Caught by a Hunter

Chapter 18

Hassian was making sure they had everything they might need. A tent and a blanket and other things. He had arrows and fishing line and hooks. He was positive that they would be able to catch their own food so there shouldn't be any problems with him and Alderoth staying in Bahari Bay for tonight.

He was actually getting excited when thinking about it. No he wasn't thinking of doing some dirty stuff with him - he wouldn't mind if something did happen, though - but he just wanted to spend more time with the man. Everything was going so surprisingly smoothly between them now, they were getting closer and closer and though Hassian usually didn't care much for company, he could hardly wait to see Alderoth again.

"Yeah, let's go to Kilima Village", he smiled at Tau who barked and got excited, running to the door of their little grove.

Some time later Hassian arrived at the little town, carrying his backpack. He would usually stop and check the chapaa situation, trying to make sure the population of those pests wouldn't get a chance to blow up uncontrollably. He couldn't help it that Kenli had decided to bring them here, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let them take over the whole valley.

But today he was heading straight towards the inn. Usually, if he was here in town at this time of the day, he had a reason to do so such as visiting the library or Zeki's store or maybe helping Sifuu in her workshop or something. He rarely went to the inn by noon.

Tau was the first one to run right in, barking and yipping as he went to instantly sniff out where everyone was. Hassian stepped in too and he looked around, not seeing any customers right now which wasn't really a surprise. At this time everyone was pretty much working on their own things since lunchtime was over and it was way too early for dinner.

He did see Reth through the door working in the kitchen. He didn't really feel like getting possibly teased by the cook why he was here so he just set down his bag near the entrance and sat down. He could hear how in the kitchen Reth was talking to Tau, it sounded like the plumehound was waiting to get some tasty snacks. Reth always saved some scraps and stuff for him to have when they visited, after all.

So where was Alderoth? Hassian hummed, wondering if the man was upstairs cleaning or something. Ashura being absent wasn't a surprise, the man usually went to fish during the day or visit his wife's grave.

He grunted, leaning against the back of his chair. He was excited, but now he was also worried. He had expected Alderoth to be here waiting for him. What if the man had changed his mind? Or something happened and they couldn't go camping? Was Alderoth not feeling well? There were all kinds of thoughts that were running through his head but he made sure to not show it from his face that he was worried.

Guess that made him look pretty damn angry instead as he looked towards the kitchen again and this time Reth had noticed and the man quickly hid from the doorway. It made Hassian confused. The man looked almost... guilty. Guilty for what?

Suddenly he heard how the boards of the porch were stepped on, but he quickly realized it couldn't be Alderoth. Those steps were far too heavy for the small man to cause them.

He looked at how Ashura came in and Hassian was again confused. Ashura always left Reth and Alderoth to take care of the inn so he could have his own freetime, so why was the man here now?

"Ah, Hassian", Ashura smiled when noticing the hunter and Hassian nodded as a greeting. "You must be waiting for Alderoth? He mentioned you would come."

"Aren't you usually fishing at this time of the day?" Hassian asked.

"Yes, but since Reth and Alderoth won't be here helping me I need to take care of the place. I'm sorry your camping trip to Bahari Bay together got cancelled, it did sound like fun", Ashura said and now Hassian frowned and he got up from his seat.