Because One is the Loneliest Number (Ri'Skar)

[duke]

"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do,"

Duke hummed in between lyrics, lounging back against a rock that was cooling from the sun's embrace. It would stay warm for perhaps another hour, then it would be just his fire that would keep him warm. Right now, building that fire up was taking most of the Breton's attention, even if the fire was already well established. It was well established because Duke had stolen the camp by force,

"Twoooo, can be as bad as one. It's the loneliest number since the number one,"

Duke had taken the camp from two Foresworn, and now their dead bodies had been moved aside out of sight of anyone entering the camp through the most obvious route. His back was almost to a high cliff, with rocks defending either side of him. All in all, it was a very defensible camp site. And one that already came with a fire, supplies, and bed rolls. What else could you ask for?

"Nooo is the saddest experience that you've ever knoown..."

The Breton took a seat closer to the fire, pure black eyes staring into it as he listened to the sizzle of a rabbit on the spit. He was unarmed and without a weapon, as always. The only weapons he ever really needed were his hands, and anything else he could simply conjure into existence should the moment call for it. And if he needed extra help, he could resurrect the fallen Foresworn.

Now the only thing he needed to worry about were the returning camp members; there were four bed rolls and tents in this little camp site, which meant he would be welcoming two guests. Duke honestly wasn't sure how long he wanted to wait, or if he just wanted to pick up what he wanted and then leave in a non-conspicuous way. Foresworn were known to travel between their camps after all; what if he bit off more than he could chew?

"Yes, it's the saddest experience you'll ever know..."

It wasn't any good to sit and worry. He would finish eating and then see what the winds brought to him. Chances were good that his only company would be Foresworn though, so Duke would simply have to be prepared for that.

"Because one is the loneliest number..."

[Ri'Skar]

"And what would a person like you be doing out in the Reach alone?" A voice called to him from the darkness. "At night no less. This one is impressed. Not many anymore are so brave." The source of the obviously Khajiit voice never showed himself, but he seemed almost too interested in what Duke was doing out here alone.

[duke]

Duke's shoulders straightened and he stood almost immediately, hands curled loosely into fists as he tried to pin point exactly where that voice came from. It didn't sound like a Foresworn, and those folks tended to bum rush you instead of talking from the dark.

You didn't get anywhere without taking a step in some direction, "Well I was going to bed down. This is a camp, after all." he replied in a playfully tone, tilting his head a little as he waited for any sign of where the Khajiit was. Bandits and thieves were out here too, and some of them tended to be a bit more talkative. Perhaps that was who he had here?

[Ri'Skar]

"Interesting. You intend to bed down in a Forsworn camp. This one could do that, but Forsworn also stay away when they see this one." He said with a chuckle, coming out of the darkness to reveal the slender male Khajiit. It was obvious now in the light of the fire why Forsworn fled from him. The large fangs immediately alerted his company that he was a Vampire.

[duke]

Duke put on a big smile, shoulders rigid as he turned toward the Khajiit, "I see. Well that's interesting." his lips pulled back a little in a grin that was so familiar it had become reflex. He wasn't exactly terrified of the vampire, he'd known vampires could die just as dead as any other people. They were just a bit harder to kill.

The Breton himself had a much more solid build without being overtly muscular, and he opened his arms in a welcome to the vampire, "Did you want to sit, or just eat?" he was completely prepared to defend himself if necessary. But hey, no reason to start conflict right?

[Ri'Skar]

"Hm, sitting sounds nice. This one is know as Ri'Skar. What is your name Breton?" He said, walking over and sitting near the fire. The laid back Khajiit didn't see a need to start a fight, seeing as the other man had not acted aggressive toward him. He was a bandit, but he had more sense than that.

[duke]

That grin stayed fixed in place as he took a seat, "They call me Duke. Just Duke," he took a seat opposite the vampire Khajiit with the fire in between them, reaching for the roasted rabbit and sitting back with it in hand. The vampire hadn't responded to his veiled question, so Duke assumed this was to be a peaceful meeting, "What brings out here to a Forsworn camp?" he asked, taking a bite of the rabbit and tearing off a few strands of flesh.

[Ri'Skar]

"My leader, he wanted me to bring back valuables. Ri'Skar knows that Forsworn have lots of shiny things. Why not steal what was already stolen, eh?" The cat answered, smiling at the Breton. "What about you? What brings you to such a place?"

[duke]

Duke shrugged, getting more relaxed now as he ate the rabbit, "Some adventure, perhaps. I'm new to Skyrim, and heard of trouble in the Reach. I was mostly interested in food and shelter when I came here though." he gestured around himself a bit, eyes lingering where he'd hidden the Forsworn's bodies.

[Ri'Skar]

"That is a good reason to be here, I suppose." Ri'Skar said, looking about. "Perhaps though, you would do this one a favor? Ri'Skar knows you only just met him, but he feels as if you seem nice enough."

[duke]

Duke perked up a bit, tilting his head to the side and smiling again. He LOVED favors, "Sure. I'm not really going anywhere for the night, and I have no other plans."

Favors usually incurred debt, and Duke loved debt above all else. You could make people do crazy things to get out of debt.

[Ri'Skar]

"You see, Ri'Skar must travel to Markarth tomorrow and, I'm sure you noticed this, they don't just let vampires waltz up into cities. Especially if they can tell like you can with this one. I ask you, will you let me feed on you, so that I may pass unnoticed? I would gladly repay you and you will not feel pain." The Khajiit asked calmly, acting as it it was common to let vampires feed on people.

[duke]

Duke arched an eyebrow at that request, thinking it over. He'd heard that the chances for catching the vampire disease were low, but it was still a bit risky to just welcome a known predator with open arms. What if he just hung on a sucked him dry?

"Well that doesn't sound so bad. What do I get paid in?" he asked, leaning back a bit as he continued to eat the rabbit.

[Ri'Skar]

"Ri'Skar can give you gold. Or, if you trust my word, a cut of my prize tomorrow. Though, this one understands if you take the gold. It isn't common to trust a bandit." Ri'Skar said, with a calm happy smile. He certainly wasn't shy about his profession.

[duke]

Duke tilted his head to the other side in thought, considering the offer, "What kind of prize?" he asked, completely happy with investing in something bigger than a one-time payment of gold. He'd just need to be more prepared for when it came to actually holding up his own end of the bargain and giving this Khajiit some of his blood.