Chapter Ten: Aralyn

The roar of laughter and voices constantly trying to rise above one another in a confined space, the jostle of people pushing past while trying not to spill their drinks. These things were not something that Aralyn experienced particularly often, but she didn't mind. She had been in plenty of bars, taverns, and inns while on the road, and being around people was refreshing.

Where The Lonely Tavern differed from the usual places she found herself in was that the clientele seemed focused on getting along and having a good time instead of always looking for an excuse to break out into a brawl.

Though by the stern look plastered to Morwenna's face, Aralyn had a feeling that such behavior would be swiftly and thoroughly dealt. Even being a little careless with the stools and chairs seemed to receive a quick telling-off, either from a shrill call from the tavern owner, a swat on the leg from Brushworth, or even a small swarm of irritated imps flying down from the rafters to berate the offender.

Aralyn could see why Uncle Burt and his friends spent so much time here, and as she watched the Regulars chat and laugh with Flint, the bartender, and the other patrons, she realized how different their worlds really were. While they were directly related by blood, and both lived in the same magical world this side of the protection spell, Burt spent his time in this cozy place, surrounded by friends, where Aralyn had spent most of her life out in some of the most hostile places, utterly alone.

Burt looked around, his eyes still crinkled with laughter as he spotted her across the room and beckoned her over.

It was nice to be able to step into their world, even if only for a short time.

"Aralyn, my favorite niece!" Burt patted an empty stool next to him. "Can I get you a drink?"

"As long as it's softer than what you lot seem to be drinking!" Aralyn laughed as she took the seat next to them.

"I think these are the softest drinks served here." Harry looked down at his tankard.

"How was your first date?" Stan asked, receiving a scathing look from Burt.

"It wasn't a date," Aralyn said.

"Sorry, fake date." Stan held his hand to his mouth in a mock whisper.

"We've had a few of those recently." Harry took a sip of his drink.

"It wasn't that either," Aralyn chided him.

"It was information gathering," Burt said. "How any good mission should start. Laying the groundwork, right?"

Aralyn chuckled. "Something like that. Speaking of information gathering…" She gestured toward them with her head, receiving nothing but blank stares back. "Weren't you guys going to find some information on either the Tolioni family or the object I am looking for? I could do with knowing for sure that it's even in their manor before planning a heist."

"Oh! Yes." Burt nodded enthusiastically. "We've found out a thing or two that are going to be pretty useful for you."

"That's great news. I knew I could count on you, Uncle."

Burt's face split into a grin, and she was pretty sure he blushed a little as he turned away.

"Well, are you going to tell her the fruits of our sleuthing, or shall we?" Harry gave him a wink.

"All right, the first thing we found out is that the object you're looking for is definitely in there." Burt turned around in his chair to face her. "Our friend Ash said that there was a late-night shipment from Panjara a few weeks ago, right when your sources said it arrived in town. He said he was tipped off about it as the security he was going to hire for his own delivery of Stesian pottery was unavailable because they had been hired to guard this. And where did this mystery shipment go?"

"Straight to the Tolioni residence," Stan answered.

"It has a tower, you know," Harry whispered in awe.

"A tower?" Aralyn asked. "That seems a little pretentious. But, hey, vampires…"

"Just don't end up locked up in it," Uncle Burt told her with concern.

"I do not intend to," Aralyn assured him. "And if I do, I want you to promise not to come and try and rescue me."

"I couldn't leave you there," Uncle Burt looked at her with wounded pride.

"Don't worry, I can get myself out of anywhere," she assured him. "Now, the Tolioni residence. Anything else I should know?"

"We've got some good news and bad news." Burt placed a hand on her shoulder. "The good news is that we know the object is going to be in the basement of the building."

"And the bad news?"

"Wait, we've got more good news," Stan cut in. "We know what traps there are down there." His grin faded after a moment of silence. "Oh shoot, that was the bad news. That there are traps down there."

"I'm not surprised," Aralyn said. "I imagine that there are all sorts of security measures throughout the manor house. A family as old and as prominent as the Tolionis is bound to be at least a little paranoid. So, what am I going to be up against?"

Burt leaned in even closer as if they were sharing some great secret. Which, to be fair, they were. "We can't speak for the rest of the house, but the basement is locked behind a blood door. That's going to require a drop of blood from one of the Tolioni vampires. Once inside, the entire basement is dark and filled with webs from the Kraller spider. If you get caught in it web, You are doomed. The vampires are fine because they can see in the dark, and seems they're undead, the spider wouldn't bother with them, anyway. And once you get to the other side, there's supposed to be some puzzle or riddle you have to solve."

"That last one's a bit vague." Aralyn raised an eyebrow.

Stan shrugged. "That's all our source could tell us."

"And who is your…?"

"Conspiring, are we?" Morwenna leaned across the bar toward them, making all four of them jump. Aralyn hadn't even noticed her approaching, something that was very rare for her.

"Is there a rule against such a thing in here?" Aralyn challenged.

"Only if you don't tell the relevant authorities first," Morwenna said.

"Well, it wouldn't be much of a conspiracy if we go through the official channels, now, would it?" Aralyn countered.

