The Gemini Twin HexBlade Masters, Salem and Selene were in the Bill’s Miller tavern with the newest Blade Master, a Vampire named Vivien Leblanc. The tavern was empty and everyone else was in bed except for Jarody and Christina, both curious about the woman. “Being a vampire, I am sure you heard of us,” said Salem. Vivien looks at Salem as if she did not understand. “I think we could be running into a language barrier,” says Selene. At this, Vivien reaches into her form fitting pants and pulls out a small piece of parchment and a bone quill. Vivien pricks her own finger and writes on the parchment using her own blood as ink. Vivien hands it over to Selene who then reads it out loud, “I have not heard anything about twin HexBlade masters but I understand what you said. Thought you knew…” Selene looks up at Vivien and says, “She is mute.”

More time had passed as Jarody arrives back in the tavern with a device he had taken from one of the modern worlds he also occupied. “As much as I love to see blood late at night, what kind of gentlemen would I be if I didn’t get you something to make your life a little easier,” said Jarody as he handed Vivien the device, “I even put in my special brand of batteries, so it will never run out of power.” “What is that?” asked Selene. “It’s called a PDA,” said Jarody, “Forgotten what P,D,A, stood for but to make it simple for you primitives, she can write on it like parchment without having to use her blood and reuse it again and again. I’m just going to have to teach her about all the other cool things on it later.” Jarody looks at Christina who now has a very big smile on her face. “That is so nice of you!” said Christina. Jarody imagines a scoreboard in his head as the points add up and the thought of spending a long evening with the just as sexy Vivien also ranked high on his list.

“She knows sign language,” said Selene. “But I do not know sign language,” said Christina. “I can translate for you,” fired back Selene. “I do not know sign language ether and I cannot count on you always being with Vivien and I when I need to talk with her,” said Salem, “Believe it of not, Jarody has a very great idea.” “Thank you, Salem,” said Jarody. “I just do not think she should use something that is not part of our world.” argued Selene. Jarody takes the stylus from the PDA and shows Vivien how to use it on the device and how to clear the screen. He was so close to Vivien, he could smell the sweet scent of blood on her. “Jarody, are you listening to me?” yelled Selene. “I even had a friend who lives in the same world as this PDA reprogram it with letters and words from our language,” said Jarody ignoring Selene. Vivien writes on the PDA and sees her handwritten letters turn into well formed, easier to read letters and even whole words appear while she was in the middle of writing them. Vivien picked up her PDA and turned it for Selene to read, “I like it, I want to keep it.” Selene turned to Jarody, “Very well. She can use it, but there is business that we still need to discuss.” “Yes,” said Salem, “We do not even know her situation.” “How often do I have to feed it?” wrote Vivien.

Salem turns to Vivien to get her attention, “You see, you are now the master of the MirrorBlade. We are on a quest to find something that was taken and we need eight Blade Masters to journey to Cragorus to see an old friend of ours for information, then when we have our lead, we must head to where the information takes us to recover the lost item.” Jarody stands up and says, “Why are you dancing around it, Salem?” Jarody turns to Vivien, “You see, they lost something called the KingBlade. It’s just a Blade that controls all other Blades and the masters who use them.” Vivien uses her hands to sign as Selene translates, “And you are threatening my freedom if I do not comply.” “NO!” said Selene, “We are only asking for your help. You are free to leave if you have other more important things to do, but we are asking you to please join us. We need you and your Blade.” Selene translates Vivien’s signing, “I have not even seen this sword before. Why do you call it mine?” “The light that hit you in the head was the Blade choosing you as its master. It will now work for you and only you. It will not work for anyone else anymore,” said Salem. “If you have other things to do, we will understand,” said Christina. Selene translates for Vivien again, “I will go with you. I am just a lone traveler. I do not even belong to a clan. My original clan was wiped out by some mercenaries hired by a Gin fearing village. I was only looking to win the prize money in the Tagi Challenge because I needed it. I did not expect to find professionals and military generals to be competing in an event held in a small town like this.”

