Chapter 24: Undead, Friendly and Not

An awkward silence descended onto the clearing. The only sound was the grass rustling in the slight breeze of the night. Garrick had yet to lower his weapon, though Alistair had long since stopped brandishing his daggers, standing in shock as he was.

Anya's pained smile faltered a little, and she fidgeted while under their stares. Her strength seemed to sap, and she sighed before looking down to the ground as if in shame. "Please. I need help. I do not know who to turn to…" Garrick lowered his weapon slightly, his stern gaze softening a little. The poor woman sounded...broken.

Sighing himself, Garrick dropped his bow and re-holstered his arrow. This shook Alistair back to attention, turning a questioning gaze to the older man. Garrick looked to Alistair, but kept half an eye on Anya as he did so. "The least we can do...is hear her out" he said, seeing a tentative look of hope appear on her face.

"Are you sure, she did bite you before…" Alistair muttered, but it was clear he wasn't truly against the idea. Perhaps he still felt guilt for the way he had dealt with her previously. Anya gained another pained expression at this, but did not comment.

"She could not say more than three words that time. I feel that something has changed, don't you?" Garrick returned, and Alistair couldn't help but nod in agreement. "That said, this is something we all need to be here for. Keep an eye on her, I'll go wake the others" he said, turning to climb down the bank.

Alistair looked slightly panicked. "On my own!?" Garrick paused as he reached the tent entrance, giving Karasumaru enough time to land upon his shoulder as he did so. Then, looking over his shoulder at Alistair he replied "Now, now. I am sure the brave man can deal with the scared young woman, yes? Do try not to slit her throat this time though…." And with a small smirk, Garrick stepped into the tent.

Alistair turned his attention back onto Anya, who had yet to move from her current spot, much to Alistair's relief. A long moment of awkward silence followed. Eventually, Anya spoke, if only to break the continued silence.

"So...how have you been getting on with my cloak?" Alistair groaned "Please hurry up, Garrick."


Within the tent, Garrick paused to look around the room. Varus was still laying on the sofa, seemingly asleep. Mel was laying upon the pile of cushions, likewise asleep. The others were not in the central room, likely sleeping in the separated quarters around the edge of the room.

Garrick observed this, then looked to the raven upon his shoulder. "Karasumaru, would you be so kind?" Karasumaru gave a low chuckle. "It would be my pleasure, Squire." He then jumped off of his shoulder, gliding a short way to alight upon the back of the sofa that Varus was laying on.

Tilting his head, Karasumaru looked down at the slumbering Varus. He currently had his arm over his face, sheltering his eyes from view. The raven fluffed his feathers up, before taking in a large breath…

"If you squawk in my ear, I'm going to hurt you, bird." came the voice of Varus from below, causing Karasumaru to deflate with a quiet whistle. Varus lowered his arm, revealing that he had not, in fact, been asleep.

Varus swung his legs over in order to get up off of the sofa. "To what do I owe the displeasure of your company, old man. Is it time for second watch already?" Garrick frowned, but restrained from commenting on the rudeness. "No, worse. A matter that requires everyone's attention has arisen" he stated, gesturing to the tent exit.

Movement from near the fire revealed that their conversation had awoken Mel also. She stretched languidly, before throwing the pair a sour look. "It had better be important, to wake me from such a comfortable location." Garrick simply nodded at the door once more. "If you would be so kind. I really think we ought to all be present for this. We had best hurry, lest Alistair be...eaten."

Mel raised a brow, trying to determine how serious Garrick was. He did not seem overly worried about Alistair, but the lines in his face and the occasional twitch showed that he was, at the very least, concerned about something.

"Fine. I'll get Indira and the others up. You head out with Varus, make sure our resident comic relief doesn't get chewed on." With that, Mel swept towards the back of the tent, towards the separated rooms. Varus grunted, before exiting the tent.

