Carts and buggies sloshed through the wet, muddy streets of Dalharst. The wear and tear of the week's journey to reach there showed an utter exhaustion on their faces. Mud covered the hooves and legs of their horses and their clothing smelled less than pleasant. With tired eyes and tired bodies, the three traveling companions wound their way through the crowded streets toward the center of town.
A bulletin board with a few postings of parchments sprawled on with crude drawings of wanted souls occupied the board. They hoped to get a sum of money for catching a bounty. Anticipation kept them going, as this would be their first job outside of being handed wears to live on during their
Jex dismounted first, his boots sinking into the earth below him with a hearty splat. Ray and Nimer did the same.
"There doesn't seem to be a lot of jobs to choose from," Jex commented.
"We best pick something," Nimer said. "We don't have much time here before we have to be on the move again."
Jex nodded in understanding then plucked a sheet with haste off the board as it tore from the nail that held it there. The poster read: Wanted for theft, 100 gold reward. "What about this one?" He held it up for Nimer and Ray to view.
"One hundred gold should last us a week or so," Ray thought out loud and shivered, pulling her coat tighter around her shoulders. The chill of the mountain air was getting to her.
Nimer patted his horse's nose as it snorted. "As our first job, it doesn't sound like it would be hard. It doesn't specify if they want the man alive. Be prepared to take a soul if need be," he commented.
Jex and Ray seemed a little alarmed by the comment but passed it off as a joke as a stream of snickers lulled from the guide's mouth.
"Let's do it then," Jex said while folding the paper and placing it in his pocket. Their first real quest was catching a thief. It didn't seem too hard.
As they climbed into the saddles they ventured further into town, the dark eyes of traders, smiths, and shopkeepers watched the three distantly from their work. Young souls ran after a dirty dog covered in mud across the streets as it barked merrily and wagged its tail.
For the first time in a while, Jex's mind was drawn back to the memories of Adolk where they had left nearly four months ago. "What is going on back home?" he wondered to himself. "Is the butcher's shop running smoothly? Is work getting done around Ray's farm?" Perhaps he'd have to write home and let them know how they were doing.
He turned to Ray whose green-blue eyes watched the children with care. A smile he had only seen a few times settled on her face. She caught Jex's eyes and her already flushed cheeks turned cherry red and she giggled, turning away bashfully.
"We should ask around about our bounty, or perhaps when we get to the inn I can leave you two alone for the night," Nimer said after a minute. Both Jex and Ray glared daggers toward their guide who chuckled mischievously.
"I was watching the children play, nothing more," Ray said in defense.
"Of course," Nimer loomed scratching the beard on his chin. "That's what they all say."
The three rode up to a small inn with a small stable out back where they stored their mounts for the time being and wandered inside. The warmth from the inn thawed their chilly bodies as they entered. The low rumble of voices did not cease when they entered but a loud, "Welcome to the Tin Inn!" chimed from the barkeep. He looked like a merry fellow; ginger hair, soft green eyes, and a beard around his robust jawline. He appeared well fed.
Jex approached him first, Ray and Nimer trailing behind. The farm boy smiled politely. "Afternoon good sir! Can I pick your brain perhaps?"
"Aye, Perhaps," the barkeep chuckled. "I might need to pick your money bags first," he winked while drawing from the tap into a mug. He sent it sliding down the slick pine bar top towards two people who sat down the way, one with a hood over his head and the other in a black, fur lined coat.
Nimer had eyes on the two while Jex did the talking. His intuition rarely failed him, but something felt rather off about the two figures. He had the sneaking suspicion that he knew them.
"I-uh," Jex stammered a little.
Ray slid into a chair and folded her hands on the top of the counter. "What coin would give us information about a bounty?" she asked. She glanced at Jex and nodded toward the barkeep. "Go on, show him the bounty we picked."
Jex fished into his pockets and withdrew the silken paper of the poster and placed it in front of the man. "We want to know if you have seen this man?"