“Wait!” said Selene as she finished translating for Vivien, “That is also very odd!” “What?” asked Salem. “What is a military general like Carcass doing in this competition?” said Selene, “A solder from an army is one thing but a general does not usually participate in contests with amateur warriors.” “Do military generals not get paid millions of collons anyway?” asked Christina. “Yes they do,” said Salem “There is no reason why General Carcass should be in the contest,” said Selene. “Maybe he just wants the title,” said Jarody. “Look, whatever his reason is for competing, I really do not see how this affects us,” said Salem, “Not like we plan to meet with this guy later. In fact, when we leave here, we may never see him again.”

“So, this is a Blade?” wrote Vivien as she picked up the broadsword with a white hilt and a black blade. “Yes,” said Selene, “the MirrorBlade. It cuts what cannot be cut and will pass through what can normally be cut.” Jarody, looking confused, “And that poem is supposed to mean…” Vivien continues to get a good close look at her new sword as Selene explains, “It means, if she tries to cut something like a person or a rope, it will only pass through leaving no marks.” “What good is it then?” asked Jarody. “Imagine being able to cut any body of water in half or literally cutting off someone’s view of an area,” said Salem, “She is now able to cut any magic attack directed to her in half,” continued Selene, “or a magic barrier regardless how strong it is.” “In other words, things you are not supposed to be able to cut?” asked Christina. “Can she cut a mountain in half?” said Jarody. “No, Jarody, she can not cut a mountain in half,” said Salem, “The point with that is, a strong person with a strong enough weapon CAN do that. Rocks, no matter how big they are can normally be cut.”

Selene suddenly is overcome with a look of a realization on her face, “There was only one other Vampire I can remember who was a Blade Master. His Blade was the DeceptionBlade. His name was Calypso Marcheur De Jour.” Vivien’s eyes opened wide and she signed, “The day walker” “Yes,” answered Selene, “The day walker.” Selene turned to the others to explain, “I always thought it was the fact that it was the DeceptionBlade that allowed Mr. Marcheur De Jour to walk in the light of the two suns.” Selene turned to Vivien again, “With your permission, I want to try my second theory this morning.” Vivien bows her head for a moment clearly thinking about what Selene said. After a while Vivien picks her head back up and starts to sign with Selene translating, “I know what you are asking but I know Calypso was once human and was turned by a vampire named Vlad Tempest. I am a true blood Vampire. I was born to never walk in the suns.” “I understand,” said Selene, “That is another good reason to try and see if I am wrong.” Vivien nods her head in agreement and looks at the MirrorBlade again. Everyone went to bed for the rest of the night. Vivien slept in the twins’ room with Salem and Christina after they had made the room lightproof from the morning suns. Selene spent the night in Zealot’s room to help him recover for the last fight that will be held later the next day. Jarody had fallen asleep in his room watching his portable battery powered DVD player.

Morning had arrived and the roosters were doing their job waking the town for a new work day. People were in the tavern having breakfast as Emhril was keeping an approving eye over his replacement, a man named Henry Jackson. Salem and Christina were having breakfast at their usual table with Vivien dressed in one of the twins’ Blade Master’s uniforms examining her MirrorBlade. “Does it feel better to be out of that tight smelly thing?” asked Christina. Vivien wrote on her PDA, “If Selene’s theory turns out to be wrong, I may have to go back to wearing it.” Jarody comes walking down the stairs and gives a big yawn, “TGIF, Thank Gin it’s Friday.” Jarody sits down at the table as a woman places a plate of food in front of him. Jarody rubs his eyes as he smells the fragrance coming off his hot breakfast. “We have a lot to do before we go to the arena tonight,” said Salem. Jarody looks at Vivien, “Not having anything to eat?” “She is a vampire, Jarody. She does not eat food,” said Salem. Jarody looks back at Vivien and says, “If you are hungry, you can have Salem.” “You would let her drink me dry?” asked Salem. “I should, for dressing her like you,” said Jarody. “What is wrong with the way she is dressed?” asked Salem. “At least with her bodysuit, you can see more of her in great detail,” smiled Jarody.

