Companions on the Road
^So, what do yout think this Calienti woman wants from you D? D? Are you listening to me D? Not that it matters. Do you think she wants some vampire killed?^
D continued to ignore the parasite which lived in his hand as he rode along through the rough forrest track. After all the question was rhetorical.
^Well, what do you think?^
Apparently the hand was not going to give up.
"That is what people usually hire me for."
The late afternoon sunlight played through the boughs of the tree and danced across the trail as if determined to find access into the shadows which surrounded D. Fortunately D had set a fairly leisurely pace and was not in any danger from heat syndrome, the curse of the Dunpeal.
^Well, they also ask you to rescue people. Did the letter give any indication of what she needed?^
"It just said she had a vampire problem."
^Hhhmm. Don't you wish just once we could know what we were getting into before we got into it?^
D refrained from answering, just as the hand knew he would.
D suddenly stopped the horse.
^What? What is it?^
"Quiet! I hear something."
^Oh, no. Do you think it is a vampire slave, come to fight us before we can kill its master. Or maybe another Kertan war dog. I hate those!^
D's sharp hearing penetrated the forrest walls and picked out the quiet plodding sound.
"No. It's a horse."
^Are you sure? I mean it could be some kind of illusion or something.^
"It isn't. Now be quiet!"
D could see the horse and rider now. The horse was a lightweight fast- ride/runner GHT model. It was white in color. The rider was a young boy, maybe fifteen or sixteen. He was lightly built and small. His hair was long, pulled back in a ponytail with a band around it every inch or so to keep it from blowing around or getting caught in something, it was a blonde color so light it looked silver. D's eyes were sharper than a human's even in the full daylight and he could already see the boy's face, even at the 100 yards or so which seperated them. The boys face seemed frail, maybe even delicate for a boy. His light blue eyes were too large for his face and fringed with long lashes. His skin was somewhat pale, but not in a manner that was unusual for a human.
He was dressed in grey pants and a loose silver shirt. D could see a heavier dark shirt underneath it. Tied to the saddle next to him the boy had a long staff. Probably a foot longer than he was tall. He carried no other weapons, unless there were some concealed in his clothes.
The boy traveled down the trail at a leisurely pace, apparently unaware of D.
"Hullo," he called in a cheerfully light voice and waved to D when he finally noticed the dark horseman on the road. "Are you heading towards the village of Duun?"
D inclined his head. It was not really an answer, it could have been yes or no. The boy took it as a yes.
"Good. I'm going that way too. We should travel together, it's safer to travel in numbers. Less likely that robbers will want to rob you if your with a group." The boy did not wait for D to give assent, he just continued down the path certain that D would follow, which he did. He was going to Duun after all. "I'm Lynke, Lynke Rojankski, but most people just call me Lynke."
Lynke waited in silence for several minutes, apparently waiting for D to tell him his name.
"And you are?" he prompted when D failed to volunteer the information.
"D."
"Oh."
A confused look crossed Lynke's face as he processed the information. "That's an awfully short name. You sure there isn't more to it somewhere?"
D rode on in silence. Lynke reigned his horse in for a moment and watched. He leaned forward to pat his mount on the neck, "Not much of a talker that one. I bet he's got some real stories to tell, but his kind are hard to get information from. Probably got a real dark past. But then again, who doesn't in some way or another?"
Lynke spurred his horse on continuing the conversation; it was unclear if he was talking to D, the horse, or himself.
***
Three hours had passed and Lynke had finally shut up. He was riding his horse backwards his feet crossed over it's rump, his head leaned back on it's neck. His arms were crossed behind his head and his eyes were closed, apparently he was asleep.
D had never seen anyone who rode so precariously before, but he was not about to comment on it. The boy had babbled incessently about pure drivel for the last two and a half hours, then suddenly announced he was going to catch a nap and spun around backwards in the saddle and situated himself in the precarious fashion in which he now rode. The boy was either a fool or an excellent horseman. Considering his age D decided it must be the former, and if the horse had been any less patient the boy would have been kicked off long ago.
