Mel kicked her horse harder, nervous and afraid, for she could feel and visibly see the unnatural mist that hung over the thick forest. She could hear Stella riding behind, but didn't bother to turn, partly because her body was stiff from travel. They were almost there now, and she expected to see the gates any time now as the scenery had turned familiar. She shivered slightly as a chilly breeze hit her.

The journey in the mountains had been creepy to say the least. Through the way, she kept feeling she was being watched and towards the end, she could faintly hear her name being cried out, though it probably was just her imagination. Then finally, many miles ahead, she had heard a loud sound, like something moving very fast below in the valley. When he looked below, not a thing had stirred.

For a few minutes, they rode on further. Just as she was about to think of slowing down a bit, she saw something move in the distance ahead.

'Run!' she yelled, at which the horse burst into a sprint. She drew out her dagger, readying her arm. Just as she was about to strike, however, the figure swiftly moved out of the way. She turned around, her heart pounding, hoping it had fallen aside.

Stella screamed. The vampire was right behind her, running as fast, if not faster than her horse. The horses seemed to have understood what was going on too, for they had pulled up their entire strength and were running faster than ever before. In the distance, Mel saw the glimmer of hope. The thin lights of Harburg had never before looked more welcoming. She looked back again. The moon disappeared suddenly. So did everything else.

'We have to hurry!' the voice said, as water splashed on her face. 'I thought I killed you first, it's better this way!'

Mel slowly opened her eyes. The were right next to the gates of Harburg. Her horse was lying a few feet away, either dead or wounded. Stella was leaning to the other, a large gash on her arm. Someone pushed her to her feet.

'Are you alright?'

'Yes' she said, though she didn't feel like it. Dimly, she made out Galahad's face. 'You could've stopped us'

'I tried' he said gruffly. 'You panicked, I guess on seeing me'

'It's the mist. It's not natural, so I was already afraid'

'Drink this' he said, pushing her a small vial. It burned down her throat as she emptied it and everything seemed to get clearer.

'Where's Tei'jal?' she asked, suddenly noticing her absence.

'Are you sure you feel right?'

'Yes!' Mel said angrily.

'Okay. We were taken by surprise by Gyendal, and he's tied her up in the Darkthrop Keep. I... managed to escape. She needs our help'

Mel nodded without a word. She suddenly felt wide awake.

'Stay here, young maiden' Galahad said looking at Stella. She nodded faintly.

In one sweep, he lifted Mel onto his shoulders and broke off into the characteristic run Mel didn't fancy. Within no more than two minutes, they were at the tower.

'Careful, now' Galahad whispered, putting her down. 'I don't expect you to be able to fight them, but you certainly can distract them while I do the rest. Do let any get too close'

Mel carefully scanned the surrounding, which looked exactly as the last time she had seen it. There was no sign of anyone having come there recently, though she didn't doubt vampires didn't leave tracks. A creak sounded ahead. Instinctively, she moved an inch closer to Galahad. There was a short chuckle, which made the hair on her neck stand up.

'I knew you couldn't be trusted' the vampire said appearing from the shadows, the white body gleaming in the moonlight. Another one appeared from the other side.

'It looks like even the Lord of Twilight can't always be right' the other laughed. 'But wait, what's that you've brought? A mortal...?'

'It's a feast' the first said as both laughed. 'Well at least it'll be fun!'

'The lord won't be pleased either way. You could have been a useful man with us. We know you, Galahad Teomes of Sedona, knight of the king. We know how it was a simple touch of a necromancer's relic, rather than a bold bite than bound you to this world forever. Far too long has the evil lady tormented you, but you do not let her go?'

'The deep sea is far better than the devil. I've already spent hundreds of years with her, a few more shouldn't make a difference. Tei'jal takes a step towards good, and I'm always with her, may she be or not my wife or master. The dark lord would have won by now, had she not been the only one of your kind who actually had a heart. And I'd rather die than join hands with you!' Galahad growled.

'But you are dead, friend. You are dead, but now you'll be worse'

It was Galahad's turn to laugh now.

'Trust me, one who calls me friend, there's nothing worse than what I am, perhaps barring the exception of what you are. Do you not remember the sweet smell of the flowers, the wind on your face, the mountains and the fresh morning dew on the grass? Why not remember that once you were good men too, laboring in fields, finding solace in simple things?'

'Those things are for a world in which there is good and hope, a world unlike that which we have lived in for too long. For a thousand years, if you know not of these things, they matter little to you. Do you not feel it yourself? All you want is to fight... all you want is blood!'

'I fight not for myself, but for a cause. For lives that are spent defending something, for defending all that is good, for those who cannot fight for their own and I fight because someone has to fight this fight'

'You'll regret this, paladin, for you were warned and you didn't heed. The age of light is on the wane, darkness thrives below. The Lord of Twilight is far more powerful than you can imagine, and we are the few who have seen his real strength. Counter us as you may, you can never withstand him in the end. There shall be a great war, in which all shall fight, divided by greed and strength and he shall then rise. Some day or the other, you'll have to return to the winning side'

Galahad laughed once again, and it echoed through the darkness. Slowly, the warrior's eyes gleaming, he drew out his broad sword.

'I never left the winning side'

Three more swords were drawn at the same instant as he bent down, bent like a hound from the old days. The vampires' swords gleamed dimly red akin to their eyes, unlike Galahad's, which was pure black. Mel tightened her grip on her dagger, hoping it wouldn't be the last time she did it.