The Man in White

*clop* *clop* *clop*

The sound of numerous horse hooves trotting along a dirt path could be heard among the many other sounds of village life. Among the mundane ambience of the village various merchants could be spotted advertising their wares which ranged from weapons, oil, healing elixirs, herbs and many more lucrative items stored away in the pack mules residing behind their owner. However of the countless merchants lining the sides of the street one stood out the most.

"Walk on in and get pleasured at the Grimy Mistress, where you'll find the most beautiful girls in Vinum." Standing in the front of a building the suns heat blaring down its heat stood a woman of fair age dressed in a kirtle waved at passing men enticing them to take a step inside. This woman proved to be none other than the madam of the local brothel someone the older men of the village are well " acquainted " with. Though the madam of the Grimy Mistress did everything in her power to get a client it seemed to have ended in no success. As everything appeared bleak for the woman of the night just a few feet away a rather familiar face entered her view and a cheeky grin dawned on the woman's face.

"Say Mr Lindner when are you and you're boys going to pay me and my girls a visit~" The madam called out to the man who had came to a grinding halt upon hearing the sultry voice enter his ears.

"M-Madam Belle I'm incredibly sorry but my wife is going to give me hell if she spots me in your brothel again. " The man now come to be known as Mr Lindner explained stammering."

"Now now Mr Lindner I'm sure there are . . . ways we can make this little affair of yours work out in our favour~." Madam belle cooed while moving her fingers around the cheeks of the man in front of her.

"Look I'm sorry but I have to decline, see you around Belle." With a stern look Linder removed Madam Belle's hands from his cheeks and made his way down the path ahead of him a look of shame covering his face as passerbys gazed at him in curiosity. Letting out a sigh of defeat Madam Belle got ready to hunt for her next client but that didn't seem to be the case as a new figure entered the field. Riding atop a white horse draped in a damaged white cloak, black embroidered crosses outlined the edges. As a figure rode into view the looks given to them varied from person to person some gave him a scornful look others a look of wonder but for the most part it was clear that distaste was present for the man before them.

Yet while Others held wrath in their hearts madam Belle saw the prospect of a new client. Clearly disregarding the crosses adoring the cloak he wore madam Belle approached the unknown man a hop and a skip in her step. The mystery man not aware of the approaching woman was in the motion of reaching something within his cloak however he didn't have the chance as he felt a tug on his cloak.

"Why hello there mister, I can tell that you're clearly weary from whatever journey you came from so why don't you come down to the Grimy Mistress its only a mere few steps away ." Madam Belle spoke with hints of lust lacing her words. The man not in the mood to shoo the woman away simply looked down at her from his mount. Madam Belle's eyes widened as she spotted the piece of cloth wrapped around his eyes.

"Oh . . . you're one of them eh, oh well me and my girls don't discriminate plus we've never had your kin in our parlour before~". Silence that was all that adorned the air around the duo everyone from the loathsome beggars to the lucrative merchants watched in suspense as they awaited an answer from the man in white.

"Please tell me where I can find the Blackstone tavern." The man spoke in a raspy voice not acknowledging the services offered to him.

"Um h-head two streets down and take a left but please do con-" Not giving madam Belle the chance to finish her sentence The man nodded his head in thanks and continued on his way leaving the madam disappointed once more. Letting out a long winded sigh the madam turned tail to head back inside.

"GIVE ME BACK MY MOMMY!" A child no older than seven shouted tears streaming down his face the pitter patter of the liquid staining the dirt below him. The boy with his hands shaking grasped a rock tightly in his hands and the intent was clear. This demand was directed to none other than the man in white whose path remained forward. Madam Belle who was only a skip from entering the brothel turned her head and her heart dropped.

"Timothy do not bother that man!" Madam Belle shrieked in an attempt to get the boys attention. And that she did as the young lad had looked back at the woman calling his name even if it was only for a split second the boy pondered on what to do however his heart was set.

*THUMP*

Stopping dead in his tracks the mystery man with his right hand touched the back of his head and once inspecting himself a crimson liquid flowed down from the tips of his fingers to the bottom of his arm hidden behind robes. A collective gasp left everyone observing the scene the suspense of knowing what would happen next growing more rampant by the second. The child himself could now be seen groveling on the ground the force behind his throw had sent him tumbling onto the dirt path.

