The Shield Maiden turned back to the Fairy, "As your friend, I have one more question I would like to ask, Caliaphy. And it is this: What is your true name?"

Now Caliaphy was really suspicious now eyeing the shield maiden and countered with her own questions, "Why do you WANT to know, Serna? What gives you the RIGHT to know my TRUE name?"

"Ah, Serna," Quake spoke up, "Remember what the Bronze Man just told you? She's Seelie and Seelie are nasty when angered."

"You know what, Quake, you're right!" The Shield Maiden held up her hands, "Caliaphy, please disregard my question. It was a little too personal and I apologize."

Caliaphy narrowed her eyes at Serna still but said nothing. She was too mad to see the glamour that hid the true nature of the bards intent.

Quake relaxed finally, "Thank you. The air in here was getting intense and I'd rather enjoy this fine meal than fight my way out of here because someone got too personal asking the wrong questions."

"You're welcome!" Serna resumed eating her meal and said nothing more.

After a bit, the kurori downed the first fruit drink and started on the second one and wrinkled her nose, "Serna, why did you ask all those questions? I mean some of them were getting too personal. I wouldn't do that to you unless something was wrong."

"Maybe something is wrong," Serna admitted openly, "I asked all those questions because I really wanted to ask these questions: Caliaphy, why are you here? Why are you even with me? Did you come along because you wanted to be my friend or did you tag along because you wanted to travel the Realm? Are you using me so you can sight-see or do you really care about me as a friend?"

"I am here with you because I wanted to see the Realm outside of Asylum. Two, at the time I was helping the Bronze Man out with a certain dilemma that concerned you and your friends. Three, I like human kids outside of Asylum. The children there don't leave until they grow up and I am always looking to meet and play with new people. I am not using you. Sometimes I get a little possessive and um what's that word humans say all the time...oh yeah, life is not fair. But anyway, I really care about you, Serna, if I didn't I wouldn't have shown you what I truly look like." Caliaphy gulped down the rest of her fruit punch and shuddered from brain freeze.

"Wow! You really do care about me." Serna smiled half-relieved, half-happy, "I just wasn't sure. The way you were acting. I really didn't know, but now I do and I am so happy!" The Shield Maiden gave The Fairy a big hug.

*******

"Good evening, you two lovebirds," Irzen waved to them, "Sleep well."

"Irzen!" Madeous growled at the swordsman, "Leave them alone. This place is not what is appears to be. Something is off here."

"Such as?" Irzen raised an eyebrow at The Platinum Knight.

"It's something our server said in regards to children. Serna is the only child here. The kurori doesn't count, and the owner I'm guessing is the one with goliath guards posted near him." Madeous took another bite of his steak, "My gut is telling me that this place isn't quite what it appears to be."

"To be fair, not too many people travel with their children these days unless they are part of a caravan." Irzen offered as he scoped out the room, "On top of that, those who travel with children do so with other families and they usually stay at caravansaries as opposed to inns or taverns. Caravansaries allow children more room to play. So, I'm not too surprised by the fact that there are no children here beside Serna. You're going to have to give me a better reason to question this place beyond what your gut is telling you."

"Remember when you mentioned staying at the palace before? I think that would be a better choice for Serna. At least there she would be out of harm's way and that eerie song the bard is singing..." He reached down at his belt and pulled out a Gem of True Seeing. Looking through it he cleared his throat, "Crap! Vampires and they're eyeing Serna."

"Oh! NOW you think staying at the palace is a good idea," Irzen huffed, "We could have had hot baths, warm beds and feasts fit for a king. Instead we might have to fight our way out of Vampire Central."

Madeous handed the gem to the swordsman and glanced over to the elemental, "Quake."

Irzen peered through the gem, "Yeah! Those are vampires alright. And there's a lot of them too! Where's a Cleric or a Necromancer when you need one?"

"Yes?"

"Let Alyson know we're heading out. *Hematai*" He said dropping five platinum on the table to cover the meal and tips.

The elemental's eyes widened as she mentally relayed the message to Alyson.

"Point taken!" Madeous growled. He turned to Serna, Quake and Caliaphy, "Time to go. Take your food with you or leave it. This place is not for children."

"Oh-Kay!" Serna rose from her seat, looked at Caliaphy and then at Madeous, "And why is this place suddenly not okay for us to be here?"

Ignatio walked back over with another server. He had a strange look on face and smiled, "Your leaving? You just got here. Why don't you all stay for dessert."

"Let's not and say we did!" Irzen's hand slipped to the pommel of his sword, "You've been well compensated for your meal and your entertainment. We bid you and your company good day, sir!"

The other server looked down at Serna with hunger in his eyes, "Mmmm, fresh young blood."

The Shield Maiden gave a large audible gulp!

Quake stood up between them, her eyes glowing like embers, "Caliaphy. Serna. Follow the Platinum Knight and the Swordsman out of here, now!"

Serna took Caliaphy's hand as she made her way over to Madeous and Irzen, "I think we should be going now!"

*******

Right in the middle of some rest and relaxation, Alyson sat up on the bed and gave the Bronze Man a look of horror. ~Vampires?!~

"It would appear that things have changed greatly since Chef Halas was here last time. And if that's the case, then Serna is in danger." Lazheros grumbled quietly.