The Gates of Arstelem (Classic)

Chapter 18

The questioning had been intense, and the guards had spent several hours searching for Haniel. Once they established that both of the dead men had been members of the Order of the Scale, they lost most of their ambition, especially since a priest could have been harmed by Haniel's inaction.

Berrand and Adezek were surprised to see that Haniel had returned to the inn before they could arrive, and she waited for them just beyond the threshold, hiding in the dim light so that she could not be seen. Standing before them in the doorway, she cut an imposing figure. With her armor still fastened across her chest, she could easily have denied them entry, and for a moment Berrand detected a flash of hostility.

It passed as quickly as it came upon Haniel, and she ushered them further into the common room, passing through it and into a private back room.

"We have a problem. There are people who are definitely after us. I encountered them in the catacombs. They offered me money to turn against you, and there were at least four of them."

Adezek swallowed nervously, "Are you sure they want to come after us?"

"If we gave up, they would likely relent. But could you do that to Gorreth, Berrand?"

"Perhaps. He would understand that we did so to save our lives."

"Then we will come to a decision in the morning. I think we are safe here for the night."

Haniel told neither of her companions of the deal she had made.