You can't do it. It's not right. You made her into this and she's your responsibility now. For good or ill.

"Lisa, come on it's time to go." You say.
"I know, I know. Back to the crypt." Lisa says.
"No, we're moving out of there. We're going…well I'm not sure yet. But we're going."
"Wait. So…no more Isabella? It's just me and you now?"
"That's about the size of the situation, yes."

Lisa can barely contain her joy. She immediately hugs and kisses you on the mouth. You taste a mixture of rotten meat and who the hell knows what else. It's foul and you immediately push her away and try not to show your displeasure.

"Okay, okay that's enough of that. We'll have plenty of time for that later. Right now we have to leave this area. I think we probably should head to Holgard. I know of a crypt in their graveyard we can use while we figure out our next move from there." You say.
"Whatever you say my love, I will follow you anywhere!" Lisa beams.

You just can't beat undying devotion.

Your journey to Holgard takes a little longer than you would like mainly because Lisa has the attention span of a small child. It doesn't help that she was relatively sheltered from the world as a human, having never really left Dert and then later as a ghoul confined to Isabella's crypt. So this is all very interesting to her.

The biggest concern is when you have to dig a hole in the ground to sleep during the day. You try to pick some place relatively secluded and really stress how much you want Lisa to stay in the vicinity. She of course is full of promises, but you just assume you're rolling the dice.

When you wake up, you are happy to find that Lisa has indeed obeyed your command. You see the remains of a couple small woodland animals, so you guess she might have wandered, but probably not too far. Maybe she's starting to learn.

As you approach Holgard, you have to once again stress to her NOT to just go attacking the first living being she sees. She's heard about Holgard many times, so again this is a very big event for her. You know the only thing she likes more than eating flesh is drinking your blood, so you use that as a reward encouragement. Hopefully it will be enough.

Entering and exiting Holgard is a big hassle nowadays mainly due to the religious strife going on between the various churches. It's going on year two at this point and has just gotten worse. Not to the extent the Varsakken family civil war did, but it could start going that way.

Still, some intimidating looks and minor mental suggestion on the weak-minded human guards causes them to let you pass without question.

Lisa of course asks why you didn't just kill them to which you explain that now that you're going to be living in a city, you both need to practice the art of subtlety a lot more often. Lisa seems confused by this, but hopefully she'll understand it soon, otherwise you you won't be sticking around Holgard for too long.

You both head to the graveyard and find yourself an older one that doesn't look like it gets too much visitation and after a few adjustments, you make a space for yourself and Lisa. And as promised, you give Lisa some of your blood, which she happily accepts.

While Lisa sucks on you, you ponder what exactly you're going to do next now that you're here. You think if it wasn't for Lisa, you'd probably have an urge to just move on and go somewhere far away. Not that you've ever been a wanderer by nature, but Holgard just doesn't hold the interest it once did when you first set out to it as a young thief so many years ago. Things have changed severely and going back to your "old life" in any capacity certainly isn't much of an option anymore.

There's also the fact that there is still that holy war of sorts going on in the city. You haven't really been keeping up on it mainly because you've been preoccupied with Lisa, but you've visited Holgard enough over the past year that it isn't ending anytime soon.

You still wouldn't be that concerned with it, if it wasn't for the fact that the Church of Joachim has seemingly turned from it's normal peace and love teachings and turned into a more militant faction that has been going on about cleaning up this stinking city of evil influences of the earthly and supernatural kind.

The supernatural part is the bit that is cause for concern.

However, you need a "stable" place to stay until you can train Lisa better since just travelling here was an ordeal in keeping track of her. Until that time, you'll just have to redouble your efforts in keeping a low profile and hopefully Lisa does too.

A few weeks later…

After a rare night of going out by yourself and leaving Lisa alone to her own devices, you come back and find her speaking with some woman in the graveyard.

At first you think it's Isabella, but if that was the case, she would have already killed her (And probably you) Besides, Holgard is far enough away from her territory. Plus this woman is dressed in a blue and purple robe. Isabella always went around naked.

Your second instinct is to just attack immediately, but given that this woman is talking to Lisa so calmly and Lisa isn't trying to rip her throat out causes you to believe there are greater forces at work

Sensing that this is going to be a plate full of shit you're going to have to deal with, you merely make your presence known. The woman says nothing, but just watches.

"Hello. This looks…friendly." You say.
"My love! I just stayed in the graveyard like you told me to, and this lady just showed up. I would have killed her, but for some reason…I suddenly didn't feel like it. Maybe I'm learning restraint like you're always telling me to?" Lisa answers.
"What have you been talking about with this…lady?"
"Nothing much. Just about how much I love you and how much you love me and how good corpses taste, but not as much as the living people! She's been very friendly for a meat sack and just asking about when you will return. Um…you're not mad at me are you? Please don't be mad!"
"No. I'm not mad. I'm sure my teachings of restraint had something to do with you not killing this woman. I'm very proud of you. Head on inside home, I'll be in soon."
"Okay! But not too long okay? The sun will be coming up soon and I don't want you to burn up!"

Lisa heads back home, leaving you with the robed woman.

