The shopkeeper backed away in fear, while I remained standing still, staring at him. Then I lowered my hood and said with a faint smile behind the mask:
"It's been a long time, Corvin."
He swallowed hard.
"Yes… it's been a long time."
So it really was Corvin the Rusted. Only now did I understand why they called him that had he dyed his hair this dull copper color? But what intrigued me more was why he seemed so terrified. Does everyone I meet have to know me from before?
I said, narrowing my eyes behind the mask:
"I want to talk to you in private."
He straightened up quickly and gestured toward the back room:
"Of course, please, go ahead."
I nodded, and as soon as he saw the nod, he snatched the card lying on the counter and hurried toward the back room, while I followed him. We stepped inside, where swords and shields were strewn on the floor carelessly as if the place were a junk storeroom rather than a weapons shop.
Corvin shut the door behind him, then turned to me:
