The tavern was lively when they arrived, lanterns swaying gently, laughter and drunken chatter filling the smoky air, the smell of roasted fish and ale mixing with the salt of the lake breeze.
Cassius had already given the group a short explanation of the Leviathan encounter on the way, carefully trimming away every shameless detail Nala would want buried forever.
She had kept glancing back at him with wide, pleading eyes, silently begging him not to reveal how far she had gone with her wild declarations, and he had simply smiled to himself and stayed quiet.
Now, seated at a corner table in the busy tavern, Cassius finally had a moment to eat in peace.
A wide wooden plate of grilled fish, steaming bread, and strong-smelling pickled vegetables sat before him, along with a mug of frothy ale.
Aisha ate slowly and primly, though her sharp gaze flicked between Cassius and the others, still clearly waiting for answers.
