Mr. Solomius' Tasks

*EmmaJane, if it feels 'right' in your head, it will probably be 'right' in the story*

Rathal

Soon the group reached the town, which was within a couple of hours walk away from the vampire-inhabited forest. The carriages all stopped outside the inn, waiting around for a few minutes for anyone wishing to leave the town (which Rathal guessed was probably the majority of its population) before leaving with or without passengers, keen to leave the forsaken town.

"This is it." Rathal murmured. "Everyone's here, by the look of it." He surveyed the group, then frowned. "Someone's missing."

"Melissa." Nabin said.

"Oh yeah. Where did she even go?"

"I thought I saw her earlier," Nabin said, "looking behind us as we left Pottindale. Getting on one of the other carriages. But I'm not sure if it was her."

"Mr. Solomius probably ordered her to follow us, or something. Never mind, maybe Mr. Solomius will ask her to help us. We'll talk more inside."

The group agreed, for it was getting dark, and an unusually cold breeze was coming from the forest.

Selnia Moorstone

The sorceress led the way inside, holding the oil lamp aloft. The inn looked old and run down. Very few of the windows had lights in them. Apparently they didn't get much business here anymore.

Selnia kept her exterior serene as she approached the innkeeper's desk. He was a short, mousy man. She wondered how much longer he was planning on staying in this place, or if he'd ever had vampires come into his inn.

"Excuse me, sir?" She gave him a cordial smile as he glanced up nervously. "A Mr. Solomius made reservations for us. Five rooms I believe, though he may have made a sixth."

The man nodded vigorously and handed her some keys. "I've no idea what business brought you to our forsaken town of Blear," he said bleakly, "but hopefully you'll have better luck than the rest of us have."

"Right." Selnia gave him a curious look as she magicked their trunks and bags up the stairs.

Once they'd all gotten settled, they gathered in her room. She pulled out a book. "Now, first things first. We need to know our enemy. From what I've read, Hedron must be the first of the bloodline here."

The others were quiet for a moment. "And that's important because...?" asked Rathal.

"It's important," she said, "because the vampires he's turned have to follow his orders. If once we're rid of him, they'll most likely disperse. What's more, a vampire's only fully turned after they feed on and subsequently kill a human for the first time, so if any of the villagers have been turned by him but kept their bloodlust in check, they'll go back to being human as soon as he's been destroyed."

Malik nodded. "Fair enough. Kill Hedron, save the town, got it. So how do you kill a vampire?"

Rathal

Rathal thought he saw a hint of a smirk on Selnia's face in response to Malik's question.

"In theory, you can kill a vampire in the same way as you kill a human." She said. "But you almost certainly won't succeed. Vampires possess superhuman strength and resilience - even if you manage to cut one of their arms or legs off, they will probably still have the advantage. And their wounds heal very quickly and very effectively. Even if you stab one of the heart, there is the chance that the vampire will live long enough for the wound to knit itself back together Luckily for us, they have several weaknesses we can use against them." She paused, turning a few pages of her book. "As I said earlier, even a stab to the heart won't necessarily kill a vampire. But that is only if you use conventional weapons. A wooden stake carved from an Ash, Hawthorn or Oak tree will kill them almost instantly. Beheading will also leave the vampire’s body useless, though the head may remain conscious for several hours. They are also repulsed by water of certain qualities, such as running water or anything from a body of water in which a hero has walked, or 'Holy Water' - the latter example burns if it comes into contact with them. They also fear the smell of garlic, but a determined enough vampire may be able to overcome this."

The group was silent for a moment, as each member silently thought of how to put these weaknesses to their advantage.

"What kinds of wood should be used if you stake them?"

"Ash, Hawthorn or Oak."

"You don't think the trees of that forest are made from the same wood, do you?"

"I doubt the vampires would dare to live among their greatest weakness."

"But Oak is common in these parts." Malik pointed out.

"True...what about the water?"

"There is a river on the other side of the forest." Malik said. "That is probably why the vampires focus all their attention here - they have no where else to go. I don't know about Holy Water, though."

"We can make our own Holy Water." Rathal grinned. "We have committed ourselves to a heroic task. Therefore, though we have not yet completed the task, I think we could be all be considered heroes. So I suggest we find a pond in the morning and turn it into a large supply of Holy Water."