"Alright, whatever little magic trick you used to subdue Lisa, isn't going to work on me, so whatever your business is make it quick because as she said, the sun is coming up soon."

The woman nods.

"Don't get too many vampires making their home in the city. Passing through on occasion, but never permanent residents. In fact I believe you've passed through here on several occasions haven't you?" she says.
"Get to the point."
"Very well. I'm obviously not here to make an enemy out of you. Your business is your own. However, I'm sure you're aware that certain other groups in this city are less accepting of your activities."
"Yes, I'm fully aware of the Joachim fanatics and I've been staying out of their way and everyone else's that matter. INCLUDING the followers of Dorna, goddess of magic. I recognize your robes, sorceress."
"Yes, I'm sure you have kept your head down. But your female friend seems to be less discreet. She was dancing and singing to herself while feasting on a rotten skull when I walked up. What if I had been an angry mob of Joachimites? Wouldn't have been good, that's for sure."
"Yeah well she's still learning. I will talk to her."
"You're not a very old vampire are you?"
"How would you know if I was or not? We don't age."
"True, but the fact that you speak with mild respect about your ghoul and even call her by name makes me believe that you're not old. Most older vampires are cynical and apathetic at best and outright arrogant and cruel most of the time. The way you interact with her is almost an attempt at treating her like an equal. In fact I'd venture to guess that ghoul was probably your girlfriend at one time."
"You keep testing my patience human, you'll learn just how cruel I can be."
"Okay, okay. I'm out of line. I shouldn't presume. Look, I'm sure you're aware of the troubles going on. I'm not exactly sure what changes are coming, but rest assured the followers of Dorna will weather this, but we aren't stupid. We know that we are very small in comparison to the other religions here. The fact that the Joachimites gathered so many in such a short period of time took everyone by surprise I think, let alone their more violent outlook. Between them and the followers of Fel, they make up most of soldiers in this war, which hasn't completely spilled into full on war yet, but it's getting there."
"So what do you want from me?"
"Nothing. Or rather nothing at this time. I am merely seeking potential allies. As I said, we who follow Dorna respect magic and knowledge. We also respect magical beings and would not condemn them to die due to mere ignorance and fear. I believe if we work together, we could both make ourselves a little safer from hostile forces. In fact, we could even set you and your girlfriend up in our own private mausoleum. It would be much nicer than this public graveyard where just anyone can walk into."

Nice offer, but you're skeptical.

"I think we'll be fine right where we are at and as for your offer of an alliance, I'm still not sure what benefit there would be for allying with you lot. As you said, you're much smaller than the rest of the factions. I mean it seems like if I was going to ally with anyone, I'd be better off allying with the followers of Fel. I mean don't they have ties to the Ebony Claw Syndicate? I've even heard rumors that Baroness Varsakken is a priestess. Seems like they're going to be on the winning team."
"Well that IS the safe bet. And it would perhaps be wise in your case to consider it. I'm sure they would also welcome a vampire ally."

Dorna pauses for a moment as if to collect her thoughts before continuing.

"However, think on this as well. If all the rumors about them are true, they are indeed very powerful. In fact so powerful that why have they not just purged all the other sects yet? There are plenty of other rumors going around that the Felians might not even be completely united. Many of the true believers think that the Ebony Claw is a corrupting influence on proper worship of the shadow god. Even the Baroness is having a hard time keeping them all in line along with ruling the city. You ally with them and you could find yourself a pawn in whatever private power struggle they're engaged in and that's along with the external troubles coming as well."
"Maybe I'll just stick by myself, seems to be working just fine so far."
"Again, perfectly valid. You have no reason to trust any of us. I am merely extending my hand. It's up to you if you want to take it. I will leave you to your rest. If you change your mind, I'm sure you're familiar with where our temple is, and you're invited to enter."

The sorceress (priestess?) takes her leave and you head inside your home before the sun comes up.

Lisa of course is waiting patiently by your resting area. You open up your wrist and allow her to suck on you while you ponder your options.

You suppose that some sort of agreement with the Dornans could be beneficial assuming they're serious about providing a better place where you wouldn't be as accessible.

Of course you've dealt with one wizard type before and well…you know how that turned out.

You stay on your own

You're a damn vampire. You don't need the help of some fucking wizard bitches. They probably just want to get you in their temple where they can do some sort of magic shit that WILL work on you and then harvest you for spell components or something.

You're not going to seek the aid of any of these factions. Your days of asking for help are over. The only one you can count on is yourself and you can easily protect your own dwelling if those religious nuts come beating down your crypt door.

You need to make some improvements to your home. You pat Lisa on the head and motion her to stop sucking.

"Come on, we got work to do girl." You say.
"Huh? But it's almost day, aren't you going to sleep soon my love?" Isabella asks.
"No, but we're going to working out of the sunlight anyway, so it doesn't matter."

You (and Lisa) begin to dig out tunnels and space underneath the current crypt you're residing in. You do this over the course of several weeks, only taking quick breaks to go feed. You make sure only you leave because the last thing you want is for Lisa to get distracted. Promises and rewards of your own blood keep her happy enough that she obeys you with no straying.

