"Haygarth, be fair here. Do you really want to go back to the castle to have to cook for us? We could quickly get some grub, some drinks, and then head back to the castle. Right?"


"Don't like leaving carriage. There's always pointing, laughing, staring," Haygarth says, pulling his balaclava up to the bridge of his nose. "Fine. I'll pull in. You go eat. I'll wait here, eat something when I get home," he says.


The carriage pulls in alongside a tavern, as you look to Haygarth, who looks fairly pathetic as he attempts to cover his mishapen form.

You attempt to convince Haygarth to come in

"Haygarth, it's cold, it's been a long day, you must be starving and desperate for a drink. Come on, Haygarth, let's go inside."


"Fine," Haygarth says, nodding as he climbs off his spot. "Five minutes."

You enter the tavern

You walk inside the tavern by yourself, feeling the weight of your Leu-filled wallet in your side pocket,. You walk alongside a nervous Haygarth, and immediately garner the attention of everyone in the bar. Your garb makes it immediately clear to anyone but the most ignorant or simply stupid of the peasants that you're a servant of Count Grey. The tavern quickly clears out, heading to their various homes, leaving only a few idiots too old and stubborn or young and cocky to realize staying near you is death. 


You toss a crumpled note on the counter, looking up at the bar tender expectantly.


"Everyone's staring," Haygarth says, nervously.


"Everyone either left, is drunk as fuck or is trying to appear tough while stopping from pissing themselves," you reply.


Soon, you find yourself drinking a pint, a plate of chicken, boiled potatoes and cabbage in front of you, as Haygarth does likewise. You smile, eating it up eagerly, downing the pint in a few gulps. You belch loudly, as Haygarth mutters a complaint. You grin, finding yourself now filled with food, warm and content.


"Where's the bathroom?" you ask, feeling the need to piss rising as your full bladder demands you act.


"Bathroom's broken. Go outside," the bar-tender replies.


You raise an eyebrow, tapping on your hat.


"Do you know who I am? Who I work for?" you ask.


"I do. If he shows up here, I'm as happy to show him the broken toilet as I am you."


"Fuck you," you say, before turning to Haygarth. "Back in a sec, I need to piss."


"Have haste! The master awaits!" Haygarth replies.


You stand, turning and walking outside into the alley. You unzip your trousers and pull out your dick, pissing onto the side of the old building.


Suddenly, the cold blade of a knife is pressed against your throat.


"Don't move," a deep voice whispers. "Hands in the air."


"Do you expect me to let go of my dick and piss on myself?" you ask, more annoyed than scared.


"Finish up," the voice says.


You finish pissing, popping your genitalia back in your trousers, buttoning it up, and slowly turn to face your attack. Two teens, barely fifteen by the looks of it, both with short blond hair, one skinny, on large and muscular, stare at you. The skinny one holds a pistol, while the big one holds the knife pressed against your throat.


"What's this about, gents? Revenge?" you ask, knowing just how many family's want your blood for taking their daughter's.


"What? We don't know you," the big one says. 


"The wallet. Now," the skinny one says.


You pause, frowning.


"Are you seriously fucking telling me you've decided to mug me?" you ask, surprised.


"Why the fuck wouldn't we?" the big one asks, pushing you against the wall as the skinny one draws his own knife with his left hand, strolling forward to press the barrel against your temple.


"Wallet. Now," he says.


"Fucking idiots. You don't recognize the outfit, eh? I'm a fucking Ghoul, Count Grey's personal assistant."


The big one looks at the skinny one nervously.


"Maybe we should let him go," the big one asks.


"He's bluffing," the skinny one says, licking his lips. "Ghouls... ghouls are rotten, aren't they?"


"The sun's down, boys. Count Grey's due to wake..."


"Shut it! Wallet, now!" the skinny one commands