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Arc 1 Part 2

　The journey for the blacksmith and the witch was uneventful at the start. When the left the capitol they just needed a day's travel to get to port. As they walked on Pearluna was shrouded in her hat's enchanted shadow. So it is a peculiar sight of a young man with a sizable back walking next to what looked like a hove ring white witch's hat.

　As they continued walking, Pearluna pulled out a vial and opened it. As she drank the substance in one go, she saw Vil staring. "What kind of drink is that?" He asked.

　"Oh this?" The witch showed a now emptied vial. "That was heartfruit juice. It's a substitute for blood from people."

　"People?" Vil pressed out of curiosity.

　Yes, vampires do not exclusively need blood of people." She explained further. "Heartfruit is grown exclusively in the Vampire Territories as a substitute. We gain all of the sustenance from it. It's the only thing I can requisition from home so that I don't starve."

　"But you drank coffee before we left." Vil said. To him if all she needed was this juice, why eat or drink anything else.

　"I gain a fraction of the sustenance from what you would call a hearty meal. So while the heartfruit juice is still necessary, vampires enjoy the flavors of cuisine as much as a nyone would.” She moved to continue. "After all I really enjoy ..."

　Her next few words failed to come out as they came across a wagon on the side of the road. They saw an older couple standing behind it with the gentleman particularly looking under the wagon. As they approached they heard the man say, “Yep, the axel gave. Going to need to make a temporary replacement before getting a proper one in port.”

　Vil walked up to the couple near the wagon. "Excuse me but do you need any help?"

　Well, the axel broke from what looks like the wheel wearing it out. In hindsight I should have added more grease before hitting the road.” The gentleman turned to face Vil. It's on me, I wouldn't want to trouble you young travelers. Especially your witch friend here."

　"I have experience making replacements, both temporary and permanent." Vil then continued, "All we need is a tree branch that's the correct size to start work on."

　As he scanned the trees near the road, he saw one that had a branch thick enough for the wagon's needs. However, it was high enough that it would require chopping down the whole tree to get it. He then pointed at the branch, "That one should do."

　"Good eye young man." The gentleman said. "It will take a while to chop down the tree but it's a start." He then opened his bag and pulled out an axe. Responding in kind, Vil opened his travel bag and pulled out an axe as well.

　Pearluna watched as the two were making their way towards the tree. 'So he's that kind of person,' she thought. She wanted to not be a bystander in her partner's eyes though. So she made to approach the axe wielders and raised a hand. "I can get the branch needed and save you all time."

　"You can do that?" Vil gave a look of wonder to her.

　The witch nodded, "Just point out which branch it was for me, then stand back please."

　Vil pointed out the branch once more and Pearluna walked towards the tree. She then raised her right hand and opened her palm. Red sigils of magic appeared around her hand as she concentrated. Then she swept her arm and hand in an uppercut chop motion.

　A vertical red wave launched from her hand and cut cleanly through where the branch connected to th e trunk. The branch fell to the ground with a resounding thud. Pearluna turned to look at the others. She then bowed and gestured towards the fallen branch. "Your wood awaits."

　Vil jogged to the branch and checked the end that was cut. He ran his and over it. "So smooth! No not just smooth, it is straight too! He placed his axe down so that the handle was parallel to the cut to show how straight it was.

　"You saved us a lot of time miss." The old gentleman said. "It would have taken the rest of the day to get that branch."

　He then directed his attention to Vil. "Well, shall we find the axel within?"

　Vil gave an affirming nod. He raised his hand towards his pack and out floated four axe heads. They moved to Vil and then started pealing the outer layer of the wood. The old gentleman then approached and started pealing with his axe on the other end of the branch.

　"My, a pair like you two are full of surprises." The lady stated as she approached the vampire. Come, our carpenters will need something to eat once they finish."

　Pearluna and the woman setup a pile of wood and a holder for a wok while the men were still working away. With all the pieces ready the witch pointed her finger and a spark flew to light the fire. The older woman then came with the ingredients.

　"There we go. Some oil, sauce, meat, and vegetables. It may not look like much but a good stir fry covers your necessities." She said while adding the ingredients.

　Both women stood by the wok while the older one then turned to the vampire. "So what is a witch and a craftsman doing traveling together?"

　Well he's a blacksmith, but now I see that he may be good at other artisan fields than just that," Pearluna replied looking off towards the men who were still working. "He offered me a partnership in his enterprise and I accepted."

　The lady gave Pearluna a look, while stirring the stir fry. "Why did you accept?" If you made your hat cast that dark shadow and what you did to the tree branch mean anything, you ha ve talent. Why risk wasting your time with him?"

　The witch stared at the sizzling food in thought. "I guess it is because he just approached me with nothing to hide. He was nervous at first but he has been open to me with his thoughts and what he wants. Now I can add his willingness to help others as another good characteristic."

　With the men, the axel's shape could be made out. The floating axe head blades were working away with their master doing the finer parts. Particularly where the wheels will need to connect.

　"You're outpacing me young man." The gentleman proclaimed as he worked on his side of the axel. His side was not as shaped as Vil's. "What's the rush?"

　Oh there is no rush. This is just how I work with these." Vil then had the four axe heads spun in the air before getting back to pealing more wood. "I'm going to make the hole for the connection now."

