No one's P.O.V.

Iris entered her room quietly, briefly glancing at her cracked and broken door with some dismay before swinging it shut, its hinges out of place and no longer fitting the door frame. She moved silently to her night-stand; pulling the drawers and retrieving a box of matches, slipping one into her hands and lit it, carefully lighting a candle and blowing the match out. The candle provided some light, giving her room an eerie glow. She took the candle into her hands and moved to the small fire-place just to her left, reaching for a box of tinder set on the mantle. She started a small fire, placing a few logs into the fire from the small stack she kept nearby and got to her feet, setting the candle back on her nightstand. She took a deep breath, covering her face with her hands as she moved towards her wardrobe, the light illuminating from the fire-place now revealing every inch of the room to her. She turned and glanced at herself in the mirror. She looked awful. Her hair was damp and stuck to her neck and face in a tangled red-orange mess. Her dress was also damp and felt heavy on her body. She pulled back her hair with one hand, swinging her wardrobe open and pulled out two towels, setting them on her bed as she peeled herself out of her wet clothing. She slipped into a fresh loose night-gown, pulling it over her head and letting it drop down, grabbing the towel and running it through her hair until it was once again a bouncy fluffy bunch. She moved towards her night stand and grabbed her hair-brush, sitting herself on her bed as she ran the comb through her hair softly, taking her time and working through the tangles until it was soft and smooth, the way she liked it. She set her brush aside, and crawled into her bed, peeling the neatly made sheets back and covering herself in its warmth. But she could not sleep. She tossed and turned, even tried to re-arrange her pillow multiple times, but she still could not fall asleep. Iris huffed annoyingly as she sat up in bed, the covers falling onto her lap as she pulled her hair back, away from her face. She glanced at the old wooden clock hanging above the mantle. It Read 11:32pm. She sighed irritatingly as she slipped one leg over her bed, flinching as her toes made contact with the still cold wooden floors. It was followed by her other foot, as she reached for her candle, padding her way quietly towards her door. She pulled it open, moving down the short hallway towards the stairs, down to where the man was sleeping, then turning into the kitchen. She set the candle on her counter as she opened her pantry, taking out a dark powered substance in a lidded jar, and sugar. She filled a kettle with some snow from the back door, and hung it above the hearth. She grabbed another box of tinder and a box of matches at the table and threw two logs into the fire-place, starting a small fire as the water began to come to a boil. She took the kettle and poured some hot water into her cup, setting it aside, and stirred in the dark substance and sugar. She breathed in the chocolaty aroma as she raised the cup, the warmth nipping her cool face as she took a sip of her cocoa. She left the fire to die out on its own and grabbed her candle, moving out of the kitchen. As she moved passed the knight, she noticed the fire going out in the fireplace near him. Placing both the candle and her cup on the mantle, she grabbed some more logs and threw them in, stroking the fire until it burned brightly. As she was admiring her work, she was startled by a grunting sound. She turned to see the knight stirring in his sleep. She could see now that he was sweating and breathing franticly. He was clutching to the cushions, making his knuckles white. Iris watched him curiously. Was he having a night-mare? She wondered. She hesitantly moved towards him, crawling on her knees until she was just a few inches from him. Slowly, she poked at his arm. He flinched a bit. She then gradually pressed her palm against him, the warm touch calming him as his breathing became slower. She pulled her hand away, but yelped as the knight was once again, awoke, clutching her hand before him, only this time, not as rough as before. Iris quickly yanked her hand from his grasp and scouted herself from him. The knight kept his gaze on her, his eyes glued to every movement she made. There was a moment of silence before he finally sat up, stretching his sore limbs and wincing from the pain that was a reminder to him he was injured. Iris was now at her feet, backing up towards the mantle and reaching for her candle.

"I was just leaving." She said quickly as she grabbed her cup and hurried towards the stairs, but she stopped as the knight spoke.

"Wait." He voiced.

Iris turned her head towards him, doubt in her expression.

"I wish to speak with you for a moment." Spoke the knight, assuring her he meant no harm. She was still weary of him, turning back, but still keeping a good amount of distance between the two of them. 'Smart girl' he thought.

"Do you know who I am?" questioned the knight gruffly.

Iris raised a brow at him. "Why? Are you a dazzling prince from a faraway land, come in search of a princess and lost his way?" She chuckled amusingly.