Karasumaru flapped over to land on Garrick's shoulder once more, looking a little dejected. "Is it bad that I had been looking forward to that, Squire?" he asked. Garrick gave the crow a wry smile, before turning to also exit once more. "I am sure there will be other opportunities in the future, my friend."


Before long, everyone was gathered outside and sat around the campfire within the mounded walls. Some were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes while others seemed to be wide awake. "Alrigh'. You got us all up, wha' the hell for?" Rogon grumbled, clearly not happy to be up at this time.

"We have a guest. One that required us all to have some input." Garrick said, gesturing to the mound where Alistair was still standing, clearly looking down upon someone or something. Indira looked his way in interest. "Really? Is it someone we know?"

Garrick gained a slightly pained expression. "In a way, yes. Perhaps it is best if she simply explains herself. I implore you though, no hasty actions. It will be shocking, but let her at least say her piece, I recommend." Looking around and seeing a myriad of curious looks, he nodded and turned towards Alistair's location. "Okay, you can come in now!" he called loudly enough to be heard from the other side.

Alistair stepped aside, allowing the figure below to walk up the hill and be revealed to the group. With her hood already down, she produced a variety of reactions. Indira gasped, her hands going to her mouth in shock. Varus lost his bored expression, gaining one of slight interest instead. Mel simply looked confused, unsure why this individual was garnering such reactions from everyone. Na'ish seemingly didn't react, though the trained eye would spot him grip his sword at his side.

Rogon had the most noticeable reaction of all. He was quick to draw his revolver and point it towards the figure. "Wha' the bloody hell? Didn't we kill you once already?" he asked, while training the revolver on Anya. She visibly recoiled from his reaction, but before Rogon could do anything more, Alistair stepped between them.

"Wait big guy! Yes, we did...er...kill her once already. But there's more to the story than that it would seem." Rogon glanced at Alistair, though his focus remained on Anya and he did not lower his weapon. Anya, it seemed, was resigned to stand there and see what Rogon would do.

It was Indira, who stepped up beside Rogon and gently placed a hand on his arm and slowly lowered it, which finally got him to calm down. Nodding at Rogon in thanks, and getting a gruff scoff in reply, Indira then stepped cautiously towards Anya.

"Anya?" she asked quietly. Anya nodded. "The Dukes daughter?" Indira continued. Anya gained a pained expression, before sighing and giving Indira a slight smile. "It would seem my fame precedes me...again. Yes, though I am unsure if I can still call myself as such given my current...condition."

Indira began to tear up, before she rapidly closed the distance and hugged Anya. Everyone tensed up, worried as to what Anya's reaction would be. For her part, Anya appeared shocked initially, before slowly starting to pat her back awkwardly.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of...this." Indira muttered through her tears. Anya's shocked look turned into a soft look of understanding, before she began to return the hug, if somewhat more awkwardly. With Anya not appearing like she was going to revert back to the mindless state she had been in before, the rest of the group relaxed a little. Garrick coughed to get the pair's attention.

"Perhaps it is best we hear the rest of the story, if we are to help you in any way" he said, while gesturing to the lit campfire. Varus, who had been staring at the whole interaction, had taken the opportunity to raise several long "logs" of raised earth, perfect for sitting upon.

Nodding, Anya separated from Indira and made her way over. Before long, they were all sitting around the fire, settling into another uncomfortable silence as each was unsure quite where to begin. Indira had come to sit next to Alistair, while Anya sat alone staring into the fire.

Eventually, Anya stopped ringing her hands, before taking a steadying breath and looking back up into the curious faces of the group. There was still a clear edge of distrust in many of them, but at least they were now listening. "I suppose...the easiest way is for you to ask me your questions. I will answer them as best I can."

Garrick nodded, seemingly appreciating this straightforward method. "Very well. When you first met us, it was under...less than Ideal circumstances. How can we be sure that you will not attack us again?" he asked. Anya grimaced, but met Garrick's gaze with determination.

