User:Damon/The Vampire's Tale/4

Well, it's been an incredibly long time since I've updated The Vampire's Tale, but it's finally done. Thanks to my friends who've helped me with this part, and as always the talk page is there for critiques that anyone may have.

Eric Snowmane^{(talk•email)}

The Vampire's Tale: Oiolatta

Gallen stood outside the gate to Cheydinhal admiring the rising sun for a few minutes. He was trying not to break down and cry. He could no longer see his daughter and wife. He could no longer sing to Rosalyn, he could no longer dance under the moonlight with Amelia. He could see it as clearly as if it was yesterday…

Amelia was standing on the docks near Lake Rumare in their youth, humming along to an old song. A tale about a warrior who fell in battle, but was saved by the divines to return to his wife… He could remember her pulling him closer and closer until they started to passionately kiss, and he could remember being pulled into the lake, and later drying off on the beach.

Then, Rosalyn's birth… He almost didn't make it, except for the help of a young mage's teleportation magic. He was in Cloud Ruler Temple when a courier arrived with a message that Amelia was in labor since late afternoon the day before. He managed to convince an Imperial Battlemage visiting the fortress to teleport with him to Cheydinhal. He arrived in time for the final minutes of the birthing, but he made it, none the less.

All these emotions suddenly became too much for Gallen, and he collapsed, crying. He could almost imagine her pain as the vampire attacked her, before leaving her body in the mud. And, his daughter… A bloody mess on the side of the road. He was so busy protecting nobles that he lost the time to take care of what mattered, and he was paying for it.

He stood up after a solid five minutes, and looked around. He had to get his head together, and gather supplies… But what, he didn't know. He was a fierce fighter, but he had never properly fought a vampire before his encounter in the caves. After glancing around, he decided he knew who to speak to...

****

Jean sat at his desk, reading a book before retiring for the day. He didn't strictly need the rest, but it helped him to pass the time before being able to travel freely again unnoticed. He could travel during the day, but he would be incredibly visible, not to mention weakened by the sun, so he opted to stay indoors during the day.

After a brief moment, he stood up, glanced around, and then sat on his bed. He had a lot on his mind. He never shared his life story with anyone. But, Gallen's was so similar that he felt compelled to do it.

If it weren't for the rising sun, he would have certainly joined him. He pulled back the sheets and looked over his room one last time before trying to sleep. It wasn't incredibly remarkable. It was furnished with the most basic of possessions, and was by no means as grand as he was raised in. Of course, he didn't need the luxuries. He wouldn't even dress extravagantly if he didn't have to.

He rolled over and looked at his sword sitting in the corner. It was a relic from his mortal days, and it was covered in dust. He couldn't use it, because he was what he sought to destroy.

Jean was finally getting ready to fall asleep when he heard the footsteps… Someone entered his home. He jumped up, and silently dashed into the upstairs balcony, where he hopped onto it, and began to precariously balance on it for a better view, although the smell of the man he just spoke to was more than enough. He saw Gallen walk out into the open living room, and dropped down behind him.

"Gallen. What do you need, friend?" he said.

Gallen stood beside him, looking him over, before replying, "I have never properly fought a vampire before, and I return for any advise you may have, and a recommendation of supplies."

"Of course, friend. Come upstairs with me. I actually have just the thing for you, an old weapon from my days hunting vampires. And, I have some supplies as well."

Gallen stepped back a few paces, and began to follow Jean up the stairs, while Jean continued talking.

"It's an old blade of Ayleid origins. Oiolatta. Eternal Light, in the Ayleid tongue. I don't know if the blade has or ever had a true name, but that is what I call her, from the runes engraved on the blade. Here take a look at it."

Jean stopped in his room and lifted the blade's protective case out of the corner, presenting it to Gallen, who took it out and gave it an experimental swing, feeling the weight of it, and he went for another chest.

"As I was saying, the blade is of Ayleid origins. It was presented to me by the Count of Kvatch as a reward for killing off a coven that had taken up residence within the city. Against the average foe, it would appear to be a normal blade, but against the undead… vampires, zombies, and the like, it's a deadly piece of steel. It also has another enchantment on it, one that could have saved me, had I been in the field and armed when I was attacked. The blade will tap into a mysterious power when the wielder is infected by Porphyric Hemophilia, the vampire disease. According to the Count's enchanter, it was a failsafe of sorts, in case the hunter carrying the blade was overwhelmed, he would then have a chance at surviving long enough to find a healer… Ah! Here we go!"

Jean began pulling various bottles and books out of a chest, placing them in front of Gallen.

"I have potions of health and stamina, scrolls of various restoration spells, and I have one Summon Golden Saint scroll from my travels in Vvardenfell a few months ago. These are all for you if you want them. Any questions?"

Gallen placed Oiolatta in its sheath, and fastened it beside his Akaviri blade.

"I do have one question", he said. "Will you travel with me? It's a long travel, and your expertise would most definitely be of use. And, what could I do to repay you for all the services you're providing to me?"

"Gallen. I have nobody left in this world, and I have no need for material possessions. As you can see looking around you, this big, run down manor is quite bare. I am giving you all these for absolutely nothing, because I know you will put them to use in your noble cause. And, I would be honored to join you. I have met Crimson-Tail, the vampire responsible, and he is a truly vile creature. I don't want to travel during the day, as I would quite visibly be a vampire, but we can depart tonight. There is no guarantee that we will find Crimson at his Inn that he frequents if we wait too long. In fact, there is no guarantee he is going that way at all, so this could be a long journey. Allow me the day to rest, and you can go pray, gather additional supplies, rest, or whatever you feel you need to do to prepare for the journey."