Gavner drew in a deep breath of the immaculate air from the dwarven stronghold. After the chaos which had just ensued, the vampire and his new quest-mate had been offered a hot bath in the springs royal springs of Al Kitar- the great stronghold of the dwarves’ which was a mighty mountain- and their clothing mended and restored. Woodan, the king’s head steward, had been busily fussing over Gavner and his appearance for the past half hour while the vampire had been cleaning up.

“Please Master Nahs, let me have this red re-dyed for you,” or “Please, Master Nahs, allow me to re-stitch your collar for you!” By the time Woodan was done, he had virtually made Gavner an entire new outfit identical to his old. Gavner pulled on his brilliant new leather boots and made his way out to the hall where he would rendezvous with Black Shadow.

The clopping of Gavner’s boots echoed through the grandiose hall of polished granite which gleamed in the torchlight. Gavner stepped into the passageway where three tunnels met in a cross joint, and the mouth to a fourth passageway was closed off by great golden doors, which seemed to be larger than life. Above the doors, etched into the granite in the most beautiful craftsmanship, were the words “Al Konvar.” Standing in front of the doors was Black Shadow in, likewise with Gavner, a nearly brand new outfit. Strapped to his chest was a baby carrier with a happy baby Espoir suspended snugly. She was cooing and happy gurgling at Black Shadow. Everything had happened so fast; on the voyage to the dwarves’ stronghold, Gavner and Black Shadow had been attacked by all the passengers on the ship because Gavner was a creature of the night. The people fought so relentlessly that the two travelers had to kill all of them; that was when they found Espoir.

Slung across his back was Black Shadow's bow, and in spite of all that happened, a happy Espoir was lovingly gurgling at Black Shadow. The baby reached up to his face and closed her tiny fingers around the bottom of his mask, happily squealing as he smiled underneath. Gavner walked up next to his traveling companion, and smiled. The vampire felt fresh and ready to take on even the most difficult of challenges in his brilliant, crisp attire. He and Black Shadow looked like “a million bucks,” and after what they had been through, they were ready for anything.