"When I first met you, I was obviously not in my right mind. Honestly...I don't remember much about my time between getting attacked and then attacking you. I had a horrible desire to drink blood, it was like an unquenchable thirst. I fought against it, for as long as I could. Eventually though...I blacked out. The next thing I remember was lying on the ground, in pain but at peace, looking up at him" she said, gesturing to Alistair, who shifted uncomfortably.

Garrick frowned whilst nodding. "That sounds in line with what we saw. Still, you did not answer my question." Anya's jaws clenched slightly, but otherwise showed no sign of emotion. "I am dealing with it in other ways, to ensure that I do not fall to bloodlust once more. I am not attacking people, rest assured, but I would rather leave it at that." Garrick nodded in agreement, before sitting back to allow others a chance to ask their questions. Varus was quick to do so.

"How did you survive? You had a gash in your throat. That should have killed anyone." Indira glared at Varus for the insensitivity of the question, though he did not even acknowledge her doing so. Anya, surprisingly to most, gave a small chuckle. "Yes, that's what most would think. It would seem that simply slitting my throat is no longer sufficient to kill me." Here, Anya pulled the cloak wrapped around her to reveal her neck, where the thin scar from Alistair's dagger was in clear evidence. Alistair winced, but Indira patted his knee comfortably.

Anya covered it once more, but looked at Alistair with a small smile. "Truthfully, I should be thanking you. It was that blow that knocked me out of my bloodlust and allowed me to regain some of myself. Sufficient to survive, at least." Alistair gave her a stiff nod, unsure on how to take gratitude for attempting to kill a person.

Indira cut in at this point. "You said you don't remember the period after you were attacked until you met us. But that means that you do remember being attacked?" Here, Anya gained a faraway look, and her eyes shone with slight tears, before she wiped them away and gained a determined expression. "Yes. Yes I do."

Here, Indira reached into her pocket, before retrieving a leather bound book. One Anya immediately recognised. "Was it….the man that you met at the bar, at the docks?" Indira asked tentatively. Anya narrowed her eyes slightly at her, though it wasn't threatening in nature. "Been and had a look around my room did you?" Before they could reply, she sighed and lost her scowl. "In answer to your question, yes, it was."

Rogon cut in here "We were lookin' round your place 'cos the Duke asked us to look fer yeh. Course, we hadn't twigged tha' the person we were looking fer and the creature that attacked us were the same person." Anya gained a soft smile at this, "How is Father?"

"Worried sick about you, but putting on a brave face for the masses." Garrick replied, clearly relaxed enough now to let his guard down slightly, as he was lighting his pipe. Either that or it was a coping mechanism, none there truly knew. Anya nodded at this. "That sounds like Father. Still, I simply cannot return until I have found a way to cure myself of this. Father...none of the nobility could see me like this. They would not understand."

The group all exchanged glances at this. Rather than tackle that particular issue, Indira decided to ask a question instead. "You were telling us about the man that attacked you?" Anya nodded, gaining a distant look and starting to sport a small blush. "Yes. His name was Ranvor. He was tall. Handsome. Had a small beard, but nothing too messy, you know? He drew my attention immediately when he entered the tavern I had taken to frequenting on the dockside. He didn't look highborn, yet he held himself in a manner that could meld with any sort of person, I would think."

Anya sighed, looking down at her lap where she kept her hands clasped. "He would be telling fanciful stories of various adventures from beyond Astor's walls. All so fanciful, I had no idea whether they were true but with little knowledge of the world beyond, I was soon lost in the majesty of it all. When he chose to start telling me the stories directly, even to the point of sitting alone and buying me drinks as we spoke. I wanted so bad to have such adventures myself. When he offered to take me on such, I could not accept fast enough…"

Indira sighed from her spot by the fire, her head in her hands and resting upon her knees. Alistair gave her an indignant look, which she quickly noticed. Coughing awkwardly, she gestured for Anya to continue. Anya frowned, then growled and thumped the bank of ground she sat upon. The bank gained a sizable dent despite being compacted, and for a brief moment the group was reminded of just how dangerous the girl sharing their fire could be.

