Chapter 6: Training a Vampire

  “Will you help us?” the princess asked Garfield’s four summoned animals. The oversized monkey gave a thumbs-up. The dog jumped onto the massive pig’s back. The rat jumped on to the dog’s back and reclined, somehow managing to look arrogant. For the time being, it seemed that Charlotte had leveled up as a summoner. She just couldn’t dismiss the creatures…

  The elves returned and agreed to continue providing care for the wounded knights. The sole healthy knight was dispatched to the Fenwick Kingdom. One elf brought Charlotte’s group up to speed.

  “We’ve searched the village, and the orcs are all gone. They left their dead brethren behind, so we’re gathering the bodies just outside the village. We took very few losses among the noncombatants.”

  Everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the fact that the circumstances were not worse.

  “Defenses generally held in the northern half of the village. The southern half didn’t fare as well, so we did lose a number of warriors. We have reason to believe that the orcs’ leader escaped to the east along with his surviving forces.”

  “What of the orc losses?” Linet asked from a cot nearby.

  “We’re still tallying that, but definitely over 1000 dead. It’s a bit difficult because many of the orcs were… in pieces. I’ve been instructed not to ask too many questions about that…”

  “There’s something else of great importance we need to discuss.”

  “Anything. Please, what is it, princess?”

  “It’s about Solana.”

  --

  The elves were surprisingly understanding of Solana’s status as a vampire. In fact, some the elders had met vampires over 100 years ago and looked kindly on some of the memories. They were saddened by the fact that Solana was no longer a normal elf, but they held no grudge against Hannah. If anything, Hannah was her savior and the orcs were the culprits in their eyes.

  Solana was told she was welcome to stay in the village, but she declined. She’d already made up her mind to travel with Hannah. Still, it greatly reduced her burden to know that she was not leaving on bad terms. She was even invited to come visit whenever she wanted.

  --

  The following morning, the carriages were gathered and it was time to depart. The elves scouted ahead into the eastern half of the forest, mostly to ensure the orcs had truly retreated to their own lands. As the horses pulled everyone along the forest road, the first princess discussed with her allies the plan for proceeding east.

  “This map is the best we have available. As you know, the Orcish Hills to the east lie directly in between the Elvish Forest and the Shadow Nation where Duke Garfield is being held. We can bypass the orcs, either by diverting south into the Secular Union, or north. If we choose to go north, we’ll need to cut the corner of the Caves of the Dark Elves region, then pass through the Dwarven Mountains.”

  Yttria and Hannah weren’t particularly familiar with this part of the continent, so they didn’t have much to offer. Kay was more knowledgeable and weighed in.

  “The dark elves were likely behind the attack we just survived. We ought to stay out of their territory for now. I don’t care much for the Secular Union, either. If rumor has spread to them of gods and divine beasts in Fenwick, they make take you into custody, princess.”

  “I agree. Perhaps we should travel northeast along the border between the dark elves and the orcs, then proceed straight to the Dwarven Mountains?”

  “I think that will be best. Fenwick doesn’t trade with the dwarves, but they have a stellar reputation. I’m sure they’ll take good care of us as we transit their lands.”

  In actuality, everyone was excited for a rare chance to visit the dwarves.

  “Also, Pandora suggested we go to the main temple of the Shadow State. I believe that temple is far to the north, so we should travel as far north in the Dwarven Mountains as we can before crossing the border.”

  Everyone present agreed with the plan. They would brief the absent White Glow at the next opportunity.

  --

  As the convoy reached the edge of the forest, they swapped carriage assignments. Yttria, Hannah, and Solana were riding together.

  “Solana, do you feel a need to drink blood, or anything else?” asked Yttria.

  “Hm. No, not really.”

  “That’s good. Hannah was the same way. I wish Garfield were here but, since he’s not, perhaps we should consider providing you a source of blood. What do you think, Hannah?”

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  “Without Garfield, it’s risky. He can sense new abilities with magic. Without him, it can be hard to tell what new ability we gain. If it’s a dangerous ability, there could be an accident…”

  “That sounds wise, but we’re also headed for certain danger right now. I’d think, if we’re careful, we can support Solana while she acclimates to her new abilities. We may need to count on her.”

  “Okay…” Hannah did not object. Solana was okay with proceeding if Hannah was.

  “Start with me, then.” Hannah showed Solana how to draw blood. Solana bit as instructed, and took just a small amount from Yttria. Solana shuddered for a second, but remained vertical, at least. “How do you feel, Solana?”

  “Stronger?”

  “Do you feel like you gained any abilities? Changing your form? Flying? Teleporting?”

  “I don’t thinks so…”

  Hannah offered, “When I drew blood for the first time, it was also from a fox-person, and I didn’t gain any abilities. I just gained my strength back. Solana probably gained strength too.”

  “If that’s so, then Solana is simply stronger, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. The only other choice we have right now is pure human blood.”

  “Actually,” Hannah disagreed, “there are four other choices…”

  “Oh…”

  “What? What are the choices?” Solana asked desperately.

  --

  At the next break, the trio got permission from the first princess to use the summoned animals as blood sources, if the animals didn’t object. First up was the monkey. When asked if Solana could draw a small sample of blood, the monkey nodded emphatically. It also picked her up and cradled her like a baby for a moment, confusing everybody.

