Many, many years earlier.

The sound of footsteps was the only noise as a lone figure walked through the night, frantic to reach his destination. He clutched a bundle of papers together, bound only by a loose thread that was threatening to break and let the papers fly free. He wrapped his cloak around his body tighter and pulled up his hood as he continued through the trees.

Stepping over a hill, he stopped as he watched a small town beneath him, and saw the small fires illuminating light and warmth. He took the steps towards that town, each weighing heavier upon him as the burden of what he was going to do haunted him.

The sound of the door opening was nothing compared to the noise of the tavern, busy and full of life despite the moon being overhead. The man surveyed the room and a flash of red to his right. Stomping his feet on the carpet, he took into account the number of people in the room and stalked off to that side.

Sitting alone in a booth sat another man, though this one without the age of travel on him. He gestured for the traveler to sit and ordered them both beers. The traveler removed his hood and set his bundle onto the table. On the opposite side of the table sat another similar looking bundle. Both men eyed the others, and when they saw their deal had been kept, let out a visible movement of relief.

The traveler took into account the other man's features. His hair was longer than most mens, and sporting a colour that matched his personality, a dull red to match his aging anger. His eyes were a deep blue, a color that contrasted against his pale skin.

He himself had very similar gestures. They were, after all, brothers.

"Is it over now?" the man asked, tension weaving through his body.

"It should be, now that we came to this agreement", he left the but  unspoken, but the other man heard it still.

"Do you still think that this will continue to happen?", he drummed his fingers on the table, and then threw his head back and laughed. "God, you are so paranoid, everything is done now, we have nothing to worry about anymore! We can relax", the man said, eyeing the waitress as she brought them their drinks.

Once she was out of earshot, the traveler sighed, "You know as well as I do that we're only halfway there. We still need to deliver these", pointing his head towards the bundles.

The man nodded," Yeah yeah, we'll get to those, don't you worry. For now, just drink and eat! Our problems are almost gone!".

The traveler looked over at the bundles and nodded along to the words the man had said.

They were almost done.

It was almost over.

He sipped his beer and tried to relax.