Anya lifted her hand and observed the damage, before looking to them guiltily. "Sorry...still, er, getting used to the whole...nevermind. Anyway, I met up with Ranvor, as planned in the agreed upon location. However, we never went anywhere...the moment we were alone...he grabbed me. I don't remember the whole thing, just that he leaned over me. At first I thought he was going to kiss me, but as I closed my eyes in anticipation...I only felt pain."

Anya shrugged. "Next thing I know, I'm alone.. I fled the city with nothing but my clothes, fearful of enacting upon anyone the sudden thirst I felt. I got as far as I could before the bloodlust overwhelmed me." Anya began to get tears in her eyes at this point. Indira, heedless of Alistair's attempt to prevent her, walked over and sat next to Anya, wrapping a comforting arm around the distraught girl. She then looked to the group with determination in her eyes. "We have to help her."

Varus shrugged, and stretched his arms above his head. "How? I don't know about you, but I've hardly been keeping a magical cure-all up my sleeve this whole time." Indira scowled at him, and Varus simply stared back at her, a glint of amusement in his eye.

Garrick sighed. "As crass as he is, he has a point." Seeing Anya look to the ground, he added "However...perhaps, we can find someone who knows more. We will be travelling to Brentwood. Perhaps there is someone there who could help? You are welcome to join us, if you like."

Anya regained her hopeful look. "Really? You would help me search? Even after what I did?" Varus shrugged, clearly unconcerned either way. Rogon chuckled and gave her a thumbs up, while Indria nodded enthusiastically. Na'ish remained stoic and difficult to read, while Alistair was clearly uncomfortable, but nodded when he realised that most everyone agreed.

Garrick looked around the camp, before tucking his pipe back into his jacket. "Well, that seems to have settled the matter. Welcome, Anya." Anya nodded, and gave the group a small smile. Then she shifted uncomfortably. "And my Father? Will you inform him of my new...status?"

Garrick shrugged. "I see no reason why. He has asked us to find you, yes...but he also wished us to go to Brentwood. So long as we help keep you safe, then I feel we are meeting our obligations." Anya slumped in obvious relief.

Indira then stood up and patted herself down, before reaching out to offer a hand to Anya. "Come on. You have to see this tent we're staying in, it's amazing!" she said excitedly, starting to drag her along and into the tent. Varus was swift to follow "Hey! Don't just drag people into MY tent!" he called, but was clearly ignored. Rogon, chuckling, followed shortly after.

Alistair sighed, before getting up and going over to Garrick. "You sure about this? She did bite you after all." Garrick looked at Alistair with a raised brow. "Perhaps. In which case, better to have the possible threat where I can see her, no?" Alistair shrugged, and Garrick turned towards the tent entrance, laughter flowing from the open entrance. "Still...she did not deserve what happened. If we can help her, then I am going to try, at least"

It was at this point that they were interrupted by a slight cough from the fireside. Turning, they saw Mel looking towards the tent entrance, eyes slightly wide. "I have just one question...What the hell just happened!? We just let what appears to be a vampire into our midst, and you all seem fine with it? I knew you guys would be interesting to follow, but I was not expecting that!"

Alistair and Garrick exchanged looks, before Alistair raised his hands in surrender and began to stroll towards the tent. Looking around, Na'ish, the only other person outside, had wordlessly taken up second watch and sat upon the bank.

Looking back to Mel, who was clearly expecting an explanation, Garrick began heading back into the tent while questioning Mel about what a vampire was, and how their previous encounter with Anya had turned out.


Morning broke, and thankfully the group had not had any more unexpected visitors in the night. As the sun cast a golden glow upon their camp, it took Varus but a moment to collapse the tent back into its book form, gaining appreciative nods from Alistair and Rogon.

