The sleepers

With a tentative alliance secured I returned to the watchtower, an idle tune strumming behind me. I hadn't gotten what I'd gone for but what I found might be better, or it might end up being gold-plated lead.

Like any investment, only time would tell.

I expanded my sense once more, draining my reserves further, and confirmed the locations of the other guards. The walker had climbed the watchtower and was looking out towards the gate, based on his position, which was a very good sign or a very bad one, depending on how quickly I could move.

But haste would be foolish and wasteful, so I maintained my speed. A hunter didn’t need to be the fastest, my instincts whispered. A hunter didn't need to be the stongest or most skilled. A hunter just needed to be willing, and to be in the right place at the time.

It was an instinct that appealed to the merchant.

On that instinct I scooped up a rock and picked my moment. The stone rung out a moment later, just loud enough to stall and distract the walker.

I couldn’t have bought more than ten seconds, but if I had half of those then I had my chance.

I crawled through the window I saw earlier, ducking my head to make room for my horns. Like any wayward youth I knew how to pass through a window; I'd snuck in and out of a fair few for a fair few reasons. The last time had been as prey, avoiding pointed tines and burning clubs.

I followed my nose and found the pair, snoring and bundled up in the same bed. They held each other, calm and content, and for a moment the human wanted to hesitate; to stay his hand and wake them, and see if they might also join.

The demon lord, urged on by his insane knight, ripped their throats out with two quick slashes.

A hunter was punctual, a hunter was precise. A hunter didn’t hesitate when a moments passing would decide who ate and who died.

I passed my eyes around the room, locking onto a wardrobe. I flattened myself against it, hiding from the door, and closed my eyes.

The scent told me when the walker reached the room, and my ears caught his gasp and his hurried gait.

"Erron! Adam!"

He passed by the wardrobe, eyes locked on the crimson bedding. He half-turned as I lunged and took him in the eye, I felt my talons hit something squishy and tore it out.

The walker hit the ground, brain and boneshards preceding him.

I shook my hand, blood coming free and spattering the floor.

Okay, next the manor.