โ ย you were always an unruly child. i adored that about you. ย โ
โ ย mmm. yes. of course. the excuse you resort to when youโd rather not talk about something. ย โ
โ ย how many have you killed? how many more might you still? ย โ
โ ย you know who i am. and why iโm here. ย โ
โ ย youโre a madman and always have been. a cruel, cold-blooded killer. ย โ
โ ย a man should frame his wishes carefully. it forestalls disappointment. ย โ
โ ย no argument. you knew what you were signing up for. ย โ
โ ย maybe once, in a different timeโฆiโd have helped. ย โ
โ ย donโt train alone, it only embeds your errors. ย โ
โ ย wanna get drunk off my ass. and itโs gotta be on cheap wine. ย โ
โ ย youโre a heartless bastard. ย โ
โ ย try to trick me anyway, anyhow, you wonโt go anywhere, you know that. โcause iโll take your head off right where it meets your neck. ย โ
โ ย sorry. i donโt want to talk about it. not now, at least. ย โ
โ ย we are more like a family.ย ย we support each other and help each other survive tough moments. ย โ
โ ย so howโs it feel to be the village witch? ย โ
โ ย realize, please, that you were made for great things. ย โ
โ ย folks say a curse has fallen on that place, a dark power brought down by the bestiality of the murders it beheld. ย โ
โ ย so, now youโve threatened me and allโฆare you in or are you not? ย โ
โ ย i know it must sound foolish, but in the dream - well, it was all too realโฆ ย โ
โ ย we may not survive this. in fact, our chances are slim. ย โ
โ ย itโs always been about you. only you. ย โ
โ ย i remember finding your sense of humor both groan-worthyโฆand somehow endearing. ย โ
โ ย kings die, realms fall, but magic endures. ย โ
โ ย i detest banquets. vacuous conversation, food portions fit for a mouse, drinks that taste like pissโฆ ย โ
โ ย despite what youโve heard, i donโt lunge at every monster i see, sword in hand.ย โ
โ ย each dayโs more dangerous than the last. ย โ
โ ย itโs folks like you that restore my faith in humankind. ย โ
โ ย my power lies in possessing knowledge, not sharing it. ย โ
โ ย the rotten smell brings back childhood memories. ย โ
โ ย awfully noble of you, showing so much concern for the needy. ย โ
โ ย no need to thank me. always glad to save your ass. youโre welcome. ย โ
โ ย i may be inhumanely beautiful, but i donโt have super human senses. ย โ
โ ย anyone can be made to talk, even a corpse. one must simply know how. ย โ
โ ย weโve done the hardest part. only got the pleasant bits now. ย โ
โ ย there are few causes worth saving. even fewer men. ย โ
โ ย donโt treat me like a child. ย โ
โ ย thereโs strange men lurking outside the house. watching me. ย โ
โ ย you must be careful what you wish for lest your wish be granted.ย ย for there are consequences. ย โ
โ ย shall i be free of the suffering? the sadness?ย โ
โ ย i wish to gaze into those eyes, eyes the devil would be proud to have. ย โ
โ ย you were born with a great gift. and only you can decide how to use it. ย โ
โ ย any other words of wisdom? or can we go? ย โ
โ ย what i need is an ally. and something tells me i shall find none better than you. ย โ
โ ย i can see no row can occur here without your participation. ย โ
โ ย i and what concerns me have not been a concern of yours for some time now. ย โ
โ ย if youโd not arrived in time, things might have ended considerably worse. ย โ
โ ย if they can bleed, they can die. ย โ
โ ย a man must display some madness from time to time โ it helps him feel alive. ย โ
โ ย i was deeply troubled. youโve no idea. ย โ
โ ย done that so many times, butโฆit felt like our first kiss to me. ย โ
โ ย donโt need to play tough on me. ย โ
โ ย iโve lost too many mates already. i wonโt risk it, i canโt. ย โ
โ ย thereโs just not enough of us. itโll be a hard fight. ย โ
โ ย in lonely woods, screams carry long. ย โ
โ ย things used to be simpler. ย ย monsters were bad, humans good.ย ย now, everythingโs all confused. ย โ
