As the sun set down and the night was slowly approaching Aaron and I returned to our inn. There was no point hanging around for much longer, especially considering people were too scared to talk to us even in daylight.

On the way back I heaved a sigh to break the deafening silence between us noticing small steam escaping my mouth. The air was crisp and biting, it was cold; too cold for the end of summer. I had a hunch that should not have been normal, especially since Aaron was a fan of cold places and even he shivered. I hummed quietly and softly mumbled, "So even the weather is affected...?"

Aaron looked up to me, anyone else would probably not even noticed I said anything but he heard me, loud and clear. "Do you think that has something to do with the disappearances?"

I shrugged. I had no answer to that. It could have been linked, or it could have been a completely separate case. Not hearing my response Aaron fell silent as well, drowning in his own thoughts.

I always hated those kinds of cases, where either: people were too stupid to know what is going on in their town, too scared to talk about it or just, plainly, too stubborn and proud to ask for help. It didn't make anything easier. The only thing left for us to do was to speak with the elders. See what they have to say to all of this.

Once we reached our room Aaron asked plopping down on the bed “So tomorrow we just have to go to elders?”

I was looking out of the window, noticing two dark shadows in the forest. Lashaka and Trutan must have been wondering if we were going to leave soon. I waved at them to signal that we need to stay longer. Both beasts turned around and left unnoticed.

“Yeah, we don’t have a choice, but we might have to wait until someone is kidnapped to find the culprit.”

Aaron frowned at those words “There were also those two… The creatures. Clearly, there’s something wrong with them.”

I chuckled, once again reminded how much Aaron hates women “Yes. Those girls… I mean who under normal circumstances agrees to help for free in a place where they have the choice of leaving? They said they didn’t come here long ago too.”

Aaron nodded agreeing with me. I was the strategic one but Aaron had an amazing gut feeling, especially when it came to humans. He would never open up too quickly but at the same time if he sensed he could trust someone he would show it. So if he was suspicious of those two just as much as I was, then I had to look into it a bit more.

I quieted down for a while considering all options. Then after a short pause, I asked looking at my brother: “Did they say anything before I came over?”

“No. Just asking if I came here to help.”

“So, they either are crazy to try to help with a problem which couldn’t be solved by many guards, or it's more personal to them than they let on.”

Aaron grumbled “The first option seems good to me. Either way, they should just stay out no matter their reason, if they don’t have any information they are useless.” Aaron shrugged trying to dismiss the subject. He knew where this was going and what I was going to do.

I ignored the snarky comment and continued “So if it is personal they want someone to help them and not the other way round. They could also be treasure or bounty hunters or be in a similar situation to ours. If that was the case and they needed help maybe they were rookies?” After so many possibilities were out I started to question my own logic. Unlike Aaron, my gut feeling towards humans was weaker. I was much better at reading monsters and mounts, it was part of my job after all. To understand another human I had to know them at least a bit. It was like reading books, I could read any book in any language but I would have to understand the language to understand the book. While Aaron would either read it happily or not even touch it. This was why we usually voiced our suspicions to each other.

Once I sighed scratching my head in wonder Aaron rolled his eyes. He knew what happens when I dig too deeply. Whether the outcome was good or bad it depended on what we would decide on in the end.

“Whatever if they are rookies looking for help they can just go to hell with it. We won’t be doing any errands for two little sissies.”

I laughed “But my assassin’s curiosity is kicking in. I want to know what they want. Or more like why they want it.”

Aaron rolled his eyes yet again. “We are not doing anything, Nate. I am not doing anything.” Aaron glared at me, while I had a mischievous grin on my lips already. “Nate… I’m warning you.” Aaron finished annoyed that he will be dragged into something unnecessary by me - once again.

Later that night I went out. Through the window, of course, to make sure no one saw me. I was observing the direction the two girls went towards before and headed the same way. Kellwoods did not seem large, so I shouldn't have too many problems with finding them as long as I was on the right track.

As I was walking along the rows of cottages and inns I would quickly glance into them looking for any clues. However as luck would have it I did not need to do it for long, the two girls were walking down the street a bit further along. Noticing them before they spotted me I hid in the shadows of one of the buildings, thankful that my cloak made me practically invisible. However, I stood casually leaning against one of the walls. Hiding in plain sight was sometimes easier than sneaking around. Especially with my height and body build. Aaron was the one who would be squeezed into small spaces, I just wouldn't fit in.

I waited patiently for the girls to pass me. As they did I saw how exhausted and resigned they looked, Aaron and I probably looked no better a few hours ago. As the girls passed only a few inches away from me neither of them even thought of turning to look around. So they continued to walk, and once they were further along, I started to follow them. I was close enough to hear them and yet far enough to look like I was just a stranger walking in the same direction.

After a moment I heard the smaller girl - Leah - finally speak “We got unlucky. I'm hoping someone new will come over at some point.”

Ava - the taller one - agreed “Yes. I mean that little one seemed the most suited but his attitude leaves a lot to desire and his brother wouldn’t be of any use.”

“Definitely, and they just wouldn’t talk anyway.”

The two girls sighed in unison. I smirked in amusement and continued to follow the two. Soon they reached some small inn and entered. Not wanting to push my luck I walked around behind the building and scanned the area quickly. No one was in sight so I walked around the building a few times trying to find the right room or rooms. As soon as I heard in one of them the doors opening I glanced inside it and leant against the wall just next to it, listening in.

Both girls started to talk vaguely about the day until Leah asked, “Do you think we will find someone who can help us?” That was the information I was hoping for. So they needed help.

Ava sighed “I hope so. But for now, I hope Godvia is all right.”

