-On a carriage just outside Solitude-
"We've almost arrived, sir." The carriage driver spoke roughly over his shoulder at the passenger in the back through the cold night breeze. "The payment will be 50 septims. You should be glad we didn't run into any bandits, I've heard there have been quite a few around these parts lately." The older man smiled slightly as he urged his horse forward.
The night was quiet; almost too quiet. Solitude sat in the distance like a beautiful statue that Lucas might have read about in one of his children's books. But that was far behind him, and he was allowing himself to become distracted. "Oh, yes, 50 septims," Lucas pulled a pouch from his belt and dug around inside through the clinking gold coins, "here you go." Lucas felt strange about his relationship with this man. They had traveled together all the way from Windhelm, but these were the first words they had shared with each other since their departure.
The cart came to a sudden stop just outside the city gates. The guards didn't make a move, standing like cold statues in the night. The driver said something about having arrived, but Lucas' mind was focused on other, more complex thoughts. "Er thanks," Lucas paused, feeling awkward, "thanks for the ride." He hopped off of the carriage and on to the freezing, stone floor. He longed to feel the cold, but his body betrayed him.
Lucas entered the gates and stared down the city street for a moment. It was nearly poetic, the beauty of it. Lights danced in front of his eyes, and music came from somewhere. It reminded him of his mother teaching him to sing and play the lute. But that was just a distraction now. The music was coming from the inn, just to his left. He began walking toward it slowly, trying not to make eye contact with the few people wandering the streets at this hour.
On his way in the door, Lucas noticed a shady looking character and an older Redguard walking out together. He looked away from them, hoping that they wouldn't see his face. It was nearly silent in the bar, and just nearly as empty. There was a small group sitting around a table who gave him an odd look as he entered and another two at the bar, one very obviously flirting with the other. Lucas laughed to himself a bit, Hm, he's much too forward for that young dumer's tastes.
Then he saw it. In the corner sat a figure, but it wasn't a man; not exactly. Lucas could see, through the darkness caused by the hood, a pair of amber eyes. It was one of his kind, a vampire. Lucas could very nearly feel the other's presence on his skin. I have no need to be anywhere near this one. Lucas' mind was racing. No doubt another vampire would be unhappy to share the blood supply of this city. Nothing good will come. Perhaps I should leave. Lucas made a quick decision. He patted himself, acting as if he had suddenly realized he had forgotten something important, then made his way out the door; back into the night.
