Blood Ward

Chapter 4

The inn was quiet, consideringthe hour and the innkeeper greeted us warmly. "You two need aroom?"

"Yes ma'am," I saidpolitely. "Do you have a vacancy?"

"Several." She sighed. "Beenslow around here, what with the attacks in the woods."

"Attacks?" I asked withcuriosity.

"Past month or so, there'sbeen some attacks in the woods around here. No one knows what did it.Folks are pretty scared to go out there and find out," sheexplained.

"I see... Thank you," I said.

"Still want a room?" sheasked.

"Yes... How much?" I replied.

"Been offerin' a discount. 20silver a week," she said.

"Good," I said. "We'llstay the week." I handed her 20 silver after counting it out, andshe handed me a key.

"Second floor, third door onyour left," she pointed at the stairs.

"Thank you," I smiled andheaded for the stairs, Stefan my constant shadow.

When we stepped into the room,Stefan spoke the first words to me since the castle. "You've beenpracticing without me." He sounded hurt.

"Once or twice." I shrugged.

"Where did you learn to fighttwo handed?" he asked.

"I taught myself," I saidtruthfully. "I knew I was quick enough, so I tried it."

"I've never seen anyone movelike you on a battlefield. You took down four seasoned soldierswithout breaking a sweat." He was dumbfounded.

"I had help," I said meaninghim. "Those first two would not have been as easy if you hadn'tdistracted them. Same goes for the last."

"It is simply shocking to seeyou surpass even my skills," he admitted, stroking my cheek like Ishould be untouchable.

I stepped into his arms. "Wecan be who we wish now," I said, a little glad I didn't need toworry about wearing dresses and sneaking around. "We're free tolove each other."

"For now, I think we shouldrest. It's been a long night, my lady," he said stroking my hair.

I agreed and we went to sleepfully clothed, too weary to even change. I woke hours later, andsmiled to see Stefan, still lying beside me. I huddled closer, afraidhe was a dream and would suddenly disappear. When he stirred, Ihuddled even closer, pulling a laugh from him.

"Did you sleep well?" Heasked softly.

"Better than ever," I smiled."I like waking up in your arms."

"And I yours, Ana." He slid ahand down my arm. "It is just sad what had to happen for it to beso."

"I know you had a lot offriends in the guard. I'm sorry," I said.

"Me? You lost your family..."he said.

I remained silent, allowing himto comfort me. Finally I said, "I'm starving."

"We'll go scrounge up somefood from the innkeeper. I'm sure the tavern is functioning fromthe sound of things downstairs," he said.

It was true. I could hear thesound of patrons laughing, talking and most likely imbibing spirits.I reluctantly pulled away from Stefan and said, "I'm going towash up. I'm still bloody."

I heard him stand behind me as Iapproached the basin of water and picked up the rag lying next to it.He approached me softly, and I noticed my hands were shaking. Hegently took the rag from my hand and turned me to face him. "You'reshaking."

"Just a bit new at this," Isaid. "I'm not used to blood on my hands."

He pulled me into his arms andhugged away my doubts and fears. Feeling me pull away he put hishands on my shoulders. "It will get better Ana, with time."

I nodded and he dunked the ragsparingly into the basin and began washing the dried flecks of bloodfrom my face and neck. Then he went about washing my hands. Once bothof us were cleaned up, we headed down to the tavern where there wasan influx of townspeople gathered to eat, drink, and share news.Stefan and I took a seat at an unoccupied table in the corner, wherea bar maid sauntered over and asked us what we wanted. I ordered thespecial and some wine and Stefan had the same, replacing the winewith ale.

As we ate, I listened carefullyto all the gossip being thrown around, trying to find news of myfather's estate and what happened. I had no such luck, but I pickedup on another discussion being held by two men sitting at the bar.

"It were a demon, I tell ya,Charlie."

"You've had too much ale,Gerard."

"I seen it attack Arthur downby the river two nights ago. I ran like hell, but not before I seenit. It had the look of a man, but teeth like a bear and eyes thatglowed with evil."

"Elissa... see that Gerarddon't get no more ale tonight."

"I'm not drunk ye arse. Iknow what I seen."

"Did you hear that?" I askedStefan.

"It's no more a demon than Iam," he scoffed. "It's probably just a man terrorizing thatdrunk for a laugh."

I nodded. "I'll bet there'sa reward for whatever killed those people though."

"No Ana, we can't be thisvillage's vigilante saviors. It's too dangerous," he said.

"But it suits our skills," Isaid. "We'll hunt the creature, kill it and collect the reward."

"I'll not take money fromthese people. Look at them, Ana. This village is not on a trade routeor main road. These people scrape by on meager income."

"Then getting rid of thecreature and bringing back travelers would help them..." Ireasoned.

"No..." he said withfinality. "We will rest, stock up, and move on. I'll not endangeryou."

"Where is your sense ofadventure Stefan?" I asked nudging his arm.

He didn't answer, just wentback to his vegetables. I huffed and returned my attention to thegossip. It seemed more than just Gerard had seen this creature. Iheard at least a half dozen more tales with similar descriptions andI cocked a smile. I was hunting this thing, no matter what Stefansaid. I couldn't help myself. My blood was telling me I needed todo this.