I'm glad she is smart compared to the rest of them here, that makes this a bit easier. I don't think it'll be smart to mention that I'm a vampire so I'll keep that to myself.
Getting the attention of the hunters is not my goal, not yet.
"I'm curious what you are," Lia says while looking at me closely.
"I don't just go around sharing that information," I reply with a calm tone.
"Red eyes, well dressed, and has quite a bit of interesting traits. Strength and reflex can be something any race has, but that is different too," Lia says while observing me.
I look back slightly to see that the other humans are now standing up, picking up their stuff. I'm guessing that they are going to leave since this wasn't the outcome they wanted.
"Who cares. We should get going Lia," Aki interrupts with a bit of a frustration.
"I've been the only non human traveling alongside you, I'd like to know more about him," Lia responds without hesitation.
"We have a quest to do so forget it!" Aki shouts, letting his frustration show more.
Seems like the elfs journey will continue without more interrogation. It is better off that way since I don't want anyone else knowing much about me.
Mel was a one in a million... I didn't think she'd pick me out so quickly when that man in the shop didn't. Unless he didn't care? Some humans might not completely hate me, that is possible.
But there's a different problem that I'm starting to notice since I left the manor. Where are the voices coming from when no one is speaking?
Losing my mind? No. Trauma could be the potential cause since I did experience something terrible at the manor.
My mother died in front of me and my sister laid dead on the floor when we found her.
"Just go do the quest. I don't care about that right now," Lia responds calmly.
"Whatever Lia! We'll be fine without you anyway," Aki says before storming off with the others.
My attention shifts back towards the elf since she just did something I didn't expect.
"Why are you staying?" I question with curiosity.
"I didn't plan to stay with them in the first place. They are quite rude and obnoxious most of the time," Lia answers softly.
"You don't know my intentions or what I'm planning to do," I say with a calm tone as I put my sword into its sheath.
"I can handle myself if you decide you want to kill me," Lia replies with confidence.
The look in her eyes says that she isn't scared of me in the slightest, nor does she think I'm a threat.
"Alright. I guess you can come along but my path will have a lot of bloodshed," I say before turning around.
"Hmm. It sounds like you are more interesting already," She replies with some interest in her voice.
Today I gained a new companion when I didn't even plan to recruit, but sometimes you need it. So I am bringing her along with me as I continue to head for the first capital I can find.
The path ahead is still quite rough with no indication on where it'll lead... But I'm certain I'll do what I set out to do.
Hours of walking go by and the sun finally disappears, giving me the best advantage possible. I can see everything perfectly as the darkness arrives but I can hear Lia slowing down.
"I take it you need to rest?" I question while stopping in my tracks.
"I'm just a little tired," She answers honestly.
"We'll stop here for now. Just find a spot and I'll take watch," I say while moving towards a tree.
It doesn't take long for her to get comfortable but now I have to stay on guard all night.
Climbing up to a higher vantage point would probably serve me best since I'd be able to see a lot more. I'll also have to hide her a bit better in case someone does show up.
After she falls asleep I put my coat over her with some foliage to keep her from being seen.
Hyup!
I immediately climb the tree after I finish that and make my way to a branch that can hold my weight. Not that it matters since I can be quite light when I want to.
Upon reaching my vantage point I can see the moon shining bright tonight, but that just helps me see who's lurking.
For an hour or two I don't notice a single thing, at least that was until I saw the same group from before following our path. It looks like the Aki guy is tracking our footsteps which is interesting.
So he is a lot smarter than he looks but he can't fight for shit. I'll have to handle this problem somehow, just don't know the right way to do so yet.
They'll become a problem if they just keep following us, especially if any of them find out what I am. I'd have no choice but to kill them at that point.
Knocking them out could always be a good solution since it means they don't die.
"When are vampires reasonable?"
"It'll just lead to your death."
"I can handle myself quite well," I say quietly to myself.
I quickly glance around after that to realize that no one is near me again. Voices just talk to me out of nowhere with no real explanation to it.
"I really am losing my mind," I speak to myself quietly once more.
Below I can see them finally getting close to the tree Lia is at but they don't notice her yet.
I hop across to a branch on the tree across from me and slowly begin to make my way down towards them. None of them are aware of my movement which is a good thing for now.