"Have you seen this man?"

The woman looked shocked, shook her head and ran.

"Excuse me, have you two seen this man around?"

The couple shook their heads as well and walked away in haste. In fright.

How infuriatingly tedious, He thought and signed.

Caydrick looked down the half empty street, searching for another possible witness. Someone who might have seem him.

- The Wanted.

So far, no one had responded to his sketch in any other way, but in fear. He did not blame them. They all knew who he was, and what he did.

Caydrick stopped another passing peasant and help up the sketch. "Pardon me, have you seen this man?"

The man shook his head and continued to walk away.

Nobody was ever going to speak.

He continued to stroll down the streets, while thinking of locations he might find a rapist and a murderer. This man had been wanted for nearly four months. He was known to abduct females of all ages, torture them and then proceed to rape them. And sometimes kill them if he was in the mood.

Caydrick stopped in the middle of the street, as a stray thought passed through him. Why had it not occurred to him sooner? A sleezebag like him would probably seek out the easiest place to hunt for his next victim. Sometimes, the best places to hide, were the ones in plain sight; And this would be the perfect place.

Caydrick looked up, not even realizing he was standing in front of the house his mind had wandered to: The Brothel.

It was the most unpopular/popular place in Venice. Single men, noblemen, even married men sought out to this particular house of sins, when they needed a skilled woman to aid their carnal needs. Caydrick knew many of his army lads had visited, and did so frequently in their time off duty. Personally, he had never seen the appeal to paying a woman to do things to him. In most cultures and societies it was frowned upon anyway. But that certainly did not stop the business from... well, going out of business.

However disgusted he was with the place, he had to admit it was a perfect place for a man, who loved seeking the insides of a woman's skirts, to hide himself from the law. He would blend in like a devil in Satan's home. Which was a very accurate comparison.

Needless to say, of course the guards had searched this place a long time ago, but what if The Wanted had sought shelter here after it had been searched? The prostitutes would not dare to turn him in, or rat out on his location; They would all be at his mercy, completely terrified of what he might do to them.

It was just a hunch. But Caydrick had a feeling it might be the last choice he had. Four months with a rapist and a murderer on the streets, were enough to make a whole city scamper in fear. This had to end; Someone had to put a stopper to him, and Caydrick had set it a personal goal to make that happen.

So clad in his armor and sword in his scabbard, Caydrick marched towards The Brothel, preparing for what he knew would happen the moment he walked in.

- And true, the minute he pushed the door open, he could hear the voices of people purring and moaning, enjoying themselves behind the thin drapes in their stalls.

Caydrick did his best to ignore the sounds, and focused on what he came for; To find his target.

The Brothel was dimly lit and whatever windows there were, were draped in thin red fabrics, perhaps to cast a sensual glow to the entire house. The air was so thick and hot in here, that it made the house even more humid than Venice's already boiling weather. The candles that burned were sparse and the few people he could see, were mostly women who slung around in the corners, waiting for a man to please. No sign of a man, who was luring for an innocent woman. Or as innocent as they came in these parts of town.

"Are you looking for some company?" He suddenly heard a female say.

He turned his head to the sound and found a prostitute, who was wearing something similar to a nightgown as her daily wardrobe. She was looking at him.

She had to be a few years older than himself, but it was hard to say; Her long brown hair was moist and damp from sweat, and thrown up into a messy hairstyle on her head. Her skin was illuminescent from the humid air, but the small crinkles by her mouth and eyes, told that she might have been in the business for too long. Non the less, she seemed more than interest in Caydrick and started approaching him, when she noticed his armor.

"A soldier, my-my. We give a special offer to the Queen's men," She purred and swayed her hips sensually as she walked.

Caydrick pressed his lips together and kept his head cool. Not that this woman attracted him in any way.

No, he had to keep cool, because he knew if he started off on the wrong foot, she would scamper off and deny him the chance to perhaps find his target. And he was honestly just a little too tired of that.

"An offer, you say?" Caydrick amused her and lifted a brow. "What kind of offer?"

