A North-South Divide

Chapter 1

It was difficult for Duncan to say what shocked Nadine more – the fact that he had come barging into the Half Moon Inn so late, soaked to the bone, and hardly able to stand, or that the man who was supporting him was the captain of the Watch. In all likelihood, it was that she was hosting an after-hours lock-in and had neglected to bolt the front door. Three men seated around one table looked up from their drinks as the door flew open, but otherwise did not react to the pair's arrival.

Duncan met Nadine's eyes, seeing her initial look of shock turn to one of concern at the sight of the messenger. Duncan tried to mouth an apology but was shaking and shivering too much even for that; Duncan's legs were threatening to drop him to the ground at any moment. The captain of the Watch seemed to sense it too, reaffirming his grip around the man he had carried here from the river, and hauled him more upright.

"Says he knows you," the captain said.

"He does," Nadine said, setting aside the cloth she had been wiping down the counter with and coming around to assist. Together, the two struggled the messenger further into the inn.

"No, not there," Nadine said, as the Watch captain made for the nearest seat. "Over by the fire."

"What happened?" Nadine asked, once they had set Duncan down.

"Found him in the river," the captain said. "Thought he was about to drown. Been this way ever since I pulled him out." The Watch captain considered the shivering messenger again. "Not sure what's wrong with him. He was only able to tell me to bring him here, to you."

"I can take things from here, Pierce," Nadine said.

"You should get him a physician," Pierce started.

"He's fine," Nadine said, "it's the shock, nothing more. I will take care of him. It's not the first time I've seen him like this. You should get back to work."

Pierce considered things for a moment longer, before conceding. "I will want to speak to him once he's better, so I can find out all the details."

"I'll send him your way," Nadine promised, as Pierce made to leave.

Pierce paused at the front door, looking over the three old men who remained in their seats, sipping their beers and spectating the entire event without even pretending to offer their assistance. He then made his way out, gesturing for the landlady to lock the door this time around.

Nadine did so and then returned to Duncan's side. She tossed more fuel onto the fire. "Duncan," she said, kneeling down in front of him, "are you all right? What happened to you?" She stoked the fire, to encourage the flames to rise and take the wood.

"Mugged," Duncan finally managed through chattering teeth. "Jumped into the river."

Nadine put a hand on the messenger's forehead, feeling how icy cold his skin was. "I will draw you a hot bath," she said. "Stay here."

"Not going anywhere," Duncan responded.

Duncan remained sitting by the fire as the landlady disappeared, shivering, and willing the flames to grow taller and to warm him quicker. His wet clothes weren't helping matters, but he was not going to strip off here. Despite the encouragement given them by Nadine, the flames remained low in the hearth. It was far from the roaring fire that Duncan needed right now. But at the height of summer, there wasn't much call for such a hearty fireplace.

"Are you all right there, friend?" one of the men seated nearby finally asked.

Duncan nodded.

"You're shaking quite a bit," one of the others observed.