The Silver Merchant was quiet tonight. Dariya had let Avren retire early, the old innkeeper claiming “It’s bad for your health, so many late nights.” Despite that, this was the first night off he’d had in years.
He could go out, see the street performers, visit the night market, but the streets were dangerous, and it wasn’t like he had any—
The jingling of keys came from the other side of the door. Some muttered cursing, and then a sharp click. The door swung open, revealing a burly man Avren had never seen before, and Dariya, her face wrought with scorn.
“Wha—”
The man strode into the room and pinned Avren’s hands behind his back. Panic flared in his stomach. How did she... No, she couldn’t have found out. He had been careful, he had done everything right. But if that was true...
Then this wouldn’t be happening.
The man looked to Dariya, who remained in the hall outside. She nodded, and the man began to force Avren out of the room.
As they passed her in the hall, Avren struggling weakly, Dariya leaned in and whispered to him. “You filthy liar,” she hissed. “Consider this a mercy. I should have your head for this.”
At those words, the fight drained out of him, the knowledge of betrayal seeping into his skin, down to his bones. It was inevitable, he’d known that. And Dariya was right. He would’ve, should’ve, been killed.
Even still, it was hard to feel thankful as he was pitched onto the street, his few belongings thrown out after him.
He could feel the stares of people passing by, wondering at what this odd boy did to get thrown out. He wanted to disappear, to melt into the shadows and never be seen again. His face burned as he picked up his things and slung his pack over his shoulder, as he began to trudge down the street, head down. He knew an alley by the academy that was usually empty. He could sleep there tonight, and tomorrow—
No. He pushed all those thoughts away. He had to focus on tonight. Tears spilled down his cheeks, no matter how hard he fought to contain them. By the time he reached the alley, he was shaking. The packed dirt hardly looked appealing, but it was all he had.