Lord Darren Moats of Lucenne stood next to Alaric. He was a short, heavy-set man. The man had a greying, bushy brown beard that matched his greying hair. The man wasn't all that much to look at. He was very kind and welcomed the Hunters with open arms.

The man always war ornate striped shirts and pants. Today, he wore a burgandy and orange striped from top to bottom. Alaric thought that it wasn't likely that he would ever be caught dead in such an outfit.

Alaric found the man's excitment at the presenece of the Hunters interesting nonetheless. Alaric felt that he was growing paranoid. Every person, every movement, everything that happened around him had a reason to it, and he knew it. Alaric was suspicious of each and every motive. Alaric wanted to trust the kind Lord, but the man was too welcoming for his taste.

The pair of men stood atop the northern wall surrounding Lucenne. Alaric tried to watch the Lord carefully out of the corner of his eye. With every movement, Alaric respond carefully.

"Alaric, you need to calm down. I am not your enemy. I will protect you all the way to the King," the jovial Lord said as he extended his hand toward Alaric.

Alaric frowned and faced the man. Alaric knew that he had to play nicely with the Lord for his own safety. The young man grabbed the Lord's hand and shook it carefully. Alaric pulled his hand away from the Lord as quickly as he could.

Lord Moats met the boy's eye with a smile. "I know your father, Alaric. He was a friend of mine many years ago. Orven and Aviah both."

That was news to him. Orven and Aviah had never mentioned anything about knowing a Lord or Lady, especially the Lord over the territory that Alaric was raised in. "They never mentioned you once. Why do you think that is?"

The Lord nodded. "I understand. Our past is... complicated to be sure. Nevertheless, I owe that man more than my life. Choose to believe me or not, it is up to you, but I know them well."

Alaric drew a breath. He knew that he would have to choose his words carefully. "I do believe you. You have no way of knowing their names except from me. I do trust you though. I haven't been away from home longer, and I already am losing faith in the world."

The Lord grunted in agreement. "That is the way that the world is now. Darkness prevails at every corner. Our kingdom stands out of necessity not out of good ruling. Disease, madness, and death are rampant everywhere. You only see what sent your father back to Baerlon."

Suddenly the Lord fell still and silent. Alaric gazed out over the plains surrounding Lucenne. He too was silent.

A deep, gravely yet familiar voice came from behind Alaric. "That all could be yours one day, my young friend."

Alaric spun around to find the source of the voice. The source stood a dozen or so feet behind him. Alaric froze as his eye met the eyes of the man. It was himself.

The being smiled. The look in the being's eye made Alaric uncomfortable. "What's wrong, Ric?" the being asked.

Alaric glanced at Lord Moats. The Lord stood motionless. His eyes were open, staring into nothing.

The being chuckled. "Do not worry, my young friend. You could say that this isn't even real. The Lord is well, despite all."

Alaric looked back at the being. "What are you?"

The being gave a deep bow. "I am Dominus. King and Father of the Old Gods. It is very good to make your acquaintance!"

Alaric frowned. "D'you know who I am then?"

The being strode toward Alaric casually. "Of course I do, Alaric. I have been watching you since the day that you were born."

Alaric felt his body tighten. He definitely didn't trust whatever this being was. He was ready for the being to lunge at him.

"Don't be rash, Alaric. I am not here to kill you. You and I will be spending much more time together from here on. I am a part of you." The being stopped next to Alaric and gazed out over the horizon.

"What do you mean, a part of me?" Alaric asked as he followed the being with his eyes. He knew that he couldn't give the creature any advantages.

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The being sighed. "When you were an infant, I bound my soul to yours. It isn't all that complicated to be honest. I needed a host or else I would die. You are the most promising being that I have ever seen, and so I chose you."

Alaric had more questions than he could begin to ask. "What do you mean bound to my soul? Or needed a host? Or promising being? None of what you are saying makes any sense." Alaric was beginning to be frustrated with the being. It gave no straight answers.

The being waved a hand in the air. "Do not worry. All will be revealed in time. Until then, I will visit you more. You interest me. Despite the fact that you're a fool."

Alaric clenched his fists. He wanted to take a swing at the being, but he wasn't sure if he could take him in a fight.

The being laughed. "Alaric, I am a part of you for now. Your every thought, every desire, every feeling. I know them all. You can hide nothing from me. Swing if you like, but you'll be disappointed in the result. I am stronger than you by far."

Alaric sighed. "What's the point? If you do know my every thought, fighting you would be pointless."

The being nodded in agreement. "You are right. For now, I am leaving. I'll come see you again when I need you."

