“Bless the moonlight to you, sir.”

The looming silhouette stopped and turned, facing the mysterious voice coming from behind them. Edan held his breath, confused. Another voice? He thought again, sweat dripping down his temples. How many thieves reside here? Better yet, how many wish to harm me?

“Ah,” the dry voice replied, taking a few steps away from Edan, “to yeh, as well, I s’ppose..”

“Are you lost, my good sir? Entering this forest is rather dangerous, let alone during this late hour. ”

Edan raised his eyebrows in surprise. The voice sounded familiar to him.

“Er.. n-no, friend,” the dry voice wavered with hesitation, “I be looking fer a, erm, deer that ran through ‘ere. It’s been far too many days since I last ate a good ‘un. Gotta look out fer me’self, yeh know?”

“I see,” the calm voice paused, taking a few steps along the branch-covered floor, “but sir, you do know that deer don’t reside here. Only a small rodent or two from time to time. So why are you here?”

Edan sat and listened, waiting for the strangers to potentially step away. He thought he could make a run for it, if given the chance. Knife still in hand, he slowly and quietly propped himself into a low hunch, just barely peeking out of the log hole.

“I thought I told yeh, yeh meddling prick,” the dry voice became a low grumble, taking step towards the confrontational stranger, “I saw a deer run through ‘ere! I swear it.”

“I know your type, friend. You’re just a lowly thief who steals from those who you deem weaker than you. Leave that child alone, he’s with me.”

Master! Edan was ready to pounce from the hole, excitement filling his entire being.  

“Yeh filthy liar!” the dry voice yelled, pointing their blade threateningly at Edan’s Master, “Yer tryin’ to thieve from me! This 'un is mine, I found ‘em fair. He’s part of his Walk, innie ? He be ripe fer trade, mind yeh.”

“Why would I lie, fellow thief? He isn’t meant for trade, he’s meant to complete his Walk and train to become a Protector. People like you are preventing that from happening.”

“Don’t yeh see? These Gods yeh follow lie to yeh, promisin’ yeh good fortune and pride by doing their ‘good deeds’. It’s all lies, these travelin’ brats fetch a pretty coin fer their Talents. Yeh bastards, on the o'her 'and, don’t save people, yeh serve people. Protect’rs.. The only thing they’re good at protectin’ is our pockets of coin.”

Protectors? Talents? Coins?

All of this confused Edan, unsure of what the thief was trying to convey. His Master told him that if Edan left alongside him, he would help him obtain his dream of helping his village. His head was spinning, trying to understand

“We ‘aven’t ‘ad a successful Protect’r in over three-’undered years, yeh fool. They either give up and sell their talents, or they end up-.”

Before he knew it, the thief reached up to his throat, making a sound similar to gurgling water. The sound made the hairs on Edan’s skin stand, a shiver shooting down his spine. The thief then fell to his knees, reaching his weapon hand out towards his Master. His Master only watched, flicking a glinty object in his hand, and slipped it under his travel robes. With one final croak, the thief fell face-first into the ground, unmoving.