To Alaric Hewe felt like a filthy town full of cutthroats and dirty people, as the village elders had told him it was.

Alaric wasn’t happy to be spending anytime in that mud-caked, fishing hole. The people of Hewe had even found a way to take the prettiest lake in the country and make their part of it filthy.

The Rose Lake got its name from the pink water. Alaric was told never to drink the water, but it made a beautiful sight. Next to Hewe, the Rose Lake was a muddy brown. The people there didn’t seem to care as much about the lake or safety of the water.

Alaric stayed close to Lilia, Erika, and Nathaniel. They seemed to like the place more than he did but not by much.

The group was ushered into the back of a dirty inn by a plump maid. She warned them all multiple times to stay quiet to avoid disturbing any of their guests. The fat woman wasn't at all graceful next to the Hunters. Alaric was surprised that any innkeeper would allow such a strange and grotesque woman to work there.

Two other girls worked in the kitchen. They were both much cuter than the large girl. Alaric thought that they looked to be about his age. Alaric didn't pay much attention to what the girls looked like despite that. He was too tired to really care about any of the girls, including Lilia.

They were led to a small table in the back of the kitchen and the fat woman disappeared. Everyone sat or stood quietly. Everyone was too tired to rest. Erika had left Tyron in Hewe to being the rest of the group to the inn. Tyron had been gone for a few hours, but no one seemed worried about him. Alaric had seen first hand the skills of the Hunters. He too was realizing that they were each on their own very capable of taking care when danger found them.

The girls busy were warming up the stove and prepping food for the travelers. They both had a look as if they had just been woken up. Alaric watched them work. He only half paid attention to the girls as they worked. His eyes were heavy, but he fought to keep them up.

As Alaric sat scratching his chin, the smell of savory meats and sweet bread engulfed the room. His stomach reminded him that he hadn’t eaten nearly as well in the past few days as he was used to.

When the food finally came, the Hunters tore ravenously at the bread and fish that was given to him. It was the best fish that he had ever tasted. He had only tried fish a handful of times, but it was his favorite food. The bread was sweet and melted in his mouth with each bite. There was also a large platter placed in the center of the table that was covered in cooked vegetables. He ate some, but the meat and bread was too good to waste his time on the vegetables.

The food disappeared queckly. Alaric, Chas, and Lilia ate the majority of it, but Nathaniel put his own dent in the meal as well. The mood had lightened in the room as they ate. Despite this, there was still some gloom that hung in the room. The Hunters had traveled far before they found Alaric.

Tyron stepped into the room not long after the food disappeared. His eyes were bright, and he walked with excitement. “I found a group of soldiers. They are under the house Irix. The Sword and Shield will lead us to the capital faster,” he said with a wave of his hand.

The Sword and Shield was the emblem found on the flag of royal house of Irix. Alaric thought that it was unusual for a group of soldiers under that house to be in the area, as he didn't know the name or emblem. Alaric thought that it was still at least good news for the group. They might not help speed the movement of the group, but it would be safer.

Alaric assumed that it was the leader of the group of soldiers that came in behind Tyron. He wore a white cloth and grey steel armor. Alaric was surprised that the man came in full armor. It was too early in the morning for him to have been wearing the armor when Tyron called for him.

The man had short black hair and blue eyes. He seemed to be impartial, until his eyes met Alaric’s. The knight glared at the young blacksmith. Alaric shrunk behind the man's glare.

“We’ll be off when morning comes,” man said sternly. His voice was hard and matter of fact.

“Thank you again for your help, Lord Irix,” Tyron called as the man stormed out without another word.

Tyron turned back to his group with a grin. “He may not be cheery but a Dragon Knight here cannot be coincidence. He was sent because reports of Mist Wolves from the southern blightlands had reached the castle. Once I told him that we were being hunted by them, he agreed that we need to be escorted quickly to the capital to see the King. Lady Fate smiles upon up today.”

Alaric frowned. If he’s here to help, then why did he glare at me? Something felt off about the man to Alaric, but he couldn't place a finger on why.

Lilia was sitting next to him. She gave a sympathetic smile and a pat on his leg. It seemed like she noticed the knights glare.

Chas was staring into the depths of the table. He hadn’t looked up at all during the entire encounter. Alaric felt some sympathy for the boy. It would be hard for anyone to leave home at such a young age, and grow up around a group of people that live to hunt and kill monstrous beasts. It seemed that he wasn't yet used to the traveling.

After a few minutes more of silent waiting, the heavy woman returned again to the kitchen. She waved and grunted for them to follow her. At even the sound of a creaking board, the woman would turn back and glare at the group despite her heavy steps. The entire building was poorly constructed from wood. That meant nearly every step caused some small noise.

The Hunters were led to a room on the second floor of the building. It was empty except for a few beds that were organized along the back wall. There were enough bed for each of them to have a bed, but Alaric knew just from seeing small bed, that he was too big for it.

