Chapter 2

It was flying, literally. The horse's hooves were practically leaping off the ground as the rider's spurs dug deep into its flesh. They sped by the villages, allowing the inhabitants to see nothing but a streaking blur of maroon and ebony. The rider and the horse were one. When the target location drew near, the rider pulled his horse to a halt,

"Hyah!"

The undead horse halted to its master decree, and waited impatiently for the bit to be taken away. With a flurry of neighs and gasps, it collapsed into the soft grass, where it rested in the rain as its master walked on into the distance.

He had arrived later than he was supposed to.

'I don't understand', the rider thought, 'why send a letter at such a distance?' He had covered more than a twenty leagues before midnight, tiring both himself and his horse. But then again, who was he to question the Lord of the Night? It was much better to do as he said than to suffer his wrath. He clenched the letter in his left hand and grimaced as he remembered the last time he had tried to challenge his master.

(Flashback)

"Would you like another?" Walter asked as he licked the blood off the whip.

He groaned in pain before muttering, "Go to hell."

Walter laughed, "We're already there"

The next blow fell again and again as the blood flowed down the sewer drains. The murky water shivered as sadistic laughter ricocheted off the castle's stone walls.

It had taken him almost two months to recover, let alone reattach his limbs. Ay, it was definitely better to obey the master.

'But not without rest,' he thought as he closed in to the nearest inn. For his job however was not without benefits. Lord Bernhard had given him enough gold coins to afford the best rooms wherever he went.

The inn itself was scarce, except for the innkeeper, a drunkard, and the cook. The rider decided to sit near the window, away from the fire, and said, "Oy, can I get sums food ha'ir?"

He mumbled, "I'ma downwright starvin'."

As he finished his words, the innkeeper approached and asked, "What'll it be sir?"

Grumbling, the rider continued, "Do ya have any leg o' lambs?"

The innkeeper nodded before writing the order down.

"Anything else sir?"

After adding a copious amount of ale to the order, along with some potatoes, the rider gestured the innkeeper away, and was left to his own thoughts.

Suddenly the bells attached to the entrance rang, announcing the presence of a new guest. This was good news for the innkeeper, who rarely had two in one night.

The new stranger was heavily cloaked,

'Probably 'cause of the heav' rain…" thought the rider as he watched with keen interest.

"Welcome back Lady Alyssia," said the innkeeper as she came out with the kitchen with the ordered food.

The stranger grunted before taking off her hood. "It's good to be back Marge," she replied as she pulled up close to the fire. "The last job took a lot out of me. I'm hoping to get a room for tonight,"

"And the usual?"

Steaming dishes of grub were placed in the rider's view.

She nodded her head before nibbling her freshly lit pipe, "The usual."

As he ate his mutton and taters, the rider could not help but look at the stranger. She was obviously an experienced fighter. Although she threw a peasant's cloak over her armor - whether she was trying to conceal her occupation the rider did not know - the fire illuminated the metallic characteristics of her now visible vambraces and sword.

Alyssia, who felt the eyes of the stranger prying through her cloak, turned towards the dark area of the dining hall and firmly stated, "It is rude to stare at a person who is trying to enjoy her meal." Brandishing her speared meat with a fork, she continued, "But if it is curiosity that beseeches you, feel free to ask."

Clearing his throat, the rider hurriedly swallowed his chunks of taters, which suddenly dried in his throat as the stranger abruptly addressed him. Once the mouthful had all gone down, he answered, "Lady huh? Be you a knight?"

Alyssia looked at the stranger in front of her and replied, "Yes, I am a woman-knight, a chevalière if you will." Her answer was met with a horde of laughter from the rider.

"A woman-knight, oh I ne'er heard of sumpthings like that!" When all was done, the rider introduced himself, "Forgive me for the laughs, I've had a long day t'day, The name's Nathaniel, Nathaniel Beldune."

The chevalière smiled a forgiving grin and responded, "My name is Alyssia, Alyssia Trantoul."

His drink stopped in mid-air as she stated her last name, "Trantoul? As in that of the merchant family?"

Alyssia casually nodded her head and replied, "Why yes, do you know the family?"

Nodding and sipping his ale, Nathaniel decided to leave behind the note behind to her.

'It makes sense," he thought, "she's obviously going to care about her relative right?"

"In that case," Nathaniel said, digging into his grimy cloak for a particular object, "I think this belongs to ya." He walked over and handed her a slightly wrinkled envelope that had a red wax seal.

"Good day Lady Trantoul," said the departing rider, as he left multiple questions in Alyssia's mind unanswered. "And good luck with your task."

'Good luck with your task? 'thought Alyssia, 'What does he mean?'

As she broke the wax seal, which had a dragon insignia on it, she grasped the letter and perused it quickly.

With trembling hands, she stood up and stomped her way to the door, and flung it open, only to find the rider gone.

"Lady Alyssia!" cried the innkeeper, who was troubled to find her leaving so soon, "What's wrong?"

Gritting her teeth and searching for any sign of the phantom rider, Alyssia looked at the letter once more to verify that this was no nightmare.

To Whomever may express the utmost concern for Sara Trantoul:

I, Lord Bernhard, Lord of the Night, have brought her to the Forest of Eternal Night against her will. If you wish to rescue her alive, meet me at the Bernhard Castle with none but yourself.

Signed,

Lord Walter Bernhard

"Is anything wrong?" repeated the innkeeper. She was worried now, because her two potential customers were about to leave after staying at her inn for less than two hours.

"There is just something I need to take care of," responded Alyssia as she handed the innkeeper her pay. "I will return soon. Till then, please take care of my room."

And with that, Alyssia began her journey into the night, towards her former home.