“We’ve known each other a long time, lass. Is he coming back to Landmoor?”
She nodded with exhaustion. “He’ll be coming this way looking for me…for us. But he’s not safe here. They’ll be looking here, too.”
“Who are you talking about?” he asked, feeling a protective urge awaken. He was a big man and never relied on hired hands to remove rowdy customers.
She bit her lip and her shoulders sagged. “I came here with a knight from Owen Draw. He’s been arrested by the guard at the gate. And I saw a Bandit officer there, in the barracks.”
“Sweet Achrolese,” Blain murmured. “In the city?”
“Yes. One of the guards was supposed to bring me here, but I could tell we weren’t going the right way. He was taking me into the western quarter, and I knew your place was by the north gates.” She looked down at her hands. “I left him in an alley with a bruise on his forehead. When he wakes up, they’ll look for me here. I can’t stay. But Allavin will be coming with friends of mine. Two Shae and a Drugaen. You’ve got to warn them that the Bandits are already in the city.”
“I can do that easy enough, lass.” He leaned back and rubbed his mouth. “How long ago did you hit the guard? You came right here?”
“It took me a little while to find your inn,” she replied. “Longer than I’d hoped. They could be walking in any moment.”
“Don’t fret about that. You look hungry…here, finish this.” He scooted the plate over to her and watched her tear into it ravenously. She licked her fingers and gulped down a few deep swallows of ale.
He rose from the table and waived Tanita over. “Keep watch for the city guard. Let me know if anyone comes. Stall them. Keep quiet about the girl.” Tanita nodded and slipped away, spreading the word in whispers to the other serving girls.
Blain looked over his shoulder and saw her stuffing the last of the bread in her mouth while coming to her feet. He went over to her and shook his head. “You’re bone weary, lass. Rest a moment and let’s talk.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t come to bring you trouble. I…I just didn’t know how to get them a message. I’ve got to hide, find a place where they won’t look…”
“Sit down,” he said, guiding her back to the chair. He sat down and rested his elbows on the table. “I don’t know if the governor is involved or not. I’m sure he’d want to know, but I don’t dare risk telling him myself. Allavin warned me about this the last time he was here. And there have been rumors that the Bandits are thick in the woods these days. Two of my suppliers haven’t been back from Dos-Aralon as scheduled.” He rubbed his forehead. “I haven’t seen Allavin Devers since his last warning. When did you leave him?”
Her eyes looked haunted. “Allavin joined us in Castun. The Bandit army is on the edge of the Shadows Wood. Right now, not ten miles from here. We crossed it last night to get here.”
“Sweet Achrolese,” he muttered again.
“They’re coming to Landmoor,” she said seriously. “Ban it, they’re already inside!” She sunk her head in her hands. “We were too late. Too late.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “You’re safe here, lass. I won’t turn you over to the guard.”
“But I can’t just wait here,” she said, clenching her fists. He saw the raw tenacity in her eyes.
“I’ve got a room upstairs that overlooks three streets down. Why don’t you go up there and rest a bit. I can get you out the back in case they come. But if they don’t come for a while, you’ll need the rest. Just look at you.” He sighed and then remembered his poor manners. “I’m Blain Kirke, as you already knew. What’s your name?”
She looked up, gave him a weary smile, and told him.
*
Ticastasy blew the tiny lamp flame out and the room was smothered in darkness. Putting the warm brass lamp on the small table by the bed, she crossed to the curtained window. The bustle of the inn jutted against the walls. After listening for several moments, she parted the curtain. The back street was dark. Once the sun had set it was shielded by shadows from the city walls that the street lanterns did not penetrate.