You walked past three good places to stop before this one. a faint, tired curve at the corner of his mouth The hollow log near the old oak. The spring with the clear water. But you kept going.

I’m not here to drag you back to L’Manberg.

The words land like stones dropped into still water. He takes a step closer, slow enough that Kenzie could bolt if she wanted to. His boots barely disturb the fallen leaves.

I was wondering if you’d end up here. The same way I always end up here, when the server gets too loud.