- Diarmuid -

There was no sign of life. I suggest we take a gander at the back where the workers might be. Surely, there was some sort of lounge for the employees, and maybe that could guide us in the proper direction of what to do. The Lady agrees, hops over the counter, her nightgown sliding off her slender frame. Her dainty hands fix the clothing, and her gander caught my observing eyes. I was to apologize for my ogling, but she fixates on something past me.

"Oh no," She says, and disappears quickly past, me following with a sigh.

It had been quite some time since I came across someone as daring as she. It was hard to figure her out. Just a night prior, she had been cowering from me, but now the strange Lady was directly including herself in dangerous matters. An interesting woman she was indeed.

Pushing the wooden door fully open, I spy her on her knees and taking special care of the tender. Kneeling beside her, I find the man, who collapsed, appearing uninjured.

"Is he alright?" I ask, as his labored breathing was the only tell he was alive. Around him, utensils for the kitchen lay scattered about.

Hales turns his head and points to his jugular, "Look at this," She states, drawing my eyes to his pale skin.

Unable to get a clear visual, I kneel down, and inspect what her index finger lays on. "Teeth marks— more of those familiars you spoke of?"

The young woman nods, "This is bad. He won't wake up unless we find the specific creature that did this and kill it. And that's only if the thing had not already drained him completely…" Her eyes travel the man from head to toe, "He doesn't seem sucked dry, so that's good."

I nod, "Alright, but first, let us check in our allies. If this man had been targeted, I worry for the Fianna and your lady friend."

There was concern dancing in her expression as she rose to her feet. "Yeah...shall we separate, then?"

I shake my head side-to-side, "We should not, let us remain together, as we do not know what we are up against."

She meets my hardened gaze, "Okay, then."

Good, it would be problematic if she disagreed and fell victim to these creatures. There was value in her knowledge of these things.

Taking a final glance of the surroundings—deeming there were no more familiars—we stroll towards the living quarters at the uppermost part of the tavern. To our dismay, knock after knock only brought our fears to life. Every corridor we travel reveals drained, pale faces of our comrades to our attention.

"Who would do such a thing?" I say through gritted teeth, looking for any sign of those nasty vermin but come up empty. Did they swallow their fill and retreat to the catacombs they were brewed?

I look to Hales for answers, but she only taps her foot in what I could only assume was frustration. Her top teeth nestle her lower lip, eyebrows knitting together as if thinking deeply about what has occurred.

"It's… weird, Sir Diarmuid. The victims, they, they aren't sucked dry… but they should be," her foot flaps faster against the creaking wood beneath, "It does not make sense… it's as if—" she trails off, eyes finally meeting mine as I raise my brows in question.

"As if—what?"

"They left in a hurry. Only drank their fill and then, well, just left. And to find… no one awake so quickly…"

"Then they had been waiting just for the moment all were asleep." I finish for her, and she nods her head in agreement.

"It would explain why they haven't gotten us, at least. We were the only ones able to sense their presence," Hales falls back into silence as she scans the room another time, "but if that's the case, how do we find and kill them all to help our friends?"

Indeed, that was a troubling matter. If they had already scurried outside the Inn, we were in deep water attempting to rescue any of the fallen. What was peculiar was how quickly they had retreated, as well. Sure, there were quite the amount of halls to travel to check each room, but we had not taken that much time gathering information.

Surely we would have seen something amiss in our scouting by now.

Hales must have had the same thought as I, as she pins a spot on the ceiling with her stare and directs my attention to whatever she spots. It takes me a moment before I lock on to what she's pointed out, and hiss a breath. For there, tucked between cracked boards was a plank losing its hold. An empty hole just large enough for bats to squeeze in and out of unnoticed.

"If… if someone had sent these creatures to attack the Fianna, then their Master must be somewhere nearby, the bats with them." She states clearly, puffing up her chest to muster some sense of bravery.

"There must be a way to whatever cabin lies there," I start, already making my way towards the exit: quiet feet trailing behind me. "I might be asking much of you Milady, but are you capable of guarding my back?"

