Thanks for all the reviews folks! Please tell me what you think of this next little chapter.

Kayla Silvermoon-XOXO-FIRST REVIEWER! Hugs you.

Duo Yuy-Chang- Yay! Lookee here, I followed your words…;-)

Cerulean Waters-Yeah, I've thought to make Hilde a stabilizing figure in this fic. Poor Duo…the last of the elves suddenly thrusted into an unfamiliar world…well, he just needed something solid in his new life.

Tortured Artist 666-Good? Really? MY WORK? I think I died and went to heaven.

o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Shin!"

"Yes?" Duo said, lazily polishing a blade as he sat in a chair near the warm fireplace.

"What have I told you about polishing my kitchen knives in front of customers?"

"…" Duo thought for a moment, and then flipped it in the air, a deadly blur of metal, and caught it with ease, neatly grasping the handle with a quick flick of his fingers. "It makes them uncomfortable."

"Exactly!" Hilde declared, "So put it away."

"But," Duo protested, his face wearing a charming pout, although it was concealed by the black hood and cloak he always wore, "I'm bored! And I already swept the floor, fed the horses…"

"Sing and dance, or tell a story then." Hilde said. "We could use the entertainment."

"…what?"

"Relax, Shin. It's a joke." She laughed in amusement at the stunned, indignant, words Duo managed to sputter.

"More beer!" Someone called out, and Hilde immediately bustled away, heading over with a fresh, foaming mug of the alcoholic beverage.

Duo sighed, and stood up. He had needed an excuse to listen to the conversations in the bar, as drunken and loose tongues often revealed little secrets, information that he needed to carry out revenge for the near genocide of his race, but now it looked like he would need to find another excuse. The inn mistress had gave him a permanent job, where he was second-in-command of the inn. He admired the way Hilde had put her trust in him, and made sure that for the week he'd stayed so far would be the one of the more relaxing ones for the busy inn mistress.

Ah, Hilde. Duo thought with a wince. She'd already demolished a rather impressive list of excuses. He was going to have to think up of another set soon if he wanted his revenge before the culprit died peacefully of old age.

Faintly, sounds of footsteps and coarse voices reached his sensitive ears, and he was alert, hand unconsciously in a ready position to flick out the dagger hidden up his sleeve as the door flew wide open, helped along by a kick. He relaxed slightly as only a group of common soldiers, evidently looking for some evening entertainment, came in. Seeing that Hilde was busy, Duo came over to the group of men.

"Would you like anything?" He said, well aware that the roaming groups of soldiers often meant trouble. Hilde had told him of several rather expensive episodes of encounters like these before.

"A round of beer and roast beef." One of the soldiers roared, his order enthusiastically approved by his comrades, "Fetch it quick, we don't like to be kept waiting, do we boys?" A chorus of "No" responded.

Tapping his foot in thought, the black-cloaked figure nodded briefly.

"Very well." Duo replied blandly, still sounding polite as he sneered internally at the arrogance of the disorganized lot. They barely looked like they knew any trace of discipline. Turning away, he made sure to pass by Hilde, and tapped her twice on her arm as he walked towards the kitchen. The two taps was their unspoken code for trouble, and the calm tilt of her head as she peeked at the newcomers out of the corner of her eye showed that she understood.

You just got to love that girl. Duo smirked as he grabbed a cook's attention. Her bold nerve was a welcome change from the usual meek human girls, mewling and helpless. If any of the soldiers started acting up, they would be in for some serious trashing from the steely, but cute, inn mistress.

He calmly held up the tray of beer and roast beef easily with one hand, managing to balance the awkward load with natural ease as he went to serve the soldiers himself. No sense in sticking in a hapless waitress among a crude bunch such as those soldiers. Hopefully, his presence would keep their drunken tempers and wandering hands somewhat in control. And if they didn't…Duo allowed a feral gleam to flash in his eyes. He wouldn't mind some fighting practice tonight.

By the time he returned to the bar, the soldiers had claimed the cozy fireside table for themselves, trading crude jokes. As he came nearer, he caught whispers of conversation.

"…won't stand for it…"

"Damn the bloody rebels…"

"Heard they destroyed an entire legion…"

"…more like a base…"