Chapter 13: Lady Lamia

-10 MONTHS REMAIN-

The Astral Verdant was calm. Birds sang softly in the distance. A gentle breeze lightly rustled the grasses and leaves. The atmosphere was as peaceful as it could be. This tranquility, however, was not enough to settle the nerves of the party. The brief brush with death, coupled with the revelation that they were now wanted criminals, kept their hearts racing. They could only take solace in the Steel Sun’s arrogance. They weren’t ones to take help from others. To them it was almost like an insult to their skills. So the idea that the three of them were fugitives wouldn’t probably leak out to the general public. As long as they avoided the Steel Suns, they should still be fine to enter towns and cities in Solstya. But the fact that they’re so usually resistant to accept aid made Aurora and Ulric worry. Why did they accept a tip from a jester?

“Miss Vale.” Miryam said. She still never fully made eye contact with Aurora or Ulric despite being with them for weeks. However, she did find comfort in their presence. Miryam walked close to Aurora’s side and held her hand. “Something doesn’t feel right. About this forest I mean.” She glanced around nervously. Aurora felt her squeeze her hand tighter. “Father told me stories of the Astral Verdant. There’s a monster that lives here. It sings sweet melodies to lure in children. Do you think that’s what the Steel Suns are looking for?”

“The Lamia is just a myth, Miryam.” Aurora reassured. “She’s not real, and she can’t hurt you. She’s an old story parents tell their kids so they’ll behave. Your father probably told you that story so you wouldn’t run off or something.” Miryam looked up at Aurora, then back down at the ground.

“So I could’ve run away a long time ago.” She said softly. Aurora chose to ignore the remark. Miryam probably thought she had said it quiet enough where no one would hear. She wasn’t used to being around people for so long, especially in a more casual way. Sure, they had a job to do and every moment felt dangerous, but they still spent plenty of time just existing. Before, Icarus would give Miryam a lesson, feed her, then leave her to her studies. She rarely spent time with him just to do so. It was always work. It was always a lesson. And it was never good enough. But with Aurora and Ulric things were completely different. They would talk with her, eat with her, sleep with her, learn with her, play with her. Her and Ulric would read together and recite scripture. Aurora would teach her alchemy, and bad habits that Ulric would then scold her for even mentioning. And whenever the two of them bickered and argued, it was never Miryam’s problem. All of these concepts were completely foreign to Miryam. Suddenly Ulric stopped and the other two followed suit. Lying in the dirt path in front of them was a dead deer. Miryam’s face went pale and she backed away slightly, still holding Aurora’s hand. “See! I told you! There’s a monster here!” Ulric approached the deer to inspect it.

“A monster, maybe. But definitely not a vampire.” Ulric ran his fingers along a series of gashes. The deer had been ripped apart and open, apparently with claws and teeth. This gruesome display definitely wasn’t the work of your average vampire.

“But aren’t vampires blood sucking monsters? That’s what father always told me!” Miryam shuffled further behind Aurora.

“Well, they are a more carnivorous species.” Aurora started. “But it’s not like they’re savage beasts. They’re about as different from us as we are to elves.” Miryam still looked unsure.

“I remember raiding a vampiric camp every once and awhile during the war. Their rations were pretty similar to ours. In fact, I thought they tasted better. Bread, cheese, fruit. The only big difference was that their meat was less cooked.”

“What kind of meat was it?” Miryam asked. She was less skeptical but still expected the answer to be something along the lines of bug meat or human. Ulric looked up and scratched his chin.

“Fish, I believe.” He smiled at her. The answer eased her worries a little, but she was still grossed out. Ulric stood back up and in doing so narrowly avoided a bolt of darkness. The magical attack cracked against a tree, leaving a sizable wound. Everyone’s heads quickly whipped to where the bolt had come from. Standing amongst the brush, shrouded in shade, was a woman. She stood still for a moment studying the party, as they did the same to her. Her hair and clothing fluttered in the wind, blending in with the darkness around her like some sort of camouflage. Ulric carefully reached for his halberd. As he did the woman’s form obscured further, melting into a shadowy fog. She disappeared and left the party confused. Only Ulric knew what to expect. He turned around and swiped his halberd in a big flourish. He managed to block the incoming attack as the woman had manifested behind him with a mace.

