Talia Norwel & The Vampires of Peony Mill

[Episode 3]

"Ah good morning, Ms. Norwel"

"Not till I've had my coffee Mr. Lorek"

She descended the long oak steps, her short obsidian hair still disheveled from her slumber the night before. She walked to the cupboard, and grabbed her customary mug. Pouring herself a glass, before sitting adjacent to the bright - eyed man. His golden hair kempt, and his demeanor lively. She sipped her mug, as the man perused his various notes and clippings. Talia sighed, as if content from her morning brew.

"What do you have"

"Several accounts of vampiric attacks from the outskirts of the sector. Several witnesses have come forward remarking being assaulted by creatures of flesh and fang. I believe I've traced their nest to the outskirts of the old mill a few miles out"

"The Peony Mill?"

"Indeed"

"Very well, and what of the Children of Elysium?"

"Still looking Ms. Norwel. I've found very little on Elysium, other than stories and rubbish tall tales."

"Keeping looking Mr. Lorek"

Talia stood to her feet, her empty glass still laying on the table before her. She turned, promptly disappearing back up the flight of steps. Returning a few moments later, down their solid oak cascade, tidied and adorned in her typical faux leather jacket.

"Might I suggest the crossbow, Ms. Norwel?"

Talia smiled, as the vast armory opened before her, its doors ushered by the remote in Mr. Loreks hand. She reached into its arsenal, briskly grabbing the crossbow, a wooden Spear, as well as several wooden quarrels. Before disappearing from view as she began her way to Peony Mill.

Not taking long to reach the Mill, she dismounted her bike. It's engine slowly purring to a halt. The air around her dense, and foreboding. The sound of neither insect nor bird could be distinguished. She searched and scoured the area around, hoping to find where the vampires slumber; but to no avail. So she sat by the Mill, waiting till sundown, sharpening her quarrels to ease her mind.

Night came slow, though her stakes never sharper. The sound of stirring began, as rustling of fallen leaves and snapping of grounded twigs began to pierce the silence of the otherwise still night. Talia looked to her last sharpened quarrel in hand, raising it in assessment, before loading it into her crossbow and taking aim.

They came from beneath the lumber yard, several mounds quickly becoming pits of rock and soil. Their flesh unnaturally pale, bodies gaunt, and eyes as crimson as the blood for which they thirst. Their movement swift, halting only to a well shot stake.

Upon the click of her last shot quarrel, Talia threw down her crossbow, replacing it with the wooden spear. Skewering the heart of each approaching vampire, after each thrust pulling back, only to thrust again; using both ends as a double - edged sword. The vampires swarmed from front and back, but their numbers eventually dwindled until it seemed none remained.

Her breathe heavy and body weighted with exhaustion. She checked the corpses that lay before her, nudging each one as she passed with her spear. After no more signs of movement, she picked up her crossbow that she threw upon the ground amidst the brawl.

She began toward her bike, when she suddenly became pinned; Her spear falling a few feet away. A vampire lurking from the chaos of the fight, now lay atop of her. Hissing and chomping, each bite coming closer and closer as she struggled to get from its grasp. She wriggled and squirmed, reaching for the spear just out of reach, struggling against the overwhelming strength of the vampire. Her finger tips grazed the spear, before finally it rolled to her grip.

With a thrust of her spear, she struck the vampires heart. It's black oily blood oozing onto her faux leather jacket. Throwing the vampire off her, she layed back with a sigh of relief, returning to her feet moments later.

Unsheathing the spear from the vampire's chest, she made her way to where her bike sat waiting. With a steady hum, she made her way back to Sector Headquarters.

"Your back Ms. Norwel, how went the hunt?"

"Mission Successful Mr. Lorek."

"You look a bit worse for wear, love. What happened out there"

"Nothing I can't handle"

"Right. The director called Ms. Norwel, He was a bit worried of the increase in monster activity in the quadrant. I assured him our sector was under control. He gives his regards"

"Excellent work, Mr. Lorek"