Neasa carried Lovo through the castle and back outside. Lovo was right, the Sun had just set and everyone was finishing the food they were all cooking.
As the two stumbled out of the castle everyone freaked out!
"My Lord!"
"Lord Lovo!"
"Is be okay?!"
Everyone rushed to see what happened. Even Sheva and Kelagar rushed to his aid.
Lovo only smiled and laughed at everyone.
"My apologies everyone. Oh just haven't eaten anything in quite a while and very hungry."
Everyone instantly knew what he was hungry for. Kelagar and Sheva took a step back.
"Don't worry. I don't need much. Toma, did your hunters save any blood from the Orcs?"
Kipi stepped up and spoke.
"Yes we did my lord. We managed to find some pales to hold it, but I don't think it'll be good for long."
"That's fine. Can you get me one with a cup please?"
"Yes my lord!"
Kipi and Gega ran to get the pale of blood with a cup for him. The rest helped him to the camp fire the goblins had for their stew while Sheva and Kelagar watched.
Lovo sat down on some stone Gorgo placed for seats. The camp fire was warm on that as the cold night inched in. The stew smelled good as well, but it was slightly off putting. Made from Orc meat and other plants the Druids had in their storage. Thankfully Kipi and Gega planned to take the other hunters out to hunt wild game.
"The stew is almost ready my Lord" Toma spoke to Lovo.
"Aw thanks. I was going to ask if you would like to host a feast with everyone, but I was lost in reading some books."
"That is no problem my lord. Next few days I plan to clean the castle interior if you will allow it."
"I'd be happy if you did." Lovo turned to face Kelagar.
"I have a question for you."
Kelagar seemed surprised.
"What's that lad?"
"This may be a weird request, but do you know anyone that is good with stone masonry? The castle and surrounding walls are disheveled. Would like to hire someone to repair it."
"Aye. I do, but I doubt they will."
"Oh? What's that?"
"They are proud dwarves and don't want to work with a Vampire."
"Well that does make sense. Could you ask them anyway? No harm in asking."
Kelagar just nodded.
What was this Vampire thinking, he thought. Even if he was nice he was still a Vampire. That's a huge stigma he would have to overcome.'
Kipi and Gega came back with a pale of blood and a cup. They placed it before Lord Lovo and handed him the cup.
He thanked the two before dipping his cup into the pale.
As he looked at the blood he didn't feel disgusted by it but actively craved it. He guess he was truly not human and didn't have the same emotions a human was. As he drank it Sheva and Kelagar were slightly grossed out. Only people they saw drink blood was warriors who were Berserkers. And even then it was only a couple drops.
Lovo found the taste of blood odd but also delicious. Some how the blood was still slightly warm to the tongue. It wasn't slimy but it seemed chunkier then normal liquid. It also had an acidic iron like taste. Again he wasn't grossed out by it but enjoyed its unique taste.
He finished his first cup and had a few more till he was full.
Even Neasa was creeped out by Lovo as he wiped the blood off his mouth.
"Sorry about that everyone. I will try to eat more and away from you all."
Everyone was relived. They didn't want to see that again.
"So shall we all eat together?" Lovo suggested.
"Sheva, Kelagar, why don't the two of you join us as well? I originally wanted to host a feast for everyone, but I unfortunately forgot."
"Ah no worries. Glad you aren't having us for dinner" Sheva said with a nervous chuckle.
"Of course not! You are guests. I wouldn't do that. Hahaha"
Everyone gathered around the camp fire. Toma was handing out bowls of stew for everyone. Gega and Kipi sat by their hunters and other goblins, Master Fontana sat with his Druids and Gorgo, finally Sheva and Kelagar sat opposite Lovo. Neasa took her food and went back into the castle to read.
"Be careful with her Lovo" Master Fontana said.
"She's always loved learning. She would reread our books over and over again. She's a fiend for books."
