Champion of Dawn

Chapter VIII: In the Shadow's Eyes

After his well-deserved rest at Bardon’s inn, Geordan prepares for his journey back to Faulterth giving his gratitude for Bardon’s family for taking him in.

“You my sincere gratitude, Bardon,” Geordan said as he smiled and taps the shoulder of Bardon.

“Aye, don’t mention it, milord. You are a friend here as well as your good father and you are welcome here anytime,” said by Bardon as his wife and daughter nods in agreement beside him.

“Yes, Ser Geordan! I hope to meet you again soon,” said by the young lady, Bretta as she bows like a female nobility, holding the hem of her dress and raised it a bit then bows. It was a bit clumsy but Geordan appreciated it as he patted her head.

“You would make a fine escort one day, milady,” said by Geordan to the Bretta that made her blush because of Geordan’s compliment and embarrassment as well.

“T-T-Thank you, milord!” said by Bretta stuttering. Her parents laughed out of joy seeing their daughter taking a liking of Geordan. They are happy on how a great of an inspiration and influence Geordan was to their daughter during his brief time with them.

“My husband is right, milord. Feel free to come back here anytime and our doors are open always,” said by Briette agreeing to his husband’s statement. As Geordan departed the inn, Bardon and his family see him off and wave at him, he nods back at them and proceed to the guards’ barracks in Riverton to say his farewells to Ser Havard as well.

“Oh, Ser Geodan. You heading out now?” said by Havard as Geordan entered the barracks.

“Yes, Ser Havard. It’s been a short time but I really appreciate everything you have done,” said by Geordan to Ser Havard.

“You are welcome, milord. I’m really sorry again for failing to recognize as a noble before but then again, you really proven yourself a capable man and I can really vouch for that.” said by Ser Havard patting Geordan at the back.

“Hahahaha! Flatterer, no harm done. I’m just glad to have someone like to consider as a friend. Despite of the events that happened yesterday, I’m still glad there are still people like you here in these dark times in Skyreach,” said by Geordan recalling the events that transpired the other day.

“Yes, these are indeed dark times that we need to stay vigilant at all cost, that’s the emperor is really stricter about the apprehension of the duke just to avoid this revolution, but for the meantime do not concern yourself about the civil war and focus on your own path as well. Safe travels to you, Geordan,” said by Havard as he says his last word to Geordan. The two of them shake hands and Geordan nods at Havard.

Geordan finally on his way back to his hometown, the rural trading town of Faulterth. He makes his way back to the same route he took in entering Riverton and after reaching the split roads that divides the route to south and west, he takes a quick look at the nearby Guardian stones that is near along the road trail. Highlanders pray and pay tribute to these stones for safety, luck and even strength to continue on daily struggles or even for combat. After paying tribute to the Guardian stones, he looked at the trail that leads to Skyholds and recollects one last time the unnatural events and hardships he encountered there. Creatures from the realm of darkness such as demons, and vampires came to be, attacking and terrorizing mortals just like in the old tales being told by mothers to their children.

“What manner of evil would do such a thing,” he thought as he turned his back and proceed to western road, hoping to find more answers about the situation from his father. A journey from Riverton to Faulterth will take a day or two if he continues to travel on foot, and according to Bardon, he can just take a ride on some passing caravans that is kind enough to drop him off near Faulterth or even in the village itself if he’s fortunate. As he continues his trek along the trail leading to the western-reach of Skyreach, he comes across some passing caravans and few messengers and couriers who are at horse-back. Most of them are a wary to Geordan and some are just being cautious because of the civil war that is happening. Since he doesn’t have much of a choice, he continued on foot until he reached the lake known as the “Lady’s Lake”, a famous landmark in Skyreach that divides the southwestern land and the center of the province and said to be where a certain Goddess blessed the lake and taken a shape of lady who like she’s kneeling or praying. Geordan took a brief rest nearby the lake and admired the view. He also took a drink on the lake’s water and suddenly he felt a warm touch in his throat as he sips the water. As he finishes sipping the water, an unexpected thing happened as the water’s moist in his hand glitters. He can’t believe what he is seeing and tried to blink if it’s only the light of the sun playing tricks on his vision.

“W-What in the…” he said as he saw his hand again, but now it’s only a bit moisty and no signs of glitter or glimmer left. He was a bit relieved and after he then soon took off and continue his journey onwards. As Geordan left, a silhouette of a lady who seems to be observing him at the very far opposite side of the lake and vanished without a trace.

When dusk came, he’s still traveling on foot as passing caravans or couriers stopped appearing as he entered the forest that surrounds the vicinity of Fallkeith, one of the nine major cities in Skyreach that governs his hometown Faulterth. Suddenly as he ventured deep in woods, the surrounding area was gradually covered by mist and visibility became somewhat poor. The only thing that he can see clearly is the road that he’s proceeding on and as he continues his walk, he saw an unmanned horse who is at halt by the middle of the road. He approached the horse and when he got a little closer, he saw a person lying down nearby who seems to have been the horse’s rider. It’s a travelling courier who has been left dead by the middle of the road, the man was an Imperial courier, he was laid down sideways and blood covers his upper body from his chest to his neck.

“By the Gods… What happened to this poor man?” said by Geordan as he examines the courier’s corpse. He took a closer look at the corpse’s wounds by his neck and it seems there are bite marks left by a beast located on it. But as he takes another good look at bite marks, he is not mistaken. The bite marks are not from just any mere beast but a more fearsome predator at is…

“This… Are from a vampire!” he said as he saw the two-fanged bite that drained the poor man’s blood and left it gushing as the vampire intent was to drain him but just kill him.

 “I don’t like the looks of this.” said by Geordan as he felt an unknown presence sending chills to his spine, lurking in the dark misty surroundings. He then rushes towards the horse that was nearby but as soon as he turns to the horse, it was already been killed by an individual dressed in dark vestments and light armoring just like the vampires that attacked Skyhold but with a hood that conceals the upper part of their faces and their glowing red eyes.

“Hehehe! It seems we’ve got another feast here, my brothers!” said by the vampire that killed the horse. Three other vampires appeared amongst the shrouded mist of the surroundings woods with their eyes glowing.

 “Nowhere to hide,human!” said by the vampire behind Geordan as tries to back away. As he readies himself for combat, unsheathing his sword and raising his shield, the vampire at his front lunges at him at full-speed that knocks him back to the other vampires behind him.

“Grraaagghh!” yelled by Geordan after being pushed. The vampires at his sides managed to grab a hold of him at his both arms unable to move. While the one behind him slashes him with its vile nails across his back for a direct attack.

“Aaaaghh!” screamed by Geordan as he felt the pain across his back. Being unable to do anything with his both arms bound and outnumbered by a group of vampires, Geordan yet again experiences another life-ending moment for him…