^What is with that kid. I don't think I have ever heard anyone talk so much.^ Apparently the talkative hand was put out with Lynke. ^I mean at first it was a nice change of pace, but then he wouldn't shut up and wouldn't shut up. I guess I've been around you too long D, his chatter was getting on my nerves.^
"Then why don't you be quiet too?" D asked softly. Much to his surprise the hand complied.
They rode in silence for half an hour as the sun slowly sank to the horizon. D caught the silent shuffling of feet in the bushes and foliage around them. Something was following them. He considered waking Lynke, but the boy's chatter would certainly alert whoever or whatever was following them that he was aware of their presence and possibly make any fight he faced that much more dangerous.
Not to mention that an ordinary human would not have heard the shuffling noises, and D tried to avoid situations which required him to mention his Dunpeal nature.
He could hear them getting closer. He loosened his sword a little from its sheath.
About twenty feet ahead of them the path went between two large boulders, once they headed into that area they would only be able to ride forward or backward. He was certain that was where they would be ambushed. He was trying to think of a way not to get ambushed when he became aware of a movement off to his side.
Lynke had silently swung around and was sitting upright in the saddle, fully awake with his staff grasped firmly in his hands. He gathered one leg beneath him then agilely leapt upward into the tree, his horse still plodding peacefully down the road. Apparently something had tipped him off about the danger they were in.
When he reached the boulder D pulled a similar stunt, landing on top of the boulder rather than in the trees. Sure enough a group of ragged humans surrounded the horses from behind and in front of the boulder. Had D and Lynke still been riding the horses they would have been caught in the pincer-manuvuer.
"&*(^%##. I could have sworn these horses had riders. We could have used some money." complained a large bearded man with a boatweed cigar in his mouth.
"Quit complaining. At least we've got the horses. We need the meat off them to feed our families."
"Hey man, check out this saddle. It's pretty ornate. We might be able to sell it to some lord for a pretty penny." called a third man, a skinny red head, with streaks of blonde running through his wild hair.
"Yeah, if you don't mind dealing with the nosferatu." As he spoke the big man pulled out a large machete and prepared to butcher the horses.
D pulled loose his sword, he really was not fond of the idea of walking all the way to Duun, much less allowing them to keep his saddle, a gift from a long dead friend. He would not actually kill them of course, just frighten them off. Just as he was about to leap down on them a light voice called out to the humans on the road.
"Hullo there, are those horses for sale?"
D looked up to find Lynke walking towards the group from the opposite direction, using his staff as a walking stick, he stopped just short of the boulders. "My horse gave out a few miles back and I need a new one. I'll pay you a million dollars for those two horses, they seem to be in good condition."
D sat on his haunches and watched Lynke in surprise. The boy was giving off the same air of foolish innocence that he had exhibited around D, but D had the sneaking suspicion that Lynke was putting on a clever act. There was definetely more to this boy than met the eye.
"Two million, in cash, now!" demanded the big man with the cigar.
"Done," Lynke confirmed with a trite nod of his head.
Maybe Lynke was not so clever after all. Only a fool would tell robers that he had two million dollars in cash on his person.
The big man chuckled, "Twins, this poor fella has too much money and not enough wits. Maybe if you relieved him of one he'll get a little of the other. What you think?"
"Yeah boss, I think you're right," replied a big man bearing a club with a cross carved into it over his shoulder. He stepped out of the crowd, followed closely by another man the same size who was distinguishable from him only by the long scar down his left cheek.
"Allow me to introduce Scar and Cross," his next statement was directed at the twins. "You'll be entertaining the young man tonight so take a bow."
The twins did as they were told, then advanced on Lynke.
D carefully sized up the situation. Each of the men looked like they were over three hundred pounds, and not an ounce of it fat, Lynke on the other hand looked lucky to weigh a hundred, and he looked pretty green when it came to fighting.
