When Anna and the landlady noticed the creaks of the wooden stairs, they shifted their gaze toward them, seeing Martin going down, whispering a few last words they stopped arguing.
Reaching the end of the stairs and standing beside them, Martin said, "Good morning", looking at Anna he continued, "Hello Anna hope you are doing well today".
Taken aback, Anna instinctively looked at her mother, who had a wide grin on her face, "looks like you two got familiar with each other, overnight as well", hearing those words Anna's cheeks turned red, storming into the kitchen, she growled, "you two are unbelievable, I'm going to make breakfast alone".
When Anna's figure disappeared, Martin looked at the landlady, "Now that she is gone, would you like to tell me what happened, it looked serious", the landlady hesitantly looked at Martin, she believed that no one would help someone out of kindness, expecting something in return, but what bothers her the most is that she isn't able to read Martin at all as if he was even emotionless, yet she has no one to turn to.
A few seconds later, she released a long sigh, "Fine, I will tell you, over the last couple of weeks, there were a couple of thugs who came here in the morning while Anna was still asleep, they said that they would offer us protection. When I rejected they broke some stuff and threatened me and my daughter, they come by every week to collect the money, and it isn't a small amount. Over time Anna picked up on the missing money, and now she wants me to explain myself, but I can't tell her, I can't let my daughter live in fear".
At this point, the landlady was tearing up, and she continued, "The thought of not paying them popped up in my mind, times and times again, but they threatened me that if I didn't pay them or tell anyone about this, then Anna and I won't live to see tomorrow."
"I see", Martin replied with a calm voice, upon hearing him landlady looked at him in disbelief, she just poured her heart out, and that was all he had to say.
Suddenly the kitchen door opened and Anna walked out with plates in her hands cutting their conversation, "Here is your breakfast, it contains eggs, sausage, bacon, fried bread, fried mushrooms, fried tomatoes, and beans, as for the beer, and pancakes are on the house", setting it on the table Anna gestured, "please enjoy", looking at the breakfast Martin felt even more hungry, not able to wait for any longer, diving in and enjoying the food.
Half an hour later Martin Finished wiping the plates clean, "Thanks for the food it was great", Martin said as he got up from his seat, Anna replied to him with a hand on her chest pride filling her words, "your welcome, I did tell you that it was good, if you want to wash up, the bathroom is on your left", nodding Martin went and cleaned up.
On his way back Martin saw the landlady, he got close to her and whispered, "When is the next payment". Taken aback by his sudden interest landlady replied, "It's today, but they are a bit late".
Martin turned around and got his sword beside his seat, he saw the landlady looking at him, and he said, "I think it's time to leave I can't be late, thank you for having me".
Looking at them he saw Anna's sad expression that got noticed by her mother as well, the landlady replied, "No need for thanks, whenever you come to the area make sure to visit", nodding Martin left the Inn.
When he was outside, he took a stroll around the inn, walking around, he saw a small restaurant with benches outside that had a perfect view of the inn's entrance. Taking a seat Martin was welcomed by the waiter, "Good morning, sir, and welcome, here's the menu, ill check up on you in a minute". After reading the menu he decided to order a coffee that cost 2 bronze coins.
About an hour later, a group of 4 guys hiding their appearance with black cloaks, walked into the inn, after about 10 minutes they left holding a paper bag, leaving 3 bronze coins on the table, Martin put on his black cloak, and followed the group from a distance, following them for an hour heading east until they reached the slums.
The slums is a place where the poor lived, those who weren't able to find their place in society, people lived in broken down wooden huts, where if they were lucky to get a roof over their heads, usually criminals and outlaws hide in it.
Hiding behind a hut, Martin slowly followed from afar, watching his surrounding he noticed the stench of death, when he looked at the people, all he saw was despair, they didn't even look up at him when he walked by them, they were sick and some missing limbs, as for the huts, Buildings are dilapidated. The walls are damp. Windows are greasy.
Martin kept his guard up while stalking the group of 4, till they reached a small wooden house at the end of the slums, then the group opened the door and headed inside.
Sneaking up to the door Martin heard laughter from inside, he got closer to the window.
Thug 1: "Another great harvest, what do you guys say, I'm a genius for this idea aren't I?"
Thug 2: "Hahaha, it sure is, I can't believe how easy that old hag is"?
Thug 3: "With only a small threat to her precious little daughter, we've been living well."
Thug 4: "I bet if we keep this on for a couple of more weeks, we can rent a house in the city."
Thug 2: "What about we tell her we need more money, then we will rent one in less than a couple of weeks."
Thug 1: "Hahaha, and let her put her daughter as a bonus."
The thugs inside laughed hysterically, while they were counting the money and splitting it among themselves.
Suddenly one of them felt a shiver crawl down his spine, approaching the window nervously, and looking outside.
Thug 3: "Hey, what gotten into you?".
Thug 2: "I felt as if someone was watching us."
Thug 3: "Hahaha, don't be silly, come here and count your share of the money."
Back outside the hut, Martin stood in front of the door his eyes bloodshot, "you bastards dare to do this to them", his voice filled with rage.
Martin extended his hand and knocked on the door saying with a low voice, "You will pay for this gravely".
Lucid_Devil#9008, feel free to contact me on Discord.