The roadside taverns were a good and a bad indication. It was good as you would get food and bad as it wasn't the route of The Darkdelve forest. I narrowed my gaze at the Knight, Draven. Well, he sat behind me so, I had to tilt my head over my shoulder to give him a glare, however, he could not see me glaring because of my mask. 

"What?" He asked. 

"You know what's that?" I pointed at the large building made of wood and stone.

"A tavern."

"I thought we were going to Darkdelve."

"We are."

"I don't think a forest path would have a tavern," I tightened my grip on the reins as Jinx trotted to the medieval inn. 

He sighed, "We have to cross the next town before reaching the forest."

I narrowed my eyes some more unfortunately, he could not see that either. The evening was closing in and the guild's dim light emanated from the dirty windows. 

"Now get me blood. I'm thirsty," he ordered. 

"Hey, you cannot give me orders. I'm the one who's having the upper hand in that department."

His lips almost twitched as he glared at his cuffed hands and then nodded, "Go ahead. Order. I can get you ale or maybe blood, and believe me, you'll like it."

"No thanks. I can do that myself. I'm putting off your cuffs but move a wink and you'll..." I made the gesture of slicing my throat and he scoffed.

He was too arrogant for his own good, if he weren't such a fine specimen I'd have beat him up. 

He rolled his eyes. "I need to go to the chamber."

"What chamber? You can't go anywhere without me." 

"I didn't know you were that desperate. Follow me if you please." He smirked.

I put off his cuffs. Almost immediately, he hopped down and I followed suit as he went for the stable. The stable had enough hay for Jinx and he seemed happy with other two horses. 

From the outside the tavern looked rough, uninviting and dirty. Large and small stones, clay bricks and wooden pillars made up most of the building's outer structure. It was hard to see through the windows, but the gloominess from within could be felt outside along with the warmth.

Draven pushed open the door and walked in with me following closely, the muffled sounds suddenly became loud and I looked around to find a few people sitting around the places talking loudly with boisterous tone. They seemed like the bunch who carried around large weapons. They had long, scraggy beards and were dressed in the typical medieval clothes. 

The place was warm as I had contemplated, it was lit up with the burning torches and lamps that were strapped to the walls. The scent of beer and sweat hung heavily in the air. I tilted my head, it was as disgusting inside as it was on the outside. Stone pillars supported the upper floor, the walls were covered in messages, once written by regular customers and now covered in dust, worn away and mostly unreadable.

The bartender was an old burly man who stood behind the counter his eyes blankly stared at his customers. He was wiping a glass with a rag which looked like it needed cleaning first. He didn't notice us as we entered, I stepped ahead and the bartender slightly flinched. His head turned in our direction, his eyes turning red. It was easy to know that he had caught my human scent. 

The boisterous laughter and loud talks suddenly came to a stop as they all looked at us, specifically at me. They all gazed at me like they had never seen a woman kidnapping a Knight before. Well, I doubt they had ever seen any woman kidnapping a Knight before.

"Where's the chamber?" Draven asked the bartender and he pointed at the back door while his eyes never left me. 

Draven hurried and I followed him, trailing behind him cautious of all the vampires in that Hall. It had a few tables and benches around the place with the various animal heads mounted on the walls.

"I think, you should stay here," Draven said turning around. 

"And why's that?"

"Fine. Follow me then." He walked inside and I stepped in too.

Until later, I found out why did he say that I should stay behind because it was a dirty bathroom. So stenchy that you'd wish you never have seen it as you couldn't do your important business because your bladder probably would punch you in your stomach saying 'how dare you think I'll empty myself here?'

And when the smell hit I thought my first ever meal was coming out of my mouth. 

"I'd rather stay behind." I barely managed to say the words with a curt nod. 

He scoffed and I came back to the Hall, and went straight to the bartender. "Give me your blood," I said. 

He looked at me with a gape on his mouth. "I mean not your blood. Human blood. And food. Also, I need water."

"Why would a human want human blood? Don't ye 'ave plenty, yerself?" He asked with his finely shaped brows that had tied into a knot. 

I put the giant sword on the table along with the knife. His eyes followed it then he nodded, "Bottle or shots?"

"Bottle."

The rest of the vampires' gazes were also on me and it created a gloomy atmosphere which made me slightly nervous. I turned my head as I saw a dark figure taking a seat beside me. It was an old woman who placed her elbow on the counter her chin rested on her palm and her eyes gazed at me. It was hard to tell what colour her eyes were as they looked dark and mysterious. Her skin was mottled because of the age and her dress resembled rags. She looked like a hippy.

"Where are ye headin'?"

"Um... Well, Dark-" Her eyes went big, "-ally." Her eyes became relaxed with a mischievous smile on her worn face.