Before I could listen to any more of the conversation, noises from nearby reached my ears. They sounded like two drunk men having some argument which would probably turn into a fight. That meant more people would come around and there is nothing more suspicious than a guy in a hood who is standing in an alleyway right next to a window to an inn. I might hide in plain sight, but that did not mean it would work in every scenario. Annoyed I sighed quietly and went immediately to the closest bar. Even when I did not get what I wanted in full, that little information might prove to be useful when faced with the right crowd. Besides, I still got the confirmation that the girls indeed had a personal attachment to all this, and the name might be the key.

As I reached a rundown building even before I walked in a foul stench reached me. It smelled like dead rats which were piled up over the decades. As much gore as there was in my life, I never liked the smells which was a personal curse, since assassins had heightened senses. Stopping my gagging reflex I entered and walked up to the bar while carefully looking around. The place was fairly empty, probably due to cold weather and the smell of death. Although among the quiet tables there was one where some elder men sat around in quite the large group. They seemed like locals and not guards which was always a plus.

After observing them for a few seconds I ordered some beer, praying it would be edible, and walked up to them asking “Hello, Lads. Would you mind if I talk to you for a while?” I made my voice sound casual and friendly even when I felt my hand twitch towards my belt where the daggers were concealed.

The men frowned at me and began to start getting up with slightly angry grunts. All except one with a grey beard. He was probably too old for a bar fight. However, the rest were clearly looking for a fight, or to scare me off but I only grinned. If the fight would start it would get too much attention which was something I would much rather avoid and so I placed my beer on their table and with one hand I lifted my eyepatch slightly and the other reached to my belt under the cloak. Discretely, I slowly took out one of my daggers out of the scabbard, enough for them to see, but still hidden from everyone else.

I then whispered “I do not advise starting anything, lads. Let’s just get along.”

Men as if on command all became pale and sat back down one by one. They weren't happy about it but they still made some space for me to sit. At least I was talking to 'somewhat' intelligent people. They were fully aware that what I had on my face was not just a tattoo, and what an assassin’s daggers looked like. It made the interrogation easier.

I sat down having a sip of my drink. All the men watched me with nervousness. None dared to say anything or even move. It wasn’t unusual to get those looks but it wasn’t easy to get used to even after so many years. However, I almost enjoyed the fear in people's eyes from time to time. I liked being able to control the situation and whether it was by respect or fear did not matter. It was my assassin side which told me that was a good omen in this case. They all looked like they were about to run for their dear life. Which was not surprising since there were apparently some rogue assassins in the area as Aaron found out on the first night, he looked especially displeased when talking about that incident. So my presence must have scared those men even further. I might have been rogue but I wasn’t there to kill those poor, scared bastards. At least not yet.

After a moment I had a casual sip of my drink looking around at their scared mugs. Then once I placed my cup down on the table I asked calmly “I have a few questions, it won’t take long.”

One of the men - the one with the grey beard - picked up his drink at last. Among all of them he seemed the calmest, still looked like he was ready to run but he probably knew it wouldn’t help him. He looked quite old, experienced with life. His long, messy, grey beard was hard proof of that. His face was full of wrinkles but not the ones you get from smiling a lot.

After a sip, he said trying to sound menacing “You’re a cocky one boy. If it is information you need, ask away. But nothing is for free.” His voice almost cracked but I still gave him the credit for having the guts to say that.

I grinned seeing that despite the danger he wasn’t one to back down. He must have been a guard of some sort, years ago. So with that in mind, I decided to play it off cool, “I am aware. Give me what I need and I will pay you for the hassle.” I showed them a small leather bag which made a pleasant clink.

The man nodded getting another gulp of his drink down probably to get some more courage while I asked quietly “Who is Godvia? One of the locals by any chance?”

All the men seemed to stiffen at the name. Except for the grey-bearded man saying “So, you are interested in the little duchess?”

I repeated slightly surprised “Duchess?”

“She’s the daughter of the count which lives in the nearby castle. He is a powerful man with many men under him. He is cruel, however, to everyone who enters his land uninvited. There are few talks around about this place: that it's haunted. It is either that the duke kills all visitors, or that there is some sort of curse that murders them.”

I leant back in my chair thinking for a while then asked, “Is there anything strange happening around your village except the disappearances?”

All the men looked at one another then a younger man answered getting slightly braver most likely due to my relaxed pose “Well, we always had problems with vanishings of people, it was as if gods took their sacrifices every now and then, but lately it became more common. There were also few murder cases where bodies were found and the killer never caught. But except that nothing out of the ordinary. Why do you want to know that?”

I smirked, “I am the one asking questions here.”

The man quickly shut up feeling slightly overpowered.

Not sensing he will go out of line again I continued my questions, “Where is this castle?”

The bearded man shrugged “All I know, it’s to the South of here. No one who holds life dear wonders down there. They call it Carleon Manor, to honour the owner.”

I stood up and threw two gold coins on the table.

The old man picked it up saying “You are not very giving, boy.” He looked up at me with a bit of a disappointment in his eyes. Meanwhile, I glared back at him knowing full well what kind of impact it has on people. The old man grunted something and hid the coins adding “I don’t advise you to go there. The Duchess is beautiful, indeed, but not worth that risk.”

Walking away I turned my head over my shoulder with murderous intentions in my eyes, hoping that it will drive them away from me “Compared to you all I am not afraid to die. And I have a business there.” I grinned like a maniac to scare those bastards further. It was my way to make sure they won't follow or try doing something stupid. After a nod to the bartender, I left the bar leaving those men speechless and terrified.

While walking back I tried to link in all the information that I gathered. However, despite clear evidence of a monster problem the only fact I couldn’t link where the two girls Aaron and I met. I could not understand what would possibly be their reason to help with the monster. However, despite the fact I was curious I left those question unanswered for now.

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