"This way, come on. Uldess is already at my shop waiting."
Bram led Rayleigh and Alex out of the alleyway to a shop with windows with curtains covering them. Rayleigh looked up at the name of the store—Stoker Bram; refiner and antiquer. When they entered the store, Rayleigh and Alex saw Uldess passing by a coffee table, looking worried.
"Oh, thank god[1] you two are ok."
He ran over to Rayleigh and Alex and hugged them.
"I am sorry that I was unable to come help you two, but I am proud to see that you two do not need to rely on me."
Bram walked over with tea and biscuits for them.
Rayleigh looked at the biscuits with caution, remembering what Uldess said.
"No need to worry, Rayleigh, I have checked to make sure that they are safe."
Rayleigh wasn't sure if Uldess used a spell or just ate one, but he wasn't going to ask. Bram looked hurt.
"How could you not trust me, Uldess? Here I thought we were friends."
"I have to be careful around you. You are always out to try foreign 'cuisine'."
"Well, can't you blame me? After the first 2 centuries, I have gotten bored with the taste of-"
Bram stopped before he finished.
"I almost forgot to properly introduce myself. I am Stroker Bram[2]. I am a refiner and also an artificial dhampir."
Rayleigh and Alex looked confused.
"Allow me to explain."
A small boy appeared at a doorway, polishing an axe.
"A refiner is someone who has the ability to improve a weapon, or in some very unique cases, improve someone's abilities. And a dhampir is a half-human, half-vampire."
Rayleigh and Alex looked at the boy, surprised.
"That is my assistant and apprentice, Veygra. He is a half-dwarf, and yes, I am a half-vampire, though artificial means only."
Rayleigh was surprised to see a half-dwarf.
"So we are here, so Bram can help make us stronger?"
"You are correct, Alex. You see, Bram is one of the best refiners there is, only rivaled by royal dwarven refiners, and like Veygra said, some refiners can improve one's abilities and also powers."
Bram clapped his hands.
"Right, shall we get started. Rayliehg, can you call Agent for me?"
[1] Uldess has spent so much time surrounded by humans that even though he would be considered a god to humans, he has picked up some phrases
[2] Named after Bram Stoker( Yes, I know I just switched the place of his name, SUE ME.), the author who wrote Dracula