An Unexpected Interruption

The hunter suddenly stopped retelling his story and turned his head to let his ear face the heavy door at the entrance of the office. Ichabod found that strange but decided not to inquire as to the mannerism.

"It's good that you ran into that expert before you met with those dogs." Mumbled Ichabod. "But divines save us… An Earth Realm expert! The Duke must have invested half his fortune just to hire him! What happened after you joined them?"

"I'm afraid that'll have to wait Ichabod, you have a guest." The hunter rose and began collecting his things. Ichabod was about to ask him to stop when the talisman he had hidden behind the desk started vibrating silently. It meant there was someone outside the door who absolutely needed to be let in. How the hunter knew of this, however, was a question that Ichabod was aware he would never have answered.

Rushing to his feet, the innkeeper pressed the talisman and allowed the servant outside to open the door. One of his maids came in followed by a tall man dressed in elegant attire. The maid quickly introduced him as an envoy of the Duke before turning to swiftly depart the office; not before sneaking a shocked look at the hunter who was religiously tying his sword to his back.

"My good sire, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Humbly inquired Ichabod as soon as the maid left and the door bolted behind her. "Had I known you were here, I would have prepared a suitable abode and personally delivered our finest victuals for your delight."

Ichabod bowed politely and examined the man before him. He had long, brown, hair that reached his waist. His expression was hard, with angular features, and his face was clean shaven with eyebrows which were carefully styled like swords pointing up to the heavens. He looked young, but his eyes betrayed experience beyond his apparent age. His clothes were lavish; expensive leather garments light blue in colour, designed in strange angles. Stunning jewellery was present hanging from his neck and adorning his delicate hands. Ichabod had seen nobles dressed similarly during his visits to the great cities far East. It wasn't something one would typically witness in Trumba, much less the Groam pass. This made him grow cautious and doubt the true intentions of the envoy before him.

"No need for such politeness, innkeeper." The envoy's tone was harsh and unforgiving. It was clear he wasn't used to dealing with country folk without showing arrogance. "My visit tonight is for business, not pleasure."

"Pray tell, good sire, how could this humble innkeeper assist you tonight. Might this perhaps have something to do with the marquis' order of masonry for his new wedding pavilion?"

"It is related. However, this business is not one that can be discussed in the presence of others." Harshly rebutted the envoy as he scowled towards the hunter.

Ichabod bowed even further and eyed the hunter in the back of the room who was just leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, as if the events transpiring had nothing to do with him at all. Ichabod tried to use his eyes to plead him leave lest they incur the envoy's wrath, but he knew that the hunter was not one to pay attention to trifle matters such as seniority or formality. All Ichabod could do was pray the envoy would not grow too displeased. Then, he had an idea.

"Good sire, this is the hunter we hired to help us clear the mountain from some demonic beasts that were precluding us from collecting the necessary masonry the Duke requested for his son's wedding. As you may be aware, the reason we weren't able to send the desired amount yet was due to this complication. We had no choice but to hire this hunter's services and can now confidently say that Trumba will receive a shipment of our finest labour before the week is over."

"This is good news." Nodded the envoy. He seemed genuinely satisfied as he turned to face the hunter. "May I inquire as to the true nature of the beast tormenting this poor region?"

The hunter shrugged and without opening his eyes uncovered the arm he had been hiding behind his body and unceremoniously dropped it a few feet away from the envoy. As soon as the arm landed with a soft thud, the envoy's expression turned to disbelief and his lips trembled slightly, as if he could not process what was right before his eyes. Ichabod was surprised. It seemed the envoy knew something about this arm.

"An… An enkar arm…" Softly whispered the envoy after much difficulty. "How in the name of the Abyss did you get that!?"

"It was hiding in a cave a little over twenty miles away from this village. Luckily it had separated from its pack and was alone, maybe because it was malformed." Lied the hunter. Ichabod made a mental note of this and chose to let the two men talk freely and maybe let some information slip. "I was able to ambush it while is slumbered."

