Jason, Maya, and Lilith met Hazel and Grum at the town square just after sunrise. Maya had tried to avoid staring at Lilith ever since the two changed in the room together. It had been a while since Jason had seen Maya this captivated with someone. It was a nice change of pace watching her be nervous of someone else for a change.
Lilith, for her part, either didn’t notice how Maya looked at her, or she was very good at hiding it. Most of her attention was being paid to Hazel in the form of scornful looks as he and Grum approached the three.
“Sleep well in the dirt, golden boy?” Lilith asked.
Hazel didn’t answer. Instead, he directed his question at Jason. “Do you have a plan for how to take care of this vampire incursion?”
Lilith looked between the two of them. Apparently, she hadn’t thought to ask anyone what they were all doing in a town like this.
“All I’ve been able to come up with is the fact that the trees surrounding the manor are more than likely blocking out sunlight from getting in through the manor’s windows. Perhaps if we can find a way to clear out the bulk of those branches, most of the vampires will succumb to their sunlight sensitivity.”
“If it’s sunlight you’re after, the Order of the White Rose did teach me how to summon some using the power of my oath.”
“You’re what?” Maya asked. “I didn’t know you took an oath. What is it?”
Hazel didn’t answer right away. He touched the hilt of his longsword. “It’s somewhat personal. Each member takes their first oath when they know what they want to do for the Order. Some want to serve as guide or healers, others wish to provide insight to those who need it.”
“Let me guess,” Lilith said. “Your oath was something like ‘I’ll kill whoever I please in the Order’s name.”
“If you think that sort of selfishness could stand in for a paladin’s oath, you don’t know the first thing about us.” Hazel didn’t say it with anger or bravado like Lilith expected. He just looked at the ground and said the words like they should’ve been as clear as day to anyone with eyes.
“If you don’t want to tell us what it is, that’s ok,” Maya said. “We are all entitled to keeping things private. If you say you can use your oath to summon sunlight, the sunlight is what we really need anyway.”
Hazel nodded. He and Jason broke off to start discussing tactics. Maya brought Lilith over to Grum and tried to introduce the two, only to find out they had already met.
“Grum hopes you’re healing went over well. Grum did not have time to check on your wounds before you stormed off,” Grum said.
“I am doing very well, Grum. Your kindness was very much appreciated, and I am sorry I had to leave so quickly.”
Grum waved a hand in dismissal. “These things must happen. Are you going to help Grum and friends fight the vampires? The earth very much wants them to be gone. Earth is very concerned about what they are doing to her plants and animals.”
“I don’t know, Grum. I have a lot of important things to do for my patron and he isn’t exactly the patient type.”
“You’re talking about the demon, aren’t you?” Maya asked.
“If you’re uncomfortable with the idea that I’m on a demon’s payroll, that’s all the more reason for me to not interfere with what you have going on here.”
Maya put her hands behind her back and looked away from Lilith. She looked like she wanted to say something, but Lilith couldn’t tell what. She didn’t have time to think about it before Grum spoke up.
“Grum thinks Lilith should come with Grum and friends. We would be better friends than a demon. Grum can show you how to draw power from the earth. She is very generous if you are kind to her.”
“I appreciate the offer Grum, but it isn’t that simple. I signed a contract.”
“Lilith means paper she summoned. Grum can tear paper. Paper very flimsy.”
“I’m sorry, Grum. It’s not that simple. The paper is just my copy, but the real contract is... well, it’s hard to explain. The bottom line is I can’t help you. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
Lilith turned to go, but she paused. She looked like she was listening to something. Maya heard her whisper “what,” before she turned around with a surprised expression.
“It would appear that I have been asked by my patron to stay and help you with the vampire problem.”
Maya squeaked in excitement and ran up to hug her new friend. Grum put a thick-fingered hand on Lilith’s shoulder. Jason and Hazel came back at that moment, and Jason announced that they had a plan.