Korran hated the feeling of riding the beast man called a horse. Firstly, whether they were trotting or galloping, their hooves made way too much noise for his liking. As someone who'd grown up learning that silence was the best way to avoid or win against his enemies, each snap of a twig under the heavy hoof sent a pang to his heart. Secondly, the damn ride was bumpier than a toad.

It didn't help that the damn wolf kept looking back at him, almost as if it expected him to attack its precious owner any minute now. Korran didn't even know how the damn beast didn't have the horses in a fright, considering it practically reached their chests on all fours. Despite his hands clutching the reigns he kept his hand ready to spring into action should the mutt lunge. 

His attitude certainly hadn't made friends out of the team but that didn't bother him. What worried him most was the possibility that everyone's abilities weren't at the level Alaric made them out to be. He mentioned that he'd handpicked them himself, but people didn't always live up to expectations when the time came.

Ahead, Alaric halted, pulling his horse diagonally to face them. Korran noted that the man seemed at home on horseback, which wasn't surprising considering his position. "We have a decision to make," said Alaric, glancing briefly at each person in turn. "Up ahead there's a small village," he motioned to the sky which was started to betray the dark coat of the night, "we can find an inn and settle down 'till morn or we can continue onward into the night and set up camp in the morning along Soarth Peaks."

"Um...won't the forest be dangerous at night?" The wolf's owner who Korran had heard called Petra, asked in her usual timid voice.

"Everywhere is dangerous at night," Alaric answered truthfully.

"I agree with the lady," Ardus' voice thundered. "Nowhere is completely safe, but the forest especially so. Plus, we're all more likely to be more productive after a good night's sleep - this what the Gods intended."

Alaric looked to Fiona and she just shrugged, her sapphire hair bobbing distractingly. "It doesn't bother me either way."

Mathis was a bit more direct. "I'm not scared of the dark. If time is priority, let's not waste a moment conquering these woods."

Alaric chuckled before his eyes landed on Korran. Korran looked at him pointedly, hoping he'd pick up on his meaning. "I don't think the villages around here are very...safe. Too many people with no business to mind, except others."

"We'll be careful not to attract attention," Alaric replied with a nod of understanding. Korran was a wanted man. The heftier the price of a bounty, the farther word traveled - and his bounty was indeed sizeable.

In truth, Korran was more than eager to get off the horse. "Very well, then." 

"It's settled then," Alaric announced with a dismissive wave of his hand, turning his horse forward with just a tug of the reins. "We'll look for lodging in the upcoming village - which if my estimate is correct, should only be a couple of feet away. From what I remember, they welcome visitors, but as Korran pointed out, it's best we don't attract attention to ourselves."

Mathis scoffed. "You think they'll be able to give us trouble?"

Ardus shifted on top of his stallion. His horse was noticeably bigger than the others, so Alaric must've planned ahead for him. Still, Korran couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity at the poor beast doomed to carry such a colossal encumbrance. "When a path without violence presents itself you should take it," Ardus lectured. 

"Agreed," Alaric chimed in before Mathis could reply. Mathis bit back whatever reply he was planning and just dipped his head. The army man was accustomed to being an obedient mutt - much like the wolf at their side. 

Korran's hair on his arm clawed up from his pores as he felt the eerie feeling of being watched. A sharp glance to the right revealed the culprit. The moonlight had started to pierce the cloudless sky and radiate its peaceful glow below. This glow illuminated the harsh blue orbs that stared intently at him, sending an embarrassing chill down his spine. 

Fiona held his gaze for a moment longer before looking away. Korran felt a scowl twist his lip. For the others, he had doubts about their abilities, but he knew that Fiona would be competent because she was Kiershan - a female Kiershan at that, but he doubted he'd ever trust her.

Sure enough, the village wasn't far, like Alaric had said. The entrance was just a shoddy wooden fence with a wooden gate that more resembled the entrance to a struggling farm than an upstanding village.

"Best not to startle the villagers with your wolf," Alaric said to Petra.

