“Was it honestly an accident, though?”
Ethenn shrugged. “Technically.”
“Murder isn’t a technicality, little Lox. You either meant to kill him, or you didn’t.”
Though he held in his anger, Ethenn knew his face was turning red. “Perhaps I don’t know the answer.”
“Huh.” Rafferty grinned dryly. “Well, from the account I was given, it seemed involuntary manslaughter was the verdict. Though informally, of course. You can’t go to the magistrate for justice when the death occurs in an illegal fighting ring, can ya?”
“It’s a known risk you take,” Ethenn admitted.
“Especially when you’re fighting the Slayer.”
Ethenn didn’t bother replying.
“So,” Rafferty continued, “you wanted to avoid a return because you don’t like your reputation. That’s understandable.”
There was more to it, but Ethenn didn’t care to explain.
“There isn’t anything or anyone you’re happy to visit while in town?” Rafferty pressed.
“No,” Ethenn lied, then nudged his horse forward, avoiding any more conversation.
He came alongside Ilain, locked in conversation with Evylin about legendary magical artifacts that had gone missing shortly after the Relics were locked away. Since she’d already told Ethenn the story, he didn’t bother to listen.
Instead, he watched Trollenston as it inched closer. The evening sky shone with a bronze cast, the sun disappearing behind the horizon. The forests grew thinner this close to the town, the hilly countryside pushing the trees aside. In the center of it all, homes and businesses twisted and wound together in a cluster, greenery growing along their fronts. But off in the distance, Ethenn could see a small, vacant cottage separated from the town. He intentionally kept his gaze away to ensure no one asked him about it.
Once they were within half a mile, Deckard dropped back to talk with their group. While the road wasn’t technically wide enough for four riders, the countryside was open enough to allow for it. “Evylin, do you think your aunt and uncle will expect us to stay with them?” he asked.
“Yes,” Evylin said without hesitation. “If Serene learns that we were in town, she’d be greatly offended if we stayed anywhere else.”
“But there isn’t enough room for the rest of our troop to stay with them?”
“Certainly not.”
Deckard nodded. “I suppose we could send the others to that inn near their house.”
“Which one?” Ethenn asked. “Felden’s Inn, The Shepherd’s Rest, or The Wanderer?”
Ilain, Evylin, and Deckard looked at him in surprise. “Right,” Evylin said with a grin. “I forget you lived here sometimes. They live near The Shepherd’s Rest.”
“Ah,” Ethenn said thoughtfully. The Shepherd’s Rest was a good tavern and inn, but it was located too near Vernon’s smithy for his liking. “Not as nice as Felden’s Inn but better than the alternative. The Wanderer tends to attract people like Raff.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rafferty asked in a bright tone, riding up just behind them with Thom.
“It means I’ve fought in their cellar,” Ethenn said.
While Rafferty snickered, Deckard began to give his orders. Due to the presence of Evylin’s relatives in town and the need to spend time with them, they’d skip training for the night.
“It’d be best to rest as much as possible before the final Keep anyway,” Isla added.
The troop split up, the Deckards—sans Thom—heading to visit Evylin’s family while the rest of them rode through the winding streets to the inn. Ethenn offered to lead the way, intentionally taking them on the long route so they wouldn’t pass his uncle’s smithy. Though it was evening and Vernon Loxley refused to work past sundown, there was a chance his son, Tylaar, was still there, cleaning up.
In fact, there was a chance Ethenn would run into his cousin at The Shepherd’s Rest as well.
So he kept his head down the entire ride through the town, carefully avoiding eye contact. There were no true police in Trollenston, but the town watch occasionally patrolled near the taverns to keep the peace. And he didn’t care to catch their attention.
Once they arrived at the inn and tavern, Ethenn let Thom take the lead in securing the rooms. He pulled Ilain to the side, still keeping his head down. “I’m going straight to our room,” he said for her ears alone. Knowing she’d ask questions, he preemptively explained, “There are some people I wish to avoid who frequent this tavern.”
