---Moments before the door to the inn opened. ---
Two guards that had slunk out from the dark and dreary chasm were now basking in the light of the new day, slowly walking towards the Dozy'Mare's main entrance, trapped in its enveloping warmth and unforgivinvg glare, blinding the men's eyes, still not adjusted from the darkness
Both men, clad in the weathered armour of a lesser guard of the Armellian guild, had one thought on their minds: the thoughts of a quick meal and drink before another darkness took hold over them—the realm of sleep and dreams and hopefully not nightmares.
One of the two men spoke up with a tired and worn voice as the market came ruffled to life.
Brynn: It's a bright one today... (Trying to hide his eyes from the the sun.) If it wasn't for the crying in that hole, it would make for a good resting place right about now. Far from this sun... wouldn't you agree? 'Tired.'
No answer came to Byrnn's question as the guard tried to shield his face by looking down from the sun at his back.
Byrnn: I know how you feel with that stone cold silence. The sun has that affect on cave dwellers like us... 'Mocking tone.'
*FAINT RUSTLE OF ARMOUR AND LEATHER SHIFTING ABOUT.*
The armour, in its simplicity of leather strappings and metal, melded into each other, offering a modicum of protection from all those who wished to do harm, be it man or beast or both. Even though time had worn and torn both men and their attire, the wearers had taken good care of their clothes and armour, some places having mismatched leather pieces patched over by a talented hand, not discernible by untrained eyes as to ever being fixed.
Byrnn, seeing the inn in sight, felt a comfort wash over him.
Byrnn: I can't wait for a tasty drink... (Seeing the inn ahead.) My legs are killing me!
The arduous walk from the keep drained the weary bodies and souls of both guards, one more than the other, for the grey-haired man in front had his eyes elsewhere, flicking back and to the front, feeling an eerie sensation on him.
Right in front of them, their goal was now in sight; it was the inn many a man, woman, and beast had attended, but someone was behind them.
Byrnn not taking notice of the subtle but strange actions of Gonf, was being dragged away from sense by the sleep playing on his body and the allure of ale soon to be in his belly.
*AMBIENT VOICES OF PEOPLE GOING ABOUT THEIR LIVES*
All around them, men, women, and children long awoken from their slumber, were getting excited for the fresh day of opportunity it had held for them, all of them lost in the circle of their lives, all but one.
All but the man in front who was muttering, but not to Byrnn's questions, only to himself.
Gonf: (Whispering.) Why now? 'Concerned.'
The man behind Gonf pinched and rubbed at his face, beset by dreariness, trying his hardest to beat away the fatigue, forcing the want of sleep into the back of his mind, not noticing the words of the other guard. The questioning guard spoke, his tongue running where he should have walked in silence instead of stumbling into a rats nest that would soon come from his stupidity.
Byrnn: I am glad to be out of that godforsaken pit and all that dust and depression. 'Snorting.' That dust is murder on the nose...
A sharp sneeze rang out in the street from the man in tow as Gonf, turned away, not fully ignoring the lingering shadows in between the stalls, listening carefully for something, ignoring Byrnn's words and heading for the door in fron of him.
The movements of the two in the shadows picked up just as Byrnn spoke.
Byrnn: (Rubbing his nose.) Hey, Gonf? Is it true that he... You know! (Gesturing a sexual innuendo with his fingers.) I heard it from one of the royal guards before leaving the courtyard... (Halting his words.) He did the Lo...
Gonf, no longer going to reach for the twisted iron door handle, spun around, moving into Byrnn's personal space at frightening speed, shocking the other guard and cutting him off from speaking any further.
Gonf: Are you an idiot? 'Scolding.'
The faces of the men, nearly touching in an embrace, came with a stern look, peering into Byrnn's bloodshot, swollen eyes, nowhere near a reflection of his own.
Gonf's complexion was one of a man, but not one of a worn and weary soul; the fiery stare in his eyes burnt into Byrnn.
The guard from the dark pit, no longer agitated, spoke to Byrnn in a cold, nearly silent whisper, only loud enough that only Byrnn could hear his words as they were intended for no one else, not even the passers-by to catch on.
Gonf: 'Whispering.' (Standing motionless.) Do you love your wife, Heralda? Do you love your daughter, Fiona? Then remain like that... Quiet!
Byrnn shot back a bewildered, fearful look, his hands no longer performing the obscenities as they came to an end, falling upon hearing his wife's and daughter's names.
Eventually, Byrnn responded to the strange questions shot his way, completely perplexed by the attitude and demeanour of the man in front of him all of a sudden.
