The dream was interrupted... You receive new information about upcoming events.

Awakening from mystical dreams came as some relief for you.

You woke up in your stone sarcophagus. You sighed, thinking about this frighteningly realistic dream.

You reflect on what happened: “I remember that a couple of years ago I read in one of the books about divine influences on mortal beings. In the text of this book it was mentioned that one of the manifestations of divine influence on mortal beings is influence through dreams... If something similar happened in my case, then I am in a very risky position... After all, usually a deity demands much more than it gives... And a deity can also be angry and take ****... How I wish this dream turned out to be just an absurd delirium of a tired mind... »

You remember that in your dream, which was extremely vivid and impressive, you were overcome by a powerful desire to obediently serve this terrible satyr-like deity. However, for some unknown reason, this domineering desire has now been significantly dulled. Now you can think clearly. You will be free to act according to your own will. So far this is true...

Painal...

Just the thought of this name fills you with fear...

Ironic: a vampire who experiences fear...

It would seem that you are a vampire (and a fairly strong vampire at that) - an undead creature that itself inspires horror in weak mortals. However, as it turns out, there are entities in the world much more terrifying than you.

You examine and feel your body: the obvious fact is that your body has changed a little. There are no traces of bites or old wounds on your skin now. Your skin has become smoother. Your heart still doesn't beat. Your vision still allows you to see through the absolute darkness of this small room with ease.

You think, “Well, obviously this “dream” had a significant effect on my body... But I am still a vampire. This means that I need to satisfy urgent needs that require increased confidentiality ... "

You get up and leave the sarcophagus.

As you exit the secret room into the wine cellar, you see someone fussing around one of the barrels of wine. The distance to this person is about 10 meters. The cellar is dark. There is a weak light only from a small lamp in the hands of this person. But your vampiric vision allows you to easily see the smallest details of this wine lover's figure and clothing.

Expensive, luxurious, cream-colored silk camisole, which is strewn with tasteless decorations. Wide trousers. Men's shoes made of durable leather with gold-plated buckles.

Ugly, disproportionate figure. Thick paunch. A fat body that exudes a foul odor of sweat.

Oran Van Tassel. Human merchant. The owner of the mansion. Your ****.

You quickly and quietly approach him from behind.

In just a second, you covered the distance that separated you from Oran. Another manifestation of your increased vampiric strength is the ability to move extremely quickly.

Looking over the shoulder of an unsuspecting merchant, you see him tasting wine from a barrel. In one hand Oran holds a small lamp. In his other hand he holds a small bronze cup covered with patterns.

You only allow him to take one sip of wine.

After that, you whisper in his ear: “Are you up to something, Oran? You are hiding something from me? What are you doing here now? I don’t believe that you just decided to drink wine in the middle of the night for no particular reason...”

The human merchant almost jumps from your ominous whisper. He drops the cup on the floor. The cup hits his right toe.

Oran whines in pain. And one more thing: his body begins to tremble in horror.

You hear a frightened muttering: “No... No... I didn’t mean anything bad, master! Ay... Oh...

Meanwhile, your hand with long and sharp claws kindly hugs the merchant’s neck. You don't let him turn around.

You say slowly: “I don’t hear a clear answer from you, Oran... Perhaps I should change the integrity of your body a little...”

You feel how the merchant’s body began to sweat twice as much. A distinct smell of animal fear. The smell of fear, which is close to panic.

Oran says in a pleading, plaintive tone: “I’m getting ready for a masquerade ball... The masquerade ball will be tomorrow night at my mansion... This is a confidential event, attended only by specially invited persons... Only a couple dozen guests... I just wanted to taste a few types of wines, to choose the best for guests..."

You ask: “And who will be among the invited persons?”

The frightened merchant replies: “Don’t worry, master! No one will disturb you; the masquerade ball will take place on the third floor of the mansion - in the interior rooms. From the street you won’t even be able to see the light from the windows! Only persons who are worthy of trust and who are themselves interested in maintaining complete confidentiality are invited!”

You say: “Persons who are worthy of trust... This sounds like something absurd... What is the status of your guests?”

Oran says: “These are mainly representatives of the wealthy merchant families of the city of Onteria. There are also a small number of nobles. Not the most distinguished nobles... Rather, they can be described as the younger sons and daughters of impoverished noble families..."

You continue the phrase with a grin: “Probably, these representatives of impoverished noble families are striving to enter into a financially profitable marriage with someone rich, but not noble... Noble status in exchange for merchant wealth... As for the more noble and wealthy nobles: it’s not difficult for me to guess that such important persons simply will not visit your mansion so as not to compromise themselves... For them, you are nothing more than an insignificant commoner who in some strange way received a lot of gold... Probably, these nobles think that you are not even worthy to breathe with them and the same air... You are just a pathetic nonentity for them..."

Quiet sniffling. Strong smell of sweat. Fear. But there is something else... Anger. Your words about the attitude of the most noble nobles greatly hurt Oran's sense of self-esteem. Metaphorically speaking: you have opened an old wound in his ego.

However, you don’t care about the feelings of this piece of human meat.

You move away from him.

Then, you say in a commanding tone: “Tomorrow night I will participate in your masquerade ball! Prepare a decent mask for me. Now I’ll take a little walk through the streets of the city at night..."

You leave the wine cellar. And then you leave the mansion.

The night is quite dark. Because of the ragged gloomy clouds, the moon is almost invisible.

It probably rained recently. You are walking along dark streets. Occasionally puddles squelch under your feet.

You mentally consider your current situation and the prospects for your future.