You continue to work on your home and probably become slightly absorbed with fixing it, making alterations and securing it. You wonder if that's the vampire tendency to obsess about details kicking in. (You definitely won't be cleaning it though, you've had enough of that)

Isabella had an extensive catacomb system in her crypt, but due to being in a city, you have to work within its limits somewhat. For one, Holgard is a costal town. Last thing you need is the sea flooding most of your tunnels.

Holgard also has an extensive sewer system and you've had to make sure that your home doesn't have multiple passages leading into it.

However, you do make one entrance because you ultimately decide that it probably would be better to just come and in out through the sewers which lead all over the place and make travelling around a bit more convenient if you ever need to do it during the day. Lisa also can easily find something for herself to feast on in the sewers as well. Be it vermin or potentially even some hapless bum. You'd rather her skulk around down here than out in the open.

You seal up the crypt "entrance" tight and trap it just in case anyone is really determined to go searching for you that way.

The entire time you're doing this, you're keeping aware of events that are going on in the city. So far nothing out of the ordinary or more importantly, no angry Joachimites storming the streets looking for supernatural horrors to destroy. In fact, they've been fairly quiet. The only thing you've recently heard is an assassination attempt on the high warrior priest of Karn which the Felians are getting blamed for (Of course they're denying it) and that the worshippers of Yag somehow changed all the Dorna symbols into dicks.

Not just images or representation of dicks, but actual dicks. When the Dornan priests and priestesses woke up that day, they found their entire temple literally covered in dicks (Of all sizes) from the inside and out. Fortunately this seems to have pissed off the Dornans enough to focus their attention elsewhere and as such they have not made any more overtures to you.

After months of work, you're still making improvements (And with your new found obsession, you're likely to be always doing so), but your home is pretty much complete. You've even taken time to furnish it a bit just so it doesn't feel like a simple cave dwelling. You imagine that the lumber yards, ironmongers, and furniture shops and don't normally get many thefts and burglaries, but they've certainly suffered a rash of them lately.

The one thing that you weren't expecting in all this, is you've sort of "re-bonded" a bit with Lisa. After having spent so much time working closely with her and doing something actually productive, you definitely don't feel the same "guilty obligation" you once did for making her into a ghoul.

It's nothing like how it used to be of course, but your feelings for her are approaching a fondness that you once had. They must be, because you're starting to look past her usual disheveled appearance and ignore whatever foul smells she's immersed herself in, though you've been trying to help her on that front by providing her with perfumes, oils and incense. (The herbalist shops have received a rash of burglaries as well)

With your home project, your "ghoulfriend", plentiful food supply and continued rouguish activities (Which you didn't think you'd actually ever go back into on any major scale) you've officially made Holgard your stomping grounds and at this point you're not going to be run off by anyone.

The mortals can burn this city to the ground in whatever power struggle they're having at the moment, but one thing is certain, you're going to still be just fine under the smoldering ruins of it.

You time passes...

Chapter 3C2: Price of Freedom


Year 30

"No, no, no, you can't play that card." You say.
"Oh. Um…okay then this one." Lisa says.

You play your own card that easily beats the rest of Lisa's hand.

"I hate this stupid game." She exclaims and throws her cards down on the table causing you to smile a bit.
"Well you're getting better at it."
"I just don't see the point in us playing games when we could be feeding together or better yet, fucking instead."
"Now Lisa, you know there's more to existence than just the base needs."
"Pfft, not much more, come on lover, I'll let you do whatever you want to me."
"You let me do whatever I want all the time. Maybe later. However, if you don't want to play games though, you can always got feast on those whores we got in the meat room."
"Ohhh! You mean we're not saving them anymore?"
"Well we're saving two of them for the rest of the week. You can go eat the third one though. Pick whichever one you want. I'll join you a little later."

Lisa makes that disturbing squeal and kisses the side of your face before running off to go eat. You still aren't sure if you actually "love" Lisa, but you definitely don't mind her affection again, now that you've gotten her to regularly perfume herself and chew on mint herbs once in awhile.

In fact, you do believe you've trained Lisa fairly well all things considered. Even her personality has changed slightly so that she isn't a complete toadying suck up. Makes you wonder if Isabella was just bullshitting you about it being so difficult.

You pack up your deck of cards and check on some of your tunnels. You thought you saw the support beam warping. You might need to replace it. You don't think you'll ever get this place just right.

As you're inspecting your work, your other senses perk up. You can sense someone coming and its not some idiots trying to get into the topside crypt (It was funny how those Joachimites fell for that blade trap a few years ago). This is someone approaching from the sewer entrance, which means this is a hell of a lot more serious because you keep it well hidden.

And this someone, you don't think is mortal…

You approach your "front door" to the sewers cautiously and fully prepared for a fight when you hear a muffled yet familiar voice from the other side.

