Linry paced back and forth, her expression tight with panic. She was unravelling, acting on impulse rather than thought.
'Linry…' Riniock called out as she passed him for what felt like the hundredth time. 'I know this is hard, but we have to think clearly. Panicking won't help.'
'I – I can't!'
'You have to,' he insisted. 'If we're going to find your father, we need to start somewhere. The first step is asking the neighbours.'
His gaze swept over their surroundings before landing on a nearby woman. He gestured towards her. 'Let's start with her.'
Without hesitation, he approached. The woman's sharp eyes followed him, her wariness evident.
'Greetings, miss,' Riniock said with a polite nod.
'What?' she snapped.
'Erm…hello. I was hoping you could –'
She cut him off. 'What do you want? Can't leave an old woman in peace for more than a day?'
'I think you have me mistaken for someone else.'
The woman huffed. 'I told you I'd get it. Why can't you wait another day? Look, I don't have much…'
Riniock's brow furrowed. She must have confused him for a debt collector – or something worse.
If he played along, he might learn something useful.
'Well, I'm getting impatient,' he bluffed, crossing his arms. 'When can you get it?'
'My hands are tied. It'll take another day.'
'You better hope you have it by then, or I'll be back,' he said, keeping his voice firm.
'Fine, fine, I heard you the first time, you Ikshari bastards.'
Riniock stiffened. Ikshari… His lips twitched in anger, but he kept his composure.
'I assume you remember where to drop it off?'
The woman rolled her eyes. 'Yeah. Your camp, southeast of here, a few leagues out.'
'Good,' he said smoothly. Then, he gestured towards Linry's old house. 'And what about the man from there?'
'Him? Nuh uh, I won't tell you a damn thing.'
Linry stepped forward, eyes narrowed, a swirl of flame flickering in her palm. 'You're testing our patience, woman. Tell us where he is.'
The woman raised her hands, squeezing her eyes shut at the sight of magick. 'Okay – okay! He's at the inn…hiding from you freaks.'
Linry extinguished the flames in her palm and strode towards her politamus. With a swift motion, she pulled herself onto its back, urging it forward. Riniock followed suit, trailing behind until he caught up.
She had a destination in mind, and it wasn't the Ikshari camp.
'We're going to the inn, aren't we?' Riniock asked.
'Mhm. Creep Crawl Inn,' she replied hastily. 'I know where it is. Come on.'
Riniock fell silent for a moment.
Linry wasn't thinking clearly – much like he often didn't when anger clouded his judgment. Right now, all that mattered to her was finding her father.
'Shouldn't we deal with the camp first?'
'I need to check on my father,' Linry said firmly. 'Everything else is secondary.'
'Very well.'
Their journey through Haitenshire carried a weight of unease. People had likely overheard their exchange with the old woman, and gossip had spread like wildfire. Adults pulled their children inside, vanishing from the streets as the pair rode past.
Then, the inn came into view.
Unlike most of the village's decrepit buildings, this one stood strong, its structure better maintained. A wooden sign swayed gently in the wind at the entrance, displaying a crude carving of tree roots alongside the name:
Creep Crawl Inn.
'This is it,' Linry confirmed, glancing at the sign before dismounting.
They stepped inside. The moment they did, a heavy silence fell over the inn. The patrons – who were clearly not Haitenshire locals – stared at them, their expressions mirroring the wary glances of the villagers outside.
For a few tense moments, all eyes remained on them. Then, as if nothing had happened, the room returned to life. Conversations resumed, drinks were poured, and a lone minstrel plucked at the strings of an unfamiliar instrument on a small stage.
Unlike traditional inns and much like the academy, this one was open to the air. Instead of wooden chairs and tables, the seating arrangements consisted of colourful cushions placed around low trays with sturdy legs. The scent of warm food and ale filled the space.
A barmaid hurried towards them, her cheerful tone at odds with the tense atmosphere.
'Welcome to the Creep Crawl Inn! We have food, drink, and rooms for weary travellers. What can I get you?'
Linry stepped forward. 'We're looking for someone. His name is Garant.'
The barmaid stiffened.
She tried to hide it, but her body language betrayed her. She knew something.
'Can you tell us where he is?' Linry pressed.
The woman hesitated before shaking her head. 'I'm sorry. No one by that name stays here.'
Riniock didn't miss the nervous tremor in her voice.
'We'll take a seat,' he said casually. 'And a round of your finest.'
The barmaid's lips parted as if to protest, but she thought better of it. She nodded, gesturing to a cluster of cushions.
'These will do,' she said, avoiding eye contact. 'I'll fetch your drinks.'
As she turned away, Linry shot Riniock a puzzled look. He simply gave her a reassuring nod ad urged her to play along.
'What are we doing?' she asked under her breath, impatience creeping into her voice.
'Just watch,' Riniock murmured, tilting his head in the direction of the barmaid.
The woman glanced around nervously before slipping between two columns, vanishing from sight.
Riniock stood. Linry did the same.
Silently, they followed her into a back room, hidden from the main area. Stacked crates, burlap sacks, and rows of dusty amphoras filled the space – likely a storage or supply room.
Then, they heard hushed voices.
'– they didn't say who they were, but one of them was definitely wearing academy robes.'
That was the barmaid speaking.
'Damn it…I need to leave, Meliona,' a second voice whispered, laced with unease.
'You can't,' Meliona warned. 'They're still out there.'
Linry's eyes widened. The second voice – she recognised it instantly. Without hesitation, she shoved past Riniock and stepped into the open.
'Gods!' the barmaid yelped. 'Run, Garant! Quick!'
But before the man could bolt, Garant grabbed her sleeve, stopping her in place.
'Calm yourself,' he said firmly. 'They're not who you think they are.'
The man hesitated before lifting his head. His expression softened as he took in Linry's face.
'Daughter,' he murmured, his voice coarse and dry.
'Father!' Linry rushed forward, throwing herself into his arms. 'I was worried sick! The house was ransacked – I didn't know what to do.'
Garant patted her head gently.
'I'm alright, dear. I'm alright.'
'Thank the gods,' she breathed.
'Indeed. Thank the gods…and Meliona.'
The barmaid's cheeks flushed, but before she could say anything, Garant's gaze shifted towards Riniock. His brow furrowed in thought, as if trying to place him.
'I don't believe we've met,' he said, extending a hand. 'Name's Garant.'
Riniock clasped it with a polite nod.
'Riniock, sir. A friend of Linry's.'