  She took a bite from the monkey’s neck. After waiting a minute, she decided she felt stronger, yet again, but hadn’t gained any obvious ability. The pig agreed to go next. Solana bit the pig. Immediately after, she looked around frantically like she was trying to get her bearings.

  “Solana, how do you feel?” Hannah asked her.

  “I feel it this time. I think I gained an ability, like you said. I’m not sure what it is, though.”

  “Try seeing if you can change your appearance. That’s the first ability I learned.”

  “Okay.” Solana concentrated, and then her hair color changed to black or perhaps a dark brown color. “Woah!”

  “Can you hide your fangs now?”

  Solana succeeded in hiding her fangs.

  “Can you… make your body bigger? Like you grew older?”

  Solana tilted her head, then said, “Let me try.” She seemed to need to concentrate really deeply for this one. Slowly, her body grew bigger. Hannah stopped her before her clothes were ruined.

  “Go back to normal.”

  “Okay.” Solana returned to normal, except she kept her fangs hidden.

  “I’m a little worried about what will happen when we find Garfield, now…” Yttria muttered under her breath.

  --

  Solana proceeded to draw blood from the dog and the rat. She hesitated in the latter case, but the rat made a rude gesture which somehow emboldened her. With help from Hannah, she learned that she had gained the flight and control abilities. She started flying around like a maniac, giggling with glee. It was the first time Yttria saw her smile since becoming a vampire. Kay walked over.

  “It’s my turn.”

  “Huh?”

  “She hasn’t tried human blood yet, right?”

  “True…” Yttria acknowledged. “Fine. Solana, do you want to try human blood? Based on what we’ve seen, you may gain the ability to teleport over short distances like Hannah can.”

  “Yes!” As Solana was about to take a small bite into Kay’s neck, Yttria placed a hand on Solana’s shoulder.

  “Let me warn you. You’re gaining a great deal of strength right now. We’re trusting that you won’t abuse that strength. Do you promise to remain loyal and not use these powers for bad purposes?”

  “Yes!”

  “Oh, uh, ok.” Solana then drew her blood sample from Kay and gained the teleport ability.

  --

  Hannah gazed at the four summoned animals and wondered what she should do. Potentially, she could gain four new abilities. They could come in handy when finding and rescuing Garfield. Still, the risk was probably higher now than ever before. If Hannah somehow went out of control, she could do tremendous damage.

  “I’m going to do it.”

  “You’re sure?” Yttria asked her.

  “Yes. Solana, protect everyone if anything goes wrong.”

  “Ya sure, Hannah? I doubt I can stop you if you get serious.”

  “…Yes. Here I go.” Hannah gained permission and then bit the monkey. When she released the monkey, it kissed her on the cheek and then covered its face with its hands in feigned shyness. Hannah sat in a pose of meditation while she checked the status of her body and abilities.

  “Hm. I see.” She disappeared.

  “Oh, did she teleport!?” Solana wondered loudly.

  “No, I’m still here,” Hannah said, voice emanating from where she had just been sitting.

  “Wha!?” Solana jumped back. Hannah then reappeared as though she had just been invisible.

  “I was invisible.”

  “Hm, that could be really useful under the right circumstances,” Yttria noted. “Hey, are you able to teleport around while invisible?”

  “Let me try.” Hannah disappeared again. After a short while, she reappeared.

  “Did it work?” Solana asked excitedly.

  “I think so. While I was invisible, I teleported just a few meters behind me, then teleported back. You couldn’t see it?”

  “No! Wow! I want that!” Hannah patted Solana on the head in response. Next up was the pig. Hannah was more confident that she would be able to identify her new ability going forward, so she proceeded.

  --

  The pig gave her the ability to shapeshift. For example, she could turn into a bat. This ability was entirely separate from her transformation ability that let her change her cosmetic appearance or body size.

  The dog gave her a telekinetic ability. She could now move objects with her mind. The size of the object was severely limited, but she felt like she could improve the ability with practice. While she was testing the ability, the dog brushed up against her and farted loudly. Where did Garfield find these animals?

  The ability she learned after imbibing blood from the rat was the most worrisome.

  “Hannah, what did you get this time?” Yttria asked her.

  “This is…” Hannah trailed off. Solana grabbed her shoulders and shook her forwards and backwards.

  “Well? What is it!? Tell us!”

  Hannah leaned forward and whispered into her ear. Solana’s eyes went wide as the goofy grin left her face.

  “Well, what IS it?” Kay asked impatiently.

  “I don’t want to use this one…”

  The princess suddenly clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “The break is over! I’ll trust Hannah, so let’s leave her alone everyone.” They each began filing in to their carriages. As Yttria started to walk away, thanks to her sensitive fox ears, she just barely heard Hannah whisper Garfield’s name under her breath. Whatever the ability was, it must have been pretty serious to make even Solana get all somber.

  --

  For two more days, the caravan continued northeast, approximately along the border between orc and dark elf lands. Aside from some roaming animals, they didn’t encounter any resistance. The summoned items Garfield had handed out before the trip proved extremely helpful.

  The Dwarven Mountains were finally coming into view.