"I can tell you're approaching. Yes, you! Your essence to me will always be strong even when you make your home in the middle of some filthy human shithole." Isabella remarks.
"Isabella?" you answer.
"Yes, I'm sure you can tell it was me, unless these sewers have completely destroyed your senses. Why the hell did you make your home in such a place?"
"Seemed like a good idea at the time, besides, nobody bothers me down here."
"Well that I can certainly believe. Look, you going to let me in now so we can talk because standing out here in the muck isn't my idea of a pleasant evening."
"With all respect Isabella, why the hell are you here? Last time we talked, you weren't exactly pleased with me."
"Long story. And I'd argue that we parted ways on fairly amicable terms. You didn't really expect me to share you with that lesser being did you? I told you that."
"You also told me, that you'd kill the both of us."
"Oh, that was just my way of getting you both the hell out, and look it worked. In fact I'm currently extending my courtesy, by simply NOT smashing in this wall and barging in."
"You can't do that. This is my home and I haven't invited you in!"

You hear Isabella chuckling from the other side.

"Oh my sweet young vampire. You still have so much to learn. I'm your maker, I will always be connected to you even if I don't have direct influence anymore. And that means your home will ALWAYS be my home too. So let me in or I'm wrecking this not so secret wall of yours, and I'm sure you don't want that."

You hate these "new rules" that pop up about your current existence.

"Alright, alright, fine." you say and slide open the wall

And there you see Isabella looking the same way as when you left her crypt. Including being naked.

"Glad to see you're still intelligent enough to know when to listen to your betters. Always liked that about you." She says and steps inside.

Isabella sniffs a bit.

"Hmm, the odor is much better in here. Ah, I smell fresh blood nearby and another familiar scent…though somehow different…wait…is that your ghoul? She still around?"
"For your information, yes Lisa is here and if this is some attempt of trying to get me back, forget it, because we're still together."

Isabella smirks.

"Hm, guess good minions are hard to come by. No point in throwing one out right? Tell me, were the sewers her idea? In any case, I hate to break your male ego, but I'm not here in some silly attempt to get you back. I'm here because I need your help." Isabella says.
"Wait, you need MY help?" you say.
"Yes, but don't think that this an opportunity to hold something over my head. I'm a very resourceful woman and you are just one of my resources I need to help accomplish my task."
"Hm, glad to be held in such high esteem."
"As well you should especially because this also involves another old acquaintance of yours. Ral."

All the figures from the past are coming out tonight…

"What does Ral have to do with this?" you ask.
"He fucking destroyed my home and Dert, that's what he has to do with this! Honestly I'm surprised you haven't heard about it since I imagine this haven of scum has a lot of gossip going on."
"Honestly, as the years have worn on, I've been becoming more of a recluse so I don't keep up or even pay attention to most of the shit I hear the mortals talk about unless it really sounds like it's going to affect me directly. If it wasn't for the whole needing to feed situation and requiring the occasional supplies to fix up my home, I'd just stay down here with Lisa and never leave. Still, to my knowledge Dert was never very important and I doubt if anyone in Holgard even gave a shit about the place if they even knew it existed at all."
"Nevertheless, it's gone, along with my home and Ral has to pay for that."
"I think you're going to have to start from the beginning and let's talk some place where I can sit and at least take all this in."

You take Isabella through some of your home and head towards one of your "living areas." Isabella remarks that she is impressed by what you have done given the limitations you had to work with.

"I see you tried your best to emulate the layout of my own crypt and catacombs even if they aren't nearly as tidy." Isabella says.
"Glad you approve. I need to stop here first." You say.

As you're passing the meat room, you see Lisa completely engorging herself on one of the whores that she's completely ripped apart. She's covered in gore and entrails and loving every minute of it. You imagine this would be a horrific sight to the other two chained up, if they weren't under a trance.

Lisa bloody face looks up from her feeding and grins at you, but then her grin becomes a look of worry when she sees Isabella behind you.

"Wha…what…what's she doing here?! I thought it was just you and me from now on! You said so!" Lisa says.
"It is, and it always will be, my grave flower. Isabella just came to visit about something and I have to talk to her about it."
"…you're mad at me, aren't you? Please don't be mad at me! I can do better! I'll…I'll chew more of those mint herbs you want me to! You're bored…you want a threeway don't you? I can go down on Isabella while you ram it into me hard. You can hurt me really good, and split me open. I don't care. Please just let me be around to still worship you. You're my love and my entire life!"

Isabella stifles a snort of laughter, causing you to briefly glare at her, before you approach Lisa. You kneel down in the large blood puddle and caress her face (which is sticky with blood). It's times like this when Lisa's slavish ghoul personality comes out in full force.

"Lisa, Lisa…don't get upset. You're the only woman for me and you always will be. It's why I've always stayed with you. You understand that right?"
"But…she's back now…"
"Isabella is just visiting. We're not getting together. We're just going to talk and that's all I swear. You're my lovely grave flower and nobody can replace you." You say and kiss Lisa who hugs you tightly. She attempts to do more than that, but you have to remind her that later would be a better time.

Lisa accepts your reassurances, but still has a look of concern on her face. Lisa soon goes back to eating the whore's liver, probably in an attempt to comfort herself. You stand up and motion Isabella to follow you. You fully expect to hear taunting comments, but surprisingly you hear none.

When you get to your destination, Isabella tells you what exactly is going on with Ral.

Isabella tells you that a few months ago, during one of her resting periods, her home was completely collapsed from the inside out by an earth elemental. She said it took her weeks to dig herself out and by the time she did she found that the entire graveyard was now a large sinkhole. She doesn't know what happened to the elemental since the attack just suddenly stopped like it just disappeared.

