A hunter stalks his prey. Erik was just that: a hunter. Yet, what quarry…?

Idly scratching his stubble, dark eyes washed across the wall of notices: missing persons, arrest warrants, requests for herbs or exotic animal parts… Boring.

He had been hoping that coming to a new town, a new part of the world really, would add some flavor to his life. No such luck, it seemed.

Ripping the one notice from the wall that, at least, sparked curiosity, he turned to the guild rep standing at the counter. “What can you tell me about this?” He asked, holding up the paper.

The rep, a willowy little thing with hazel hair and vacuous eyes, took the form. “What do you want to know?”

“For one, who issued the search?”

“Hmm, not sure, but someone higher up I’d wager.”

“Why is it so vague? A name’s not given, only a brief description of who they’re looking for. How can anyone go offa this?”

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“Umm, hmm… I don’t know…”

“...” Erik gave the unhelpful rep a blank stare.

“So, you taking the job?”

“...Damn it,” he clenched his jaw, “yes.”

Erik handed her his guild card. Silver.

“Ooh, silver,” she gave him an appraising look. “We don’t see too many of you out here in the locks. What brings you out here?”

She wasn’t wrong. The locks were generally not the best hunting grounds. Still though, he replied honestly, “Got bored.”

Sensing no more from the strange man, she started the paperwork.

…

Minutes later, Erik was on his way. He was not a people person. Maybe it said something about his personality that he always traveled alone? Maybe it was worth noting that he preferred hunting people to hunting beasts? They were the most dangerous game after all, and he was happy to be back on the hunt.

Leaving town, a smile wormed its way onto his grizzled face. The town guards visibly relaxed as he passed them.

The notice didn’t give much, admittedly, but it did suggest a place to start looking. If he was being honest with himself, that was the big reason he chose the job. With that in mind, Erik spurred his horse due West: to the Blight Forest.