Fight between drunkards.

Delaney woke up when the sun was high up. She would always have trouble sleeping, but whenever she was in Mrs Wade's house, it was like some sleeping spell was cast on her. She squinted her eyes as the rays of the hot sun penetrated into the sitting room. After adjusting to the light, she flung her legs down the couch and looked around in a daze. Her sword and daggers were placed on the table and her shoes on the floor, but Mrs Wade was nowhere to be seen.

She untied her hair and ran her fingers through it before walking into the familiar kitchen. She made herself a cup of coffee then fried some eggs that she ate with a piece of bread. Her heart felt heavy when she remembered that her father had cut ties with her but there was no use crying over spilt milk. She then took a bath and changed into the clean clothes that she had brought with her the previous night.

She decided to pass by the popular tarven in Gatria before going to the guild of hunters. She was well known by the servers because she was a frequent customer. She didn't notice that someone had been following her, since she left Mrs Wade's house.

"Delaney," Mark, one of the servers greeted with a smile. Delaney smiled back then handed him the hip flask to refill. "Your money is finished," mark said. Delaney was someone who drank on a daily basis. She would give Mark a silver coin that would last for several days so she did the same and placed a silver coin on the table.

She turned around to leave, but a figure blocked her way. A burly man looked down on her, his bushy beared barely concealing a grin. Delaney looked up at him, brows furrowed. "What do we have hear," the man said stepping closer and Delaney wrinkled her nose as a strong stench of alcohol hit her face. She tried pushing him away but the man held both her wrists in his large hand.

"You want to play, huh?" he asked, his voice rough and gravelly. Delaney was an apathetic person with very little patience. "Let go of my hand." she said in a warning tone.

The man laughed, then let go of one of her wrists.

"Why are you so feisty? But I love it. I love the chase," he said then laughed again.

Delaney felt disgusted by his words and his hands on hers. With her free hand, she grabbed a glass on the counter and smashed it on the man's bald head, injuring her palm in the process. The man screamed in pain as blood trickled down his face. Delaney wanted to take the chance to leave but two men grabbed her by either side of her arms.

"You bitch!" The man cursed, landing a heavy slap on Delaney's face. She felt a stinging pain as a red mark started to form on her cheek, and she grimaced feeling a metallic taste in her mouth. The commotion had people standing and watching from the sidelines. Xander and Erick included.

On remembering that they needed the girl alive, Xander wanted to go over and help but Erick stopped him. "Don't interfere in a fight between drunkards. I'm sure she can handle herself." he said calmly.

Delaney waited for the man to get closer before kneeing him on the groin. The man crouched to the ground, groaning in pain. She then elbowed the man on her right and punched the other one in the face. One of them was quick to stand up and grab her hair pulling her head back.. Delaney gritted her teeth, then turned around with much difficulty and spat on the man's face. He instinctively let go of her hair and she withdrew a dagger from her boot stabbing the man's hand.

The man wailed, holding his hand that was glued to the table by the sharp dagger. Delaney wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, then pulled out the dagger. The man fell to the ground screaming.

Impressive! Xander thought, staring at the slender woman. She walked out of the tarven and people made way for her. She only felt the pain from her hand after putting away the dagger. She tore a piece of cloth from her shirt and tried tying the wound but she couldn't.

"Delaney," a voice called from the back and she turned to meet a man's honey coloured sharp eyes. "Let me help you," Xander said, stopping only a step away from her. Delaney observed him carefully but eventually held out her hand. He first plucked out the shreds of glass stuck on her palm, then his long and slender fingers moved swiftly to tie the wound.

Looking at him up close, Delaney was mesmerized by the man's beauty. His black hair was combed to the side neatly, outlining his sharp features. His long eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. His thin lips were slightly upturned, even though he was not smiling. He had high cheek bones, a straight nose and a sharp jawline. His eyes looked up to meet hers and his lips stretched smilingly.

"Xander," the man said, holding out his hand. "Delaney," she said shaking his outstretched hand lightly.

"You're quite popular around here." Delaney didn't respond. she stared at him one last time before thanking him and walking away.

Xander was very satisfied with himself. He stared at her retreating figure and his smile deepened. Well, atleast she didn't push him away. He would just have to tread carefully and pick the right time to approach, just like now.

After leaving the tarven, Delaney walked to the market to look for herbs. She didn't expect to meet his father there. She waited for him to pass before moving forward but he noticed her first.

"Delaney," his brows pulled together in a knot as he held her face in his hands. "What happened? Did you fight?" he asked worriedly.

"It's nothing." Mr Palestine watched his daughter's stoic expression and his heart ached. "Delaney, I'm your father. No matter what has happened in the past, I still care about you."

Delaney's expression remained impassive. "You lost me father. You lost me a long time ago. You became muddle-headed after marrying that woman."

"Watch your words!" her father said, his voice hardening.

"It's alright. My cold heart should be used to rejection by now, isn't it." she said with a sad smile then walked past him.

Mr Palestine felt a pang of guilt hearing her words. He loved Delaney dearly. She was afterall his first daughter and a product of his first love. But he also loved his wife. They had been married for more than twenty years and they had their beautiful daughter Elsie.

Before Angela, there was Anastasia, the love of his life. Delaney took after her mother in terms of appearance but with time she had grown very distant and cold. He couldn't remember the last time he saw her laugh or even smile genuinely. Since she turned seventeen, they would go for days without seeing each other and it pained him to know there's nothing he could do to bring the old Delaney back.