^D...D you are going to help him, right? Those two giants will slaughter him.^
D had already decided to help, but perhaps getting knocked around a bit would teach Lynke to use discretion where his mouth was concerned.
Cross and Scar simultaneously swung their clubs at Lynke who stood in a slight crouch. Much to everyone's surprise the clubs passed through thin air and collided with each other, jarring their owner's arms. At the last possible moment Lynke had lept into the air and performed a spectacular flip in the air, landing on his feet facing the twins undefended backs. A quick swoop of his staff knocked their feet out from under them. He pranced around to stand in front of them.
"Think I've learned my lesson yet." He taunted.
He danced lightly away as the two heavier men pulled their bulky weight up.
"You little &*^%#@...you'll pay for that."
Despite their threats it soon became apparent that in this fight Lynke's small body and light weight were an advantage, they afforded him a speed and agility that left the bigger men in the dust, literally. Time after time he allowed them to get close to him then dashed off, usually delivering a blow from his staff at the same time.
"Hold still you little &*$@^%$#." Scar lunged for Lynke yet again. Lynke leapt lightly over his shoulder, his staff swinging around and catching Scar in the side of the head, rendering him unconscious.
"How dare you do that to my brother!" fumed Cross, hurling himself angrily at Lynke. Lynke leapt lightly out of the way, Cross' rage carried him several feet past the calmly waiting Lynke.
"Is that the best you could do?" mocked the lithe young man. He dodged a swinging punch and stepping inside the man's arms brought his staff up and caught the man under his chin, snapping his head back and sending him reeling to the ground.
With both the twins incapacitated Lynke stepped over Cross and went back to his original position. "Have you any more lessons to teach me, or can I buy those horses now?"
"Ha, you haven't learned anything yet, boy. As badly as you may want these horses, you have no way to make me sell them, and you can't take all of us."
As he spoke he turned to lead his men towards the other end of the pathway, only to be confronted by D, who had moved to block his path.
D had sworn never to kill a human, but the man with the cigar did not know that. All he knew was that he was caught in his own trap. A human jack in the box with a nasty swing at one end; a tall silent man, dressed in skin- tight black armor, a long cape, wide brimmed hat, and holding a deadly looking sword stood at the other. In the light of the rising moon he could not even be certain the man in front of him was human. His skin seemed deathly pale and his eyes were hidden by the shadows of his hat.
"I believe my companion asked you a question. Why don't you be polite and give us the horses."
The leader decided he had three choices, give them the horses-cutting his losses and running; go down fighting-a brave way to die, but leaving their families without any means of provision; or killing the horses and hoping that these two would not kill him and his men in retaliation-quite risky. All things considered the leader decided it would be best just to relinquish the horses.
As if to confirm his decision as the correct one Cross tried to rise to his feet, without looking Lynke swung his staff back and knocked the man in the face again. Cross crumpled to the ground
"Alright here, just get away from us."
He turned loose the reigns of the horses and pushed them towards Lynke. Lynke grabbed the reigns and mounted his own horse. He slowly backed out of the way, allowing the bandits to escape.
They dashed madly into the trees and watched from the shadows. D crossed the pathway and mounted his horse. He turned his horses head away from the fight and continued on his way. Lynke followed him, but before he left he pulled a pouch from his shirt and dropped it in the pathway.
"A deal is a deal."
He turned and followed D into the dark depths of the woods, leaving two million dollars in gold lying on the forest floor between the smashed bodies of the twins.
***
"You didn't have to do that you know."
D's quiet voice startled Lynke. They had ridden in silence for several hours, Lynke was apparently sensible enough not to announce his presence to every night creature about with his incessant babbling, and D was always silent. It was in fact the first time he had initiated a conversation with the young boy.
"Done what? Do you mean pay them?"
"Hm." D nodded his head slightly.
