The campfire crackled softly in the forest clearing as night wrapped its arms around the world. The moon hung high, pale and silent. Richard sat on a flat stone beside the fire, focused on cleaning a head wound. The merchant—Jeffrey—still unconscious, groaned faintly as Richard dabbed a damp cloth on his forehead. Beside him, the woman Richard had rescued—Lisa—sat quietly, arms wrapped around her knees.
Her bruises had been treated. Richard's cloak hung loosely around her shoulders, and though she trembled, her eyes were sharp—awake and aware.
"…Thank you," she said finally, voice hoarse but steady.
Richard gave a small nod, not looking up.
Lisa glanced at Jeffrey. "He'll be alright?"
"He'll wake up by morning," Richard replied. "Mild concussion. A few bruises. He's lucky."
She nodded slowly, watching the flames dance for a while before speaking again.
"We're merchants. Or… we were," she said. "Been traveling together for years. Jeff—he's the reason I'm still alive." Her hands tightened slightly. "When I was a girl, our home was raided by vampires. My older sister told me to hide. I was too scared to move, but Jeff pulled me under the floorboards and kept me quiet. Stayed with me the whole time… even after my sister…"
She trailed off, then let out a breath.
"We didn't have much after that, but we stuck together. Some good years, some bad. But lately, things were starting to look up." She smiled faintly, then looked away. "Sorry. I talk too much when I'm shaken."
Richard shook his head. "You don't need to apologize."
Lisa looked at him—really looked at him for the first time. "You're not a soldier, are you?"
"No."
"…Then what are you?"
He was silent for a moment, watching the fire. "A mistake," he said finally. "One that lived long enough to regret it."
She frowned but didn't interrupt. Richard leaned back, staring at the stars above.
"My wife and daughter… They were the only things that kept me still. I met her when I first arrived in a quiet village years ago. Thought maybe I could live a peaceful life. I was wrong."
Lisa listened without a word.
"Three days," he said. "That's how long I was gone. When I came back… there was nothing left. Vampires had come through. Took everything."
Silence.
"This time… I'll kill all of them," he said. "Every last one. No one will remain."
Lisa's lips parted, but she didn't speak for a moment. Her eyes had softened—there was no fear, only understanding.
"…Where are you headed?" she asked gently.
"Zen."
Her brow rose. "Zen? That place is worse than a vampire nest. Thieves, killers… most merchants don't even stop there unless they have to."
Richard said nothing.
"We were heading to Ervest," she continued. "Mountain city. Three days from Zen. Travelers usually pass through there."
She hesitated, then smiled faintly.
"You saved both of us. Let us give something back. We'll give you a ride to Zen. No charge."
Richard looked at her, expression unreadable. Then he nodded once. "Alright."
Lisa nodded back, a small, weary smile on her face. She looked over at Jeffrey, still unconscious, then at the stars.
Somewhere in the dark, wolves howled. But here by the fire, there was silence… and a fragile peace.
End of chapter 9