　Out from his pack flew a small drill point. It then started spinning and then pressed against the end of the wood. A few moments later the hole was made for connecting the axel to the wheel on Vil's end.

　"You have a very useful gift young man," the gentleman said. By now his end of the axel was closer to being done. But before he continued, the smell of the stir fry came. "I think that's enough for now. You two have already turned a day and a half of work down to this afternoon. We'll be able to have the axel replaced by morning."

　The two men got up and went towards the women for dinner. Perfect timing, we just finished." The older lady said. Pearluna got the utensils and bowls for the group to use and passed them out.

　By now it was dusk. The witch saw the twilight and, with some hesitation, put her hand on her hat. The shadow around her retracted revealing her form to the old couple.

　The couple's eyes widened at first but then they relaxed. "So that's why you stayed in your magical shade!" The gentleman laughed. Pearluna looked down shyly with her cheeks becoming rose color.

　Honey be nice, you're making her close up." The lady wasn't wrong. The witch leaned forward more and her legs crossed. She never encountered being laughed at someone's first impression of her.

　Suddenly she felt a hand on her right shoulder. She turned and saw Vil giving her a comforting smile. She smiled back and relaxed after the gesture.

　The gentleman then said, "It has been a while since I heard about a vampire roaming outside of their home. You doing that tradition where a vampire leaves home for a bit?”

　Pearluna nodded, "Yes, how do you know about it?"

　Then the lady spoke. The two of us have been around, even in our old age. My husband and I are simple small time merchants. You hear things when traveling. It also keeps his old bones moving enough to get exercise." She playfully nudged her husband.

　The four finished eating when the twilight turned into night. The gentleman noticed and said, "Well it's time to turn in for the day. Do you two have your own sleeping arrangements?"

　"I have a tent and a sleeping bag on me." Vil stood up and opened his pack. "It will be a moment for me to set it up." The pieces of a small tent then floated out and started to be pieced together on the ground. Vil was like a maestro just waving his hand gently as the tent came together.

　"I see. Have a pleasant night," said the lady. The older couple then climbed into the back of their wagon and closed a curtain for privacy.

　With the tent made, the sleeping bag started to float near Vil and Pearluna. "Sorry but I have only one. You can use it if you want." He had a sheepish look on his face.

　"How about I give you a taste of what I can do for you when we get to Mariana." The witch reached out her hand to the sleeping bag and yellow sigils appeared. The bag then started to glow yellow and then its size grew. It was now big enough for two people. "There we can share now."

　Vil stared at the vampire. "But would mean..." His eyes widened.

　"I had to share a bed with my brother once." She stared with a comforting smile. "Just stay on your side and I'll stay on mine."

　The blacksmith nodded slowly, "If you're sure." The large sleeping bag was then placed into the tent. The pair walked into the tent together to prepare for bed.

　Vil simply took off his shoes and put on shorts before slipping into the right side of the sleeping bag. He then turned to see what Pearluna was doing.

　The vampire took off her lab coat revealing her button shirt was sleeveless. She then folded her lab coat and put it aside. She then followed up by taking off her lime green bowtie and put in on top of her folded coat. Her short skirt was then taken off revealing her short shorts underneath. Finally she took off her shoes and then slipped into the sleeping bag on the left side.

　Pearluna looked at Vil and saw him blushing. She gave him a smile. "Good night." Then closed her eyes.

　"Good night." Vil replied before drifting off to dream land himself.

　While everyone was sleeping the bushes started to rustle. Behind them were the prince from the castle and some adventures. They have been following the witch and blacksmith waiting for the opportune moment.

　"Okay they are asleep." The blonde prince said to his friends. Just like we planned. We slip in take the generous coin my father gave the guy and leave. And if we wake anyone, we silence them like last time. Not often we get such a payday."

　"Are you sure about this?" The elven archer raised an eyebrow. He is traveling with not just a witch, but a vampire witch. The others in the group looked at the prince. They have been doing this for every affin user that got rejected. The prince wasn't given direct access to the royal treasury and so he and others that shared his gre ed started attacking the rejected affin users to spend the money for themselves.

　"Please." dismissed the prince. "It's just one vampire girl. Her people won't miss her if it comes to it. Now get ready."

　All of them got into position to sneak into the tent. But before the prince could move, he felt a cold blade on his throat. He slowly turned his head in shock to see his friends in a similar predicament.

　"You will not harm Lady Dogma or those she has taken interest in." A cold feminine voice said.

　It was at this moment the prince realized who their assailants were. They were Vampire Shades, an elite guard for the vampire counts and their family. If they were here then that witch was more important than he thought.

　"This will be your final warning. Any harm to Lady Dogma will be met with immediate punishment from the counts." The shade holding the prince then continued. "Our lord also gave us the freedom to act as we see fit for our lady's protection."

　"Maybe we can come to an arrangement?" The prince tried to bargain but was met with the knife pulled closer to his neck.

　"The only reason we haven't killed you is because you are the prince of Jus Terin." She replied forcefully. "We will let you go if you turn back immediately. Do you understand?"

　The prince nodded while shacking nervously. The shades immediately let him and his friends go. Not taking any chances the adventurers and the prince ran back home.

　The lead shade turned to her subordinates. "Make sure they get back to the capital." She then turned to the tent were Pearluna and Vil slept. "I'll keep an eye on them."