The Lady let out an irritated scoff behind me, a dim light from a candle she must have whisked away from the tables in the room contrasting with the torches lining the walls. "I think so," she replies rather quietly, and I peer over my shoulder to see her alert expression.

It was enough. Had to be. For there was not enough time to deliberate or concern myself with her ability. It was not as if I could not take on assailants on my own even without my weapons, but rather having her eye for those peculiar things would at least allow me to focus on the issue at hand with ease.

We make our way down the halls just before the staircase, alert for anything else… amyss. If the creatures travel through the slants in the walls above then…

My arm swings out, blocking the Lady's path. Malice drags in the air, steaming with fury that I have experienced many times before from different enemies. It lingers in the shadows and I shut my eyes trying to place where it leaks from.

"Magic…" Hales whispers into my shoulder.

Indeed.

I see it as it seems the woman senses it seconds before I, as the dark cloak plummets from the man's body to the floor. The Lady and I both react, as we both knock the other out of the way. The candle rolls on the floor, extinguishing in its fall and the Assassin staggers where we once stood.

His blade turns to me wildly but accurately, slicing past my torso and nicking skin. An opening I purposefully gave to slam my curled hands to the bare of his back. My knee meets his unguarded belly before grasping his arm and tossing him to the side.

"An invisibility cloak," I mutter, glancing at Hales bewildered expression before approaching the slumping man at the wall, "Not quite original."

He blends in perfectly with the darkness falling around us in the dark garbs that he wears. He spits at my feet, his drenched locks clinging to his thick brows. "You—"

Not taking the bait to the obvious provocation, I balance on my haunches. His scarred face is inches from mine, "Cure my brethren, her friend, and might you leave with your head still attached." I say, my voice like hardened steel.

He barely bats an eyelash, "Go fuck yourself, and the whore while you're at it."

Hales snickers, and I withhold my anger just a bit longer. This man had the key to the lives of our friends and killing him does nothing for them. He must know this, which is why he holds his tongue.

The Lady strolls over, hands slamming on to her hips. "One, I am not a whore, two," She spares me a look before continuing, "Not interested in him even if I was one, and three," she grabs him by the at the collar of his cape, "Release them from the familiars! The Knights of the Fianna and my friend do not deserve this!"

Well all be damned. Never thought I would see the day I was so blatantly rejected, but I digress, I will take the sword to my pride later. This wretched smile curses the lips of the man in black. That was magical energy swirling around his person, and even the brunette staggers back.

I could only presume he was toying with us, as he manages to break down into ash, his laughter bouncing off the walls. Instinct alone had me whirling against dark tendrils and catching the blade aimed for my back in hand. He was swifter than before, as I duck away from his next slash.

Smoky wind embraces me, clinging so tightly my breath whisks away. Despite his murky grip—I thrash about, pressing against whatever holds his magic has against me. My lungs blare for air and I take a staggering step sideways to avoid another deathly plunge from this master of shadows.

I hiss at the sting of sharp steel splitting my shoulder open while my opposite elbow vibrates on impact with the bastards jaw. Cracking of teeth echoes in the corridor but I spare no time with guilt. He also didn't seem interested in entertaining mercy as the darkness surrounding me coils tight as a snake, binding me in place.

My name is shrill on Hales lips, as I strain against the restrictions—and a glimmer of silver whistles through the air.

Like an arrow meeting its target: the knife id given the lady finds its home in the man's cheek. To my damned surprise the sound he emits was nothing human—and the streak of red never surfaces.

Instead, the ropes of shadow strangling me evaporate like mist granting my lungs the much needed oxygen. The man performs a vanishing act as he breaks down into dust. The clang of iron rings in my ears as I dive for the culinary weapon before the Assassin regenerates himself.

Only, he does not appear again. The malice once haunting the Inn recedes with him, leaving me and the Lady staring at each other with confusion.

"Where did—" Hales started, just before that malignancy slaps my senses.

I was upon him before he could slice. Before he could impale the woman's—whose head barely turns—exposed back.