"Oh, far from it." he replied lowly.

Iris furrowed her brows towards him. "So an out-law then?"

"… One could say so… yes." he replied casually.

Iris was now a bit on edge. Just who exactly was this man?

"Surly you must of heard the stories.." He hinted.

Iris held a vague expression. "Well, if you truly are this terrible creature you claim yourself to be, I would prefer not knowing of your past. I expect you gone by dawn tomorrow."

The knight turned his head towards a nearby window to his left, seeing that the snow had calmed over, flakes where now lazily drifting softly onto the forest floor. He nodded absently as he surveyed the trees outside, before snapping his head back towards the woman from the sound of slurping.

He raised his brow at her as she lowered her cup.

"… what?" she asked confusingly.

The knight stared at her for a moment longer, his eyes drifting from her face to the cup she was holding. She followed his fixed gaze on her cup.

"I couldn't sleep." she said a bit awkwardly.

"What is that?" Asked the knight, pointing towards her cup.

Iris looked down at her steaming cup. "hot chocolate. It helps me fall asleep.."

The knight still kept his gaze on her cup. Iris noticed this as she moved the cup, watching as he moved his head with it until his gaze caught her face and he quickly looked away from the cup. Iris grinned a bit.

"Would you like some?"

The knight slowly nodded. Iris grabbed her candle and turned back towards the kitchen, setting the cup on the counter as she grabbed another and filled it with some hot water left over, and mixed in the cocoa powder and sugar, but as she turned around, her face bumped into something hard and warm. She paused, blinking as she stared at a white stained fabric blocking her way, her eyes slowly drifting up to see the knight's devilish helmet staring back at her. The knight took a step towards her, trapping her against the counter as she stared up at him wide-eyed. She regretted not bringing her cross-bow with her as she was now at his mercy. The knight stared down at her for what seemed like years, a calm stillness coming over their surroundings, before he raised a hand and wrapped his index finger around the cup's handle, pulling it away from her as he then stared down into the chocolaty substance, turning around and leaving her alone in the kitchen. Iris exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath as she shook away the feeling of alarm. She grabbed her cup and candle and headed back into the living room where the knight had just placed his helmet back in place, the cup, now empty, set on the floor. Iris glanced his way and caught his gaze before hurrying along up the stairs. The knight huffed gruffly as he carefully pulled his legs onto the couch and propped himself on his pillow, staring out into the winter wasteland outside. He didn't alarm the woman, but he could have sworn he saw movement amongst the trees. His eyes never deceived him before, and he had to be prepared for whatever was out there. Slowly, he closed his eyes. No matter what danger that may be awaiting him, best to be alert then risk making mistakes, but soon after he closed his eyes, images from his most recent nightmare once again plagued his mind, the same dream be had been having ever since that day.

An echoing shrilled cry haunting his mind as he rushed in to silence them, cutting every living man and woman down as he made his way to the king's bed chambers and hacked the doors open with a few swings of his axe. He saw himself move towards the king as he laid helpless in his bed, his hair white due to age and his face frail. The knight closed in on him until he was hovering over the old king; His gaze meeting the knight's was expressionless as the knight raised his axe above his head, a surge of anger flashing through him as he was blinded by the images of a child curled up in a fetal position, no older than 6 as he stared up to the skies with the look of death forever engraved on his face, blood spilling onto the ground as the helpless cries of the child's brother fueled him and brought him the strength to bring down the axe, slaying the king and forever ending his life. The room fell away as he was now clutching a blooded bundle in his arms, surrounded by the corpse of the dead conspirators that has plotted with, and against him. He then made his escape, ridding off into darkness as the flames engulfed the kingdom he once served, never to return after that frightful night.

Bozz slowly opened his eyes as sunlight flooded into the room, making him wince as his eyes quickly adjusted to the new light. It was close to noon, be must of slept in seeing he usually woke up at the crack of dawn. He carefully shifted onto his feet and looked over his surroundings as the night before slowly came back to him. He stretched his sore limbs and steadily got to his feet.

"Finally awake I see."

The knight quickly wiped his head around, finding the woman standing in the door-frame to the kitchen. When he realized it was her, he became less tense, giving her a short nod as he tended to his aching neck and shoulders, stretching until they gave way to a satisfying crack. He then turned back to her. He noticed she was dressed like she was going outside. He watched her curiously as she walked passed him, her hair was now tied back in a thick frizzy pony tail. She was bundled up in a white furred hood, which he can assume was rabbit fur, along with a plain long sleeve navy blue dress and knitted mittens. She was standing near the door, trying to put on her boots.

