“I know it is still a while until dinnertime, but how about we walk the market together? We can decide on where and what to eat as we go.”
“I’d like that.” Thessa said. She was glad to have company in such a dangerous place, and Gaelyn didn’t seem like a danger to her in any way. Besides, if he tried anything, he would surely be surprised to find she could defend herself in ways he would immediately regret. They strolled down the market, stopping at shop and booth trying on scarves and whatnots. She was having a grand time. No one had ever paid attention to her like this before. About an hour into the walk, several men began to run from their booths. She heard someone from one of the booths tell his son to mind the shop. He had to run to the cat booth because Jerron was being attacked and maimed by a vicious black and white cat.
Gaelyn looked with surprise at Thessa, “You don’t think?”
“No, I’m sure it’s not my cat.”
“We had better check for sure. Maybe he got a hold of her.”
“All right, but I’m telling you it wasn’t her.”
They hurriedly returned to the cat booth. It didn’t take long to reach it since they were not stopping at each booth along the way. When they got to the booth, the cats were no longer hanging from the ceiling and eve and the man, Jerron, was hunched over the counter with his face in ruins and his cloths all covered in his own blood. Thessa knew immediately that Sarren had indeed killed the man. Whether he had hunted her down or she had returned just to do the job was unclear. She knew she could not let this stand, so she went to the man.
“Is he dead?” A woman standing by asked.
“As dead as can be.” Said one of the men.
Thessa went to him and held his hand, “I don’t think he’s dead.” She said. “Here, help me get him on this table inside the booth. Someone get some water and cloth and clean his wounds.”
“I’ll be right back.” Said the woman as she ran to the nearby water well after stopping at her booth for some strips of cloth.
Thessa knew the man was dead, but she pretended he was breathing. “See his chest moves.”
“I don’t see it.” The nosey man said, craning his head to get a better look.
“Well, he is breathing. I can see his chest move.”
“She speaks the truth.” Gaelyn said.
Thessa though it was kind of him to back her up, even though she knew he couldn’t see the chest movement either.
The woman returned with the water and cloth and began cleaning Jerron’s face. Thessa concentrated and tried her best not to show what she was doing as she healed the deep cuts on the man’s face. He would be scarred, but at least he would not start hemorrhaging when she raised him. She placed her hand on his chest and let her energy flow into him. “See, he lives.”
The man suddenly sat upright, “Where is that damned cat?” Was his first words.
“Sssh, it’s gone now. Lie back down. You are still hurt.” Thessa said, making him lie back on the table.
“I guess you were right, miss. I though for sure her was a goner.” The nosey man said.
“No flipping cat will do me in, friend!” Jerron yelled out to him.
“You will be fine, now.” Thessa said. She returned to Gaelyn, who was still in front of the booth. “I am covered in blood. I need to go back to my inn room and wash up.”
“That was amazing. Are you a healer?” Gaelyn asked.
“No, but I used to her a nanny with three children. I learned a few things from her.”
“Let us get you to you inn. I want to take out the hero of the market.” Gaelyn said.
Thessa looked around and all the people were smiling at her and nodding at her with their appreciation and approval. “I can manage. Why don’t I meet you somewhere in say… about an hour?”
“All right. Why don’t you just meet me here in the market?” He pointed to a booth selling flowers. “At the flower booth there.”
“I will see you in an hour at the flower cart then.” Thessa said. She hurriedly moved away from him.
“I will wait for you!” Gaelyn called after her.
Chapter 11: Before Dawn
Jas poured the ale and slammed it down on the counter, causing some of it to spill out on his patron. “Oy, Jas, you big oaf, careful with me ale!”
“Drink it up, Cedric, before I call in that tab of yours.” Jas threatened.
The big man behind the counter went to pour another mug of ale when the door to the tavern suddenly burst open. Snowy wind blew in and two men sitting close to the opening rushed to close the door behind the man who stumbled in. He looked at the bartender and let down his hand from the wound on his neck and it began gushing blood.
“He’s killed us all! Lock the door. He is coming! Lock the door!” The man collapsed onto the tavern floor.
Jas came from behind the counter with a bottle of hard liquor. He pushed two tables together. “Here men, get him up here.” They lifted the man onto the tables. “Where is Jon the barber?”
“Here!” Jon responded from somewhere in back of the tavern. He rushed up to to the wounded man.
“Here’s some hard mash. What else do you need to help this poor fellow?”
“Bandages.” The barber replied.
The injured man stirred and grabbed the barber by his shirt, “You don’t understand. He’s coming!”
“Who’s coming, friend?” Jas asked.
The door creaked open, letting more snowy wind blow in. A shadowy figure entered the common room of the inn. The men once again rushed to close the door.
“No! He’s here. Run!”
The light of the lantern near the door still swung back and forth from the wind blowing inside, illuminating the face of the man
