Serna giggled, "That's okay, Maxim, I'm sure Captain Lion will give me a guided tour the moment all of this vampire stuff is over. But I am curious, how did you come to know Captain Lion? Are you from Earth too?"

"Every man on the airship hails from the same world that the captain comes from. An alternate Earth. Sir Gonagle and his fellows joined when we crossed over into the Realm. As you've noticed some of the mates are well not-quite human but we all respect the captain and his family. His wife is a master vampire slayer/hunter, it's one of the reasons that they became antiquated, er met. The vampires in the world we came from are an actual race but you can still be turned. Children are off limits to being turned, in other words if a child is turned they do not grow up and become the target of both human and vampires who view them as a serious problem." The first officer explained some of the history.

Serna sat completely transfixed by all Maxim was telling her, "Please, continue onward."

Again he got up and poured himself another glass of water and offered her some setting on the table next to her. He then sat down again, "The European continent outlawed the use of coal for fuel due to the hazardous black clouds causing all sorts of ailments to everyone unless you were a vampire. They ruled Eastern Europe having claimed it thousands of years ago. The captain comes from the second oldest vampire house. The Lion. He believed in a peaceful coexistence with us mortals as well as a few others in his house but there were some who wanted to rule all of Europe and thus came the First World War. Millions of lives were lost on both sides after four years of fighting. That was half of the human population that suffered the most. Captain Lion wanted no part of what his elder was planning, and came up with a desperate plan. He sided with Lady Elsbeth Norington, who later fell in love and became his wife. Even her fellow slayers wanted to end the vampire rulers in the east and the threat of another great world war was on the horizon. To tell the story is one thing, young miss, to see it and survive it is another thing entirely."

"I bet!" Serna replied with rapt attention, "Wow! Your planet had a war where EVERYBODY was fighting at the same time? Here in The Realm its fairly common to have some lands that are at peace while others fight in wars. But there has NEVER been a world war where everyone around the Realm was fighting at the same time. WOW! And I didn't know that Captain Lion was BORN a vampire. I thought he was fully Human, got bit by one and became a good vampire instead. That's new. Anything else I should know, Maxim?"

"Did he tell you he killed his sire? Sire is a vampire term for the one who embraces you, turns you into one of them. Sire is also both male and female." Maxim unbuttoned his jacket to relax some more, "Let's just say some of the vampire Elders there are ancient and very powerful, and one didn't like what the captain was doing by helping the mortals. It was the reason we all left and came here. So, what's your story, young miss? Why are you here?"

"No! Captain Lion never told me he killed the vampire that made him a vampire," Serna replied honestly, "I don't have much a story I'm afraid. My name is Serna. I am a Shield Maiden. I don't know where I was born but I was left on the doorstep of an orphanage in Deeping Dale. When I became old enough, I left the orphanage and found work as a Servant in the palace of Baroness Meleranti, the ruler of Deeping Dale. She is a very wise, kind and powerful ruler who became friends with the people I travel with when they helped saved her barony. When they decided to leave, I decided to join them. During our travels, I became the adopted sister of Kana and Lysana, two Wolfen from another world. Dungeon Master gave me this shield and I use it to protect my friends and help people wherever I go."

"Ah, I see. I suppose that makes sense for you," He rubbed his chin.

Serna thought for a minute, "As for why I am here, I am here because my friends wanted to visit Prince Birch as we headed south. But I have a question, Maxim, why are the vampires so focused upon me? East Port is a big city and I bet it has a lot of kids my age just like me. Why am I so important?"

He coughed and rubbed his temples slightly. This would be a lot easier if he was a woman. In a deep breath he replied, "It's because you're a virgin. Your blood is pure and so is your soul. You haven't come of age yet and therefore are a magnet to those who desire and savor young blood."

Serna's blood turned cold and her face visibly lost all color. Now that she realized why the vampires were after her, the knowledge chilled her to the bone.

*******

Madeous reined his horse to a full stop and dismounted. He could feel the energy emanating from the cave and it made him shudder. "Watch your step. There is nothing natural about this cavern other than the burnt smell of charred bodies from earlier."

"Agreed!" Irzen brought his horse to a stop and quickly dismounted, "I was born in the UnderDark and I know its dangers well. This darkness is not of that stuff. It seems older to me, fouler too!"

Captain Lion had stepped out of the shadows in full view of them, "He is right. The blood mage is expecting us however, I am concerned about you two, Prince Birch and Lord Irzen. While I am neither living nor dead, King Madeous is cursed by Venger and Quake's blood is liquid fire making us immune to having our blood used against us."

Quake held up her hand and motioned everyone to be quiet for a moment. She thought she heard or felt something, "We should be fine until we get to the blood rock and then I'll change back to the real me."

"Okay!" The Swordsman looked at The Airship Captain, "What do you recommend we do, Captain Lion? Stay here and guard the exit should the Blood Mage slip past you guys?"

"I too am curious as to what you wish us to do, Captain Lion." Prince Birch added evenly.

Captain Lion pondered a moment when Quake looked at him giving that 'don't you dare' look. He held up his hand to her and pulled out two vials of red liquid in them, "Drink this. Sir Gonagle was able to modify some of my blood to give to my crew if something of this nature were to arise. You won't turn but it will enhance some of your senses such as hearing, smell, touch and blocking out any chances of become a puppet."

"Any side effects?" Irzen asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No. No side effects, Lord Irzen." The Englishman said bluntly.

Madeous and Quake took point scouting ahead another twenty feet double checking the interior of the cave.

"Fine!" Irzen took the vial without hesitation and downed the liquid. Once he was done, his face screwed itself into a knot and he smacked his mouth in disgust, "EEEWWWW! It tastes like peppermint schnapps laced with battery acid and Diet Coke! YUCK!"

A chuckle slipped from Captain Lion, "And with a mind like yours, Irzen. We shall win the day."

Prince Birch kindly accepted the vial and drank the liquid. Shrugging his shoulders, the Prince commented nonchalantly, "Tastes fine to me. Like rain water mixed with a drop of honey and a cup of lemon juice."

"If you say so," Irzen shook his head, "Let's get going, your Highness! And Captain Lion, thanks!"

Captain Lion gave him a nod and turned in towards the cavern interior. It had been centuries since he'd ran into a blood mage back on his Earth. They were uncommon at best but the vampire houses left them alone to meddle with the mortals who caused problems. A secret police but their dark magic stemmed from hell itself often pulling demons into the world. The dark ages were far, far worse than on the Earth where Madeous hailed from.

Quake moved forward another thirty feet when she noticed the stream of blood trickling from before had turned into a river. It sent shivers down her spine when she noticed something moving in the liquid as if it had a mind of its own. "Uh, guys. You better come and take a look at this."

The light from Madeous's aura lit up the inner cavern in a thirty foot radius. The place made his skin crawl and in the back of his mind, he could feel what Alyson felt being in the presence of this fiend. Looking at the river of blood, he pointed at with his weapon, "Stay clear of that! It's acting like an ooze, black pudding, or gelatinous cube."

"That's going to be tough to do," The Swordsman confessed, "Its kind of all over the place. And the last time I checked, I can never fly nor hover."

Captain Lion eyed the movement in the river of blood rising and then falling like a heartbeat. A gate guard, watch dog of sorts.

The mass in the river of blood stopped flowing and instead began to pool in around itself forming into what look liked a dire wolf only bigger. The creature growled at them the closer the party came to the blood rock and then let out an ear splitting howl.

Both Irzen and Birch covered their ears with their hands as the foul creature cut loose with its deathly howl.

"Can someone please shut that thing up?!" Irzen yelled above the din.