Alaric refused to respond, but it was Lord Moats voice broke the silence. "You alright, Alaric? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Alaric shook his head. He had a feeling that Lord Moats had no clue what had just happened. "I'm alright. I think that I just need to rest. Traveling has been difficult for us. I'm just tired."

Lord Moats nodded in agreement and sighed heavily. "I believe it. You're travels have been hard thus far and all of that in less than a week. Go and rest. Perhaps we can talk more as we escort you to the capital."

Alaric nodded slowly as he walked away from the lord. He knew that it was rude, but he couldn't pretend to care. Too much was on his mind.

Alaric winded his way through the streets of Lucenne. The walk was a blur. Alaric thought a few times that he might have seen a few of the Hunters as he walked. He would've stopped to talk to them, but he felt off.

He needed to clear his head. He needed to be alone. 

The walk felt both like it took hours and like it took seconds. Alaric was relieved as he made his way to his large, soft bed.

He colapsed on the matress and began sobbing. His body shook as he wept. He had lost all control.

Alaric jumped at sound of his door slamming. Lilia stood with he hands on her hips, smiling down at him. Her smile was gentle. Alaric glared at the beautiful girl. "Are you ok, Alaric? The Lord said that something was off with you. I... got worried. Are you ok?"

Alaric grunted and turned his head away. He wasn't in the mood for even just her pity.

Lilia sighed heavily and Alaric heard her shut the door. Alaric thought that she might have left, but then he heard her footsteps. Alaric felt the bed shift as her weight pressed down on it.

"What are you doing, woman?" Alaric grumbled.

She shushed him. Alaric nearly shuddered as he felt the girl's fingers running through his hair. It felt nice. He rolled onto his back and stared at the girl that sat above him. She was even more beautiful in the dark room. Her features were softer in the darkness. A desire to reach up and touch her face came over him, but he didn't have the motivation to move.

"Alaric, I'm sorry that this has been so hard for you. This isn't normal travel. Every step we take, we are in grave danger. I am afraid for you." Her voice was soft. He thought that he heard her voice waver. This was more emotion than he had ever seen from her.

Alaric wanted to comfort her but his body was stuck. He couldn't move though he wanted to.

A drop landed on Alaric's cheek. He realized that she was crying. He wanted even more to comfort her, but he couldn't find a way to move.

Lilia began sobbing. "I'm sorry, Alaric. I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you. I'm sorry that I wasn't good enough."

Alaric wanted to speak, to comfort the girl, but he was powerless. Tears began to well in his eyes.

Lilia draped her arms around the large smith and began to sob harder. Alaric broke. He threw his arms around the tender girl and sobbed with her. 

He felt horrible. He was the reason that everyone was in danger. He wasn't sure why, but he was being hunted. He felt worse that he was hurting Lilia. He wished with every ounce of his being that he could find a future with her, but they both knew that it wasn't possible for them. Alaric suddenly felt as if he was a burden, dragging the Hunters down to an early grave.

Alaric cried harder as he held the girl and fought off his dark thoughts. He knew that he needed to leave the Hunters before he got Lilia hurt. It broke his heart to think of leaving her, but his mind was set. He needed to get out. He needed to get away from all of them before he got anyone killed.

 Lilia had stopped crying. She was nearly motionless on his chest. Alaric could hear her gentle breathing. He found her rhythmic breathing soothing. "Ric, aren't you going to say something?"

Alaric clenched his jaw. He had nothing to say to her. He wanted to be able to open his mouth and comfort her, but he couldn't. Instead, he slid his hand into her hair and held her tightly.

She reached up to his hand in her hair and held it. Alaric desperately wanted to give her something more, but he had nothing to offer the girl.

Alaric lay still holding the woman and listening to her breathing until he was certain that she was fast asleep. He gently pulled his blanket over her shoulders.

He wanted to stay with her through the night, but he felt too restless. He needed to be up. He needed to get away. Maybe tonight was the night that he would leave.

Alaric gave a heavy sigh. He would have to eventually. What made tonight any different? His mind was made. He would leave right then.

He had little to pack. He brought next to nothing with him. He needed his small bag of clothes and his sword. 

Alaric gave one last long look at the beautiful girl. His stomach turned as he thought about leaving her. He knew that she would be even worse off once she woke and found him missing. He wished that there was another way, but he had to protect the Hunters, especially Lilia.

The air was cold and the guard was light. It took almost no effort for Alaric to slip out of the gates without drawing attention to himself. He wasn't sure where he would go, but he had to go as far away as possible.

Northwest. He decided that that was the safest bet. Toward Lilia's homeland. He knew that he would be pursued, but he was sure that he wouldn't survive long on his own.