William and Muriel turned around, headed back north towards the Horsling's Tavern. This time they walked faster because William was afraid that Mornitz and Rogas had already left the place. Soon the two of them arrived. William told Muriel to wait outside, hiding in a quiet corner of the street. Muriel was happy because basically, she had no interest in going back into the tavern.
Unfortunately, as William predicted, he no longer found Mornitz and Rogas. In the tavern, there were only a few unknown people, who were talking in low voices. William watched them, for a moment not knowing what to do. Then he turned his head, and his eyes met the eyes of the big man standing behind the bar counter.
Master Horsling smiled kindly as soon as William saw him.
That's right, the owner of this tavern probably knew where Mornitz and Rogas had gone. William approached him.
Before he could ask, Master Horsling said first, "Your two friends have just left. I saw them walking towards the river. If you run maybe you can catch them. But be careful, son, at night that place can be dangerous. Did you bring something to defend yourself?"
William frowned, confused. "Mmm… what do you mean, sir?"
"Sword, knife, or something?"
"No." William shook his head quickly, confused mixed with fear now. "I didn't bring anything."
"Then take this." Mr. Horsling's hand grabbed something from behind the bar counter. A long dagger with a leather sheath. The length of the dagger was almost an arm's length—from the wrist to the elbow. Master Horsling placed the thing in front of William.
The young man stared. He took turns looking at the dagger on the table and Master Horsling in front of him.
"What do you mean, sir? You… want to lend it to me?"
"Yes."
"Just like that?" William asked in disbelief.
"Bring it back when your business is done." Master Horsling smiled as he twirled his bushy mustache.
"But… why should I take it?" William didn't want to touch the scary thing in front of him. He began to suspect that something was wrong. "Is something going to happen?"
Master Horsling shrugged his shoulders casually. "It's been a long time since anyone has dared to do wrong things here. But time passed. Who knows, eventually someone will try to do something stupid. So you better watch out."
"But… if the situation is really dangerous, why don't you suggest that I just go away? Why are you giving me a dagger?"
"You can go home if you want. And you will be fine at your house. But sometimes…" Master Horsling brought his face close and whispered, "…you have to do something strange and unexpected, once in your life, especially when you are young. So that you can get to know yourself better. Get to know something you didn't know, and will lead you to the next path in your life."
William stared. The next path? What is he talking about?
He and Master Horsling looked at each other.
The tavern owner pulled back and smiled. "So? What is your choice? Do you want to take it?"
William gulped. His heart was beating fast. At first, his fear arose, because he was not a soldier like Rogas, he had never been involved in things that grazed danger like this. But if he thought about it, why should he hesitate? Doesn't he already have pretty good swordsmanship? After all, this long dagger is also similar to a sword, only slightly different. He also always practiced every day with a much heavier sword. And if the situation turns out to be dangerous, he can still hide or run away from there. The important thing is that he saw first what happened.
Thus, what was initially only fear is now slowly replaced by an overflowing curiosity, which just springs from the heart. Master Horsling's words occupied William's mind as to how he might get to know himself better. That man's gleaming gaze seemed to be hiding something, which made him curious. Yes, he must know something! Should William have asked further?
But instead of asking, in the end, William decided to grab the dagger lying on the table. His breath was rising and falling, holding back his emotions and his increasingly erratic heartbeat.
"I… I will return the dagger later."
Master Horsling smiled again. "Calm down. It's not necessarily going to be anything bad, is it? But you know, we need to be careful. And remember, don't act rashly. Always look back first, before moving forward."
William was stunned. One more piece of advice was given to him, and this time it seemed strange advice, for it was so different from the message his father had given his mother last night: never look back.
The young man was silent for a moment, before replying, "Y-yes, sir."
"Go, before it's too late."
William came out of the tavern with mixed feelings. Having previously been confused by Master Horsling's advice, that man said another strange thing. Before it's too late? What's too late?
"Shh," Muriel's thin whistle sounded. The girl emerged from the darkness and tiptoed over to William.
"Brother, did you get the money?" She grimaced.
William shook his head, suddenly a little hesitant about his intentions as soon as he saw Muriel.
"Rogas and Mornitz are gone, toward the river," William said. "But I will go after them. Maybe I can get my money there."
Muriel was confused. "Go after them? Is it really necessary?" Her brow furrowed. Her gaze fell on the long dagger William was holding, and her eyes immediately widened. "What is that? Why are you carrying a dagger?"
"Just in case," William replied as he hid the dagger under his shirt. "Don't ask too many questions, all right? Look, maybe the situation will get dangerous. So you better go home first. Let me go alone."
Muriel was getting more and more shocked. "If it's really dangerous, you better not go there! What for? Come on! Let's just go home!"
"I have to go."
"Why?"
"I can't explain yet. I'll explain later. Go home, Muriel. I'll see you later."
Then he looked at the girl in front of him doubtfully. "I mean… you dare to go home alone, right? Don't worry, the streets within the city are still safe, there are still a lot of people. You will be fine."
Muriel didn't answer. She just stood looking at him, more and more confused. But there was no time for William to explain. Besides, he wasn't sure what he felt. Was he really worried that something might happen tonight, or was he just curious?
"Careful," he said his last words to Muriel.
He turned, running west toward the river.
It was only a moment later that William realized that his words might be more suitable for himself.