A History Through Blood

Having now stored the wagon and their various supplies with the local trader's hall, Leo was now able to freely wander around the town, with Rose following along in tow. Despite the air of pessimism among the general populace, the city centre was still bustling with tradesmen and their various clientele going about their daily routines. Offers of fresh fish, dried vegetables and durable clothing echoed across the talkative square. The smells of fresh food in the warm spring air wafted around the damp streets, coming from the various town houses that began to cook their lunchtime fares.

Leo aimlessly wandered between the various traders, perusing their goods and making the odd selfish purchase. For instances like this, Victoria had allocated him an expenses fund to use while sourcing various tid-bits of information. As long as there was some business justification for his various purchases, his employer seldom cared about the particular expenditures unless there was an unusually large purchase. Normally he would be winding down at the inn or at a nearby “house of ill-repute,” however their latest noble client's request meant that his job was expanded to include: gathering to whatever rumours he could, with her mystical minion in toe.

His first point of call was a nearby inn and bar, usually a good source for all manor of drunken rumours and town gossip. Unlike Victoria, Leo lacked any sense of the supernatural and was something that he was glad that he was without. Humans were duplicitous enough for him to manage. He could only imagine the supernatural dynamics and bargains which took place outside their plain of existence. The consideration given by his employer in this regard, at least excluding him from as many paranormal encounters as was possible in any given circumstance, was very much appreciated by the bodyguard.

Pulling up a pair wooden bar stools up to the counter, the two sat down ready to order something to fill their empty stomachs. “Can I get a hot slice of pie and an ale if you got any? An' something sweet for the girl if you can.” Despite her physiological make up being unable to process foods, given that her form was entirely composed of materialised magic, his little companion did still experience sensations as her body normally would. Her senses, such as taste and hearing, were basically identical as to when she was alive, including any tastes or textures she had previously enjoyed. Notably, her sweet tooth occasionally had her checking bushels on the camp limits for something sweet to satisfy a lingering craving. This tendency occasionally required forceful prevention from Victoria to stop her from consuming ones with poisonous properties. Apparently any damage done to her manifested body would affect her essence with-in her master's soul, potentially leading to more permanent damage.

The rather dumpy matron brought their meals with a somewhat forced smile, placing their meals after receiving their coin. “So what brings you southerners this far north?” she asked, making small talk in the late-morning lull. “I came baring custom goods ordered by Lady Hurst from a craftsman in London.” replied Leo with his fabricated justification for travel. “Although I might stay longer for the, er, 'vibrant' atmosphere in the town, the people here are overflowing with joyous merriment. I could see myself settling down here when my hair turns grey.” His sarcasm elicited a chuckle from his hostess. “I am glad that at least someone has sense of humour, its been nothing but ghost stories for the last few seasons.”

“What kind of ghost stories are enough to sour an entire town?” Leo said, mouth filled with the contents of his rather fragrant pork pie. The particular kitchen herbs were stronger than usual, masking the rather plain filling with their particular tastes.“A bad harvest or a nasty bout of plague, I can see that causing this mess. But, ghoulish rumours? Nah, they only good for scaring little ones like her.” This particular bit of mockery of the familiar was accompanied by a gruff, yet gentle, ruffling of her brown hair. A slight scowl from the vampiric being was easily disregarded, her tolerance of his rough affection was sign enough that she was not greatly affected. If she were, Leo would be left alone with a the distraught barmaid. This would only inflate whatever wild stories permeating around the town, with the addition of disappearing or demonic girls that.

“Sadly, the rumours are far more real than monsters hiding beneath the bed. Between Lord Hurst's daughter's pitiful condition, the constant feeling of being watched and drunken sightings of monsters, all we can believe is that we are being haunted.” The once strong taste of the pie's sauce filled seemed to deaden as the feeling of the supernatural came to the forefront of his mind. “Do you the rumours have legs?” he asked, burying his annoyed sigh into his alcohol. “Some of them sure. Others are just anxious rumours stirred up by people who ought to know better than to spread rumours about Henry Hurst.”

His companion, who had been quietly savouring the dried fruit in her roll, seemingly decided to insert herself into the conversation “Did Lord Henry do something wrong?” The matron sighed, giving into seemingly innocent child's question. “Its hard to say. This town was built on an old hill where the spirit callers and witches worshipped the devil or something like that. When Lord Henry Hurst built the town, he used large sacred stones they worshipped on to build their large castle. At least that is what a number of disrespectful rumours claim.” The woman, despite her humble position was shrewd. The bartender had noticed their piqued interest in her collection of rumours and somewhat subtly indicated that some coins would further loosen her tongue. A few small coins discreetly passed between the two, providing such incentive to continue.

“The centre of the rumours is the presence of a hidden room, which they a few decades, back filled with all sorts of witchcraft that seemed to belong to the founder.” The realisation of her words elicited a quick clarification, lest she incriminate herself to any ears loyal to her governing lord. “Of course, they were quickly handed over to the church to be destroyed. The hidden room was apparently found by the current Lord Orvyn Hurst as a child. Many believe that he unleashed his ancestor's spirit on to his lands and his cursed soul is trying to possess his daughter's body and reclaim the land for the devil.” “Sounds more like someone has an axe to grind as opposed to angry spirits plaguing the town.” Leo commented, mouth full of the pie which had lost much of its good taste. A quick glance at Rose confirmed his suspicions, her attention returning to what remained of her fruit roll, which further indicated her master's dismissal of the local gossip.

Having left the tavern, after thanking the bar matron for her service and information, Leo and Rose wandered the streets and lane ways which followed a major river outlet through the town. Even with the partially cloudy weather that forced Rose under her heavy cloak, few fishermen lined the river banks. The few who did were young kids who were trying to catch anything fresh for their dinner, even they were hesitant to go to close to the water. Cautious of some unknown creature watching them from their hidden vantage point. Now that he was on the river banks, he too felt a presence watching over him.

“Hey Leo,” asked Rose, tugging at his leg. “Can you see anything in the water?” A casual glance into the muddy river revealed nothing out of the ordinary. There were a few leaves and branches covered in algae and muck, as well as a few rocks could be seen just below the surface. The only movement he could see were a few bubbles, likely belonging to a turtle or some other aquatic creature lying beneath the muddy riverbed, floating to the surface somewhere in the general vicinity of the vampiric child's stare. “Sorry, I cannot see anything aside from the usually crap in the water.” Whatever she had seen clearly warranted some manner of attention. “Hmmm....Victoria says we need to catch something alive and bring it to the mansion. We need a barrel which can hold water and some garlic. We can rope the kids into helping us, if we need too. It shouldn't be too dangerous.”

Leaving the small girl alone at the river bank to acquire the requested items, Leo headed back to the inn where they had got their lunch. They likely had the necessary materials, hopefully the holy properties of garlic would be enough to subdue whatever creature Rose had seen. This is why he disliked working with the supernatural, you can at least see men who are actively trying to kill you. He once again gave a silent thanks that his employer predominantly dealt with said beings on his behalf, only assigning tasks which he could handle.