Meanwhile, in the study of the Darkthrop Keep, Galahad tossed aside another inch-thick manuscript onto the already huge pile. It threw up a lot of dust, something that happened every time he did this. The room was quiet and desolate and little light entered from the lone window, which was the reflection of the village in the distance. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling, though he had cleared most of them before sitting in the old, unused armchair. The grate was empty, and a cold draught blew through the old tower.

'There's nothing here' he said. Tei'jal didn't look up, her nose an inch from the frayed page. 'I wonder why the sorcerer didn't take better notes'

He stretched his legs and looked out of the window for a second.

'Give me something else' Tei'jal said, throwing the book in the bin. 'This one talks about making solutions that cause you to laugh'

Galahad passed her another book from the huge, daunting bookshelf. Reluctantly, he pulled out one for himself too. The two read on in the silence, getting more impatient by every passing second. The few night's work had yielded nothing, and it was seeming to be increasingly pointless to continue. He was already through his fourth book, when Tei'jal make a slight noise.

'Read this' she said, tearing out a page from the manuscript. Galahad took it gingerly and read it aloud.

'"It has long before and shall remain for the long future the fall of many a wizard, for the case of the sorcerer of the Istir is exceptional. For too long has this been the fear of many, for it cannot be foreseen or cannot be prevented if fate has already decided upon it. Nevertheless, I must make provision which will be a precaution for the prophecy, though I know not if necessary it is. My fears are little, for I can always turn to the last way, but then it might take longer than projected for the fulfillment, which I can risk not, for time limits me. If I run out of magic, I can tap that of another " The last is written in red'

Galahad looked at Tei'jal, who looked serious and read it again.

'I think...' Tei'jal began, but couldn't complete it. Ropes flew out of thin air, binding her hands and feet to her body. Galahad remained seated, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

'I don't know what you think, but I confess that indeed, it is a very interesting and useful discovery!'

'Gyendal!' she said, grinding her teeth. He stepped out of the shadows, wearing his same old red cloak. 'How regrettable!'

'Shall I destroy her, my lord' a voice said from behind. From the darkness, two more vampires appeared, holding Tei'jal from both the sides.

'No!' Gyendal said in his commanding voice. 'Make her die a slow, painful death... tie her up on the tallest turret and let the sun do the dirty work'

The vampires laughed. In the blink of an eye, the two and Tei'jal vanished into the darkness, their voices echoing in the tower. Galahad stood up finally.

'My fight is not with you, dark knight' Gyendal said, looking at him. 'I know you are forced to do my sister's bidding'

'She stole my soul' Galahad said angrily.

'Wait till dawn, and you shall be free' Gyendal said coolly. 'Never shall she be able to torment you again'

Galahad looked at him and then at the window. His gaze fell on the town below.

'Burn her alone!' he cried, storming out of the old study. Gyendal chuckled.

'Do you think that was wise?' a voice said, as the two vampires returned from the dark. 'I'm not sure he can be trusted so easily'

'He can't' Gyendal said, nodding. 'Keep guard on the tower. Kill him if he returns. If he doesn't, he'll be a valuable man to have in my army'

The vampires laughed again and vanished.

The door of the local bar banged open as the blonde warrior entered. More than one pair of eyes followed him to the counter, owing more to the vertical scar on his right eye than his rather pale color. He carried the heavy armor like silk and none could guess he carried a total of four, carefully hidden swords.

'Bartender!' he shouted. 'Ale! Wine! Give me anything!'

The bartender hurriedly banged down two mugs of ale in front of him. He picked up one and thrust it forcefully to his lips. Two men seated on the, one old and the other young were watching him closely.

'She deserved to die for what she did' Galahad cried out looking at them. 'She stole my sole and turned me evil. I was one a noble knight, a good man. The vile creature made me this! I should be enjoying this drink, but it tastes dirt. All I want is... blood'

The old man chuckled. Galahad turned to him, surprised.

'Did I say something funny?'

'She sounds like my wife' the old man said, putting down his glass. 'Nora's been dead for thirty years now. I hated her till the day she died. I realized too late that I loved the woman'

'Trust me, good man!' Galahad said coldly. 'My wife is evil'

'How bad could she be?'

'She'll eat you without a second thought'

The man pushed the glass across the counter to the bartender. Everyone was watching them now, though the two seemed oblivious of the fact. He scratched his nose.

'Is there nothing redeeming about this woman?'

Galahad looked out of the window. The hundreds of years passed hadn't weakened his memory, but he failed to recognize how he had overlooked many a thing before. Slowly, his hand ran through his hair.

'She stopped a demon from conquering the world and now she's trying to prevent a vampire from enslaving humanity' he said suddenly.

The bar was dead quiet by now. Only the old man chuckled again.

'Well, it looks like her bark is worse than her bite!'

'You might be onto something' Galahad said,a sudden light on his face. 'As many times I may have heard her talk about eating humans, I've never actually seen her do it!'

The man stopped smiling.

'You need to stop drinking, friend' he said warily.

'Yes' Galahad said, putting down the mug. He drew out the long sword, to which everyone took a step back. 'I need to save my wife!'

Without looking back, he ran out the door, leaving the bartender cursing behind. It was a few seconds before anyone spoke.

'Do you really think he believed his own story?' the young man on the counter asked. The older shrugged.

'We get all sorts these days' he said over the resumed loud talk. 'I think I'll have another ale!'