The sunlight that made its way through the drawn curtains was less than welcome that morning. It illuminated the cold flagstone flooring and swept across the room revealing two cast iron beds adorned with the most rudimentary of bedding and supporting the weight of the four sleeping warriors. Klane and Ewe were back-to-back on one bed while Clair and Reged shared the other. All four were asleep but the stifling warmth of the smouldering fire and the mid-morning sun had begun to make further rest impossible and almost to a tune the four began to stir from their short slumber that had begun only a few hours earlier. Though they were thankful for the rest they had gotten, they were none the less irritable. Klane was the first of the group to rise. Sitting slowly and twisting from side to side he took stock of the situation and his surroundings. The room was sparsely decorated as one would expect the hunter's guild to be. They were not known for their artistry nor their fine wares, the hunter's guild was exactly as the name suggested. A group of hardy, stoic, individuals who only cared about their prey. Drawing back the curtains, Klane let the full force of the sun into the room causing an immediate reaction from the other three.
"Fuck off with that sunlight."
"Just half an hour more please."
"Well, I guess it's go time."
After re-arming themselves and increasing their presentability the best they could, given the lack of any washing station or mirror, they issued out through to the dim hallway and on down to the main hall of the Hunters Guild. It was relatively quiet with only two patrons enjoying their late breakfast or early lunch. At this our most would either be sleeping in preparation for a night hunt or out on a day hunt. Perfect timing for Klane, Clair, Reged and Ewe to speak to the Guild-Master without drawing the attention of too many wandering eyes.
They wandered down the flight of stairs that skirted the main hall, descending to ground level. The Hall was much livelier decorated than their room, with an eclectic array of taxidermized heads and aged skulls filling most of the empty spaces of the black stone walls. Most of the mounted heads belonged to varying species of animals. A wolf was mounted high above the central fireplace and opposite that, above the bar could be found a collection of different bears. Klane even noted a range of skulls that bore a rather worrisome resemblance to Humans had they not been elongated or adorned with horns and other odd protrusions.
The Bar served as both a place for drink and food but also as a reception of sorts where hunters and soldiers could gain information and civilians could report beasts and other varying concerns to be looked in to by the guild. All four took a up a stool each in front of the hard oak bar top and called out to the Barkeep who had disappeared out the back to work on something or another. When she arrived moments later and greeted the weary travellers with a large smile and began pouring a mug of ale each without anyone ordering. She was a handsome woman with a strong jaw and toned figure. Her auburn hair was tied in a tight bun, and her eyes offered an ocean-like depth in their wide, captivating topaz.
No-one questioned the drinks poured for them and despite the early hour, slammed them back almost as swiftly as they were poured. With an appreciative sigh, Klane set the empty mug back down on the counter and engaged the Woman in business.
"We are hoping to have a talk with the Guild Master before we carry on."
"Of course, I will go fetch him shortly."
"We had some trouble out by the Great Cliff."
"The same trouble that ended Isvar?" she motioned back towards the cool room where Isvars' body had been stored temporarily.
"The Same."
"I've heard word that there has been a bit of trouble near Lake Cern. Bandits and the like. Would be good to get some soldiers to drive them out. Good Families are going missing."
"I'll issue a request with Castle Holm when we return."
"Thank you, not really the hunters place to go after Bandits. Not the sort of prey we enjoy."
"I Understand. Anything else worth taking note of?"
"I heard Grey was on the road last night looking for you. Sounded awfully worried about your whereabouts."
"Is that so? I'll be sure to bring that up with him when I'm back in headquarters. Must have been Quite important."
Klane forced a wry smile at the Lady across from him. Grey being out on the roads at night looking for their squad was not pleasant news at all. Everyone present at the Bar had a vague sense of the implications. Clair slammed her mug down a little more forcefully than she had intended causing a vibration and shudder of a taxidermy eagle sitting perched atop a branch at the far end of the bar.
"Sorry, Millie. Didn't mean to be that aggressive."
"Not to worry dear. Care for another?"
