BLOOD OMEN 2

TWO: The Smugglers Den

"Greetings, Kain." Umah's whisper reached me as i arrived in a new section of the city. I couldn't see her nor could i sense her which meant she was not close by.  

"You eluded the guards?" 

"They were only human." She said mockingly. "Welcome to one of the glories of our fair city-the Smuggler's Den. As squalor as you found the slums, you will find this place even more offensive. Rogues and thieves rule the streets and, of course, the Sarafan too have their own dealings here. You will expect small help from the inhabitants and more trouble."  

Not suprising as i could see the rouges as well as the peasants around. "I do not require their hospitality. You spoke of a Smuggler's Tunnel I must find?" 

"Yes, it is hidden somewhere in this district though i know not where. I have sent word to a member of the Cabal to help you. You will find him at the tavern, deep within this district." 

Another human contact no doubt. I began to wonder just how many worked for the Cabal. "How will I know this person?" 

"He will know you. Find the tavern quickly, we will speak again soon." Then her voice was gone. 

The streets were filled with peasants and easy to blend in. More times than i cared to count, the screams and pleas of an unfortunate soul could be heard from the alleys but neither the peasants on the streets nor the rouges that prowled them cared. Such lawlessness was unbecoming yet no one seemed to care. Yet from what i had heard from Umah, the sarafan also patroled the streets, yet they did nothing to aid those they were supposed to protect. No rule, no matter how tyrannical, should be like that, not even mine. 

I found the tavern up ahead and entered to the smell of wine, unwashed bodies and pipeweed. The mortals went about their business, most of which was complaining of the unending taxes and cruelty of the sarafan. While i stayed out of their way i was careful not to stand out among the crowd which was no easy task considering that a 300 year old vampire just awakened from a 200 year hibernation looked more healthy than any in that room.  

"Uh, you sir, a moment of your time." Someone said from the bar, with his back to me. He spoke with normal tone while pretending to drink, giving any who heard him the impression he was slightly drunk and speaking to himself, but i could hear him just fine even at that distance. 

"You know me?" I replied via a whisper, my first attempt that was successful. Human minds were feeble and easy to access afterall. 

"I was uh, instructed to look for you yes, yes sir. I am a friend of the Cabal sir, one of many in the city, here to assist you." 

"Then do so, by all means." 

He took a sip of his ale then spoke. "The Smuggler's Tunnel you seek is hidden in a cavern underground. The thieves enter by way of the church outside but there is no entrance for anyone but themselves. You, sir, must go beyond the church and find the tunnel underground." 

"Where, precisely, is this tunnel?"  

"In a collapsed section of the district beyond the church. The church, remember sir, is forbidden to all but the thieves. The guards there will attack you, should they but lay eyes on you." 

"I will be most careful." 

In my amusement, i lost control of my Whisper and it resounded, bouncing into the head of the bartender who winced, dropping a mug he was cleaning. Instantly, he looked up and his eyes locked on mine. I had been noticed. 

"Help! Vampire!" He cried pointing at me. "Somebody help me please! Guards, call the Sarafan! 

The tavern broke into a panic and people ran out screaming in panic. Through the door i could see two sarafan guards running towards the tavern but by then i was already running up the stairs. On the first floor, i jumped through the window, soring over the alley below and crashed through another window into the next building. A thief in the process of robbing a peasant stared at me in disbelief but i ran past him and his victim, going to the balcony and then unto the roof. Reaching it however i met i was not alone.