"Eh? Darkally? I 'ave lived dere a few centuries ago. It's now just a ruin," she said. Well, I didn't know if there was any place called Darkally. Since vampire atmosphere tended to be dark I made up a random name. 

I nodded. 

"Where do you live?" I asked. 

"Ah! I 'ave no home. I live sometimes in 'dis inns or some village people let me 'ave dere room for one night." She answered her hands remained on the mug, "Today, I came 'ere for a gamble. Kha kha kha." Her laughter was strange and it exposed her yellow teeth; some of them were missing but I didn't see her fangs or red eyes. Maybe she wasn't a vampire. Oh good, but then again, there was something about her that I couldn't place my finger on. 

"Haha... Yes... Gamble." I said absentmindedly as I tried to rake through my mind to find something about her by her appearance which would make my uneasiness settle. 

"Jey, ye li'l lad, bring out da dice. Dis lady should enjoy a good game." 

The bartender, Jey said, "Aye!" and brought out a board, "dere ye go!" Placing it on the table, he brought out three dark coloured dices which had six sides. The vampires present in the Hall seemed to have taken an interest in our little game as they peered over us. 

The evening was young and since I had nothing better to do for the moment so I thought I might as well enjoy watching a good gamble. Not so boring after our fight as my limbs were exhausted and I thought I needed a good bath. Maybe we could rent a room here? 

The old lady, however, didn't share the same thought as me as she gave me a long look and I realized her opponent was none other than me. And here I thought of enjoying a good show. Unfortunately, I wasn't into gambling unless I had to attract a target for my mission. 

"No! I don't gamble." I could never bet my everything on sheer luck, if I knew the strategy, I would have done a bet. I looked at the bartender, "Give me my things and I'll be out of here. I'm late."

"Nay, ye aren't afraid, are ye? Dis is just a gamble and besides, I will bet my best treasure in it," she winked. I was sure, I saw a sparkle green spangles in her eyes and the look the bartender gave me which assured that if I lose I might end up becoming their meal for the night- it was damn suspicious. Besides, my inside assassin bell was ringing like it was the end of the world. 

"No! I'm good!"

"Kha kha kha. Ye li'l girl, let's not be a scaredy cat! Man up!"

"Unfortunately, I'm not a man!"

She gave a full mouthed, unhygienic grin which made a shiver run up my spine.

"I'm sorry lass, but ye are new in dis guild. Whoever comes has ta play a bet. If not, they don't get nothin'." He shrugged and I tightened my grip on the hilt of Draven's sword. Where the hell was he? Who needed that much time to pee unless he left. 

I looked at the back door and there was no sign of him. Great! He bailed on me. 

I looked at my smart watch and missed Dyson. He was good at gambling and knew how to win. On missions, Zero would instruct me and I would follow that. But now, I was alone. 

I gulped and made up my mind. If anything went wrong, I could always kill them then run. 

"Fine! But just one game," I said. 

"Aye!"

The vampires presented in the hall came and circled us. Now we were surrounded by one dozen men. They were ready to serve as our audience. 

"Take yer bets, young Lady. Three bets and three rolls. Two lose, ye lose all."

I nodded, "My little knife, my another little knife and another little knife."

A moment of silence settled in the Hall.

They all blinked then finally it registered in there minds. The old lady shook her head, her messy grey hair moving with her, "Nay, nay. Ye 'ave ta choose the bets like yer life depended on it. It will make it interesting."

"How about one little knife and a kunai and a tiny knife?" I suggested. 

"Nay, nay. Dis is boring." She shook her head again and added, "How about yer big sword, yer gold and yer prince Charming?"

A gape formed on my mouth. My prince Charming? I looked at the back door again and there was no prince charming coming to save me. At least, not him as he might have ran away. Moreover, he wasn't mine. And it registered in my mind their interest was the gold. Ha! Like I would give them. 

"I'm not playing then."

"Seems ye fancy 'im." She winked with a sly grin.

"I'm not! And he's not a prince, he's a Knight," I corrected. 

"Kha kha kha. He hasn't told ye, has he?" She nudged me then continued, "Come on, now. I am betting on my dagger, my tooth and my heart." 

"What? That's ridiculous! What would I do with your heart and tooth?"

"Believe me, young Lady, you'll need it."

I clenched my teeth, "Fine! Game on!"

"Yay!" She exclaimed, "now, whoever gets da best numbers in each roll will win."

I nodded. 

She motioned Jey and said, "First, my roll, My pretty tooth," she looked at me. 

"Sword," I announced. 

The bartender rolled the dices and she got 3, 6, 6.

"Dat's a nice number," she said, her eyes glinted with happiness.  

