Hildebran warily moved inside as an awkward guest, conscious of a cold stare coming from the back of the cozy home. A table sat in the kitchen area and at that table sat the father of the young lady who had welcomed them inside. The young lady realized the awkwardness now and motioned for the two of them to sit. "Oh, please sit. There is plenty of room at the table."

Hildebran cautiously pulled a chair out from the table and eased his way into it. He dared not meet the eyes of her father whose eyes he could feel digging into him. Look somewhere else for goodness sake. Look at the Slayer.

"Thank you for your kindness and graciousness milady. What might I call you?"

"I am called Adelina, if it please you men. What were your names again? And do not tell me you are truly Ser Varisar for I know that to be a lie." She had managed a soft smile across her face now at the thought of the jest. She was looking at Terran now, who had his bad arm awkwardly clung to the underside of the table as he struggled to roll the end of his cloak sleeve over it.

"Lady Adelina, what a beautiful name. You can call me Tarn, truly. That is my name given by birth, although, you are more than welcome to continue by my knighted name of Ser Varisar." Terran smiled, a twinkle filling his eye.

"And you, sir?" Adelina turned to Hildebran now, and his stomach did a flip.

"I am Ser Hildebran, well, erm, formerly Ser, but my own people abandoned me, or, actually, they uh, well the kingdom was in shambles and I left on my own accord, so, uh, yeah I guess I am still Ser Hildebran, if it please milady."

Adelina was chuckling as she moved towards the flagon of ale that sat on a counter some feet away from the table, "I am not royalty my friends, you may simply call me Adelina."

"If it would please you, milady. I mean, not milady. Adelina." Hildebran looked like he had just swallowed a frog after the words left his mouth. Adelina had only let a soft laugh escape and she smiled kindly at him.

"Ale, for the two of you? I know my father will want some."

"Yes, that would be splendid," Terran reached his shoulders back and let out a good stretch. He was just now beginning to realize how much his body hurt from travelling.

"We shall drink, and then likely be off to bed soon I suppose."

"Well take your time Tarn, you are welcome to help yourself to all the ale all you'd like, but I think my father would like you gone by dawn so that attention is not drawn to yourselves, being foreigners and all."

Adelina had tailed off at the latter part of what she had said. Hildebran appeared uneasy but was soon pouring himself a generous cup of ale despite the look he could feel from Adelina's father. Hildebran glanced up for the first time to meet his gaze and met nothing but thick eyebrows and sunken eyes that sat deep in his haggardly looking face.

Hildebran guessed that Adelina had read what he was feeling because she sooner addressed the silence, "I guess I should introduce my father as well; his name is Ser Darynt—former Knight of the King's Watch when he resided inside the castle walls of Weptswur's Castle Ranhold. He lost his tongue some years back, so I beg your pardon for his lack of speech."

Hildebran met his stare and scowl again now and tried to enunciate a kind greeting, "It is a pleasure to meet a former knight of the King's Watch, Ser Darynt. I appreciate the hospitality."

Adelina chimed in soon after, "I am sorry Ser Hildebran, but he is deaf as well, it is enough to simply acknowledge him after you speak so he feels included." Adelina gave a smile and a nod in his direction to show her inclusion. Hildebran breathed a sigh of relief when his gaze left his face and met Adelina's with a slightly softer frown.

Ser Darynt sat in his chair with his flagon of ale firmly in his right hand. Hildebran had not seen him move a muscle besides his eyes since he had stepped foot inside. Hildebran took a large swig of his drink and ale poured down past the cup and onto his chest. He ignored the cold ale that drenched his neck and turned to Adelina, "So what is the deal with Weptswur now? It seems that Weptswur, and this town in particular, are on edge?"

"Well, have you heard? The continent has been on edge since the murder of the guardian king of the Meadows of Mestrane."

Terran spoke now, "That much is quite obvious, but my friend and I have been travelling for months now in search of a new home and we are headed to the Weptswur capital, actually, in search of a place to live—"

"—wait, you mean to move to the capital? Where murder and thievery run rampant?"

"What do you mean?" Terran face had dropped, although he knew the answer that was to come.

"Well, there's a couple things. To catch you up, Weptswur officials have a few bounties out for multiple people. Firstly, it is believed that the Slayer is in Weptswur. If he is found and returned to the King's Watch, there is a great reward and he will be hung inside the walls of Castle Ranhold. Second, there has been much violence recently in the capital. Killings that have been done in the name of a sorcerer named Edward Nightclaw I believe. The men who are doing the killing are known to be notorious swordsman of some sort I think." His name is Edmund, not Edward. But I must bite my tongue. Play dumb here.