โ ย as for your missteps โ i donโt rightly see why i shouldnโt laugh if theyโre amusing.. ย โ
โ ย iโve no gold to offer you in rewardโฆbut i shall be ever so grateful. ย โ
โ ย if youโre scared, turn back. iโm gonna go on. ย โ
โ ย if anything happens, iโll defend you. ย โ
โ ย once you say โi love you,โ a kiss has to taste differently. ย โ
โ ย maybe we should sit? you look a bit dazedโฆ ย โ
โ ย drink it off, sleep it off, whatever it takesโฆjust get yourself together and think things ย ย ย ย through. ย โ
โ ย i shall join later, if itโs no trouble. i donโt yet feel strong enough to venture out. ย โ
โ ย awake at last. you writhed like a squirrel caught in a snare. ย โ
โ ย again you plan without even asking what i think! ย โ
โ ย come to see how iโm feelinโ? thanks, not bad. ย โ
โ ย i remember that day quite wellโฆthere was a light drizzle, yet the cold tore right through you. ย โ
โ ย you gotta keep your eyes peeled wide open. someoneโs taken an interest in your work. ย โ
โ ย oofโฆfor a minute, i actually thought we were doomed. ย โ
โ ย you shouldnโt worry yourself โ it tarnishes your beauty. ย โ
โ ย iโd even embrace youโฆwere you not covered in blood. ย โ
โ ย guess i couldโve been someone worseโฆjust a shame i had no choice. ย โ
โ ย facts interest me. not fairytales. ย โ
โ ย hm, odd smell. blend of alcohol, blood and monster stench. ย โ
โ ย iโm old and i am wealthy. i may say what i please. ย โ
โ ย now, be so kind and leave me to my thoughts. ย โ
โ ย in your shoes iโd pack it up and go hide somewhere far away. ย โ
โ ย forgive me, but thatโs the blatherinโ of someone who clearly canโt snap out of it after a tragic loss. ย โ
โ ย that all you gotta say? i saved your life. ย โ
โ ย i swear on all that is holy: we shall be together forever. ย โ
โ ย think of me as part of the decor. ย โ
โ ย anyone whoโs bold enough to fight is already a hero. ย โ
โ ย if this is a trap of some sortโฆ ย โ
โ ย you can count on me, you know? always. ย โ
โ ย you donโt know how much it meansโฆto have someone you can rely on in this fucking city. ย โ
โ ย i know you. you have no heart. ย โ
โ ย no room for friendship in this business. ย โ
โ ย evil is evil. lesser, greater, middling, makes no difference. the degree is arbitrary, the definitions blurred. ย โ
โ ย hands off, or iโll cut them off. ย โ
โ ย iโll need to clear my head first. after those deranged dreams, i feel itโs full of cobwebs. ย โ
โ ย on your way? or will you stay longer? itโs far safer with you aroundโฆ ย โ
โ ย really sad story, but somethingโs not right. got a feeling youโre not telling me everything. ย โ
โ ย gotta admit, thereโs something about you. youโreโฆdifferent. ย โ
โ ย with each arrow i shoot, i think of my dad. heโd be proud, i think. ย โ
โ ย i merely know when to indulge my pride, and when to swallow it. ย โ
โ ย you were born to greatness. ย โ
โย theseโre dark, grim times. no room for knights pure of heart or happily-ever-afters. ย โ
โย a life without liquorโs like loving without licking. ย โ
โย my certainty i walk the right path grows strong as iron, firm as steel. ย โ
โ ย few make me feel awkward, but in your presence, i feel anxiety, discomfort. ย โ
โย some men have got good reason to fear their own shadows. ย โ
โ ย some men cannot admit defeat. some keep fighting from beyond the grave. ย โ
โ ย stare into their eyes, feast on their terror. then go in for the kill. ย โ
โ ย forget not that you are a person right and honorable, devoted to doing good. ย โ
โ ย ash shall fertilize the soil. by spring, the valley shall bloom once more. ย โ
โ ย thereโs lots of wraiths here. i hear them whispering every night. ย โ
โ ย no one has the courage to face this threat! yet we must kill them, or sooner or later we will all die. ย โ
โ ย you are a step away from losing your head. speak the truth and you might yet keep it. ย โ
โ ย you carry within you the weight of a terrible tragedy. you are a good person, but lost. which is why you come across as grim. ย โ
