Night had officially fallen as we made our way through the town and towards the ironsmith's home. Only a few lights still shined throughout the town, candles left burning a while longer on windowsills and the warm glows of fireplaces from within family homes. Only very few settlers remained lingering outside in the night; the few were closing up shops and such.

But mostly-thanks to the Vampaneze-people have been hurrying inside before dusk.

So, with the lack of prying eyes on us this late at night, Larten was able to calmly walk alongside me, surveying our surroundings as we went. Eventually we arrived at Amos's front door.

"Wait around the side there." I whispered, motioning for Larten to conceal himself around the corner of the house.

He nodded and ducked around the corner.

When the last of his red attire disappeared behind the wall I took a deep breath and knocked on the front door. Fast footsteps approached the door and when it opened I saw a concerned look on the broad man's face. Immediately flush and in a state of flight from a simple knock at the door.

I almost wanted to chuckle at him but I know he has good reason to be cautious. So I bit my tongue.

"Hi, Amos." I chirped. A small amount of amusement leaking out along with my words.

"Oh, Hunter! It's you, forgive me. We're all obviously a bit over-cautious." Amos responded, I could almost see the stress lifting off his shoulders as he sighed.

I chuckled "That's quite alright. Er..."-I paused. I just realized I had just shown up at this man's house without a reason. None that I could expressly mention anyway. I had to think of an excuse, and quick.

"Was there something you wanted, Hunter?" Amos pressed, beginning to look rather confused.

"Oh! Yes. Ah, I remember you saying one of the monsters actually fled from your house?" I asked him, while similarly trying to study his face.

Now that he was in front of me I tried to spot the mark Larten had told me about.

He grimaced "Yeah...don't remind me. The nightmares are just starting to lessen." a weak smile appeared on his face. I was glad he had the capacity to be facetious. I could appreciate such an outlook.

Damn. It's too dark here. In the doorway the moonlight didn't provide enough light for me to see by. Larten might have been able to but at this angle Amos might spot him if he moved to gain a better view. I had to get him near a better source of light and look for it myself.

"Sorry, Amos. But I just wanted to have a look around. See if I can find anything of significance. Maybe you could walk me through the steps of the other night?"

"Of course..." He replied and motioned for me to enter his home, "...you're probably the most well equipped to sniff something out."

"Thank you..." I stepped through the doorway and into his home-Larten will just have to wait for me outside-it was a well sized place. Warm and lit up by the golden glow of candle light.

I laughed at his misplaced yet appreciated confidence in me, "Yes well, here's hoping my skill at game hunting transfers to monster hunting."

This was much better; candles on the window sills and lanterns hanging from the walls. Now all I needed was a good look at Amos's face.

"Hey, it's better than nothing..." he added. Amos, without turning to me, motioned for me to follow him up the stairs. "...come, we'll have to visit her room first."

We made our way up the stairs and to the bedrooms on the second floor. Only three. His and his daughter's, and a very small guest room. Though from the amount of use it got, and from the look of it, it would be better described as a broom closet.

Amos opened the first door and let me in.

Looking around it was obvious to see that it belonged to a child.

A small bed against the right wall, small knick knacks and flowers decorating the window sill directly ahead of me, toys and cute drawings littering the floor. And in the middle of it all a dark haired little girl.

She was absentmindedly playing with one of her dolls, she hadn't even noticed we had stepped into the room.

"Lily, my love. Say hello." Amos called to her and instantly her small ears perked up and her head turned to us. A sweet smile appearing on her face with ease.

Her entire face lighting up at the sight of us.

"Oh, hello father..." she quickly stood and ran up to us, curtseying adorably before me as if I was royalty "...and hello to you, Miss Huntress."

I chuckled warmly, endeared by her treatment. "Hi, Lily..." I bowed in response "...so you remember me?"

She nodded vigorously "Of course I do, Miss Huntress. There's only one of you! Magical, and beautiful, you're the hunter that lives in the enchanted forest!" she beamed up at her father "...Isn't that right, father?"

