His words hit me like thunder and lightning. I could neither move, nor say a word. It was a shock. Someone from my Brotherhood committed a crime. Not just a crime like theft. The most terrible crime for us: murder of innocent. I saw flashbacks from childhood: torn bodies, blood and entrails… Ugh… I suddenly realized, I’ve been blankly staring at the dwarf.
- A child? – I asked again, putting myself together and not willing to believe my ears.
- Y-yes… A nine-year-old girl…
- Your daughter?
- No, miss…
- Why were you the one to contact me, then? I understand that you are the mayor, but this responsibility lies usually on father.
- Her father left their family, miss Omen, – dwarf sighed sorrowfully.
- Mother then.
- She died shortly after the child. Heart attack.
I calmed myself, trying not to storm out of the tavern. I wanted to find that bastard and skin him alive! Yes, I am definitely not a merciful person. I don't grant swift death to those who don't deserve it. And not the forgiving type. Speaking of types… I am no one’s type!
- Name, – I snarled.
- We… we don’t know. But there was a… rumor… I don’t know if I should…
- A rumor? Your rumor killed a child, right? Tell me about it!
- Maybe, you should take a seat?
I sat on the nearest table.
- I’m all ears!
- You see, – the dwarf began his story, – there is a belief that very long time ago there was also a Brotherhood of Hunters. Unlike yours, these Hunters did not take jobs from people and stayed hidden throughout time. They found monsters on their own and were watching over us from the shadows. But something happened and that old Brotherhood disappeared. Poof! – and gone!
The dwarf took a gulp of whiskey and continued.
- Now there is a rumor, that one of these “old Hunters” is wandering our lads once more. And… that night I ran into someone. Right before I found the body. A tall man. With glowing blue eyes. And grey hair. Dressed in coat. The moment he saw me, he disappeared. Just… merged with night…
- And you believe he’s the killer? – I asked.
- Well, we dwarves see in dark very well. I’m sure I saw bloodstains on his hands and sleeves…
- Fine! – I stood up. – I’ll hunt him. But save money. I will do it for free! – now this became a matter of justice.
I headed for door and then stopped and turned around.
- One more thing! – I said. – So, what's his name?
- We… People call him… “The Huntsman”!
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