"I know. But didn't you hear what they said, they had families to feed. They were probably thrown off their land by some lord and robbery is their only means of survival. It's not that uncommon."
"Two million dollars is a lot of money to throw away on robbers who were stealing your horse.
"I suppose so, but I really never had any use for the money. I guess I might as well put it to work. Eh."
"I suppose so. You fight very well for someone so young."
In the moonlight D could see a slight blush spread across Lynke's cheeks, "Thank you, I guess. My Papa taught me to fight."
Something in the boy's tone suggested he and his Papa were close.
"You running errends for him?"
D was surprised to find himself asking Lynke personal question, usually he only talked when it was about business. He wondered what in the world had gotten into him.
"No. My Papa left on a trip several years ago and never came home. I didn't expect him to..." Lynke's voice trailed off into silence.
"But you still miss him", filled in D.
"Yeah."
Not liking the sadness in the young boy's voice D changed the subject, "So what are you doing out here?"
"I'm searching for a myth."
D did not say anything but his attentive attitude spoke of his interest.
"There is an old legend, that says somewhere in the world there is an Eternal Truth. The Eternal Truth is said to hold the secret of eternal life."
"If you want the secret to eternal life all you have to do is ask a vampire."
"No. A different kind of eternal life. One that doesn't feed off the living or hide in the shadows. For all their immortality, I don't think most vampires are happy. This eternal life promised happiness too."
"It's just a myth Lynke. There is no Eternal Truth."
"Perhaps. But I intend to find out one way or another if it truly exists or if it is just a legend."
They rode in silence until the town of Duun was on the horizon. "There it is. I am going to the inn, what about you D?"
"Probably not."
"Oh, I hope I see you again before I leave town then,"
"Perhaps."
As D watched the young boy dissapear in the direction of the inn he thought it highly unlikely the boy would ever run into him again. After all, he was a hunter, after he learned what the Calienti woman wanted he would be on his way. He doubted the young boy's search for the Eternal Truth would lead him across D's path a second time.
^So, what do yout think this Calienti woman wants from you D? D? Are you listening to me D? Not that it matters. Do you think she wants some vampire killed?^
D continued to ignore the parasite which lived in his hand as he rode along through the rough forrest track. After all the question was rhetorical.
^Well, what do you think?^
Apparently the hand was not going to give up.
"That is what people usually hire me for."
The late afternoon sunlight played through the boughs of the tree and danced across the trail as if determined to find access into the shadows which surrounded D. Fortunately D had set a fairly leisurely pace and was not in any danger from heat syndrome, the curse of the Dunpeal.
^Well, they also ask you to rescue people. Did the letter give any indication of what she needed?^
"It just said she had a vampire problem."
^Hhhmm. Don't you wish just once we could know what we were getting into before we got into it?^
D refrained from answering, just as the hand knew he would.
D suddenly stopped the horse.
^What? What is it?^
"Quiet! I hear something."
^Oh, no. Do you think it is a vampire slave, come to fight us before we can kill its master. Or maybe another Kertan war dog. I hate those!^
D's sharp hearing penetrated the forrest walls and picked out the quiet plodding sound.
"No. It's a horse."
^Are you sure? I mean it could be some kind of illusion or something.^
"It isn't. Now be quiet!"
D could see the horse and rider now. The horse was a lightweight fast- ride/runner GHT model. It was white in color. The rider was a young boy, maybe fifteen or sixteen. He was lightly built and small. His hair was long, pulled back in a ponytail with a band around it every inch or so to keep it from blowing around or getting caught in something, it was a blonde color so light it looked silver. D's eyes were sharper than a human's even in the full daylight and he could already see the boy's face, even at the 100 yards or so which seperated them. The boys face seemed frail, maybe even delicate for a boy. His light blue eyes were too large for his face and fringed with long lashes. His skin was somewhat pale, but not in a manner that was unusual for a human.
