... in the morrow. And what shall we say of the mountain dwellers? Those who reap the essence of the mountain, who practice the ancient art of vampirism, transferring and manipulating life-force ... whispers of tittle-tattle will be heard, their destinies forever lay to waste by the masters of vampirism. Only the story-tellers, old men and women, a foot set in the grave, dare discharge the ... slipping away; the mood shifts, the staring out the window at nothing, weight loss, drinking to excess, that sort of thing. Moving to the town of Shasta City, which rests on the flank of the mountain,...