the bed.”
Ethan looked at her incredulously. “Didn’t he look there?”
She shrugged. “Nope. Must be my lucky day.”
“I need to have a word with the innkeeper,” Jonas growled. His face was tight as he stalked away.
Kat jumped on the bed. “It’s not the innkeeper’s fault. Jared doesn’t take no for an answer.”
“Well, at least he didn’t find you,” Ethan said. “What does he want anyway?”
She frowned. “I don’t care what he wants. I’m finished with him.”
Ethan could sense that she didn’t wish to speak further on the matter, so he let it drop. Jonas returned a few minutes later with a satisfied look on his face.
“We need to acquire travel papers as soon as possible,” he announced.
Kat directed him to a tavern and told him to inquire with a bartender named Loni.
“It’s best you stay here with Kat in case this Jared fellow returns,” Jonas said before leaving. “If I don’t make it back by morning…well…just get out of Miltino and stay hidden as best you can until I find you.”
Once he had gone, Ethan stepped out briefly to collect their meals. They ate together in Kat’s room, though conversation was guarded. It was clear that neither of them wished to divulge too much information.
Several hours passed. By now, Ethan was growing increasingly concerned that Jonas had not yet returned. Kat, on the other hand, had fallen asleep with a tiny smile on her face.
Ethan was just about to go back to the common room when the door opened. Jonas entered, his expression unreadable.
“Five days,” he muttered while sitting down on the edge of the bed. “He said it would take at least that long to get our papers. And I heard people talking about Hank’s murder. The city guards are questioning everyone.”
“Then we should stay inside,” suggested Ethan.
“Yes,” he agreed. “But not here. Jared knows where we are, and I would bet that sooner or later they’ll question him as well. He can lead them right to us.”
“So what should we do?”
“I checked out a few other places where we can stay,” he replied. “We’ll move from inn to inn until it’s time to leave.”
“Then what?”
Jonas reached in his shirt and pulled out a map. He placed a finger on the dot representing Miltino and moved it along a road leading out of the city. We’ll go north until we reach Branz. Then northwest across country to the mountains.”
“What’s in the mountains?”
“Dwarves.” He folded the map and tossed it onto the dresser. “At least, I hope there’s still dwarves there. But we can discuss that later. Right now, I need rest.”
Pulling off his boots, he settled into the room’s only chair and within minutes was snoring loudly. Ethan laid down on the bed beside Kat and closed his eyes, but sleep did not come so easily for him. It took more than an hour to finally drop off, and when he did, his dreams were filled with visions of fire and death. Dragons fell from the sky, consumed by dark flames.
In the morning his clothes were drenched in sweat and his muscles ached from a night of constant tension. On glancing around the room he saw that Jonas was already up and packed. Kat, meanwhile, was tying her hair in a ponytail, humming softly.
On their way out, Jonas had a quiet word with the innkeeper, then led them to their next destination. They spent the day in their rooms, only coming out to eat.
For the next four days they moved from inn to inn. Ethan was relieved that they saw no sign of Jared, and that the city guards they encountered took no interest in them. Kat suggested that Hank’s death was perhaps now being handled by the Hareesh directly, being that he was one of their own.
It was just after dinner when a message came that their travel papers were at last ready.
“We should leave tonight,” said Jonas. “I’ve had just about enough of Miltino.”
Both Ethan and Kat agreed and began packing their belongings while Jonas went off to collect the papers. By the time he returned they were eager to be going.
The way to the north gate took them through a much more affluent section of the city. The streets were immaculate and extremely well lit by highly polished brass lanterns that hung from posts every few yards. Ethan could not help but be impressed by the elegance of the surroundings. The elaborate wrought iron fences enclosing lovingly cared for gardens, and the houses – some as tall