The needles and fabrics were finally let down, a long day of work passed by. The loom that stood in the chamber was old, but all ever reliable.

Wilfred stood and held the garments he made proudly, setting them aside to put them for sale in the morning. He eyed his wife with a warm smile, seeing how she was still sitting by the spinning wheel, focused on her task.

Both worked hard in order to supply the population of Hollowgrave with textiles and clothes. The underground fortress was huge, yet everyone lived in small alcoves. Space was the most precious resource to attain. The population was dense, and artisans were always needed.

It was late. No one would walk through the door to purchase anything. Still, they kept working, because there was always more demand than supply. The inhabitants of Hollowgrave rarely saw the sun. All the light around them was always provided by the torches on the walls, or the small hearths in their homes. This bastion sealed them away, but it offered them safety.

There was a huge stony clock in the main plaza, for all to sense the passage of time. The two clothiers had always warned their young daughter to not roam at dusk, even if they did not live outside of the fortress.

The two blinked when they heard the door of their home open, slightly later than expected. Although their daughter loved to wander through the labyrinthine tunnels, she always made sure to come back when instructed.

Tonight, she delayed, but it was not due to mischievous playfulness. She panted as she entered the chamber, running to her father with apparent urgency.

“Dad, mon, I have-!”

Her mother frowned, finally leaving behind the spinning wheel to stare down at her, disapprovingly.

“What did we say about roaming at night?”

In any other moment, their daughter would have kept quiet meekly, but not now. Her bright jade eyes glinted as she pointed back at the door, which led to the underground street.

“I’m late, yes, sorry! It’s because I saw Lyssa in the plaza! She’s back!”

That took Wilfred’s attention, his concern for his daughter’s disobedience fading completely. He had heard that Lyssa had deserted, and such notion had worried him greatly; she had always been like family.

“Lyssa? Back?”

His wife shared his bafflement. Although they were not given many details, it had been clear that Lyssa had wished to leave to not return. Her comeback could be troublesome for her, for the army rarely allowed dissenters.

Their daughter was blissfully unaware of the bloody politics that surrounded them daily. She had no knowledge of the war outside or the beasts that lurked. Her next words were cheerful, hopeful.

“She was not alone! He was wearing a hood, but I managed to sneak through the crowd to take a closer look! I saw him!” Her parents paled in shock when she said the next words, happily. “Bastian’s back too!”

Her young eyes had never seen a vampire. For her, that scarred sharp gaze was not different, for it did not hint any malice. There had not been any hunger in his expression as he marched, only care.

Wilfred began to ponder, while his daughter smiled and murmured optimistic words. He exchanged a look with his wife, for both had known he had disappeared in battle. They could only worry and hope, at once.

————-

A guard kept watch, very intently. His heart was racing, yet he kept still. He wanted to bolt into the cell and take action, but he controlled himself. Four voices echoed out, and it made him extremely paranoid.

The door was not locked, and on the nearby wall hung a muzzle. Many agreed that it should have stayed on, yet it was not being used anymore. It was concerning, much more so now that Rein stood inside the cell, with a vampire.

None could understand the calmness Rein displayed, because that vampire was unhindered. Nothing could prevent a lunge, nor those claws from dashing. Still, their leader questioned serenely, meeting those sharp eyes again.

“How can we be sure that this plan of yours will work?”

Lyssa and Bastian chuckled silently and bitterly. It had not been easy to explain their situation, because many had kept yelling, demanding a prompt execution. Death had not been brought, but they still ended up inside this cell, to prevent unnecessary arguments.

Bastian was sitting cross-legged against a wall, leaning his chin on a claw. He answered Rein bluntly, sure that he could speak freely now.

“As we have said, you are going to be sieged by all clans in no time. You are done for, outnumbered, surpassed in force. Do whatever you want, but we are presenting you a slim chance of survival.”

Lyssa added, warning.

“To attain that chance, you must trust in his word. It is imperative that you work with us, all of you. Do as we say and compel others to listen as well.”

Rein was not intimidated by the fact that Bastian was not chained. The vampire could bolt out of the door, but he was staying still inside the cell, willingly. All agreed that he should not wander, because his presence inflicted dread in all.

There was one fact that made Rein trust in their words, more than Lyssa’s stance near Bastian. Sergius was leaning distantly by a wall, with his arms crossed. There was no one who hated vampirism more than the old mage, he knew.

Sergius had aided their explanations when needed, even if Bastian was no longer human. And so, Rein commented, with that unpredictable calmness of his.

“Although I wish to do so, trusting in a vampire is not an easy task. You both know that many will oppose your words, and much more your ploy. I’m not sure if you will be allowed to roam during the attack.”

Bastian waved a claw tiredly, his tone sarcastic due to exasperation.

“My presence should not concern them, rather the one of that old beast. He is much more dangerous and vile. What matters most, is that we make sure that Nerys does not-“

He shut up, hearing a small commotion outside.

“Sir, this is a restricted area! Commoners are not allowed into-!”

There was a strong yet indirect push, for a figure advanced past a guard. All in the cell blinked, because strong steps echoed, followed by lighter ones. A second soldier reacted to the two intruders, who walked towards the door.

