His cloak billowed around him; he knocked on the large wooden gates to the town’s entrance. A shallow face peered through the small hole in the gate, his darting eyes moving quickly to survey the road behind the figure.

“Are you going to let me in?” said the cloaked figure.

“Oh, yes, yes. Sorry old friend, been on a bit of an edge since that man was found on the road outside the town. Can never be too careful these days, come inside Avner” Said the man with the shallow face.

“Thank you Wilson”

Wilson opened the large gate. It creaked on its hinges, and dust fell away from the cracks.

“We don’t normally use this gate anymore, but when they heard that you were coming, I was assigned to the gate to wait for you. Hurry along now; don’t want any unnatural things coming in.” he said

The pair walked along the cobble street road to the town’s inn, discussing recent events.

“Apparently there have been some strange goings on around here? Do you know of them?” asked Avner.

“Oh yes, plenty around here. Nothing inside the town walls though. But they have been getting closer! Some times we hear wolves just over the closest hill tops, and the trampling of horses during the night. In the morning there is nothing there. We need your help!”

“Will you be able to tell me more over some roast pig and beer?”

“Hmmm, it will be a struggle, but I suppose I can do it” joked Wilson.

The two sat down for the meal, Wilson digging in gratefully.

“Haven’t eaten… such a good meal… in ages! Get nothing… for a guards… salary” said Wilson between mouthfuls.

“So what have you heard?” questioned Avner. He had barely touched his serving of pork and his pint of beer. He just looked intently at Wilson.

“Mmm, good stuff! Ah, what? Oh, yes.” Wilson lowered his voice, “There have been rumours’ flying around that a vampire has moved into residence at the Manor just outside the main town. The Manor is still inside the town walls, and it sits upon a hill over looking the town. Some say that he is calling his kind to join him. Others say that he is a mere minion of the great vampire of Scotland, and that he is just harvesting blood to feed his Kings unstoppable thirst for blood. What ever it is, we need to find out before it’s too late!”