Naveen

Rina:

I nodded and started down the pathway that connected to the main road.  It shouldn’t be too far to the messenger.  I walked for a while lost in my own thoughts.  I had never faced vampires, and that was part of the problem, I didn’t know what to expect.  It took me a while to work up to asking, but I thought maybe talking to someone else would help. 

“Talon?”  I asked slowly, fidgeting at the strap on my bag.  “Do you have any experience with vampires?”  

Rina:

I paled.  If his kind was weary of them, what hope did I have?  “Was he…  Was he an elf?”  I asked in a lowered tone with a glance to Callan a few strides behind us. 

Rina:

“Oh.”  I looked down at my feet as we walked.  My hope that he could give me information that would ease my mind was dashed.  My stomach felt uneasy and I was glad that I hadn’t had anything to eat in the last few hours.  

Rina:

Aero and Iris fluttered down and chirped at their names, thinking they could protect me from anything. I swallowed.  “One isn’t the problem…  It’s a whole clan that worries me.”  I looked at him uncertainly.  

Rina:

I stopped for a moment and looked at him.  “I’m going to the clan.  That’s where I’m being sent there to retrieve vital information for Brian.”  I told him trying to be strong, but I felt nothing but vulnerable.  I looked down at my feet and started walking again.  

Rina:

“I’ve had experience with dangerous creatures before.  And there is no one else who would, or could do it.  If I don’t go, we don’t get the information.  They could have knowledge that could turn the tides for us.”  I told him.  “I don’t know why I am worried anyway.  They won’t hurt someone they are doing business with.”  I said, though it wasn’t entirely true, vampires were not known for their self-restraint.  

Rina:

“Oh…  Well you’ve been very generous…  Not who I thought you were when we first met…”  I said, keeping my eyes on the ground.  After a moment I added softly, “I’m glad I got to know you…” 

Rina:

I got a peak in the box and tilted my head in curiosity.  It was a beautiful stone, almost like a silver opal, I didn’t know it’s uses beyond beauty.  “Your orders m’lady.”  He handed me a roll of paper.  I opened it and read Brian’s handwriting.  It was detailed instructions on how to get to the Vampires.  I was a shade paler when I rolled the note up.  “Very well.”  I said after taking in a deep breath to calm myself.  I spotted another horse left behind at his camp.  “Are you accompanying me?”  I asked the scout, surprise evident in my tone.  He looked younger than I was and wiry. 

He glanced at Talon and Callan.  “Not I, madam.”  He said then turned to Talon.  “My master was hoping that you might join the lady on her…  errand.”  I suddenly realized why he had given Talon the gift, it wasn’t a thank you, it was a bribe.  I turned to him.  “Talon, you don’t have to.”  I said before he could answer the boy.  

Rina:

I was unreasonably emotional but tried to check myself and keep it under control.  I would never have asked him, but that he would be coming with me made me feel a hundred times safer.  I gave a small gracious smile to Callon.  “Talon I-“  I said it quietly but it was cut off by the boy.  “Everything you will need is already packed onto the horses.”  

Rina:

I nodded but paused before turning to the boy.  “Clothes?”  I asked, he nodded and directed my attention to one of the bags.  “One minute.”  I told Talon, with a bundle under my arm.  I snuck behind a bush before I stripped off the dress and pulled on my familiar attire.  I had skin tight leggings with brown leather boots.  I had a white undershirt and a green tunic over that that was cinched at the waist with a thick cross between a belt and a corset.  It had loops for weapons and a couple pouches.  The outfit was more revealing for my figure, but covered my bust more than the dresses had. 

I came back to find Talon alone waiting for me with the horses.