Several members of the group frowned, unconvinced, but most admired his logic, even if they did not agree.

Nabin Boorshield

Dear lord, they can't possibly think I'm a hero. Nabin kept his mouth shut though, as he usually did when he could.

Soria, who was sitting next to him on the bed, shivered. "I hope we can do this," she said uneasily. "This town gives me the creeps."

Nabin hesitated, then put his hand over hers. He couldn't help tensing a little in anticipation of a slap. "Don't worry. Solomius wouldn't have set Selnia an impossible task. We can do this."

"Which brings me to my next point," the sorceress said briskly. "If we are to be helping each other with our tasks, we'll need to know each other much better than we do now. Strengths, weaknesses..." Did her eyes linger on Nabin for a moment, or was that just is imagination? Oh no, she's going to ask me about my curse, and it'll all come out.

"I'll start," she said. "As Mr. Solomius told you, I am Selnia Moorstone. I have been apprenticed to the sorceror Anaxus for the past ten years. My strengths are probably transformative spells and the brewing of potions. As far as weaknesses go... hmm... I'm not trained in regular hand to hand combat. That will obviously make killing Hedron difficult, but I'm sure with your help I'll manage.

"So who's next?" Nabin could feel her eyes on him, and he pretended like he didn't notice. Instead, he waited for Rathal, Malik, or Soria to speak up.

ha ha.

Soria

Oh no, this can't be happening.

She couldn't tell any of these people. At least, not yet. Not with Nabin's hand so warm and comforting on her own. If she told them would he pull it away, disgusted? She didn't know how he'd react.

I'll tell them when I know how they'll react.

So, just not yet.

She stood, pulling her hand from out of Nabin's. Everyone looked at her pale face, surprised by the sudden movement. Nabin glanced at her, his empty hand, and then back at her.

"Well." Soria forced a breezy laugh. "I'm Soria, and my weakness is that I often need air. So, if you'll excuse me..." She turned and ducked out of the room, feeling their bewildered stares burning into her back.

~~~~

Once outside, she pushed out a short sigh. That had been close. But they were most likely to be suspicious of her now. She shut her eyes and frowned. I will tell them ... just not yet.

She opened her eyes and almost gasped when she spotted a figure standing below the window of the room they'd been talking in. >phew< The figure turned and Soria saw who it was.

Melissa.

"Of all the luck," Melissa sighed. "What are you doing out here?"

"Jus-just getting some air."

"Sure. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to be doing tonight that to chat with you. Toodles." She pushed past Soria, disappearing into the black of night.

Rathal

"Do you think she's alright?" Rathal wondered after Soria left the room. He looked at Nabin for a moment, who seemed like he was about to run after her at any moment.

"That's probably just her way of dealing with pressure." Selnia said. "I say we leave her alone until she's ready to come back. For now, let's carry on talking about strengths and weaknesses. Who's next?"

"Well," Rathal began, standing up, "forgive me for sounding arrogant, but I'm probably the best swordsman in the Pottindale guard," he patted the weapons he had brought with him, a longsword and a shortbow, "and I'm not a bad archer. But," he hesitated, embarrassed by his flaw which denied him martial perfection, "I have...lost my nerve, on several occasions. Though it may not be very obvious, I am a coward."

He sighed, feeling somewhat relieved to have admitted to the fault in his character. He looked around to see who would speak next.

Nabin

Selnia gave Rathal a small smile. "Coward may be a little too strong a word, but all right." She turned to Nabin, who'd risen.

"Uh, I'm going to check on Soria."

"That can wait a second," Selnia said sternly. "What are your strengths and weaknesses Nabin? More to the point, could this curse of yours interfere with your ability to help?"

Nabin sighed. "My strengths are that I'm charming and can use a knife, and I'm stubborn. My weakness is my curse, and yes it very well could interfere with our mission."

Rathal and Selnia exchanged a glance. "What, exactly, is the nature of this curse?" the sorceress asked. She seemed genuinely curious.

Nabin's face reddened. "I can't lie," he said bluntly. "What's more, if someone asks me a question I have to answer, and truthfully. There. Now you know."

He turned and walked out after Soria before the others could ask him why he'd been cursed in the first place. She was going to find out sooner or later, might as well get it over with now.

"Soria, I-"

"Nabin," she said with a frown, "there's something I want to tell you."

That was unexpected. "I'm listening."

Soria

She was going to tell. Right now, without the others watching. Judging. Just get it over and done with, Soria. "I-I know who my father is-"

"What? Why didn't you say?"

"Because I didn't want you or the others to hate when you already didn't know me."

He paused. "Why would we hate you? Who is this guy? If you don't mind me asking..."

She bit her lip. I do mind, but I'm going to tell you. I have to. "He's called Lord HuLan."

"That's not your name.."

"No, because we can't take his name. If we took his name, everyone would know and then there'd be no point in finding my father because he'd already be dead." Nabin just looked at her, waiting for her to go on. She glanced down at the floor, and shadows played across her face as she murmured, "I'm a halfbreed." Oh what a relief it felt to suddenly get those words out! She felt like some curse had been lifted from her! At last, she was weightless.

Nabin was silent, so Soria explained, "My father is human and my mother is an elf. I'm half of each."

"Riiiight...?"

Soria frowned, looking up at him. He was taller, and she had to tilt her head back. "Doesn't that bother you?"

