The Open Road

Patting on the seat across from him expectantly, Yavven motions for Roy to climb in with him.

“No need to be shy young man, you look rather tired from walking on the road. Please, join me on the way to the next town, no need for you to have to suffer through this heat on the road. You can put your parasol in the luggage section in the back.”

Assuming Roy got in, Yavven closed the door of the carriage and it began moving down the road once more. Roy would notice the interior of the carriage was a very nice temperature, compared to what it had been outside. Despite how bumpy the road was, the carriage seemed to have a good suspension system, for there was no jarring or bouncing around.

“So you said your name was Roy? Well, it’s nice to meet you, Roy! You see, I’ve been recently traveling the lands, seeing what is outside my Empire. It’s quite interesting to see all the people who live here, although saddening at the same time, so many are just in such poor economic situations.”

Glancing up and down at Roy’s clothes, Yavven made a tsking sound, shaking his head. Reaching out a hand, he would offer a comforting pat on Roy’s knee.

“Not your fault, of course.”

“Where am I emperor of? Why I’m the emperor of the great Empire of Thurene of course! Surely you’ve heard of it. It’s the greatest and most powerful empire to ever exist! Infact, I have trouble just imagining an empire greater than it even existing.”

Pulling out a drawer built into the bottom of Roy’s seat, Yavven reveals numerous bottles of wine and other alcohol, all chilled by what appears to be a magic stone that turns the air around it cold. Retrieving a bottle of red wine and two crystal wine glasses, Yavven proffers one to Roy.

“Let’s have a toast!”

Regardless of whether Roy accepts or not, Yavven pours the wine into both glasses, handing one to Roy whether he wants it or not.

“To greater fortune for the little people!”

Yavven clinks his glass with Roy’s, looking quite pleased with himself. After all, he was being the perfect picture of a benevolent emperor, helping out people like this poorly dressed young man here. Perhaps he was an orphan even, he did have the look of one.

Yavven seemed completely oblivious to Roy’s less than excited reaction to the toast, his tail swishing up and down on the seat beside him. Taking a long drink of the wine, Yavven smacked his lips in satisfaction, angling himself sideways in the carriage seat to allow himself to recline slightly.

“Where am I going? I have no idea! I’m simply traveling to meet the locals and see the various lands in this world, the destination doesn’t really matter to me. It’s the journey, the experience, the alcohol!”

He took another drink of wine to accentuate his last statement.

“So tell me, young man, where are you going?”

Ah, so the boy was going to an estate. Well, at least that confirmed he wasn’t an orphan, that would have truly just been too pitiful. Yavven really needed to be less affected by the sad state these people were in, but his heart was just too kind!

“What is the name of this estate you’re visiting? Perhaps someday I shall visit it! Also, you mentioned your grandmother. I haven’t seen mine in quite some time, I feel a bit guilty about it actually, I really do need to pay her a visit. An ingenious woman she was, playing all her suitors against each other to make a fortune!”

Yavven’s eyes seemed to glaze over slightly as he relished in his grandmother’s accomplishments.

“It seems the wine in this bottle has run out. Now that just won’t do!”

Opening the drawer under the seat once more, Ravven places the empty bottle back inside and pulls out a new bottle of wine, pouring two more glasses, giving one to Roy.

“I propose a toast! To our wonderful grandmothers!”

Yavven drains his wine glass in nearly one gulp.

“Does my empire export wine? HAH! That’s like asking if the sky is blue!”

Yavven’s words were accentuated by a distant thunderstrike and the pitter patter of rain on the roof of the carriage.

“The Empire of Thurene makes the best and most exotic wine and other types of alcoholic drinks across all the land. Sadly as this place is quite far away from my empire, it rarely gets to bask in the glow of our glorious beverages.”

Motioning at the wine bottle he just opened, he shakes his head a bit sadly.

“Although this wine is top of the line by the standards of the… Quaint little brewers out here, it just isn’t the same. It’s like trying to compare a local ruler to me!”

Noticing Roy has both his hands full with wine glasses, Yavven reaches across, taking the wine he hasn’t taken a drink from yet, and proceeds to drain it

“A town is in sight Emperor!”

The muffled voice of the driver could barely be heard over the rather intense rain that now pounded the carriage.

“Well, looks like this will be your stop, Roy my boy!”

The carriage slowed to a stop in front of an Inn.

Grey peered through the trees and brush as Lassie, sweet Lassie, carried him down the Open Road. Lassie was a fine mare, having served Grey for many years. She was always diligent, always reliable. She was dark brown in color, so dark in fact that if she were not in direct sunlight she might appear black all over. She huffed, causing Grey to look at her. He bent over in his saddle and rubbed her cheek. "Here you go, Lassie," he said, pulling an apple from one of the saddlebags and feeding it to her. She had to stop to focus on eating the fruit, and so Grey went back to his peering.

For days he was traveling down this road. It was old and weary, and to stubborn to not be of use, much like himself. He was looking for an old inn, or tavern, or anywhere quiet to rest and get some refreshments. Perhaps he'd see some action before then, perhaps not. Regardless of what the future might hold, Grey urged Lassie on and kept trekking down the road.

Footsteps approaching from behind, Grey thought. He kept moving Lassie at a gentle speed down the beaten path. Light footsteps. Little to no armor. Casual footsteps. Not looking for a fight. The old man deduced that Royal Fletcher was no threat, but he remained on guard at all times. He took his right hand off Lassie's reins and rested his palm and fingers on his axe's handle, which hung by his side.

"I am fine," Grey said, rather plainly and without emotion. Then the man smiled, bearing his fangs. Grey pulled Lassie's reins and slowed her to a halt, drawing the hand axe from its sheath almost instantly. He grimaced at Royal and prepared for combat. The only reason he had not made an attempt on Fletcher's life yet was the fact that he came, seemingly, in peace. "Vampire. Young when you were bitten." Grey peered at the bags under the young man's eyes. "You like to read." He then observed the man's otherwise cheerful aura. "Friendly. That's rare, among the afflicted."

Grey continued to keep a close eye on Royal, axe in hand, ready to defend himself from this wretched abomination if need be. "What would a vampire want with an old man like myself?"

"Mhm," Grey responded plainly at Royal Fletcher and his declaration of being a friendly vampire. Grey was not stupid, and he knew that not all vampires were evil; but he knew that they were dangerous, and so was always on his guard.

At the offer of cookies Grey looked bluntly into Royal's eyes. "No," was all he said. Bunch of little girls in green outfits... did this lad eat the wrong mushrooms?

Grey sighed and looked around. "I'd like a place to rest. Somewhere with a fire, food, drink, and a cozy bed. Know anywhere like that?" He slipped the axe back into its latch and relaxed a bit. Lassie similarly seemed more relaxed.

The old man sighed. "Grey. Just call me Grey." He would then follow Royal Fletcher to the inn. "Say lad, have you an extra map? I might could use one."

Lassie huffed, equally tired from the journey. Grey patted her cheek again to sooth her. He opened a flask and drank a few sips of water from it. He really needed some ale, or wine. Again, going against his nature, he asked "I'm a hunter. Specially, a monster hunter. But to do my job I require herbs and other alchemical ingredients. Do you know where I can purchase some?"