"Righ' useful that. Could use one of em meself. Will have to keep a lookout for one" Rogon muttered while scratching his chin. Alistair sighed, "That's if you could afford it. Bet it was right expensive. Hey Varus? How much did you pay for it?" he called, only for Varus to give him a deadpan expression and start walking towards the trail.

Alistair and Rogon exchanged glances, and Alistair shrugged. With a chuckle from Rogon, soon the whole party was following Varus. After exiting the wooden gate that marked the edge of the field, a small dirt track wound its way through a small wood.

As they walked, Indira was once more chatting to Anya. While Anya was still wearing the heavy robe and hood combination that she had come into camp with, the ample shade provided by the trees here meant that she was able to keep her hood down with only mild discomfort.

Alistair was hovering around, but was noticeably more relaxed than he had been last night. Rogon and Na'ish were chatting a short way behind. Indeed, the only person who still seemed unnerved by Anya's presence in their group was Mel, who kept near the front with Varus. Garrick seemed to always want to keep Anya within sight, thus he had taken up the rear of the group.

Alistair sidled up to the two girls, a curious look on his face. "Anya? A question if I may?" Anya turned towards him, and nodded. "Sorry to ask this, but this Ranvor guy. Did he have any distinguishing features? I know you said that he was handsome and had a small beard...but that doesn't hugely narrow it down.

Anya shifted uncomfortably, but when she noticed that many of the group were listening keenly for the answer, she nodded. "Very well. I suppose it would be good for you to know in case he ever makes an appearance in town again." Anya paused to think, then her eyes lit up with excitement. "I know, he had a very unique tattoo, on his right forearm. I remember as he was quite keen to show it off, always had it on display. It was in the shape of a skull, but with a rose for one of its eyes."

Indira started rummaging in her stachel, retrieving the jacket they had taken from Anya's room. "Did it look like this?" she asked. Anya went to reach for the article of clothing, before pulling her hand away. "Yes...that's the one. I had forgotten he had gifted me that…"

Indira went to offer the item, but Anya shook her head. "I would rather not, if it's all the same to you. The less I have from that man, the better." Indira nodded, and returned the jacket to the satchel. As she did so, the path began to widen, and the trees became sparser around them.

Anya hissed a sharp intake of breath, and was forced to raise her hood to keep the painful sun from her skin. Indira patted her back, and Anya turned towards her with a grateful smile. "I will be alright. The sun is just uncomfortable, that's all."

Once the trees ended, the track met a larger path, this one continuing to meet the riverside and proceed to follow it once more. Unlike before, however, there were very few rocks and much more open land. Some patches were of soft mud while others had been compacted by passing foot traffic.

Ambling along, the group was making good headway. Conversation was mostly smalltalk, and Rogon had taken to playing his panpipes once more as they travelled. Varus kept glancing at the Half-Orc as he played, as if the music personally offended him, but he did not speak up to ask him to stop.

As the sun reached its zenith, a feature on the bankside caught the attention of Mel. Raising her hand to shield her eyes, she pointed to the area in question. "Hey, what's that?" The others turned their focus onto it, but it was currently too far to accurately make out. As they approached, it became clear that the shape was a small rowboat, however the vessel had been grounded on the bank and was currently flipped over. A large hole in the hull showed why it may have been abandoned.

Garrick shrugged. "This appears as good a spot as any to take a rest" he called, getting murmurs of agreement all around. Anya especially appeared to be thankful for the rest, as she had begun panting in the heat of the day.

As the rest settled around and attempted to find dry spots to sit upon, a challenge in this more waterlogged area, Rogon strolled down to the riverside. Once there, he leant down to pick up a fairly flat stone, and proceeded to begin skipping it across the water, achieving a few skips before it plunged beneath the surface. Giving a gruff snort, he looked around in search of another. As he reached to get it, a heavily armoured boot came into view. Following the leg up, it was to see Na'ish standing there, also looking out to the river.