"Where are you going?" as asked.

She looked up at him and replied casually like she was explaining something to a child. "Work. I have to get more wood and check out any damages that blizzard may have caused and set some traps for food."

"And what of me?" asked the knight, raising his brow. Was she honestly going to leave a stranger in her home?

"What of you? You where to have left at dawn. It's best if you hurry along and leave now, I'm not leaving you here in my home."

The knight nodded as he turned towards the kitchen where he had left his armor and started to suit up, coming back out of the kitchen now fully armored and moved towards the door after the woman.

"I'll show you to the stables." she replied, not looking back at him as he followed her out.

Just a few yards away was a small barn, big enough to house maybe six horses with just enough room for them to lay down. She opened the heavy wooden doors, light flooding into the barn for the awaiting horses inside. Iris stepped in first, moving towards the behemoth she called a horse in the stables to her right, wrapping her arms around his neck as he snorted, eager to see his mistress. She stroked his nose lightly as he chewed on her cloak and sneezing, making her giggle at his silliness.

"Oh Rune, what am I going to do with you."

The horse whined as she slowly turned away, catching the knight in the act of staring at her before clearing his throat and turning towards his horse, Frog. Frog snorted as he seemed to raise a brow at his master, who only furrowed his brows at the horse, even though the horse could not see it.

"What?" grunted the knight lowly to his horse. The horse only replied by nudging his master to hurry along and saddle him.

Iris had her saddle in her arms and was already moving towards her stallion, saddling him up and moving him out the stables. Bozz taken his saddle from the hanging wall nearby and too, saddled frog, climbing onto his steed as he moved in a steady trot out of the stables. There, he saw the woman attaching a cart to her horse and disappear into the thick trees of the forest. He turned his horse and headed the opposite direction into a marked path that was still covered in untouched snow. After about 20 minutes into his travel, he heard rustling amongst the trees. He stopped, looking up into the dense growth, searching for the cause of the sound. He had no choice but to be cautious as he was injured and unarmed. Just then he heard a 'swip' sound as an arrow, just missing his chest by an inch, shot out across him. He didn't wait to find out who had done this, for he was already racing at a full gallop into the dense trees, off of the trial. He could hear the trees above him rustle as a rain of arrows shot towards him, missing and embedding into the trees and snow. Whoever his pursuer was, they didn't come alone. Bozz maneuvered his way through the forest skillfully before coming to a large clearing, but he stopped as he saw the trees above him move. He turned his horse, seeing that he was now surrounded by archers that had their weapons aimed at him.

"What a peculiar set of armor." Chuckled a heavily Spanish accented voice. He turned to the man who was now approaching him from behind.

"You know there is a legend amongst these lands of a Knight who is believed to be the devil himself. He who shall not be named, he who Slayed a thousand men in battle. He.. who slayed the 'great' and 'noble' king!"

As he spoke, he spat at the word 'great' and 'noble.'

Bozz didn't reply as the man was now pacing around him.

"Legend has it, he is cladded in black armor. Black as his heart, and behind it all, beholds a monster so hideous one cannot bare to look upon such a face."

"That's not what I heard! Pretty sure it was something about him having a big ass!" snickered one of the archers as his comrades burst out laughing. The man glared up at them as they settled down. The man continued on.

"… I do not know if you are this man of legend, but if you are skilled with a sword, I may have use of you."

"…"

The man raised a brow at him, seeing he was unwilling to reply.

"Why so .. quiet." Smirked the man. "Are you mute, or simply stubborn?"

This time Bozz turned his head and fixed it on the man.

"Ah.. A stubborn one then. What if I throw something in for you? Serve me just this one task, and you will be rewarded."

The man snapped his fingers, and one of his men came forth with a chest. The man reached down and pulled it open, revealing it to be full of gold coins, but the knight remained unfazed.

"Do me just one task, and all of this will be yours."

"And If I refuse?" spoke the knight coldly, his voice deep as it came out in a rumble.

The man smirked even wider. "Then.. you die."

The knight pondered over the man's words for a moment. Why does this man not use one of his men? Why trust a stranger for a task? The knight turned back at the man awaiting his answer.