Magical...enchanted? Now just what kind of stories have these two been swapping about me? I smirked up at Amos, catching his eyes grow suddenly wide and the first stuttering attempts at an answer forming at his lips.

"Oh...ye- yes that's right..." Amos cleared his throat, eager to turn the attention from his blushing face, shrugging quickly at me as if he had no idea where she got that wording from...

He-as gracefully as he could-got the conversation back on track, "Ahem, she's here to help find the monster that was in your room. Remember? The one daddy scared away? She's come to see if she can find it and make sure it doesn't come frighten you again."

A frown squished at her soft features, wrinkles forming above her small button nose and brown eyes taking on a serious light.

"He wasn't a monster..." Lily said "...and I wasn't frightened. He was protecting me."

Amos suddenly looked dejected. Stressed as though this wasn't the first time Lily had said something like this.

I noticed the tension, "Quite the imagination, no?" I joked cautiously, not wanting Amos to feel uncomfortable. I knew the truth, but how could I tell him?

Amos sighed, "Yes, quite. I can't understand where she got the idea but as long as she doesn't go telling the whole town anymore I'm willing to let her believe it..." Amos paused...running a hand through his thick brown hair, "...I don't want to scare them. And I just know people will think us insane if she keeps this up. But I just can't bring myself to persuade her otherwise."

I patted the large man on the back, "Don't worry Amos. It's natural for kids' imaginations to run wild. Besides, it might be better this way, it would be worse if she were deathly afraid of the dark. Like the rest of us."

"Maybe you're right. Anyway, I'll let Lily tell you about last night. I'll be right back, ladies."

Amos, excused himself and head downstairs. Leaving me and Lily alone in her room.

I move to sit down next to the little girl. I bring my legs around me and I sit criss cross next to Lily. She had resumed playing with the various toys around her and I absentmindedly looked over her scattered drawings.

"So, Lily..." I began, putting on a sweeter voice, "...can you tell me about the night the monster showed up?"

Lily turned to me, a tiny angry face, "He wasn't a monster, Huntress. He really wasn't!"

She was so adamant, her eyes so expressive.

It was so sweet seeing her stick up for Larten. It really was all just a misunderstanding. Which is easy to see, if you're aware of the truth anyway.

"Ok, ok," I say, hands up in surrender, "So what was it then?"

Lily sets her toys down and sighs..."Do you promise you'll believe me?"

I smile gently, and take up one of her dolls to occupy my hand, "Yes, of course."

"Well..." she begins, picking at her hands nervously "...like I said, he wasn't a monster. He was just a man..."

"Just a man?" I press. Even I thought Larten was nothing but a monster at first.

"Yeah...he wore a funny outfit...it was all red and he had a big cloak that made him look like a handsome prince."

I snort a bit too loud and Lily gets angry.

"Hey! Why are you laughing? You don't believe me, do you!?" She argues, her little face turning red.

I try to stifle my giggle with my fist, "No, no, Lily. Of course I believe you, I'm sorry. But are you sure he looked like a prince?"

She settles down and puts on a look that looks slightly conflicted "Well...It was very dark...but he did have kind eyes. They were shiny in the dark!" she exclaimed, circling her eyes with her fingers making pretend spectacles. She sighed, "...I knew he wasn't there to hurt me. He's not the monster. I know he isn't. I wish my daddy hadn't tried to hurt him..."

Lily frowned...her dark eyes glazing over, "I'm sure he was really very nice..."

Oh no...that face. I smiled bitterly. I just had to tell her.

I took Lily's hand in mine, and leaned in close "Lily, can I tell you a secret? You have to promise me you won't tell anyone."

Lily's eyes go wide in curiosity, "What kind of secret, Huntress?"

"It's a forest secret. It told me that it saw the prince with the red cloak."

Lilly gasped loudly, as if a unicorn had appeared right infront of her, "So you do know of him! Is he alright?"

"Yes he's just fine. Apparently he was still pretty worried about you and your father, so I came to check on you for him." I smiled.

Lily presses her hands against her cheeks and they go slightly pink as she blushes, "Did you meet him...?" she asks...and holds her breath.

