Recognized

"Darien?" you hear a female voice behind you ask "Darien..." she pauses "Did you..." you turn around, seeing the dark haired daughter talking "Did you fight in Nillix?" her voice, a slight stutter in it.

You don't say a word, just looking down at the cowering family, the mother and son aren't looking up at you, they are still scared for their life, the daughter though is starting to push herself up on her feet, keeping her back against the wall, holding that small cooking knife in her hand still. You pull your hands up, cupping your hood and pulling it down over your head, finally revealing your face.

"It is you..." her mouth drops open as her eyes go wide "But you...you fought for Rathkin. Why are you..." her head shaking in confusion.

You just eye over the family once more, the daughter standing up at about five feet seven inches, dark leather pants and a leather tunic, her straight black hair going down to her shoulder blades, you knew she was fit but couldn't tell exactly how fit due to the tunic covering much of her upper body. The pants were tight around her legs and you could tell she trained hard. The most memorable feature of her though, her eyes, a lighter shade of grey, almost like volcanic ash, something you've never seen before.

"Just...why. Why would you fight against us now?!" she questions.

"I was never Rathkin." you begin "Never was and never will be."

"But you...you fought for Rathk..."

"I fought for myself." you interrupt "I apologize for what my warriors did." you change the subject, walking up towards the family. The daughter still holding that cooking knife in her hand, but you are not phased by it, instead you kneel down towards the mother and son, bringing a hand out to cup the back of the sons head, causing him to let out a little whimper. The mother just giving you a look of shock.

"I'm sorry." you say again, looking into the mother's puffy red tear filled eyes "No more harm will come to your family. I will give you some time, but afterwards come to the Tavern." you rub the back of the boys head a little bit, giving a grin at the mom "We will be staying in Murnic for a few nights, as long as you stay in the Tavern you will be safe. You have my word."

"Thank you..." she sniffles out "Thank you." she repeats again before cradling her son with both her arms again, hugging him hard.

You stand up, still looking down at the mother and son, the pain they are going through right now. You turn your gaze towards the daughter once more, she appears to still be in awe of you, her hand still gripping that knife with great force, her muscle spasming a little bit. You step forward, looking at her, you reach down and grab the tip of the knife, slowly unlocking it from her grip.

"I'll keep a warrior out front. When you're ready, talk with them, they will bring you safely to the Tavern." you set the knife down on a stand beside you "You won't need this anymore. Trust me. No more harm will come to your family anymore." you look into those mysterious grey eyes.

The daughter doesn't say a word, just looking back at you. You almost lose track of time as you look into those special eyes, her strong facial features, the curve of her eyes, the raise of her cheek bones, the puffiness of her lips. This daughter just seemed so mysterious. You felt like you had an attractiveness towards her, like she was somehow pulling you towards her. Just something about her...

Eventually you turn around, making your way towards the exit of the house. As you take a step out of the larger rectangular living area into the corridor towards the entrance of the house, the daughter once more speaks.

"Zoe." she says "My name is Zoe."