Shady

“About two years, sir,” Aleth answered, increasingly anxious that he wasn’t selling the story well with all these suspicious questions he was getting. “Give or take. I’m not quite sure ...

“Thank you,” Aleth said, dipping his head. “I’m from Pawholm. Arrell.”

“No, sir,” Aleth answered. That much was true. He didn’t know where his father was, but with any luck the bastard was dead by now. If he wasn’t, Aleth didn’t ...

“Yes, sir.” Aleth bobbed his head, but it hurt so he stopped and grimaced instead. “I… I understand. But I promise that if you take a risk on me, I ...

(Hahah it’s true) “Whatever his lordship deems best,” Aleth answered humbly. This was it. His chance to sell it. Or get sold. Or worse. “I was rather hoping — if ...

Aleth was grateful that the questions were angling back towards the lies that he had prepared. The woman might have taken two of his toes, but at least she was ...

(!! Enjoy!)

Aleth had underestimated Ash. He’d expected skepticism about the story. Had those lies prepared. These were things that had never even crossed Aleth’s mind. “Uh… I think his name was—“ ...

Aleth hadn’t expected that question. But he knew he couldn’t think about it too long without casting suspicion on him. “A man by the name of… Jesten.”

“That’s where my masters wanted me, sir,” Aleth answered, resisting the urge to look Ash in the eye. They weren’t equals here. Not now. “I worked as a butler in ...

(Do you have a suggestion for where he can say? I think Tarr said he should claim northern but that he got captured in the East. I just don’t know ...

“Al,” Aleth replied. “Sir.”

“Biryn is my uncle’s best friend,” Jerica corrected. “And I hate both the bastards. The world will be a better place once they pass out of it.”

“Yes, sir,” Aleth answered. He studied Ash for the briefest moment before averting his gaze. He wasn’t quite sure how to manage as a slave. But they’d figure it out. ...

Aleth looked over at Ash, just noticing him. “Of course,” he murmured, then tipped his head towards the lord of the keep. “Sir.”