Strommistress II

"Well every Guild has a set of rules it operates upon. In your friend's case", she pointed at Skarra," it's the not-killy-the-inocents-oathy."

"Leanias Oath. And it is way more complex than …", Skarra growled before Venosa interrupted her.

"Aaaannnyyway. Point being there also exists such a concept for us hunters. It's called'."

She paused for a second, letting the words linger in the sizzling-filled air.

"In order to become a hunter you must find your deepest desire. For some it is riches or fame, a specific object or the mastery of a certain skill. I even heard one person searching for the perfect match."

Venosa giggled. Her snake slithered up her arms, which were resting on the table, and wrapped itself around her back and neck.

"We hunters chase this desire. For some it may take a livetime for others more. Other guilds may see us as little more than merchants that they can order around but every quest we take on to earn the hunters guild more money in order for it to support us better."

As Venosa spoke a frown formed on Skarras forehead. She looked kinda befuddled.

"What about the hunters codex? Kill the heart, kill the brain or value your life over that of your target and so on."

Venosa nodded, her eyes looking a bit sad. Her snake Blackey rubbed her head against the huntress's cheeks.

"Yes the Codex is what we are most known for. It's a set of rules that guide us in our hunts but that every hunter breaks at some point in their lives. The concept of our prey however is what our guild is truly built on. It's our drive, our purpose in life that makes some random people band together and form a guild. Sorry to disappoint, but we are a guild built upon nothing but greed. Everything we do for others we do to get a step closer to our prey."

"And what is your 'prey'?"

Venosas face dropped. It took her a moment to regain her composure. Blackey's head shot towards me, her eyes narrowing into small slits. The snake hissed at me but Venosa calmed the serpent down with a head-pet. Skarras fist hit my healthy shoulder, not hard enough to really hurt me but enough to stink.

"Ouch!"

I rub my shoulder and look at her. Venosas smile was back again.

"Are you dense?", Skarra asked.

"It's fine, it's fine. I don't think Nothol knew what he was asking for."

Blackey coiled back around her neck. Her eyes were still fixed on my throat. My confusion only increased.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"One's desire is the most personal thing a hunter has. We reveal it only to people we trust fully and would give our lives protecting. It's a sign of absolute trust. Demanding to know it, by asking for example, is the greatest insult you could deliver to a hunter."

I slap my hand over my mouth, cursing my curiosity.

"I am so sorry."

Venosa wished my words away with a sweeping gesture.

"It's fine, you didn't know better. But next time I'm gonna gut you like a fish."

She spoke the words in her normal bubbly girlish voice but her eyes were advising me to take them to heart. I gulped heavily and kept silent.

"You ready to order?", the waiter asked. He stood behind me. Startled, I turned around.

"Uwa"