Duncan hated the way he was dismissed. The nerve of the woman! But he hadn't time for hurt feelings if he was to keep her safe. He stood up and bowed curtly as walked away to find Eliza.<br/><br/>"The Lady Gweneth would like you to come with me into town this morning Eliza. We have some errands to run." He didn't wait for and answer and headed to the back of the mansion and out the door towards the stables. He heard Eliza run after him, cursing under her breath.<br/><br/>Duncan walked into the stall that housed his horse and patted her. He had come to like Alinor, more so now that when he first bought her from an old traveler. She had served him well and had never left him without a fast escape, be it from those who wished to kill him or those who wished to chase him away from their wives. He laughed as he offered his horse some oats. Those were all but the same thing.<br/><br/>Humming a soothing song of the Wind, he patted her down as he moved along side her and saddled her up. He climbed into the saddle just as Eliza rode up along side him on her sandy haired horse.<br/><br/>Together they rode out the back road. Duncan stopped as he approached the wall and looked down at Dramian as he stood there talking to a guard.<br/><br/>"I will be away for a while Archer. Make sure you don't do the same." he looked behind him at the mansion.<br/><br/>"Some of us earn our keep and work for our wages, highlander!" said Dramian as the other guard chuckled.<br/><br/>Duncan ignored the chuckle and headed Alinor out the gate as he said over his shoulder "Some of us hope to live long enough to spend those wages..." a smile on his face.<br/><br/>When they approached the town center Duncan gave Eliza a list of supplies they needed and 2 silver coins. She smiled when he told her she could keep any left over. "I'll meet you by the old market in an hour." he said as he rode away.<br/><br/>His eyes were ever vigilant as he rode on, watching the peasants and the rich walk on opposite sides of the road. A little boy ran in front of his horse and almost got run over. The boy grinned and ran away, 10 paces ahead of the baker who ran after him. Duncan made sure that his horse got in the way of the angry man, giving the little boy a few more paces to outrun him.<br/><br/>Duncan came up on the side road he remembered from that night. A shudder still managed to run through him at the sight of the blood stains on the road. How much of that was his, he wondered. How much more will stain the ground before these cursed days are over?<br/><br/>He caught himself staring at the spot on the road and quickly jumped off his horse and lead her down the side street. He stopped in from of the shop that had the sign of the blacksmith and tied the reigns to on a post before knocking. He felt the sickening sensation of another immortal even before the door opened.<br/><br/>"Good morning to you too Aurora." he bowed, keeping an eye on her sword hand. "Fortunately I have not had the pleasure of dancing with the Shade since last we felt her sting." he said as he walked in and looked around the shop. It was no mere shop, more an armory!<br/><br/>He gazed at the array of weapons on display and marveled at the craftsmanship. He picked up a throwing knife and tested the balance on his middle finger. He wasn't surprised it was perfectly balanced.<br/><br/>He turned to face the unlikely blacksmith and smiled. "You certainly have a way with weapons, don't you? What would you say to 300 silvers for a few days away from here where your weapons could be put to better use?" he looked into her eyes. "I could use someone like you alongside me Aurora. But I'd rather know you will do it for honor and not just for the silver."<br/><br/>He waited for an answer.<br/><br/><br/>