Chapter 194: A foul stench
Irwin stepped out of the tower, exchanging a quick greeting with the guards beside the door. Twyl was quietly sitting on his shoulder, and he barely noticed she was there.
As he walked towards the alleyway leading to Trimdir's smithy, someone came walking out, staring at him intently, almost as if he'd waited for him.
"Orwin!"
Irwin watched the short bald man pace towards him. Two piercing blue eyes locked onto his from above an impressive but poorly maintained mustache.
It took Irwin a few moments to remember who the man was, but when he did, he felt a sudden unease. This man was Burt, Lamia's uncle and the inn's proprietor.
"Burt," he said, having a good idea why the man was here. "It's good that you are alive."
The man snorted so hard his mustache fluttered forward.
"Orwin, where is Lamia? I heard you returned but that she isn't with you!" Burt asked, his voice filled with worry and hope.
Still, Irwin heard an undercurrent of anger. He sighed as he looked at the man half his size, glaring at him as if he'd done something horrible.
"Do you know where we went?" he asked as he gestured forward.
Burt held his place for a few moments before stepping aside and walking along with him deeper into the city. Irwin made sure to shorten his steps so Burt didn't have to run.
"She was vague when you left, saying something about becoming stronger because of what happened to my brother and the rest of her family," Burt said. "She wanted to find powerful cards around Esterdon, but… I've heard some rumors."