"What is this… task then?"

The man grinned to himself as he sent for another one of his men with a scroll, opening it out in front of him.

"Oh nothing really, nothing a man like yourself couldn't easily do with a simple swipe of his sword." The Knight stayed quiet, waiting for the man to answer him as he continued to ramble on.

"All I need you to do is accompany me and serve as my protector, and help my men slay a dragon."

The knight stared at him like he was completely mad. A dragon? Slaying a dragon was next to impossible to do, and it takes years of preparing before facing off with such a creature, and even then very few would return alive, and even fewer with proof of slaying such beast.

"Do we have a deal..?" smirked the man.

Bozz glanced up into the trees, the archers ready to let loose their arrows at him at any given moment. He then glanced back at the man, clenching his teeth before taking the scroll presented to him.

The man turned, smiling to himself as he called off his men.

"Come, we have much to discuss."

Bozz followed the man as he led him to where he and his men had set up camp. He dismounted his horse and followed him into his tent, which was surprisingly larger than the rest and had a table at the center.

"Please, sit." Smiled the man as he was already seated.

The knight pulled out an old wooden chair and sat down stiffly. The table was scattered with maps and quills, ink blots and stains clearly visible on the worn wood, and various pages of notes laid about, some scattered onto the floor.

"Before we start to discuss about plans of baiting and trapping the dragon, I'd like to introduce myself. I am Francis de Fucir. I have traveled from Spain with my men, following any leads that will take us to rich and fortune. I offer those who are worthy to my cause to join me in the hunt for riches and to make a name for themselves. My men and I call ourselves, El Tratado de Libre, the free. We are bound to no man or his rules."

The knight chuckled quietly under his breath. Francis took notice and furrowed his brows at him.

"What is so funny?"

The knight looked up at the pacing man, Speaking in a calm steadily tone. "You claim you are not bound to any man or his rules, and yet you have the nerve to capture me and bound me to you, using me as a simple tool to getting closer to what you desire."

Francis paused as he looked over at the knight. "I was kind enough to let you live, and even more so I am willing to reward you for your service. You should be gracious to me."

Before the knight could reply, Francis leaned over on the table, looking down at his plans.

We will be traveling north into the mountains."

As he spoke he slid a map before him, moving his figure along a path he had marked.

"There, we will find many caves and caverns, the perfect breeding grounds for dragons."

"And what do you have to gain from slaying these beasts?" voiced the knight.

"There is logic to my madness good knight. Dragons are renowned for hoarding tremendous amounts of treasure. Gold, jewels, and anything that happens to catch their eyes. When they are within season, they would use these objects to attract females and weave these treasures into their nests, and where there are nests, there is treasure." Grinned Francis gleefully.

Bozz stared at the little man, bemusement in his eyes.

"Is that all."

Francis grinned happily. "I knew." As he spoke, he leaned onto the table, holding himself up with one hand as he pointed at the knight.

"I knew when I saw you, you where the man for the job. Now," continued Francis as he now stood up strait with his hands folded behind his back. "There are only three ways in baiting these dragons, so that they may lead us to these nests-"

Before Francis could finish, one of his men burst into the tent, standing up straight and alert.

"Apologizes for the intrusion Sir, some men and I have captured a woman who was found sneaking around near the perimeters. We need you to decide what must be done with her."

"A woman?" questioned Francis devilishly.

When Bozz heard a woman being mentioned, he stiffened a bit.

"Yes, she was found not far from a horse and wagon. She seemed to be collecting logs." Reported the man.

"Show me to her." ordered Francis, his face contorted into a lust driven smirk.

"Apologizes dear knight, this will only take a moment-"Before Francis could exist the tent, the knight held him in place with a heavy hand upon his shoulder. Francis turned his head to meet the knight's cold eyes. At that moment, his man had already drew his sword, and was now holding it in a distressful manner.

"I will be joining you." Spoke the knight simply.

Francis smiled sheepishly as he nodded, gulping as the fear that pricked him was still very fresh in his veins.

"Of course, do as you please, you need to only ask dear knight.."

Bozz released him, and Francis steadied and straightened himself.

"Put that away!" ordered Francis towards his man as the two exited the tent with Bozz stalking quietly close behind.

This chapter was a bit longer, so yay! but i left it on a cliff hanger.. DON'T KILL ME! O_O