherwise."

This took D aback. He seemed to be known well in these parts, but he hadn't traveled much in this region, nor had he hunted in the area.

"I see that has caught your attention, eh?" Sarka said with a smile. "A time back, when I was a young child, a vampire by the name of Kylmiliir Rowmar ravaged this land. Then, an ally of his in the east was being hunted by you. He left along with most of his forces and he never came back. We had always assumed it was you who killed him."

"I might have, but if I was never given his name, I would not remember killing him. Alright, you can join, but if you make once false move, you can kiss the last years of your life goodbye."

The sun was coming up and Tragar woke up and started to get his horse ready. He looked quizzically at Sarka, then at D. D turned and untied his horse. Sarka looked at both horses, not knowing which one to get on, or if he even got to ride one.

D looked at Sarka. "You ride with the boy." D then got on his horse and kicked it sharply in the sides.

"Get on fast old man, I'm not gonna waste my time." Tragar said.

Sarka hurriedly jumped on the horse just as Tragar kicked it into a gander.