โ ย if i understand you correctly, you would rather help a monster than kill it?ย โ
โ ย discouraged after a mere eight attempts? ย โ
โ ย easier to pat someone on the back and hope things will work out than it is to face the truth. ย โ
โ ย know that they canโt teach an old dog new tricks? ย โ
โ ย my, youโve grown beautiful. ย โ
โ ย my swords a promise โ if i reach for it, heads will roll. ย โ
โ ย one condition: no one dies. that clear? ย โ
โ ย patience happens to be my weakness. so dispense with the dramatic pauses and talk. ย โ
โ ย you proved today you can take care of yourself. ย โ
โ ย you under the delusion youโll complete your tasks, live happily ever after?ย โ
โ ย i will not sit and twiddle my thumbs. iโm sick of waiting, sick of hiding! ย โ
โ ย glad you know who i am. havenโt introduced yourself, though. ย โ
โ ย iโve seen a great deal โ cruelty, cynicism, greed. ย โ
โ ย you tempt fate, because at heart you are unhappy. ย โ
โ ย we had our chance, butโฆlet it go. ย โ
โ ย come now, you didnโt expect it to be that easy, did you?ย โ
โ ย promise me one thing โ youโll stop risking your life for others. ย โ
โ ย instead of dwelling on the future, iโd rather live in the moment. ย โ
โ ย i adore love stories. especially the ones that end happily ever after. ย โ
โ ย we are drops of rain that together make a ferocious storm. ย โ
โ ย the path to freedom is paved in blood, not ink. ย โ
โ ย weโll get our happy ending. one day. ย โ
โ ย iโll never forget what you did for meโฆand what we had together. ย โ
โ ย donโt meddle in other peopleโs lives. ย โ
โ ย i donโt get attached to places. just people. ย โ
โ ย itโs dangerous, there are risks involved. understand that, donโt you? ย โ
โ ย and here i hoped someone would finally take pity on me. ย โ
โ ย seen a lot of dead in my time, but that mustโve been hard. ย โ
โ ย air is strangeโฆlike dropping into a deep cellar on a hot dayโฆ ย โ
โ ย wouldnโt carry a sword if i didnโt know how to use it. ย โ
โ ย take it you didnโt summon me to reminisce about the good old days, soโฆ ย โ
โ ย i was attacked โ had to defend myself. ย โ
โ ย guards have never stopped me, you know that. ย โ
โ ย treating the ill and woundedโฆitโs my calling. ย โ
โ ย you think itโs enchanted? ย โ
โ ย there are times when a woman should simply not explain her decision. ย โ
โ ย wonโt find too many comforts, but try to feel at home. ย โ
โ ย i was looking for youโฆsometimes i thought you were just a step away. other times, i felt like i was going around in circles. ย โ
โ ย iโll remember you. always with a smile. ย โ
โ ย iโd rather you not make anymore trouble โ for yourself, or us both. ย โ
โ ย got the stench of corpes on you. ย โ
โ ย you stood to gain โ that is why you saved me. ย โ
โ ย sages invariably have hidden agendas. altruism is simply not part of their constitution. ย โ
โ ย the gods have abandoned us. the mighty of this earth care not for our fate. ย โ
โ ย is that admiration i hear in your voice? ย โ
โ ย i started off heading in the opposite direction, but then turned around. ย โ
โ ย iโm fed up. i wonโt have others deciding for me behind my back. ย โ
โ ย whereโd you get this idea? whatโs gotten into you? ย โ
โ ย i donโt expect you to commit now. think it over, what youโve heard, what you feel. ย โ
โ ย head torn clear offโฆtakes incredible strength. ย โ
โ ย desperate fathers have been known to do a lot to find their daughters. ย โ
โ ย you cannot kill me. you know thisโฆ ย โ
โ ย "i give you my heartโ? what kind of spell is that? ย โ
โ ย iโd go anywhere with you. ย โ
โ ย why? because i am a woman? in a frock, rather than plate? i can take care of myself, i assure you.ย โ
โ ย everything we discussed here, hope youโll keep it to yourself. counting on it, in fact. ย โ
โ ย trusted you once. wonโt make that mistake again. ย โ
โ ย shut up. iโve heard enough of your bullshit. draw your weapon, letโs get this over with. ย โ
โ ย exaggerating for effect, right? ย โ
โ ย well, wellโฆwhen cornered, you can bite. ย โ
โ ย you cannot winโฆeven if you kill me. ย โ
โย you know iโm good at accomplishing the impossible. ย โ
โ ย itโs nothing, really. youโd have done the same for me. ย โ
โ ย you are not ready. you do not control your powers. ย โ
โ ย youโre a tool in their hands, even if you donโt see it. ย โ
โ ย iโd do anything for you, i would. you know that well. ย โ
โ ย this is a land where the fantastic is normal, and the impossible occurs dailyโฆ ย โ
โ ย know when a legend becomes a prophecy? when it gain believers. ย โ
โ ย i thought youโd become a stranger to me. that iโd look at you and not feel a thing. but itโs not like that at all. nothingโs changed. ย โ
โ ย to be honest, i just wanted to go on a walk with you. ย โ
โ ย what i really want is to be with you, toโฆto be together andโฆ ย โ
โ ย this is not the kind of offer one refuses. ย โ
โ ย despair devours you like maggots devour a corpse. ย โ
โ ย before long every soul will kneel before you. ย โ
โ ย i run into dilemmas all the time. situations where itโs hard to judge, hard to know whatโs right, make a decision. this is not one of them. you disgust me. and deserve to die. ย โ
โ ย you know me. iโm rare to praise, but when i do, itโs sincere. ย โ
โ ย iโm not a thug for hire. ย โ
โ ย i like being on adventures, sleeping under the stars, waking up with dew on my face. ย โ
โ ย the dreamโs within reach now. iโm not about to let it go. ย โ
โ ย unlike you, killing gives me no pleasure. ย โ
โ ย canโt speak for the world you inhabit, but in mine, nothing is ever black and white. ย โ
โ ย you cannot possibly imagine how much i detest this place. ย โ
โ ย stones youโve got. but i didnโt think youโd have the stomach for a massacre. ย โ
โ ย the dead man โ looked like a monster attacked him recently. ย โ
โ ย finish all your business before you die. bid loved ones farewell. write your will. apologize to those youโve wronged. otherwise, youโll never truly leave this world. ย โ
โ ย iโve had nothing but nightmares lately. pretty horrible. ย โ
โ ย i was wandering through the forest, breathing deep the air, and then i heard a strange sound, unsettling. ย โ
โ ย had a few nice dreams. for example, in one we sat around a fire, drinking good wine, and all around people danced and laughed. ย โ
โ ย theyโre all dead! mountains of corpses. yet here i stand alone. all alone. ย โ
โ ย this isnโt a game. men have died. ย โ
โ ย if you wanna listen, listen, if not โ iโd rather you spared me your wit and throw me out now. ย โ
โ ย you fed me, cared for me, had my wounds looked after. weโre even now. ย โ
โ ย youโll return, you shall. our fates are bound. ย โ
โ ย iโve nothing left. not a fucking thing. ย โ
โ ย i donโt question your abilities. i simply donโt trust you. ย โ
โ ย what foolish things men sometimes do. ย โ
โ ย dare harm me, and against you will rise all the powers of nature. ย โ
โ ย did you destroy the evil powers? have you brought peace to my domain? ย โ
โ ย well, perhaps i shall tell you about it one day. one day, but not today.. ย โ
โ ย times like these, you never know what tomorrow will bring. ย โ
โ ย you worry too much. what will be, will be. ย โ
โ ย have you gone completely mad? we must leave here at once! ย โ
โ ย time eats away at memories, distorts them. sometimes we only remember the goodโฆ sometimes only the bad. ย โ
โ ย you donโt need magic to strip men of their humanity. iโve seen plenty of examples. ย โ
โ ย if iโm to choose between one evil and another, iโd rather not choose at all. ย โ
โ ย see what iโve got on my back? wolves fear it. kings do, too. ย โ
โ ย i missed those awkward compliments of yours. ย โ
โ ย sometimes i think itโs all too lovely to be trueโฆthat somethingโs bound to happen, another war or some other horror. ย โ
โ ย took you a while. did you run into trouble? ย โ
โ ย i just travel a lot. and i donโt always happen upon such good and civil company. ย โ