Selene enters the Tavern with half a smile on her face. “Oh my GIN!” yelled Salem. Selene gave Salem a strange look, “What is the matter.” “You did Zealot last night! I know that look! You did Zealot!” accused Salem as she pointed at her sister. Selene just gave a sigh and sat down. “And you are not denying it!” yelled Salem still pointing at her sister. Selene turned to Vivien, “Are you ready?” Vivien nodded her head yes. The group got up and walked to the front door where the only source of direct sunlight was available. Vivien grabbed her MirrorBlade and held onto it tight. “I cannot believe you,” said Salem as they walked to the door. “Drop it already, Salem,” said Selene. “Salem is only angry because no one’s tried to clean out the cob webs in her cave,” joked Jarody. They arrived at the door and without thinking, everyone moved around the light as if they all were vampires trying to avoid it. “Whenever you are ready, Vivien,” said Salem.

Vivien starts to reach out to the ray of sun light. Everyone’s eyes were now fixed on the tips of Vivien’s fingers. Vivien pulls her hand back and starts to sign, “Selene, you put my hand in the light please. I am too scared to do it.” “OK, Vivien. But you better let me know if it starts to hurt you,” said Selene. “Do not worry, you will know.” signed Vivien. Selene took hold of Vivien’s right arm and slowly pulls it to the light. Vivien closes her eyes and turns her head away. She can already feel the burning of her hand in her mind, and was ready to feel the real thing. Selene stopped moving her hand leaving Vivien to think that maybe, even Selene was too scared to put her hand in the light. “Vivien?” called Selene. Vivien picked her head up and turned to look at Selene. Behind Selene she can see her pail white hand glowing in the sunlight. Vivien’s eyes got as big as saucers. Selene let go of her arm as Vivien moved into the light. Without thinking, Vivien lets go of the MirrorBlade causing it to fall to the floor. Salem was sure that this action would stop whatever was protecting Vivien and she would start to burn, however Vivien was fine as she bolted out the door and ran around on the street touching her face and body. She moved her hands around in the air as if the suns’ light were a fluid and she was splashing herself with it. “Wow! She is cured!” yelled Christina. Selene’s eyes were more of concern than of joy. “No Christina,” said Selene, “Vivien was right. She is and will continue to be a true blood vampire. You cannot be cured of something you were born to be.” “Then why the long face sister?” asked Salem. “This test was very important for many reasons. One of which was to see if the suns were still a danger to her. We now see that they are no longer a hindrance to her.” “So?” asked Jarody. “Think about it, a vampire who can walk in the sun. The Blade just made her even more deadly,” said Selene as they continued to watch the youthful looking woman dance around in the suns. “At least we now know how dangerous she is,” concluded Selene.

Everyone had regrouped outside the tavern getting ready to part ways until they meet again at the arena at six for the last match of the Tagi Challenge. “Hey! Where is Zealot?” asked Jarody. “He is in bed. He needs all the rest he can get before the competition later today,” said Selene. “You were not worried about that when you were riding the lizard last night,” said Jarody. “I will go get the horses and move them to a closer stable since more room is available now that half the fans are gone,” said Salem. “OH! I forgot all about that!” said Emhril, “On the night the EarthBlade chose me, I was going to tell you that room opened up in my stable behind the tavern.” “Great, I will then move the horses to the Bill’s Miller stable.” “I have a letter to write to send back to the Temple of the Blades and give them a progress report,” said Selene. “Be sure to include everything that happened last night,” said Jarody, “I bet the monks back at the temple would really enjoy that.” “I think I will join Salem and help her with the horses,” said Christina. Vivien wrote in her PDA, “I will also help with the horses.” “And you, Jarody?” asked Christina. “Hey I have a lot to do today. There’s a retirement home around the corner,” said Jarody. Emhril looks at Jarody funny then says, “I have a few more things to do and friends to see before I am ready to travel.” The group said bye to each other and went their separate ways.

Selene and Jarody reentered the tavern and went back upstairs. “I thought you have people to reap,” said Selene. “Thought you had a letter to write,” said Jarody as Zealot comes walking out of his room. “There is stubby now!” said Jarody in a louder voice. “Fuck you,” said Zealot in a groggy voice. “Apparently you did a lot of that with a twin last night,” said Jarody. “Hey! I am still standing here!” yelled Selene. “Then go into your room and write your pen pal letter,” said Jarody. Selene blew Zealot a kiss and went into her room. “So, has it developed frostbite?” asked Jarody. “Leave me alone,” said a still groggy Zealot as he started to walk to the stairs. “I’m afraid you missed breakfast,” said Jarody. “I need a beer,” mumbled Zealot. “Hey, remember that sexy skinny red haired vampire?” asked Jarody. “Yeah, is she still here?” asked Zealot as they made their way down the steps. “Not here but she will be part of the team. Stupid thing is, the twins dressed her in that uniform of theirs,” said Jarody. “Shit,” said Zealot as they arrive at a table. “I know, she looked a lot better in that skin tight thing,” continued Jarody. “You didn’t need an imagination to know what was between those yummy legs,” said Zealot.