“Halt! This area is dangerous! None must-!”

The warning was ignored, and that guard could not stop the tall man either. Wilfred was a pacifist, but he still managed to impose himself. He got hold of the soldier and easily moved him aside, sharing Nerys’ stature and strength.

He did not bother to apologize like he would in any other moment, because he and his wife spent hours wandering through the military district, asking about Lyssa’s whereabouts. No one had given them answers, but they wanted them.

Rein came out of the cell, slowly. He was not surprised to see that the guard was still trying to pull Wilfred away, unsuccessfully. The man would have been a mighty fighter had he joined their cause like his sister, but he had chosen to be a humble artisan long ago. Right now, his green eyes showed the same sternness Nerys usually displayed, so an order was given.

“Let them be.”

The guard blinked and stopped, but he still argued out of worry.

“But they-”

“It is fine. I allow them to be here.” Wilfred smiled gratefully and bowed to Rein, who commented fondly. “They are of trust.”

Rein eyed his cousin carefully, noting her worry, which she shared with her husband. The soldier made one last attempt, much more afraid.

“Sir, the vampire…”

That wary whisper did startle the couple slightly, and they lost part of their hope. Their hearts broke, and such hurt was reflected clearly in their expressions. This area of the dungeon was reserved to criminals, so they had not expected that word.

Bastian sensed heartbeats out in the corridor, and he could not avoid but lose the confidence he had displayed before. He heard Wilfred’s voice, and it haunted him, for he had avoided him since Nerys vanished.

He had not been able to look at her brother in the eye, due to guilt. They deserved to know the truth, but he had not thought he would have to confess it, not yet. He did not know if he would be able, because the next question that echoed made him shiver.

“Rein, can we…”

Lyssa took a deep breath, while Bastian put on his hood again, suddenly wary. Rein took a minute to reply, and when he did, he did so with care.

“You may approach, but mindfully.”

Rein always listened, for his politics were meant to aid his kin, not control it. Sergius saw the couple near the cell’s door, slowly. He saw them all tense and fall silent, even Lyssa.

Bastian was the one who was more shaken, and he slumped more to try to conceal his figure, even if there was no point in doing so. He could not meet the green eyes that fixated on him, for they hinted disbelief. Wilfred had believed he had died, like his sister.

Wilfred was the first to speak, with a broken whisper. Much like Nerys would, he displayed care in his intense stare. Although he was shocked by what he was seeing, there was more concern than fear.

“Bastian?”

The vampire leaned slightly away, unable to even raise his gaze towards him. There was shock, fear, and denial, in one single look. What hurt most was the fact that they did not fear that he would lunge at them. They dreaded that he had been bitten, unsure of what would be of him now that he was back. All knew what happened to vampires in Hollowgrave.

Lyssa was the one to move, overcoming her own distress. She stood in between with a deep frown, preventing their eyes from seeing Bastian. Her next question was harsh but caring.

“What are you doing here?”

The couple frowned too. Wilfred showed firmness for once.

“We could ask the same, right?”

Wilfred was worried for Bastian, but now he could not avoid but ponder, something much more painful. Lyssa knew that she could not halt him, so she did not try to when he marched into the cell, unafraid of what Bastian could do. He grasped her shoulders gently, asking with urgency.

“You said her name.” The man could be imposing, even if he did not seem capable most of the time. He looked at the two, dreadfully. “Where have you been? What do you know? Is she alive?”

Lyssa opened her mouth, but then she closed it. She raised a finger, only to lower it. Bastian was not doing any better, keeping so still in a corner that he seemed a mere shadow. It was due to their reluctance that Sergius replied instead, rather harshly.

“Define alive.”

That made Bastian cringe, while Lyssa glared at Sergius fiercely. Wilfred did not miss it, and he understood quickly.

“So, she is…”

Bastian could not take it anymore. His voice echoed tiredly, defeated.

“She is like me. Alive, yes, in a sense.” Those familiar green eyes unfocused, and he could only lament the fact. “It was my fault. Perhaps you think me uncapable now, but I do feel grief and remorse…”

Lyssa did not like the way in which Bastian spoke. She was going to argue, but something else caught her attention. The hands that held her shoulders trembled. She looked again at Wilfred, and she saw that he was looking down, shivering.

“Wilfred, we-“

His wife knew what was coming, for she herself felt the same while she observed the scene intently. Before Lyssa could try to excuse Bastian’s change, she saw how a shaky smile grew on Wilfred’s dark expression. A small laugh escaped him, even if it was broken.

“S-she is alive. You three are.”

Bastian did not know how to process those words, not after having blamed himself for writing that letter, much less after having seen Nerys again.

Sergius sighed and crossed his arms, because he noticed well how Bastian cowered due to guilt, and how Lyssa was struggling with words. Rein watched silently as the couple eyed the vampire hopefully, even if there was worry and aprehension.

None of the three knew how to tell Wilfred that Nerys was on her way. She was coming back, but armed, and not alone. A threat was approaching, and she brought it with her. The relieved cries of her brother lasted for far too long, and it broke their hearts even more.