"The Divines have graced you with great fortune, good hunter. This is a genuine treasure." Ichabod had never heard of any beast called 'enkar' before but it seemed the envoy had. And, more importantly, he attached great importance to it. "I'm willing to purchase this arm from you!"

"That's good. I was planning on taking it to Tamsch and selling it there but if I sold it here it would save me having to carry it all the way. What are you offering?" Smugly replied the hunter.

Evidently pleased with the hunter's reply, the envoy waved his hand in front of him and a leather pouch appeared from out of nowhere. Ichabod swallowed saliva and repressed the gasp that threatened to exit his lips. He had suspected the envoy to be a martial expert, but he had never imagined he would be powerful enough to create a pocket dimension; a feat which meant he was at least in the Earth realm. This time, the guest he had received wasn't a normal envoy in the slightest.

"I'm willing to offer fifteen hundred gold coins… No, two thousand." Ichabod was stunned. He was growing all the more curious with what an 'enkar' really meant for practitioners of martial arts. Especially if one was willing to produce such an amazing sum just for its arm. "Is this price agreeable?"

"The price is agreeable and fair, certainly, but I'm not that interested in gold coins. More often than not they bring trouble to one in my line of trade, especially considering my realm is far from yours" The hunter explained. "I'm wondering if you'd be willing to exchange something for this arm."

The envoy did not doubt the hunter's words for a second as he had half expected them. He waved his hand once more and, instantly, the large pouch disappeared and was instead replaced by an ordinary looking silver ring. Were it not being held with utmost delicacy by someone Ichabod could confirm was a powerful martial artist, he would not have given it a second glance in a common marketplace. Considering its origin, however, it must have been an extraordinary object.

"This is a dimension ring. Have you seen one before?" The hunter shook his head to the envoy's question; and the envoy arrogantly nodded as if the query had been a stupid one to begin with. "Then allow me to explain. This was made by my mentor, a warrior of some renown. This ring is particular because it has its own pocket dimension, allowing even a commoner to store items in its space freely without limit. I'm sure the many benefits such an item would hold for one in your… noble trade are innumerable."

Ichabod's eyes widened like saucers. If what the envoy said was true, then that ring was simply invaluable; he could only imagine how great it would be to be able to travel the land carrying all one's prized possessions without arousing the greed of thieves and other equally evil men. Just thinking about it made him lust for that ring unlike anything he had ever desired before. And it was being offered just like that for a beast's arm! Immediately, Ichabod's calculating mind turned to the possibility of harvesting the bodies of the other enkars left behind in the cave.

"I accept your offer."

The hunter's raspy voice brought Ichabod back from his schemes and he witnessed how the envoy casually tossed the ring to the hunter. Without opening his eyes, he caught the ring as it neared him and hid it inside one of his many pockets. The envoy grinned in satisfaction and waved his arms once more and the enkar arm before him disappeared as if it had never existed in the first place.

"This has been a surprisingly beneficial trip…" Mumbled the envoy, unaware or uncaring as to the presence of the other two men in the office. "Good hunter, I may be in need of your services; could you join me and the innkeeper as we discuss business? Furthermore, could I please know of your name?"

"Ichabod hasn't paid me yet, so I had no intention of leaving in the first place."

The hunter's arrogant tone and subsequent refusal of acknowledging the envoy's request for his name caused the envoy to furrow his brows menacingly. Yet he made no comment on this. Had it been anywhere else, he might have killed the hunter for his demeanour. But they were in front of a witness, and killing a hunter was a taboo for everyone except the most powerful martial artists. It would only arouse the scorn and rejection of everyone. In addition, the hunter's guild would do all in its power to hunt down the culprit and make them wish for the sweet release of death. It was for that reason, and the incredible benefits of the enkar arm, that the envoy merely grunted in disapproval before taking a seat in front of Ichabod.

"It is true that part of the reason of my visit is because of the matter of masonry." Explained the envoy. "But there is another issue which must be addressed before I leave on the morrow."