"Well, let us just say, you can get two for the price of one," She smirked at him. "Though if you choose me, you will not need another woman."

Caydrick was fighting now, he wanted to frown or roll his eyes. His army lads made fun of him, but Caydrick was old fashioned; He believed that intercourse should be purely for the married man and woman - an act that should celebrate their love to one another. He could not see how a woman he did not know - let alone two women - could make him feel any sort of pleasure by engaging in coitus with them. But for now, he had to keep up the act.

"How tempting," He lied, feeling sick in his stomach while speaking. "I admire a woman who speaks truthfully."

"What a voice," The prostitute gleamed and stopped right in front of him, closer than what he preferred. "So deep. So raw. So..." She leaned in towards him and placed a hand on ironclad chest. "Masculine."

Caydrick fought the urge to wrinkle his nose by the stench that was reeking off her. Wine, sweat and old arousal. Not something that would ever get him aroused.

"You know..." She started, when he did not speak. "You look like somewho who wants something. Would you like me to be the one to give it to you?" She smirked and let her finger trace down his torso.

Now there were getting somewhere. "As a matter of fact, I would," Caydrick said, now turning his full attention to her. This had to be done right, and he could not afford to mess up. Not now, when he was this close.

"Wonderful choice," She licked her lips and let the corner of her mouth turn upwards to a smirk. "How may I serve you?"

"Well..." Caydrick said, letting his hands trail around her and gently push her backwards. "I have an idea in my head."

She chuckled fondly. "I love a man with a fantasy. Well? How do you want me?"

He pressed her up against a wall and closed in on her, softly trapping her, without her even realizing. At least this way he knew she could not run away.

Caydrick looked into her eyes and leaned down towards her face, as he softly whispered into her ear, "I want you to tell me where The Wanted is."

The shock settled into her fast and he could tell, as he moved back to look upon her, that she was thoroughly scared. Her eyes widened and her face obviously paled. She knew where he was.

"You do not have to be scared," Caydrick whispered, intentionally keeping his voice down, if anyone should be paying attention to their conversation. You never knew. "I am here to take him away and lock him up for good. Now please," He said piercing his eyes into hers, "Tell me where he is."

Her breath hitched as she gazed into his eyes. He did not know what she saw. He hoped whatever it was, did not scare her. He was aiming for seriousness, but maybe she had mistaken his intense glare with threatening. In any case, she had gone mute.

"Miss, I know you are scared, you should be," He said, when her breath started to come out in small huffs. "But I am not the one you should fear. The only one who should fear me is The Wanted, when I get my hands on him," Caydrick growled, controlling his temper, as he thought of everything he had done to innocent women and children. "But I want him before he has a chance to put a finger on you. Now please," He pressed again. He could tell she was on the verge.

And then finally.

She broke down and started sobbing. "It's too late, h-he already t-touched me!" She cried, "I-I tried to t-to resist, but he w-was too strong! I t-told him t-to s-stop, but he did n-not! He told m-me he wo-would fuck me so h-hard, I would n-never be able to f-fuck a-again!"

She all but broke down in his arms, and Caydrick did nothing but soothe her, while she collected herself.

"He raped me," She cried and hid her face in her hands. "He t-took me against m-my will and it h-hurt s-so m-much!"

"Tell me where he is," Caydrick demanded. His hands were shaking with the urge to choke this man. He knew if he got the chance, he would emasculate him. In every meaning of the word.

The prostitute shivered. "I c-cannot! H-he will k-kill me if I d-do!"

"He will not get the chance," Caydrick assured her. "He will not even as much as look at you ever again."

The woman wiped her tear-stained face and looked up at him. Her bottom lip quivered, as she opened her mouth. "H-he's in the last b-booth. He t-took my l-little s-sister!" Her sobs overpowered her, as she closed her eyes and clutched herself. She was not paying attention to Caydrick anymore.

And Caydrick was not paying attention to her. He had gotten what he needed, and it was too good to be true; He was here, right now.

