Once the group was settled, Marn excused himself to attend to another matter. He made his way to the nearby inn, where he found Birno sitting at a corner table, nursing a drink. “Marn? Is that you?” Birno grinned, clearly surprised. Marn managed a smile, though it was tinged with the bitterness of old memories. They’d once been friends. But now, Marn saw how much of a bad influence Birno had been. He tried not to hold it against him—Birno only knew one way to live. “Come, have a drink,” Birno offered, waving him over. Marn joined him at the table, and they each ordered ale. But while Birno drank freely, Marn left his untouched. “So, what have you been up to? Keeping busy?” Birno asked. “Trying to.” Birno smirked. “What about the Menthanlan women? Are they as uptight as everyone says?” “Worse. They not only expect you to sleep with her alone, they expect you to not sleep with anyone else when you’re not with her.” Birno laughed. “Seriously?” “And they don’t share. They expect exclusivity, even when you’re not around.” Birno raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like you’d fit right in. You never liked to share, an-yway.” Marn’s expression darkened. “No, I don’t. And I’ve heard you’ve been helping your-self to what’s mine while I’ve been away.” “Oh, you mean Areen?” Birno shrugged. “Someone had to comfort her after you left.” Marn clenched his jaw, wondering just how ‘comfortable’ Birno had made her. Areen had never liked Birno much, and he doubted she’d sought his company willingly. “You had no right,” Marn said quietly. “She was mine.” Birno leaned back, crossing his arms. “She’s mine now. As soon as I find her, she’ll be my wife.” Marn’s voice turned steely. “No, she won’t. She’s agreed to marry me, and I intend to keep her.” Birno’s eyes narrowed. “I had an arrangement with her father long before you came along. Paid for it and everything. You should have taken her with you when you left if you wanted her.” “Areen was the only thing we ever disagreed on, Birno. You never really wanted her; you just wanted what I had.” Birno’s grin faded, replaced by a hard glint in his eyes. “She made a fool of me.” “She’s gone,” Marn said coldly. “No one here will see her again. I’ll compensate you for what you paid. And I’ll take care of her.” Birno studied him for a moment. “You’re serious?” Marn nodded. “Tell me what you spent, and I’ll write you a banker’s note. I don’t have much on me right now.” After a brief pause, Birno named his price. Marn scribbled a note, handing it over. The coin would buy him time. “You want me to hold off on cashing this?” Birno asked. “That magic eater’s been causing business to slow down around here.” Marn gave a curt nod, considering his next move. He’d left enough signs that might attract unwanted attention. He wasn’t sure how much the people from Chervil knew. Areen had asked him to keep her safe from Birno, and he intended to do just that. “So, where is Areen?” Birno asked too casually. Marn’s instincts flared. Birno’s sudden willingness to negotiate made him suspicious. “She’s in Menthanla. I’ll join her once I’m done here.” “What brings you this way, anyway?” Birno asked, swirling his drink. “Visiting my mother,” Marn replied, keeping his tone even. Birno nodded thoughtfully. “Don’t bring Areen back here. Her father won’t take kindly to her actions. She made him look bad.” “She’ll stay away,” Marn replied. He hated the fact that she had been the one wronged, but she’d be the one punished. He felt guilty for calling her his and paying for the right to marry her. But he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant claiming ownership. Birno pointed at Marn’s untouched ale. “You barely touched that.” Marn pushed it toward him. “Have it. I need to get back before I’m late for dinner. Sivna won’t appreciate it. You drink it.” “Go on, then. Take care.” Marn nodded and left, glancing back through the window once he was outside. Birno didn’t touch the second ale but instead ordered himself another. Had something been slipped into it? He’d warn the others. They’d need to stay alert tonight. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands