Guardian (Sequel to Fearless)

Chapter Sixty Three

"That's foul play," he accused.

"Is it?" Iris settled back under the covers and shut her eyes. "I didn't complain when you did it to me."

Kayde could only nod. "Touché."

----

It was a half hour before knew when Iris and Kayde finally entered the Wandering Shepherd Inn. There wasn't much around it, to be true. There were some small farm-houses and a road that led from the front door to the main marketplace. As close as this place was to Eda, it was so small that Iris hadn't even heard of it. Kayde held the door open for Iris, and she walked in to what appeared to be a very low-lit tavern that looked like it had seen better days. The walls were warped in some places, and the whole place smelled musty.

Iris's eyes fell around the area, seeing a few of the tables occupied. Most of them looked like travelers, with their riding clothes and heavy bags about the table. There were hardly any that looked under fifty, aside from two men standing about the far corner of the room talking with each other. They were dressed in tattered clothing, pinning them most likely as residents. Not a one of them appeared to be looking her or Kayde's way.

There wasn't a sign of her sister. But then again, they had arrived earlier than they said they would.

"I don't see Rhalla in here. Look outside for her. She may be running," Iris said in Kayde's direction. "I'll go ask the inn-keep."

With a courteous nod, he whirled back out the door with feline grace. Meanwhile, the rogue walked up to what was presumably the innkeeper, who was standing behind the counter. It was a withering woman that looked to be about seventy. Wrinkles made a map of her skin and sagged over eyes that now looked straight at Iris.

"Well, there's a fresh face," came her ragged voice. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for someone," Iris cut to the chase. "A woman. She's... large. Wears black. Short hair. She came in last night."

The elderly woman looked confused. "I'm sorry, dearie... but I haven't been here in two days now. Been sick, I have." She looked around the room. "I'm afraid me boy was watching the place while I was gone. He'll be back tonight after the farm work's done, or you're free to wait here to see if you find her."

Iris took in a breath. "Right. I'll wait, then. Thank you, anyways."

She went and had a seat, watching for Hench. It wasn't long before she was approached... but it wasn't by anyone she knew. One of the younger men in the corner had almost stumbled over and sat down at her table. He was a stocky man... appeared to be about forty. His beard was long and unkempt, his poorly-inked tattoos were sun-bleached, his skin was leather, and most importantly, he already hoisted a cup of some swill in his left hand.

"This brew is shit," was the first thing he said to her before taking two large gulps of it. "But the eggs here are decent if you feel like eatin'."

Iris was taken aback. "Excuse me?" Her words weren't rude, but rather, confounded.

"Names Harold," he introduced.

"Uhh," Iris stared at him with a dented brow. "Nice to meet you, then... Harold?"

He took another swallow. "Bad at hellos," he grumbled. "Doesn't matter. Heard you talkin' to Nan Rose," he pointed to the old woman serving as the inn-keeper. "Nice lady. Doesn't know day from night, though. Her memory isn't what it was ten years ago. She was here last night, and her son died several years back. Poor sod, got kicked in the head by his own damn horse. Died within the hour. Nan don't remember like that though. To her, he'll always be back after the farm work's done."