It was yet another sunny day when the Nightblade awoke from his nightmare-ridden sleep. He checked for his wounds only to find that they had been healed.
"Easy. I've healed your wounds. You are safe," Merry said in a calm, soothing voice.
"Good," the Nightblade responded, getting out of the straw bed.
"What is your name? I'm Merry."
"My name is Wilhelm. Where am I? And where is the rest of your party?"
"They're out on a mission and you're in the Volunteer Soldiers' housing," Merry replied.
"It's been a while since I've lived here. Let's go to my house," Wilhelm said.
"Your house?" Merry asked with a confused look on her face.
"Yes, my house. Our parties are some of the richest in this area. At least we were..." Wilhelm replied, visibly upset.
"What happened?" Merry asked.
"My party shared a large house with another that we occasionally went on missions with but they were killed a few months back. And as for my party...They're still in that cave I came out of," Wilhelm explained.
"Are any of them alive?" Merry asked.
"Maybe," Wilfred said, "But I'm going to find out soon. Let's go. Hand me my sword."
While he got dressed, Merry unsheathed the blade and inspected it. It was an expensive backsword, with redwood grips, a wire hand guard, and an ever so slightly curved blade. The other edge of it had been sharpened about a quarter of the way down for use in thrusting attacks.
"A fine weapon," Merry commented before handing it back to him.
"It's served me well," Wilhelm said, "Let's go."
The walk to Wilhelm's house was uneventful, and few words were spoken between them. This did give Merry plenty of time to look him up and down, though. At 1.75m tall with a slim muscular build, a strong jaw, piercing green eyes, and blond hair, he was a looker, at least, that was what she thought. She had to admit, he was the best looking out of all the guys in the group, but her heart was still set on Haru.
It only took another few minutes for them to arrive at his house. It was obvious that this had previously been a tavern/inn. The first floor, save for a few rooms, was exclusively a bar and kitchen area, and the second was a hallway with living quarters on both sides and a treasure room/armory at the end.
After leading her inside, Wilhelm turned to Merry and said, "We're going to go back to that cave soon. And we're gonna kill every last goblin that stands in the way of finding my friends, dead or alive."
The fire she saw burning in his eyes was so very bright, filled with righteousness...and towering rage.