. I

I see it as cowardice

My first instinct was to search for any weapon of defense. If the situation turned dire a torch would not suffice correctly than per say a knife,
I quietly bent down behind the counter and skimmed through each shelf and found a sharp enough utensil to use,
I doubt it'd do any real damage but it would buy Igrid and I some time to find safety.
I held it securely in my left hand whilst my right held the torch high, I rose from
My kneel and searched around the main floor- nothing.
I searched the back room but found no one,
Peculiar..
Calling out for any of the workers would be futile- redundant as well, it would alert anyone here of my presence which would help, or go against me.
I made my way slowly and carefully to the stairs that led to under the main floor and held storage for food and mead- at least I believe, I can only assume.
I took one last glance at Igrid's door, she had a dagger so I can only hope that would protect her had anyone entered, I took cautious steps down the stairs and winced at the old breeze that lingered from below, the torch was held in front of me to light up the room in front of me better-

I also deduced that yes it was the storage for the mead and spare food, how clever am I.

Idly I stepped to avoid creaks in the wood and searched everywhere for the woman who had screamed, yet stumbled upon what had caused the ruckus prior to the scream- plates that had fallen
From a shelf- the shelf itself looked like it had been yanked from
The wall- all Sprawled out on the floor heinously "odd.." so there was a struggle.
Perhaps a waitress tripped and tried to
Withhold her balance with the shelf but it snapped off? No that can't be, the shelf was nailed in with several bolts to each end, a yank wouldn't have been enough to bring it down.

I turned to search for the woman now in small panic as to realize this was no incident, there must have been an infiltrator in the Inn-
"Move one more step and I'll have your blood splattered upon these floors".
A deep masculine voice- a different accent rang out as an arm wrapped tight around my throat  with a sudden sensation of cold to my throat-
A dagger no doubt,

I remember

Something cold to
My throat, I remember an Item- something metal held to my neck from the past, I don't recall what it was, I don't think it was a dagger like now.

I blinked back to realization and ceased movement to keep from getting punctured in the throat

"Who might you be? I don't recognize your voice" I spoke,
And heard this vigilante grunt as if taken off guard

"Quiet. I'm here to search for what is mine. Unless you wish life over death you will remain silent"

"Then answer my question"

"What?"

"Answer me, who might you be. If an item is what you seek then I'm sure the handsome orc may help you" I blinked

"I will lend my aid as well If you please" I noticed the arm that's wrapped around my throat to keep me secured is coated in dark black leather, cold and rough but strong-
"Are you a Hunter?" I asked so suddenly though not giving this supposed assassin time to even answer my first question-
"I said silence!" He hissed and pushed me to the ground the blade skimming my neck
Deep enough to draw blood but nothing fatal, I gritted my teeth and breathed shakily as I shrouded my hand around the cut and squeezed my eyes shut-
Ouch.

I forced my eyes open and glanced to my side to see the corpse of a waitress,
My orange eyes gaped as I stared at the permanent look of horror that was draped over her blood stained face, Dulled eyes- death by a slashed jugular, I could still see the throbbing squirts of blood from her engorged throat and cringed- looking away in respect to the poor woman.
"I see no reason to murder an innocent woman
If you're looking for an item- not death"
I spoke,

The torch had been thrown to the
Floor when I was shoved and died out upon impact, leaving me in the dark with this being who had no intention of mercy.

"You're a talkative woman no doubt, my business is my own and what I search for cannot be given by words.
Death is the only option"
He grunted, shifting the dagger into a more threatening position in his hand- or at least I think he did.
" I see, I respect your privacy" (unlike Igrid)
"But I don't see your Demeanor as threatening"
I brought myself to my feet and leaned against the wall For support.

"I see it as cowardice."