His companions roared with laughter.
Cassiel slammed his fist into Garik’s face. The blow tossed him out of his seat, sending him crashing to the floor. Garik scrambled to his feet and tackled him backward into a table, knocking tankards and plates to the floor. He got a punch in before Cassiel hit him with an uppercut then kicked him back. He rolled off the table, blocked the man’s next swing, and delivered a powerful hook to his gut. Gasping, Garik dropped to his knees. Cassiel grabbed Garik’s coat and lost himself to the feel of his fist bashing the man’s face bloody. In the feel of bone cracking against bone.
Dyna screamed his name.
It was the only warning before Cassiel turned to the large man coming at him with a dagger. Zev dove between them in a rapid blur. He caught the knife-wielding hand and crushed it in his fist. The resulting sound could only be described as branches snapping in half. The man’s agonizing scream cut off as Zev’s shoulder rammed into his ribs, throwing him over his back, and sending him crashing through a window.
All bystanders gasped, backing away from Zev. He growled at Garik’s remaining companions, his eyes flashing yellow. The men quickly gathered Garik and rushed out of the tavern.
Cassiel smirked. “Thank you.”
Zev nodded. “Care to explain?”
“I would rather not.”
Zev would most likely rip out their throats if he heard what they said about Dyna. Cassiel found her shocked face in the crowd.
She rushed to his side. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, all things considered.”
She wiped the droplet of blood on his nose. “You’re bleeding.”
“It has already healed,” he murmured. “We must go before the Azure Guard arrives.” He pulled out a small pouch of gold coins from his pocket and tossed it to the innkeeper gaping in dismay at the broken window. “For the damages.”
Then he strode out the establishment. Dyna and Zev followed him from tavern to tavern across Corron in search of lodging. Twilight fell when they stopped at the remaining inn embedded in the hills. Mold tainted the poor stone structure. The crooked roof tiles held on by mere will. A corroded wooden sign squeaked on its loose hinges as it flapped in the wind above the door. Ironically, etched on it were the wordsThe Last Resort.
The hum of activity from within proved the establishment was in full service. They found the taproom was lively but not crowded, and most of the patrons were men of the Azure Guard. Cassiel told them to wait by the door then made his way to the bar.
“Evening,” he called to the innkeeper. The wizened man grunted a nod as he wiped down the counter. “Do you have any accommodations available?”
“I have just the one, milord.”
“One? I need three beds for the night.”
“Oh, do you now? Pardon me for not meeting your expectations. I have only one room left, but it is quite posh and might be up to your refined tastes. It’s on the second floor, lots of space with a big bed and a fine down mattress, complemented with a private bath. Including a view of Loch Loden if it be to your fancy.” The innkeeper’s dull sarcasm promised the opposite. He glanced past him to Zev and Dyna. “With extra guests, it’ll cost two silvers for the night.”
Cassiel glowered at the ridiculous amount. “A room here is worth ten russets, if that.”
The innkeeper forced a smile that indicated this was not the first time he had argued about it. “Anyone having made their way to my inn means there is no other lodging in Corron to be let. High demand makes for high rates. Pay the fare or sleep on the streets. It makes no difference to me.”
Cassiel ground his teeth. Generally, he wouldn’t let someone exploit him, but he couldn’t expose Dyna to the dangers of the city at night. “You have no other quarters?”
“You’re welcome to the stable or here in the taproom.”
Cassiel sighed and let two coins clatter on the counter.
The innkeeper grinned and handed him a single iron key. “Welcome, milord. Will you be having food and drink as well?”
His mouth watered at the thought of eating and tossed him another coin. “Yes. Three meals, two with no meat, and water to drink.”
The innkeeper chuckled. “Aye, take a seat. I’ll have it brought out to ye.”
Cassiel waved to Zev and Dyna, pointing to a round table on the far end of the taproom. They made their way to it. Breadcrumbs and spilled ale littered the surface.
“They’ll serve us soon,” Cassiel said as they sat down. He slid the key across the table to Dyna. “There was only one room available. You take it. Zev and I will sleep down here.”
She looked to Zev and slightly shook her head, her wide eyes pleading.