~~~
ha ha, she had to ask a question. Buggy, I'm unsure of his thoughts at the moment, but I'm glad we're getting over Soria's annoying melodrama. XD I'm sorry, sometimes the girl annoys me.

((Heh, that's fine. Let's see, how exactly would he react...?))

Nabin Boorshield

She would ask... but how did he feel about it?

"Not really. I'm a little disturbed that you have to kill him, but that's all. It's not like you can help your ancestry." He rubbed the back of his neck, self-conscious, as a relieved expression overtook Soria's features. "To be perfectly honest, I'm a bit preoccupied with a secret of my own that you should probably know. I already had to tell Selnia and Rathal."

The half-elf looked confused. "Had to...? What are you talking about Nabin?"

"It's about my curse." He shifted his weight. "Basically, I have to answer questions truthfully, and I can't lie. That's not much, I know, but it is a little embarrassing." He waited for her response.

Soria

She felt a little faint, sort of tipsy, as though she and her mother had shared some wine. But Soria had not been near wine for some while, so why did she feel so lightheaded?

Pleased that Nabin hadn't run screaming into the night, prhaps?

Or maybe she was happy that she didn't have to keep any more secrets. Whatever the reason, she felt too giddy to become serious.

"W-why were you cursed?" Soria asked.

His mouth twitched, as though he were trying to hold something back, and failing.

Nabin

His heart sank as his jaw started moving without his consent.

"I wasn't a very scrupulous person when I was younger," he said mechanically. "To get money, I'd try to swindle people. Con-artist type stuff. One day I tried it on an old lady who ended up being a witch. I managed to get out of the house before she could do anything worse to me, but it's been bad enough as it is. Now that I actually want to get a real job and make wages legally, I can't because I always say something stupid and end up fired. It's been rough."

Nabin had dropped his gaze early on in the conversation, ashamed.

Melissa

She had an...unfortunate run in with the wimp chick. Great. She had been careless so now she probably went and told everyone that she was near by. She would haev to be a little more sneaky now.

The outspoken guy, she though maybe his name was Nabin, blushed a little at something he said. Melissa wanted to laugh at how easily it was to spy on them.

After a few minutes, he walked away from the others. He wasn't blushing anymore and someone must have said something to something to comfort him or something.

"Typical," Melissa snorted. Everyone always relied on someone else. Melissa replied on herself, and that was what made her who she was. Then, eventually, she would get her brother back and she would never let anything happen to him again.

Melissa ran after Nabin. He never knew what was coming until she was on top of him. She held his legs down with her own and had her hands on his arms.

Nabin gasped surprised. "If you wanted to talk, you didn't have to tackle me," he grunted. Melissa grinned. He probably didn't like the fact that she, a woman, had taken him down.

"I'm not here to talk," she replied.

"Then would you let me up?" He asked, annoyed.

"In a moment," she said, shrugging. "I am coming to you and I need a favor."

"Yeah right," he snorted. "I am not helping you."