He rolled again and it was 2, 1, 3 for me.

Shit! The sword! Draven's word came to my ears 'Don't lose the sword'.

I handed her the sword. I wasn't going to but my hands moved on their own accord and she laughed her strange laugh, "Kha Kha Kha." The sword was for my safety as well, because the long knife wasn't enough for the vampires. What the hell. How did my hands move? 

"Your roll." Jey said. 

I gulped, "Gold."

"My precious dagger." 

He rolled for me first, this time and got 6, 3, 4. Well, that was a good number. I crossed my fingers as he collected the dices from the board and rolled for her and the dices showed 3, 6, 1.

I sighed a relief as she gave me her dagger. I took it. But my heart thumped louder as the next was Draven. Well, I didn't fancy him but then again he was my guide. 

My ears burned. 

Definitely not! 

But he was good looking. My inner voice spoke and my left brow twitched. 

I wasn't attracted to him at all. However, if I lose him, my chance of going to the forest would be hindered. Yes, that was  the cause. 

"My heart." She did her bet I took a sharp breath as I said mine, "Prince Charming."

He rolled again and it showed 6, 4, 6 for her. Damn! I'll lose everything. I prepared my long dagger as he rolled the dices for me. 

Three dices spinning on the board and everyone's gazes fall on it. It could be a win or a lose. My breathe stopped as the first dice stopped at 5.

My heart thumped as the one point was about to board on it then circled and stopped at 6.

My fingers crossed more tightly as if it would break any moment. Everyone's unblinking eyes fall on the last one like if their life depended on it. Well, my life was depended on it. It spinned and spinned and spinned, finally came to an halt showing the last dots.

6.

"Yeah!" I punched the air as relief flooded me and everyone cheered then, a thought came. How would she give me her heart? I looked at her. 

She put her right hand on her chest where her heart was, "Ah!" And when her hand came out, it was a small tube filled with red liquid with a leather protector strap. 

I blinked. But I wasn't the only one who blinked, the bartender as well as our audiences. 

"There you go." She gave me the tube on which in cursive it was written 'Heart'. 

I was sure everyone was as offended as me. I didn't want her heart particularly but it should not be so lame as a tube filled with red liquid. 

"What? Ye didn't think I would give my original heart, did ye?" 

"Yeah, of course, not." I said, almost sounding bored. 

"But it was a good game after a long time." She sighed as if recalling her past getting out of the seat, her dark dress billowed over her form.

"It was exciting to meet you, Biella. Now go back to your Prince Charming." Her accent changed and she winked at me, "He's waiting for you."

"He's not my..." A noise interrupted me in my mid statement and I tilted my head to the back door from where Draven emerged and crossed the distance in a wink. 

"Have you-" he paused and looked at me with a gape on his mouth then shut it abruptly, "Have you ordered blood?" He asked. 

"Yes, and I won the gamble as well." I said with a smirk and suddnely it struck me. Wait! Did the old Lady say my name? 

I turned my head and the stool beside me was empty. I looked around and saw everyone who were cheering for me not a long ago, were in their own seats busy amongst themselves. That was fast! 

"What?" Draven asked but his gaze was a bit different, like he was staring at my face. 

"Where's the old Lady who lost the gamble with me?" I asked the bartender. 

He looked at me then to Draven then shrugged, "What'd ye mean?" Before I could ask further he informed, "Yer things are ready. 20 coins." 

I looked at the table; there were two bottles, one with blood and another with water and an empty plate. I didn't felt hungry as if I just had eaten my meal. Then I noticed my mask was also on that table. 

"Do ye want ale?" He asked. 

"No. This would be enough," Draven answered for me. Shit! He saw my face! Heat rose on my cheeks and I wished somehow he wouldn't see that. 

"Pay up. We need to hurry as their allies would come in no time," Draven informed and turned on his heel while took the bottles with him. 

Paying the man, I took my mask while the thoughts swirled around in my head. Had she really called my name? I haven't mentioned it to anyone, I'm sure. And how did my mask come off? 

I sighed running my hand through my hair, Draven eyed me strangely and before I could ask him anything the sound of the doors opening made our heads snap towards it. Before I could turn Draven gripped my hand and pulled me to the other side hiding behind the wooden wall. 

"What–"

He glared at me shutting my mouth and gestured towards the door, I turned and looked at the men who came in. They were dressed in armours and doublets with bull crest.

"Are they enemies?" I whispered.

"Why are we hiding then?" He muttered and I frowned. Those men headed towards the bartender and I gripped the sword tighter in my hand preparing to fight. They were nearly ten of them and considering their sizes it wouldn't be so bad.