With force strong as a bull, I wedge the blade so deep in his heart it snaps. Both Hales and the shattered weapon hit the floor, the Assassin bellowing that strange cry before dissipating into smoke. My breath barely catches, as I spy the woman's blinking features.

Her palm finds its place over her heart, "My Gods…close, too close!" She shakes her head.

A bemused smile captures my lips, "Even so, my lady, you surprise me with your forthrightness."

Hales looks exasperated, and before the retort ejects from her mouth I extend my hand. Her crystal blue eyes study the gesture before she grasps it firmly in hers. It's incredible how much smaller and softer her hand is on my own before she drops it.

Behind us, a door swings open, air rushing out as Oisin's glare frantically scans the hallway. "What in the world just happened?"

I exchange a look of disbelief with the Lady before approaching the Lord and scan him head to toe, "You… are you alright?"

Oisin runs his shaky fingers through the long, auburn locks that curl at his shoulders, "Fine, after somethin' bit me neck."

Hales interjects to ascertain the condition of her friend and I give her a subtle nod of the head. While she attends to the Lady, I dissolve the events to Fionn's son while gathering the Fianna to lobby. A person tends to my shallow wounds, ones I almost forgot were even there. Whatever transpired here tonight was worthy of note, and further investigation, not the minor blemishes I sufficed.

That man might have disappeared—the residents of the Inn all rising—my suspicions tell me there is more to this than meets the eye. The Knights respectfully agree. There have been quite a few… mishaps as of late and now we seem to be the target, or at the very least, a part of it.

While we discuss, I relay Hales' heroic involvement; to which my fellow comrades agree we are in her debt for. Had she not discovered the familiars, well, I do not wish to think what end might have come to my brethren, tonight.

The woman occupying my thoughts arrives, her lady friend is alongside her (who offers me a wink) and I force a smile. The endeavor with the blonde was certainty… pleasant but alas, I held no interest in pursuing anything with her. It was my word that I was to keep that night, nothing more. I would hope she knew, though I'm accustomed to gently breaking hearts.

Might this be the reason Hales' lack of interest in me is so high? It at least explains the dismissive attitude. I did bed her friend, after all. The question was whether she is jealous over it due to the magic of the mole, or disgusted by it because she is unaffected by it. If I could only get her to sit and talk with me on the matter. Though, I presume it is of little importance at this time, to both her and I.

When the two women approach, Hales eyes widen as each Knight of the Fianna she passes by thumps her back repeatedly in triumph and thanks.

They holler simultaneously, bringing about the cheeriest of smiles I've seen the girl wear yet. It's a sweet thing on her light skin, and contrasts so brightly to those glacier blue orbs. She truly is—

"It twas nothing, surely Sir Diarmuid deserves your cheers of victory more so! He did defeat the intruder, after all." She says with a cheeky grin, pulling her night robe closer to her person.

"Ai, both of you shall be rewarded." The Innkeeper stated, idly dropping into our crowd. His tall, bulky form towers over Hales, as he slips coins into the palm he gently took from her linens.

Hales sputters, "I-I cannot accept this. Really, I have done nothing I would not have done without it." She tries to grab the Keeper's wrist but —Briscella, was it—clamps her hand onto her shoulder, jutting her back.

"She is a kind, bashful thing. Of course she shall accept." She leans down and whispers something in Hales ear that reddens her cheeks before she subtly nods in agreement to the reward.

Accepting my own share, I close the distance between myself and the two women. "I am glad Lady Briscella is safe, might you both have a pleasant night." I lean over in an appreciative bow, stifling my laugh as Hales blanches and Briscella swoons.

Turning to leave, Hales palms my bicep and nestles her lower lip with her top teeth, "Thanks for… well, for saving me. You… sleep soundly… safely I mean, oh!" I enjoy seeing her fluster, Briscella's giggling only adding to the amusement, "Ah, forget it. Good night, Sir Diarmuid," she huffs then let's her lips circle into a soft smile, "I hope the Fianna rest well, too."

