Gossamer was born to tell stories. He saw it in the eyes of everyone in the tavern and felt it in his bones. A score of people were riveted to his every word, feeling what he told them to feel. He enjoyed making them laugh or empathize with the terrible peril of his heroes. It was the anticipation in their faces he cherished most, that moment just before he laid down a crescendo of words that would sew his tale together in a neat bundle. It was better than a good meal after a long fast. The applause was a banquet for his soul.

"Travis worked his way around the camp, just inside the treeline." Gossamer stooped down, moving his legs in slow motion as if sneaking himself. In any other setting, it would have looked ridiculous, but here all eyes were on him. "He could see the golden hair of his beloved, her body chained to a pole dug deep in the ground. The bandits huddled near the fire, throwing bones to determine who would ravish her first. Travis struggled between anger and fear."

"Goddess, man. Save the poor women!" a man in the back yelled. Gossamer smiled as others visible agreed. He had them. His earlier descriptions of her angelic actions were paying off. The crowd was deeply invested in her rescue.

"For a brief moment, Travis imagined a life without her ruby lips pressed against his, without her warmth on a cold night. It was a horror worse than death. Fear fled as he drew his dagger and..."

The tavern door flew open and the King's Own flooded in. Orders were shouted, and the patrons found themselves lined against the wall, Gossamer among them. Two soldiers walked along the line, forcibly tilting faces. Once all were examined, a short, stocky soldier stepped upon a table.

"My Captain was murdered this night." the man looked along the line, examining the reaction. "It is said the red demon has done it." There were gasps, Gossamer among them. "You will tell me what you know. Where the beast is hiding among the first of it." Frightened silence filled the room. Gossamer prayed Naddi and Davos would remain silent. Whoever killed the captain had put Kelton at risk.

The soldier waved at another by the door. It opened, and Floren stumbled in. Her face was well beaten, bruises colored her face. There was blood on her dress, and her bottom lip was a size too big.

"This is what that monster did," The soldier said, indicating Floren. "This poor woman was attacked by the beast, beaten when she refused to service him for no coin."

"It is true," Floren said. It came out feeble, like standing itself was painful. Gossamer felt the pit of his stomach churn. He knew of no reason she would blame Kelton unless she killed the Captain herself. He struggled to not let his growing anger show.

"It was my Captain who intervened. He gave his life to save one of yours, so the King demands your help. You will forfeit all if you're found to be withholding knowledge of this demon."

"These people have been here all evening, good sir," Naddi said. "The storyteller is on his third tale, so we know nothing of what's happened outside of these walls."

"You are new here?" the soldier asked, pointing at Gossamer.

"Yes, Captain. I am new in every town I ply my trade."

"I'm not a captain," the soldier said.

"My apologies, sir."

"It is said the demon travels with an old man." People began to slide away from Gossamer. "You say you know nothing about this red-haired beast."

"Only what I've heard. Enough to know to run the other way." Others nodded in agreement.

"Are you staying here?"

"Yes. I prefer a soft bed and warm meals to the woods."

"Filop, check the rooms," the soldier ordered one of his men. "Take four with you. Bring down anyone you find." They began moving.

"I can show them my room," Gossamer said as he began to move. He felt it better to be near Kelton when he was discovered.

"Stay!" The soldier held up his hand. Gossamer stopped. Kelton would need a warning, at least time to draw his sword. It would be costly. Gossamer's hand dropped to where his short blade was sheathed. He glanced at Floren and scowled. She would be the first to feel the cut of his knife.

Floren, imperceptive to the soldiers, shook her head at Gossamer. She raised her hand to breast, covering her heart. To others, it expressed her pain. To Gossamer, it was a plea for trust. He looked toward the stairs, then back to her. Floren's jaw tightened, the plea becoming a demand. He let his hand drop away from the hilt and took a deep breath. If she were playing him false, it would be her last night. He waited with everyone else for the soldiers to return from upstairs.

"The door was barred because I was given coin for the night for one man, not your whole lot," Juno complained as she was forcibly led down the stairs. Two soldiers held her arms as she was brought before the non-captain.

