Hank sat at the table staring at the fire as he twirled the little silver mirror the stone cat had given him. It had been more than a week since Raven disappeared making Hank worry. He could only hope that Tristan had found her and would protect her from the coming evil.

Hank stood pacing slowly as he thought. Ivy and Adam had left later than they expected, finally leaving the kingdom for their honeymoon two nights prior. They would be in Welpion soon. But not before the assassins came for him.

He considered the little mirror thinking back over Framtida's request. Apparently the two younger assassins would be coming for him. The red headed swordsman and the quiet dark bowman. Framtida had requested he capture the bowmen. Hinting that his blood line might be important. Though she clearly didn't care for Korbin. Leaving his fate up to Hank.

Hank frowned as he considered the wild young man. He had met Korbin on the streets of Salvino. His long red braid swayed below his hips as he walked away. Carefree and untamed. He had reminded Hank of Ivy in a way. They were the same age, both so short sighted and stubborn.

Hank had never once met the dark shadow that followed the cocky redhead, but he had heard the rumors. And now they were coming for him. Hank growled as he added a log to the fire. How was he supposed to kill one and trap the other? It made him feel like he was hunting with his father all over again.

The wind picked up making Hank sigh as he went to make himself some tea. He was bored waiting for the coming attack and worried over his wife. Clair was staying with Clover until he had dealt with these pests. Hopefully the assassins didn't go after the women in the heart of the kingdom. It should be too public and risky. Hank sipped his tea, pausing when the woods whispered to him.

They are coming.

About time.

* * * * * * *

Korbin huffed as he carried the bag over his shoulder. Riding the bears would have been easier and faster, but Quinn had been adamant that they leave the beasts behind and walk to the kingdom of Trayson. Coleron and the others had left almost a week ago when Adam called. Going after some girl. He could hear Quinn panting behind him as he struggled to keep up. Carrying a bag of his own.

"Why did we bring so much for this one job?" Quinn panted as Korbin simply whistled ignoring him. Quinn grumbled quietly to himself as Korbin continued to remain distant. He had acted normal until the others left, then suddenly he was packing and barking out orders.

Maybe he was just mad about having to walk. But the bears weren't safe. Thanks to Darla's poor care, the others hadn't noticed Quinn poisoning their coats. It was a slow acting poison that seeped into their skin. By the time they found the girl, the poison would be so far into their system it would be too late. Quinn smiled at the thought, squeaking when he ran into Korbin.

"We are here." Korbin told him looking at him confused. Quinn blushed glancing away quickly. Korbin considered him, before grabbing the bag off his shoulder. Quinn glanced at him confused as Korbin placed the bags against a tree.

"They said they wanted the job done quietly. Poison if we could. But I don't like it. No offense to your skills, but I don't think you can poison them and get out." Korbin muttered looking at the hut from the shadows.

"You have clearly never been poisoned by me. I can do it. It's just a woman and her husband." Quinn huffed upset. Did Korbin really doubt his skills? He paused when Korbin grabbed his shoulder.

"Now isn't the time for one of your moods. Coleron hasn't been upfront with us about this job. I think he means to kill us." Korbin growled softly as Quinn glanced back at the hut.

"What do you mean?" Quinn asked softly as Korbin leaned into him wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Quinn held his breath as he followed Korbin's finger with his eyes.

"That man pacing in front of the fire. I know him. I met him once in Salvino. He is a royal guard of Trayson. That means he is an experienced fighter. He isn't just some farmer. Coleron set us up." Korbin growled as he continued to hug Quinn to his side. 

Adam would have informed their leader about such a dangerous man they wanted eliminated. Quinn tried to keep the color from his cheeks as he leaned into Korbin slightly, feeling the heat of his body against him. He liked this.

"Then what do we do?" Quinn asked keeping his eyes on the hut. Korbin considered it as they stood close to each other in the fading light. The wind blowing their hair about.

"Honestly? Our job." Korbin decided regretfully. "We can't leave the Hounds unless they are dead, or we leave the valley. Coleron has made it clear that he wants us dead. So, my thoughts are I will go and fight the target. Kill him if I can. Screw stealth. Let Adam deal with Coleron and the others." Korbin decided nodding.

"But you are still healing from your last assignment. If he hits you in the right places, he will break you." Quinn told him worriedly as Korbin shrugged.

