CHapter 4 | Scent of Blood
Eve exited her room, moving silently down the narrow hallway and descending the creaky wooden stairs to the common room. The inn was more lively than it had been the previous night, several patrons seated at their respective tables, engaged in hushed conversations over their morning meals. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread and brewing coffee, mingling with the faint aroma of sizzling bacon and sweet pastries. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the rustic wooden furniture and the colorful tapestries adorning the walls. Eve took a moment to soak in the bustling atmosphere, her senses alive with the sounds and smells of a new day beginning.
Making her way towards the counter, Eve approached the innkeeper, who looked up from his work with a mixture of curiosity and respect. She leaned against the polished wooden surface, her eyes meeting his directly, her presence demanding attention without a word.
"Good morning," Eve greeted, her voice soft yet commanding, carrying an air of authority. "I have a question. Is there a nearby mercenary guild or missive center where I can take up contracts for coin?"
The innkeeper nodded, a friendly smile breaking across his weathered face, lines of age deepening around his eyes. "Good morning to you, miss. Yes, there is. The Adventurer's Guild is just a few blocks from here. It's a bustling place where you can find all sorts of contracts and bounties. Can't miss it, really—big sign, lots of traffic in and out. You'll see adventurers of all kinds there, from seasoned veterans to eager newcomers, each seeking their fortune or fame."
Eve nodded thoughtfully, her mind already turning over the possibilities. "Thank you," she said, slipping a coin onto the counter as a token of appreciation. "You've been very helpful."
The innkeeper accepted the coin with a nod of gratitude, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "Safe travels, miss. And good luck with your endeavors at the guild. May fortune favor you."
Eve offered a curt nod in return before turning and making her way towards the inn's exit. As she stepped out into the bustling streets of Selevex, the city's morning energy enveloped her. The market stalls were opening, vendors calling out to early customers with an array of goods ranging from fresh produce to handcrafted trinkets, and the clatter of carts and footsteps filled the air. The aroma of baking bread and roasting meats wafted through the streets, mingling with the scent of blooming flowers from nearby gardens. Eve took a deep breath, feeling the pulse of the city, and set off towards the Adventurer's Guild with a renewed sense of purpose.
The voices in her head, Traikx and Ebojak, had been relatively quiet since her meditation, but she could feel their presence lingering just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to reemerge. As she walked, she kept her senses sharp, noting the layout of the streets and the various shops and establishments that lined them. Vendors hawked their wares with loud, inviting calls, and bustling patrons moved in a choreographed chaos that spoke of a city well-versed in the art of commerce.
"An Adventurer's Guild," Traikx's voice finally murmured, sounding almost amused. "How quaint. A place where mortals play at being heroes."
Ebojak's growl rumbled in agreement, a low, menacing sound that seemed to resonate within her very bones. "More like a place where they prepare for their own demise. Easy pickings, Eve."
Eve smirked but kept her thoughts focused. Her gaze flickered over a blacksmith hammering away at a glowing piece of metal and a group of children laughing as they chased a stray dog. "It's a place where I can find work and coin. That's all that matters right now."
Following the innkeeper's directions, Eve soon spotted the large sign of the Adventurer's Guild, its bold letters standing out against the bustling backdrop of the city. The building itself was imposing, with heavy wooden doors that seemed to guard the secrets within, and a steady stream of people entering and exiting. Adventurers of all kinds—warriors clad in shining armor, mages with their flowing robes and intricate staffs, rogues moving with a stealthy grace—passed by, their faces set with determination and purpose.
Eve approached the entrance, her eyes scanning the crowd with practiced precision. She could sense the excitement and tension in the air, the collective anticipation of those seeking fortune and glory. The murmur of conversations and the clinking of armor created a symphony of ambition. Pushing open the heavy doors, she stepped inside, the interior a hive of activity. The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the room, revealing groups huddled over maps, adventurers sharpening their weapons, and guild officials bustling about with scrolls and parchments. Each corner of the guild seemed to pulse with the energy of countless quests waiting to be embarked upon.
The guild hall was spacious, filled with numerous tables where adventurers intensely discussed contracts and meticulously crafted plans. A large bulletin board dominated one wall, plastered with an array of missives and job postings. Eve made her way toward it, her eyes quickly scanning the available contracts. There were bounties on fearsome monsters, requests for protection from wealthy merchants, and missions requiring the utmost stealth and subterfuge. The air seemed to buzz with the potential of these untold adventures.
As she perused the postings, Traikx's voice whispered in her mind, "So many opportunities, Eve. So many ways to prove your superiority."
Ebojak's low growl echoed his sentiment. "Yes, blood to be spilled. Choose wisely."
Eve's fingers danced over the parchments, her mind already strategizing the best approach for each task. The promise of danger and reward was intoxicating, and she felt a surge of determination. This was her domain, her proving ground, where her skills would shine or falter.
Eve's lips curled into a smile as she pulled a particularly interesting missive from the board. It detailed a bounty on a notorious bandit leader who had been terrorizing nearby villages. The reward was substantial, and the challenge was enticing. A bandit leader with a fearsome reputation, whose name alone sent shivers down the spines of villagers, was just the sort of quarry she relished.
"This one will do," she murmured, folding the missive and tucking it into her cloak. The parchment's edges were worn, suggesting the bounty had been posted for some time, yet no one had been brave—or foolish—enough to take it on. She turned and made her way towards the guild's front desk to officially accept the contract, her steps measured and confident.
Before she could give the contract to the clerk, the guild hall suddenly filled with a buzz of excitement. Murmurs and conversations erupted among the adventurers as a group entered the establishment. Eve paused, her keen senses picking up snippets of the chatter around her, her curiosity piqued.
