14 - To Catch a Vampire

Kythorn 8th, Wilderness, Evening…

"Lathander!" A voice called to them, gruff and serious it called again "Lathander wake up!"

Lathander slowly came back to consciousness, they had hoped the last twenty four hours had been a dream but waking up confirmed their nightmares were true. They had been injured during the fight with the White Stag, 3 broken ribs and a broken collar bone later and they were slowly on the mend thanks to the potion they poured down their gullet while they was semi-conscious.

It was evening, they seemed to be camped under a large tree in the Grenwood Forest. It was sunset, the sky was a bright pink as the sun trickled down into the west, the moon began to climb to its perch in the night sky.

Lathander looked around, trying to sit up; they winced as a flash of pain ran through the left side of their body. "Easy lad, take it slow and steady. You've been out for most of the day."

The voice was familiar, comforting even, opening their eyes more he saw Griffin sitting above them. The dwarf held a salve made of some of the herbs they had bought and spread it evenly over the bruising and cuts that ran up most of Lathander's torso. When applied the salve felt cold, but after a few seconds it seared in agony like they were being branded with iron.

"Jeez Reverend, what the hell is that stuff?" A familiar and sharp voice came out, "Maybe go easy on the poor fucker." The continued swearing confirmed Lathander's half awoke suspicion to be true in that it was Shalia.

"It's a simple healing salve, it'll help these wounds heal quicker, though it will burn that just means it's working" Griffin explained as he finished applying the last of the salve. At this rate, the Reverend thought to himself, the lad will be lucky to heal in a month's time. If only I could call upon Gond in this land.

Lathander was able to get a handle on the pain just as Griffin started to wrap gauze around their torso. The added pressure strained on their already weakened ribs, every breath was a sharp intake through clenched teeth. Lathander was able to lift their head up and get a bedroll under it to use as a pillow. There, in this semi-sat up state they did their best to converse with the party.

"I suppose you guys have some questions huh.." they said, wincing and sucking in a sharp breath and he tried to prop themself up on their elbows.

"Just a few, you have been acting rather strange recently" Shalia retorted, "Firstly, who are you, Wilmer or Lathander?"

They paused, they knew now was the time for it all to come out, "I am Lathander Stormwood of Pinedale, Paladin Elect and heir to the Stormwood name. My family is a noble house in Pinedale with a lot of power. I am the third child after my sister and brother. I was kept from being able to fully become a paladin because my parents didn't want to risk me getting injured. I left home to prove that I could be a real paladin, I was hoping to go to a temple and retake my oath sometime and actually go through a real trial. But I got a letter that brought me to Caston just like all of you. I used a fake name because I didn't want people recognizing me for my heritage and giving me an easier time because of it. I hope you can all understand and forgive me."

Silence.

A moment passed as the group stared at them hard, they felt shame and hung their head down.

"Honestly, I don't blame you for the false name. It makes sense given what you just told us" Shalia was the first to speak.

"Eyy man I get having family problems, but look here. Look at me, look in my eyeholes. We are here, you and me, and us. We are family." Nimreth added, getting closer to Lathander and staring into their eyes, making the young man feel a tad uncomfortable and confused, but they knew there were some good intentions behind the odd behaviour.

"Aye lad, in this line of work having an alias never hurts, especially to protect those we care about." Griffin studied the young man who got a far away look in his eye, obviously what the dwarf said had stirred up thoughts of those closest to the knight. "You rest now Lathander, we are well settled here and yer wounds should be better by morning."

Lathander put their head back on the bedroll that had been placed under them. It was comfy, if a bit lumpy, and soon they drifted into sleep.

Kythorn 9th, Wilderness, Morning…

The camp smelled of meat and coffee. Sibul had been frying some of the last bits of their dried pork and brewing a pot before the rest of the party got up, something they all were thankful for as they awoke to the tantalizing aromas.

They ate and drank as they discussed their plan for the day.

"So do we still go to Pinedale, need we risk Lathander running into their left behind family who are no doubt looking for them?" Griffin asked the party.

Doubt it Lathander thought, mom and dad probably haven't even noticed I'm gone.

"I mean, the news of a vampire being there is unsettling to me Reverend, I would like the opportunity to return home and ensure things are alright" they said, surprising everyone with their changed demeanor.

"Maybe they could wear a hood to keep from being spotted," Shalia offered, pulling out a scarf and passing it to them. As Lathander put it on they felt a wave of incognito pass over them.

"That could work, when in Pinedale what should we look for?" Hawke asked.

"Hmm," Lathander thought, "Maybe we could check the tavern, and ask around town. I will try to lay low and not be spotted."

