by Garlim 23rd August 2016, 1:26 pm
Garlim didn’t pay the girl much heed as she sped up to walk beside him. He could tell that her short legs were struggling with his quick gait, but he wasn’t feeling overly generous just yet. He did, however, do her the courtesy of turning to look at her as she spoke - a courtesy that he didn’t extend to many.
“I know his type,” Garlim said, looking back at the road ahead of them. They were headed to the outskirts of town, and the throng of people near them was steadily changing from military to civilian. “Prison isn’t a nice place - once you get out, there are some things that you just need as a man. I know a place just at the edge of town that doesn’t ask questions, a hive of scum and villainy if I ever saw one.”
He stopped short of saying that he was staying in this particular establishment; after such a tirade, he doubted that this girl would look at him the same way again. But still, it was a cheap place to stay for the little amount of time that he was in town.
After a few minutes they stopped at the door to a tavern, the old rusty sign moving slowly in the wind. “The Dog’s Head” was as rough on the inside as it was on the outside, and Garlim stepped through the door, holding it open for his companion. The noise simmered down slightly as the revellers within gazed suspiciously, but once they recognised Garlim they resumed their loud conversations. The Lightning Wizard spared a glance for his companion before motioning with his head that she follow, walking straight up to the bar.
“Ah, Garlim; will it be the usual?” the barman said as he approached. A tinge shot down Garlim’s spine as embarrassment rushed through him, but he managed to rein it in before his face turned red.
“Not today, Jack; I’m here on business. I’m looking for this fine gentleman,” he said, slamming the bounty down on the bar for Jack to see. He gazed at it for several seconds, his face unreadable. “I know every ex-con comes here when they get out, so you must have seen him.”
When the barman looked up, a smile was on his face. Garlim raised an eyebrow, looking down at the bounty. Was there something amusing scrawled on it?
“You won’t find him in here, Garlim; I knew him before he went in. Been in for two years, and I bet not a day has gone by that he didn’t miss that daughter of his. She must be growing up something fierce now - I bet she’s seven or eight. They used to live a few doors down, and I haven’t heard of anybody moving on up out of this neighbourhood in some time.”
Garlim nodded slowly, looking down at his partner. “Well, looks like a lead to me. Shall we?” he said, raising an arm and motioning for her to lead the way. He offered a nod of appreciation to Jack, who nodded in reply before stepping away, beginning to wash a few glasses that littered the side.
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