"I cannot believe we are helping that human." Rahab said quietly, hoping that Kain would not hear.
Kain turned to Rahab. "You are not. You are staying here. Raziel and Turel are coming. I am impressed that her tribe has held the Hylden off. You have never fought a Hylden. I have."
Raziel spoke. "Her land is almost inaccessible to us. She will be showing us the safe passages. That in itself should at least raise your curiosity."
Rahab snorted, showing his disgust. Kain glared at him. "Her story is an interesting one." Kain informed him.
"Then what is it," Rahab countered.
"Her people live in the mountains for only one reason. They are miners." Kain explained. "They mine most of the metal for Nosgoth. All others who have tried have died because of the elements in the mountains. Her people have been digging new shafts, deeper ones. They stumbled on a Hylden city. Waking the inhabitants up. Since then they have fought to keep them underground. They are starting to lose. The elements have become harsher, many have moved to the southern climes. But the ones that stay have to keep the Hylden at bay. And we should be grateful they have."
"These are not the human dogs we are familiar with." Turel said quietly.
"No, they are not." Kain said. "For one, they hold Janos Audron in as much esteem as we do."
Before any more questions we asked. Kain stood up. "We are leaving shortly. We will teleport to the Neiblebald pass. She will direct us from there. Await for me to contact you. We will go ahead and find out just how large the force is."
"But you do not have to go, my lord," Said Melchiah. "Surely one of us could take your place."
Kain shook his head. "I want to visit her people personally."
Neiblebald pass was the farthest North Kain had ever been. There was a strange atmosphere in the mountain ranges that could foul up the dark gifts. It would be a four day hike through the mountain pass before they reached the nearest village. That is what Esie had told them. Raziel noticed on a map that there was a quicker way to the village. One that would only take them a day. Esie shook her head.
"Yes, it looks faster, but they way is marred with creatures and insane humans. You must tread carefully or fight your way through." Esie explained. "It would be far safer to travel on the well worn path. Besides with the bewitched weather, the longer path has more shelter."
"None of those reasons can deter us. We should go by the fast road." Raziel countered.
Kain sided with Raziel. Esie did not press the matter any more. She only drew out her crossbow. A massive weapon. The vampires were surprise she could lift it. "If we run into the Anthrophagites you kill them first, you understand. I don't think they would care that you are a vampire or not."
"What are they?" Turel asked.
"Humans. Cursed with an unholy hunger. They eat raw flesh." Esie explained.
"Some would say that about drinking blood." Kain observed.
"My people would not." Esie said.
Esie had been right, the path was shorter on the maps, but its twists and turns hid many creatures. Many attacked without provocation. The beasts were no match for the vampires that slew them. Kain thought the path would make a good training exercise. Yet, they only human they saw was Esie. She seemed more frightened of the Anthrophagites than the beasts that attacked them.
The weather was just as unpredictable as she had informed them. Sleet, rain, heat, snow, hail, would sometime hit them all at once. The rain was so heavy it was almost like swimming. Water burned vampire skin. They had to wear oiled cloaks to protect themselves from the elements. The creature attacks had slowed them down. Night fall came. Kain ordered a camp to be made, in a overhang of rocks. He could see that Esie was exhausted. The vampires removed their oiled cloaks with relief.
"My Lord Kain, not here." She said in a panicked voice. "We must go further up the path."
"I would, but you are stumbling. My lieutenants cannot carry you."
"I am not a child. I can fight sleep."
"You're body says otherwise. You will rest. You will be guarded." Kain assured her.
"The Anthrophagites." She struggled to point out.
"They must be a myth." Turel scoffed. "I have not seen any sign of any other human, but you."
"They are real. I know them first hand." Esie said. Finally anger took her. "Fine we will stay here. If they come... I hope you are as quick as you are arrogant." Esie threw her pack down.
"You forget who we are." Turel hissed.
Raziel stayed his brothers hand. "We are in her country."