"Hahaha. Good! She's asked mt to take her on as an apprentice. I just hope a I'd good."
Sheva raised an eyebrow.
"You took her as an apprentice?"
Lovo smiled "of course I did. She asked and I thought it would be good. I'm not like the other Vampires. I want to help those around me get stronger."
"Hmm." Sheva just eyed Lovo curiously. He was a vampire but seemed more human then not.
As everyone ate they started to hear barking sounds.
Balor and Ethinu quickly got up and ran to the sound.
Master Fontana just sat with a huge smile on his face.
Everyone else looked on in confusion.
"What's going on" Lovo asked?
"Our Blink Beast is having puppies!"
That shocked everyone! Nearly everyone forgot that the Druids had a Blink Beast. They knew about the Trancho but the Blink Beast was pregnant and never fought.
"Shall we?" Master Fontana said while getting up. He lead everyone from to the small shelter the Druids and Goblins made for the Blink beast.
Looking inside the shelter Balor and Ethina sat on opposite side of the Blink Beast. Was a dark brown dog like creature with leathery skin and a blue gemstone stuck in its forehead. Now that he was closer Lovo could instantly tell this creature was pregnant.
"What happened to its mate?" Lovo quietly asked Master Fontana.
"Nothing. Blink Beasts are asexual beings. They don't need a partner to get prevent. Just have reach a certain age."
"Ah okay"
Everyone watched as Balor and Ethinu helped deliver the Blink Beast Puppies. It only took a few minutes. 5 puppies were born, but the 6th wasn't in the best condition.
Balor and Ethinu examined it. They asked Master Fontana to use his magic on it.
When he did he noticed that the puppy was extremely weak. He tried to use healing magic but that didn't work. It was hurting or had any damage. It just had a weak life force.
Master Fontana took the puppy in his arms. Even the mother Blink Beast knew this baby would perish. She gave it one last lick on its forehead before Master Fontana took it away. The mother focused her attention on the rest of her puppies.
"It's remarkable that she was able to have this many. Blink Beast are rare creatures and don't have many litters. On average that would have maybe one or two live." Master Fontana spoke.
"Would you like this one Lord Lovo? It's about to perish, but you might be able to save it. Think of it a gift for saving us."
Lovo awkwardly smiled as he was handed the dying creature. Even the gemstone on its forehead was not as bright as its siblings.
"I'll take it" he said.
Lovo took the puppy and walked away. Everyone else stayed to watch the puppies, except for Sheva and Kelagar. They were more interested in what Lovo was doing. He didn't care and allowed them to follow.
He walked back to the camp fire and sat down. Holding the puppy by the fire to try and warm it up. Even though it was a puppy it still managed to barely open its eyes. Looking down at the creature Lovo noticed this puppies eyes were different then the others. The mother had pure black eyes but looking into this puppies, it was like a sea of stars. Cosmos was the what Lovo thought of.
"I'm going to name your Cosmo."
The puppy seemed to smile, as much as it could, at that.
"Listen Cosmo. Hopefully you can understand me. Your body is dying, but I can save you. Kind of at least. Do you allow me to bind your soul here and be my faithful companion?"
The puppy didn't say anything but slowly closed his eyes. Lovo could tell he was about to die.
Sheva and Kelagar were surprised at how Lovo was acting. They would assume a Vampire would just do whatever they wanted and not ask to do this act. It was slightly off putting to see a Vampire act human.
"Alright. Here goes nothing."
He used his Bind Soul skill and watched that it only cost half the mana. Seemed like Cosmo understood him and allowed him to bind its soul.
Unfortunately because he was checking the stats of how much mana the spell cost he missed a change with his mana.
When his spell worked the normal red mist flowed out of his hands, but this time the red mist was slightly lighter. Kelagar and Sheva didn't pick up on this, but Lovo would have if he watched. Slowly the mist pulled the puppies soul from the air and back into the body.
"Come on Cosmo. Let's go play."