The wind whistled, blowing his chestnut hair back, the sky clouded in dark grey. The boat he’d waited to see for so long was here. His feet made the wooden stairs creak as he raced up them, while he shivered against the cold wind. He’d reached the deck with a wide smile that instantly faltered with the sight he beheld. 

As his eyes grew wide, raindrops began to fall on him as if to reflect the torment that clutched his chest tightly. He could feel a scream etching its way up his throat.

Before the scream could escape, a figure dashed at him. It reached its sharp nails at his face, reaching to scratch close to his eyes, grazing just below. The yellow eyes that accompanied that arm were piercing with tangled black hair strewn across the assailants face.

Even with the years that had passed, he’d never forgotten those eyes. The same ones he faces now, a sword placed under his chin whilst on a deck floor. Those same eyes, like a flickering flame, looking down at Romulus once more.

-

Hooves click against the brick of the town’s road as his steed trailing along it, the sound intertwining with the chatter of merchants and villagers alike. Laughter and idle gossip is what kept the market alive after all, and kept many wandering eyes from focusing on him. He could not afford the attention of random people, he was so close to what he desired now. Slipping up could cost him everything.

He led his horse to a tavern, tying his lead on a post outside as he dismounts. Romulus grabs his satchel off his stead before turning his attention to the building in front of him. The building was rugged, chipping stones that made it up and the smell of alcohol was pungent to say the least.The sound of songs resounded through an open window, even into the street. But that tavern itself wasn’t what he was here for, no. 

The whispers in the shadows is what he seeked.

Romulus gazes at the notes in his satchel, given to him by someone who shares a similar goal, before venturing to the alleyway beside the tavern, the smell of booze everso lingering even as he went farther in. He keeps his feet light on the brick road to avoid startling those who hid in its darkness. The sound of the lively townspeople and the songs from the tavern fading, becoming mere white noise as the sound of two men could be heard around the corner of where he stood. He leans against the wall just in range of the men, lying in wait.

“Another vessel of good men ravaged by that blood fiend!” One gruff voice sneers.

Another voice grumbles with a hint of annoyance, “How many of these good men is he going to kill?”

The gruff voice huffs, “He’s been nothing but a monster since he appeared ten years ago.”

“The horrifying part being the lack of blood at the scene,” the grumbling man’s voice tremors.

“He’s a threat to everyone, humans and vampires,” he could hear the gruff man spit.

Romulus’s boots scrape against the brick once more as he moves to face the men at the end of the alley, pulling his tattered hood over his head.

Their heads turn, cold gazes meeting Romulus’s. Their brows furrowed as their voices went silent. Romulus began moving towards them, the sound of his boots scraped against the brick while the wind whistled.

One grits his teeth with brows still furrowed, “You need something?”

The man with a gruff voice smirks, “Are you here for a fight?”

He tilts his head to obscure his features, the wind whistling as he draws closer to the men. “Not quite, the man you speak of..”

The men exchange glances, weary of the cloaked individual. “What of him?”

In a swift motion, he closes the gap between himself and the men. The glint of a dagger reflecting his blue eyes as his dagger meets the gruff man’s neck.

“Where was that ship he ravaged?”

Gruff man’s smirk doesn’t falter as he lets out a low laugh, “If you’re trying to find him, you won’t have much luck kid. Even if you do, that man will gut you and devour you.” The blade presses against his neck, it draws a small trace of blood falling on the dagger. His hands raise next to his ears in a mock surrender, the gruff man's eyes roll, “It’s your deathbed, the boat was brought in after being discovered by some fishermen at the docks. I sincerely doubt that man would still be lingering anywhere near here though. He is good at keeping away from prying eyes.”

The blade retracts from his neck as he takes a step back from the gruff man. “Next time, be quicker to answer before your blood gets on my weapon. I won’t be patient if we meet again.” He turns on his heel, placing his dagger back in its holder on his belt before leaving the alley.

It was a day's journey on horseback to reach the docks. Romulus knew that the man was probably long gone but maybe the remains of his brutality could provide something of use. His eyes felt heavy, his head ached, and his stomach was gurgling. It was no matter.

If he found Varian, it would be worth it.

He left his horse to a ranch to provide care for him while he was away. Romulus made sure to feed his stead before taking his leave. They’d traveled for so long together, his heart aches to leave him behind. Alas, a dock is not a fitting place for a mustang, not to mention the lingering stares he'd undoubtably earn.

“I’ll see you again dear friend.” He presses his forehead to his muzzle before bidding farewell.

He knew he was close, the whispers among the people he passes about the Blood fiend was promising of itself. The dock is bustling with people preparing for voyage, crates scraping against the wood grain as they drag, seagulls making their presence heavily known. A pungent oder of salt was thick in the air.

He spots the only abandoned ship on the dock, a large mast and tattered sail accompanying it. The spot it rested on is devoid of people, many seeming careful to avoid it. As he approaches, he could practically feel the weight of the tragedy that befell it. The misery that vessel exuded felt almost overwhelming as he places a foot on the first step. If he were to look, it would be another horrendous scene engraved in his memories.

Before he could continue up the stairs to look at the devastation for himself, a hand grabs his sleeve. “Don’t.” A sharp voice shouts, leading him to glance back at the sight of a girl with dark brown hair that fell to just above her shoulders, held back with a black bandana around her head. She looks so young, she’d been exposed to it? His breath hitched. He stops where he is, before shooting a glance back up at the vessel and back at the girl. “Just trust me, you don’t wanna see it,” a nervous chuckle escapes her throat as she speaks.

Romulus withdraws his sleeve from her grasp and casts his gaze away. It pains him to know someone else, someone so young, had been exposed to a sight like that. Just as he had been.

While he still wants to investigate, drawing attention to himself was not in his best interest. No clue was worth adding a target to his back. He could feel other eyes on the dock beginning to linger on him. He lets out a soft sigh before withdrawing himself to walk away.

Not even a moment later, a guy knocks his shoulder into Romulus’s. He’s calling to the girl, “We have to get back Isadora, why’d you run off?” The guy's footsteps finally caught up to where she stood, or at least Romulus assumes so.

“Doesn’t matter! I got the stuff on the list!” Her tone shifts, much cheerier than the one she’d spoken to him in.

The guy clears his throat, “You can’t be over… here. You’ll draw attention to V-”

Their chatter stops suddenly, The pair obviously were trying to keep their mouth sealed about something, maybe someone. Could it be possible that he’d run into someone who knew more about the Blood fiend by chance? He would need to keep an eye on them. They may know something more than just what lingered on that ship.

He continues walking, keeping his steps steady not to arouse the girl’s suspicion. Romulus could practically feel her eyes boring into the back of his hood. He manages to slip into the crowd of bustling merchants and sailors with their wares.

He manages to find a space between some tents that he hid himself within, it made a good vantage point to watch the girl and the man with her. He could barely hear them through the crowd, however it only takes one word to make his blood run cold.

“Varian won’t be-” the guy with her starts before she shoots him a pointed look.

He was right.