Page 127 of An Archer's Redemption

“Oh, that?” I paused and thought through the conversations we’d just completed. “No, nothing jumps out. That one guy, the butcher, wasn’t very talkative, but I didn’t get any tingly magic alarm or anything. I’m pretty sure I would’ve noticed a hive attacking me.”

“Nice. Keep rubbing it in.” Keelan smirked. “I thought the same about that guy. Maybe we should pay him another visit before we leave. For now, just pay attention when we talk to Liam. I’ve got a feeling—”

“All right, I’ll keep an eye—or a neck—out for the bees,” I quipped, earning a brotherly punch in the arm.

A short time later, we sat at one of the round wooden tables in the common room of the inn. Liam stared across, fingers fidgeting.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I swear that’s what I saw. The bear reached down to the ground, grabbed a mask, put it on, andturned into a man, then walked away into the night. I was hiding behind the apothecary not twenty paces away.”

Keelan looked to me, then nudged me with his foot.

“Uh, okay. It does sound crazy, but I believe you’re telling us what you think you saw.”

“Isawit. It’s not what I think. Don’t you call me nuts, too. I deal with that enough around here already. The whole thing was supposed to be kept secret, but it’s all anybody’s talking about.” He put his head in his hands as if to cry.

“I know this is hard, but what you’re telling us is important,” Keelan tried to reassure him. “The bear put on a mask and turned into a man. What did that man look like?”

Liam looked up slowly, his lips pursed as he tried to remember. “It was dark, but I could see he wore robes. The moonlight reflected or shimmered off them as he walked away. I never saw his face, but he had short hair. I think it was brown or black.”

“Was he tall or short? What was his build like?”

“It was hard to tell. He was so big as the bear, then he shrunk down. I guess he was average height, maybe a little taller. His robes were flowy, so I couldn’t really tell anything about his body.”

Keelan watched him fidget, then asked, “Liam, what aren’t you telling us? I can see you’re holding something back.”

He looked up. “I’ve told you everything I know, everything I saw.”

“But not something you suspect?” Keelan guessed.

“How—?” His eyes widened, then he looked back to his hands.

Keelan decided to go in a different direction. “How well do you know the local Priest?”

Liam’s head snapped up. “Seth? Pretty well, I guess.”

I leaned forward and gave Keelan a meaningful look.

“What’s he like?”

Liam sat up straight and crossed his arms. “He’s agoodman who helps people. What more do you want to know?”

“Easy.” Keelan raised a palm. “We’re not accusing him of anything, just trying to get to know the people in town. I’ve been an investigator for years, and you never know what tiny clue might help crack a case.”

Liam’s arms unfurled, and his hands dropped back to his lap, clutched tightly. A far-away look came over his eyes as he remembered and spoke. “Seth and I started seeing each other a few months after he came to town. He visits in the morning as we’re getting ready for the breakfast crowd. We have dinner a few times each week and take long walks around town. He’s even helped me with my market runs a few times. Like I said, he’s a wonderful man.”

“What can you tell us about his work with his faith?”

He beamed at this. “He helps more people than anyone I’ve ever known. He says it’s why the Spirits called him to the Order, to help those who can’t help themselves. Poor, lame, sick, old, it doesn’t matter to him. He does whatever they need, whatever he can.”

“How does he spread the word about his faith? Does he hold meetings in a Temple, or speak somewhere?” Keelan asked.

“Oh, yes, he holds meetings a couple times each week in the town square. There isn’t a Temple here, so he stands on the steps of the courtyard and folks gather around. Most folks make at least one of his meetings each week.”

“I assume you attend these meetings?”

Laim nodded. “I don’t miss many. I like seeing him talk, watching how the people react to his message of kindness and generosity.”

Keelan sat back in his chair and tapped his forefinger on the table as he thought.

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