Lacking any other immediate choices, she decided to head to Dert and charm someone there and use their dwelling for a while until she could figure out her next step.

However, when she got to Dert, she found that nearly all the people had been turned to stone. Not just the people though, but most of the plant and animal life in the surrounding area as well. The few people that hadn't been turned to stone were nothing but bits of flesh still hanging off bones. She proceeded cautiously since she was aware that only a few things could cause something like this, either powerful magic or certain creatures.

As it turned out, it was both. She eventually found a family of four that had been hiding in a root cellar for quite some time. They were all very frightened and assumed she was another monster to come to kill them. (Probably due to the whole unnatural paleness and naked thing)

After subduing the father, Isabella demanded to know what had transpired in the village. He explained that a few days ago, a female creature with a snake body appeared in the middle of the village along with four medium-sized reptile like creatures, which seemed to be her pets.

There was a brief moment of confusion from both sides at first, but then the woman spoke something in a hissing type language and all hell broke loose. Most of the village was either turned to stone or ripped apart and consumed by the reptilian beasts.

The family hid in some sort of community root cellar when they couldn't get to their home proper, they told Isabella that they could hear the screams of people that apparently tried to hide as well, but the creatures stayed in the village to make sure they had wiped out everyone. In fact, the family was very surprised that Isabella didn't see them since they were certain they were still lurking about.

Isabella at this point tells you that she imagines that the creatures were most definitely a medusa and basilisks. She also says neither of them make their homes anywhere near this area either and it would be rare enough for one to show up, let alone a group like that. And given that they just suddenly appeared (and then apparently disappeared at some point, since there were no signs that they left the area to go elsewhere, yet they also were no longer around) the way they did, there had to be powerful magic at work.

She goes on to tell you that both creatures do not normally make their homes in this area and it would be rare enough for one of them to turn up and wipe out an entire village, let alone a group of them. This combined with the earth elemental incident, and the cause of all this could only be Ral. She doesn't know why he would do something like this and she doesn't much care, all she cares about is the fact that Ral fucked up her home and convenient feeding grounds and for that he has to pay.

"He's been on borrowed time as it is." Isabella says.
"Are you sure it was him? I mean Ral was an asshole, but he never seemed to deliberately be the type to cause destruction for the shits and giggles. I mean is there proof?" you ask.
"I don't need fucking proof, I got instinct! And as I said, I don't care if it was just some spell that went wrong, he's gotta fucking pay for what he did. And YOU are going to help me."
"How the hell am I supposed to do that? I mean earth elementals, creatures that turn shit to stone, and wizard shit on top of all of it? I dealt with Ral before and it didn't go well, not sure if I'm too keen on facing him again."
"You're also not a weak human anymore! You're a fucking vampire with all the advantages that go along with it! I'm going to be doing most of the heavy lifting anyway. I just need you to get in his home and if possible try to get me in there as well."
"How? His home isn't my home. I wouldn't be able to get in it anymore than you would."
"Yes you would, you were his servant were you not? Think back. Ral invited you in to his home long before you became a vampire."

As strange as it may seem, you do remember his exact words to you during that time. "My home is your home." Weird that you never really thought about before, but then your mind was preoccupied with other things you suppose.

"Well, maybe I guess…but I just don't see how any of this is my problem! YOU said you released me and I thought…perhaps foolishly that you were at least a woman with a sense of honor. I mean I stayed out of your way and made a life for myself elsewhere, I don't see why I should have to help you."
"You're saying you don't even want to do this even out of a sense of revenge on Ral?"
"Maybe at one time I would have if I'd known I could enter his home so easily. But now? It's all in the past and I've made a life not just for myself here, but for Lisa as well. I just don't see why I should go potentially fucking that up when things are good. I mean…obviously you're a hundred times more powerful than me and I can't stop you from forcing me to help you under threat of death, but…I dunno…whatever…I just thought things were finally going well for me."

You slump in your chair and despair a bit about your situation. Isabella studies you a moment and then addresses you.

"You're right. You're right about everything. I did release you and you aren't really any under obligation to help. You're also right in that I could just threaten to kill you and your little fuck toy if you don't help me, though I'd probably go for extended torture since I don't think you'd fear immediate death as much." Isabella remarks.
"So where are we then?" you ask.
"So, I'm going to give you a reasonable compromise, because I still have a soft spot for you. If you help me kill Ral, I can promise that I will never darken your path again. At least not on purpose. However, if you don't want to help me in that way, I'm going to give you another option and that is you must leave this place."
"What?"
"If you're not going to help me kill Ral, I need to plan another method of attack without you, and for that, I'm going to need my own home to do that from. I don't want to waste time finding or building my own right now, so yours…such as it is, will have to do. Give me this place and I will never darken your doorstep again."
"That's mostly because I won't have a doorstep any longer."
"Well be that as it may, the option is there. You can be truly free and go find somewhere else to live. I don't doubt you couldn't set yourself up just as well somewhere else, but I also don't doubt that somewhere within you, that you wouldn't mind getting revenge on Ral."