He laid down slowly on his bed next to Tyron and Nathaniel. It bowed, cracked, and popped. He was worried that it would break under him, but it somehow held his weight. The fat woman crept out without a word.

He was too tired to change from his dirty, well-worn clothes. Sleep came before Alaric could move to get comfortable.

Alaric heard the door creak quietly. No one next to him was moivng. Alaric thought that everyone seemed to be asleep still. Who was the person that opened the door then? He thought. He watched the door. After a few minutes, the door opened a little bit more. They must think that I’ve fallen back to sleep.

He watched the door creep open farther and father until a small man could creep in. It wasn’t Tyron, so this must have been a thief of some sort. As Alaric expected, the man crept over to Lilia’s bags and started picking through it. He was exceptionally quiet. Alaric thought it was quite impressive.

Alaric knew that he was going to have to give the man a good beating, but he wanted the man to get just a little bit closer. He felt his muscles tighten in anticipation.

Alaric leapt from the bed and ran toward the door to cut the man off. The man bolted as fast as he could toward the door, but he hesitated just enough. Alaric cut the man off and caught him by his throat. The muscles in his shoulders screamed as he held the man, but even with his injuries, he was stronger.

Alaric slammed the man against the wall. As if in reply his muscles burned more and warmth soaked his shirt. Alaric knew that he was bleeding again, but he didn't much care.

The man crumpled to the floor. He was totally unconscious. He entire group had awoken and were standing. They were armed and ready for a fight. They lit the room and used their blankets to bind and gag the man. He woke as he was being tied, but he was too weak too struggle against the Hunters.

The blob of a woman burst from into the room with a cleaver in her hand. She was looking wildly for the source of the noise. She spotted the man being tied up on the bed, and anguish crawled across her face.

“What are you doing with my husband!?” she yelled. Suddenly her eyes were glazed over and had a purplish, sickly color.

The woman lunged forward with kitchen knife and started swinging wildly at the Alaric.

Tyron called a single word that they rest of the group, including Alaric understood. “Madness.”

Nathaniel sprang into action. He had already fetched one of the daggers from his bag. He danced around the flailing woman before she could ever reach Alaric and planted his knife in the back of the neck of the woman.

Instantly, she collapsed on the ground with a loud thud.

“We need to go now,” Tyron said.

Immediately, they grabbed their bags. Alaric was kept in the middle of the group as they filed down the stairs. There was no sound nor movement as they left the building. It was eerie, but the morning was coming quickly. They all followed Tyron to the home that the soldiers were staying in.

Tyron pounded on the door, and then pushed it open. The entrance was dark and empty, but within a few seconds there were soldiers coming out of the the rooms connected to the room that they had entered. Each of them was armed and ready to fight.

Lord Irix came in the room with a look authority. He was somehow still in his armor. “These are the Hunters that we are escorting to the capital. If you lay a hand on them, you will have to answer to the King.”

The soldiers all dropped their arms to their sides.

“What do you need, Hunters?” he asked calmly.

Tyron stepped forward. “We need to leave right now. We were just attacked by someone with the madness.”

Lord Irix’s face fell. “If there is Blight this far from the the blighted lands, then I must stay here to protect the people. I will send a few men with you and a few to Lord Moats to notify him, but the rest must remain with me.”

His men nodded to acknowledge their leader’s instruction. It seemed strange that they already knew how they would divide up without another further word from Lord Irix.

The men got to work immediately. There were six that grabbed their bags. Four were going with the Hunters, while the other two left immediately to seek out Lord Moats and his family.

One of the soldiers that were going with them seemed to be the senior of the group was the only one that stayed cool. The other three looked nervous as they followed the Hunters out.

The soldiers’ wore light, brown leather armor. It bore a simple mark of Lord Irix’s house on the chest. They also carried a sheathed sword and a dagger. The emblem was on each of the sheathes as well.

Tyron bowed toward Lord Irix, and the Hunters filed back out. They were followed by the four soldiers.

The sun was nearly ready to peak over the horizon. There were small sounds of people in the distance beginning to wake and work. The smell of freshly baking bread wafted through the buildings from some bakery tucked further into Hewe.

The group wasted no time. They hurried straight back to the inn quickly yet calmly as to not draw the attention of any prying eyes.

They reached the the horses quickly and set off immediately. They left without the wagon, before most of Hewe had woken. Alaric felt bad about disturbing those that still slept as they rode the horses hard out of the town.

The riders were silent as they traveled fast and hard toward Lucenne. Alaric was worried about how well the horses would take the ride. They got rest here and there, but he wasn't sure how much was enough. If they were pushed too hard, it could slow their progress. As the sun approached, the sky collected clouds and turned grey.

Alaric thought that it may rain, and he knew that would made the ride more miserable. Dread filled his stomach. Alaric hoped that rain would slow down their pursuers.

Alaric still often felt uncomfortable around the quiet group. They were kind and seemed to care for him, but he felt that it wasn’t real care. It was their duty to deliver him to the King. He truly didn’t understand the reason that they tried to pretend to care. They would soon leave him behind.