"Good idea, Nevon and I will ask around town. Someone should get us more supplies for the journey to Elràise." Griffin suggested, looking around for volunteers.

"Eyy I'll handle that don't you worry Rev" Nimreth replied, hopeful that Pinedale had a bakery as good as Caston.

"Hawke and I can check the tavern" Shalia said casually, adding "maybe Lathander can join us and sit in the corner brooding!"

The group had a good laugh and agreed to the plan. When they got to Pinedale they would be ready.

Kythorn 9th, Pinedale, afternoon…

The village of Pinedale was surrounded by trees, deep within the Grenwood Forest and on the border of Lost Needle Forest, it had both deciduous and coniferous trees on its outer borders. The town had a wood palisade around it, with three wood gates offering meagre defenses to hold back any monsters or threats. Once inside, the town itself was quaint. The main drag had a general store, smithy, town hall, inn, and a small temple. To the south was the lumber mill, the smell of fresh cut lumber lingered in the air. To the north were larger manor houses, an area of town Lathander insisted they did NOT want to go to. Once in the middle of the main drag they agreed to meet at the Creaking Oak Inn at sundown to go over all they had learned.

Nevon and Griffin, now standing alone in the street, looked around.

"Where do you think we should start, Rev?"

"Well why don't we go and talk to the mayor first, that could be a good place to start."

"I agree Reverend, let's go"

They walked over to the town hall and entered. Inside was an Owlin1 sitting at a desk. She looked up.

"Helloooo and hwhaat can I dooooo for you tooooday."

"We would like to speak to the mayor" Nevon replied stoically.

"Dooooo youuuuuuu have an appointment? hoooo"

"Er uh, no. Could we make one?"

"Absol-hoot-ly! Let me check the mayoors sched-hool"

She brisked through the ledger in-front of her briefly.

"He has an opening right now. Follow me!"

She got up and led them down the hall to a door that she knocked at before opening. She led them in and an elderly man sat at a desk and greeted them.

"Hello I am Ted Athelstein, mayor of Pinedale, what can I do for you today."

"We are here investigating rumours of vampires" Griffin stated plainly, "I am Reverend Griffin Oakbeard and this is my ward, Nevon." he introduced themselves "We are here to ensure your town is safe from this vampire threat."

"Ahh you're the second person this week to come to me about this matter. The first was a woman who left just last night, not sure if she accomplished her objective or not. She was mysterious and wouldn't say much. You say there are vampires here, if you want to look around be my guest but don't go acting on wild baseless accusations without first bringing any info you have to me."

"That is understandable Mr. Mayor sir, just one more thing, would you say we get diplomatic immunity while we are looking into this for you?" Nevon asked, impishly.

"What is that?"

"Just like, in case the guards think we're being suspicious we can say we are acting on your orders."

"Hmmm, okay, sure, you can have this, diplomatic immunity."

"Excellent."

Kythorn 9th, Creaking Oak Inn, afternoon…

Shalia, Hawke, and Lathander entered the tavern. It was small and cozy, the smell of fire smoke filled the room alongside the smell of roast meat and ale. They found seats in the corner, and once the bartender came over they got to gossiping.

"Hey mr. Barkeep, or uh, ms. Barkeep, we have some questions" Hawke started at the dwarvish woman, "Have you heard of any talk of vampires in town recently?"

"Subtle Hawke, real subtle," Shalia added, shaking her head.

"Well I have heard that people who go over to old Rulpha's house sometimes come out looking a little pale."

"Rulpha? Who's that"

"Oh she works at the mill here in town."

"Thank you for the information."

The barkeep left after bringing them their ale and the group looked at each other.

"Did anyone else feel that was too easy?" Lathander asked.

"Yeah, like why would she rat out somebody like that" Shalia continued, taking a sip of her ale "it just seems fishy, makes me think she's trying to deflect. Did anyone notice how pale SHE looked?"

"Shalia you can't say that, Dwarves are known for living underground." Hawke said sensitively.

"That's not what I meant and you know it!" The cat hissed back.

"Regardless, maybe you two should go check out the lumber mill, I will stay here and see what I can learn," Lathander suggested.

"Sounds good, we'll be back soon" and with that Shalia and Hawke finished their drinks and left the tavern.

Kythorn 9th, Paddy's Market, afternoon

Nimreth entered the store and took a look around. Fresh produce was in crates on the middle table, along the sidewall were various cuts of meat, some dried and some fresh. Under the counter was a small baked good section with a pastry that Nimreth hadn't seen in Caston. It was small, like a miniature pie, but it had some sort of brown gooey filling in it, and one of them looked like it had a nut sticking out of it. She examined the pastries closely, imagining how mouthwateringly good they must be.