He was dressed in grey pants and a loose silver shirt. D could see a heavier dark shirt underneath it. Tied to the saddle next to him the boy had a long staff. Probably a foot longer than he was tall. He carried no other weapons, unless there were some concealed in his clothes.
The boy traveled down the trail at a leisurely pace, apparently unaware of D.
"Hullo," he called in a cheerfully light voice and waved to D when he finally noticed the dark horseman on the road. "Are you heading towards the village of Duun?"
D inclined his head. It was not really an answer, it could have been yes or no. The boy took it as a yes.
"Good. I'm going that way too. We should travel together, it's safer to travel in numbers. Less likely that robbers will want to rob you if your with a group." The boy did not wait for D to give assent, he just continued down the path certain that D would follow, which he did. He was going to Duun after all. "I'm Lynke, Lynke Rojankski, but most people just call me Lynke."
Lynke waited in silence for several minutes, apparently waiting for D to tell him his name.
"And you are?" he prompted when D failed to volunteer the information.
"D."
"Oh."
A confused look crossed Lynke's face as he processed the information. "That's an awfully short name. You sure there isn't more to it somewhere?"
D rode on in silence. Lynke reigned his horse in for a moment and watched. He leaned forward to pat his mount on the neck, "Not much of a talker that one. I bet he's got some real stories to tell, but his kind are hard to get information from. Probably got a real dark past. But then again, who doesn't in some way or another?"
Lynke spurred his horse on continuing the conversation; it was unclear if he was talking to D, the horse, or himself.
***
Three hours had passed and Lynke had finally shut up. He was riding his horse backwards his feet crossed over it's rump, his head leaned back on it's neck. His arms were crossed behind his head and his eyes were closed, apparently he was asleep.
D had never seen anyone who rode so precariously before, but he was not about to comment on it. The boy had babbled incessently about pure drivel for the last two and a half hours, then suddenly announced he was going to catch a nap and spun around backwards in the saddle and situated himself in the precarious fashion in which he now rode. The boy was either a fool or an excellent horseman. Considering his age D decided it must be the former, and if the horse had been any less patient the boy would have been kicked off long ago.
^What is with that kid. I don't think I have ever heard anyone talk so much.^ Apparently the talkative hand was put out with Lynke. ^I mean at first it was a nice change of pace, but then he wouldn't shut up and wouldn't shut up. I guess I've been around you too long D, his chatter was getting on my nerves.^
"Then why don't you be quiet too?" D asked softly. Much to his surprise the hand complied.
They rode in silence for half an hour as the sun slowly sank to the horizon. D caught the silent shuffling of feet in the bushes and foliage around them. Something was following them. He considered waking Lynke, but the boy's chatter would certainly alert whoever or whatever was following them that he was aware of their presence and possibly make any fight he faced that much more dangerous.
Not to mention that an ordinary human would not have heard the shuffling noises, and D tried to avoid situations which required him to mention his Dunpeal nature.
He could hear them getting closer. He loosened his sword a little from its sheath.
About twenty feet ahead of them the path went between two large boulders, once they headed into that area they would only be able to ride forward or backward. He was certain that was where they would be ambushed. He was trying to think of a way not to get ambushed when he became aware of a movement off to his side.
Lynke had silently swung around and was sitting upright in the saddle, fully awake with his staff grasped firmly in his hands. He gathered one leg beneath him then agilely leapt upward into the tree, his horse still plodding peacefully down the road. Apparently something had tipped him off about the danger they were in.
When he reached the boulder D pulled a similar stunt, landing on top of the boulder rather than in the trees. Sure enough a group of ragged humans surrounded the horses from behind and in front of the boulder. Had D and Lynke still been riding the horses they would have been caught in the pincer-manuvuer.
"&*(^%##. I could have sworn these horses had riders. We could have used some money." complained a large bearded man with a boatweed cigar in his mouth.
"Quit complaining. At least we've got the horses. We need the meat off them to feed our families."
