Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations. -Oliver Goldsmith

Seeing a lone hunter wandering the halls of the castle was no longer surprising for Lisa. Trevor had been staying with them for nearly three weeks, by her count, and he seemed to have a boundless wanderlust, coupled with an insatiable curiosity. She wondered, when was the last time he'd had the opportunity to explore a place which was safe for him? Well, so long as he kept aware of where he was walking. Her husband had informed her of the little falling mishap Adrian had needed to rescue Trevor from.

As well as the inebriated state Trevor was in the night before.

This time, since he was walking around alone, head swiveling as he took everything in, she took the opportunity to approach him.

"Good afternoon, Trevor. How are you feeling?"

The hunter started, but put on a false smile. "Fine."

Lisa shook her head. "Not if you feel the need to lie to me." Trevor's false smile slipped away. "Now, if you don't wish to tell me, simply say so. However, I do know the state you were in last night. I also know that my son brought up breakfast for you this morning."

"Ah. Sorry. I do feel fine though. I just-" Trevor rubbed at the back of his neck. "I was looking around. You know."

"I'm afraid I don't know. What are you looking for?"

"I'm not- uh." He cut off his sentence with one small glare from Lisa. "...Weapons?"

Lisa raised both brows and looked pointedly down at the whip strapped to his belt.

"Alright yeah, I have my whip, which is great and all, but I'm going to be traveling- Uh, did I say-? Did Adrian-?"

"Yes, darling," Lisa said, cutting off his worried rambling. "We discussed your involvement ahead of time." It wasn't completely true, but Adrian and Vlad had discussed it, at least, before letting her know. "I'm very glad you've decided to help. I'm sure my friends are in good hands."

Trevor couldn't hold her gaze, she noticed. He just mumbled words which sounded like thanks and didn't seem to believe her praise. Hm.

"Let me help you find your weapons," Lisa offered. "If you wander around, either you'll find nothing, or you'll simply stumble across one of my husband's collections. I don't think he would be happy if you took something from them." She laughed.

"I can imagine." Trevor said, face doing something like a smile and a grimace. He followed her as she lead him through the halls. He didn't speak much, but did seem to be listening as she spoke of the weather and the unseasonably early winter temperatures-courtesy of the mountains being closer to where Vlad had moved the castle during Trevor's recovery.

Eventually, they reached the proper room. It wasn't as large as the rooms where her husband, or even her son, liked to store their weapons, but still a decent size. It bore a few displays, a solid table, a cabinet for cleaning supplies, and a couple targets. What made it different from the other weapon rooms was the ones displayed.

"Are these all knives?" Trevor asked.

"Yes. I am sorry I can't offer more. As I said, my husband can be rather protective over his collections."

"But not this one?"

"Oh darling, these are mine."

Trevor whipped his head around to stare at her, looking surprised for a few moments before he chuckled. "Of course they are." He grinned and began looking around, more relaxed.

"I'm not sure what you're used to, but feel free to look at whatever would work for you," Lisa offered.

"Really?" Trevor picked up a few knives made for throwing, testing the balance in his hands. He sounded skeptical.

"Of course. You are doing a favor for me, after all. Besides, I want you and my son to both be safe. My friends should pose no threat, but I know it's dangerous out there, especially with the church the way it is now." And especially with what they think of you, she thought.

Trevor seemed to understand her meaning without words and lifted his chin in appreciation.

Lisa watched as he tested different knives on the targets across the room. The young man had certainly grown, even during the short time she'd known him. She had been certain he would oppose the idea of traveling and working in direct opposition to the church, especially alongside people long considered monsters by the Belmont clan. Yet here he was, preparing himself for a journey with her son, looking relatively unruffled. Others might have been worried about sending their children off with armed strangers, but Lisa trusted her son to take care of himself. Further, Trevor was no longer a stranger, not after he had risked his life for her, and she had healed him in turn.

In fact, Lisa realized, she should offer more to the young man willing to risk his life for others.

While Trevor was busy, Lisa looked in one of the side cabinets. She opened a small compartment and removed the glass bottle inside.

"Trevor," she said, "Take this with you as well."

The young man ambled over, and when his eyes landed on the item in Lisa's hands, they widened. "Holy water?"

"Yes." Lisa stood firm under the scrutinizing look Trevor gave her.

"Why?" he asked, taking the bottle nonetheless.

"Because, humans are not the only threat to travelers."

"I'm aware of that." Trevor's tone hid a question inside, like a silent 'why.' Lisa sighed.

"Vlad... He tries to keep the land within his borders secure, and mmh, content. The castle houses a number of monsters, which keeps them and humans safe. Less fear and lashing out in fear." Trevor's brow furrowed but he gave no objections, only a curt nod to continue. "But he can't watch everything. There are many creatures that wander. And... not all of them listen to my husband, even if they are perfectly capable of doing so."

Trevor shrugged. "I didn't figure staying here for just a few weeks would give me benefits anyways. It'll just be travel as normal. Maybe with more church members jumping at the chance to find me but-"

"Really?" Lisa interrupted. "Do you think...?"

"What? Do I think what? That monsters would give me special treatment?" Trevor scoffed, smiling like inviting her into a joke.

"Not exactly... But my husband- Vlad, just the fact that he kept you here as a guest for so long, it means something to the others." Lisa closed her eyes with a tired smile. "I don't care for politics much, myself. Vlad is far more comfortable navigating the battles that are courtly functions."

Trevor chuckled with her. "Right. I don't really like that shit either." He blushed when Lisa cocked a brow and rubbed at the back of his neck, but didn't apologize for what he'd said. Good. "If another vampire tries eating my face, I'm still staking them."

"Of course! There's no question about that."

Trevor smiled wryly and shook his head. Lisa knew it would take time to fully earn his trust, but she was determined to do so, one step at a time. For the moment, she clapped her hands together and said, "Now! While we're here, I'd like to practice with you. It's been some time since I've traveled long distances, and I'm afraid my defensive skills have gone rather unused."

"Yeah?" Trevor's voice held poorly suppressed surprise, like he was asking, Are you sure? Me? "We can start with a few basics, just to warm up."

"Sounds good." Lisa smiled at him, picking out and unsheathing one of her favored daggers. "How's my stance?"

It's the next part of the series~ (๑ᴖ◡ᴖ๑)

Anyway, we begin with Lisa and Trevor! The next chapter was originally going to be the first, but I hope this one works well. Idk if there's anyone reading this fic that has not read the others, but I think it flows well enough for that, if you prefer.

Lisa totally has a collection of knives. She collects herbs in the wilderness, she's versed in various medical procedures, she traveled in the recent past, and just, it's medieval times, most people carried something around. Traveling with swords was considered normal. Also Vlad would spoil her. Thus, the room. xD

Soooo lemme know what you think so far. *Whispers* Next chapter is Vlad and Adrian. (´ゝз・`)ﾉ⌒