Page 95 of Into the Isle

Further down the road, we came to the less-inhabited competitor, Liv’s Libations. I pointed out other places, saying, “If you’re looking for a specific map, Matilda’s Lost Supplies might have it. There’s no cartographer in town, per se, but Matty has tons of random knickknacks and curiosities that might pique your interest.”

“I look forward to exploring the shops when we aren’t on a time crunch.”

I grunted and pushed into Liv’s. My eyes scanned the large room—twelve booths hemming every inch of the walls, some circular hightop tables in the middle of the tavern-eatery, and the bar itself stretching across the back wall.

Three pairs of eyes turned when I stood in the doorframe like a cowboy bursting into the town brothel.

The man I was looking for was the only one not to glance over. He sat in a booth at the corner, by himself. He didn’t wear a hood or anything suspicious. His mediocre face stared down at a mug of mead he nursed.

I beelined for him, bringing Ravinica with me, holding her hand the entire time because I felt it grounded her and kept her anxiety away when our skin touched. Plus, I just enjoyed touching her.

She put up no complaint.

At the side of the booth, I cleared my throat.

The man glanced over, staring up at us. “Ah. There you are.” His eyes moved over to Ravinica, a measure of surprise darkening his expression before he pursed his lips and returned his gaze to me. “Who’s the newbie, Arne? This is unexpected. You know we don’t like surprises.”

I sat down across from him, scooting over with Ravinica moving in beside me. “Nonsense,” I said. “If you didn’t like surprises, we wouldn’t be here at all. Dieter, this is Ravinica. Little fox, Dieter.”

They nodded to each other.

Ravinica leaned over and whispered, “I thought Magnus would be here.”

A tinge of jealousy swept through me. I stuffed it down and folded my hands on the table as I awaited a barmaid to head over.

“New student?” Dieter asked.

Ravinica nodded. “Initiate.”

“Hm.”

“And who are you, sir? Arne hasn’t told me much.”

Dieter opened his mouth, kept it open, and then thought better of it and closed it.

“It’s fine,” I said, twirling my wrist to keep him going. “She’s safe. I vouch for her.”

“You’ve checked her out, Arne? Done your due diligence?”

I sighed and leaned back in the comfortable leather-bound booth. “I have,” I said, folding my arms over my chest.

Dieter pursed his lips and sucked his teeth. He seemed to be missing more hair than last I’d seen him, a widow’s peak forming at the top of his forehead.

He leaned forward conspiratorially. To Ravinica, he said in a low voice, “I’m pleased to meet you, lass. I am a member of the Lepers Who Leapt.”

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