Chapter 44: The Serpent and the Moon

The already quiet atmosphere became so silent that one could hear a pin drop as Ullen crossed the tavern's interior toward the singer. He made it halfway before a bulky man with a mace on his hip and a sneer on his face stepped in his way.

Ullen looked up into the man's eyes with a deadpan look. "Move."

"Whaddya want with the bard?" the man snarled. "I paid for the next song, and I ain't gonna lose coin to a prude like yo- hck!"

Losing his patience, Ullen punched the man in the throat, and while the latter bent over, clutching at his throat, the inquisitor walked past. This time, everyone shuffled out of the way, shrinking themselves in their seats or stepping back to make way.

The bard's eyes were as round as the full moon when Ullen approached, his grip on his lute so tight that his knuckles went white. "C-can I help you, sir?"