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The resident drunkards looked up from their empty mugs, watching Grigor with empty stares.
Leave it,Tyr thought, even as he moved across the tavern floor. Grigor didn’t look up when he approached, so Tyr cleared his throat. “The coin. You overpaid.”
“Nien.”
“No, you did. It’s far too much. Can I get you some stew?” He scolded himself as soon as he said it. There was no stew in the service pause.
“Nien.”
“Then I must insist—”
“I paid for silence.” Grigor seemed to shift his entire body to look up. He tapped his temple. “To think.”
Tyr shook his head in confusion, but the steely look in the man’s eyes was enough to crush any further attempts. He nodded, bowed, and retreated behind the bar just as the double doors swung open. Adeline emerged from the back.
Her smile died when she saw Grigor in the corner. She quickly signed,Did he just arrive?
Tyr nodded. He pinched his mouth to the side, nibbling the inside of his mouth and willing himself not to stare at the man who had paid their entire day’s profits for two ales and some quality thinking time.
Something doesn’t feel right,she responded.
He could’ve lied, but Addy reminded him so much of himself when he had been younger. Adults coating tough truths with soft lies had only made him bitter.No. Nor to me.
Is it Ana?
Tyr’s heart sank. He’d never intended for Addy and Ana to get to know one another at all—anticipating the end of his and Ana’s relationship before it had even really begun—but it had happened anyway. Ana had even learned to sign so they could communicate better.
Where is she, Tyr?
She won’t be coming back, Addy.
Adeline’s expression crumpled in sadness.Please make it right with her. She belongs here with us.
It’s too late,he signed with a sinking feeling in his chest.
But you love her.
I don’t—
Adeline thumped her chest with an urgent look.You do love her. I know you do. And she loves you. If you won’t make it right, I’ll go to Fanghelm myself.
Tyr balked so hard at Addy, it sent her skittering back a step.Do not ever go up there. Ever. You understand?
Addy just shook her head.
Tyr’s attention traveled back to Grigor. The man was staring forward like he’d gone elsewhere in his mind. All evening Tyr had been thinking about the letters, about returning to his translations, and the service pause was supposed to be his time to dive back in, having finished most of his preparations while they had still been open. But there was no way he could focus the way he needed to with Ana’s uncle acting strangely in the corner.
You should go home.
Addy scoffed.I go when you go.
You’re too young for these hours.
Thanks, Father.
Tyr laughed without humor.Then stay here while I run to the cabin to get work.
Translations?
