Of Blood and Duty

Chapter Five • A Forgotten Name

**Warning - Descriptions of violence and condescending behavior towards women**

-A Stranger- 

The entire room turned to see who it was that had voiced the question. A question Mae did not even seem comfortable asking or answering herself. The sea of faces and bodies around them turned to face Hagan. They moved like a field of tall grass being curved by a gust of wind until he was revealed at the end of it. Lounging lazily against the back wall of the hall with a smug half-smirk on his lips. By the look on his face, it was easy enough to see that he was simply doing this to thwart Mae's attempts to get the others to accept the newcomer. His arms were crossed over his chest, one leg resting over the other and the tip of its boot the only part that touched the floor beneath it. All of it making him appear very condescending and arrogant.

The stranger's eyes sliced  towards Mae while the rest, and Mae herself, were all staring at Hagan. She looked like she wanted to throw that dagger in her belt right between his eyes, if not to cut that smirk straight off his face.

If looks could kill he would be a pile of fleshy remains from those daggers for looks she is throwing at him. He thought to himself while studying Mae's gaze that was fixed on Hagan.

Suddenly, he got the the strange urge to grin in amusement of her fiery and wild temper washed over him. Coming from nothing, it caught him off guard. Just like last time and he did not know what to do with the feeling this time either. Did not want or understand it at all... only that it made him uncomfortable. 

So, he drowned it out with whatever pain he was currently in. Dove straight into it so the grin would never surface. So no one would ever know of it. 

"It does not matter why he is here." Evor intervened before blood would inevitably be spilled between the two rivals. Taking no side but still deescalating the brawl that was a given thing if he chose not to say anything. 

The faces now turned to him again as he walked to the center of the crowd. When his voice had died out, all eyes were on the stranger again. One by one, their gazes returned to scrutinizing him so closely he felt like they would be able to recognize him in the dark. Maybe that was what they were doing? Making sure he would not be missed if ever found somewhere he was not supposed to be? Were they all so afraid of what he might do? 

"Respectfully, I think the rest of us has the right to know." Hagan objected and gained some support from two among the others who grunted their allegiance in words such as 'aye we do' or 'the boy is right'. He continued by pointing at Mae. "She brought an outsider into our midst and have exposed our identities to him." Now the others' support became even louder. A loud disgruntled current of voices traveled through the sea of people.  

I swear, if those two are not siblings... they are old lovers. Harboring nothing but spite and hate for each other. He thought while studying Hagan. Annoyance growing within him as he did. Was he trying to get him thrown out? Certainly. Not a doubt about that. Killed? Perhaps. 

Perhaps both option would suit him just fine. As long as I am gone and out of here. 

"He could sell the lot of us out to the kings." Someone called out. "Tell them exactly where we are! Where we hide our loot!"

 Outlaws. They are outlaws if they fear kings and loot. But what type? Murderers, pillagers, thieves or traitors of some sort...? They could be any of, or all of them. 

While Hagan gained more and more support, Mae seemed calm. At least she stayed calm. However, the stranger felt sort of responsible for the heat she was under and decided to help her in any way he could and opened his mouth.