You help Isabella

You really don't want to start all over again with finding or building another home. You're comfortable here and don't want to move. So if this one last thing means you get to stay here, then so be it.

"Very well, I'll help, but what if I can't get in anyway?" you ask.
"Well, we might have to come back to reassess a new plan. I'm almost sure that you will be able to get in though." Isabella says.
"I sure hope so, because as much as I want to keep my home and perhaps even not mind the revenge bit, I'm not sure if I'm prepared to be in a perpetual stalemate where I'm sharing this place with you. I'd rather just pick up and leave I think."
"Understandable, and that's certainly your choice if it comes to that, but let's keep positive thoughts. So, are you ready to go?"
"What, now?"
"Well sure. The night is still young and I figured you wanted to get this over with as soon as possible."
"I suppose you're right, but I think I'm going to need at least a little time to explain this Lisa."
"What for? Just say you're leaving and will be back in a day or two. It isn't like she's going to leave you and I'm sure she'll be satisfied if you tell her she can eat those two girls I saw chained up. Ghouls are easily distracted and appeased, I'm sure you well know."
"Yeah and I'm sure that YOU well know that I treat Lisa as an equal, not like some pet!"
"Of course you do. Very well, talk to your child then, I will see you in the (ugh) sewers."

Isabella takes her leave and you're about to head back to the meat room, when you notice blood puddles and small trails in the hallway. You follow them to a small dead end to another tunnel you've been recently working on and that's where you find Lisa huddled in a corner chewing on a bone and making a weird (yet relatively quiet) noise. Almost like she's crying, but not quite.

She looks up at you mournfully.

"Lisa, I'm not mad if you were listening to us." you say.
"You're leaving with her aren't you?" Lisa asks.
"I have to if we want to keep our home. Don't you want us to keep the home we've made here?"
"I…I don't want you to go. I need you…can't…can't I come with you?"
"Lisa, it's going to be really dangerous. I mean I'm sure you remember my stories about Ral. We're going to be going up against him and I don't want to worry about you getting hurt."
"But I could help! I want to help! Please let me help!" Lisa says grabbing your arm with fanatical dedication in her eyes.

It's against your better judgment, but if you leave her here she could just get into trouble anyway. Perhaps even more without you close by and her probably getting depressed about the situation.

If you take her with you, at least you can keep an eye on her and she'll be happy. It's one more factor to worry about, but if you're really serious about trying to treat her like an equal, keeping her contained like pet (or child as Isabella said) isn't the way to go about it. Besides Lisa isn't defenseless.

"Very well, but you REALLY need to obey all my commands during this task. Seriously, you can't go wandering off in search of food or any else of the sort. You need to follow all my orders to the letter. Understand?"
"I do! I do my love! Oh thank you! I'll be a big help! You'll see!"

Lisa showers you with a lot of affection and as usual she goes for the crotch immediately. You half think about stopping her since this is going to take awhile and you're supposed to be on your way to Ral's, but you feel like Lisa deserves a reward for dealing with all this (And hell, so do you) so…

Later, you meet Isabella who is still standing in the sewers close to your secret wall.

"About fucking time. Don't tell me, I already know what you were doing…aaaand I see we now have a loadstone with us. Fantastic!" Isabella remarks when she sees Lisa behind you. Lisa looks down a bit when Isabella calls her out.
"Look, she can be of help. It's going to take us a couple days to get to Ral's so it might be useful to have someone that can at least scout around during the day while we sleep in the ground."
"More like give ourselves away. Fine, I suppose she would be useful fodder if worse comes to worse. Let's go, we've already wasted…"

You place one hand on Isabella's shoulder and spin her around when she turns her back on you.

"Let's get one thing fucking straight. Lisa is NOT fodder. She's not a minion, she's not my fuck toy, she's not a child, she's not a fucking pet! Lisa is my fucking mate. She came because she wants to help me and I want her to help me. This, what we're doing right now? Is to help you. However, if you keep insulting Lisa and being a general bitch to her, you can go do this on your own and both of us will find some place else to live. I'm putting up with a lot of things and I'm not trying to step out of line against my so called betters, but I'm not going to put up with how you talk to and about her! AGH SHIT!"

Isabella quickly grabs your wrist twists it and throws you to the hard floor face first. Lisa, rushes to attack, but is easily slapped aside into the nearby wall as Isabella applies pressure to your arm and shoves her knee into your back.

"First of all, don't you EVER fucking touch me again uninvited! You lost that privilege a long time ago. This is your ONLY warning about it. Second…fine. I apologize. I was not behaving in a way befitting of my class. I won't insult your lady again. Glad to see that it really was true love."

Isabella gets off you and you wince a bit in lingering pain as you stand up. You then go over to Lisa and ask if she's okay, to which she replies that she is. You then both follow Isabella who has walked ahead of you.

Things are silent for more or less during the journey out of Holgard. It's sort of a weird silence and soon after you're making your way through the forest, you make conversation.

