Page 85 of An Archer's Redemption

I didn’t want to like the Priest but couldn’t help warming to his easy smile. “Just some dried meat in my pack.”

Before Seth could respond, a rotund older woman burst through the door, an empty pitcher in one hand and four beer mugs gripped by their handles in the other. Her head snapped up when she saw her guests, round eyes roaming to my face.

“Oh, Seth. You’re early today. I can’t let our boy go for another few hours.” The woman gaped at me, the overly tall uniformed man standing by the Priest. “Who did you bring with you? I can’t remember having a giant in our inn before.”

Seth laughed. I shuffled my feet.

“It’s all right, Ma. I’m just bringing you another guest: a Constable from across the mountains who just arrived in town.”

She set the pitcher down and gave me her full attention, failing to hide her sudden unease. “Across the mountains, eh? What brings ya here?”

I offered a shallow bow. “I am here on a personal matter and need a room for a few nights.”

Ma brightened. “Of course. We can fix ya right up. You’ll be wanting to wash the road off first thing. I’ll have our boy bring you hot bath water. We just cleaned up the noon meal, but I can have some cuts and cheese brought up if you’re hungry to tide ya over till dinner.”

“You’re right on both counts. I’m starving and”—I looked down at my dusty coat— “definitely need to wash the road off. Is there someone who could clean my uniform?”

Ma nodded. “Just leave it outside your door. Boy’ll take it and bring it back clean before the day’s out.”

I bowed again. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“You hear that? He called me ma’am—and bowedtwice!” Ma giggled and swatted at Seth. Through her laughter, she calledover her shoulder as she left the room, “Wait one minute. I’ll show you to your room.”

Seth turned to me. “I will leave you to it, then. I hope your stay is peaceful and pleasant.”

“Thank you.” I set my pack on the floor and nodded. “Before you leave, can I ask you about something?”

“Of course. How can I help?” Seth asked.

“How long have you lived here?”

“Oh, it’s been a few months now. It feels like I’ve been here forever, though. The place really grows on you fast.”

“Did you know a man named Hershel?”

Seth’s face fell, and his eyes hardened. “Yes. I knew him.”

I held up a palm. “Forgive me. I know his passing was a tragedy. I am here to learn what I can of how he died. The local Constables’ report was vague, and the High Sheriff in Fontaine asked for another pair of eyes. He couldn’t spare his own men, and I was about to climb the walls with boredom. So here I am.”

Seth relaxed a bit, but his guard remained in place. “They say it was a bear attack. What a terrible thing. I did not see his body afterward, but folks who did said you might not know it was Hershel. His face—most of it had been ripped apart. Had we not known an animal was to blame, I would say someone who hated the man killed him with spite in their heart.”

I listened carefully.

My Gift remained quiet, undisturbed.

The Priest believed what he was saying and held nothing back.

“Thank you. I know it can be hard to relive events such as this, but it is important we know what happened to protect others from the same fate.”

The stable boy appeared through the kitchen door and looked between me and Seth, as if sensing tension he hadn’t felt before. Seth looked up slowly and nodded. “I’ll leave you now, Guardsman. Good day.”

A couple of hours later, I returned to the common room cleaned, fed, and somewhat rested. I had changed out of my uniform, in favor of more comfortable civilian clothing, a muted-green tunic and dark tan trousers—something Jess had provided. The thought made me smile as I donned the shirt.

I’d been away for only a few days and already missed her.

I hardly knew what to do with that foreign feeling.

I settled into a chair at a table near the hearth, letting the warmth of the newly stoked fire soak into my tired muscles. A few other guests had arrived and talked quietly at tables throughout the room.

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