"Oh, but have you considered this?" Morwenna leaned in close. "I'm very nosey, and this is my establishment." She stood back up triumphantly. "I'll allow the conspiracizing to continue, but there is a tax to pay. You must fill me in on the tea ."

"Erm," Stan glanced down into his tankard. "I didn't think you served tea."

"No, I think she wants us to bring her tea," Harry said.

Aralyn shook her head. "No, she just wants to know what we're talking about."

"Any chance we can get a free drink with that?" Burt ventured.

Morwenna narrowed her eyes. "All right. But only if the gossip is particularly juicy."

The Regulars glanced at each other before nodding in unison.

"I'd say it's fairly juicy," Burt said.

"Uncle?" Aralyn asked incredulously. "Do you always go around telling everyone information that could get you into trouble with some dangerous people if they found out?"

"Ooo." Morwenna's eyes flashed. "That does sound juicy."

"But we're not just telling anyone." Stan looked bewildered. "We're telling Morwenna."

"What? You really trust her that much?"

The Regulars glanced at one another again.

"Yes?"

"Morwenna might know something useful for you as well," Burt said. "She knows all sorts about all sorts."

"And we might get a free drink," Stan chimed in.

"You're not off on some vampire staking spree, are you?" Morwenna raised an eyebrow.

Aralyn shot Burt a look. "You asked me that before. How did you even know I was a vampire hunter?"

Morwenna's eyes crinkled as she watched them. "You're Burt's niece, no? Why, he's the most fearsome vampire hunter there is, so I could only assume you took after him."

"Really?" Aralyn tried not to sound too shocked.

"Of course!" Morwenna held a hand up as if she were regaling a great tale. "He was the one who hunted down and led the mob that drove a vampire up into my attic." She gestured grandly toward the stares. "We just don't mention the wolf shifters and witches that helped him along the way."

"I had no idea you had tracked down a vampire." Aralyn gave an impressed grunt.

"Oh, it was nothing, really." Burt rubbed the back of his neck.

"Now, your beers better not be the only thing you spill tonight." Morwenna leaned in close again.

Aralyn chuckled and shook her head. "Uncle, if you trust Morwenna, then that's fine. But I'm going to head back out, I have things to do."

"Running away while you can before the band starts, hm?" Morwenna put her hands on her hips.

Aralyn glanced at her uncle. "Band?"

"The Fabled are playing here tonight." Burt nodded. "They're a Fae band who seem to have taken quite a liking to this place."

"Or rather this place has taken a liking to them," Morwenna corrected.

"They really get this place rocking." Stan grinned.

Burt cracked a sheepish smile. "They're very good. Always get people up and dancing."

"Well, maybe I'll swing back later if we're not too busy," Aralyn said.

Burt stood up with her and embraced her in a hug. "We'll let you know if we come up with anything else."

"And we'll make sure to enjoy those free drinks for you." Stan raised his tankard in salute.

"Thanks. See you guys." She gave one last look at Morwenna before she threaded her way through the crowd and headed for the door.

Morwenna seemed good-natured, and her uncle had always been an excellent judge of character, but it didn't exactly make her comfortable to see such sensitive information be shared with someone she had only met a handful of times.

The door opened for her as usual, as if seeing her out into the soft navy light that clung to the sky just after sunset. It was almost time for her to meet with Caldric again for her second lesson in vampire etiquette.

She wrapped her cloak around her and began to weave her way through the alleyways of town toward the district of manor houses that many of the vampires of Wishing Moon Bay called home.

The nightlife of the town echoed from the brick walls all around, but she kept to herself, avoiding the crowds. She never wanted to get too comfortable, even in a place like this. She had seen too many vampire hunters make the same mistake and pay the price for it.

It was just as that thought crossed her mind that the hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and she slowed down her pace.

She could feel a presence nearby. She sniffed. The stale scent of vampire was in the air.

Aralyn spun around, and in a flash had her crossbow in hand, pointing it down the alley she had just come from. A figure stood, frozen, as she trained her weapon on them.

"I knew it." A raspy voice came from the figure.

Aralyn squinted, but it was hard to make out their features in the dark.

"A threat walking our streets. A hunter, skulking around in the dark for her next victim."

Aralyn scoffed. "You're one to talk."

"What business do you have here? The vampires that live in this vicinity do so in peace. There's no need for the likes of you, hunter." The voice sounded male, but sounded aged, or perhaps rarely used.

"What's it to you, vamp?" Aralyn took a step forward, and the figure stepped back farther into the shadows.

"Surely you would watch if I were to skulk around in your home."

"Why do you think I do what I do?"

The vampire laughed, making a thin, tinny noise. "Why do you do what you do?"

Aralyn frowned. "I…" She'd never been asked that before. This was just who she was.

"Tread lightly, hunter. We will be watching you closely. Do not force our hand."

Aralyn rushed forward. She wanted to at least see the vampire's face, but they were gone. Seeming to evaporate into shadow as vampires so often did, Aralyn was left standing alone in the dark alley, the taste of adrenaline in her mouth.