"Thank you," Caydrick said to the woman, who had all but collapsed on the floor against the wall. Her sobs were uncontrollable, as Caydrick started heading down the corridor of booths.

Her cries died out and was replaced by cries of pleasure. Through the thin drapes, Caydrick could see blurry, naked figures who was fully engaged in their act. They were totally oblivious to get fact that there was a rapist and a murderer amongst them.

But not for long anymore, Caydrick thought to himself and pulled his sword from his scabbard, as he neared the last booth.

"No! P-please, s-stop! Ahh! No!"

"Shut the fuck up, you little cunt!"

Caydrick's stomach coiled. That female voice could not be older than 15 years old. It still sounded light and innocent, though at the moment, understandably terrified.

"P-please do-don't do this!" She cried, but then shrieked when a slapping noise sounded.

"Do not fucking tell me what to do, or I will fuck you docile!" The Wanted hissed. "And trust me when I say, your tight little cunt will not be able to take the bruising!"

Caydrick had heard more than enough. He decided to break up his party, just as the girl whimpered. He pulled the curtain away and aimed his sword towards The Wanted. "Mind if I interrupt?"

Both of them looked up, surprised to see Caydrick's presence. The girl (which Caydrick now had to admit looked younger than previously mentioned) looked horrified. Her dress was all torn up and barely covered her anymore. Her eyes were wide and scared as she looked at him - unlike The Wanted who looked somewhat annoyed.

He looked exactly like his surviving victims had described him; Tall, muscular and scarred. He had short black hair and faint whisps of stubbles growing on his chin. He looked to be at least one decade older than Caydrick's 20 years, judging by the aging lines on his forehead and around his eyes and mouth. Unlike the young girl in his grasp, he looked at Caydrick with a sour expression.

"Interrupt? Have you never of manners, boy?" He snarled, not seeming to mind that Caydrick was pointing his sword towards him.

"Have you?" Caydrick scoffed and flickered his eyes towards the young girl who's face was covered in tears.

"Who, her? Oh, she started it, believe me," The Wanted chuckled and turned to give her a grisly smirk. "Did you not, darling?"

The girl looked absolutely terrified at him and then started crying anew.

"Oh, you fucking little bitch!" He snarled at her and fired a slap across her face. She shrieked and recoiled.

Caydrick took a threatening step closer, feeling his anger boil to a maximum. "Get your filthy hands off that girl, or I will cut them off you."

The Wanted turned around and gave Caydrick a harsh laugh. "Oh please, son. You are still wet behind your ears. Do you really think you could even lay a finger on me?" He chuckled and turned his attention back to the woman.

"Why do we not let that come on to a test?" Caydrick suggested. "Unless, of course, you are afraid of getting beaten by someone at least 10 years your junior."

"Ha!" The Wanted laughed and shot him a glare over his shoulder. "I would not waste my time with youngsters like yourself."

"Then do you mind if I ask you, why you are currently clutching onto someone who is much younger than me?" Caydrick asked him, his knuckles turning white from holding onto his sword so hard.

"Oh, by all means; The difference between you two, is that she has a pussy," He smirked and looked back at her. "And in her age, they are so deliciously tight."

"The difference between you two, is that you are a pussy," Caydrick dryly commented and caused the reaction in The Wanted that he had hoped for; He went red with anger.

The Wanted turned around to fully face him, letting go of the young girl, who whimpered and crept up into the corner. "What did you just call me?"

"Does grandpa hear badly?" Caydrick mocked. "I guess that happens when you grow old and ugly."

The Wanted snarled, "You have got a lot of nerve, kid. I ought to teach you a lesson!"

"Please do," Caydrick flatly replied. "I love it when grandparents shred their wisdom onto us young bronco's."

"Why, you little," He sneered and grabbed his sword from his holster.

Caydrick let him; He needed an excuse to dance with this moron.

The Wanted lifted his sword and pointed it towards Caydrick. "Tell me your name, lad. Just so I know what to carve on your tombstone," He slyly commented.

"You can put 'died a hero, after arresting ugly rapist'," Caydrick sarcastically replied. "But since you will not be alive to witness my death, I will probably have to carve it myself."