"That's why I have the best bowmen watching my back." Korbin agreed. Quinn blushed scowling at his foolishness. "Come on now, let's finish this and get out of this place. That's why I packed so much after all. We're never returning to those caves. Dead or alive. But in case he does kill me, do me a favor?" Korbin asked pulling away from him as he braided his hair.

"What?" Quinn grumbled as he considered it. If this man did kill Korbin, then he better kill him too.

"If I die, get out of here and save yourself. Take our things and disappear." Korbin told him seriously as Quinn simply nodded, unwilling to lie with his words. There was nothing worth living for without Korbin. He wouldn't even try to live without him. Quinn strapped his wrist bands into place as he grabbed his quiver and bow. 

He paused when Korbin stood in front of him. Quinn watched him confused as Korbin grabbed his face. Before he could react, Korbin leaned in, kissing him softly. It only lasted a moment before Korbin pulled away from him.

"For luck." Korbin purred as he winked at the bright red, young man. 

Quinn stood shocked as Korbin spun around and jogged towards the hut. Quinn's ears burned as he crouched to the earth. He kissed him. He really kissed him! Quinn couldn't handle the rush of emotions that overwhelmed him as he simply stared at the dirt. He had dreamed of feeling those lips on his for so long, he couldn't believe it actually happened! 

The sound of something crashing to the floor had him on his feet, bringing him back to the task at hand. Like hell he would let Korbin die now.

* * * * * * *

Hank waited quietly as he listened to the door open. He knew by the way they walked they were not his wife. But why not let the assassin think he hadn't noticed?

"You are home sooner than I expected. Did shopping not go well?" Hank asked as the person paused. He could hear the shift in their weight as they considered him. Their heavy boots moving quietly over the wooden floors.

"Not really. Couldn't find anything I was looking for. Not that I expected this worthless kingdom to have it." The deep voice mumbled casually. Hank turned glancing at the redhead, frowning when he was alone. His deep red hair braided out of his face, as his fingers lightly floated over the hilt of his blade.

"Korbin. Only you?" Hank huffed sipping his tea. Korbin hesitated, before he smiled pouring himself a glass of water before leaning against the table next to him as if they were old friends. Hank raised an eyebrow at him as he merely sipped his water staring at the fire.

This close Hank could see how young he was, but still old enough he could have been considered a younger brother. Hank's lips thinned as he continued to watch him from the conner of his eye as he carefully sipped his water. Probably measuring up Hank as well.

Hank had watched many soldiers in the training fields over the years. He knew a man was hurting by their walk and Korbin was definitely hurting, though the assassin tried to cover it up.

"Never send more than you need, isn't that your forest motto? Don't want to waste precious resources now, do we?" Korbin asked finally to break the silence as he sipped at the water.

"It's funny. Never would have thought I would be fighting you when I ran into you in Salvino." Korbin sighed as Hank glanced at him slightly amused.

"Then you do remember me? I had a feeling it would be you walking through that door after Adam summoned the Hounds. I just didn't think it would be one man. I am almost insulted. Sending a boy to do a man's job." Hank teased gently as Korbin frowned at him leaning forward.

"I don't give the orders. I just take them." Korbin told the fire bitterly as Hank finished his tea.

"Well, this just ruins everything. You weren't the assassin I was looking for. I guess I will just have to detain you until they send your shadow." Hank mumbled getting up to put his cup away.

"What do you want with him?" Korbin asked sorely grateful he had trusted his gut. Hank shrugged turning to face him. It seemed this assassin was easy to bait with the right traps.

"I am under orders to capture him and question him. The rest of the Hounds are not my concern. I am sure you understand." Hank told him pleasantly surprised with their chat. He had expected the assassins to attack in a blaze of fire, not sip tea with him.

Though he hadn't missed the growing tension as they talked about his comrade. A sudden switch that changed Korbin from calm to defensive. What was so special about the shadow? Korbin stood setting down his glass as he drew his sword.

"Sorry, but Quinn is mine and I will not allow you to touch him." Korbin growled through his teeth as he tried to remain calm. Everyone was trying to take Quinn as their own. Quinn belonged to him.

Hank shrugged drawing his weapon slowly. He hadheard the rumors of the great swords man. Even saw him fighting once. However,he was concerned with the stiffness in his posture. A rookie mistake by aprofessional. This was not going to be the fight he was expecting.