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(Page 4 of 11) Ivaris - Chapter 2 by Jennifer Raney
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Alternatively, I was very glad nobody had witnessed the event, as I was growing more and more paranoid with each attempt on my life.
"Would you mind terribly walking me home?" I asked meekly.
"Of course, ma'am, my pleasure," what a ridiculous gentleman he was! I would have laughed at him had I not been so unsettled.
We walked back the way we came, and after what seemed like ages, we arrived at my little town house, not far from the University. I didn't know yet what my plan was once I got home, I knew I wouldn't be able to stay there, but it was the best thing I could think to do at the moment. Honestly, I was surprised we even made it back to my home without another incident. Clearly whoever had sent this assassin had not expected him to fail.
Seroan walked me to the door, and I invited him inside to warm up and have a bite to eat, if he wanted. I felt I owed him that at least for bravely attempting to protect my life. He thanked me and accepted some ale and nibbled out of the fruit bowl on the table. I made a cup of tea and sat opposite him, lost in thought, trying to make sense of the situation.
"The government wants you dead," he said suddenly, breaking my thoughts.
"Yes," I said.
"Why?"
I didn't know how much I should tell him, there wasn't much he could do for me anyway, as far as I could tell.
"I don't know," I half-lied.
"I don't believe you," he called my bluff.
"I don't give a shit what you believe," I snapped, instantly feeling guilty for being short with him, "Sorry," I muttered and he shrugged.
"What'd you do, kill someone?"
He wasn't trying to be mean, but I was horrified at the realization that I had gotten someone killed. "I... I think I might have..."
Seroan considered me from across the table, "You don't quite fit the description of a killer. And it can't be that simple, or they'd just arrest you in public."
Normally I would have said something sarcastic, but I wasn't in the mood anymore. "I'm not a killer. I don't know what I've gotten into."
I wanted him to be quiet so I could think but he continued, "You can't stay here, they will obviously know where you live. And I guess you won't tell me what's going on," it wasn't really a question, though I knew he wanted me to tell him, "but I'll help you if you want."
I got up and refilled my tea. "Thanks, Seroan, but I don't even know what I should do next. I know something, but I don't know anything, you know?"
He actually laughed, and it broke the tension. I calmed down a bit.
"I don't want to tell you what I know because it's not safe for you," I said as I came back to the table.
"Ok," he sipped, "well I hate my job and my only family was killed two months ago in a scuffle at Guira, so I'd be happy to help you out, if you don't mind me," another sip, "could be fun."
I didn't know what to say to that, but I finally came up with, "I'm sorry about your brother." He nodded. "Were you a soldier too?"
"I was. Dislocated my left shoulder, can't carry a two-hander anymore," unconsciously he shifted his left shoulder, "They offered me a discharge and a job so I took it.
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