Questioning, Morvran tilted his head and frowned.

"Our story? My apologies but I don't understand.", he tried to smile clueless.

Impatient, you began to move in your seat. The words made your heart beat faster.

Did he recognise anyone?

Did he remember Morvran from the past?

Or was he just asking this out of curiosity?

With a light laugh, the old man leaned back and nodded.

"Isn't it obvious? The two of you are such an odd couple. You are a man with morals and good manners. Your little sweetheart on the other hand seems to be a different breed. Poor thing can't even sit straight in a chair. I know a story when I see one. So tell me, how did you two end up here?", the old man grinned, his eyes were filled with a curious spark.

Even though the two of you had agreed on a background story, you were feeling nervous. It was the first time that you were telling the story to someone. You needed to remember all of the details. Hopefully, it would be convincing.

Your lips twitched as your mouth opened to say the first word. But Morvran was quicker. Acting surprisingly well, he laughed softly and pressed a kiss onto your hair.

"Is it that obvious?", he asked in a surprised voice. "It's true, we come from different places. I am... a noble son of a simple rich man. My father is a rich merchant. I was supposed to be his heir."

Hesitating, the man raised his chin and eyed Morvran.

"A merchant you say? What did he made his fortune with?", he asked.

Morvran shrugged, as if the answer was obvious.

"Weapons and armour, of course. He is a smart man that knows what will be needed in the future. As Nilfgaard declared war, my father bought many smitheries and ordered the smiths to craft war supplies. He sold them to the army of the empire. It made him filthy rich.", Morvran bit his lips. "The empire offered him a title and proper education for me. So, he agreed."

Approving, the old man nodded. He crossed his arms before his narrow chest, looking over to you. His eyes were filled with a dark shimmer. He wasn't trusting you as much as he trusted Morvran.

"And you?", he asked. "You're not as noble as your lover, aren't you?"

You shook your head.

"True. I am from a lower background. My father was a fisherman and my mother died before I remembered her. I have some healing skills, I can fix bones and cure colds without magic.", you looked up to Morvran, smiling as the memories of your little accident crossed your mind. "I was employed as a medic. In case the doctor wasn't available."

"Let me guess, you two fell in love without permission?", the old man laughed.

Both, you and Morvran, sighed and nodded.

"Obviously.", you mumbled. "We ran away to be together. But the bad times are in the past now. As we traveled though the duchy, we heard about a deserted mansion that needed a master. So, we came here in hopes of claiming the land as a new home. Or Morvran at least. I do not have the right to claim the land."

"Not yet.", Morvran said without thinking.

Confused, you looked up to him. But he ignored your questioning eyes, turned to the man and looked him dead in the eye.

"You have a problem with thieves, you said? Let me make a deal with you. We will take care of the problem. In exchange, you will hand over the documents for the estate. We will claim the land and you will have work again. Does that sound like something?", a raging shimmer was burning inside of the generals eyes.

There was no hesitation, no doubt. He wanted this. Everything was laying before him. All he had to do was grab the opportunity. And he was willing to do a lot for it.

Almost anything.

For a long, tense moment, the old man just stared at him. His eyes did not move, he wasn't saying a single word. All he did was stare and tilt his head from one side to the other. Then, he looked over to you. His cold gaze send shivers down your spine.

"You have some fire in you, young man.", he finally said. "What was your family name again?"

Struck by surprise, Morvran began to stutter.

"Toulessi.", you said without skipping a beat. "Our name is Toulessi."

Hesitating, the man raised an eyebrow.

"Our? So you two are married?", he asked.

Suddenly, your heart skipped a beat.

"No.", Morvran answered before you could. "It's just easier to use the same last name. It saves us a lot of trouble. For you, we are the Toulessi."

For a moment, he hesitated. Then the old man offered his hand.

"Let's settle the deal with a handshake, young mister Toulessi. You will take care of the thieves, we will let you claim the land.", the old man said.

Unsure, Morvran raised an eyebrow.

"It's that easy?", he asked.

The man nodded.

"For a noble son it might not seem to be a big price. But we common people are suffering every day. Getting rid of those parasites is more than a high price to us. It is worth more than the jewellery of the duchess herself. So, are you taking the task or not?"

Waiting patiently, he man stretched out his hand towards him.

Testing, Morvran glared at you. You nodded. With a slim smile, Morvran shook the hand and nodded approving.

"It is settled then. But do not try to trick us, we will get what we want.", he warned.

"We do not have a death wish, young master. We will do our part if you do yours. We are people that stay true to their words.", the old man insisted.

"Very well.", you git up from your seat, grabbing your belt tightly. "Give us a week worth of time. And if we are not back after the time has run out, consider us dead. We will bring you prove that the thieves are gone, if we succeed."

Happily, the old man nodded.

"Kill the leader. If you cut off the head, the whole viper will die."