Read The Endonshan Chronicles Book 1: DragonBond Page 10
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I slipped through the forest toward the back of Magra’s house, feeling a bit silly for sneaking around like a wayward adolescent. I peeked out, then slid into the village, hopefully unnoticed. When Erret didn’t appear out of nowhere to charge me, I relaxed and walked toward the inn.
“There you are,” Rik called, jogging toward me.
I tried not to let my cringe show. “Good afternoon, tabe.”
“Where were you? I wanted to ask if you’d like to go with me to collect some eskerberries. I didn’t find you at Thone’s, or at Jec’s, or at Magra’s. Were you visiting someone?”
“Yes.” Truth.
He looked momentarily confused, then he looked back toward the forest, then at my shoulder. His tone dampened. “Oh. I see.”
I glanced down and saw a few twigs stuck to my tunic. He’d put together that I’d gone into the forest alone, and then realized what that meant. He might not be against Axen like Erret, but it didn’t mean he liked the idea of the dragon’s nearness to his village.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, reaching for the inn’s back door.
He nodded and quietly walked away.
I felt a little bad, though I wasn’t sure why. He seemed interested in spending time with me, even if he wasn’t a fan of Axen. It felt strange.
I shook it off and headed into the inn. The room was quiet, with no activity in the kitchen. It was too early for the evening meal, though not by much. I shut the door behind myself and turned to see only one other person in the room with me.