After this uneventful week, Dorian takes the road again, as frustrated as one can be. He waited for so long but the thugs didn't even deign to show up and report the success of their hunt. He has to move, however, since he still has to become stronger. Margaret told him, after all, that even if he is a decent fighter now, even with his shadows, the abilities vary from witch to witchWorse then, Wizards fight in still a completely different way and Belle knows of his basic powers, so she should already have countermeasures against it.
*She won't. This bitch probably already forgot about me.*
As he walks, his grim face doesn't reflect in any way the warm light from the setting sun. He only shakes off his thoughts when the night is already here and he smells a campfire with food being cooked on it. His teeth grind and he clenches his fists, before summoning his birds and ordering them to take flight, as he should have done as soon as he was out of view from the village. He shouldn't even have recalled them after his unfruitful observation.
Despite his self blame, he puts on a facade of a calm smile and changes direction to approach those other travelers. As he closes on them, he can see three men and a boy. As soon as they spot him, the men stand and one of them puts his hand on his club. They aren't warriors, nor merchants.
— Who are you ? We don't have anything of value.
Dorian blinks twice, his smile freezing on the spot. They… Think that he's here to rob them ? Alone ? And, don't they recognize him by his reputation alone ? All those questions flock in his mind and he stops moving, not answering either. Sure, he was already received like this, at the very beginning of his journey, but never since did he meet such outright hostility.
— Talk.
Pulled off from his stupor, Dorian sighs.
— I'm Dorian, the Stalker. I came here only because I smelled your meal heating, that's all.
Looking at them, he still hopes that his title would make one or more react.
— If you feel alright with this, I can keep watch tonight in exchange for a portion ?
All men look at him as if he asked to be allowed to murder their wives.
— You're saying that you're the Stalker, right ? A twig like you ? If you're him, I'm his Majesty's son in law.
Before Dorian can answer, a vein in his neck pulsing wildly, the boy intervenes.
— Uncle, Dad, I… I heard from him… It's… They say that you can't trust his body to show his strength…
The one with the club in hand scoffs, before slightly turning his head to the boy without losing sight of the threat.
— And who told you that ?
— Mom.
The man pales immediately. He turns completely to the boy now, ignoring Dorian who stays silent and takes this breather to regain his composure.
— You… You're sure that…
— Yes, dad.
The man then lets himself fall on his knees in front of his son, he begins to sob.
— I… I'm sorry… I…
One of the other men shakes his head before talking, his tone accommodating.
— You can eat, mister, and don't bother yourself with the watch, consider it our apology.
Dorian once again pares his face with his smiling mask and nods. Those reactions, they are too excessive. He knows that powerful people elicit both respect and fear, but so much ? No. Not like this. And if it was, the father would be apologizing to him, not to… Someone. The witch hunter isn't even sure that the man isn't apologizing directly to his son.
— Don't worry. I'll do it. I'm better equipped than you for this task after all.
After that, everyone sits for the meal, a silent one for different reasons. Dorian is used to eating like this, either alone or when he was with Isa and Garm, so much that the animated meals within the coven were nearly a torture to him. On the other hand, the men and boy all shift nervously while apparently unable to find something to say.
After the meal, without thinking, Dorian begins to wash his plate by himself, even taking care of those of his temporary hosts. He didn't contribute anything else to this meal, after all, and Isa would tear his head out if she learnt that he didn't participate in the chores, even only once. They look at him, all of them, in disbelief. The father then pales even more and takes a leave, pretexting an urge, to hide his shaking.
Later, as Dorian keeps watch near the fire, he sees the boy stir, then come to him.
— Mister stalker, can I tell you something ?
A nod is the only answer he gets.
— I, I'm sorry for my father's… Oddities tonight. The truth is, well, we were searching you, after hearing that you were seen near here.
— You wanted to see me ?
His face neutral, Dorian's mind begins to turn at full speed.
— You needed me so much ?
It's the boy's time to nod, now.
— Yes. We even prepared to tell you about what our community can give to you for your help. That you, you could ask anything of us.
— Thank you for telling me this. I'll think about it during my shift and talk to your dad and uncles tomorrow morning.
The boy goes back to sleep under Dorian's smiling gaze, and nothing else happens during the night. The witch hunter finds himself relaxing under the moon's soft glow, the sound of the leaves moving soothes him too. Here, at night, he knows all sounds and smells, everything is familiar whatever the forest, he knows what is a danger and what is friendly.
*Truly, there is no better place than a forest at night.*
In the morning, all men wakes up naturally, surprised. The Stalker should've waken one of them for the second part of the night, at least, not take all night shift ? Unless this boy wasn't really the Stalker, stole their things and fled during the night. Once this idea claws its way in their minds, the men vow to take revenge as they don't see traces of Dorian. A vow quickly forgotten as he comes back with water.
— You… You don't have to do this for us mister ! And… You should have woken one of us before going…
Despite the words, the uncle's voice seems nearly apologetic. This makes Dorian stifle a good natured laugh.
— Oh no, I won't let myself be taken care of for any meal. My sister would kill me if she…
He freezes at talking about Isa, his temper sours immediately.
*She probably hates me now. I'm unworthy to call her my sister, as Belle is unworthy to call me her brother.*
— Sorry. And for the watch, I lent my sword to your little one, since he woke before you.
The men nod, no one even tries to ask anything and they choose instead to smile compassionately at the young man. After a deep breath, while everyone is working on the breakfast, Dorian makes once again his false smile.
— So… I heard that you would have some work for me ?
While the uncles seem surprised, the father pales immediately. He gathers his courage and finds the strength to ask one single thing.
— You… You're willing to ? Even after how… I acted at first yesterday ?
— This is this, and that is that.
With a smile, one that looks sincere, Dorian's answer sounds in a calm tone. Even if he quite disliked being falsely doubted, he won't deny help to those in need. Moreover, the fact that the son talked about payment unprompted let him understand that this task doesn't only have him with missing children. Of course, he also wants to set things straight with this man, but he won't let this interfere with his work ethic.
With renewed enthusiasm, the group leads their expected savior to their home, three days of walking away. During this time, they begin to learn about Dorian's personality. As long as one doesn't try to talk about his means or his family, the man proves himself quite easygoing. Even if the taboo subjects are breached, he only rebukes the talk with a stiff smile. Never have they heard him rise his voice, but they can't really say if it is because they actually are his future clients or if it is his natural way of being.