Before I can reply she's already jetting off to her quarters, only pausing to observe her friend lean close to me, hushing into my ear, "She's adorable, isn't she? But you are far more beautiful."

My eyebrows shoot up at the questionable compliment but she only snickers and prances off to join Hales. She even manages to earn a slap to the arm before they're off down the halls and no longer in sight.

Well, tonight has definitely exceeded my expectations of what to expect at our little stay in the tavern. With what is happening in distant and close lands, this remarkable woman, and that man controlling familiars—I make my own questionable decision of what I am to do next to repay the woman for her help rescuing my comrades.

- Haley -

Sun peeking at me through the window, I stir in bed, tossing the duvet over my frayed locks. I am so not in the mood for morning given the spectacle I took part in last night. I was so riled up with adrenaline that I finished one of the books Sir Diarmuid lent me and that was so few in between my wake now.

It didn't help seeing that Knight in danger, and the Knife I planted in someone's face kept my mind wandering. Witnessing death from the hands of another first hand was not all that comforting, either. It had to be done, I know that. If not, it would seem the Fianna and Briscella would have been captive to the familiars' bite for a lifetime.

Still, I fear that whaling sound will haunt my dreams for quite some time.

At least the Fianna were… nice. I never felt so highly regarded before. I convince myself that their positive attitudes are a direct result of their gratitude, but still, it's a welcome feeling just the same. To actually be treated so kindly...by the Knights and even Diarmuid...I could not appreciate it more.

Sighing into the pillows I flop side to side like a damn fish out of water before I slam my feet to the floor. Sleepless nights follow me anyway. Briscella shouldn't have to tend to the horses at the stables by her lonesome. That declaration in mind, I gather the rest of my things into my satchel, gather the books and stomp out of our room.

—

I still when I reach the stallions at the stables, for there, resting his back to the wall—is Sir Diarmuid. He seems to be chatting with Briscella and my hairs bristle. Just what is with that man's persistence?

Of course the older woman is chatting away with him, her opal dress flowing in the warm, summer breeze. I slide my hands into my own dress's pockets and feint nonchalance as I stroll over. I try to sport a look of casualness though my heart's pounding rivals that of a horse's stampeding hooves.

"Oh, Hales! Sir Diarmuid had the most wonderful suggestion, I was quite tempted to oblige, though I have not accepted in respect for your wishes," she twirls a lock of her golden hair around her index finger, "But I definitely incline you to agree."

Swallowing my apprehension, I study Diarmuid's lax, charming smile. It probably won the hearts of women a plenty, but me, it's a plain nuisance. "And what is that?"

Diarmuid clears his throat, but that smile never wavers. Ugh. "Milady tells me you two are traveling as far Ulster—and unaccompanied, if I do recall. With the… issues surfacing in the path in which you both travel, I offer my service to escort you both. Free of charge, of course, in respects to your efforts last evening."

Whatever control I held over my features fades into the wind as I barely manage to say through grinding my teeth, "No."

He slowly blinks, the only crack in his own stoic demeanor, but Briscella interjects, "Hales! Do not be so rude!"

She thrusts her hands in my face and nudges me back, grips my arms like a life-line and drags me away.

I feel so betrayed. I told the woman earlier I was not interested in the company of any of the Knights of the Fianna. Especially Diarmuid who's rumored to be witty, and already expresses way too much interest in my affairs. It was downright dangerous including a Knight so renown in our travels with my bounty in place, no matter how charming he is.

Yes, the Warrior has been nothing but generous and even saved my life—and I will admit to myself that even though I reject his company—it's not terrible. But how long would such casualness last? What would happen If he were to learn of the lies spread about me and believed them to be truth? He may already have heard of it and have his suspicions. Want to place a face to the claim and…

...and deliver me to the one place I swore I'd never return. I'd allow death to shield me first.

Briscella takes my hand in hers and breaks me from the inner turmoil thundering in my chest. "Hales, I understand, believe me I do, your worry is nothing short but understandable. But eluding Diarmuid is possible with your gifts so far away from the Fianna. We can easily slip away in the night if we believe him to be trouble. But lass, if he accompanies us we can go the quicker route. The ends justify the means."

