The woods of Nordlund were far more dangerous than the road. Harold did his best to not look back, as he would see Agnetha. Still deeply in anger over his uncle's decision, he would want nothing more from this. Thus, throughout the evening, he would mutter out curses that sounded like nonsense or at least cryptic messages that he deliberately hid from his uncle.

The group settled down on their first night of the journey, knowing their energy was spent only riding. Edwin had the 'pleasure' of giving the Lady a seat at his horse. No matter to Harold or John, as they were glad that he willingly chose to let space for her. Harold finally got the last branches of wood to throw into the fire as he settled down himself.

He saw Agnetha staring at the woods without any words to spare. Her long, blonde hair hid half of her face, as Harold did not help but see a sense of beauty in her. Nevertheless, he was quick in knowing of her evil. The evil that Harold has convinced himself of over and over. His sword was only an inch away from him, specifically for her.

John looked at both Harold and Edwin, knowing how exhausted they were. He knew it was too late to turn back now. Dozens of Western soldiers must be searching for them as of now. If they were caught, their punishment would be swift, and so will the end of their lives. Regret was hardly stating how terrible his emotions felt.

"You alright, father," Edwin's voice came from behind, almost startling him. "I am, but for how long?" John merely replied without looking back at him. A sense of shame clouded his mind. He constantly told his son how naive and weak-minded he was. It was true to him still, but he had let him down. Or at least that is what he told himself.

"Well, we're still breathing, that counts for something, right?" Edwin said as John did not look at him. Edwin sighed deeply, seeing that his father was indifferent to his presence. As he sat down next to him, the cold air breeze was the only noise he heard.

"Still breathing," Harold said mockingly as he kicked a rock near him. As if they will stay that way. "What did I tell you, about accepting contracts without cause,"

"How would I know nephew?" John replied. "Would you want me to refuse such a generous offer?"

"Would you mean, refuse an offer that would make us an enemy of Westhaven?" Harold replied as he saw his uncle shaking his head at him. John did not wish to spend his moments quarrelling with him.

As for Harold, he could still not get his eyes off her, both in fear and awe. Agnetha still didn't choose to look back at him, as if she was a statue. Perhaps, he could very well put an end to her. How strong could she possibly be? Harold thought, his hand twitching for his sword. A quick blow, to end all of this...

"Harold..."

Harold snapped out of his daydream, as Agnetha finally looked at him. He could only breathe deeply to hide his anger, as he gave a frustrated look.

"What is it," Harold asked. Agnetha then turned herself in his direction. Her face was very visible to him. In a way, he still felt a little blush just looking at her. His beard covered his jaw and his small, brown eyes were obviously much different from her.

"You were right," Agnetha said, as Harold looked at her weirdly. The lady tried to get closer to him, her way of trying to familiarize herself with her escort. She was probably only a few years into her adulthood, Harold thought as he saw her face.

"What do you mean?" Harold said, not seeing eye to eye with her statement.

"I did bring you trouble, and I apologize for it," Agnetha said, which only startled Harold. His anger is somehow forgotten, and yet he did not try to acquaint himself further. "So, what will you do about it?" Harold asked.

"What?" Agnetha replied.

"You said you would apologize," Harold retorted her statement. Agnetha stopped herself as he said that, unsure of his meaning.

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"I am only sorry," Agnetha said.

"Of course you are; you brought us to this," Harold said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"What's going on?" Edwin asked. Just then, Edwin came into their conversation. Agnetha was rather startled seeing them together. Despite that both men have brown hair and eyes, they were very much different from each other. But yet, she managed to confuse herself between the two. Perhaps because she never really saw a Westerner face to face. Harold could only sigh, unsheathing his sword as his hand touched it.

"Do you even clean your sword, Edwin?" Harold said as specks of red blood were wiped away by his hand. Agnetha saw Harold wiping away the blood with a bit of fear. For someone who kills for a living, he does not seem rather evil or one who participates in it. Of course, she had to trust the three men that she was left with, regardless of her opinion.