Rogon silently retrieved the stone, and skipped it once more. After the pair had stood in silence for a while, Na'ish spoke. "I get the feeling you are unhappy, currently." Rogon huffed, "What gave ya tha' impression, mate?" Na'ish shrugged, returning his attention to the water. Rogon sighed, and reached for another pebble. "I'm just frustrated, yeh? Can't very well go lookin' for me father while I'm on a bloody quest for a Duke tha's not my own."

Flipping the stone in his hands, Rogon looked over at the rest of the group. Alistair had taken to standing upon the rowboat, and was clearly telling some outlandish story to both Indira and Anya. Garrick and Varus stood close to each other, but did not appear to be conversing, while Mel was clearly asking Varus something but failing to get any answers.

"I jus'...I'm not sure if Brentwood is where I want to go, yah know?" Rogon finished. Na'ish remained silent, but after a while, gave Rogon a solid nod. While he did not say anything, Rogon was starting to get a feel for what the quieter member of their group meant by his gestures. "Thanks. Good to know someone else understands, yeh?" Rogon finished, before skipping his final held pebble once more.

As he did so, it got five skips in before it plunged beneath the surface. When it did so, however, it made a louder splash than usual, and the ripples it formed continued to ripple out from the source. Rogon and Na'ish watched in confusion. "The hell?" Rogon asked.

The two then got a shock as the ripples suddenly started moving towards them! Rogon stumbled back and retrieved his revolver, while Na'ish drew his sword. The ripples approached them and got within about fifteen metres...before dispelling and disappearing once more.

The two stayed still for several seconds, but when nothing happened, Rogon chuckled and holstered his revolver once more. "Heh. Musta been a fish I hit, eh? Even with a rock, I'm the best sharpshooter there is!"

Before Na'ish could reply, they were interrupted by a scream from behind them. Whirling around, it was to see the group all staring in shock as Anya had seemingly fallen into the ground, with only her waist currently visible. And she was still sinking!

Alistair was quick to hop down beside her, grabbing on in an attempt to slow her descent. "What's going on?" he called desperately. "Something has a hold of my foot! It's pulling me down!" Anya called, desperately trying to free herself. Even with Alistair, she was still slowly being dragged down.

"Something? What something?" Alistair yelled, as Indira moved to also pull on Anya. "That something, I imagine!" called Varus, as around their group, several figures started to pull themselves out of the muddy bank. As the mud sloughed off them and revealed their features, it was clear that they were some variant of the undead. Though like none they had ever seen before.

They appeared soaked through, and even the mud didn't appear to stick to them like it should have done. Their eyes had rotted out, leaving gaping maws where they should have been. Several parts of their body were bloated, and their skin discoloured with their veins clearly noticeable. "Almost like...water damage…" thought Garrick.

Those that could readied their weapons, Rogon and Na'ish backing away from the river where two more were dragging themselves out from the depths. Alistair and Indira pulled helplessly at Anya, who only had her shoulders above the surface. Anya looked up with fear in her eyes, "Please, tell Father I died. Thank you…" she uttered, before with a harsh pull, she disappeared beneath the surface, the hole filling up with dirty water and obscuring her from view.

"Dammit, NO!" Alistair cried, to which the creatures around them gave a gurgling warcry and charged the group.


Character Profile:

Name: Anya Harrington

Race: Human (turned into Vampire)

Anya is Duke Harrington's only child. Due to being raised in Astorian nobility, she had many expectations thrust upon her by her Father. Wishing only to travel and see the world outside of Astor, she had gathered supplies to go onto her own journey.

Upon meeting a well traveled man in town, it would seem her chance had come, and so she sneaked out one night in order to meet him. However, the man was not who he seemed, and Anya was turned into a creature of myth, forced to fight her blood lust until the party was able to help her regain her senses.

Now, she has joined the group in the hope of finding a cure as they travel.