While onlookers tried their damndest to ignore the child Madam Belle sprinted to him trying in vain to hush him. While she attempted to calm the child the white horseman his face concealed via cloak dismounted his white stallion and sauntered over to the pair. The jingle of his spurs alerted the Madam of the brothel and she could only stare at the man currently casting a shadow above both her and the child. Yet even in the face of this seemingly dangerous man the madam held no fear in her eyes instead her eyes were lit with a flame a burning desire to protect the child currently wrapped within her arms. Even with his eyes hidden away behind a blindfold madam Belle suddenly felt a rush of ominousness wash over her the mans gaze alone emitting a sinister aura. After only a few seconds of standing over the pair the stranger bent down to get on eye level. Madam Belle her stare unmoving started to find that task becoming increasingly hard as her glare met that of the mans blindfold.

"Tell me child, who was the band of heathens that took away your mother." The man spoke out startling madam Belle who was quick to object the young boy answering the question however she was soon to silence herself as she noticed the ornate hilt of a sword poking out of the mans white robe. Obviously still stunned from the events that only recently transpired the poor lad could only communicate in quick blurts. The man peculiar as ever shook his head and with his right hand reached into the depths of his robe. Madam Belle as a response tightened her grip around the child and closed her eyes, but there was nothing to come. As she opened her eyes there in the mans gloved hand laid a clay knight sculpture its craftsmanship that of a novice but it was clear that great care was placed in said sculpture.

"I got this little trinket from a boy just about your age some years back, I can only wonder where he is now." Mumbling the last part of his sentence the man's exterior grew gloomier. The little boy looked away from the item though it was clear even through his shaking self that was boy held interest for the object. A slight grin adorned the mans face as he extended his arm to the child.

"It's all yours as long as you tell me about those men alright." The deal was placed and unfortunately for madam Belle she had no say in the matter as the sword hanging off the mans waist scared her into submission. At first the boy was quiet and avoided eye contact, but it seemed curiosity got the better of him as he locked eyes with the man and nodded his head.

"O-Okay I'll tell you about about the bad men, but I want that first." The boy pointed at the sculpture demanding to have it.

"Of course child, its yours now after all." the man said whilst handing the ornament to the boy however he never got the chance as the brothels mistress snatched it from the opposing mans clutches as she handed the boy the sculpture herself. The man could care less the deal was settled and he simply waited a small while for the boy to become somewhat comfortable around his presence. As the boy inspected the figure the grip around him eased as Belle saw the childs tensed demeanor go away.

"Alright mister holy since Timothy is preoccupied I'll tell you about the bastards that took away Mary." The madam spoke in place of the child seeing as they were busy examining the sculpture. Standing up the boy still in her arms madam Belle looked around and noticed the many eyes staring at the trio and deduced it was be best for them to talk somewhere more " private ". Madam Belle her face stoic turned around and gestured for the man to follow her into the brothel.

Scratching the back of his head the man suddenly jolted forward the cause of this no doubt being the bruise now present on the back of his head from the stone that struck him there minutes ago. With Madam Belle vanishing into the confines of her brothel the mystery man whistled and only a few seconds later his steed approached him letting out a neigh. Petting the animal he proceeded to grab the horse's reigns and guide him over to a wooden post in the ground. After Tying down his mount and making sure he was comfortable the man reached into his robes and after fiddling around for a tad bit he pulled out a medicinal ointment sealed away in a small black glass bottle. This garnered him some attention however he paid no mind to the judgemental folk around him prosecution is common for anyone deemed out of the ordinary and he was just was abnormal. Once applying the ointment out of sight seeing as there were no further interruptions the enigmatic man walked over to the closed door of the whore house and with a low sigh he pushed open the gates of lust.

Almost Instantly the mans nose was assaulted with the pungent smell of sex and alcohol and if that weren't enough the building was incredibly noisy. Moans ,groans panting whatever the lustful mind of someone could think of this place had it and it certainly showed no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Pulling down his hood even further as to not draw attention the mystery man quickly walked through the building however that task prove to be quite hard as he was draped in white robes that were basically begging for attention. Suddenly a thought struck him.

"How in the hell am I going to find this damned woman." And at that thought he deduced that there was only one thing that could be done. Walking up to the bar maid he took a seat and ordered a cup of ale as to not be suspicious. Looking around it was clear he stood out even with the variety of men there ranging from the guards of a neighboring village, the mayor of said neighboring village and many more but they were all there for the same thing. After a short while the ale he requested was placed before him the bar maid herself quite the looker. Looking up just so much as to not reveal his blindfold our mystery gazed at the woman before him however she was quick to interject.