"I just need inside information. I can't keep following your group all the time without getting information," Melissa replied, uneasily. She didn't want to tell him what her task was, because if she did, that could ruin all the chance she had at succeeding. Her task was possibly one of the most cruel.

"What makes you think I would turn one them for...for one?" He spat. Melissa closed her eyes, thinking hard. She could just give him small details right now.

"Look, Nabin. I only need you to turn on one. I only need information about one person," she sighed.

"Who?" He asked. Well, at least she got his curiousity.

"Rathal," she said queitly. Nabin took her quietness as weakness, as he should and threw her off of him and against the brick wall.

Melissa gasped out in pain, but stood up. Her eyes were blazing. He was just being difficult now.

"Wait!" Melissa called, ashe started to leave. "Please!" She called, unwillingly. The word caused her to gag.

Nabin turned, amused. "Did you just say...please?" He asked, chuckling.

"Yes, yes, hilarious," Melissa snapped. "Now will you at least hear me out?"

"Sure, but I give you no guarantee's that I'll help. In fact, I probably won't," he shrugged. Melissa ground her teeth.

"This is for your task, isn't it," Nabin kept going. "Solomius wants you to do something to Rathal."

"Maybe, but I'm not going to tell you so you can go run your mouth to him," Melissa spat. "I'm not an idiot, just so you know."

"Tell me what you want with him and I'll consider helping you. As long as you help me," Nabin said, smiling now. Melissa grumbled audibly. This was what she didn't want to happen.

"Fine," she said. She sighed and pursed her lips. "But even if you don't choose to help me, you can't tell him."

"Deal," Nabin said, eagerly and curioius.

"I have to make sure that Rathal fails. Even if it means killing him," Melissa spoke, coldly. She gave Nabin one look that said, 'I will kill him and you know it. So you need to tell me if you can live with that now.'

"Help me, just by giving me information, and I will help you as much as I can to make sure you get your goal. Though now that I told you my task, you're not so eager, are you pretty boy?" She asked.

**Just thought I'd add some drama. (:**

Nabin

A chill passed down the boy's back as he answered Melissa's question. "No, actually, I'm not so eager to help now." Oh, if only he could still lie... Rathal didn't seem a bad sort.

Melissa's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I see." Suddenly Nabin found himself pushed up against the wall. "If you breathe a word to anyone," she hissed, "you're dead. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand that you'll kill me if I say anything," he said smoothly. Heh, that didn't mean that he could help it if he did say something. Not that she should know that... oh no, what if she did know? He managed to keep his face smooth.

Melissa

Melissa smiled. "Do not forget that I am a spy, Nabin," she growled. "I will know if you tell anyone about this conversation."

"I know," he replied, unfazed. Melissa drew her knife, hidden in the sleeve of her shirt, and held it to his throat.

"I mean it, pretty boy," she responded. Nabin eyed the knife.

"And I heard you, Melissa," he said, angrily. Melissa nodded and shoved him away.

"Then, I'll find my own ways of getting information, but know this, I will be keeping tabs on you as well as Rathal," she spat. "If you so much as mention my name in a conversation, I will slit your throat."

"Yeah, I get it," Nabin rolled his eyes. "You're the big bad spy who can do anything. Whatever."

"You forget," Melissa growled. "That my task can also save my brother's life. My brother's safety is all that matters to me, so I WILL do anything to complete this task. You have been warned, Nabin."

Melissa strode away, quickly blending in to her surroundings. It was time for option B. She held out her hand in front of Soria, scaring her. Melissa smiled nastily.

This time she would lie. She would offer her help to Soria at whatever costs and she would only ask for inside information on the others. She would give nothing away.

"I have come with some questions for you," Melissa told her.

Nabin

He didn't let himself show any outward sign of how shaken he was until he was out of Melissa's line of vision. Then Nabin's hands started shaking.

He was screwed. He was SO screwed. Screwed screwed screwed.

All it took was one person asking about what he'd done, and Melissa would kill him. Correction, try to kill him. Maybe he'd have a chance if he stayed close to Selnia and Rathal. They might be able to protect him.

And who knew if Rathal was the only one Melissa was out to get? He could easily be next. Or Soria. He shivered.

He walked back into the room, hands in his pockets.