Chapter 91: Unexpected guests
Irwin tried to keep from running as he, Daubutim, and Balarn strode to the Central Registry, dodging the other people moving through the streets.
"You are sure I have to take him with us and pay for the damage?" Irwin asked, gritting his teeth.
"Well, if it's proven he's your relative, and if he cannot pay for it himself? Afraid so," Balarn said.
"Proven?" Irwin asked.
"The central soulgem can verify blood relatives, which is the only one you have to be worried about," Balarn said.
Irwin grimaced as he shared a worried look with Daubutim. "What do you think?"
Daubutim's face turned dull as he stared ahead. Irwin waited quietly, hoping his friend would come up with something. As it was, the best he could come up with was denying any relation with Indoutor and having Daubutim wait outside to make sure they wouldn't pin things on him due to their blood relation. The problem was that he knew that would probably either get Indoutor moved to some mining world where he would work for the rest of his life… Something about that just didn't sit well with him.
"If we can pay for it, we should help him," Daubutim said, ripping Irwin from his worries.
"Why?" Irwin asked as he dodged around a pair of fur-covered men with massive horns that reminded him of those that Charbulls had.
"If we succeed with our plans and have to return at some point, having him along will be incredibly useful," Daubutim said.
Then we better hope we can pay the soulshard cost, Irwin thought.
He noticed that Balarn was smiling, and as he looked at the smith, the other shrugged.