page16 (1/2)

“I don’t want trouble,” the shadow said, lifting his arhtly so that Finn could see them “I just came for water”

Finn caught sight of the cups in his raised hands, one palher than the other because of his aard build

“With a river and a downpour outside?” Finn pressed the blade ainst the intruder’s hauberk

In the darkness, it was difficult to gauge his age or his social status A man at arh he appeared young and healthy, his limp meant he would not fare ith either a peasant’s labor or a knight’s training

“It is not fit for er did not wear a sword, but there was a short blade at his waist His clothes were shabby, Finn could now tell “I sought shelter for my drink”

Was this one of the forest dwellers that Violet worried about? She had feared Finn would drive out anything and everything he found in the woods around Caladan And although he would not be so callous, neither would he let a killer walk hidden a the poor and downtrodden

“Finn?” From above, Violet’s voice drifted down the stairs

No doubt she’d been worried, but he would have preferred the interloper renorant of her presence Finn did not answer her yet Instead, he studied the stranger’s face to search for his reaction to Violet’s call Had the man known she was above stairs? Was he as familiar with her hideaway upstairs as he ith the water source below?

“Who are you?” he pressed, sword never wavering

“John Miller My grandfather ran this mill before the water wheel broke” The man looked to his raised hands where he still carried the water “Would you mind if I set down the cups?”

“Finn?” Violet called again

Had she coer with his sword and his body between her and the intruder, but she would be safest hidden away froed, an instinct as keen as his thirst for vengeance had once been He realized he wanted to keep Violet of Caladan safe froe his brother He would do both But if he had to choose, he would guard Violet first