Avoidance

The tavern was a small place at the end of a nearby street. A few heads turned their way when Renzly and Kezrin entered, but no one showed them any real interest. They sat at a table and Renzly ordered them some food before Kezrin could protest.

A small pain was growing in her temple, and she noticed her knees were shaking. Kezrin took a deep breath and willed herself to speak.

“I can’t pay for this.”

“I wouldn’t worry ’bout it.”

“I r-really should just go home,” Kezrin shook her head. “But thank you.”

“Nuh-uh.” A dagger appeared in Renzly’s hand, and she used it to wave Kezrin back into her seat. “Unless you really want to go home.”

She plopped back into the chair. “What do you mean by that?”

“Ya got a terrible poker face, we’ve got to work on that.” Renzly shook her head sorrowfully. “You’re lucky that there ain’t many folks from Brasswright in these parts, Goldwick.”

“I d-don’t…”

“See? Bad liar. You’re also lucky your family ain’t very keen on advertisin’ their daughter skippin’ out on her own weddin’. Prolly not too many people outside the cartel’s heard ‘bout the reward on your head.”

“I’m not going back,” Kezrin protested. “I-I can’t.”

“Gettin’ married that bad? Ain’t he rich?”

“He’s awful.” Kezrin fidgeted in her chair. “And I just know something bad is going to happen. I can feel it. Everytime he gets near, I feel like… like….”

She shrank in her chair, pulling her arms close. The trembling and the headache from earlier grew worse. “I’m not going back,” Kezrin repeated again, quietly.

Renzly shook her head, sheathing the dagger. “I got another idea, Goldie. Ya help me out, and I don’t tell your folks where you’re hidin’. We got a deal?”

“What?” she looked up in surprise. “You’d do that?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea,” Renzly warned. “You’re more useful ta me here.”

“What can I do?”

She grinned slowly. “I know your type. Papa spent a bunch of moolah educatin’ ya, didn’t he? I need some research done, and I bet you’re just the one ta do it.”

“What sort of research?” Kezrin asked with some apprehension. “I barely have time to sleep.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout that. If you’re workin’ for me, I’ll set ya up with somethin’. But first, we got a deal?” She offered her hand. “Or should I go send a letter to Pop?”

Slowly, Kezrin reached out and shook it. “Deal.”