Red Rivers and Nightmares

14. A Barter (Part 1)

Now, staring at the individuals surrounding us on this field of massacre I desperately wish for my tool to be in my hands once more. I do not need to see them with their mouth open to know they are vampires. If I had been unaware of the speed they used to get here I would have known just by how they carry themselves now. Growing up surrounded by them, it becomes impossible to not notice the unevenness of the feet and the slight tilting of the head to make it easier to bite at a moments notice.

Unlike the rest of us Akun appears calm as he stares across from us, "They have a Matured amongst them."

My head whips from him to the direction he is looking as a cloaked figure steps forward. They chuckle as they observe our tensed positions but they stop not far from us and their hood stays pointing in the direction of Rion and Iien.

When they speak their voice is grave, "They have the crow's mark?"

I have no idea what they are talking about but Rion nods. His eyes flick from the Matured to my sword. I feel more anxious seeing where his thoughts are going because of the vast amount of magic he could inadvertently use to accidentally kill us.

"Stranger, I'd not consider grabbing that. As talentless as I, I can feel the magic that's home to that blade. Which of ya is it's master?," they speak candidly and with humor now. I also know something about them. They are not a keeper but have met enough to know a thing or two about them.

With a pounding heart I step forward and try to strengthen my voice as much as possible, "It is I."

I cannot see them with the heavy cloak but I get the feeling as if I am being appraised anyway. I see a distinct nod as they motion me towards my abandoned blades.

As I walk forward I see all the other vampires eyeing me intently. However, my fear is muted a little by gratefulness when Iien and Rion step closer together to hide me from the body. Even now I still do not want to see that. Still, I grab my sword and sheathe it but I hesitate with my dagger because of the blood still staining it. I attempt to clean it off on my pants. Thankfully, it comes off easier than it first appeared it would.

While I am doing that the Matured speaks once more, "Now, ya four with them," he pauses to point at Messa, "or no?"

Iien clears his throat as he grasps his own sword hilt, "No. We are following the trail of marauders to find the people of Littlefoot."

At that another vampire steps forward and her fists clench as anger propels her volume, "What's happened at Littlefoot?"

The distrust lessens in Rion's stance as he looks at her, "Of Shayle?"

The Matured nods once more.

Rion exhales heavily and wipes his arm across his face, "I'm of Littlefoot. We'd been attacked days ago. Those of us that weren't killed or looked to be approaching Eta, they spirited away."

I then hear what could easily be mistaken as a whisper of the wind as the strangers from Shayle whisper amongst each other. At the growing interest on Akun's face I can only think, and hope, that it is good news.

Then, at normal volume, the Matured asks us a single question, "What's your element, little lady?"

I cannot help it but I look at Iien for confirmation first. At his nod I turn my attention back to them and answer the question even though I am wary that they have not attempted to guess from my eye color, "Water." I end up dipping my head, like I was taught.

At that the others seem to relax more and the Matured continues speaking, "I have a barter for ya then." All of us in my small group holds our breath as we wait for him to continue. Which he does with a step forward and a hand up for me to shake, "We'll share all that we saw and know if ya clean our water."