Chronicles

The Hunter Part two

"Finally a local inn." I said, taking in the smells of ale and hot bread. They had traveled through the forest of Ni'lara for the past five days with no sign of civilization in sight.

The hunter followed him two paces behind on his right, scanning the town's surroundings with a trained eye. The shadows wrapped around his black travelers cloak like an old friend. They had left the white wolf on the edge of town. Nothing screamed suspicious in a small town like a huge wild wolf by your side. 
I opened the doors with a flourish, entering the inn and heading straight for a table by the warm hearth.
The noise hit them as soon as they entered. All the townspeople had gathered at the inn after a long week toiling in the fields. A bard was plucking the strings of his instrument getting ready for a long night of merriment.

Three burly men took up the back corner table rumbling a tune about a faraway lass with long blonde locks, clinking their tankards at the end of every verse.

Two barmaids filtered through the crowd. One short with blonde hair and a voluptuous body. The other like a willow, strong and lean, with tan skin and long black hair braided over her shoulder. The latter made her way towards the two new patrons.

"What'll be lads?" She asked. I grinned ordering two beers and tonight's supper. I glanced at the hunter who nodded in agreement, his ever present hood masking his features.

"Doesn't it get stuffy under that hood?" I asked watching the barmaids coast through the ocean of people like well trained captains handling an incoming storm.

"I'm used to it." The hunter replied, pulling out a small knife with a sleek handle, twirling it atop his middle finger. The hunter's eyes scanned the other tables. Most were solidarity pairs like themselves. However, the drunken threesome in the corner was noted as a potential threat.

The knife continued to spin as the hunter counted the exits. The barmaid came back with two steaming stews and large tankards of beer. She glanced warily at the spinning knife and the hunter flicked his wrist. The knife disappearing in the same motion.

"Where you lads from?" The barmaid asked. Her blue eyes twinkling with curiosity. I smiled and replied.

"I'm from the capital of Alandara in the East."  I motioned towards the hunter.But, after a long pause the hunter offered no answer. "He's not the best conversationalist. What about you little lady?" I said with a laugh, easing the tension. The barmaid's eyes lingered on the silent hunter.

"Been in this little town my whole life." She said with a sigh.

"Really? Happen to know the best place for some new boots?"I asked.

" Well there's Sam down the road next to blacksmith Tuk. He gives a fair price."

"Thank you." I said throwing a charming smile her way but Daisy's eyes had drifted back to the hunter.

I shook my head and slid over three silver coins for the meal. Shaking out of her stupor, Daisy pocketed them with a nod and spun without another word.

"Aren't you the lady killer." I drawled.
The hunter looked up from his stew at the statement turning his head sideways in question.

"You mean you didn't notice the barmaid ogling you for the past ten minutes. You the ever careful, observant, hunter?" I asked in disbelief. The hunter just shrugged and returned to his meal.

"Have you ever bedded a woman?" I asked, curiosity chasing my words. The hunter chocked on his next spoonful, his head jerking up towards the mage. I chuckled at his reaction. "Makes sense, even with your deadly aura, you are still young."

"Why don't you have some fun with the barmaid." I said enjoying this flustered side of the hunter. Even within the deep hood I could feel the hunter's glare like two red hot coals in a smoldering fire. I let out a laugh, raising a hand in a placating gesture.

" I am only looking out for your best interests. Daisy seems like a lovely girl." I said. Before I could blink a fork skewered the table an inch from my right hand. I pulled my hand back with a yelp. Don't anger the highly trained and extremely deadly hunter; got it. My thoughts were interrupted by chairs scraping to my right.

"Oye, you talking about my girl, Daisy." The largest fellow of the three drunk's stood up from the table behind us. He swayed slightly before he got a handle on his balance. His face turning a dark shade of red with each word spoken as he thrust a stubby forefinger in the hunter's direction. Usually the amount of visible weapons on the hunter dissuaded challengers. But from the drunkard's bleary eyes it's seemed common sense left him two drinks ago.

I raised my hands trying to placate the drunk.

"Not in the slightest young sir. Just commenting on her kindness." I said. The drunk paused, head turning in my direction, a yellow snarled flashed across his features.

"You think...you's smart with.. yoooou's fancy words?" The drunk yelled. The shout caught the attention of the rest of the villagers.

Some shook their heads but didn't interfere as if this was a normal night at the inn. Daisy moved forward resting a hand on the drunk's shoulder, whispering into his ear.

"I won't calm down." The drunk roared shoving her aside. Daisy slipped over the back of her dress. The back of her head hit the edge of a nearby table with a crack. The hunter had kept silent through the drunk's rampage, stood slowly as the crack resonated in the room.

The other maid went to Daisy's side. The drunk didn't pay attention to Daisy's crumpled form, red eyes fixed upon hunter. The drunk towered over the lithe hunter who came only to his chest. The drunk stepped forward, swinging a meaty fist at the latter. The hunter slipped under the assault with ease, thrusting an open palm at the drunk's exposed neck. The drunk gasped, doubling over, one hand went to cradle his neck.

The hunter wasn't done. He grabbed the drunk's head and smashed his knee into the man's face. The drunk's face slackened and he fell with a thud to the wooden floor. The hunter looked up, assessing the drunk's companions . Both sunk back in their chairs, one shaking his head slightly.

Satisfied the hunter moved to Daisy to check her head for injuries. He spoke a couple of quiet words to the blonde barmaid. The blonde nodded quickly and lead the way as the hunter scooped up Daisy. He left the shocked inn without another word, Daisy cradled in his arms

The whole matter was finish in an instant like the strike of a cobra. The drunk lay unconscious upon the floor. The shocked silence morphed into excited chatter. The story becoming more exaggerated with each retelling.

I sighed taking a drink from my tankard, replaying the hunter's actions in my head. He'd noticed I was about to cast a sleep spell upon the drunkard. Yet, he came between us to fight the drunk himself. He may act calm but he was still afflicted with the brashness of youth. I thought with a chuckle

The hunter returned an hour later sitting and finishing he stew in silence. I was three tankards deep as I assessed the hunter over the rim of my drink.

"What?" The hunter asked,  jolting me. Not once had the hunter initiated conversation with me. My customary grin grew on my face as I replied.

"Like I said, lady killer." The hunter tensed then a short laugh erupted from the depths of his hood. My mouth dropped open in shock.

"D-Did you just laugh?" I asked, leaning forward as if proximity could prove it was a lie. The hunter leaned back, turning his face to the side.
"I knew there was more to you, young hunter."

"Glynn." The hunters said.
"I'm sorry?" I asked, my eyebrows knitting together.
"My name is Glynn." He said.

"We are of similar age." Glynn continued. I grinned at the hunter's naivety.
"Aaahhhh well, appearances can be deceiving. Though I may look twenty, I am in fact much older." I said.

"How old?" Glynn asked.

"We all have our secrets young one." I said with a quick grin my blue eyes sparking the dim light.

"For instance, why you never show your face." I said causally raising my tankard to my lips.

Glynn stiffened before returning to his stew and saying. "As you said, appearances are deceiving." Glynn said finishing his stew.