The sound of panting behind him made Vlad stop and look back. It was Norvad and Anamis. Vlad noticed the scalp of Anamis was throbbing from his exertions. “What’s wrong?” Vlad asked. “We’re coming with you!” the old man said. “Why?” Vlad asked. “We were climbing back down into the cave, when the serpent blocked our way,” the beggar said. “We didn’t fancy being vampire bait, so we decided we had a better chance if we caught up with you.” Vlad was pleased to see his friends again, but he knew his fellow travellers would slow his progress. While there was a modicum of safety in numbers, the group also presented a bigger target that was easier for the vampires to see from the air. For the first time, though, Vlad had a vampire on his side, and the keen senses of Anamis were a priceless new warning beacon against approaching threats. “Very well,”
