Quiet before the storm
Chapter 2
Once outside D could see the town for all its glory, or lack there of. This place was old, the buildings were dilapidated and some were falling down. Though people still lived in them and took pride in what they had. The shops were in somewhat better shape. They weren't as run down looking, but then again the shop owners did their best to keep their places looking good. The roads were rough and uneven and the town's square consisted of a solitary fountain that looked like it has seen better days. D mounted his horse and headed north to the Gilded Rose. There were only a few farms Skersgard. They had small homes for the families but the crops were very large and yet still in the walls and the town had seemed to be built around them. Their homes were against the wall and some homes were built in front of their crops. The walls were built to keep the vampire assassins away from them, among other creatures that lived in the forest around their sleep little town and took years for them to finish. They were sturdy no doubt, but not very effective. D continued up the northern road until finally he saw a building come into view. It was old, very old and looked like it should be condemned. Yet patrons still occupied the place. D found the small stable behind the tavern and dismounted. D could hear footsteps running for him and he stopped. A little boy about 8 years old ran out to greet him.
"Allow sir! I'm Henry and I will take your horse sir!" he seemed small for his age and smelled of the scents that came along with working in a stable. He was eager no doubt and was undaunted when he saw D. Henry was skinny, almost under fed and wore very dirty shorts with a torn long sleeved shirt. D noticed he was barefoot. This child is defiantly not of a wealthy family. Going by what the buildings at this end town looked like he would say this was the poorer end.
D gave his reins to the young boy as well as a gold coin.
"Thank you sir, I will take great care of him for you" Henry said beaming as he walked back inside with D's horse.
(Well that was nice of you D, you are becoming a big ole' softy aren't you) a voice said from his waist. D turned and walked back towards the front of the tavern. It was now mid afternoon, the sun was high and he was feeling weaker.
He opened the double swinging doors to only a few people. There was one patron at the bar who failed to even look up from his ale. The barman stood behind the bar cleaning a tankard as D walked over to him. The sheriff was standing in the corner talking to a couple of farmers. D made a mental note to watch him. The sheriff stopped momentarily taking notice of D's entrance.
"I am D, the hunter. I was told this is where I could receive a place to stay and something to eat." He said stonily without looking up.
"Yea, it is. Your room is up the stairs and down the hall. It's the last room on the right." He said glancing over to where the sheriff was talking. He leaned over the bar to get closer to D "It's the only room we have that is out of the direct sunlight." He then added in almost a whisper, he didn't want anyone to hear.
"Thank you." D said as he started to make his way to the stairs.
"Emily will bring your food up shortly." he added once more.
D nodded and started up the stairs when a hand came out and grabbed his arm.
"Why aren't you doing what you were hired to do hunter?" an all too familiar voice said. D turned ever so slightly.
"I will when it is time." The sheriff stood there, glaring at him. That isn't what he wanted to hear. He wanted him to try to fight him. This just angered him more so than before. Sheriff Stone was going to say something else when the bar man spoke up.
"Sheriff, this man has traveled along way to help us. It seems as if he would like to rest first then battle it out with the vampire and his crew when he is refreshed. You can't blame him for that can you?"
Stone let go of D's arm and glared at the hunter once more.
"I don't like you hunter. I don't want you here." He then said in a hateful voice. D turned and glared at the sheriff, his eyes cold as ice. Not saying anything in return he turned back and continued up the stairs. The sheriff was livid. How dare he treat him this way? He would exact his revenge.
D climbed the stairs and walked down the hall to his room. It really was in the darkest part of the tavern. He went in and shut the door.
It was hardly furnished. Not that he cared anyway. There was a queen sized bed under the window and a table with a wash basin next to the door. There was a small bathroom opposite from the bed and what looked to be a writing desk on the other side of the door from the wash basin. This basin was filthy. It looked as if no one was in this room for a longtime. There were only 2 light sources in this room, a candle or the window. The window really wasn't bringing in a lot of light and he liked it that way. He closed the heavy burlap shades to plunge the room into total darkness. D could still see as clearly now as he would in the daytime and he made his way to the bed. Un-strapping his sword from his back he laid down. It felt good to lie in a bed for once. He put is sword on the bed next to him in case he needed to grab it quick. He laid there taking in the total darkness and quiet. The sun was indeed getting to him today; he hadn't completely recovered from his last bought of sun sickness that happened a few days ago. He closed his eyes and waited for sleep. Then he heard footsteps. He had very sensitive hearing, thanks to being a dhampir. The footsteps grew louder. They weren't heavy but slow and steady. It was Emily.
Emily reached his door and knocked lightly hoping he wasn't asleep yet. She didn't wait for his reply. She just opened the door as quiet as she could holding a huge bowl of stew. The room was really dark but she stepped in anyways. She figured she would put it on the table. She heard the rumors going around that a dhampir was in the town and he was the most gorgeous man anyone has ever saw. She wanted to see for herself. She was 17 with auburn hair pulled into braids and a plain farm girl dress and she as well as Henry was barefoot. D didn't stir. He could tell she was coming closer. Right now he was too tired to care.
"Mr. D?" Emily said as she set his food on the table. "Your food is here. It is rabbit stew, I hope you like it." She said nervously as she turned to make out the figure on the bed. He didn't open his eye when he spoke.
"Thank you." D said coolly.
She only saw a shadow of him from what the light in the hallway shone. She could tell he was muscular and very handsome. She wanted to see him fully. But she turned and left closing the door quietly behind her.
(She was totally checking you out man. Were you watching?) A snide voice said.
"Quiet" D replied
(You are such a party pooper you know that?)
D said nothing. He reached his left hand up and adjusted his hat down over his eyes. He had a feeling something was going to happen tonight mainly because he had arrived. It usually did when he reached a town. His bounty usually did something to draw him out. He was hoping they would wait until he was rested. He being weak finally caught up with him and he fell asleep. His hand let out a chuckle as he prepared for sleep as well.
(Poor kid is all work no play.) His hand said.
