It didn’t take long for the group to prepare to leave. They readied themselves in silence, Eleusia helping a still dazed Torben gather his things into his pack. All of them had one eye on Hrex at all times.
The witch sat next to the fire, eating the remains of the previous evening’s meal straight from the pot; she was plainly unconcerned by the others. As Hrex leaned back against the fireplace and began to pick her teeth, Torben could feel a slight unpleasant, prickling sensation creeping up his back, as if he were sitting uncomfortably close to the fire. She was in control of the situation, and they knew it.
As they unbarred the door, light flooded in from the un-shuttered windows of the tavern beyond. There was no sign of how Hrex had gained entry into the room or even the building. Th
