Chương 21: An Unexpected Face

Lia could not be happier to leave the store. Though, she did not enjoy being outside as well. She felt like the people were studying her just like what Yolly did. She felt like an outsider.

With a shake of her head, she headed to the heart of the town. The number of people seemed to have increased. At the center, all kinds of things were available. Cloths, tapestries, fresh goods, name it, they have it. She walked around, merely window-shopping, happy just to feel a different vibe.

Lia should go home. She really should not linger far too long amongst the crowd. The more rational part of her wanted to go back. It was dangerous. Going downtown was risky enough. But she was engrossed by the comings and goings of the people in town. She wanted to take in all of her surroundings and enjoy it. The other part of her could not suppress her curiosity. Lia walked some more and spotted men tumbling and fumbling walking outside from a building. An idea sprung on her mind.

She took a step towards the nearest tavern. One of the reasons why she was here was so she could investigate the drink that would be the cause of their future persecution. She had to find it before people would say that it was their fault. What she would do once she found it, she had no idea.

The patrons, mostly men, went in and out of the establishment. Lia stepped closer, one hesitant step at a time. When she was a few feet away from the door, she craned her neck, trying to get a good look of the inside. She could not see much from her angle so she steeled her nerves and took a step towards the door.

But a voice made her stop.

"Fancy seeing you here, Lin." Someone suddenly talked and Lia almost jumped from fright.

Confused with the name she heard, Lia turned and saw a man in grime and stifled a laugh in which she abruptly stopped. The begg-- Ed, stared at her, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"How are you? Are you…" she gestured at his wounds, still trying to hold her laugh.

Ed raised his brows before joining her laughter. "We've not seen each other for a couple of days and now you've become a crazy lady!"

"Shut up." Lia stopped laughing, but her smirk remained.

"Were you worried?"

Lia's lips twitched. "Of course not. I'm just curious if my first patient lived."

"As you can see," he opened his arms wide, though it was hard to tell if the wounds have healed or not, "many thanks."

She smiled, but not before noticing how the other people stared at them. Some with openly disgusted faces. Lia did not care. So was Ed.

Now in better lighting than in the cave, Ed appeared to be a young man despite the dirt that covers him. With few showers and a fresh set of clothes, he would pass as a regular guy. But right now, with that goofy smile playing on his lips, he stood out in the crowd and was comfortable with it. It was like he enjoyed the wide berth people were giving him.

Lia felt like she was no longer alone in this crowd. She could be odd with Ed and… and wow, was she that in need of a friend? But Ed seemed better than most of these judgmental people, who criticize other people who did not look or act like them. Like with Tamara. Now with Ed.

"Are you trying to get to that place?" Ed tilted his head towards the tavern. "You don't want to go in there. It's dangerous. People are going…" He twirled his finger to the side of his head.

Lia's eyebrows shot up. Then she frowned. "Why?"

"People say it's about the drinks they're serving but," he shrugged, "not sure. But things get wild sometimes. So you wouldn't want to be there. Not good for you."

"A drink?" Lia's heart beats faster. It could not be…

Ed nodded. "A new beer or something. Some new fancy drink they were offering."

Lia felt cold. It had started when it should have happened at the festival. The plot was moving faster, and she could not keep up.

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