The village seemed to be deserted. No child was running in the streets, nor were animals around. Whenever you could throw a glance into a house it felt empty and not like a home.

At second glance, the village resembled a ruin. Holes were letting the cold wind into the houses and the roofs were not rain proof. It seemed impossible for people to live in this place. If it was abandoned, you would have understood why.

"Huh, not the way I remembered it.", Morvran mumbled and tied the reins of his horse to a fence.

Jokingly, you raised an eyebrow.

"Like you remembered? When were you here the last time? Thirty winters ago?", you asked.

"Excuse me? I might look a little older than I am but not THAT old."

Laughing, you gestures towards a house that seemed to be important.

"Don't be salty, I'm just mocking you."

"You're insulting me, that's what you do. Terrific, I thought love is a bit more flattering. Instead, I get comments about my age."

"Aww, come on Morvran, don't cry. I would still love you if you would be thousand years of age.", you winked at him.

A little salty, he grinned.

"What a relieve, little stray. I will remind you again when I'm old and grey."

"You say that as if you're expecting me to run away as soon as you turn fifty.", you frowned.

"Not at all. I just want to mock you.", he grinned, knocking at the door.

"Ha, ha, very funny. I feel insulted, you know? Questioning my love like this? What did I do to deserve that?"

"The same I did to deserve you, little stray.", he grinned, punching your shoulder lightly.

You couldn't help but grin.

"Damn you, Morvran Voorhis."l you kissed him. "Why do you have to be such a sweet talker?"

He grinned. But before his grin could lead to something more than a heated kiss the door opened in front of you. Dust twirled up, hot air hit your face as a man appeared. His old eyes eyed Morvran up and down, his lips twitched. He did not bother to take a look at you.

With a gesture of his head, he refused as Morvran wanted to step closer.

"We don't have the money.", his voice was so old, it felt painful to listen to it.

Confused, Morvran tilted his head.

"Pardon?", he asked in his polite manner.

After all this time away from the high society of the empire of Nilfgaard he was still unable to get rid of the cold politeness and the etiquette he had learned as a boy. He was still patient whenever he was talking to others and he never choose violence over words. A bad habit his, since the real world preferred violence a lot more than diplomacy.

Bothered by the strangers, the old man frowned and wanted to close the door again.

"We don't have the money! Are you deaf, boy? We told you already we are poor. Tell your master that we have not a single sack of corn to give. No copper coins, no cattle. Nothing.", the man repeated in a clear, loud voice.

Even more confused, you frowned and blocked the door with your hand before he was able to leave.

"Good sir, you must think of us as other people. We don't know what you're talking about.", you tried to sound as friendly as possible but the glimmer in his eyes told you he wasn't believing a word.

"Do you think I'm stupid? I'm old, not blind. I would recognise your weapons from a mile away.", he pointed at the swords that were handing at your and Morvran's belt.

You had found them on two corpses. The men had been dead for days but the blades were still in good condition. Since Morvran had thrown his old sword away, you two had needed the swords more than the dead. So you had taken them.

To be honest, the blades were of food craftsmanship. They were sharp and cut through almost anything. Only the decorated handles had confused you. The golden ornaments looked too noble to be owned by some dirty thieves that had died in the middle of nowhere.

"Those are stolen.", Morvran said, without missing a beat or thinking about lying. "We killed the men who owned the swords. We didn't know that they are this feared around here."

Surprised but not believing his words, the old man frowned. Again, he eyed the man up and down before stepping aside and asking the two of you to come in. As you entered, he looked around outside and closed the door again.

"I would offer you some food or drinks, but we have nothing.", he said, letting himself fall into a chair.

"We don't want anything from you.", you said. "Just a few answers, if that's possible."

With pleasure, Morvran let you sit in the other chair while standing behind you. His eyes wandered through the house. It was worse than a ruin.

"Things look bad here.", he mumbled, while looking up to the ceiling.

Water was dripping from it.

"Oh, yes. Ever since the old master died, things went downhill. The fields are a mess, we can't grow anything anymore. And the local gang of thieves has taken their chance and asks for money on a regular basis.", a sigh left the old mans lips.

"So the mansion is indeed without an owner?", you asked.

The old man nodded.

"Yes. And we are without a master that protects us. But why do you ask? You two don't seem to be noble enough to claim a mansion like this."

"We are, actually.", Morvran smiled, while resting a hand on your shoulder.

You grabbed it, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Are you? What kind?", sceptically, the man raised an eyebrow.

"Poor ones.", Morvran answered. "But money doesn't matter at the moment. We do have a right to claim the land if it is without a master. We could take the task and rebuild the old wealth. If you want is to, that is."

"Hm. It sounds like a future. But first, tell me boy, what is your story?"