"Hey man, check out this saddle. It's pretty ornate. We might be able to sell it to some lord for a pretty penny." called a third man, a skinny red head, with streaks of blonde running through his wild hair.
"Yeah, if you don't mind dealing with the nosferatu." As he spoke the big man pulled out a large machete and prepared to butcher the horses.
D pulled loose his sword, he really was not fond of the idea of walking all the way to Duun, much less allowing them to keep his saddle, a gift from a long dead friend. He would not actually kill them of course, just frighten them off. Just as he was about to leap down on them a light voice called out to the humans on the road.
"Hullo there, are those horses for sale?"
D looked up to find Lynke walking towards the group from the opposite direction, using his staff as a walking stick, he stopped just short of the boulders. "My horse gave out a few miles back and I need a new one. I'll pay you a million dollars for those two horses, they seem to be in good condition."
D sat on his haunches and watched Lynke in surprise. The boy was giving off the same air of foolish innocence that he had exhibited around D, but D had the sneaking suspicion that Lynke was putting on a clever act. There was definetely more to this boy than met the eye.
"Two million, in cash, now!" demanded the big man with the cigar.
"Done," Lynke confirmed with a trite nod of his head.
Maybe Lynke was not so clever after all. Only a fool would tell robers that he had two million dollars in cash on his person.
The big man chuckled, "Twins, this poor fella has too much money and not enough wits. Maybe if you relieved him of one he'll get a little of the other. What you think?"
"Yeah boss, I think you're right," replied a big man bearing a club with a cross carved into it over his shoulder. He stepped out of the crowd, followed closely by another man the same size who was distinguishable from him only by the long scar down his left cheek.
"Allow me to introduce Scar and Cross," his next statement was directed at the twins. "You'll be entertaining the young man tonight so take a bow."
The twins did as they were told, then advanced on Lynke.
D carefully sized up the situation. Each of the men looked like they were over three hundred pounds, and not an ounce of it fat, Lynke on the other hand looked lucky to weigh a hundred, and he looked pretty green when it came to fighting.
^D...D you are going to help him, right? Those two giants will slaughter him.^
D had already decided to help, but perhaps getting knocked around a bit would teach Lynke to use discretion where his mouth was concerned.
Cross and Scar simultaneously swung their clubs at Lynke who stood in a slight crouch. Much to everyone's surprise the clubs passed through thin air and collided with each other, jarring their owner's arms. At the last possible moment Lynke had lept into the air and performed a spectacular flip in the air, landing on his feet facing the twins undefended backs. A quick swoop of his staff knocked their feet out from under them. He pranced around to stand in front of them.
"Think I've learned my lesson yet." He taunted.
He danced lightly away as the two heavier men pulled their bulky weight up.
"You little &*^%#@...you'll pay for that."
Despite their threats it soon became apparent that in this fight Lynke's small body and light weight were an advantage, they afforded him a speed and agility that left the bigger men in the dust, literally. Time after time he allowed them to get close to him then dashed off, usually delivering a blow from his staff at the same time.
"Hold still you little &*$@^%$#." Scar lunged for Lynke yet again. Lynke leapt lightly over his shoulder, his staff swinging around and catching Scar in the side of the head, rendering him unconscious.
"How dare you do that to my brother!" fumed Cross, hurling himself angrily at Lynke. Lynke leapt lightly out of the way, Cross' rage carried him several feet past the calmly waiting Lynke.
"Is that the best you could do?" mocked the lithe young man. He dodged a swinging punch and stepping inside the man's arms brought his staff up and caught the man under his chin, snapping his head back and sending him reeling to the ground.
With both the twins incapacitated Lynke stepped over Cross and went back to his original position. "Have you any more lessons to teach me, or can I buy those horses now?"
"Ha, you haven't learned anything yet, boy. As badly as you may want these horses, you have no way to make me sell them, and you can't take all of us."
As he spoke he turned to lead his men towards the other end of the pathway, only to be confronted by D, who had moved to block his path.
