Death's Overture

Chapter~3 Search and Meet

Trace eyed the night of no moon with a warm expression, the pure black of it providing him comfort, the blanket of generous velvet keeping him safe from the world around him.

Unlike many, Trace had found the darkness familiar, like an old friend who was ever present for him when he needed it. It was the night which had never shunned him, revealed him but always hid him, it was the night which provided him with the solitude and freedom to move something which the light failed at.

It seemed as if some travellers had arrived, for while the buildings and shops stood dark and silent and the streets empty, light could be seen near the inn, one could clearly hear the tiredness and negotiations of an old man and voices of people as if saw cutting through the wood.

While such thoughts occupied his mind, Trace moved through the dark and empty streets of the town, he moved towards the place where he had recently moved, an unfamiliar place which people called his home.

----------------------***********---------------------

Kronic traced his steps towards the only source of light he could see. He could hear voices as he moved through the silent, dark and dusty tracks. The town seemed dead to him, all asleep except for the large stone building with the name "Howff" etched on its top.

He moved inside the inn called "Howff", a place which reeked of alcohol, drunkards and a meeting spot. As he made his way towards the innkeeper, he could hear the voices of the people around him, people talking about things, of life and of war however what caught his ears was the stories which the people told, stories of the man who had brought upon the war, of the man who nobody had seen yet were afraid of him, stories of the man whom he had searched for.

As Kronic reached near the owner he signalled him for the negotiations.

'I would like a room for the night, with something to eat and drink.' Kronic asked with a bit of hostility in his voice.

'A room for the night will be ten coures with food and drinks costing you another five coures.' replied the old man eyeing his customer, richly dressed yet with dirt on his clothes.

'Listen, mate, I am just a travelling scribe, I only earn through documenting wills and such, check my satchel if you feel like to do so.' Kronic said as he gave a knowing look to the owner.

'Oh!' the keeper said as he now eyed the satchel which hung loosely around his customer's shoulder.

'I see, your clothes fooled me, young man, you looked like a travelling noble sort, I thought I could make some heavy coin, not my fault, eh?' the innkeeper said as he smiled sheepishly.

'I feel you, master, times being they are.' said Kronic with a smile on his face.

'So how much can I stay for sir owner, and don't forget the food and the drinks.' Kronic asked again, this time playfulness in his voice.

'A room would cost you a coure. As for food, I have got a few loaves of bread with potato soup and a large portion of turkey, whichever you want.'

'I would take you up on the piece of turkey then, how much for it?'

'Twenty ferros, it's a large portion mind you.' said the old man as if explaining the price. 'What bout the drink, reckon some ale?'

'Yeah, I guess that will do however I ain't paying more than ten ferros for that ale you are offering' Kronic said with conviction in his voice.

'Fine by me, sit around and you will have your food and drinks in a few minutes.' replied the innkeeper, as he wiped his hands on the apron which he wore.