Chapter 343

Vorbuk awoke from his nap at the sound of glass shattering. Someone had broken into the room through the window. He jolted awake with a start and jumped from the bed. In his wolf form his sharp teeth were bared and a deep growl echoed from his throat.

That growl was quickly halted at the sight of who was in front of him. The vampire Ashley had broken into the room after locating where his master was.

Ashley looked at the wolf and dropped to his knees on the broken glass in front of the beast, "Maaaaster~!"

Vorbuk flinched at the exhausted and worried tone of Ashley voice as the vampires voice cracked while calling out to him. The vampire did not seem fazed by the shards of glass under him. He did not complain from the pain of the glass under his knees carving into him through his clothes.

He had no choice but to morph into his human form. If he did not make the vampire stand up he felt like he would end up losing his legs. A heavy sigh escaped him as he watched the expression on Ashley's face become lighter from the sight of the beast taking on the human form.

"Ashley," Vorbuk felt the need to say something, "Get up quickly before you further make things worse."

"Yes, master!" Ashley smiled brightly and stood back up. His hands brushed off the broken glass that was still attached to his clothes.

"What are you doing breaking in through the window like that?" Vorbuk sounded exhausted as he tried to understand the way Ashley thought things through.

Ashley quickly replied to his master, "I came here to get you out of here. The prince is doing what he can to make sure the pirates wait outside death's passage for you."

"If they are waiting," Vorbuk asked, "Why are you going overboard and breaking through the window like a bandit?"

Ashley went silent as he tried to think of a good excuse for the method he had used, in fact he had only been concerned with taking back his master and escaping, because his thoughts had never considered how irrational his rushed actions were for his master, "I apologize."

"I can not leave right now." Vorbuk stated to the vampire.

"Master," Ashley could see the hesitation to leave from his master and asked, "Did something happen? I know he is here. The headless horseman serves the Drethia King."

"Yes," Vorbuk replied honestly to him, "I have a duel against the headless horseman. He wants me to help him steal from the king."

Ashley flinched, "He can not go against the commands of the king. If the Drethia king realizes that something is wrong, if that is true, things could become more dangerous. The king of Drethia has always kept the headless horseman close like a loyal pet.."

"That is..." Vorbuk paused in between his words as he felt complicated over the issue with the headless horseman, Creed, "He wants help getting his head back from the king."

"... His head?" The vampire mumbled to himself something incoherent.

Knock! Knock!

There was a casual knock at the bedroom door. Both of them were startled at first by the sudden knock. Neither of them had heard the sound of anyone approaching because they had been so focused on their conversation with each other.

"It is Raene." A voice called out from the other side. The siren had come to the room after hearing the sound of he window breaking. It was impossible that the headless horseman had not realized Ashley had arrived. The fact that they were remaining so calm about it was enough to surprise Vorbuk.

Ashley was curious and asked, "Who is that?"

"She works for the headless horseman." Vorbuk answered instantly.

The siren called out from the other side of the door once more, "I was wondering if your guest would feel more comfortable resting elsewhere."

Vorbuk flinched at the blunt words of Raene. His steps quickened to the door as he opened it instantly. The gaze that awaited him was not one of anger. In fact the siren looked relaxed even as she slowly slipped a polite smile onto her face.

"Ah," Vorbuk did not know how to respond to her but knew he had to say something, "I apologize for his rude entry?"

"Are you asking me or saying so?" Raene asked him in return. She could tell that he was flustered and confused on how to react in his situation.

Vorbuk sighed deeply as he knew there was no hiding the fact that Ashley had broken into the room, the vampire had not been intending to stand around when he did it, he replied to her honestly, "He does not sleep so another room would be unnecessary."

"I see." Her eyes flickered as they swept to look behind him to see the vampire standing by the broken window.

He knew that keeping Ashley inside the room would be pressing things too far with the headless horseman so he could only tell the siren, "Ashley will wait outside while I rest."

"M-master?!" Ashley did not like the thought of leaving him alone inside the cabin with them. It was Vorbuk's life being gambled.

Vorbuk briefly explained to Ashley, "I have a duel against the headless horseman after I have rested. You should wait outside in case anything happens. Having you inside will only put me at more risk."

Ashley flinched as his expression darkened on his face. It was unpleasant for him to hear that he would only hinder his master. His chest felt complicated to hear him being told to step aside. There was nothing he could do to refute his master. The only thing he could do was silently nod his head.

Vorbuk could tell that Ashley had felt hurt by his command. It would only risk upsetting the fragile agreement he'd made with the headless horseman if the vampire had stayed inside with him. He would try to deal with Ashley later if a problem arose. It felt more comfortable to have him nearby if something happened. Even if the vampire did not realize how much comfort him being nearby gave his master, Vorbuk still felt much more relaxed.

Raene's eyes flickered with curiosity when she saw the vampire obeying him. She could recognize from the way Ashley treated him that the vampire had been marked as a slave. It peaked her interest.

Should I inform Creed about this? Raene pondered about the situation. She would not need to inform him that the vampire was here. The headless horseman was not someone that others could easily slip by. Though she was uncertain if he was aware of the connection the vampire had to Vorbuk.

"Since things seem to be going alright I will leave you to your rest." Raene spoke politely as her thoughts focused around meeting up with Creed.

Vorbuk could tell that the siren was probably going to inform the headless horseman about the vampire's arrival. He had no idea that the siren was taking interest in the fact that Ashley was his servant by slavery mark.

"I will see you again soon." Vorbuk bid her farewell as he closed the door behind the siren as she left.