Some plans...
			=============
 

Dahlarin watched as Finn went to the bar to get her room.
When she was out of earshot he turned to Gernodt.
        "A Vampire!"  he said excitedly, "I never though I would see the 
day that I would meet one face to face and not be fighting for my life.  
I am intruiged, that's for sure, but can we trust her?  I tend to be 
rather foolishly trusting, yet something about her tells me we should 
trust her.  After all, if she meant us harm, she wouldn't have told us 
that she was a vampire, and there is no denying her strength and power 
will be useful to us.  What do you think?"

Gernodt was still considering his answer.  Before he could answer, however, 
he noticed the exchange between Finn and the youth.
        "Well, my friend, ", he then said, "it seems that she has already 
acquired an admirer, and seemingly not by her own choosing.  I hope this 
won't prove to be a problem later on...  And yes, I also think that if she
meant ill she would not have told us about her true nature.  Still, while 
her presence might provide us with some unique abilities, it would also 
have several liabilities - like not being able to travel by daylight, for
example."
Swallowing the last drop of his ale, Gernodt thought about what the 
advantages the inclusion of a vampire could give, and the disadvantages 
which were associated by it.   
After a short while he said, "There are not so many problems as I had 
thought at first.  The daylight could be used for studying, hunting, 
talking, and training at leisure, and we could travel at night.  I'm used 
to it, and I suppose you can get used to it, as well, if you're not used 
to it already.  Since I, at least, will walk and not ride, the main danger 
of the horses stumbling are not of interest; I seriously doubt any horse 
would tolerate Finn's presence, not to mention her as a rider, in any 
case..."
 
"Perhaps these are not disadvantages", Dahlarin said. "I am fairly nocturnal
by nature, so travelling at night does not bother me at all.  Besides, you
are correct about spell studying.  It is much easier to study during daylight
hours.  As for horses, I have never liked them.  Indeed, when I was younger I
feared them.  I have many means of magical travel at my disposal, or failing 
that, I have no objections to walking, though I might have quite a time 
matching your stride."

"Aye, it would likely be two steps to my one", Gernodt chuckled at the
thought.  "Well, we have nothing to lose if she joins us.  As long as we 
know her nature, she'll find it hard to surprise us should she plan any
treachery, and if not, we'd be idiots not to have her with us.  I say we
allow her to join, while still providing us with the means (unobtrusively
and hopefully unnoticed by her) of defending against her, should the need
arise.  So, let us rest for the day, and when evening comes, we'll see
whether she still wants to join us.
 
Dahlarin followed Gernodt's example and polished off the rest of his ale.
"The advantages of a vampire are hard to determine.  We will have to talk
to Finn and learn more about her abilities.  I have no doubt, however, that
they will be more than we suspect.  As for defending ourselves, I agree with
you.  We cannot be too careful around a vampire, even if she means well.  I
noticed as you battled, that your sword is effective against magical creatures.
My staff is similarly enchanted, though I fear our weapons may not be enough.
I have heard that some vampires are also powerful mages.  Their immortality
gives them endless time to gather and study spells.  This may make her power
equal to you and I combined.  I noticed you possess some healing ability.  Do
you also possess a cleric's ability to turn undead?"

"Sadly, this is not the case", Gernodt replied.  "As a matter of fact, the 
only power I possess is that of healing minor injuries - stopping bleedings, 
setting and mending bones, and the like.  I'm not able to turn undead, and, 
even if I were, I doubt that I were powerful enough to turn a vampire, let 
alone destroy it outright."

"Hmmm."  Dahlarin said thoughtfully, "That is unfortunate.  What about holy
water?  Can you use your clerical connections to get us some?  This could
give us quite an advantage, especially in a surprise situation."

"Well, I do have a friend who is a neophyte priest in a nearby temple.  He
just might be able to provide us with some holy water.  I also have the
money he would demand for it on me, so, if it's alright with you, I'll
just visit him in a few hours.  While you're cordially invited to join me,
I suppose you have more interest in learning your spells than in the great
bout that this visit is to become..."
"Well, since we're in this together, I'd like to give you some money to
go with your own for the holy water", Dahlarin said and handed Gernodt a
small bag.  Feel free to spend whatever you need to obtain the holy water."

"Oh, thanks," Gernodt replied.  "But don't worry - I'll split the money, so
that we both pay only equal shares.  But now, what would you think if I were
to invite you to a nice, well-rounded breakfast (paid by my own money, don't
fear) ?".  Before Dahlarin had a chance to reply, however, he signaled the
barkeeper and ordered two breakfasts "as over-sized as myself".

Dahlarin seemed positively surprised by the offer.  "Why, thank you.
After breakfast, we might go our own ways -but we should meet here 
again in the afternoon, even before Finn is back on her feet.  How about 
meeting here at 16:00 ?"

"Yes, that's just fine with me," Gernodt replied while busily chewing his
kingly breakfast.  

Dahlarin vigorously attacked the mountain of food before him.
Despite his average build, he could polish off a considerable
amount of food, though he suspected he would be hard pressed to
keep up with Gernodt.  He did, however, make a valiant attempt, and
finished off slightly behind Gernodt, though he had suspected that
Gernodt had not entirely eaten his fill.  This was confirmed as
Gernodt grabbed the remaining chicken and put it in his pack.

'Ah, well' he thought to himself, 'I couldn't really be expected
to keep up with a man that size anyway'.

While Gernodt prepared to leave, Dahlarin softly spoke the name of
the warding rune on his pouch.  The pouch was a very handy item he
had picked up a few years back.  It was enchanted so that the
inside was very much larger than the outside.  It was also extra-
dimensional, so he could still carry it while ethereal.  Most of
all, it enabled him to carry his spellbooks and other travelling
gear, without needing to carry around a heavy pack.  Dahlarin
noticed with amusement the curious look on Gernodt's face as he
pulled a heavy spellbook from the small pouch at his side.  As
Gernodt left, Dahlarin bid him farewell, and turned his attention
completely to his spells.  He would have to make sure he knew a
good number of them, as tonight could hold a number of surprises. 
The sounds of the inn faded into the background as Dahlarin
immersed himself in the intricate symbols and incantations of his
trade...

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Next Time :
Finn prepares for the night...
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