“We need a place to lie low for a bit,” Ren said, shining a disarming smile at the butcher. “We won't be any trouble, and we will pay you for the inconvenience, of course,” he continued, reaching for his rapidly thinning money pouch with his free hand and drawing a few golden coins out to display to the stranger.

With the lure of gold, it only took the butcher a moment to decide, and a warm, welcoming smile spread on his face. “Please, come inside.”

* * *

“The name's Rowland,” the butcher said, leading Ren and Anik into the back of his shop, which seemed to serve both as a workplace and a living area. Ren made a wide berth around three pig halves hanging from hooks in the ceiling. To the left was the shopfront, where yet more meat was lined up along the counter, although most of the day's stock seemed to have sold out already. Through a door to the right was a small sitting area and a kitchen, as well as a narrow flight of stairs Ren assumed led up to Rowland's sleeping quarters.

“I'm, uh, Niklas. This is Anik,” Ren said, pointing over his shoulder. “Thanks for letting us stay,” he continued, handing over the gold coins. “We-”

“I don't need to know,” Rowland interrupted, giving Ren a stern look as he pocketed the gold. “Silence all around is better for everyone. Make yourselves comfortable.” He gestured towards the open door that led to the sitting area, then turned his attention to the blond boy. “Come on, don't just stand there. Get our guests something to drink.”

The place was worn down, but kept clean. There was not a speck of dust on the surface of the small table between them. A faint smell of blood hung on the air, wafting in from the shop front.

“Looks like we got lucky,” Ren said, and dropped his bag on the floor before taking a seat in the nearest chair. “Thanks for taking off without me, you ass.”

Anik ignored him. He wasn't even looking at him. Instead, he was watching the boy place cups of water onto a tray in the small kitchen, gaze intense.

“What?” Ren asked.

“You don't think it's odd?” Anik asked in a low voice. His whole body was tense and his eyes didn't leave the boy. “What's a butcher doing with a slave like that?”