“I see this isn’t your first job.” She said grunting, trying to force her mace through Ulric’s defense. She spoke with a more country sided accent. Now that she was up close, the party could get a good look at her. Dark clothes with red accents that made a more skeletal design. Piercings on pointed ears. Shining metal gauntlets and a shoulder guard. A single streak of dyed red hair, crimson eyes, full lips, and most importantly a set of fangs. This woman was a vampire.

“I’ve dealt with the Crescent Fangs before.” Ulric said, pushing her back. The woman looked surprisingly offended.

“Crescent Fangs? Don’t rope me in with those savages, vampire hunter!” She yelled. Aurora rummaged around in her bag, trying to pull out her crossbow. Miryam froze up, her face now paler than the vampire’s. “Honestly, you lot won’t ever let me rest, will you?” She lunged at Ulric to attack again. He blocked every incoming strike, but he was clearly struggling to keep up with the onslaught.

“Vampire hunters? Where did you get the impression we were vampire hunters?” Ulric pushed her away and tried to maintain distance with the halberd.

“Hm, let’s see.” The woman put a finger under her lips. “A Solstyan soldier, alchemist, and cleric all traveling together in my part of the woods. Why wouldn’t I think you’re a bunch of vampire hunters?!” She pushed past Ulric’s defense and resumed her assault. “You’re probably here to do the Steel Suns’ dirty work!” She maneuvered around Ulric and bit him on the arm in an attempt to get him to drop his halberd.

“Mister Ursine!” Miryam screamed. “Are you going to turn into a vampire now?!”

“That’s a myth!” Both Lilith and Ulric shouted back.

“To be clear, the Steel Suns are our enemies.” Aurora said lifting her crossbow. The woman instinctively flinched and grasped at her side. “We’re wanted criminals.”

“So you decided to bring in my head to clear your own bounties? Have you any shame?” She shouted. She was practically on the ground.

“See! I told you the Lamia is real!” Miryam screamed.

“Lamia? My name is Lilith!” The woman screamed back.

“Alright! That’s enough! Weapons down!” Ulric shouted at everyone. He dropped his halberd and slowly Aurora and Lilith let go of their own weapons. “There has clearly been a misunderstanding. You are not some woodland monster and we’re not vampire hunters. You are not a member of the Crescent Fangs and we are not members of, employed by, or are in any way affiliated with the Steel Suns. Can we all just take a deep breath and start over?” There was a pause. Nobody knew exactly what to do or what to say. Ulric eventually made the first move and offered to help Lilith back on her feet.

“I apologize for being skittish.” She started, refusing Ulric’s help and getting up on her own. “But if you knew anything about me then you’d understand why.”

“Do you wanna talk about it?” He asked hopefully.

“No.” She replied bluntly. “What are you three doing in the Astral Verdant anyway?”

“It’s a long story. But the short of it is that we need to cross through here for an important quest.” Aurora answered. Suddenly Lilith groaned and clutched her head and her stomach. A deep pain radiated within her.

“Why now?” She said through gritted teeth.

“Are you… alright?” Ulric asked.

“I’m fine! It’s just…” She paused and glanced around. “Are you going to eat that?” She pointed at the dead deer.

“No…” Ulric said slowly. Lilith shambled over to the deer and took off her gauntlets. She then began tearing into it, making sure to drink as much blood as she could. Her breaths were heavy and labored. She gasped as if she was out of breath from just eating. Aurora and Ulric look at her confused, meanwhile Miryam looked as if all her previously held beliefs had just been reinforced. Then Aurora noticed something. She nudged Ulric to get his attention and made a slicing motion across her wrist. Ulric looked back at Lilith and noticed it too, a dozen or so tiny cut marks across her arms. Ulric looked back at Aurora and she nodded understandingly. He was about to say something to Lilith when she cut him off.

“Can you just… leave me be?” She asked between breaths. “I just want… to rest. I’m so tired.” She sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

“Of course.” Ulric said quietly. “Come on, let’s go. We’ve got a long journey and not a lot of time.”