Verita's Chronicles, The Dreamer

Chapter 10

Since he had returned to the Holes, things had happened quickly. Mika had been sent to a room and soon after, Viktor, the rat king, decided to come see him. Now, Rycaon was at the bar counter again, drinking, but this time, he knew what he was drinking, beer. Which one? He had no idea, he just wanted something not too strong so he wouldn't end up drunk in case he had to take care of Mika.

"Come on, let go of your ten-foot-long head."

Looking up, he saw William leaning in front of him, his dishcloth in hand.

"You're talking, I had to carry a new vampire across dozens of kilometers to here."

"No, don't tell me you feel guilty for him."

"Who do you take me for?" It's the fault of those stupid vampires, I don't care, I didn't kill him anyway, I have no reason to feel guilty.

He gave a slightly forced laugh and emptied his mug.

"I wonder what Viktor is doing here though. There are thousands of rats in his organization and yet he took the time to come just for our dear Mika, it surprises me."

"I don't remember giving you his name."

"He already worked for Ben earlier, so we had the opportunity to talk."

"I see, speaking of Ben, is he free now?"

"No, he's with people who, believe me, you don't want to interrupt."

On several occasions, Rycaon interrupted Ben's meetings and threw out his clients, which tended to exasperate the latter.

— Okay, I'll trust you, I only have B left. —

— Mister Rycaon, Mika and Viktor are asking for you.

Turning around, Rycaon saw a man in his forties and probably in the most pitiful state he had ever seen. His clothes were torn, his bones visible under his skin, skin that itself was a sickly pale yellow. He smiled, revealing yellow and black teeth for the one that remained, and his hair was badly cut and dirty. His face, itself, was hidden by a long shaggy beard, but what was visible showed a strong and abrupt shape that went against his body, which was very thin. But all this was hardly surprising, Viktor was nicknamed "the king of rats", a man to gather the rats of this world, servants, farmers, beggars and other beings in the low corners of cities. A network scattered throughout the kingdoms, and the man in front of him was part of it, just like Mika.

"If the Rat King himself asks me, I can only accept, after you."

Nodding, the man guided Rycaon towards the stairs. Despite his pitiful appearance, he stood straight and acted calmly. He must have been one of Viktor's direct assistants. Rycaon had learned that one should never judge these people based on their appearance, most of them keeping many secrets and stories that would surely cause the downfall of those who underestimate them. They climbed the stairs through three floors of rooms, stopping only at the fourth, then following his guide with a silent step, they crossed the corridor to one of the rooms at the back. The man stopped and pointed at the door, beckoning Rycaon to enter.

"Thank you, My good man."

Opening the door, Rycaon took the opportunity to slip a small coin of silver echo to his guide, which drew a small appreciative grunt from him. The room he had just entered was different from his usual room, larger and cleaner. From here, one was not disturbed by the noises of the bar as well as the smells, explaining their higher price.

"I see you didn't make us wait too long."

Looking down, Rycaon saw a large bed in which Mika was lying, his skin had become pale and his hair, once blond, now resembled a long white veil. Beside him was Viktor, and if the man before seemed in a bad state, then he must have looked dead. Contrary to what his title might suggest, Viktor had nothing of the appearance of a king: his clothes revealed his body on several occasions. His skin, although not as pale as Mika's or the man's, had a sick yellow tone. He wore a white shirt covered by a beige coat and accompanied by pants of the same color, all too big for him and holey. His foot was wrapped in white bandages that served as shoes and his head was topped with a long light brown hat that hid his face. Speaking of his face, it was rather surprising, old and worn. His cheek and his eye socket were sunken, his forehead and his chin were long, as for the rest, everything gave him the appearance of a hungry old man. However, his eyes were very different, one of the normal eyes was white, his were black, his iris was golden yellow and his pupil kept its usual black.

On his back was a kind of guitar with a strange shape, but which always gave a pleasant and joyful sound when he played it.

"I would never dare to keep his highness the king of rats waiting."

"And all those times you left me stranded when we were supposed to drink together, you don't count them?"

The two men smiled, in reality, although Viktor was a man of influence, the two were very good drinking buddies, often getting drunk together in the hole or any other tavern that could serve them.

"Come on, sit down, we need to talk."

"Yes, your lordship."

He took a stool that was within reach and sat down next to Viktor and facing Mika. The young man was still asleep.

"He woke up and asked to see you, but after drinking he fell back into his sleep."

"It's always like that the first few days." Actually, I'm surprised you're here. Aren't there thousands of rats in your "class", I didn't think you'd come to see Mika in his beds.

"He's special, and I'm going to need him, but you'll understand quickly."

Viktor and his mysteries That's nothing new, he's always liked to hide things and let those around him guess his intentions and plans. Some say that his eyes allowed him to see certain things and that's precisely why he was always twenty steps ahead of his friends and enemies.

"Explain yourself."

"Do you remember how vampires feed? No need to answer, I know, it's your job. Mika, she's going to have to find a way to feed herself without taking lives, I know he won't want that, and neither will you.

"So what?"

"Well, here it is, I have an offer." I provide him with blood, taken from members of my class and mixed with a flower that prevents it from clotting. Thanks to this, he will have the bare minimum to live and the rest, he will take from the animals.

— That's generous of you, how does that concern me?

— My condition is that he comes with you.

— Mmmh, would you repeat that, please.

— I want him to be your traveling companion from now on. I know that B will be able to provide him with a cape and a sun mask, so the sun is not a problem.

— Yes, but that's not the problem, why do you want me to carry around a kid, a vampire at that. Not to mention that if he follows me, he will really suffer as much mentally as physically.

— Rycaon, he is sixteen years old.

— Ah, that is not good news.

— You know the vampire law about child transformations, and I know you've grown attached to this kid.

Rycaon remained silent, he didn't know what to say. Mika should never have been transformed, because of his age, he must have been hunted and rejected by humans and vampires.

— And then, you need to make companions, after more than twenty years alone, I'm sure you'll have lots of things to tell him.

— Misery, how do you always win like that?

Viktor laughed and put his hand on Rycaon's shoulder, it was decided and he knew it. As he was about to speak again, a letter slipped from under the door. Turning around, Rycaon grabbed it and read his name and Ben's bucket. He then proceeded to open it and on it he read: "Your kid is in Valoria, in the orphanage near the city center. Hurry up: the Caleutist suspects what he is and could come and get him in the following week. Also, you are a jerk." Signed: MR. B.