"She was all we found. The door was barred, and it took her some time to open it."

"I had fallen asleep," Juno argued. "The law is clear - coin for service, and I've been seen too. Do you think me slacking my duty? I've done no wrong and am not at fault for taking sleep where I can find it. Is it my fault the man is late?"

"Describe this man," the soldier ordered.

"He's old and bearded..." Juno looked about and found Gossamer. "He's right there. Ask him why he dallies. I am not at fault." The soldier looked at Gossamer.

"Traveling is lonely." Gossamer shrugged his shoulders. "I desire companionship like most men. Though I wish it were not voiced so loudly, I have done nothing wrong. My fee has been paid, and I was going to attend to it after I finished the story." He indicated to the tavern goers. "Sometimes I get lost in their excitement. In truth, I enjoy it." Some of the people smiled at him.

"Best crowd I've had in a long time," Naddi added.

"I care not for your storytelling, nor your night activities." The soldier waved his hand dismissively, and Juno was released. "Did no one see a boy with red hair and a scar down his cheek?" He drew a line down his cheek from ear to chin. His request was met with many shaking heads.

"I told you, he ran to the trees," Floren stuttered, pointing in an easterly direction. Gossamer began to sense something was wrong. Floren had known Kelton was not in the room. Juno was quick with her tale as well. There was no doubt Floren had met with foul play, and the Captain was dead if the soldiers were to be believed.