She filled the Mugs of the four once more and continued the conversation with Klane.
"So, who got to my old friend?"
"It was a deamonkin. A Massive and strong bastard at that."
There was pause for a moment while Millie considered what had just been said.
"A deamonkin this deep in our territory, a strong one, and not a single report from the border or any town in between."
"And happened to find us deep in the Forest."
"Now that is concerning. Time to get the boss."
After a brief absence, Millie returned with a dishevelled middle-aged man in tow. He had a unkept beard that hung down to his chest, long sandy blonde hair to his shoulders and a look of someone who was just dragged from bed in the middle of the night. Clearly unenthused to be awoken this hour, the man sat with an audible sight next to Klane and took the beverage offered him by Mille without hesitation.
"So, what does mister Lord want with me so urgently that he couldn't wait till afternoon?"
"Good to see you too Elrond."
The man simply grumbled in reply as he took a swig from his mug.
"Stop being such a sour old man and listen to what they have to say. You need to hear this." Millie chimed in.
Klane recounted the occurrences of the previous few days, all the while looking ahead at his own tankard. He knew this would be tough to talk about and he didn't want to see the expression on Elrond's face as he spoke. Finally, he got to the end of the story and noted Millie's information on Grey as well.
"And Isvar is back there now?"
"He is."
There was a long pause before anyone spoke again. Finally, Elrond stood up and disappeared behind the bar and out to the cool room where Isvar was laid. After a few minutes more of silence he returned. His previously gruff and irritated face was now one of sorrow. The evidence of tears remained on his cheeks and in his reddened eyes. He sat back down and finished his drink in record time before gesturing to Millie for another.
"Did my brother go out swinging at least?"
"He did. He was joking and laughing till the very end."
"I'll issue a Hunt for deamonkin for the forest and send word to the guilds up north to investigate where it might have come from."
"Thank you, I'll issue a deployment of soldiers out to Lake Cern to look into the bandits."
"Our guild in Livin will be able to help with sniffing them out if they haven't already."
"Cheers."
"Are you heading to the Castle now?"
"Yeah, I have to report in. There's going to be a lot of movement once I notify them of the deamonkin."
"It sounds like Grey might have designs on you as well. It's not like him to leave the castle on a patrol mission. Somethings up. You'll need to be careful Klane. I feel like there is something beginning to stir in this Kingdom."
"I know what you mean. It feels like sixty years ago all over again."
"Only this time you're not a boy. You're a real contender for the throne. People won't take you lightly anymore."
"I'll be careful."
The group finished their drinks in silence and after one more round as poured, put their mugs together and issued their respects to their fallen comrade. They had not had any moment to rest nor reflect since Isvars' death. The tears begun to trickle from every eye at the bar.
"To Isvar."
"To our mentor."
"To my dear friend."
"To my brother."
The day had crept on, and the midday sun now hung high and hot over the Great Forest as the crew strapped Isvars body on to the back of Klane and readied themselves for the final few hours of travel to Castle Holm.
"I'm sending two hunters with you. I don't trust that Grey isn't still out on the road."
"I don't think he is stupid enough to try anything in broad daylight and this close to the Castle."
"Desperation can make a man do stupid things like holding up an in on the main road. The Hunters will stay hidden in the trees till you reach the gate. Better safe than sorry."
"Okay, Thank you Elrond. I'll send word once we have organised the military funeral."
The men nodded at each other, shook hands and then parted ways. Elrond back into the depths of the guild building and the crew out onto the path they'd came in on towards the main road and towards home. The short journey back to the main road was uneventful and the afternoon passed by in much the same way. The few hours of rest and the alcohol seemed to make walking far more tolerable again from the night before. A drowsiness crept slowly over them as they strolled in the warm golden afternoon sun and the scent of pine needles, flowers and earth coalesced and wafted pleasantly across their nostrils.
Ahead a flashing and flickering could be seen shimmering like a mirage at the edge of the horizon. The group commented lazily before a sudden reckoning snapped them back to their senses. The flickering was that of silver armour.
There were soldiers ahead.