Brynn: 'Confused.' Why... Why are you asking me that? (Eyes wide.) Of course I do! They are my world! 'Worried.' Why are... (Being cut off.)
Before he could continue on, wanting to know why he was being asked such an oddity, another whisper fluttered into his ear. The following words made Byrnn's body freeze in fear upon hearing it.
Dark grey eyes darted over Byrnn's shoulder, delving deeply into the merchant stalls, seeking something out amongst the souls pattering around and finding it with ease, clearly knowing where to look. The movement of wooden boxes, bags, and feet merged into a sea of confusion and the complexity of life.
Gonf saw two people standing in the crowd but not part of it, the mismatched pieces of a living puzzle trying to fit in, fooling everyone around them, except for him as enlightened Byrrn.
*THE SOUNDS OF PEOPLE TALKING IN THE STREET BEHIND THE TWO GUARDS GREW LOUDER.*
Gonf: 'Serious.' They've been watching us ever since we left the courtyard. (Pivoting his body to the side of Byrnn.) Just follow my lead and shut your mouth. Whatever you do, do not turn around or say another word; do you hear me? If they see you seeing them...
The eery words lay on Byrnn's thoughts, then the confirmed nodding of a worried face received a friendly wink from Gonf, still not easing the tension that set in, only exacerbating it in Byrnn's heart even further of the unknown behind him and the fear of the final words he had heard.
Gonf's arm wrapped around the back of Byrnn's neck, gently resting on the ageing armour and man in woe, no comfort coming from the brotherly embrace.
The cold edges of steel from the thick gauntlet touched Byrnn's exposed neck, tightly holding the worried man in place even when Byrnn jolted up from the odd feeling hitting his skin, not allowing him to break free for a moment.
*A BROKEN LAUGHTER BELLOWED OUT FROM GONF, CHANGING TO MERRINESS.*
A loud voice echoed through the early morning, drawing the attention of all the market traders setting up for the morning rush, as well as anyone passing by. All of it on purpose and with a long-term goal ahead.
A large round merchant holding something in his hand stood still at the coming commotion, listening out of curiosity rather than want with a disgruntled face. The little box rattled as he paused his commute and turned to the two men out of interest.
*RATTLE, RATTLE THE MERCHANTS BOX OF TRINKETS CALMED.*
The show was about to begin.
Gonf: WAIT! 'Bellowing.' Don't tell me your wife won't let you do it there! (Moving the stiff Byrnn towards the door.) You just have to be more persuasive; show her who the real man is! 'Laughing maniacally.'
*SHARP SMACK OF A PALM ON LEATHER.*
A hand slapped into Byrnn, easily winding him in his exhausted state, not allowing him to react or speak, keeping him in a daze.
Gonf: I don't know about you... (Glancing to his left and right.) I for one need a drink after a long night's work watching that scum. Also, you can't go back on an empty stomach! Shit... Serving the Lord is rewarding work!
The people around them listened in on the commotion and the two shadows in the rear pulled away, no longer wanting to be in the centre of a crowd that became still, no longer being able to hide in the ripples as they heard the commotion slowly coming to it's end.
Gonf: I will tell you this... 'Firm.' This time, with a bit of liquid courage, you will succeed. I promise it, my loyal friend! You will have her eating out of the palm of your hand. (Winking at Byrnn.) Well, maybe other places... HAHA!
Byrnn's face simmered and boiled red, not entirely from anger but rather from a sense of unease and utter embarrassment stemming from the voices all around him and the unknown eyes. All of them were talking about the vulgarity coming from Gonf's mouth.
Byrnn felt another slap reverberate through the leather and to his aching back.
*MUFFLED TALKING AMONGST THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET.*
Gonf: Now... Let's get that drink, shall we! 'Cheeky.'
The market sellers watched as the two men slinked off into the inn, the one controlling the other, still laughing, then abruptly stopping as they opened the door and walked in, vanishing out of sight as the door closed behind them.
Mutterings of merchants and stall keepers grew and faded as the wooden stalls shuffled to life once more and back to their routine, the theatre having its play. Soon, it would be the talk of the morning rumour mill, passing alongside the coins of trade as tidbits of information.
*PATTERING OF FEET MOVING AWAY AND A FAINT RATTLE.*
The large man who was listening to the two men was also long gone, walking past someone as he headed past the market street, turning off somewhere, turning into a dark alley, muttering to himself.
In the distance, two shadows followed, the taller one smiling at the show and smaller one grinned at his coming prey.