Lady of Greystoke (Sequel to "At all costs")

The Inn

John rode for hours and hours on end. He assumed his horse might hate him for the lack of breaks and his insistence on going as fast as possible. When it come close to nightfall, the wind started to pick up and John could hear a thunder rumbling not so far away, he decided he couldn't keep going through the night. His horse needed rest, and moving in the dark could be dangerous, even for someone like him.

He soon found himself in the inn of a small town, where it seemed most of the men were drinking away their money, and a few travelers set by the fire trying to keep warm. He walked towards the bar, and soon got the attention from a burly man who looked like he often ate more than he needed to.

'How can I help you, sir?' The man asked. His voice low and rumbling, but not entirely unfriendly.

'I would like a room for the night, and care for my horse as well as a hot meal.'

The man nodded 'I have one room left, and there is a stable out back. If you bring your horse there, the stable boy will look after him. When you return I'll show you to your room.'

John gave one quick nod before stepping outside again and leading his horse to the stables, after leaving his steed with the stable boy he quickly went back inside. After being shown to his room it pained him to admit that he was glad to be able to sit on a chair. Riding all day was not a comfortable venture and he felt sore. He grumbled, somewhat annoyed how easily he had gotten used to the luxuries of his life, even after all his years in the jungle. But he knew he could still count on his wits, his strength and reflexes, and he knew he was going to need them to achieve his goal.

Somewhere halfway through the night John awake, alarmed by a noise which sounded like attackers approaching he sat up in the bed. He looked around the room, scanning in the dark for abnormalities. He quickly extended his arm, fist clenched, into the air beside him. His fist collided with the jaw of a man, knocking him out onto the floor. John quickly jumped out of his bed, landing onto the cold wooden floor of the room. The room was soon filled with the sound of fighting, chairs breaking, and punches being thrown. Although John could not see how many enemies were around him in the darkness, he could hear them around him, and had no issue beating them. After 5 minutes of fighting join could no longer sense any enemies, and decided to light a candle. As the room filled with light, John's gaze fell upon the 7 knocked out men on his floor. He bent down to the one closest to him and examined the man. Upon the man's jacket he found the family crest of the Coldon family.

John took a deep breath and decided not to waste another second. He stood up, quickly dressed himself and left the room. Leaving money for his stay at the bar, he went to the stables and woke his horse. He knew the poor animal still needed rest, but if men working for Coldon were after him, it meant he must be onto something. He needed to leave now, before they could find him, before anyone could hurt his little girl.

A crash of thunder and flash of lightning woke Alice with a gasp. She slowly sat up in bed and tried to calm her breathing, but even as her heart beat slowed, she could still hear breathing. But the sound of breathing, wasn't her own. As quietly as she could she got up from the bed and sneaked towards the door of her room. She pressed her ear against it, and through the cracks in the door she not only heard breathing, but felt hot air against her skin. She quickly covered her mouth, to keep from making a sound. The smell of her Master's clothing filled her nose and it took her everything not to scream. She silently walked back to the bed, fear controlling her every move. Praying that the man wouldn't come in. She sat down on the bed, refusing to let her guard down, and waited attentively. After a few moments, she heard footsteps disappear down the hall, and there was no longer a sound of breathing. She let out her breath and fell back onto the bed, while tears escaped her eyes.

'Father, please come save me before that monster does as he planned...'