The keeper raised a bushy brow and stared at the picture and belted a rather nerve racking laugh, "Aye, I got the information, but what are a couple of kids doin' lookin for a thief?"
"Quite frankly, the need for coin. I can promise you payment later for a few words," Ray said, trying to bargain with the man.
With a toothy grin, the keep plucked another mug from the shelf and filled it with ale. "If you open a tab, I'll trust you to keep your word, little miss." He brought the ale to his lips and took a hefty swig then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "I've definitely seen that feller around this place, a few weeks back. Shady, not a talker, but pale as can be. I hadn't seen em before. I passed em off as another traveler…but I'm tellin you, the night I saw em, someone was found dead the next morn, a wound to his neck and looked no more withered than a prune-the life sucked outta em."
"That's mildly concerning," Jex commented and slowly picked up the flier and studied it. "How could someone shrivel up into a prune?"
"Prune like," the barkeep corrected him. "The wound also looked like a bite mark to the neck."
"Cannibals?" Ray asked, tilting her head a little.
"More likely a vampire," Nimer said, crossing his arms as all eyes turned to him.
The keeper laughed, his gut bouncing. "Wild imagination on ye, but I don't doubt the thought. Rumor has it a vampire may stock the woods, though no one has yet confirmed it."
Ray bit her lower lip and then turned to Jex. "I'm not sure I'm fond of the idea of chasing a monster, Jex. Maybe we should pick a different bounty."
Jex surveyed the sheet then looked to Ray, then a little past where he could feel eyes on him from down the counter. It was quick, but he made eye contact with the hooded figure. Before he could catch his eye, the hooded figure turned away. Jex then turned to Nimer for guidance, but Nimer's stern gaze was locked on the hooded figure and the man in the fur coat next to him.
Nimer turned to the keeper and cleared his throat, tapping the counter quickly with his finger to draw his attention, then lowered his voice and spoke directly. "Do you know those two down there at the bar? They don't exactly give off the most welcoming vibe."
The ginger man ran his fingers through his beard studying the two more closely. "They've been drinking here for a few days, jus passin through, why you ask?"
Nimer fell silent a moment before placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Because I sense trouble." Before they could make another move, Nimer walked with purpose up behind the two.
The room fell silent as the reverberating sound of unsheathing metal echoed throughout the room. Nimer stood behind the two and placed the tip of his blade to the back of the hooded figure. "Show yourself," he demanded cruelly, venom on his tongue.
"Pointing that thing at me again, Nimer," came a rough voice from the hooded figure. He rose from his seat with his hands hidden beneath the cloak and slowly turned to the short man. Yellow jewels in the darkness of the hood stared at the short man and the man with the black coat also turned in his seat to look at Nimer, his slender pale hand reaching for the chain around his neck.
"Canin, who are these people?" the man in the fur coat asked.
"None of your concern, Rin," Canin answered and pulled his hood off and let it fall against his back. "Hello again, Nimer. You're as welcoming as ever, sticking your sword in my face after what you did weeks ago. Should I remind you how you defiled my kin?"
"You don't have to remind me twice," Nimer stated and lowered his weapon slightly. He looked at Rin. "I see you did what you were asked. Such obedient, naive creatures," Nimer smirked as Jex and Ray both appeared at their guide's side.
"Don't insult me, shrimp," Canin growled a little. "With many wandering eyes, this is no place to talk." Canin motioned to the tavern around them as the chatter picked up again in the form of suspicious whispers.
Nimer lowered his weapon to his side and sheathed his blade and addressed Canin. "I'll subtly agree." He stared right at the chain around Rin's neck. He recognized it anywhere. "Why do you have Annabelle's necklace?"
Rin's thin, pale hand reached up to the chain around his neck and he looked defensive.
"If you'll let me speak, I'll explain, but not here, not now," Canin said, interrupting. The hoard of eyes on him and his grotesque face made him uncomfortable.
"I will be no less demanding of an explanation, but I'll respect your wishes," Nimer said. Jex and Ray joined him at his side and Nimer beckoned the four to follow them outside.