Petra pouted. "His name's Wulfur." How creative, Korran thought. "But maybe you have a point," continued Petra with a defeated sigh. She crouched so that she was at eye level with the massive 'Wulfur' and cradled his head, whispering softly to him. When she'd finished, Wulfur licked her hand once then bounded away. "He'll stay around the perimeter out of sight. If I whistle he'll come running though...if we're in trouble."

"Impressive," commented Ardus, causing Petra to blush.

A local was all too eager to reveal the whereabouts of both the stables and the most popular Inn the village offered. The village was pretty large and much more populated than Haila had been. 

"Charming," Alaric chimed when they'd reached the inn. Its sign featured skulls and crossbones with a wooden slate attached and Sow's Inn engraved into its face. 

However, compared to what Korran was accustomed to - he found the inn to be pretty large, and the locals hadn't exaggerated by calling it popular. Korran had expected Alaric to seek out a more discreet inn, but he realized the man was probably after quality. Seems he missed the plush pillows from whatever mansion he had come from.

"Howdy, friends!" A man chimed from behind a bar counter after the group had navigated through a series of crowded tables. The patrons were so rowdy that they barely gave them a second glance, which Korran was grateful for. Regardless, he felt like he was completely out in the open. "How may I be of service?"

"We'd like six rooms for the night, and some supper if you don't mind," Alaric said, his tone much too proper in such a setting.

The bartender paused briefly then slapped six keys on the table. "Thirty-five Gurdees per room, and supper will be an extra fifty." Korran noticed him making brief eye contact with a beefy bloke stationed at the stairs and he inched closer. 

"Madness!" shrieked Mathis. The man had clearly driven up the price after hearing how Alaric spoke. "You must think this crap hole is a darn hotel! Thirty-five gurdees for a night? I imagine that'd be the price of your head, friend."

The bartender smiled sweetly, but his tone grew an edge of warning. "I haven't forced you to come into my fine establishment, have I? But I do imagine if there's a problem we can sort it out, men to men."

Thankfully Mathis' outburst didn't draw the attention of the full room - loud as the idiots were - but Korran didn't have to think hard on whose side they would take if a fight was to break out. 

Alaric nudged Mathis with his elbow. "No problem here," he said, producing the ninety gurdees with the ease of a noble. "We'll take the rooms."

"Splendid!" The bartender made the gurdees disappear from the counter without as much of a sound. "You'll have to go up to your rooms and remove your weapons before you're served, friends. My bud there Vlickeksy will be making sure you didn't forget to remove any when you come back down, yes?"

Alaric motioned for Mathis to lead the way up the stairs and he obeyed solemnly. Vlickeksy seemed to especially take an interest in Fiona as she passed, his eyes following her movement up the stairs. Ardus, who was next in line, stomped his foot harder than he needed to - almost causing the man to jump out of his skin. Vlickeksy turned to glare at him, but quickly averted his eyes with the massive Ardus glowering down at him.

Some security, thought Korran.

To reach the hallway that hosted the Inn's rooms, the group had to travel through a doorway at the top of the stairs with no door. In the hallway, wall torches were lit at various intervals to create an orange ambiance that caressed hung up paintings of nature and a red wallpaper. Korran found it lavish - though the others may not have been as impressed. 

Alaric handed out the keys at random, instructing his team to obey the request to leave their weapons in the room. Korran nodded along with the others, although there was no way in hell he was doing that. 

Despite the hallway and large bar area, the room was what you'd expect from an inn. It was tiny, and cozy, with the only furniture being a bed and wooden chair. There was a single curtainless window which allowed the moonlight to grace the small room offering. Korran dropped two daggers and his satchel down on the bed, keeping numerous on his person.

The squirrelly Vlickeksy's eyes widened in anticipation when he saw Fiona leading the line down the steps, but an award worthy glare kept his twitchy fingers at bay. Petra was eager to stick behind Fiona and evade the man's search with a worried expression. He might've sensed her weakness and demanded her be searched, if not for the vigilant Ardus being next in line.