"Pray tell, what may that issue be?" Without realising it, Ichabod had been holding his breath, and it was only after the envoy spoke that he was able to force himself to breathe and speak once more.

"A month ago, not five days before the last full moon, a group of men bearing the Duke's and Curch's official decree came through this village. Do you remember them?"

"Of course I remember them! They spent the night here. Because they were heading out to liberate Yrsogam from the scourge of beasts come morn, I bode them a safe journey and provided them with ample food and beer for the journey." Quickly replied Ichabod. He spoke with righteousness in his voice and a gleam of admiration shone in his eyes as he mentioned their mission. "Why do you ask, good sire?"

"The reason I inquire of this is of no import to one such as you. Tell me, though, have they come back through this village since then?"

"Had they traversed this town at any point, I would have known. Therefore, I can assuredly say that is not the case." After hesitating a few seconds and seeing that the envoy merely crossed his arms across his chest without answering, Ichabod decided to continue. "Good sire, I am well acquainted with one of those men. One might even go so far that we share a bond of friendship. Naliam Leyes. He was under my employ for half a year in the past. Has something happened to him?"

"I see." Calmly said the envoy. He remained quiet for a few minutes and Ichabod was about to inquire further when the envoy suddenly furrowed his brows and seemed to become exceedingly irate. The reaction caused Ichabod to pale as he feared his lie had been seen through when the envoy's features softened once more. "We do not know of the current whereabouts of mister Leyes, but we are very much interested in finding this particular piece of information out."

"I understand good sire, but I see not how a humble innkeeper such as I could help you towards that endeavour. Nor do I see how such a prominent senior like you would move for this matter."

"You see, his mission was of the utmost importance for both the Kingdom and the Church. Regrettably, the morning after the last full moon Naliam sent a voice transmission where he explained that he was alive but unable to return. Both the Kingdom and the Church require his prompt locating. Consequently, I was sent to ensure that there is absolutely no chance of failure; and I assure you, I will find him sooner or later." The last few words were spoken with extreme coldness.

"Thank you for enlightening me, good sire. Were I to hear so much as a whisper of his whereabouts, I shall immediately make it known to the Church and Kingdom. Is there anything I can aid you with at this time?"

"I expected no less from a servant of impeccable credentials." Scornfully remarked the envoy. "At this time all I require is the promise of future assistance and access to the best amenities your establishment is capable of providing."

"Naturally, good sire, that is beyond question."

"What about me?" Abruptly asked the hunter for the first time in a long time. "Is the contract you implied you had for me is to seek this Naliam? Let me tell you beforehand that I don't hunt men, no matter the reward. I'm a hunter of beasts, and my blade cannot be stained with the blood of men."

"That is something well known to me. I would never presume to impose a contract that goes against a hunter's creed; the task I have in mind for you is somewhat different in kind. And the ring pales in comparison to the reward you'd get for completing this task" The envoy paused to let the full weight of his words sink in but the hunter remained unflinching. "Naliam mentioned in his last transmission that there was a child that we needed to find. A new-born babe." To this, the hunter finally opened his eyes and glared furiously at the envoy.

"I will not be reduced to such a humiliating task!" Angrily muttered the hunter. To the envoy, the reaction must have seemed normal, given the hunter's disposition. To Ichabod, however, who had the privilege of having known the man for many years and could call him a good friend of his, the outburst was completely out of character. Something the hunter had never done, no matter the circumstances.

"Worry not, good hunter, you misunderstood my words. The babe was stolen by a beast and the Church wants to have it returned to its mother." Ichabod noticed that this time the kingdom was neglected from the envoy's words. This led him to believe that the envoy was only representing the Church and that made him a woeful adversary if they got on his bad side. "Only a man of your skills could perform such a task. What say you?"

"Aye, I'll think about it." Nodded the hunter, relaxing his demeanour and returning to his original posture.

"Excellent. Your services will be remembered. If you ever find yourself in Tamsch, ask around for me, Kran, and I will show you my gratitude properly."

"I may do just that."

"What should I call you when you visit?"

"Gayle. My name is Gayle."