I shrug nonchalantly. Playful but wary about giving her hard facts, "Maybe I will. And I'll get to tell him you're alright."

Her blush deepening, she giggles happily into her small hands "I knew your forest was magic, Huntress. I'm glad I was right about the red cloaked prince. He wasn't a monster at all."

Uh-Oh...that nickname is going to stick...I hope Larten doesn't hear.

I grinned, "Remember though, Lily. It's a secret right?"

She nodded furiously "Of, course. A forest secret. I won't tell a soul!" and she locked her lips shut and threw away the key for emphasis.

Laughing together for another moment, Amos finally returned.

"Ready to take a look at the outside, Hunter? I'm sure Lily has told you her 'fantastical' story." Amos joked lightheartedly.

"Of course. Until next time, Lily." I give her a small wave and stand up to walk towards Amos.

Finally facing him front on and with the lights of Lily's room shining directly on him I can see his cheek clearly now. I search for the marking, those three horizontal lines and-

I sigh loudly...

There's nothing. No mark. No red scars. Nothing.

"Is there something wrong?" Amos asks, eying me worriedly, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

I chuckle nervously, "Oh sorry, it's nothing. Please, let's head outside."

Ushering him awkwardly out the door, I wave once more to Lily and Amos sends the sweet girl to bed. We begin our descent down the stairs and I can't help but continue feeling worried.

If Amos isn't marked, then who is?

He's one of the very few people I know personally, and even saying that is stretching it.

I'm incredibly relieved he isn't in danger, but this just makes things a tad bit more difficult...

Perhaps Larten will have an idea for what to do next.

Amos shows me around the outside of his house for a while. Where the monster landed, and which direction it took off in. At this point I was in a hurry to be able to regroup with Larten. Knowing who it was that night causing a ruckus and finding Amos with an untouched face made the rest of my investigation unimportant. I had already caught his monster and he was living in my pelt room.

So wrapping it up quickly I fed Amos a story about continuing my tracking in the morning and in the forest. I'd look for something along the path it took, I told him.

He seemed satisfied with that and after shaking hands, him thanking me profusely, and help if I ever needed anything, we parted ways and I began walking back home.

Larten hadn't appeared yet and I was peering into every dark nook and cranny as I passed homes and shops.

After a while all I could hear was the sound of the rocky ground beneath my feet, and all I could see was the forest.

So, Amos isn't marked. Not sure what the next step is but still, I did something productive, and helpful. I'll have to get some amount of respect and gratitude from that vampire now.

Lilly...she should be protected. Amos deserves a lending hand.

From the little I know about him, he's an honest man. Kind and caring. He takes better care of his kid than any of the complete families scattered around the village.

It was never clear to me what happened to his wife. And I've never had the gall to ask anyone about it. But I know she's gone. Dead. I heard only a tiny amount of chatter back when it first happened. That someone saw Amos burying a coffin way out in the plains. I don't know...It's- It's terrible to even think about. But if I had to speculate, the easy answer would be to say it was a simple case of a fever she couldn't fight.

I knew she was sickly, she had trouble fighting even the weakest cough. We have a doctor that stays here but...there was only so much that could be done without ending up hurting her in the process. She was strong I'm sure but- and I hate to say it- but it was a losing fight.

I sure hope Larten and I aren't involved in a similar battle.

...

I walked all the way back alone, Larten hadn't showed up.

But as I approached my cabin I noticed light spilling from the windows.

It's probably him.

Walking in I placed my gear next to the door and kicked my shoes against its frame. I heard the clanking of dishes and cupboards being opened.

"Hey, Larten. You cooking again? I'm going to start feeling..."I was absentmindedly putting my things away and when I finally turned, It wasn't Larten I saw standing in my home, "...spoiled..."

My heart rose to my throat.

"Larten?" I called out his name breathlessly. My mind was spinning, curses and pleas to anyone or anything that could hear.

The thing that was rummaging through my things turned to me, a genuinely excited grin on it's face, It's purple lips twisting in glee.

"Ah...there you are. Welcome home, beautiful..."