Chapter Eight: Attack In The Night

Martha made her way back through the city. Before she could reach the city's gates, she was stopped by a group of men. "What do you want Vasquez?" she asked. Her voice was laced with irritation. "You know what I want Martha," said one of the men, "Stop hurting my crew's livelihood by hunting on our land!" Vasquez was a man with short black hair, yellow eyes, and light skin. "You may also earn a living hunting, but you don't own the land outside of Weylok," Martha fired back, "It belongs to everyone." She pushed through the group and continued walking toward the city gates. Vasquez turned around and shouted, "Silly girl do you think you can fight this?" "You're in way over your head here."

Martha walked through the gates and set up camp a few feet away from the city. She set up a tent and a bedroll that she had bought from Balek's. She then crawled inside and went to sleep. A few hours later a shadowy figure descended upon her camp and entered her tent. It crouched over Martha with a dagger in one hand. The figure raised the dagger in the air. But before it could strike the dagger down, Martha stirred a little bit and opened her eyes. As the dagger came down Martha grabbed the figure by the arm, stopping the dagger. Struggle ensued as Martha and the mysterious figure wrestled over the dagger. Martha managed to get ahold of the dagger and stabbed the figure until it stopped moving. She dropped the dagger, her hands shaking. She's never had anyone try to kill her in her sleep before. And who sent them? All she knew is that she needed to find help and fast. She crawled out of the tent and ran towards the city.

Martha frantically ran through the dark, quiet streets of Weylok. She eventually came up to an inn called " The Thirsty Owl". She pushed the door open and walked inside. She made her way through the crowded inn. She eventually saw Jethro sitting up at the bar, laughing with a stranger. He turned to greet her. "Greetings Martha!" Jethro shouted. Martha said nothing and hugged Jethro. He could feel her shaking through his armor and noticed something was wrong. "Are you okay Martha?" asked Jethro, "What happened?" She looked up at him with fear in her eyes. "Someone came into my tent and tried to kill me in my sleep." answered Martha. "That's horrible," said Jethro, "You're not hurt are you?" Martha shook her head. "No I'm fine, just a little shaken up." Martha said. The stranger next to Jethro spoke up. "Do you know who it was?" asked the stranger. The stranger was a young man with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore thick, brown, monk robes. Martha looked at him. "No, I was so terrified I wanted to find help,"answered Martha,"Wait, who are you?" "Oh this is Harold Arlance," Jethro answered, "He's a traveler just like me." Harold nodded. "Yes I'm a former monk from a little area right on the edge of Gavolstav," said Harold, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"So you're still alive!" a voice said. Jethro, Martha, and Harold turned and saw Vasquez sitting in a corner. "I paid good money for your head and the first person they send can't get the job done," said Vasquez. Jethro stood up from his seat. "You're the one who's behind this?" said Jethro, "What do you have against Martha?" "Your little friend there is interfering with my crew's ability to make a living by hunting on our land," Jethro looked at Martha and then back at Vasquez. "So you paid someone to kill her?" said Jethro. Vasquez laughed. "Not just one person," Vasquez said, "But a whole group called "Death's Circle." "I've heard of them before," said Harold, "They're assassins that will kill anyone who you hire them to." Vasquez grinned. "Yeah and they'll keep sending members until you're dead," added Vasquez.

Jethro walked over to Vasquez and grabbed him by the collar. "You're going to tell us where to find these assassins," said Jethro angrily. "Or what?" asked Vasquez. Jethro grabbed Vasquez with both hands and slammed his face down on the table. "Talk or this gets worse." said Jethro in a low voice. Vasquez looked up at Jethro with a bruised face. "Fine you win," said Vasquez, "They're located near Serenity's Lake." Jethro let go of Vasquez's collar. "Good," said Jethro, "You better not be lying." "I'm not," said Vasquez, "But if and when you do find them you don't stand a chance." Vasquez turned and walked out of the inn.