Rom and Dak debated and discussed the matters regarding the witch and creatures that ravaged the Nothern territories, trying their best to come up with a feasible plan to end the terror and the destruction caused by them.
They travelled steadily, from village to village, until after a few more days of walking, they finally reached Lathian, halting their steps at the edge to look around for anything out of the ordinary.
" It's awfully quiet for a village this size!" Dak pointed out, looking at the houses on either side of the road.
" We are getting closer to the citadel! The witch is using everyone she gets her hands on for rituals and other vial things!" he sullenly explained, moving from his spot slowly.
" Oh!" that was all Dak could muster while looking left and right, keeping a keen eye.
Rom did the same thing as Dak, making sure that there weren't any surprises, and he had gathered that, being almost noon, most people would be out working and earning their bread.
Soon the inn came into his view and, to his relief, seemed open. Rom picked up his pace, and Dak followed his lead and did the same.
Rom climbed up the steps and barged inside the inn, opening the door with a thud.
The innkeeper froze in his spot, and as soon as his eyes settled on the red-haired man, his eyes widened, and he rushed from behind the counter to stand in front of Rom with a horrified expression.
" You need to leave!" the innkeeper spoke in a trembling voice, looking like a hunted animal.
" Why?" Dak questioned curiously, sizing up the innkeeper and his demeanour.
" Last, he was here; they came looking for you and destroyed my inn when they couldn't find you!" the innkeeper muttered while pushing Rom back outside, pushing the door to a close.
" We are looking for the healer?" Dak enquired while peering from above Rom.
" She lives at the edge of the forest! Now, leave!" he hurriedly answered while closing the door with a thud, frantically panting and leaning against the door.
Rom turned on his heels and walked away from the inn, with Dak stomping with heavy steps behind him like a giant " We don't have much time; her puppets will be here by sundown!" Rom warned while rushing through the village, making his way to the edge of the village.
" How? We just got here?" Dak curiously asked while frowning at Rom's words.
" She already knows we are here!" he firmly stated while approaching the house the innkeeper mentioned, looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was following them.
The house came into his view; Rom walked up the stairs, halting his steps in front of the door and without wasting any more time, he knocked on the door, holding his breath, with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Dak did the same " She is just a healer, there is no need to be on your toes!" he pointed out from behind Rom, that looked at him over his shoulder and gave him a wry smile.
"You never know!"Rom mumbled while turning to look at the door, hearing footsteps approaching.
The door swung open, and Dahlia appeared in front of them wearing a blank expression " You are here!" she said in a flat voice while standing in front of them like a statue.
Rom observed her, trying his best to remember the day he had seen her, and he could swear that she wore a warm smile and that Dahlia was a sweet woman.
" You said to come and find you if I find myself passing through this village!" he replied, repeating her words back to her, hoping to see a change in her expression, but she remained blank.
"Did I say that!" she flatly replied while stiffly moving out of the way to allow them to enter the house.
Rom gave her a stiff smile, feeling a little apprehensive at her behaviour and moved to step into the house, followed by Dak.
The door closed with a thud, and a loud grunt made Rom turn around, drawing his sword and pointing it at Dahlia, who had the same blank expression. Dak was on his knees, holding his side, panting and groaning in pain.
" I knew you would come back!" Dahlia uttered disdainfully while pulling the dagger out of Dak's side, making him scream and quiver in pain.
Rom looked at Dak, hoping that the wound wasn't as severe as he thought it would be, and he could only hope that he wouldn't end up the same as Dak.
Lifting his head to look at Dahlia that it was evident to him now that the witch got to her, and if they couldn't control her and break the bond, she was of no use to them.
" Let her go! She has nothing to do with us!" Rom pleaded, hoping that the witch would let her go, but deep down, he already knew she wouldn't.
" Why would I do that? You betrayed me! You allowed that little bitch to live!" she scornfully replied while taking a small step closer to Rom, making Rom take a step back.
" I told you to bring her to me, and I would end all of this!" she stated while moving closer to Rom, stepping on Dak's hand and grinding her foot on it, making Dak grunt and curse under his breath.
" Once I have what I want, you can be free of all of this! I know that is what you want and I can easily give you that!" she bargained while stomping her foot on Dak's hand.
The sound of bones cracking made Rom step closer to her and point his sword at her throat " Stop!" he warned while bending down with his eyes on the witch, grabbing Dak's tunic and pulling his hand from under her foot.
" You won't slice her throat! You need her!" the witch stated the obvious while taking a step closer to him, that the tip of the sword was grazing Dahlia's skin.
" Try me!" Rom challenged while Dahlia lifted her hand to strike Rom, but Rom caught her hand, striking her in the head with one swift blow.
Dahlia stumbled to the side, losing her balance but recovered, swinging the dagger from the side and aiming at his ribs, making Rom jump back to counter the attack.
Dahlia came at him again, furiously swinging the dagger, trying to strike him while Rom was doing everything to avoid her attacks since he needed her alive and killing her was not in his plans.
"All of this for a greedy bitch!" the witch thundered, panting while swinging the dagger at Rom's face, but Rom caught her wrist before it reached him and took the blade out of her hand, making Dahlia let out a loud shriek and scratch Rom's face with her other hand.
Dak finally pulled himself off the floor and stumbled where Rom and Dahlia were, grabbing her hand that now was curled up around Rom's neck" I can't wait to kill you!" Dak hissed, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, wincing in pain.
" You're welcome to try!" Dahlia smigly smirked, stomping her foot and Dak's foot, making him chuckle at her attempt to hurt him.