[Ridge]
Kadeeth left early in the morning, while the sun was barely frosting the horizon line. He took with him only a bag of food, some money, and the map from his father's study that we discovered the village on.
Now I'm back in the study, pouring over the many other maps the Duke has collected over the years. Some of them are so refined, that it makes me believe he may have commissioned an actual cartographer to record them. Along with the maps, Kadeeth uncovered the other important documents hidden in the study for me to look at.
There are ledgers documenting all of the Duke's hunting expenses, including how much money remains in the cabin. When Kade gets back, I'll have to remember to ask him where the safe is. Hopefully the Riddotha's and the other Knights didn't unload all of it during their brief stay.
I've been hunched over these papers for hours now, and the hunger gnawing at my stomach is becoming harder to ignore. I grumble and limp my way down the hall.
With my ankle in the condition it is, I shouldn't be walking at all, but we have a lot to get done. I'm not going to sit around waiting for Kadeeth to do all the hard parts. Sure I need a little saving right now, but so does the crappy situation we're in.
I lean against the walls for support and make my way to the kitchen. Kadeeth didn't even know where this room was in the cabin. Rich people.
I've explored most of the first floor on my own, but I haven't even looked in the direction of the stairs. Kadeeth went up there to search for supplies when we first arrived. Other than that, it's untouched territory, and who knows what kind of helpful surprises could be up there? But first, food.
I'm walking- stumblin- crawli- ahem approaching the kitchen when a barely audible bang sounds through the closed door. It's more of a thump. A small, yet unmistakable, noise. If my senses hadn't been amplified by years of training, and it wasn't accompanied by light, clumsy footsteps, I might have doubted myself.
That is definitely not Kadeeth. First of all I don't think he'd remember where the kitchen is on his own, and second he wouldn't have made any sound if he was trying to sneak around. Of course, he'd also have no reason to sneak through the kitchen, like a rat.
Is it a Nymour soldier? Are the Knights back? Duke Riddotha? If it's someone dangerous I should be prepared, just like with Martina in Kade's study. Better safe than sorry.
Since I've already been through this recently, I won't delay so much this time. I know the layout of the kitchen, and its inventory. The only unknown is the person themself. I feel like I have the advantage. Unless it's not a common thief or enemy troop. What if it's someone familiar with the building... but still evil?
That doesn't make much sense. The only people who would be a real threat in this case are Ravenous Knights, and if it was one of them we'd have no reason to attack each other. Hypothetically, anyway. The situation with Martina was certainly special.
I grab the doorknob and slam it open, taking in my surroundings as fast as I can. As I prepare to draw my sword, the sharp clamor of dishes breaking pierces my fucking brain. That is an absolutely loathsome sound. I should just stab them for making my ears bleed.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" I demand.