"Interesting...has anyone actually seen this Slayer guy in Weptwur as of late? I mean we are headed to the capital because of the gold and silver it promises for those with skill as a blacksmith, but this whole Slayer thing sounds ridiculous." Hildebran spoke, finally finding his confidence now as he spoke to Adelina. Hildebran looked to Terran for assurance but Terran was returning a discreet glare. What else am I supposed to do? Tell the truth?!

Adelina moved to the flagon of ale to refill Hildebran's cup. "Oh, I'm fine, milady, I mean, Adelina." Hildebran gave her a warm smile and returned his gaze to his empty cup of ale. Without peering at her father, he asked Adelina, "I'm trusting that he doesn't know that I'm talking about him as you said he can't hear me, but why does he stare so intensely as if I've wronged him in some way? It's a bit, erm, unsettling."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Yeah, I am deeply sorry about him. He is a sour man now, you know, after serving in the king's guard for so long. He resents that we can have conversation freely and he cannot hear a word nor speak a word. I fear we'd all be the same if we were without a tongue and ears."

"I 'pose your right, Adelina." Hildebran felt his stomach flip as he said her name aloud. This is stupid, I've never had this level of anxiety around women. Mayhap it has been too long since I've been to a brothel.

"Well, I guess we'd better be off to bed soon so we can get rest before the sun rises." Terran hadn't moved from his wooden chair yet but smiled wearily towards Hildebran—who was enjoying Adelina's company.

"Oh, I suppose I should show you men where you will be sleeping tonight."

"Once again, Adelina, I thank you for your hospitality. It is a brutal road out there with many dangers around. It is pleasant to have a roof over our head for at least one night to gather our bearings and rest up."

"Of course. Just be careful, often times the town's guards will do random house inspections to search for men on the King's bounty list."

Hildebran commented smugly, "Oh fear not, we are used to sleeping with our eyes open. It is the only way we know how at this point."

For the first time since they had been welcomed inside, Hildebran saw a look of mistrust in Adelina's eyes as hers met his own. What was wrong? Had that sounded suspicious? Adelina arrived at the end of the narrow hallway beyond the kitchen and motioned them into a small room that seemed to be an old storage room.

"We've warm furs and blankets as well to keep you warm if you wish, Tarn and Ser Hildebran. Simply ask and it is yours for the night."

Hildebran had not a chance to open his mouth before Terran answered, "Thank you lady Adelina but I think we will be okay for the night. Our own furs should do a fine job. Have a good night of rest lady, and we thank you for the hospitality and plentiful ale."

With a warm smile and one last shared eye contact between Hildebran and Adelina, she turned and left the room, closing the rickety door behind her as she went.

"What was wrong with the extra blankets? My fur is wet and cold and dirty. A warm fur would have been a welcome change whilst we're here."

"Just be thankful we have a roof over our head and a warm bed, Hildebran."

"A bed? All I see is our cloaks and our wet furs to compliment some stiff wooden boards as our bed. This isn't exactly what I had in mind."

"Well why don't you cross the hall then and go hop in bed with Adelina if that's what you're so pressed about?"

"Oh, shut it Terran, I'll have you admit it too, she's a beauty. But I think her father would slit my throat before my toes left this room." The two laughed obnoxiously before their laughs were quickly stifled as the door creaked open. It was Ser Darynt, standing in the doorway. With a face that appeared less than happy. His mouth opened but nothing came out, and Hildebran's hand slowly inched towards his belt which lay underneath his stingy furs he had just thrown aside.

Ser Darynt's hand came out from behind the door and it was Terran who unsheathed his dagger, the sound of sword scraping scabbard sent a ringing through the small room. Ser Darynt dropped the blankets and furs that had been bundled up in his right hand to the ground and Terran foolishly sheathed his dagger back into place. Hildebran's heart leapt out of his mouth as his eyes followed Ser Darynt's face to Terran's dagger arm. Terran's tattered flesh and bone flayed hand was exposed. His sleeves had rolled up as he sheathed his dagger. It was less than a second, and Terran had pulled his sleeve back down but Ser Darynt's eyes held a dangerous glint.

