"Tell me about him," Primrose says, casting a sidelong glance at Olberic as they walk. The dawn has just barely broken, turning the sky a thousand shades of pink and pale golden, but even in the dim light of early morning she could see the slight shift in his expression. "I'd heard of both of you, you know, long before I met you: the fabled Twin Blades of Hornburg. My father used to tell me of your deeds when I was a girl. Even far in the north your names were spoken reverently."

He exhales loudly, raising his hands in mock exasperation. "Bedtime stories, Prim? Really? Gods above. Have you seen my cane laying around? I've grown so forgetful in my advanced years, I seem to have misplaced it."

She shoves at him lightly, her eyes crinkled with amusement. "Don't make fun, it's true! I must admit I had you on a bit of a pedestal back then. You and Erhardt were the object of many a girl's dreams...though I'm quite sure you know that." She steps back, running her eyes up and down his large frame with a small smile quirking the corner of her lips. "The sketches did not do you justice, I have to say."

"I'll take your word for it," he replies, smiling. "Women used to chase after Erhardt relentlessly. Not that they had to chase too hard, mind you, he was always quite happy to be caught."

"Shocking. Young, handsome, famous, and a philanderer? I am shaken to my core, truly." Primrose grins, fluttering her eyelashes at him. "And you?"

Olberic shrugs, his eyes scanning the empty road ahead of them. "I had my occasional...encounters. They never meant anything, though. I was more concerned with training. Until I met Alfyn, Erhardt was the only man I ever knew who could drink me under the table, but his true talent was the sword. He was a force of nature with a sword in his hand. He and I were very close in skill and it galled me to lose, even to him. Especially to him."

She smiles up at him. "Well, I am terribly grateful that none of your 'encounters' were enough to distract you from your duty. Their loss is most certainly my gain." She slips her arm through his, squeezing his bicep affectionately.

The knight laughs and presses a kiss to her forehead. "I am glad that you think so, old and decrepit as I am."

She shoves at him again and they walk in silence for a time, deep in thought. The silhouette of several buildings surrounding a faint shimmer appears in the distance: Wellspring was slowly coming into view. "What is the plan?"

He frowns, shading his eyes and peering off to the south. The road had been remarkably clear thus far, but their luck would not hold out forever. "I don't know. I honestly don't know what to expect. The faster we find him and get this done, the better."

She nods. "I've not been down this way in a few years. Helgenish usually kept us close." She still could not say his name without disgust bleeding into her voice. She doubted she ever would. "Occasionally, we would be loaned out for events. There is a sizeable black market near the oasis here. Lots of money to be had. I'm sure Therion would deny all knowledge of it."

Olberic chuckles but doesn't comment.

She gazes at him thoughtfully for a moment before continuing, "That is an idea. I could do some asking, see what I can stir up."

"No," he says. His voice is deadly calm.

"Olberic, it might be your only chance to take him unaware."

"No. I will not send you in there alone." He frowns, stopping in his tracks and turning to face her.

"Listen to me, please. Let me help you in this. He is going to see you coming from a mile away, how could he not? You cannot go marching around, shaking down every resident looking for answers, as much as I would enjoy watching you do it." She slips her arms around his waist, tilting her head back to search his eyes. "He knows you. He doesn't know me."

"What do you suggest?" he asks, shifting his weight.

"You get out of sight, I go to the tavern. They have a stage, they have alcohol. If Erhardt is not already there, I can suss out someone who knows where to find him." He tenses in her arms and she presses closer to him, forcing him to look down and meet her gaze. "Let me help you in this. You don't need to do this by yourself, you're not alone."

"I will not dangle you like bait while I skulk in the shadows," he growls.

"But I dangle so prettily," she replies, a well-practiced pout on her rosebud lips.

"This is not a game, Primrose. I've already watched him murder my king and my countrymen. If he lays a hand on you..." He clenches his jaw, staring past her. "I won't lose you, too. No. We do this my way, even if it means cutting my way through every man standing between us."

She raises a hand to caress the faint scar on his temple and he glances down at her, his expression softening slightly at her gentle touch. "I'm not going anywhere, lover. It will take a lot more than Erhardt to take me from your side."

He tucks a stray curl behind her ear and nods, making his decision. "Together, then. But we do things my way."

She raises herself on her toes, brushing his lips with a soft kiss. "Yes, sir."


All morning they heard the same story a dozen different ways.

"Lord Erhardt? He's a hero! Stood between us and a score of them lizard men, town would have burned without him!"

"Oh aye, I know him. Everyone does. Wellspring owes him a debt we can never repay."

"Mm, sure, we all know Lord Erhardt. He doesn't come into town much, I'm sorry to say. We'd love to see more of him. I could tell you anything you'd like, perhaps over a drink?" The scantily clad woman leans in close, her cloying perfume stinging his nose. Olberic pulls away from her, wracking his brain for a polite refusal when Primrose slides between them, a dangerous glint in her amber eyes.

"Move along, he's not buying what you're selling," she says bluntly.

The other woman hesitates, opening her mouth to argue until Olberic slips his hand around Primrose's midriff, pulling her close to him possessively.

"Thank you for the assistance, miss. You've been most helpful," the knight nods dismissively, turning his full attention to Primrose.