"So, while I can imagine what happened, what did you do with the family you found in that root cellar?" you ask
"Oh them? Well I had to rebuild my strength after being stuck underground for weeks, so after they told me what happened, drained all of them." Isabella remarks.
"Yep, figured as much."
"Honestly, I might have kept three of them alive under normal circumstances, but it wasn't the normal circumstances and I do have a weakness for children's blood."
"Did…did the children taste sweet?" Lisa suddenly asks.

Isabella smiles a bit.

"Yes, the children did taste sweet. Their blood usually does though unless they're horrible greenskins. Rather go hungry than drink their blood, no matter what age most of the time." Isabella remarks.
"Some greenskins aren't bad, but they're always very tough. They are an acquired taste and even the dead sometimes taste better than the average hobgoblin." Lisa remarks.
"I'm sure you have a very versatile palate Lisa, not many can boast such a talent."

Isabella's remark could be taken as a backhanded compliment at best or a sarcastic insult at worst, but Lisa seems to take what she said as a benign praise, so you let it go.

Eventually dawn starts to arrive and you and Isabella take shelter in the ground. Lisa herself never seems to require as much sleep, so she'll be still be wandering around for some of the day (Though still probably trying to stay in the shade which shouldn't be a problem due to being in a forest).

You aren't sure if you should have her do a little scouting while you're asleep or have her protect your resting area though.

You protect your resting area

You thought about letting Lisa scout ahead before the journey started, but you've sort of reassessed that idea. You still remember when you were a human and how you easily got lost in this damn forest, which is what caused you to bump into Ral in the first place.

You've traveled this area so much in the past that it would take a lot of effort to get yourself lost again, but Lisa really hasn't. Granted you'd be able to track her down if she got lost, but you'd rather not waste time looking for her as soon as you wake up.

"Lisa, I want you to stay in this general area, okay? You'll be guarding my resting place. You don't want some animal or person to come digging me up while the sun is out do you?" you say.
"Never! I'll stay here my love and make sure your rest isn't disturbed!"
"Okay, I'll see you this evening." You say and kiss Lisa before digging yourself a shallow hole to sleep in. (Lisa helps pat down the dirt to make sure you're completely covered)

Later…

You wake up as your usual internal "clock" tells you to do so and dig yourself out to a nice moonlit night. Lisa stands by with Isabella who has woken up before you. Lisa wastes no time in trying to brush the dirt off of you. (And popping the occasional insect in her mouth while doing it)

"About time you got up. I got information to tell you." Isabella remarks.
"How long you been awake?" you ask.
"Longer than you have. I would have woken you sooner, but I figured I'd do my own scouting ahead first. I haven't been back that long."
"Okay, so what do you have to tell me?"
"We're not the only ones heading to Ral's tower. There are a group of six people in blue and purple robes camped not far from here."
"Those sound like Dornans. In all the time I was slaving for Ral, I never knew him to worship Dorna."
"He never did when I was on better terms with him either. I don't think he's ever revered anything except maybe his own magical research."
"You think maybe all this is the work of the Dornans?"
"Not exactly sure, but given that they're dedicated to the Goddess of magic, maybe they're investigating all the weird shit going on in this area. If anyone else knew about it, cared about it and was also equipped to handle whatever is going on, it would be them. Of course, they're probably unlikely to just tell us."
"They're probably very likely to just try to kill us. I got approached by one a few years back proposing an alliance and I didn't trust them then."
"Smart move. We need to get rid of all but one. The last one we can interrogate and then kill them. I'm not exactly sure just how magically talented these folks are, but unless they're all mostly acolytes, six of them are still enough to give more than enough trouble. And if they're heading to Ral's place, I'd very much believe that most, if not all are very competent spell slingers and far beyond being mere acolytes. It would probably help to have a distraction."
"I hope you aren't suggesting Lisa."
"No, I'm suggesting you. No offense to your lady, but Lisa would potentially be a liability. They'd just take control of her and turn her against us."
"Unfortunately you're probably right. Very well, what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Nothing much, just go up to their camp and start talking with them. They probably won't even attack right away since they'll be too arrogant to believe that they're in any real danger. If I've learned anything wizard types love to go on about their own relative importance when given the chance. I can probably take down two or three of them by surprise. Hopefully you can take out at least one. The remaining ones should at least even up the odds for us. You ready?"
"Ready as I'm going to be."

After Isabella tells you where they are (and you reassure Lisa not to follow you), you're soon on your way to meet six wizards.

When you get to the camp, you make no pretense on being sneaky and fully announce yourself, the Dornans all stand up, save for one of them that looks older than the rest.

"What do you want vampire?" one of them with a shitty goatee asks.
"That obvious?" you respond.
"Very. Now, you want to tell us why you're intruding on our camp or do we make spell components out of your ashes?"
"Hey, what's with the threats? There are six of you guys and just one of me! I hardly think I'd be able to take all of you on."
"Damn right you wouldn't, you walking leech."
"Hey, steady there Travis. I know this one!" one of the female members says.

It's the same woman who approached you years ago about an alliance.

