The Troubles from Monsters and Men (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

Hunting Death

"Are you sure?" Henry asked the tavern keeper.

"Saw him myself, hard to miss that scar. Been wondering how he got it."

"Some things are best left unknown." Thanking the man, Henry folded his paper and tucked it into his pocket as he walked back to his friends.

"Anything good?" Robin asked as he stepped outside the tavern.

Henry briskly informed them a man with a similar scar had been spotted a few hours ago heading south.

"South, why south?" Asked David.

"Dunno. Their sightings have been random. I'll have to talk to Lizzy about this."

"She knows?—"

"Yes—don't get your knickers in a twist," Henry quickly added at seeing Robin's soured expression. "She promised not to tell. I had to come clean after she was mugged trying to meet me—"

"Hang on, you've been meeting with her?"

Henry rolled his eyes. "How else were we supposed to know what's going on? You couldn't expect us to wait around until you finally decided to talk to Maria. That's beside the point, the streets are dangerous, more so now for them. Robin, you said you started training her to fight, right?"

"Yes, but we only got a week before she had to leave back to finishing school."

"Better than nothing. Lizzy is helping her hone her magic. You'll need to find a way to continue her lessons."

"Right, like I can just waltz right in and ask her headmistress to let me teach the art of defense," Robin snapped sarcastically.

David laughed. "Like rules ever stopped you."

Though Henry was glad his mates were back on friendly terms, they still had business to attend to. "Robin you have the entire ride to think of a way, but you can't deny she needs it. Let's head off, the longer we wait, the farther they get— Bloody hell Richard, have you been paying any attention?" Henry asked exasperatedly. It was bad enough dealing with a turbulent Robin, but now, even Richard seemed off lately.

"Huh? Oh erm, sorry." Richard mounted his horse and gestured for the lads to carry on. "Something about heading South? I heard."

Henry shook his head. Figuring this was a discussion for another night, they set off. While Henry and Robin planned their ambush, David trailed behind to fall alongside Richard who was once again lost in his thoughts.

"Oy, you alright there?" David asked, but Richard didn't seem to hear him. His eyes had a far-off look as he studied the distance. David flicked Richard's shoulder, startling him back to attention. "Snap out of it mate!"

Richard sheepishly smiled and scratched his neck. "Sorry about that, haven't been feeling myself. Do you realize St. Valentine's was last week?"

David scrunched his face. He was confused. "...Sort of? Why does that matter?"

"Ey Robin!" Richard called out. "Did you send Maria something? For Valentine's?"

Robin stalled, even his horse seemed to slow down. "Erm, I sent her a book?"

"Did you actually add your name to the address?"

"...No," Robin muttered. "But I did send a letter as well."

"Really, mate?"

"We're just friends, what else was I to do?" Robin shook his head and muttered something about being too busy chasing monsters.

"What about you, Henry? Don't tell me you're a daft one like Robin."

Though Henry's cheeks warmed from embarrassment, he made a face, annoyed Richard would think he'd forget about Lizzy. "Sod off, I sent her a new pen. And what's that got to do with anything? We got more pressing matters."