The local woman smiles at the warrior and sneaks a final glance at the glowering dancer in his arms but opts not to reply, bobbing a quick curtsy and taking her leave. Once she is out of earshot, Olberic releases the laughter he's been holding back. The dancer turns to face him, arching her eyebrow with a smirk. "Something amusing?"

"Never change, Prim." She scoffs at him and he grins down at her, clasping her hand and leading her out of the tavern and onto the street. He does his level best to ignore the stares from the soldiers and citizens as they pass by, though he cannot resist leaving his hand on the small of Primrose's back as they stroll towards the inn. The low-slung belt of hammered gold discs chime softly as her hips sway in that effortlessly seductive saunter of hers. Even off the stage she drew covetous eyes wherever she went, and the normally stoic knight was far from immune to her allure. He was about to suggest a brief respite at the inn when a pair of men step directly into their path, driving the butts of their spears into the dirt.

"Oi, hold up there you two. You the ones who've been questioning people about Lord Erhardt?" one of them demands.

Olberic steps in front of Primrose reflexively, his stance wary. "Who's asking?"

"This is them, they fit the description," the other guard mutters.

"What do you want with Lord Erhardt?" the first man asks.

The knight considers his options briefly. More guards are closing in, drawn by the growing crowd of onlookers. While cutting through the lot of them would be little trouble for him, he was more than a little curious at the reverent tone the villagers had all taken when speaking about his former brother-in-arms, and he recognized that if he took an aggressive stance now, he would likely have to fight through every man standing to get to the one he sought. These people were innocent and he had no desire to visit violence upon them. The truth, then, or at least a part of it, he decides. "Erhardt is an old friend. We fought together years ago. I'd heard he was in the area so I thought to see for myself."

The guards looked at each other in surprise, relaxing almost instantly. "Well why didn't you say so!" the first man exclaims. "His Lordship isn't around right now, he doesn't come to town often these days. Lizard men, you know. Captain Bale can direct you to him, most likely. Come along, we'll take you to him."

Olberic glances back at Primrose who lifts one shoulder in a shrug and takes her place at his side again. They fall into step behind the pair of amiably chatting guardsmen and make their way up the street towards a long building at the far end of the oasis. Once inside, they are quickly presented to Captain Bale, a neatly attired man of medium stature. The guards explain the situation and Bale dismisses them, offering refreshment to his guests with a smile.

"You'll have to forgive them for accosting you in such a way, my Lord. Our Lord Erhardt is something of a local legend, the people here are very protective of him. You made quite a few people nervous today, asking after him the way you did." Bale sits on the edge of his desk, eyeing the big man curiously. "He's not here, as I'm sure you've heard by now."

"Just so," Olberic replies evenly. "He would be hard to miss if he was."

"Indeed. One need only look for the cluster of swooning women to know when he's come to visit. I suspect more than half of the outrage this morning came from jealous tavern wenches when they got a look at your friend here. No offense intended, m'lady," he adds quickly, glancing at Primrose. "He's a particular favorite among the ladies. I'd be lying if I said we all weren't a bit jealous, but it's just how he is."

"So I've heard. They have nothing to worry about, Captain. Rest assured, I have absolutely no designs on Erhardt." She crosses her legs and leans back in her chair, running her eyes meaningfully over Olberic and taking a slow sip of her tea.

Bale clears his throat, his eyes flicking back and forth between the pair. "I see. Well, that will surely ease the tension a bit! You two caused quite a stir. So. My men inform me that you and his Lordship are old friends. Is he expecting you to come calling, or...?" He lets the question hang in the air.

"Erhardt and I lost touch many years ago. I expect this visit will come as something of a surprise," Olberic says, choosing his words carefully.

Bale nods slowly. "I see." He crosses his arms over his chest, watching the knight closely. "Not all surprises are pleasant, though. Before I tell you any more, I'd like to know why you're really here, Lord Olberic. Yes, I know who you are. I may be stuck in this backwater, but I am not unaware of the world around me and men the like of the Twin Blades of Hornburg only come along once in a generation, if that. I am not a fool. Speak truthfully: why are you here, why now?"

Olberic is about to respond when the door bursts open, admitting a new pair of soldiers. "Captain Bale! Captain, you're needed at once!"

Bale and Olberic are on their feet in an instant, hands at their swords. "Report," the captain commands.

"Those beasts sir, they're swarming. I've never seen numbers like this. They've kicked up a dust storm over the western hill, they're coming right at the town!"

Bale grimaces. "Where is Lord Erhardt, has anyone seen him?"

The guard shifts nervously from foot to foot. "He's in the caves, sir. Alone. He came back to warn us that they were mustering and then made for the nests. Said he'd cut right to the source this time, stop them for good and all."

"Brand preserve him," Bale mutters. "He'll be overwhelmed. Rally the men, we need to throw everything we have at these monsters. All hands."

One of the men dashes out the door to relay his orders. Olberic steps forward, his hand on his sword hilt. "I am at your disposal, Captain, if you wish to have me. I swear on my sword to protect the people of this town with my life if needs be."

The captain claps a hand on the knight's shoulder with a grim smile. "Honored to have you with us, Lord Olberic. Truly." He turns back to his remaining guards, his voice steady and clear as he begins issuing commands. "We depart immediately. Sound the alarm." He marches through the door without a backward glance, Primrose and Olberic at his heels.