"You wait here while I end them. I've handled this kind of situation before where my enemies stood with big weapons. Besides, I've been trained for ten years just to kill these kind of bastards then we'll move," I whispered as I took a step out and he pulled me back giving me an angry look.

"You can't go out like this." He hissed and I scowled at him.

"What–" He pointed at my face and I realised I still hadn't pulled my mask over my face. I cursed my inwardly and pulled it on immediately.

"Stay back." I said.

"Or we can just get out from the back door." He said pointing at the door and I made a face.

"I'd rather face these brutes than going in there." I said pointing at the men behind us and he scoffed crossing his arms at his chest.

"Fine then, go on." He said and I gritted my teeth. Was there an end to his condescension? He almost behaved like a snobby prince. As a punishment I clicked on my smart watch and his cuffs linked together. He cursed in a low voice as I smirked and walked out.

The men seemed to be interrogating the bartender whose eyes instantly fell on me as I approached and the man who was interrogating slightly turned but he couldn't see my face as I swung my arm. Draven's sword cleanly chopped the soldier's head from his shoulders. The bartender stood frozen for a moment as the soldier's head fell on his counter and his body slammed down. The rest of the soldiers moved and I smirked as I felt the adrenaline rush through my veins.

I slashed through the closest on spinning to avoid the sword which the other aimed at me. The soldiers hit me like a sack of bricks altogether yet it wasn't a big deal as I gripped both Draven's sword and my long sword. I stabbed one soldier's throat and swung my other hand chopping another soldier's head from his shoulders. 

The bloody scene lasted for a few minutes and once it ended the bodies of the mutilated soldiers lay at my feet. I was slightly out of breath but none of them were alive. The bartender had hid himself under the counter and the customers had escaped through the back door. I sighed watching the blood staining both the swords, I shook my head and turned back to see Draven emerging out. He looked at the carnage I'd made and gave me a displeased look. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Don't say you haven't killed anyone." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"You're bleeding." He pointed at my left arm and I turned to see the torn fabric, my eyes widened and I cursed under my breath.

"It was expensive!" I hissed angrily kicking one of the corpses and muttering the strong of the curses I banged my hand on the counter.

The bartender jumped and I leaned close to him.

"Get me some bandages." I demanded and he shuffled through the small closet nearby.

He gave me a roll of thick bandages and I rested the swords on the counter, the bartender eyed the swords and inched away.

"Hurry up." Draven said giving me an annoyed look. His eyes drifted to my bleeding arm and I scowled.

"Shut up." I snapped at him and tied the bandage over my arm feeling the stinging now.

"Holy Mother of vampires!" I hissed as I tugged at the knot tightly.

"Let's get out of here now." Draven said and I rolled my eyes.

"Tell me one thing, have you ever managed to take down this many soldiers at once?" I asked and he turned to look at me, something in his eyes told me that he was worse than his exterior displayed.

"I don't need to prove myself to a delicate doll." He said and my anger spiked.

"Who the heck are you calling a delicate doll?" I demanded and he smirked at me. His hands moved as he reached out to brush his fingers over the torn fabric. Once he pulled back the red blood stained his porcelain skin and I eyed as he showed me my blood.

"You say as if you haven't had any battle wounds." I grimaced.

"Sure I have, but when I was against an entire army." He said, taking a step towards me. I took a step back as he brought his blood stained fingers close to his nostrils and inhaled deeply.

"For a human, your blood doesn't smell that bad." He smirked and took another step. I gripped his own sword off the counter and placed it's tip on his throat.

"Don't forget who's the boss here." I threatened and he chuckled, his eyes glinting with dark humor.

"I'm not forgetting that at all. But even you shouldn't forget that you are in a place where there are all vampires and no one to help you out." His words were true and somewhere that fact disturbed me.

"It's my problem and I can deal with it." I said firmly and he shook his head.

"Naive." He spoke and I had the irresistible urge to just behead him right at that instant.

"Let's go." He said stepping back, "the forest is still far away and who knows if you will reach there alive or not." 

The way his smirk made the goosebumps rise on my flesh was something that almost triggered a trauma from the past. I forced it back and shook my head to clear out all those thoughts.

Draven opened the bottle and pressed it's mouth to his lips and started drinking the blood in large gulps. For some reason I felt my knees weakening and my eyes glued to his Adam's apple which bobbed up and down as the liquid travelled down. He stopped once he'd downed half of it and closed his eyes licking his lips. I turned my head and cleared my throat.

"Let's go." I said as I brushed past him and heard him following me from behind.

I stepped out of the doors and was about to turn to go towards the stables to get Jinx but the large army standing before the tavern made me stop in my tracks and Draven stopped right beside me.

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[Edited by Sam8136, date: 4th Sep, 2020]
(3994 words)
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