The knock on the door came so suddenly, Leighton almost dropped the plates of food he was carrying. He looked over at Thane, who had been polishing his sword on a stool beside the fire.

      "Hellooo!" came a gruff call from outside. "Anyone here?"

      Thane held his finger to his lips and shook his head at Leighton. He stood and held his sword beside him in such a way it was concealed by his leg. He opened to door to look outside and found three men in the yard a few feet from the steps to the door.

      "May I help you?" he asked, not recognizing anyone from the handful of herders and farmers he'd met over the years on the road.

      "Hello, there!" called out the man in the center.

      He had dark brown hair and a thick shaggy beard. His cloak was green, and he looked weary and well-traveled.

      Thane gave all three a quick glance and realized they were soldiers. They wore green cloaks over off-duty attire that was the same as he remembered. No armor but the same uniform of an ivory tunic and brown trousers.

      "I hope we're not bothering you," the man continued. "We've been riding for days and it seems the recent rain flooded the road just up ahead. Would it be an imposition to ask if we can stay here for the night? I see your cottage is small, so we can make-do outside. We'll be on our way in the morning as soon as our horses can cross."

      Leighton peeked through the corner of a window as the man spoke. He noticed the two with him appeared tired, though heavily armed. He could see the glint of a sword tip from beneath a cloak and the bulge of a hilt from the other.

      He chewed his lip. He knew Thane had no choice but to accommodate them to avoid arousing suspicion. No one around there would turn down tired and hungry soldiers.

      Thane gave them a broad, welcoming smile -- one he did not feel. "Of course! Our home is always welcome to those in need. Come! My friend and I were just about to have a meal. You can join us."

      At the promise of food, the men perked up and hurried inside. Leighton cleared his throat and bowed his head in greeting as they entered.

      "This is Weston," Thane said of Leighton with a false name. "You may call me Grayson."

      "Hello," the soldiers greeted as they sat where Leighton directed.

      "I'm Winston," the first man introduced himself. "These fellows with me are Dunston and Ackerley."

      "I hope we'll not be taking too much of your meal," the one named Dunston said as he looked over the pot of stew.

      "Not at all," Leighton cheerfully replied. "I had made too much this time because I didn't want the meat to spoil. Please, have your fill."

      "Thank you kindly," Winston told him.

      As they began to eat, Ackerley looked over at Leighton with interest.

      "How long have you two lived here?" he asked. "I thought this place was abandoned long ago."

      "That's right," Winston agreed as he looked around. "The last time I was here, there was a hole in the roof, busted up boards, dust and cobwebs everywhere, and the damned door wouldn't open. Had to kick it in with my boot. Split it from its hinges, but I only needed shelter for a few hours. Did you two do all of this?" he asked as he motioned to the repairs around the room with his finger.

      "So you're the one," chuckled Thane.

      Leighton became enthralled at his ability to remain calm and genial in their situation.

      "It took both of us to pry that door open," Thane continued. "We were originally hiding out from some thieves. Rains got hard and lasted for weeks. During that time, we repaired the room and the door and ... well ... What else can you do when you're homebound for so long? After making the necessary repairs, we thought we'd stay for a while. We've just never found a time to pack up and leave."

      "I see," Winston replied, and it seemed like it was the end of it for him.

      Not for Ackerley.

      "You two didn't leave anyone behind?" Ackerley pressed on. "Wife? Kids? Loved ones?"

      "Never been married," Thane replied in a lazy drawl as he drank a gulp of water. "No one would miss me where I'm from. Weston here is from another kingdom, so no one to tie him down, either. I guess we just both enjoy the peace out here."

      Dunston snickered as he dipped a piece of bread into his stew. "I hear men who live together too long without the accompaniment of women get particular kinds of stirrings."

      "Enough!" snapped Winston. "Don't say such crude things to our hosts."

      "My apologies," Dunston told them in a tone of shame as he wiped his mouth.

      Everyone went back to their meal, but Ackerley still wasn't done.

      "How long have you two lived here?" he asked.

      He still hadn't eaten much. Something was bothering him, and he was close to having his answer.

      "I can't take either of you anywhere," Winston said in a huff. He slammed his fork onto his plate and glared at Ackerley. "Just what does it matter? They were traveling, needed a place like we did, had no one who would miss them back home, and set up house here so they wouldn't be bothered. How is any of that your concern?"

      Ackerley scratched and tugged at his red beard as he glanced at both men. "I'll tell you why it's my concern, just like I can tell you it was three years ago they came here."

      "How would you know that?" wondered Dunston.

      "Because I was one of the soldiers ambushed by bandits trying to rescue that blue-eyed devil and his green-eyed escort," he growled, and he quickly stood and drew his sword.

      Everyone jumped up and Leighton gave Thane a fearful stare.

      "That one there is Captain Thane Ravenhall, top bounty hunter for his majesty," Ackerley revealed. "This bastard is Leighton Todd, The Fox -- a petty thief wanted for stealing from Lady Somerset."

      Thane made his way over to Leighton, his sword still concealed beside him.

      "That was three years ago," Winston argued. "Do you think they'd still be here? They'd be long gone by now. Besides, no one's after them. That Somerset bitch and her scoundrel husband were conmen."

      "This is them?" asked Dunston, more interested than Winston, who seemed content to let them go if the story was true. He was an older soldier and ready to retire without further trouble. "You were the only survivor of that attack."

      "I was," Ackerley replied. "I'll never forget these two."

      Leighton felt Thane grab his arm and tug in the direction of the back door. As Winston started another argument with Ackerley, he and Thane ran as fast as they could to escape the cottage.