A lone rider crested the hill just west of the town, he paused as the town came into view, shifting in his stirrups slightly as if to stretch his legs.  It wasn't a major town, too small for a brothel as he recalled which was unfortunate.  Also the kind of place where most people knew each other and though Xavier had passed through many times, he was still an outsider. Still the symbol on his armor would command a certain amount of tolerance and respect, of course it would also burden him with the needs and fears of the townsfolk.  The Order of the Silver Flame and its knights and priests spread law and order throughout the realm, especially in such backwaters as this. Regardless of his duties, it would be good to have someone to talk to even if just for a few days.  He looked forward to the diversion and hoped he could relax and resupply, the thought of some fresh food that he didn't have to kill himself was appealing as well.<br/><br/>He should have checked in with the local constabulary but once he had his horse watered and stabled, he couldn't resist taking a tour of the market.  Spending so much time alone on the road, he loved the sounds and smells of the market.  He watched the faces, especially of the ladies, though they were for the most part rather plain.  Wasn't that however the kind of girl he was supposed to meet, marry and settle down with to raise a family?   'Good stock' was what his father would have called them.  But then he saw a beauty who stood out among the crowd as if she were the only color in an otherwise monochromatic world.  He followed along, not wanting to be too obvious but gradually gaining on her.  As he closed the distance between them, he watched her easy banter with the merchants, and the flow of her red hair.  She was something special, he knew that without even speaking to her.  As he got nearer he struggled with what he could possibly say to her, he mechanically nodded or waved to those that noticed him, ignoring the fresh fruits and other delicacies he had so looked forward to.<br/><br/>He had just missed the puppet show but there was still some commotion about, especially the protestations of a certain portly man who seemed much aggrieved.  Xavier was just about to reach the red haired beauty when the man noticed him and called urgently.  One would think his house was a fire by the way he acted.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(97, 189, 109)">"She's a witch I tell you, luring our children to some unholy purpose."</span>He scattered accusations as if it were seed corn.  Xavier had little choice but to stop and listen, watching furtively as the beauty continued on, it took him a few moments to even look at the man so in need of the Flame's justice.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(226, 80, 65)">"Who is a witch?"</span>He asked, his voice dripping with enough displeasure to give the man pause, but sadly not dissuade him from continuing to talk.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(97, 189, 109)">"Come, I'll show you." </span>He led Xavier through the crowd until they caught up with the sexy little puppeteer.  She was dressed like a whore who had seen better days, though her body appeared top shelf, at least that was Xavier's thought at first glance.  Not at all the kind of girl a knight of the Order would associate with outside of his official duties, but damn she looked like she could be fun.  Xavier's long legs quickly closed the distance between them, he had no difficulty looking too direct or knowing what to say.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(184, 49, 47)">"You there." </span>He said as a firm hand gripped her shoulder, the one without the doll, and turned her towards him.  But as his eyes met hers, he couldn't find the words that should have come very easy to him, instead he stood there dumbfounded for a moment as he felt she was looking into his soul.