"Sorry sweetheart but i'm not up for grabs ." The bar maid mused whilst cleaning a mug. Not acknowledging the comment the man took his mug and downed the entire beverage in a couple swigs. After finishing the drink the man let out a quick sigh the intoxicating liquid seeming to calm his nerves. Resting his hands upon the counter the man suddenly put them back down once remembering the place he was in and the countless fluids that could be slathered on the counter top. Leaning forward the man in white asked the bar maid where her boss was.

"Oh madam Belle, you should find her somewhere near the back the door should have her name on it ." Thanking the bar maid for the information the man got up and made his way to the back of the building but not before tipping the waitress two silver coins. After obtaining the information needed the unknown man walked through the brothel sure there would be no further snags.

"Why hi there mister care for a dance~"

"Oh for Fu-"

Mumbling under his breath the man simply kept his head down ignoring the coos of the woman behind him until out of ears reach the clatter of his spurs chasing behind. After several more minutes of struggle and avoiding awkward situations the destination of desire was finally at hand, the door of madam Belle now only a few feet away from him. Letting out a meek sigh the man in white pushed open the door only to be met with the rather pleasant interior of a hardwood room. Looking around his first impressions would never be the office of a brothels madam. Peering to his left the man spotted the small figure of Timothy he believed his name was playing with his new sculpture. Offering the boy a discrete sigh he looked forward his true objective in sight madam Belle the former currently tapping her finger against the desk Presumably eager to get the meeting over and done with.

"Well what are ya waiting for good sir, go on take a seat." Shifting her eyes to the chair opposite her desk the man nodded his head and took a seat thus allowing for the meeting to commence. It was clear tension was still apparent between the two however one sided it may be. The man waiting for the harlot to speak looked to his side and was once again reminded of the child sitting beside him. Seeing this he posed the madam a question.

"Can I ask you why you brought the child here ,and why's he so nonchalant about it." The mystery man spoke wondering how a little boy was so use to the environment around him. Lifting her finger off the desk and looking at the man a now burning hatred in her eyes madam Belle pinched the bridge of her nose and answered barely audible.

"Mary was one of my girls you see and a damn fine one at that, being a single mother she constantly had to bring little Timothy around the Grimy Mistress so I could watch him ." The hand that was currently grasping at her face was suddenly curled into a fist as madam Belle slammed her fist into the desk gaining the attention of Timothy. The man remained unresponsive and watched as the woman infront of him seethed with anger.

"The bastards came in looking for me and Mary being the woman she is took the hit." The fist she previously formed soon was released and the fire in her eyes replaced with gloom. Timothy who was in the corner squeezed the clay sculpture now remembering the scene. Back with madam Belle she slowly began to tear up her eyes turning read and her breathing becoming unstable. Clawing at her desk madam Belle with her free hand pointed at the man, more specifically his holy robes.

"They wore the same o-outfit, crosses black as the heart of a geist and robes whiter than the cleanest snow." Madam Belle's voice stammered as she strained to speak through her tears. The man listening to this took his right hand and pulled on his robes however he kept any emotions to himself much unlike the woman ahead of him. Leaning back in his chair the man was going to speak until he felt a tug on his the one to do so being none other than the little boy who remained silent throughout the entire exchange.

"P-Please save my mommy."

Not answering the little boy the man stood up from his chair unresponsive as ever and made his way to the door the clatter of his spurs drowned out via the sobs of madam Belle. Opening the door the man was seconds away from leaving however something compelled him to look back and what he say made him clench his hand into a fist. Madam Belle through her teary red eyes glared at the man revenge fueling her eyes. This gaze almost felt like it went straight through his blindfold and the man as a result simply shook his head. Feeling as though nothing was left for him he went to close the door behind him however a high pitched voice once more gained his attention.

"H-Hey mister what's your name." The young boy asked Clutching the clay sculpture close to his chest. Looking back at the boy the man let off a weak grin and answered the little boys question madam Belle even through her tears and sniffling trying to listen in wonder. 

"Call me Lucian young one and I'll be sure to rescue your mother." With his name now revealed Lucian waved the duo goodbye and made his way out the door being sure to close it behind. With Madam Belle back in her office she wiped away her tears however plentiful they may be and motioned for Timothy to come to her who promptly did so after being beckoned. With Timothy now in her care she brushed his hair and peered up at the ceiling closing her eyes as she spoke beneath her breath.

"I pray that you have safe travels searching for Mary. . . good hunter."

(To Be Continued)