Ever before she met with them, her mask was her only protection. No one would suspect her if her face was hidden. Now, with the mask cracked, it was too late. That and half of the men on every town at Nordlund has known her presence. However, after hiding it for so long, her face would not be so well known.

"Sometimes, why do you ask?"

"You leave it with stains, your sword will be less useful," Harold said, as his right hand was stained in the blood of someone else. "The blood will eat away the iron in your sword, less useful in the long run,"

"If you say so, cousin, " Edwin said, as he slumped into his own space. It was true, and Harold was much better than him in combat. But he did not want to admit it. His shield was slowly yanked out from his back, Edwin carefully placed it next to him. It was already nearly in splinters, as Edwin was reminded not to use it as an offensive weapon.

"So, all of you are not new to this?" Agnetha asked as both Edwin and Harold looked at her. Edwin looked eccentric, while his cousin remained indifferent. "Ten seasons, is that a long period for you, lady?"

"It is," Agnetha admitted. "Don't your souls are tainted with such blood accumulated over time? Surely it must have an effect on you."

"It's hard to feel it, when you are used to it," Harold replied. He rested his head on the tree, as he breathed deeply.

"Well, it is no good thing to do," Edwin said, as Agnetha did not expect such a thing to be said from him. Harold stared at him, which startled Edwin.

"Of course, it is good business, nevertheless," Edwin said in advance. "It has provided us well, all too many sinners to be put down nowadays,"

Agnetha could see Edwin's cheeks red, his lips moving up and down as he could not bring himself to reveal his true emotions. Agnetha could not help but notice.

"I understand," she said. "Does most of the criminals you've murdered are Nords by any chance," she asked.

Edwin looked down, scratching his head as he did not know how to answer her question. "In our first few seasons, yes, but nowadays, even our fellow Westerners betray each other," Edwin answered, clearly he did not sound proud.

"I see. Don't you feel anything?" Agnetha asked, trying to at least be emphatic towards them.

"Didn't you just hear him? We have been doing this for a long time," Harold answered coldly. "Be assured that we won't turn you over to our brethren if that's what you're worried about,"

Harold left as Edwin looked ashamed of him. He then saw Agnetha, who looked indifferent, yet her eyes were rather shaken by him. "Don't listen to him; his words can be damning to anyone," Edwin said.

"I didn't find it damning, quite revealing actually, "Agnetha replied. Edwin rested on his side, as he almost looked like he was daydreaming again. It was clear that he did have something to ask from her.

"Your gods, you do pray to them, right?" Edwin asked. Agnetha was taken aback, for she did not expect a Westerner to ask such a question. "Oh... of course, for luck mostly, Frigg watch me in every step," Agnetha replied.

"And do they offer you that?" Edwin said. Agnetha looked at him blankly. Her mind went over the various life events as she struggled to answer that question.

"I am alive; that is good enough," Agnetha replied weakly. "Many Nords around here have already forgotten about them; I know they are still here,"

Edwin nodded at her. Ever since the Great War ended, so did most of the statues and praying grounds erected for their gods. The Crown would not want the Nords to still remember them. Edwin felt bad for even bringing up her religion. "What about your gods?" Agnetha asked back.

"Our God," Edwin corrected her. He did not share the views of pagans, despite his warm words with her. "After all of my sins, he still helps me," Edwin said, as his eyes blinked and his body was tired.

"Speaking of gods, have you ever met a seeress?" Edwin asked. Agnetha looked at him, not confused, but looked terribly worried. Edwin again did not know how he offended her.

"I haven't; why you ask?" Agnetha said.

"I heard many tales about them; my people have heard vile stories about them," Edwin said. "Stories of how they use Magicka, heard nothing but bad things,"

Agnetha looked distressed from Edwin's view. She did not say anything, for she did not know what to say. For now, silence was the only sound for them, as rest was needed. Good enough excuse for them to stop talking for now. Agnetha turned to the other side to sleep while Edwin could not force himself away to look at her.

"What are you looking at," John asked, which did scare Edwin a bit. "Nothing," Edwin said as he went on to sleep. He could not possibly fraternize too much with her.