"You sure this is not you still infatuated?" I grind out, darting my eyes to the dirt beneath my boots in shame. That was a low blow, even for me. "Sorry, your actions as of late just have been… getting to me."

She shakes her head, that sunshine colored hair swaying. She has it tied up today, "It is fine. I know these few days I have been aloof, but with good reason I suggest this. And clearly—despite your better judgement—it seems Diarmuid has taken quite a liking to you."

"And that's the problem!" It's so difficult to keep from shouting, "Briscella, I can read his intent. He is fishing for…something I do not know." I risk glancing his way before staring into a face determined to rival my own, "I… do not want to be hurt, I do not want to be returned to that living hell we just barely managed to escape from."

Briscella sucks her tooth before sighing, "I know. But it is a risk we should take. The longer it takes to make it to Ulster, the more word will spread of you, the more chances someone can recognize you, the more possible it may be for someone else with ambition greedy for gold to fill it. At least we can count on the chivalry of a Knight, and the favors he owes to keep him on a short leash."

"You're despicable." I blurt, my shoulders sagging along with my resilience.

"Always, my dear." She says and I murder her with my glare, and fidget on my feet. I really don't want to drag Diarmuid alongside us, not when he is poking in his nose in my business.

Why else would he be even volunteering? I cannot simply believe it is because he likes me. No, a Knight of his stature would not look my way and even if he was—that love-spot business only solidifies he isn't entirely trustworthy. Just thinking about Briscella and that other woman's actions that night still nags at me.

I want to decline, rid myself of that nosy, obnoxiously handsome man. But taking another glimpse of him waiting there, eyebrows raised and his head tilt to the side in question, I sigh emphatically.

Maybe his charm spell is diluting my thoughts too , I think, as I drag my attention back to Briscella's patient, but expecting stare.

I am going to regret this. I am legit, going to regret this. But maybe having extra protection with the madness we experienced last evening and might encounter along the way would prove to be worthwhile. Maybe my unease directed to the Knight is misplaced. Might he genuinely wish to help us, it may be beneficial.

Teach us the ways to be strong and true like him.

What were the chances that a bounty from a neighboring country would reach this far away so quickly anyway?

Defeated, I nod. "We keep Diarmuid out of our private affairs," I state, as Briscella's countenance brightens. "And the moment we reach close to our destination, we cut our ties."

She waves her hand dismissively, "Of course. I did not intend to keep him with us—"

"And I swear to the Gods, you shall not, will not, lie with that man again."

Briscella whistles, "You wound me, that love-spot was strong magic. Your lovely might enough to sway it away in the tide. I am uninterested in sharing that man's bed again. Though, dare I say—a good fuck like that is hard to come by. I envy the woman who gets to keep him."

If I could rinse my ears of her proud indecency, the Lord's of Ireland all knew no ocean could cleanse them. And yet I do nothing but laugh at this silly thing; her merriment joining my guffawing.

"I...I cannot with you, I swear," I manage to say through jagged breaths, "But now that you mention it. He… I do not believe he knows you are no longer under that wretched spell, so tread with caution. I suppose, act as if you are still taken by him. Don't want him to be suspicious."

"Oh that will be easy, he truly is a fine man to look upon, and I am naturally a flirt. Win-win for you." Her signature wink leaves me shaking my head, before Sir Diarmuid leisurely joins us.

I take one last look to her scoundrel face, still beautifully lit with freckles and plump, red lips, then turn my attention to the equally handsome man before us.

"Briscella sways me," I start, offering my hand to the First Knight who graciously takes mine in his. My azure hue locks with hazel that is joined by this enchanting raise of his lips. I offer him my own dazzling grin.

"Please, join us, Knight of the Fianna, and protect us on our journey."

oooooooooooo

I still cannot believe I chose to write this in first person. A style I once loved but now realize why others believe it to be a pain. I hope the swapping in between character perspectives is not too off-putting, but writing it this way I think is a good way to show off their personalities. Hehe.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! This is quite fun a tale for me to write.