Salem with Christina and Vivien walk down the long winding streets of Barter to the stable where the horses were. Vivien was beginning to wonder why they had housed their horses so far from the Bill’s Miller. “I will be glad to get the horses closer to us. Was a real chore to even find this place with everywhere else full,” said Salem as they got near a green barn with a sign that said Damon Stern Stable. Darkwind and Skyclap were on the other side still in a stall of their own and still happily grunting and whinnying among themselves. They were moved to the stall next to Raptor’s who was alone in the same stall Salem saw her in. The Stable owner came walking up to them. “Was wondering where you were going to come back,” said the owner, “You owe a bit on food and charges.” “Sure,” said Salem as she reached in her pocket. “It will be ć250 collons,” said the owner. Salem’s eyes opened wide,” ć250 collons?! That is outrageous! What did you feed them? Honeybread?!” “I had to call an Animalist to take a look at your female mustang. She wasn’t eating or moving,” said the owner, “Look! She’s been on that spot since you left. I couldn’t even move her. My barn hands tried to take her to the walking stall but she just wouldn’t do anything.” “What did the Animalist find?” asked Christina. “That’s another thing, I don’t know. He just dropped his stuff and ran,” said the owner, “his assistant came to get his stuff and left me a bill for ć187 collons.” explained the owner, “The horse that was in the stall with her was also spooked beyond reason. We had to cut into the wall in the back just to get it out of the stall. I figured that was ć40 collons. So with food and service, that brings it to a total of ć252 collons and 74 pents. But I am being considerate here and knocked off the two collons and pents.”

“Wait, where is the young male Marwari she left there,” said Christina. “That horse is outside in the walking stall,” said the owner. Christina left the stable to take a look outside. Salem took ć253 collons from her pocket, “Keep the change.” Salem turns to Vivien who is looking at Raptor. “Anything wrong?” asked Salem. Vivien takes out her PDA and clears off the screen then writes “I don’t think this horse is alive.” “Oh boy, do I have a story to tell you,” said Salem as she entered the stall and started to strap Jarody’s saddle on Raptor. Christina comes back in with Syntax and takes him to the stall where she sees Salem’s saddle, knowing that it was the only saddle in Colloquy with a holster for Salem’s GunBlade, and starts to strap it on him. Vivien takes one of the two saddles resting on the saddle rack on Darkwind and Skyclap’s stall and enters. The two horses start to move back as Darkwind gives a very menacing whinny causing Vivien to back off. Salem, hearing the whinny, arrived at the stall door. “Sorry Vivien. They sense that you are a vampire. They are just being cautious,” said Salem as she took the saddle from Vivien. “They will get use to you the longer you are around them,” said Salem, “Can you finish getting Raptor ready?” Vivien returned to Raptor’s stall.

The three Blade Masters were riding back with the horses, Salem was riding Darkwind with Skyclap in tow, Christina was on Raptor because Raptor was only moving for her, and Vivien was riding Syntax. Salem was not sure if she should be glad or disappointed that Syntax did not know to be scared of Vivien. They arrive at the Bill’s Miller where Emhril and Selene were waiting at the front. “Follow me,” said Emhril, “I’ll show you where the stable is.” They all walked around to the back of the Bill’s Miller. They walked down a long ramp to find part of a barn slicking out of a rock wall below the ground level. Standing there was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. Everything about the man said he was an expert on horses. “Afternoon Emhril!” called out the man when he spotted them approaching. “Hello Mal, We have more horses to house,” said Emhril. Mal turned and opened the large barn doors and turned back to them. “Hello ladies, mah name be Malodor Regis. Mah friends call me Mal,” said Mal when Salem and the others dismounted the horses.

