There's something to be said about human stupidity. Many things in fact. Their ability to rise in the face of fear is admirable, as it is moronic. I've suffered from that one myself. No, I'm reminded of one particular saying, one that encompasses it all.

Never underestimate it.

I thought the day was over, as I worried about the next, but I smelled them before my other senses caught on. The smell of blood, sweat, and piss. Funnily enough, from three, there was a hint of lilac. Trying to cover the smells that waft during this era. The smells of a life unclean.

There were about a dozen of them, 25 meters away. The most noticeable being what I could tell was Boren. It wasn't hard to guess he had something to do with this and whatever he did, the sounds of armor moving, it was a threat. I could smell the fresh blood on him. Poor Auster...

I tapped Elena's naked back, from on top of my chest, but she only mumbled and clutched tighter. It alleviated some of my unease but I knew I needed to get up. I rolled her softly to the side, disconnecting the arms wrapped around me, and before I rose, I kissed her forehead.

I made my way toward the front door as quietly as possible but before I exited, I called the little ones. As much as it may be smart to greet them in clothes they may recognize, if my guess was correct, going for an impression may be important.

"The Yharnam hunter set, please. And my blade."

They let out a silent cheer, always excited for a Hunt, before they sunk back into the shadows. When they returned, the smell of beastly blood overtook all others. The Yharnam garb was basically dyed in it at this point and while I put it on, memories flashed before my eyes.

It was much the same for the blade, Ludwig's Holy Blade. It feels heavy in my hands. The sheath heavier on my back. Most would go for the more complicated trick weapons, but the simplicity of a sword has saved my life countless times. When it couldn't, nothing else would.

I let myself slip into a time of carnage and claws and when they finally arrived, I opened the door.

"Let the Hunt begin." I mumbled as I stepped out in front of them.

I let out an exaggerated sigh as I observed them atop their horses.

The two men at the front had a clear resemblance, the same with the only woman of the group. She was in the back but I could see they all shared similar hair and features, dark and grey-eyed. The difference being their countenance. The older man seemed dour and serious of heart, in contrast to the younger, who was already supporting a glare and dangerous smile. The woman though, she looked excited, in spite of the atmosphere around. And, of course, Boren was with them, smug as can be.

"I'm surprised you stayed after what you did to that poor girl and Auster." Boren said, in an air of casualness. He wasn't even trying. I only glanced at him with a raised brow before deciding the better of it and refocusing on the man in the lead. I had a vague idea now with that comment but it was so stupid it was hard to believe.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Lord... Stark, I believe?"

The man in question ran his eyes over my form, stopping whenever he spotted blood. They stopped frequently. The garb wasn't helping my case but when I decided to wear it, one thing was running through my mind.

Have we not lived in fear enough?

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It may be the Dragon blood but I was tired of being put down. Tired of being played by beings seen as superior. Most of all, tired of greed. I didn't have the patience for human foolishness any longer.

I wouldn't become cruel, nor apathetic. But these Dragon instincts? Maybe they were a blessing. They scared me, they truly did. They also were liberating.

It wasn't the Lord that answered but the younger man next to him. I couldn't remember his name, I only knew he is the eldest child.

"You stand in front of us, after what you did, like this? You have some balls, I admit."

"Oh? What I did, was it?" I looked at each of them in the eye, only stopping at Boren for a moment to release a bloodthirsty smile. "Please, tell me, what have I done?"

The younger man pulled his blade free, the others shortly following, but when he made to dismount his horse--

"Stop, Brandon." Short and concise but it did cease the hostility, for a short while. I will admit he did have a voice that commanded respect. Rickard Stark.

"What is your name, foreigner?"

"My name is Lyle."

"Lyle, then." He seemed to doubt my name, his eyes drawn to my silver hair. My hat did little to cover it, it being so long. "You stand accused of the murder of the town girl Amelia and Auster the hunter. Boren here brought their bodies to me, ravaged and ruined. The amount of blood on you, boy, makes it hard to deny."

I stare him in the eye, as he does the same. I wasn't going to murder these men... nor play this game. My eyes flickered to Boren. But--

Before they could react, I moved. Mayhem exploded as they tried to keep me in their sight. Horses frantic and blades poised, and when it settled--

"Huh?"

I was back to where I started, Boren's neck in my hand, as he struggled to escape my grasp.

"So, you're saying, this sniveling excuse of human excrement, escaped me? To report murders I have no knowledge of?" Boren's begging and pleading supported my claim. "With two bodies on his back? He looks to barely support the armor he wears.

Please, try again."

The silence stretched, as did my shadow. I could taste the fear, even from one such as Lord Stark, who seemed to be a man not easily scared. Tension filled the area and I could feel the temptation of my eyes opening. The beast always hiding in my shadow... and puppeteering this body.

"That was... Excellent!"

And it was gone just like that, as all eyes turned to the single woman in the group. Who's smiled couldn't be wider.

"...Lyanna..." Lord Stark said in exacerbation, followed by an obviously fake cough.

"Yes, well... Regardless, Lyle, even if you didn't commit these crimes, you have just shown you are dangerous. Maybe we co--"

"With all due respect, Lord Stark. Go away." I say as I throw Boren to them. His scream and the sound of snapping signaled something broke. But I ignored it.

"Properly investigate that... thing and give it the death it deserves." My eyes went to Boren on the ground, he was still groaning, but his vision stayed on me in fear. "If I have to do it..."

With that threat, I turned on my heel, going back inside. A yell of 'Lyle' following me.

********

Brandon listened to his father yell to the... monster, as he took in the men's face around him. He was seeing a lot of stone faces, with the exception of his sister. Who has stars in her eyes.

He was waiting for it, what they just saw was impossible. When no one offered what he was hoping, he did it himself.

"What the fuck?!" His voice reverberated through the clearing. His father turned a disapproving stare his way, but he ignored it to mumble more curses under his breath.

"Come, brother, it wasn't that bad." Lyanna said with it giggle. "Did you see the way he moved? I've never seen anything like it."

Brandon sent a baleful glare her way, which, of course, she ignored. Seeing her in her own head, Brandon released a tired sigh as his eyes traveled to the groaning guard on the ground.

"What should we do, father?"

"I believe... for our continued safety, we should leave. Someone grab the guard. Brandon, ask around the town. The man was bloody, but he did have a point. I can't see a way of outrunning him."

They all turned as one, setting course for Winter Town. The guard loading up Boren decided this was the best chance to speak up.

"...um... Lord Stark."

"What is it, boy?"

"I believe that... Lyle. Boren here causes a lot of trouble in town. Using his authority as a guard to solicit sex and favors from the townsmen."

"And this is only being brought to me now?" Lord Stark asked with slight anger. He directed eyes to Boren. "And you, go to a brothel, you fucking moron."

"It has been attempted to be brought to you. By a town's girl. People have been scared and his father is the leader."

"Amelia?"

"Yes, my Lord." Lord Stark could only palm his face.

"Halt. We're executing him now. Perhaps it would appease the man. And Brandon, seize Roland when we get back. Take these guards."

"Yes, father."