"You know this blood sucker, Heather?" Travis asks.
"Yeah, he lives in Holgard. Or as far as I know he still does. He's not that old and is definitely no threat to us. He's the one that was approached back when all the faiths were at each other's throats. You never did get back to us on that offer." Heather says stepping closer towards you.
"I figured me never showing up at your temple was my answer. Besides, looks like you guys came out okay without my help." You answer.
"Indeed, so where's your ghoul girl?"
"Alas, she is no longer with me. Taken down by those accursed Joachimites during those years of strife."
"See? You should have allied with us; such a loss could have been prevented."
"Probably for the best. As a vampire I probably should start getting used to the loss of those I once loved. So what are you lot doing out here?"
"We could ask the same of you. Even more so since you seem to have evaded Travis' initial question."
"Oh nothing interesting. I occasionally leave Holgard to hunt in the wild. I find that it keeps the senses sharp. Besides, the bandit types out here tend to put up more of a fight than the cutpurses in Holgard."
"Hm, so why approach us?"
"I dunno, Just looking for company to talk to. I get sort of lonely sometimes, especially with Lisa gone. I even tried to make another ghoul once, but…eh, it wasn't the same and I disposed of it."
'Yeah, yeah, that's a real shame. Poor depressed vampire wallowing about how nobody understands his pain. Boo fucking hoo. Why the hell is it that half of all you vampires are like this? Shit, I got more respect for those leeches that just rip your head off and dispense with all the pretense of trying to be living creatures with real feelings. If you're really that tortured, just go take a walk in the sun and be done with it." Travis says dismissively.
"What is with your hostility? I understand your need to be cautious given the circumstances, but you don't need to act like a complete asshole. I just asked what you guys were doing out here and if you don't want to tell me, fine I'll just leave you to it."
"Don't mind Travis, he just doesn't like the outdoors and it's been making him cranky. If you really want to know though, we're just investigating magical disturbances around this area."
"Heather! Why the fuck would you tell him that?" Travis remarks.
"Yeah, this leech doesn't need to know our business." Another says.
"Oh what difference does it really make? Not like he's got some unholy alliance with Ral. Besides, Elder Flynn would have said something by now, if I did something wrong, isn't that right Elder Flynn? Elder Flynn? Elder?"

At this point they all turn towards the old man who is still sitting down and not saying a word.

Then suddenly he slumps forward and his head comes off.

"SHIT!" someone shouts and before any of them can react, Isabella has already opened up the throats of two of them.

You dodge a bolt of flame and take out another Dornan. Travis, however, speaks some words and a flash of light blinds you long enough to cause him to get away. Meanwhile Heather has already cast a speed spell and completely run off,

"You get that goatee asshole, I'll chase down the speed bitch!" Isabella shouts.

She didn't need to tell you twice.

While Travis can't out pace you in the long run, he's smart enough to cast an illusion and you see several versions of him split up and run into different directions and whatever magic he's using to cause illusions, its also masking him so you can't tell which one is the real one just by scent.

Fortunately for you he's arrogant enough to not just run away which will at least give you a chance to kill him.

Unfortunately, that also gives him a chance to kill you and you once again narrowly dodge a bolt of magic thrown your way by him (or an illusion) hiding behind one of the many trees.

"If you think you're taking me down, guess again leech. I've destroyed creatures far more threatening than you." Travis taunts.

You don't answer you just try to focus on any and all sounds.

You stop completely and listen, then you suddenly grab a figure hiding behind a large oak tree and squeeze by the neck.

Travis' eyes bulge and he gasps, but then at the point where you would have easily crushed his throat, he begins to laugh and the illusion disappears. You then get blasted in the back by a bolt of flame.

You feel the burn and have to roll on the ground like an idiot putting it out.

"Stupid fucking leech! This is going to be so easy!"

In between your charred clothing and flesh, you do catch another familiar scent. It isn't Travis' however.

It's Lisa.

You can only guess she decided to try to help after all and is in the vicinity somewhere.

You go to her immediately

While Lisa has gone hunting by herself many times without you around before, this is different since as far as you know she's never faced an opponent like this before. Your protective instincts kick in and you rush to her.

When you think it to be safe you come out of hiding and run in her direction. Unfortunately Travis was waiting to ambush you and several illusions of himself step out and zap you with flame bolts. You avoid a few of them, but not all. A good portion of you is on fire and you desperately try to put it out, while trying to get back into cover.

While you were burned, you were still in fighting shape, however when Lisa saw that you were the one in danger so she rushed to YOUR aid rather than staying in hiding.

That worked out even less well for her than it did for you. Travis sets her on fire as well, but rather than seeking cover or trying to put out the flames, she freaks out and runs around flailing and screaming at the nearest illusion. She destroys it of course, but it isn't the real Travis, so it hardly matters.

You call out to Lisa and tell her to get the hell out of the area.

"Lisa, roll on the fucking ground and get the hell out of…no! Stop!" you shout when you see her suddenly stop and then run right towards you, flames and all.

Travis must have used the same spell Heather did, years ago when she had Lisa under control. Your own influence over Lisa struggles against the spell and while it probably would have won out eventually, One of Travis' illusions takes the opportunity to shoot you in the back with another ball of flame.

Your concentration is broken and Lisa tackles you to the ground. Screaming, yelling and flailing on the ground while the pair of you burn is cut short when Travis finally ends it all with one last gout of fire conjured from his hands.