"I'd like to stay in your cabin tonight--me and my men--if it suits you to show us hospitality, huntsman." Jesse swung his mace over his shoulder and smiled with a tip of his head.
"And if it doesn't 'suit me'?"
"Then I shall again be forced to--"
"Dispatch me. I know." The huntsman finished, frowning. He tapped his fingers against the top of the hunting horn that hung at his belt, considering. "Alright." He answered finally. "Help yourselves to the food if you like. But I'll expect manners. After all, as you say, I'm only a blind man." He shrugged and opened the door for them.
Gasping, I bit my tongue to keep from crying out. What was he thinking?
I sucked in deep breaths as the cold continued to sap me of strength. Everything around me was growing fuzzier, and my head throbbed and spun. I glanced over at the dog, my eyes filling with tears that burned like fire.
"What am I going to do now?" I whispered, stroking the animal's soft fur. "Your master doesn't understand."
"What don't I understand?" The huntsman murmured above me. I started.
"I can't go in there." I stated dully, looking up at him.
"Oh I understand that." The huntsman replied.
"You do?"
"Yes. These men are scoundrels. I'd never let you in there with them. Don't worry." His face was alight with chivalry, and I stifled a laugh at this display of boyish innocence. He thought he was protecting me, when in reality it was the other way around.
"Thank you." I said earnestly. The gesture was no less pleasing for its lack of relevance.
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