A young woman approached Nimreth, she wore an apron and a headscarf that covered her dusty blonde hair. "Erm, hello. Can I help you with anything?" she said in a rustic accent that Nimreth found tantalizing.

"Ermm, uhh, yeah, I need to, I need…" Nimreth trailed off, finding herself lost in the woman's ocean blue eyes. "Hey, do you come here often?" she heard herself say.

The woman laughed and replied "only every day, this is my shop after all. I'm Paddy, and this is my market."

"Well Paddy, let me mark your, uh, ket." Nimreth awkwardly stammered out before saying "let me see your wares".

Nimreth bought a fresh batch of produce, new loaves of bread, some dried venison and pork, and those tiny pie pastries that Paddy called "Paddy's Tarts". One bite and Nimreth knew she was in love.

"Listen Paddy, look at me, look me in my eye holes. This Paddy tart. This Paddy's Mart. This town. None of it matters. What matters is that you and me, me and you, us, we are in this together. You understand? We are family."

Paddy was smitten, and before she could respond they were in each other's embrace and kissing passionately.

Kythorn 9th, streets of Pinedale, afternoon…

"Are you a vampire?"

"Have you seen this vampire?"

"Ever been bitten by a strange individual?"

"Hey lemme see your teeth!"

Griffin and Nevon had been on the street investigating for what felt like hours, in reality it had been twenty minutes since they got diplomatic immunity from the mayor. In that time they had harassed half the townsfolk and had a group of guards watching them from across the street as to not 'trespass on their diplomatic immunity'.

With a sigh they gave up and sat on a nearby bench for a moment to recollect.

"Reverend I don't think this strategy is working."

"I would be inclined to agree with ye Nevon, we might want to come up with somethin' else before the day is wasted. Wait, is that Hawke and Shalia?"

Coming up the road the tabaxi and the rogue sauntered up to the bench, "ahh hello Reverend and Nevereond, I mean Nevon. We learned that someone who works at the lumber mill might be a vampire, do you wanna come investigate with us?" Hawke explained as he casually put a foot up on the bench and leaned forward with a grin.

"Sounds like a good lead, let's go." Griffin replied.

They arrived at the lumber mill, a large part of the town just beside the river where a watermill churned, providing power to the main set of saws. Sawdust was heavy in the air, each breath felt like sucking on woodchips. They looked around and found a foreman looking person and approached them.

"Greetings, we are here on mayoral business" Griffin opened, "We are investigating rumours of vampires on your worksite."

A large orc woman with fangs barred turned around and said "ohh fuck off, you're the second group this week to come to me with this problem. I got a job site to run here, not fairy tales to chase after."

"Ma'am we assure you vampires are not fairy tales" Nevon assured.

"Yeah that's what the last bitch said too. Don't care, piss off."

"Could we at least get your name, miss?" Hawke asked desperately.

"Rulpha, I'm the mill owner, now if there's nothing else you can see yourselves out." and with that she turned back to her work.

Kythorn 9th, Pinedale, evening…

The party reconvened at the tavern and discussed what they had learned that day. The summary was that the town might not have vampires but Rulpha was at best a suspicious individual who was very dismissive of vampires which made them suspicious she was a vampire. It was all rather convoluted and involved a lot of shouting and cross words which I will not repeat here. When they finally came to a decision they agreed upon it was early hours of twilight.

The party left the Creaking Oak Inn and went into the alleys and shadows of Pinedale to set up their plan. Shalia and Hawke took to the roofs, Nimreth walked down the middle of the street as bait, and Griffin, Nevon, and Lathander took positions in an alleyway nearby. It wasn't long before their target was in sight. The large orcish woman made her way north from the lumber mill, following the road through town she started making her way to her home. At one point a large brutish figure stepped in front of her.

The party couldn't make out what was said but a fist was thrown then another in retaliation and a fight broke out, it ended when Rulpha snapped the figures neck and dragged them into her house.

The party bolted. Bursting into the house they found the orc with her fangs sunken into the neck of the large figure who turned out to be a Goliath. His skin was pale.

"Wait!" She screamed, "This isn't what it looks like I can assure you!"

"Oh I'm sure you can," Nimreth said as she hefted Baeblade through the air and into Rulpha's torso, embedding it deep into her..

Rulpha's last words were "This goliath…was…a vampire too."

The party looked around at each other. "Well shit."

1 A race of owl like humanoids, known for their feathered skin and ability to fly. They are also very quiet, making them likely to sneak up on you in a library.