The days go by, the celebration of the Captain's daughter and her Dalesman draws closer. I am certain this occasion will fill my coffers just nicely if it goes as planned.
I retracted my offer to pay the fair maiden's debt. I have been doing my studies when it comes to this vengeful employer and he is indeed a rather nasty fellow. Between written accounts from the dossier I acquired from the Spymaster as well as the verbal, it seems this man is untouchable. The Watch will not tackle him, any and all who attempt he simply intimidates them into silence, bribes them. Or worse, I am told.
I had to arrange a meeting with this man, feel him out. A local horsetrader it seems. Yet within his manor the trappings of wealth no breeder of horses could possibly attempt to muster. I had ample pretence to make a visit. Indeed, I am oft in need of horses to pull my wagons and I am looking to expand my business. This visit was a win win, as far as I could see. I must confess up until visiting this man I still had a mind to pay him the gold for her life.
But as I entered the confines of his study, rich tapestries abound and I beheld this tall, thin man. With the gall and arrogance to proclaim himself lord even though the lords of this land are long since gone. I took one look upon him, and I resolved that very moment I would not pay this man a single copper. In that very moment I now wished that I had slipped a dagger up my sleeve and cut his throat. But let us not be too hasty. His manor is well guarded, this I have noted. In a return visit, one to inspect the horses I have seen fit to purchase I have designed a rough sketch of his grounds. I do not know what it is I plan to do. I mean I know, but I do not yet know when or how.
Part of my reasoning in recanting my offer to the fair haired maiden lay in the fact upon reconsideration I do not wish it to be known the true extent of my purchasing power. It was an offer made in haste, taken in as I was by her tale.
After the feast I had staggered after her and that stubborn guard dog oaf she calls a fiancé, before I'd even brought it upon myself to take the initiative in meeting this 'lord' for myself. Failing to garner his support for my payment of her debt. Before I changed my mind.The look of horror upon her features but a couple of days later when I suggested that there were cheaper alternatives was a picture to behold. Such delicate sensibilities, I surely could not even hope to enlist her man's blessing of the endeavour which I had in mind.
Why am I contemplating this, might you ask? You barely know this woman, her strange friends and have you not enough troubles of your own without taking on the burdens of yet another. Are your motives, honourable and true? That is where I am not certain. I think a part of me simply craves distraction. I would also very much enjoy killing this man. And, if it helps. Then why not? Who would mourn the passing of this 'lord'. Few.
Perhaps I will have to write this proposed venture, these musings off altogether. When I've not been in my study, I've been accompanying my guardsmen, performing inspections at random. Soon I will need to decide who I will hire, and who I will rid myself of. Within the next fortnight. I encountered a red-headed huntress whom I must say, she's very... blunt considering she is with one of the mercenaries I have ties to. I'd considered being even more blunt than she was but thankfully my senses overcame my urges.
Other than that, whenever I have had time free to myself, more oft than not.
She has been there. We fall into one another's arms regularly enough. My childhood friend. You have a wanderer's heart. She wisely observed. Indeed, you mused of selling your business but a couple of page's past. She has a son, surely these things are not compatible with one another. For though she's made no mention of her professed feelings since but they surely must linger. How could they not? When I told her of my reasoning for departure. Of the feelings that we were developing. Has this lit the fuse and the fires of hope within her breast?
She came to the Inn last night. I saw her linger nearby uncomfortably, I had no intent toward the woman she found me with. Indeed, I'd only stepped toward the fire blazing in the hearth to sidestep a confrontation between members of the company. In the end I went to find her and we drank far too much rum. The story followed a familiar pattern.
If I am to embrace my fate surely I should pluck up the courage to confide in her my thoughts, of late? No matter where the conversation might lead. I am torn, for I do not wish to part with her friendship no matter the course it takes.