The Wanted chuckled grimly. "Let us see if you are still this perky after I am done with you."

"I will bet you your freedom that I can crack a joke, once you a bleeding on the ground," Caydrick smirked.

"I will take that bet," The Wanted laughed. He then cut himself off, and lunged for Caydrick.

Caydrick quickly met his thrust with his own sword, matching his strength. Obviously The Wanted did not expect Caydrick to be so strong. He withdrew and tried again from another angle, but again, Caydrick was fast and met his blade.

Caydrick quickly learned The Wanted's strengths and weaknesses; He was powerful in his thrusts, but not very fast, maybe because of his size. His strategy was to attack his victims until they grew tired of meeting his thrusts. Luckily, Caydrick had had stronger opponents in his days as a soldier, so he simply kept matching his thrusts until, eventually, The Wanted grew tired himself.

But The Wanted was no idiot, even if he appeared to be. Once Caydrick seemed comfortable enough with his thrusts, he suddenly surprised him by making a jab under his arm.

Caydrick had not seen it coming, and this caused the edge of his blade to slash through the unprotected part of his ribs and cut a slice to his side. Caydrick hissed at the cut, but then with new determination, decided this had gone on for long enough.

The Wanted laughed, as small streams of blood started spilling from Caydrick's wound, but his laughter was cut short when Caydrick thrust his sword towards his stomach. The Wanted barely managed to avoid it, before Caydrick had lunged his elbow into his head, causing his nose to break and his vision to blur.

He growled loudly and clutched his nose, giving Caydrick the perfect opportunity to kick his knee into the pit of his stomach, making him lunge over forward. Caydrick ended it with thrusting the handle of his sword into his skull, officially knocking him to the ground.

- Honestly, it had almost been too easy.

Caydrick wiped his forehead from sweat with the back of his hand, as he looked down at the unconscious man lying before him.

This was the man that had caused so much fear in the city. And now he was finally done. What a great way to end a long week.

Caydrick took his cuffs from his belt and shackled him in them, quickly locking him up before he regained consciousness.

Suddenly he heard a whimper coming from the booth. He looked up and found the young girl trembling from top to toe, looking at the unconscious man that had tried to rape her. Her eyes them turned wide, as they shifted to Caydrick.

He walked up to the booth and noticed the girl whimpered even more as he approached. He stopped in the entry and ripped the curtain off. The girl whimpered again.

But Caydrick just carefully went over to her and draped the curtain around her exposed body. "There, there," He whispered, over her scared sobs. "You are safe now."

The girl looked up surprised and met his eyes, wide with shock and gratitude at the same time. She clutched the curtain to her body and then trembled a nod. "T-thank ye', Sir."

Caydrick gave a quick nod, before he turned back to The Wanted. He was slowly gaining consciousness, making small grunts.

Caydrick scoffed at the pathetic sight. He gave him a hard kick and flipped him over on his back, to face him. "Hey. What does a grown man crying sound like?"

The Wanted growled at him and sent him a dead look that was covered behind a bloody face.

"Like this," Caydrick replied and then jabbed his foot into his groin.

The Wanted screamed and started howling in pain, as Caydrick kept pressure on his manhood. He noticed tears start to fly from his eyes, as Caydrick calmly, but firmly, stood his ground. Finally, after a few more moments of enjoying his pain, he stepped off his groin.

"Now of to meet the gallows."

-*-

That cut was a bitch.

It had sliced right between the fifth and sixth rib. After cleaning the wound with water and stopping the bleed, he had bandaged himself up with a few rips of his old sheets. From his mirror, he could tell the wound had not been to deep, so it had not required stitches. He would not bother General Dane with something so tedious as a cut, unless he wanted to get screamed at and punished. Besides, General Dane was currently busy with other engagements. Today was a big day, after all.

It has been almost 3 years, since he got enlisted into the Army. Of course today's celebration has absolutely nothing to do with that, but it still rendered in his head. He could not believe how much had happened within the period of 3 short years.