Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
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12: clearing the vines
While Liam leaned against the formerly seeled coffin I took a look around. Afger looting all the reliquaries in the shrine I and my companions left the mausoleum.
On our way out I was able to level up to 13. I placed my attribute point into my Intelligence to raise my spell accuracy. i held on to my skill point for when i learned my next fire spell.
"We should tell Hope that Liam is finished destroying the ancient evil amulet," Ginny says as we exit from the mausoleum into the graveyard.
I nod in agreement. As does Luna. So we begin searching for Hope.
As we were looking around just outside the mausoleum hope snuck upon us. "I heard about how you helped Liam. We're lucky to have met you. Now it's my turn to ask for help. I've been trying to find out where all the vampires are coming from. Well, I found a den - a big one. I'm headed there to take them out, but it's not going to be easy."
I grin to myself. It's just 1 thing after another, isn't it? "I'd be happy to help."
Hope gives me a bright smile. "Great! I'll mark the spot on your map. Meet me there, and we'll finally take the fight to them."
As Hope walks away I take note of the flashing words over my head. "A new quest, The Slayer, has been added. I've agreed to help Hope the Vampire Slayer clear a vampire den southeast of the graveyard. I should meet her there when I'm ready for a fight."
After glancing over Ginny, Luna, and myself to make sure we are ready for battle I glance at my map. Finding the marker that Hope placed on it i trace a path from our current location to the Vampire Den.
Following the traced path on the map we first head south. We pass through a small gate and walk up to an outside wall of the Valenport Mausoleum. Turning east we walk until reaching a thicket. Turning south again we walk to the next thicket. Turning east again we walk a short distance to another thicket. Next turning north we walk until we reach another thicket. Once again turning east we walk to another thicket. Now turning south we walk until reaching another thicket. Turning east we spot the Vampire Den, and Hope standing just outside of it. As we walk forward to join her Liam appears.
"Nice to see a familiar face. Hope, I thought maybe you could use a hand."
I smile at Liam and Hope. "Nice to see you again, Liam."
Hope smiles at Liam before turning serious. "Have you scouted the place yet? How many are in there?"
Liam shrugs. "Half a dozen, maybe more. This is not going to be easy."
Hope smiles in antisapation. "No, but it's going to be fun." Hope turns to me. "Are you ready? We won't attack until you give the word."
I take 1 last look over me and my friends. "I'm ready. Let's do this."
Before any of us can move Liam looks toward the nest. "Party's over - they've caught our scent. Here they come!"
Imediately we are attacked by 4 "Newborn Vampires" and 3 "Vampires". With Hope's and Liam's help we were able to take down all 7 enemies.
As the last vampire falls and turns to dust Hope grins. "I don't know about you, but that's how I like to start the morning."
I blink. It isn't even morning anymore. "It was a good fight."
Liam finishes checking the nest. "I don't know if we could've done it without you. Looks like we owe you - again."
Hope nods to Liam before turning to me. "Liam's right - you did good. But there's always more to do. I have to get back to patrol. You ever need a hand, you know where to find me."
Liam stands by the nest. "I'm going to stay here—make sure nobody tries to come back here and nest."
Hope faces Ginny with a teasing grin. "Hey Gwen - looks like you haven't forgotten everything I taught you. Nice work."
Ginny gives Hope a playful scowl, before giggling. "You didn't do too bad, yourself."
As Hope leaves words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, The Slayer, completed. We've cleared the vampire den. The graveyard should be a much safer place now."
After looting the Vampire Den I decide it is time to find those flowers Alice told us about. So Ginny, Luna, and I return to the tavern in Farhaven. After resting in the Large South Bedroom I leave the tavern with Luna and Alice as companions. Not wasting any time we head for the north gate.
Glancing at my map I see a clearing that might contain 1 of the flowers. Tracing a path on my map we proceed to follow it. We follow the map off the north-south road onto a trail. Then off the trail into the clearing i spotted on the map. The clearing did indeed contain the first flower we needed.
Remembering some meadows on my map I checked to see if I marked any of them. Indeed I did. There is 1 by the old lumber mill. Tracing a path from the clearing to the meadow we set out for our next flower.
We start by leaving the clearing to the east. Then we turn south. After entering 1 of the trails dotted around the forest we turn west. Upon reaching the north-south road we turn north. After a long walk we turn west toward a thicket. Following the thicket north we find the meadow with our second flower. Picking it up I start glancing over my map for the last flower.
I couldn't find any meadows from a quick glance over my map. So i decided to walk the north-south road and hope 1 of us spots a meadow, or the last flower we need. We start by leaving the meadow to the east. Once we reach the road we turn north. Upon reaching a bend in the road we turn east once again. We follow this road until we reach a second bend in the road. Once again turning north we follow the road. As we continue we are attacked by 2 "Tainted Ravens", and a "Dark Mage Apprentice". After the battle, Luna leveled up to 13. She placed her attribute point into her "Will Power". Then she spent her skill point on raising her "Hands of Healing" skill to its maximum rank.
After reching and crossing the bridge none of us had spotted a meadow or special flower. Deciding to make sure we didn't miss it on our way to the second flower we turn back south and recrossing the bridge begin trekking south. As we walked along fighting whatever enemies we came across I leveled up to 14. I placed my attribute point into my Intelligence again, and I saved my skill points still waiting for a new fire spell.
After Checking the "Windy Bluff", and both high ridges I decide to check along the ancient road near the northern high ridge. We head west along the road for a little while before Alice points to a meadow to our south. Turning toward it we spot the last flower we need to get past the vines. After picking up the third flower Alice says we now have the ability to enter the ruins to the west. So I trace a path from the meadow to the ruins marked on the west edge of my map.
We start our trek by heading north. Once we reach a thicket we turn east. We walk east until the thicket opens to the north allowing us to leave the meadow. We find ourselves back on the ancient road and turn west to head for the vines. After a long walk, interrupted occasionally by enemies, we finally arrive at the vines blocking our path. As we approach the vines the vines retreat before the aroma of the flowers, clearing the path before us. As the path west is revealed words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, The Sweet Smell of Success, completed. The vines retreated from the smell of the flowers, just like Alice said. The way to the Deepwood Ruins should be clear from now on." Taking a deep breath we enter the ruins.
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An: and that's where we're going to leave it for now. Yes, this chapter is a little shorter than usual, but I couldn't extend it anymore, and this was a great stopping point. Next chapter the group begins exploring the "Deepwood Ruins".
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all /next time.