As the dark woods became pastoral farm land and the muddy track turned to cobblestones, Xavier's grip on Esperanza slowly eased until he released her completely.  "Begging your forgiveness miss."  He said as a token of apology, though she likely knew him well enough that he would readily do it again if concerned for her safety.  The storm and the howling of wolves still concerned him, but in a normal land, at least the kind of lands he had frequented in the past, such things were more a nuisance than an actual danger.  As the village began to come into view, illuminated at times by the lightning, he scanned as best he could for something like an inn where they could find lodging for the night.  He was somewhat reassured by the sight of men and farm animals at the barn, even if the activity seemed a little odd.  Xavier was no farmer so he was not attuned to the normal workings of things but as he looked more carefully a few things seemed out of place.  The holy symbols seemed more like a desperate act haphazardly enacted than a solemn token of blessing from the faithful.  The boarded windows again looked haphazard and rushed, as if trying to make a fortress from a barn.  He would have been curious enough to ask of such things were he in not such a hurry to get the girls off the road and into a proper shelter.<br/><br/>Another flash and Xavier noted the high castle, if Katya's letter was not an outright forgery, that might well be their ultimate destination.  It was too far to risk tonight though, not with this weather and the fierce howling of wolves.  Better to spend some coin at an inn than to risk it.  Of course that all depended upon the two girls accepting his wisdom, which was by no means a sure bet.  Still he could be persuasive when he had to, and when the need arose he wasn't opposed to overpowering the young girl for her own good.<br/><br/>Still cautious, Xavier noted a man with a bow heading towards the road as if to intercept them.  He eyed the bow nervously, while he could throw a spear fairly far, he couldn't hope to match the range of the bow.  Worse yet the man held it at the ready, his other hand near the quiver.  He considered leaving the road and walking wide but they were already in range, he was better off closing the distance so his own weapon could be effective.  He sighed a breath of relief, as the bow was slung and the man gave a friendly greeting.  "If the town beyond is Barovia we are on course Sir."  Xavier replied in a quicker, more cosmopolitan tone.  While it made little sense to him he could only think of this man as a guard, but why a simple barn would need such a thing was just another mystery for Xaiver's tired mind to chew upon.  Xavier let his cloak cover his sword so as not to appear threatening but kept a firm grip on his spear, though more like a traveler's staff than a soldier's weapon.  Xavier gave a ready smile to the guard's rather poetic explanation of their predicament.  "Sadly I have news from just outside this land's very gate, a murder most foul, I am afraid."  He kept quiet about the note, leaving the two letters for the girl's to either share or keep secret as they saw fit.  "I am surprised his body was not found prior, looks like he had been dead four or five days and not so far off."  He stopped short of making any sort of accusation against the effectiveness of the guard posted so relatively close to a murder.  "I shall let my charming companions speak of their business if they are so inclined, I am a simple servant, meant to keep them safe and comfortable such as I can.  Speaking of which, is there an inn in town where we might find lodging?  And if you can pardon our lack of social graces, we are in something of a hurry with this weather."  As if on cue another bright flash of lightning illuminated the country side.  Xavier stayed silent about the wolves, assuming they were natural creatures that would run away from an armed human.