D had sworn never to kill a human, but the man with the cigar did not know that. All he knew was that he was caught in his own trap. A human jack in the box with a nasty swing at one end; a tall silent man, dressed in skin- tight black armor, a long cape, wide brimmed hat, and holding a deadly looking sword stood at the other. In the light of the rising moon he could not even be certain the man in front of him was human. His skin seemed deathly pale and his eyes were hidden by the shadows of his hat.
"I believe my companion asked you a question. Why don't you be polite and give us the horses."
The leader decided he had three choices, give them the horses-cutting his losses and running; go down fighting-a brave way to die, but leaving their families without any means of provision; or killing the horses and hoping that these two would not kill him and his men in retaliation-quite risky. All things considered the leader decided it would be best just to relinquish the horses.
As if to confirm his decision as the correct one Cross tried to rise to his feet, without looking Lynke swung his staff back and knocked the man in the face again. Cross crumpled to the ground
"Alright here, just get away from us."
He turned loose the reigns of the horses and pushed them towards Lynke. Lynke grabbed the reigns and mounted his own horse. He slowly backed out of the way, allowing the bandits to escape.
They dashed madly into the trees and watched from the shadows. D crossed the pathway and mounted his horse. He turned his horses head away from the fight and continued on his way. Lynke followed him, but before he left he pulled a pouch from his shirt and dropped it in the pathway.
"A deal is a deal."
He turned and followed D into the dark depths of the woods, leaving two million dollars in gold lying on the forest floor between the smashed bodies of the twins.
***
"You didn't have to do that you know."
D's quiet voice startled Lynke. They had ridden in silence for several hours, Lynke was apparently sensible enough not to announce his presence to every night creature about with his incessant babbling, and D was always silent. It was in fact the first time he had initiated a conversation with the young boy.
"Done what? Do you mean pay them?"
"Hm." D nodded his head slightly.
"I know. But didn't you hear what they said, they had families to feed. They were probably thrown off their land by some lord and robbery is their only means of survival. It's not that uncommon."
"Two million dollars is a lot of money to throw away on robbers who were stealing your horse.
"I suppose so, but I really never had any use for the money. I guess I might as well put it to work. Eh."
"I suppose so. You fight very well for someone so young."
In the moonlight D could see a slight blush spread across Lynke's cheeks, "Thank you, I guess. My Papa taught me to fight."
Something in the boy's tone suggested he and his Papa were close.
"You running errends for him?"
D was surprised to find himself asking Lynke personal question, usually he only talked when it was about business. He wondered what in the world had gotten into him.
"No. My Papa left on a trip several years ago and never came home. I didn't expect him to..." Lynke's voice trailed off into silence.
"But you still miss him", filled in D.
"Yeah."
Not liking the sadness in the young boy's voice D changed the subject, "So what are you doing out here?"
"I'm searching for a myth."
D did not say anything but his attentive attitude spoke of his interest.
"There is an old legend, that says somewhere in the world there is an Eternal Truth. The Eternal Truth is said to hold the secret of eternal life."
"If you want the secret to eternal life all you have to do is ask a vampire."
"No. A different kind of eternal life. One that doesn't feed off the living or hide in the shadows. For all their immortality, I don't think most vampires are happy. This eternal life promised happiness too."
"It's just a myth Lynke. There is no Eternal Truth."
"Perhaps. But I intend to find out one way or another if it truly exists or if it is just a legend."
They rode in silence until the town of Duun was on the horizon. "There it is. I am going to the inn, what about you D?"
"Probably not."
"Oh, I hope I see you again before I leave town then,"
"Perhaps."
As D watched the young boy dissapear in the direction of the inn he thought it highly unlikely the boy would ever run into him again. After all, he was a hunter, after he learned what the Calienti woman wanted he would be on his way. He doubted the young boy's search for the Eternal Truth would lead him across D's path a second time.