"I heard you the first time, cursed woman," the soldier said with disgust. "It is your foul hide my Captain wasted his for. I'll not be running into the woods at night and add to the demon's body count." He turned toward his men. "Search every structure, even the privy houses. Make sure he didn't backtrack and take shelter for the night." Men nodded. "If he's not found, we go hunting in the morning." There were grunts of approval and other small displays of bravado. Gossamer thought they looked less excited than their actions portrayed. The demon's story was growing and with it, fear.

~~~~~

"Where is he?" Gossamer asked as soon as he closed and barred the door. Juno ignored him and helped Floren to the mattress. He held his tongue and allowed Floren's wounds to take precedence. It was difficult to be patient.

"The Captain?" Juno asked Floren. Floren nodded.

"He was full of drink and wished to take me in the street for all to see," Floren said. "I think he meant me permanent harm." She sighed. "Better me than the young ones."

"He's a monster," Juno added.

"He's dead," Floren corrected. She looked to Gossamer. "That boy of yours took the Captain's life as if it were an easy task."

"What was he doing out there?" Gossamer asked.

"Leaving," Floren said. "Though I think he may still be ill. He expelled his meal after exerting himself."

"He doesn't like the killing," Gossamer said. "Where am I to meet him?" There was packing to consider, and he was sure Kelton didn't think of packing food.

"You're not to follow," Juno said. She stood and turned toward Gossamer. "Kelton wishes you to remain alive." Gossamer grabbed the front of her dress and yanked her face close to his.

"Where is he, woman?" Gossamer growled. Kelton can't survive alone.

"He loves you too much," Juno said. Gossamer felt the need to strike her, to beat the information he needed out of her. It was her tears that stopped him.

"Beat me, old man," Floren said from the mattress. "It is I who packed his food." Gossamer relaxed his hand, letting loose of Juno.

"You did what?"

"I gave him five nights of dried goods," Floren continued. "It was his choice, and we were not to tell you."

"Are you soft in the head? He can not survive without me. "

"He does not expect to survive," Juno said. Her tears were increasing. Her mouth moved as if she meant to say more, but couldn't. Instead, she covered her face with her hands and wept.

"Goddess!" Gossamer said, raising his hands. Women and Kelton were a sorry mix.

"Leave her be," Floren said, waving Gossamer away from Juno. "Her dreams of him will die hard. You wish to be angry, be angry at me." Gossamer gritted his teeth and turned away from both of them. Kelton would head north, that was the deal with the Hold Lord. If Gossamer packed up and left now, he still had a chance to catch Kelton. Stupid, stupid women. He wondered why all women worked so hard to make his life miserable. He and Kelton were a team.

"What direction did he go?" Gossamer asked as calmly as he could. Floren didn't answer so he turned back to her and repeated his question with as much care as he could.

"North, but you won't catch him," Floren said. "All you could do is lead the soldiers closer to him. Come morning, I fear for anyone caught in the woods." Gossamer took a deep breath and let it out. She was right. If Kelton didn't want to be found, Gossamer wouldn't get near him. At best, he would offer a direction for the King's Own.

"Why did you not tell me?"

"It is not our place," Floren said. "Though now I fear for him. He does not think right. He should have left me to my fate and escaped unhindered."

"The boy never thinks of himself first," Gossamer said. "I did something wrong when I raised him." He paced across the room. "I should have told him about this world earlier."

"He's perfect," Juno whispered. Gossamer rolled his eyes. For near fifteen winters he had guarded the boy, and now he's run off, helped by two conniving women.

"He's weaker without me," Gossamer said.

"He did not look weak taking down the Captain," Floren corrected. "You must have taught him to fight. He moved like...like..."

"One of the Brethren?" Gossamer finished. Floren's eyes widened, and she nodded slowly. "He had mentioned it the last time we fought, that time he scarred himself. It must be growing in him."

"I think it frightened him," Floren added.

"He is Kushiel's Answer," Juno said.

"Tell me you didn't fill his head with that fable," Gossamer said.

"It was mentioned," Juno said as proudly as her tear stained cheeks would allow. "He wouldn't hear of it. He values others and doubts himself. It changes nothing. I knew it is true when he told me of his witness."

Gossamer closed his eyes and dipped his head. "It is an old tale whose wording can be interrupted many ways," Gossamer said. "Do not spread tales of Joycelyn unless you wish her dead. You have done enough damage already."

"She has done nothing but be a friend," Floren said. She grunted as she sat up.

"She gave him the courage to leave," Gossamer insisted. "And you fed him. Is that not damage enough."

"He left because he loves you, you old fool," Floren said, her voice strengthening despite her swollen lips. "Can you not tell she would do the same as you."

"Do what?" Gossamer spat.

"Die for him,' Floren said. Gossamer went silent. He saw that Floren was certain of her words. Juno crossed her arms over her chest and attempted a stoic pose. Her moist eyes failed her. Gossamer closed his mouth, then nodded. Everyone in the room loved the boy.

"I didn't want him to die alone," Gossamer admitted.

"And he wishes you not to die at all," Floren whispered. Gossamer plopped himself in a chair. Floren laid back down with a loud groan.

"I'll retrieve some ointment, Mother," Juno said.

"Not with those soldiers running about," Floren said, waving away Juno's concern. "I am bruised, nothing more. Kelton saw to that."

"He acts before he thinks," Gossamer said.

"He told me he would do it again." Floren smiled as best she could. "He's a strange boy, but he's hard not like."

"Hard not to love," Juno added below her breath. Gossamer sighed, his head bobbing in agreement. A knock at the door broke them out of their thoughts.

"Is he gone?" Naddi asked once she was let in.

"Aye," Gossamer replied with a nod. "And I find myself without a plan." There was a darkness coloring the future, one in which he had failed Kelton.

"He's not coming back?"

"No."

"It is a relief," Naddi said as the air left her lungs and her large body relaxed. "I like the boy, but I didn't wish him found here. I thought I would die when the soldiers came up here."

"You and me both," Gossamer added.

"You are welcome to stay," Naddi continued. "I'll trade you food and board for as long as you keep my place full with your stories. You can keep the coin they throw you."

"Aye, I can stay a few days. I've got stories enough for that. It would give me time to think about my next steps." Staying would give Kelton some room to run. Gossamer began planning to move north after the soldiers had moved out. Travel from town to town and see if he could learn of Kelton's fate and maybe run into him again. Minds change, and Kelton did have a good one of those. He still saw himself at the boy's side when the end came.

"Good, you can stay here. Best room in the house," Naddi said. She smiled and left, happy to have the entertainment without risk. At least someone was pleased with Kelton's leaving.