Dark followings Chapter 2 part 1.

Asal woke up in his apartment, his body ached and he couldn’t remember anything that happened last night. He sat up in his bed and tried to remember, he had went to the Dragon’s Inn, he went to play a game of dragons High then meet Samantha. 1

He remembered winning the game, then walking home with Samantha. Had she come here? He just could not remember. Well now that he had the funds, he should start planning his trip to retrieve that sword for Azrael. What would he need? A guide, some armor, a sword, some idea of how to use it. On the other hand, he could just hire out a private army. Yes, the second option seemed the better. Maybe Fredrik or Al would know some brigands or mercenary sergeants. 2

Asal stared at where his red and black suit lay; it was torn and covered in blood. He remembered what had happened, Asal and been walking home with Samantha when they were jumped by Wulf’s crones. What had happened? Why was he not dead or in Wulf’s control? And where was Samantha. Dozens of possibilities flooded his mind, none of them pleasant. 3

He tried to push the thought from his mind but could not. It was his fault. He knew she was married and continued as he did. A wave of guilt washed over him and he could not help but to feel bad. He threw on his tattered cloths, put the bloated coin purse that housed his winnings in his tunic pocket and packed the torn suit into a bag. He was walking down the creaking wooden stairs when one of the other residents called his name. 4

“Asal over here” it was a small women with short brown hair and blue eyes, she was completely unremarkable and Asal couldn’t’t even remember her name but knew she was a gossip “Did ye hear, there’s been a horrible murder,” A knot appeared in Asal’s stomach as he hoped it wouldn’t be Samantha. “A group of ten men were ripped apart not to far from here” she paused for dramatic effect “They say it was one of them Vryko, Vryko, a vampire” she settled on finally, not being able to pronounce Vrykolakas. “They think it might be the same one that did in them slavers up in the Prethen Mountains”5

“You’re being silly,” he said with his best smile “it was an every-day werewolf” 6

“Ye think” her eyes shone with delight at a new possibility to gossip about. She clearly didn’t understand that he was joking. 7

“Well I have to go but if I have time I’ll talk to you later” he would not have time.8

As he walked out the door, he noticed something very unusual everything was quite an incredibly rare thing in Shang. As he walked towards the Dragon’s Breath he noticed there were even less beggars in the street, he still had the occasional one latching on to his leg, which he then had to kick repeatedly to get off. The temperature was cool and a light snow was falling, for some reason it didn’t feel as cold because there was snow. 9

He walked past the place where he and Samantha had been attacked. Blood still stained the cobblestones and the brickwork on one of the houses had been shattered, as if some one had hit it with a battering ram, the smashed masonry still lay in a pile on the ground.10

He kept walking and began to think of the old stories he had read in his father’s library when he was younger. In the stories the vampires were said to have inhuman strength but he had never heard of one ripping men apart instead of feeding. The sense of unease he had felt outside the Dragon’s when he was talking to Fredrik returned. 11

Eventually he reached the Dragons’ Breath Inn. As he stepped in the warm air from the fireplace hit him. He walked over to the bar where stood Al as usual. He found himself wondering did the innkeeper ever leave the spot. The painful tingle of his blood beginning to circulate through his body again made him start to stamp his feet in an attempt to force the blood to flow. He made a note to buy gloves while he was out, after the tingle reached his hands.12

“Al I got a question to ask you” 13

Al looked up and said, “First you answer me this, are you an idiot.” it was more of a statement than a question. “Wulf’s wife.” he continued. “What were you thinking? I’m pretty sure he sent some of his enforcers after you.”14

“He did, they were the ones killed last night.”15

“You did that?” his face was mixture of horror and curiosity.16

“No, I got my ass kicked by them but something killed them while I was out and I think it might have taken Samantha too”17

“I’m sorry for ye, she was a pretty girl.” Al said. It was hard to tell if he was being sympathetic or just polite. “Well anyway you wanted to ask me something.” again, it was more of a statement than a question.18

“Eh, ye I wanted to ask you, did you know any mercenary troops that would travel to Caperia.”19

“Sure I know a few. When do you want to leave? Actually why do you want mercenaries in the first place?”20

“The person who sponsored me in the game last night wants me to collect some sword for him in return for more money.”21

“Be careful some strange things been happening of late, so I recon you wait till the summer and travel then, besides most the roads will be blocked with snow soon.”22

Asal thought about it maybe he should wait… “No, my employer is the sort of person you don’t want to keep waiting”23

“Well I only know one person who might even consider go out at this time of year and he and his men aren’t’t exactly what I would call “nice or good” people, hell they’re probably in hiding by now anyway.”24

“Hiding? Why would they be in hiding?” 25

“They have a tendency to cause trouble.” 26

“Well would you at least point me in the right direction?” Al sighed.27

“Ok, he owns a warehouse down by the docks. Please be careful and ask for Van.”28

“Thanks, I’ll be careful.”29

He walked out of the Inn; the snow had stopped and the air felt much colder. He grumbled as he made his way to the docks. Shang was a port town; built by the Balcar Sea. It was probably one of the main reasons for the growth of the town. The docks were frozen over, the waves from the harbor freezing and making the wood and stone treacherous to walk on, not for the first time did he slip and land hard on the cold wood.30

“Are you alright?”31

It was a women asking, she had short cut auburn hair and was wearing a scarf against the cold. She was wearing a large woolen fleece and tight fitting leather breeches. Most of her face was hidden behind the scarf but her eyes stood out, the same colour as her hair.32

“Ye, I’m ok. Maybe you could help me?” she nodded. “I’m looking for a man named Van, do you know him?”33

She started laughing. “Van? yes I know her.” the woman turned and started walking. “Well, are you coming?” the women called over her shoulder.”34

Asal began to follow. The women lead him through a maze of warehouse and deserted stalls. They walked on in silence. 35

Eventually after arriving at a large rundown building, the women turned to him and said, “She’s in there.”36

Asal walked through the large double doors of the warehouse. He was hit with the smell of rotten fish and wood smoke. He had to force himself from retching. There was no light besides that from the open doors.37

The light disappeared and a sharp point pushed up against his back. “Now.” a voice whispered in his ear. It was a nice feeling despite the uncomfortable presence of the knife at his back. “Why are you looking for me?” her tone was both steely and seductive. “I won’t ask again.”38

“Ok but could you take the knife away from my back please?”39

“No. Now tell me.” her voice lost the seductiveness and turned to steel. Her arm slipped across his neck and for emphasis, the knife pressed harder, forcing him to arch his back.40

“I was wondering if I could employ your services?” he said quickly. 41

She released him. “Ok then, what are you interested in?” her tone had instantly turned friendly at the prospect of business.42

“Me?” It took him a minute to compose himself. “I would like to travel to Caperia, but with all the trouble and the Hagkkor roaming the forests I was looking to hire some guards and heard your brigade might be available.” he looked around at the dark warehouse, but couldn’t see a thing. “Do you actually have men in your service?”43

She smiled at him; as if on queue the warehouse light up and more than a hundred black hooded forms were visible, some moved about hanging up lanterns, others close the doors. Each one had a bow slung on there back and Asal got the horrible feeling that until moments ago most had been aimed squarely at him… 44