The door slammed shut and the blankets and furs sat in front of the doorway. Hildebran held his hands to his head and Terran was clutching his bad arm with his healthy left hand.

"He saw it." Hildebran spoke so softly it was a miracle if Terran had heard him.

"Well that was kind of him."

"Are you taking the piss now, Terran? He just offloaded blankets for us and you audaciously unsheathe your dagger in his own house? What did you plan to do, gut him?"

Terran stood up and grabbed the blankets from the wooden floor and returned to his spot on the ground beside Hildebran. Terran had rolled over and tucked himself inside his warm blankets whilst Hildebran still stared incredulously at him.

"Answer me! We can't stay here now. He saw you. He saw it."

Terran jerked up from his position underneath the blankets, "Okay, so what? What is he going to do? Blubber baby talks to his daughter until she shushes him back to bed? He can't talk! He's a crazy old knight that is likely an outcast of the townsfolk. Go to bed. We get up before sunrise."

Hildebran snatched the top layer off Terran and wrapped himself up in its warmth. He was no longer thankful for dry blankets and warm cloaks. Hildebran tried to close his eyes, but his mind fluttered on. It wasn't long before he heard the loud, rhythmic breathing of Terran beside him. His nose whistled slightly as the sound of the fire crackling in the main room of the house faintly trickled into their room from the other end of the small house.

Hildebran drifted off hours later, but he was convinced he never slept. It was the kind of sleep that takes more out of you then when you're awake. He had already twisted and turned more than he would have sleeping on the wet, soggy ground outside. When he couldn't tell if he had transcended into sleep or finally begun dreaming, he felt his mind start to wander. He was face to face with Adelina, but it was too dark to see her face. He leaned forward but his lips just couldn't quite reach hers. He leaned forward but she leaned back. She was sitting over his chest now and her arms held his shoulders back. It was hard to breath, but it was worth it. He put his arms around her neck and pulled her face to him now. She let it happen now but when he was certain their lips would meet, he felt nothing. His frustration awoke him, but he refused to open his eyes. If he didn't open them then he was still asleep. He drifted away again, but this time he dreamt of Terran's arm. He was drinking a flagon of ale with his dead arm, out for everyone to see. The King of Weptswur was with them in the small home of Ser Darynt and Adelina. Hildebran grasped at his hair to pull it, to do something. He had to be discreet, but the they were all going to see it, his arm. Hildebran began muttering now, aloud in his sleep.

"He saw it. He knows. He knows you're the Slayer."

"Not yet, but he will soon. Come with me." Adelina cupped her hand around his cheek. That felt real.

Hildebran jerked awake panting. Adelina sat by his side stroking his forehead.

"What are you doing?" He was perplexed, and he noticed Terran was not lying beside him anymore.

"You were yelling out in the night and then we tried to wake you, but we couldn't. Are you okay?"

Hildebran suddenly realized his nudity and covered himself with a blanket that had fallen to the side.

"Uh, yeah, erm, just a bad dream."

"It's probably best you wake up now. It's beyond sunrise."

"How long beyond sunrise? Where's Terran?"

"It's eight hours past." Adelina stared hesitantly at Hildebran now.

"What? NO, it can't be! Where is Terran? I need to know, tell me!"

"Terran? You mean Tarn?"

"Yes, whatever. We weren't supposed to sleep this late." Hildebran tried to rise from his spot, but fatigue and stomach pain sent him back to the floor in a heap.

"Easy, ser. You need rest, you seem sick."

"Tell me though. I need to know where Terran, or, I mean, Tarn is." Adelina sighed a heavy sigh and rubbed a cool, wet cloth across his forehead.

"He left many hours ago. He could not wake you, so he had to leave without you. I'm sorry." Hildebran tiled back his head in disbelief.

"How could he leave without me?"

Adelina pursed her lips and finally caved to giving him his answer, "He had to...he said something about someone coming after you, but he couldn't tell me anything more than that. I sent him away with some more ale and some fresh bread."

Adelina gave it sometime and then leaned her face over Hildebran's, just as he had dreamed. Yet, like before, there was no kiss. Only words came from her lips now, "Now what were you screaming about? You wouldn't shut up about a hand? Something about the Slayer too."

"Oh nothing, it was just a bad dream." It wasn't long before Hildebran was back asleep again, only this time he dreamed of the something closer to him. It was Edmund Nightclaw, and he was coming for Hildebran.