He thoroughly searched the males, grumbling all the while under his breath about foreigners and lack of respect. His hands came close to finding Korran's daggers a few times, but he ultimately failed to discover them - hidden as they were.

Vlickeksy pointed them to a table that seated six, a bit away from the heart of the crowd and Korran silently thanked Lady Luck. He made sure to sit facing away from the crowd, which put him between Alaric and Petra. There was no menu to pick from, instead after five minutes, six steaming bowls of some sort of chicken soup were slammed down on their table.

The others, excluding Petra, called for pints of rum - but Korran decided on water. He hated how beer made him feel, how it dulled his ever important senses. Mathis seemed to have the opposite approach, judging by his thirst for the bitter beverage - which Korran eagerly attributed to his senses already being dull.

Korran noticed that Mathis' glassy eyes kept being drawn to the noisiest table while they ate, where they were playing a game of poker and gambling. Eventually, the Guerdian finally built up enough confidence to stand from his half-finished soup. "I figure I'll go get on a game or two," he said in a somehow coherent series of slurring.

Ardus grabbed his hand before he could push off from the table. Mathis seemed to attempt shaking off the man's hand, but neither his nor the giant's hand moved an inch. "I'm not sure that's a good idea," Ardus declared.

"Who died and made you the boss?" Mathis asked with a deep scowl. Korran had the distinct feeling if it was anyone else he might've tried hitting them. Or perhaps he was just missing his ridiculous spear. "Last I checked, you don't have the authority to order me around."

Ardus looked to Alaric who averted his eyes. Korran suspected it was fear of getting on Mathis' wrong side, rather than ignorance that caused Alaric to avert his eyes. He was trying to please everyone, but keeping everyone content at all times was a foolish task. Ardus released his hold with a grunt and Mathis offered him one more drunken glare before staggering over to the table.

"I'll ensure he doesn't start a bar fight," said a standing Fiona. She slinked away after Alaric muttered his thanks. 

If Ardus didn't respect his decision, he didn't show it, instead refocusing on the grub in front of him. Korran and Ardus were the only one who seemed unperturbed by the sketchy looking chicken soup that was much too slimy. 

Judging by the Mathis' loud voice, his Guerdian accent now thickened with his slurring - it didn't take long for him to be acquainted at the table. No doubt the locals figured some drunk foreigner was about to fatten their pockets. 

Korran tuned them back out, focusing on his soup and cup of water. Truthfully, the soup was horrible, but he wolfed it down all the same. On some of his training days, he'd been starved nearly to death. That particular experience seemed to unlock a new appreciation for food within him - no matter how unappealing it may look or taste.

It didn't take long for Mathis to start making trouble. The Guerdians were commonly focused and easily disciplined people - that is, until they wetted their tongues. Things became a little complicated then.

"Why, you take me for a fool, don't ya?!" Mathis' voice was now raised the loudest Korran had heard it. It was loud enough that even the other patrons stopped to stare. He must've not liked the other person's response because Mathis stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair and almost his wobbly self in the process. "You're cheating you piggish bloke!"

Fiona stood, putting a hand on Mathis' chest. The person he seemed to be shouting at just stared up at Mathis with an amused expression - well accustomed to the drunken rage of fools falling into his trap. His nose really did look like a snout, and his wide baloonish shape made Mathis' insult comically accurate.

Mathis suddenly reared back, a cocky grin surfacing as he swiped away Fiona's hand and jabbed a finger in the direction of his companions' table. "Don't you worry Fiona, eh? It won't be me teaching this slimy pig a lesson. It'll be the big bad Dagger of the East! Don't mind his wittle height, only his might, eh?"

It felt like every eye in the tavern turned to their table, eventually finding Korran who was the shortest male present. Anger boiled in his chest that he could scarce restrain. 

When he was done killing every man brave enough to come after his head, he'd make sure to construct a belt out of the moronic Guerdian.