They all entered the stable; it was very expansive inside with about twenty stalls and even more room for storage. There were already two skinny horses standing in the stall closest to the door. “Here is Need A Smoke and Brother In-law,” said Mal. “Why are they so skinny?” asked Salem. “That’s because they be race horses mah dear,” replied Mal. “Their original owner passed away here at the Bill’s Miller and his next of kin told us to keep the horses,” said Emhril. “Need A Smoke here is a winner of the Lysts Downs Equestrian Grand Prix,” said Mal, “Brother In-law would have been there with his brother but he had a bad fall in the qualifying race and was eliminated.” “They look like they are still in great physical shape to continue racing,” said Selene. “That they are,” said Emhril, “But I can’t afford the entry fee for either of them and my work keeps me here in Barter.” “Damn shame to, They have a lot more great races in them both,” said Mal, “These fine animals will live out their days here in this stable.” Salem had put Darkwind and Skyclap in a stall and was unsaddling them as Christina and Vivien were putting Syntax and Raptor in another one next to Darkwind and Skyclap’s. “Whoa there little missies, it’s a rule that male horses and female horses are kept separate. Don’t want to get your breeds mixed now do you?” said Mal. Christina moved a now disappointed Syntax to a stall on the other side of Darkwind and Skyclap’s stall.

Selene looks around the stable and then she finds something amazing. Her mouth falls open as she looked at the object that suddenly caught her in a trance. “What is the matter with her?” asked Emhril. Salem looks at her sister and says, “Oh, she just found something to work on.” Emhril walks to Selene and sees that her eyes were fixed on an old frame of a carriage. “How much do you want for this?” asked Selene. “That old thing?” asked Emhril, “You can have it. It’s been here since Bill had the place.” “Who it this Bill guy?” asked Christina. “Bill was my boss until he retired and left The Miller to me. I renamed the place Bill’s Miller in his honor,” explained Emhril. “I need the SwitchBlade, my tool kit, and my build supplies from Pawn,” said Selene, not taking her eyes off the old rusty frame as if it would disappear if she took her vision away from it. “Are we forgetting about Zealot and the Tagi Challenge today?” reminded Salem. “I suppose I could wait until after the competition,” said Selene in a somewhat disappointed voice.

Knight appeared out of nowhere and landed on the door of Darkwind and Skyclap’s stall. Vivien gave a very frightening hiss bearing her long fangs. “What is wrong Vivien!” yelled Christina in surprise. “She be a creature of the dark!” yelled Mal, “What is that thing doing out in the daylight?!” “It’s OK Mal!” yelled Emhril to get Mal’s attention, “She’s a friend.” “You know, I always thought the vocal cords were needed to make that sound,” said Selene as if she was oblivious of the seriousness of Mal’s accusation. Selene walked to Knight and started to attach a roll of parchment on his leg. Salem walks up to Vivien as Vivien calms down. “What happened?” asked Salem. Vivien calms down enough to take out her PDA and write, “I didn’t even see that thing enter the stable.” “Oh, that is Knight, our owl and messenger. His ShroudBlade makes him invisible whenever he chooses,” explained Salem. “But I am still able to see the body heat of an invisible thing,” writes Vivien. “His ShroudBlade hides him from all forms of detection and owls are naturally made to even be undetectable by sound,” continued Salem. “Come to think of it,” said Selene as she sets Knight on his way, “Snakes do not make noise ether but they can hiss.” “Or cats,” added Christina. “Cat’s go meow, Christina,” corrected Salem.

They left the stable leaving the horses secure in the stalls and closing the heavy doors. “What do you do in heavy rain?” asked Selene. “There be a ditch under the iron grate that takes the flood water and sends half of it into barrels that fill the horses’ water trough while the other half flows through a small tunnel and empties at a nearby river,” said Mal who was still very weary of Vivien’s presence and the fact that she was walking in the suns’ light. “It is almost time for the last day of the Tagi Challenge,” said Salem. “We better get Haiku and leave for the arena,” said Selene. “How about Vivien?” asked Christina. Vivien signs, “I get to enter for free for being a competitor,” translated Selene. “I’m going to go to bed and sleep for the rest of the day for the first time in a long time,” said Emhril. “Yes, now that you have someone to work the bar,” said Christina.