โ ย what can you know about saving the world, silly? ย โ
โ ย done my share of fighting. wouldnโt carry a sword if i didnโt know to use it. ย โ
โ ย all right, perhaps i wasnโt completely honest. ย โ
โ ย ever thought this day would come? me and youโฆpeace and quietโฆbees buzzing, birds chirping. ย โ
โ ย i detect a shadow of impatience in your face. ย โ
โ ย took me a long time to find you. wasnโt an easy road to travel. ย โ
โ ย wipe that frown off your face, or i might think you donโt like me anymore. ย โ
โ ย always believed attack was the best defense. ย โ
โ ย once itโs all over, if we survive โฆ i wish to leave, go far away.ย ย and iโd like you to come with me. ย โ
โ ย naturally, you suspect me of the worst. i donโt deserve that. ย โ
โ ย we can fight another time, in another place, where the walls have no ears. ย โ
โ ย once i was freeโฆi shall be free once more. ย โ
โ ย believe meโฆa tavern, mulled wine, our boots drying by the fire โ iโd like nothing better. ย โ
โ ย prove it. kiss me. ย โ
โ ย the prophecies do not lieโฆyou cannot survive this struggle. ย โ
โ ย i know you better than you think. ย โ
โ ย you know me. nothing i like more than breaking rules. ย โ
โ ย whatโs happened? itโs so quiet, all of a sudden. ย โ
โ ย thank you, for coming with me. ย โ
โ ย i cannot do everything for you. use your head. ย โ
โ ย iโm angry and tired. had to kill a lot of people along the way. ย โ
โ ย weโve come a long way, and iโd be damned if weโve come to fail. ย โ
โ ย i sense your pain. i see your fear. ย โ
โ ย howโs this for an answer: kiss my ass. ย โ
โ ย how many have you already killed? how many more might you still? ย โ
โ ย iโm quite alive and extraordinarily well. better than iโve ever been in this rotten life of mine. ย โ
โ ย i like it when you smile. come here. everything will be all right. ย โ
โ ย ugh. donโt fall in love with me. ย โ
โ ย i donโt like you. in fact, i feel like slapping you. ย โ
โ ย iโm too old to play the blushing brideโฆunless you ask nicely. ย โ
โ ย that bit of my life โ forgotten it already. ย โ
โ ย the world doesnโt need a hero. it needs a professional. ย โ
โ ย next time you wonder why iโm so bitterโฆwell, thereโs your answer. ย โ
โ ย nothing wrong with having a drink in good company. ย โ
โ ย i want you behind those rocks. and keep your mouth shut. ย โ
โ ย nice of you to worryโฆbut iโve made my decision, and i wonโt change it. ย โ
โ ย this is my story, not yours. you must let me finish telling it. ย โ
โ ย after all that toil, i believe we deserve a bit of a rest. ย โ
โ ย i was afraid you were dead. ย โ
โ ย weโve all some stain on our conscience. ย โ
โ ย leaving the castle walls means certain death. ย โ
โ ย right good jest. had us a laugh. now fuck off. ย โ
โ ย iโve heard about you. you bring trouble, or thus far have, always. ย โ
โ ย ah, youโve struck a raw nerve. ย ย memories of a time long past to which iโd rather not return now. ย โ
โ ย we meet again. and it seems you need my help. again. ย โ
โ ย got a relative i can talk to? someone - how do i say this - a smidgen less irritating? ย โ
โ ย miss the target, you owe me fifty push-ups. hit it, you owe me twenty. ย โ
โ ย oh. serious talk coming. ย โ
โ ย i feel like one more lieโd be the last bitter drop in a chalice full of sorrow. ย โ
โ ย romantic? thought we came here as friends. ย โ
โ ย youโre hiding something. and thatโs one thing i canโt stand. ย โ
โ ย tell me, how do you do it? always manage to pull yourself together, focus, no matter whatโs happening? ย โ
โ ย i go wherever i please, whenever i please. ย โ
โ ย uh oh. i know that look. ย โ
โ ย sounds tempting. so tempting i donโt think i can refuse. ย โ
โ ย so, what do you say to a moonlight ride on horsebackโฆand dinner? ย โ
โ ย perhapsโฆperhaps youโd stay just a bit longer? ย โ
โ ย how are you feeling? sleep well? ย โ
โ ย such a gloomy subject to broachโฆย simply shouldnโt have. ย โ