#updated chapters

Marion gave a polite wave to the guards stationed either side of the entrance way to the city. Before him, a great drawbridge allowed access over a deep moat. This area was usually very busy with imported goods coming into the city via carts and caravans but it rarely barren today. The only thing in sight was his new apprentice.

Marion ran his fingers across his collar and pulled at his cuffs, then smoothed out his jacket and tugged at his waistcoat.

The vampire who had been waiting for him, was bare-chested, save for a leather belt hung from a shoulder down to the opposite hip from which hung a loose yellow rag and a small pouch. He stood, arms folded across his broad, jaundice chest. The only indication of age came from his hands, greyish claws of flexible chitin rested on a bulging bicep. His face was strong, save for gaunt jowls and with golden eyes set inside deep, dark sockets folds of deep purple flesh. His gaze was tired in both senses, as though he had not slept in decades, and as though he was tired of waiting around. Muscles around his jawline pulsed with tension as he scrutinised the enthusiastic vampire coming to greet him.

"Master Knell, I welcome you to our fair city. It is a pleasure to meet you at last, my dealings with the Necropolis have never ferried across to your line of work." Marion took a step forward with a soft smile and his long, thin hand outstretched.

Golden discs looked back at him, blowing right through his newly formed chitinous shell. The vampire took a step forward, causing his neck to flush cold. Unfolding his arms, The vampire revealed a slightly crushed roll of paper, tied with twine and marked with a chipped wax seal. This vampire was shorter than Marion, coming up to his shoulder, but everything about him put Marion on edge.

The pair kept silent eye contact as Marion wrapped his fingers around the paper, giving a slight pull. The vampire held his grip just long enough to make this exchange feel like some kind of warning before turning around to collect his gear back on the road.

Marion licked his lips and cracked the seal, scanning the document briefly.

"Ah, Master Knell! It is good to put a name to a face-"

"Knell. Not Master. Not anything. Knell." A rough voice sloughed from his black lips. It rumbled from somewhere hollow inside his throat.

"Oh- Of course. Knell it is, then I, ah-" Marion trailed off, watching as his new apprentice balled his claws into fists and began bellowing at a group of birds pecking at the ground near his gear, waving balled fists up into the air. For a man of his stature, he appeared to be completely hairless, Marion noted, remembering seeing many similar-build men often covered in hair. This hairless, taut leathery skin seemed to shine ever so slightly in the sun.

"GEYAH GURAH!"

It was like two carriages slamming into each other at full gallop. The sudden outburst put everyone on the bridge on alert. Mail and plates from a dozen guards shifted before slowly returning to their previous positions once they had realised the source and reason. Marion unclenched his jaw. The image of a man who had failed to stop a knife from entering their throat and gargling blood flashed in his mind. He shook his head and ran his fingers back through his hair.

Slabs of muscle twisted and tensed around his neck and his shoulders moved like grinding stones as Knell picked up his gear in one arm, grasping at an inch-thick leather strap bolted to a bolted shut cupboard. The muscles did not relax once Knell was upright again. The cupboard swung around Knell's shoulder, with a series of clinks from glass and small metal instruments.

Remembering himself, Marion quickly scanned through his letter again. The newly acquired extra pair of eyes proved to be a useful addition to his body, he found it allowed him to both read, and look ahead. Marion used one set of eyes to scan the document whilst the other watched Knell return up the drawbridge. He took in a small breath through his vents and began to speak, only to be turned on his heel as Knell barrelled through his shoulder. In the motion, he felt something push against the crook of his arm and looked down to discover a small pouch. It felt like it might hold both a handful of coins and something else, jewellery, perhaps?

Marion quickly composed himself and waved the now apprehensive guards down as they prepared to prevent knell from entering the city "Oh! what terrible form- I had completely forgotten to tell you my name. I am Marion, by the way!" he called out as he hurried to catch up with his apprentice, which did not take long at all. Knell did not walk particularly fast. He was incredibly heavy footed, each step rippled down the wood of the drawbridge, it was as though his shoes were made of solid stone.

"I'll be-" his long legs made up the distance in almost no time at all, "-I'll be teaching you how to sew and stitch during your time here, though I see you may have had some experience in this field as a surgeon. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to find me. I'll give you the expedited tour and show you to your quarters so you can get settled in, hm?" He looked down at his new apprentice as he stepped in sync with him.

"I know some forms of non-verbal communication if you are less keen on tal-"

Knell stopped and looked up at him, a nostril flared.

"Ah-ha, that is to say, of course, This letter did not mention any problems with communication as such" Marion said, tucking the letter into his inner jacket pocket

Knell sized him up, the leather strap of his pack creaked under his grip.

"Do not speak to me like I am simple." Knell raised a single claw to Marions chin, speaking through his teeth. For a moment, a corner of Knell's lip raised high and showed his gum line. It looked sore and reddened, a small cluster of ulcers were visible in that short moment. His voice was deeper than before, now that he was speaking quieter. It grated uncomfortably in Marion's ears.

A  familiar face walked past, it took a moment for them to recognise each other but they made eye contact. The robed woman looked to Knell, his claw still poking into the underside of his jaw and raised her eyebrows before quickly looking away and moving on.