“Al!” he heard Lilia call from a few horses up. His eyes shot up and his body became tense. He was becoming paranoid. Nowhere felt safe.

She slowed her horse down so that he could catch up with her. “Relax, Alaric,” she said with a laugh. Her eyes were gently resting on him. “You can relax. We’re safe for now. We’ll arrive at the Lucenne soon and then this nightmare will be over.”

Alaric nodded at her. He wasn’t in the mood to talk. He couldn’t pinpoint a reason, but he just wasn’t in the mood.

She wouldn’t give up. “Do you worry about your family?”

He looked down at the saddle. “Wouldn’t you?” he asked softly. He doubted that she had even heard him speak.

“Even with the training that my family has, I would worry. When we get to the Lucenne, you’ll be able to send a letter to your family. Let them know that you’re safe.” Lilia smiled warmly.

That was a comfort to him. He felt more relief in that moment than he had the entire trip.

“Why do you care?” Alaric asked. He had to know if it was out of pity. He knew that there was no good reason behind it. They had fallen far enough behind that he was sure that the others couldn’t hear their conversation.

Lilia was quiet for a time. Alaric could see that she was weighing her answer to the question carefully.

When she was ready to reply, her face seemed softer and gentler. She had gone from being a warrior to being a woman in his view despite the weapons and armor that she bore.

“Alaric, we do care about you. Genuinely, we do, Each of us. We may be taking you to the capital, but that does not mean that you will be rid of us entirely. At least, I hope not.” As she finished, her cheeks began to turn red.

Alaric couldn’t find words to reply, so he just stared at the beautiful woman riding next to him. He didn’t often put much thought into the future, but a future with her was something that he thought that he might want. He let his mind wander for a time, while she rode silently next to him.

After a few minutes of silent thought, he turned again to the young woman riding next to him. She smiled softly at him. Her face was still red. “What were you thinking about?” she asked.

He smiled back. “Nothing important, Lilia. What are Lucenne and the capital like?” It was the only question that he could come up with. He was still unsure about the group of Hunters. He decided that he wanted to trust them, especially Lilia.

Her face didn’t change. “Those two cities are very different and in many ways the same. They have very different appearances. Both are beautiful. They are large though. There are many good people filling the streets, but many more cruel and selfish people,” she replied. Alaric thought that it wasn't all that much of an answer, but he didn't push for more.

He had heard that most people in cities were selfish and that he couldn’t trust them. The village elders always made that much clear. Alaric put more trust into their words after the stay in Hewe.

He suddenly felt a surge of curiosity. “What are the nobles like? What do you think that they want with me?”

Lilia smiled. She enjoyed chatting. “Well each of the houses are very different. Most of them are either lazy and selfish or kind and benevolent. I know you may not trust people that you barely know, but you are safe from the nobles. The High Lords and the King need to meet you, and they will decide your fate...” Lilia paused and made a concerned face.

“Wait… that sounds worse than it is… They will be deciding what you do and where you belong… That still sounds bad.” She frowned. "You get the point."

It made Alaric chuckle. He hadn’t yet seen her struggle at something.

She grinned at his chuckle. “It’s true. You are safe.”

He was feeling better. “I know. It is hard being so far away from home. I am worried about my family, but it also feels good to be on an adventure. It might be like the stories that my parents told me when I was younger.”

It was then that he looked down at his shirt and saw the red stains on his pale yellow shirt.

Lilia frowned. “The bleeding stopped or else we would have stopped to address your wounds. How are they feeling? It seems like you barely notice them.”

Alaric rolled his shoulders. “They’re sore, but I think that they’ll be fine soon. Fighting that man reopened everything.”

Lilia nodded knowingly. “There is a good chance that had you not stopped him, things could have gone very differently. I don’t know that any of us would have awoken before he started killing.”

“How are you so sure that he would have tried to kill anyone?” Alaric asked. He didn’t remember the man carrying any weapons.

The frown that Lilia wore deepened. “The madness isn’t a normal sickness. It takes otherwise harmless people and turns them into monsters. He had a knife, but he never got to unsheathe it because of you. He came in to kill. Greed slowed him down though.”

“So why hadn’t the man and wife killed each other yet?” Alaric asked as he stared at his reins.

“Those with the madness that contract it around the same time won’t attack each other. Once you have the madness, you usually only attack those without it. To... spread the disease further.” She shuddered at the thought.

Alaric thought that was strange. “How is it spread then?” he asked.

Lilia replied carefully. “No one really knows. Some say that it’s magic and others say it’s vermin or bad water. Honestly, no one knows.”

Alaric felt uneasy again. He didn’t like the thought of a disease that came from nowhere. He shuddered too.

Lilia’s face showed agreement. She had seen too much of the madness for her own taste.

“That’s the first time that I’ve seen the madness this far from the madlands. What are we taking you from Ric?” She asked.

He looked into her eyes sadly. She wasn’t accusing him. He saw worry in her eyes. He wished that he could tell her. He wished that he knew himself.