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Riverbridge was less than two days away Froiers, and Far the Hollow Every chance that presented itself, he would force her to interact with people and res away and tracking demon patterns in the afternoon as both of the sofor it Renna was an to talk, so be it

Euchor had kept his word in letting refugees cross the Dividing, but with all of Rizon’s harvest lost and suone, it was hard tie ollen on both sides of the river by a growing tent city of refugees outside the walls of the town proper, poorly warded and rife with filth and poverty Renna crinkled her nose in disgust as they rode through, and he knew the scene was doing nothing to dissuade her rejection of civilization

The nuate had increased as well, and they looked disparagingly at the Painted Man and Renna as they approached It wasn’t surprising Covered head-to-toe even in the hot sun, the Painted Man’s appearance never failed to draw attention, and Renna, clad in scandalously revealing rags and covered in fading blackstem stains, did little to reassure theuard in any city or toho didn’t turn welcoold coin, and he had s Soon after, they were inside the walls, stabling their , and the Bridgefolk were returning home fro around as people passed them in the hundreds "Half the folk’re starvin’, and the other half look as if they expect us to rob them"

"Ent nothin’ for it," the Painted Man said "I need news, and that can’t be had out in the wilds Get used to towns for a while" Renna didn’t look pleased with the answer, but she kept her mouth closed and nodded

The taproom of the inn was crowded at this time of day, but much of the activity was centered at the bar, and the Painted Man spotted a small empty table in the back He and Renna sat, and a bar and pretty, though her eyes had a sad, tired look to them Her dress was clean for the most part, but it orn, and he knew at once from the tone of her skin and the shape of her face that she was Rizonan, probably one of the first of the refugees, lucky enough to find work

There was a raucous table of men seated next to them "Ay, Milly, another round here!" one of them cried, and slapped the barmaid’s rump with an audible crack She ju on a false s to the men "Sure as day, boys," she said cheerfully

Her smile vanished when she turned back to them "What’ll ya have?"

"Two ales and dinner," the Painted Man said "And a rooirl said, "but with all the folk passing through town, price is dear"

The Painted Man nodded, laying a gold coin on the table The old in her life "That should cover our e Noho should I speak to about that rooirl snatched up the coin instantly, before any of the surrounding patrons could see it "Talk to Mich, he owns the place," she said, pointing to a largebehind the bar as he tried to keep all thethrust at him full of ale As he turned to look, the Painted Man saw her thrust the coin into the front of her dress

"Thank you," he said

The girl nodded "Have your ales right away, Tender" She bowed and scurried off

"Stay here and keep to yourself while I get us a roo" She nodded, and hefor a last few ales before retiring behind their wards for the night He had to wait at the end for the innkeep’s attention, but when the old coins, and he caone fat Forh to toss an unruly patron, perhaps, but success and th of his youth