Tales of Avanturia 1

Chapter 32: Bloodsucker And Cutthroats

After a rather emotional journey to Maolarun Forrest, the Blood Roses headed out to the Dark Ministry's headquarter on the following night.

The way to it was located in the red-light district in an alley. Through a manhole, they got to a long, poorly lit hallway that lead them to Underground.

A small district underneath the surface and a haven of crime. All the three major crime guilds, the Dark Ministry, the Thieves Guild and Tripwire (You know, the drug guys) aswell as the current pirate king Jack Morgan reside there.

The Dark Ministry's base is an old chapel, that's integrated into the hill on which Ravigrad is built. The four stood in the center of them to talk about a plan, with Brynjolf who looked like a little child, bursting out in anticipation, Bella, who, like most of the time, looked like she couldn't care less, Lucia, who seemed rather nervous about this new area, she's never heard of and Fenrock who.. well, who looked a little crossed.

„So, Fenny, what's the big plan?" Brynjolf asked, „Are we gonna sneak inside? Or are we gonna lure them outside? What's yo-"

Completely ignoring his friend, Fenrock walked straight forward and kicked the door in, in massive fashion.

„...Or we're gonna bust through the front door.." Brynjolf mumbled.

It seemed as though they could roam freely through the halls, but everywhere they went, watchful eyes stared at them.

„Two things before we enter," Fenrock said as they stood in front of a big door, „Let me do the talking. Oh and Harkon's a vampire." He then opened it, revealing an office, in the middle a big wooden chair behind a desk and sitting on it, a man with slicked back, black hair, a thin moustache, red eyes and a grievious X-scar on his right cheek. Two long and sharp teeth were peeking out of his evil grin, „I've been wondering, when you'd finally come.." Harkon said. His voice alone sent shivers down Lucia's spine, and his appearance didn't help much.. Neither did the fact, that hundreds of cuttroaths were staring at them behind their back.

„Will you leave us undisturbed already?!" Harkon complained and with a quick hand gesture, the heavy door shut, „We have to talk in private.." He then folded his hands, hiding behind them.

„Long time no see, old bloodsucker." Fenrock said in a more relaxed tone.

„Long time indeed," Harkon replied, „I believe it's been three years now? I've heard you made quite a name for yourself in the civil war."

„Besides this being a joke, so terrible, that not even I would've come up with it, I'm not here to talk about the past. I'd rather focus on more recent events." Fenrock suggested, „How 'bout we start with you telling us what we did to piss you off."

„What makes you believe, that this wasn't a contract? Maybe you've aggravated someone else." Harkon asked, „I would never want someone to kill you, Fenrock.."

„I know, you'd prefer to do it yourself, we already had that conversation, remember?" Fenrock replied. The vampire touched his scar, „How could I forget.." He rose from his chair and suddenly stood in front of Lucia, who apaled of fear.

„And who's this lovely lady?" he asked, „Why are you scared, my lady? Is it the scar? My teeth? My eyes...?" Harkon menacingly laughed, „I'd never hurt such a lovely face, trust me.."

He gently stroked her face with the backside of his hand, before turning around, „I believe, we waisted enough time, so let me ask, now that you're here, without a reason, without a goal, filled with anger.. what are you going to do?"

„As I said, we'd like to know the reason of those attacks." Fenrock repeated, „And I know, that you're a terrible liar, so don't even attempt it, Harkon."

„Fair enough." the vampire agreed, „You see, your little group, you've caused a lot of trouble for my children. One of my best blackmages injured and still unable to fullfill a mission, three of my men captured because of your assassination attempt on another one of my guys – the executioner. And then there was this very important business meeting in a casino with the other guilds. All three of those people dead. By your hands. I'm a tolerant man, but some things I can not forget. You can't just run around, killing my guys."

„We do know that, but first of all, those three guys of yours, that was not our doing. You can thank the Kings Guard for that. And every other time we had our reasons. You don't need to fight fire with fire." Fenrock replied.

„But I want it repayed. Amongst other things." Harkon demanded.

„And I believe, you already have an idea?" The Blood Rose guessed.

„More of a proposal, a short-term partnership. You do something for me, and I tell you some things, that have reached my ears. Some, that might interest you. That I'll drop the attacks against you is self explanatory."

Fenrock looked at the others for a short moment, they all looked unsure, but eventually agreed, „What do you want to have done?"

A wide grin spread on the vampire's face, „I knew I could always count on old friends.." he said, „First of all, I don't want you to kill someone for me, I have my own personell, and I wouldn't want them to be robbed of their jobs. No, I want you to get something for me. I've received word about an ancient artifact in an old elven ruin."

„What's the catch?"

„Hehe, I knew, you'd ask that. It's located somewhere in the Lorindir mountains, in an area, where a specific myth roams – the cursed executioner, Freyrdan the Cruel. Also this cave is known to have a certain effect on.. specific people.. Hehe, I just have a thing for romance. Anyway, get there, grab the ancient artifact in form of a sword and bring it to me. You have as much time as you want, because I'm not hurrying to tell you anything either."

„Fair enough." Fenrock agreed, „Spare me the details about the dangers, it wouldn't be any fun otherwise, right?"

And so the four Blood Roses left the cathedral and Underground again to head out for their next adventure to find out, whatever Harkon has to tell them..

Will they like to find out? Well, first of all they'd have to prevail in the deadly cold of the icy mountains of Lorindir..

And an even more deadly myth..