Mislav sat in the hut waiting for news, but none came. He stood waiting, staring at the window, biting his lip until it began to bleed.

Day turned into night, then into day again. Still no word from anyone. When the sun fell on the third day, the night was cold, and Mislav wore only a thin shirt, but he didn't care. He couldnt feel anything. He was numb. The thoughts whirled round in his head making him sick.

We love each other. Surely that counts for something. How could something that feels so right, be wrong? But it is wrong.

I don't know if Lord Verrieres will forgive this. I dont care. I just need Florian to be OK... Would Dieter keep quiet? Surely not. He had a wife, a child on the way. He would want the coin from the Lord in exchange for his silence. He would never understand our love.

He considered his options. He had been waiting 3 days now. He was going to go insane with worry if he didn't get confirmation that Florian was OK. He would head to the Inn the next morning for news.

At dawn, he awoke to find a crumpled letter had been pushed under his doorframe in the night. He fell to the ground and opened it with shaking hands.

"My love,

I write this to you with a heavy heart. I am sorry it has taken so long for me to send this letter, however I had yet to find someone I can trust to deliver it.

I am unable to leave my quarters. My father locks me in here, and despite much effort, I cannot leave. He managed to pay Dieter to keep his silence about me. Although about you, I do not know. I hope you are keeping well, and that Dieter does not let you down.

The short time we had together was the most wonderful time of my life. Know that I will always love you. But we cannot be together. What we had.. it is not how things are supposed to be. My father says we are freaks of nature, Mislav. When we had each other, I could bear it ...but no longer...

My love, I am due to marry. My father has arranged for me to be wed to some woman in Nilfgaard over the coming weeks. He is sending me to live there, far away from here, from you... from everyone. My heart cannot bear it. I will not go through with it, this I swear to you. I considered marrying her, then running away to you, but I cannot bring any more shame to my Father, or myself.

I have never felt so low, and so alone. I fear it would be better for everyone if I was dead.

This is goodbye. Live your life well, and remember me fondly.

Your Florian

"NO! PLEASE!" Mislav was shouting, sweat pouring from his body, he was shaking.

He had cut his knee on the ground in his haste to read the letter and blood soaked through his breeches, but he didn't even notice. His tears fell onto the floor. This floor where he had lain with Florian so many times. The fire they sat sat beside, stroking each other's skin and laughing softly. Mislav felt his heart break.

There was nothing to be done, of course. If he attempted to go to the fort, Lord Verrieres would have him killed instantly.

It was a miracle he wasn't already dead. He was suprised even Dieter wasn't killed outright. He suspected it was only through Florians begging that they still lived. But what was a life without his love? He hoped that Florian would reconsider and go to Nilfgaard. Prehaps he could visit him there and persuade him to leave? But he knew it was hopeless.

He curled up by the fire, and cried himself to sleep.

He stayed in his hut for almost 2 weeks. He had enough dried meat, broth and firewood to last him.

One evening, he heard a soft knocking at the door. He jumped and grabbed his hunting knife, hiding it down his breeches just in case.

It was Dieter. He quickly pushed his way in and closed the door behind him.

"I'm not here for no trouble" he said. "I've come to tell you about Lord Florian."

Mislav waited, his heart hammering, knowing what was to come.

"I'm sorry, Mislav. He was killed in a hunting accident."

Mislav slumped to the ground, staring at nothing. He almost laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. Hunting?

He thought back to what Florian had said at Cackler bridge and a lone tear fell.

Dieter shuffled on his feet, feeling increasingly awkward.

Mislav spoke in barely a whisper. "How did he really die?"

Dieter looked startled. "What do you...?... How did you know?"

"Please, Dieter."

Dieters eyebrows furrowed as if he would argue, but then he sighed.

"I'll tell you, but Lord Verrires doesn't want this getting out, dya hear me? You've caused that man enough pain."

Mislav nodded, still feeling numb.

"He hung himself. A week past. He tied his bedsheet into a noose and jumped outta the window. If he hadn't broken his neck, the fall alone would have killed him. Didn't even leave a note. Lord Verrieres is distraught. Hasn't stopped drinking since it happened."

Dieter continued to ramble nervously.

"He doesn't know I'm here. I'm telling you because I felt I owed it to you. But that's all. Your not welcome at the burial ceremony and I'm sure you already know, you must never set foot near the fort. The people will think the boy died in a hunting accident, and they won't know about any of this sordid business. Do you understand? Lord Verrieres will kill you if he lays eyes on you again. I suggest you move far away. Nobody from White Orchard wants you near the kiddies or the men... in case you taint em'...I suggest you don't go anywhere near there..."

As Dieter spoke, Mislav continued to stare at the floor, numb, barely listening.

His Florian, was really gone. He had really done it.