"It's them! The Rising Blades," someone whispered, awe evident in their tone. The name carried weight, a symbol of unparalleled skill and bravery.
"They've taken down multiple dungeons," another voice added, filled with admiration. "And they tackled that dragon in the Shadow Caves!" The mention of the Shadow Caves, a place spoken of in hushed, fearful tones, only heightened the mystique surrounding the group. Eve's eyes flicked toward the entrance, eager to catch a glimpse of these legendary figures. The air seemed to shimmer with their presence, each member exuding an aura of competence and strength that commanded the room's attention.
Eve turned slightly, her eyes narrowing as she observed the group. The Rising Blades, a famous and rapidly ascending band of adventurers, moved through the hall with an air of confidence and authority that was impossible to ignore. At their forefront was a young man, heavily armored in gleaming plate, a massive sword strapped to his back. His presence commanded attention, and the other adventurers watched him with a mix of respect and envy, their eyes filled with unspoken admiration and rivalry.
The young man stepped forward, his voice clear and strong as he addressed the gathered crowd. "Adventurers, I am Aric, leader of the Rising Blades. We seek a skilled tracker to join our ranks for a mission of great importance. A notorious vampire has been rampaging through the forests outside of Selevex, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. We need someone who can help us find this fiend before more innocent lives are lost."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, the prospect of hunting a vampire igniting both fear and excitement. Eyes widened, and hands gripped weapons a little tighter. Eve listened intently, her interest piqued despite herself. A hunt for one of her own kind—how intriguing. The challenge was enticing, and the opportunity to cross paths with a creature of such dark power stirred something deep within her.
An elf from Aric's group stepped forward, her movements graceful and fluid. She carried an intricate, large bow on her back, her eyes sharp and calculating. "The reward for this mission will be truly promising," she added, her voice carrying a persuasive edge. "Not only will you gain a substantial bounty, but the recognition and prestige of tackling such a formidable foe. Imagine the honor of being the one to rid Selevex of this menace."
Eve could feel the energy in the room shift as adventurers considered the offer. The promise of wealth and fame hung in the air like a tantalizing scent, drawing eager murmurs and furtive glances. Yet, despite their interest, none seemed to catch Aric's eye. The leader of the Rising Blades scanned the crowd, his expression growing more impatient as no one stepped forward with the required confidence and skill.
"Is there no one here who thinks they can track a vampire?" Aric asked, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "Are we to let this creature continue its rampage unchallenged?"
Eve saw her opportunity. She stepped forward, her movements deliberate and confident, the room's attention shifting to her. "I have experience in hunting vampires," she said, her voice calm and steady. "I've tracked them before, and I know the signs they leave behind. If anyone can find this fiend, it's me."
Aric turned to her, his eyes appraising her with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "And you are?"
"Eve," she replied simply, her voice unwavering. "A mercenary with a keen sense for tracking and dealing with dangerous foes."
The ranger with the bow, named Lyra, stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied Eve with a critical eye. "What makes you think you can track a vampire?"
Eve met her gaze steadily, her expression unflinching. "I've hunted many creatures in my time. I know how they think, how they move. Vampires are no different. Their patterns, their habits—I've learned to read them like a map."
Aric nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving her face. "Very well, Eve. We'll see if your skills match your confidence. Meet us at dawn outside the city gates. We move swiftly and won't wait for stragglers."
Eve inclined her head, a small, confident smile playing on her lips. "I'll be there."
As the crowd began to disperse, the energy in the guild hall shifted back to its usual buzz, though now tinged with the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming hunt. Eve turned back to the clerk, who had been watching the scene unfold with keen interest. "I'd still like to take this contract," she said, handing over the missive for the bandit leader bounty.
The clerk nodded, his eyes flickering with a newfound respect. "Good luck out there," he said, his voice holding a note of admiration. "Seems like you'll have your hands full."
Eve shrugged, a glint of determination in her eyes. "Just another day in the life of a mercenary," she replied, turning to leave the guild hall, her mind already focused on the challenges ahead.
The clerk nodded, quickly processing her request. "Of course, Miss Eve. But be careful. Hunting bandits and hunting vampires are two very different challenges."
Eve took the stamped contract and slipped it into her cloak. "I'm aware. Thank you."
With her immediate business concluded, Eve left the guild hall, her mind already strategizing for the upcoming hunt. The streets of Selevex were now bustling with morning activity, but she moved through them with ease, her thoughts focused on the dual nature of her task. Hunting a vampire among mortals would require all her cunning and skill, but she relished the challenge.
As she walked, Traikx Khan's voice murmured in her mind, "This should be interesting, Eve. Playing both hunter and hunted. How deliciously ironic."
Ebojak's growl of anticipation echoed his sentiment. "Yes, let them come. We'll show them the true meaning of fear."
Eve's lips curled into a smile. The game was afoot, and she was ready to play. The Rising Blades might have their own plans, but Eve had hers. She would use this hunt to her advantage, learning about her potential enemies and positioning herself for the greater game at play. Her intrigue wasn't merely about the gold; it was the unsettling realization that there was a vampire nearby that she hadn't sensed. Vampires could usually sense their kin, and the fact that she hadn't meant this vampire was either exceptionally skilled or something far more sinister.
"Interesting, isn't it?" Traikx's voice was a whisper of curiosity. "A vampire you didn't sense. What could it mean, Eve?"
"It means," Eve replied internally, "that this vampire is either very powerful or very clever. Either way, I intend to find out."
Ebojak's growl rumbled through her mind, filled with excitement. "Yes, find them. Confront them. See who is stronger."
Eve's determination steeled. She would find this vampire, learn their secrets, and if necessary, eliminate any threat they posed to her. The hunt was on, and she was ready.