ELEVEN

The Shark returned with fresh bread, some stew, a large piece of meat and a flask of red wine. It was the best he could get from the inn, and even though he wanted to, he could not leave the inn that quickly to get food, Shira would probably have lapsed into her unconsciousness by then.

Her eyes were closed by the time he got to her room, her once luxurious black hair looked dull, and he could see the hollowness of her once rosy cheeks. She had lost a lot of weight.

‘’She asked why you brought her here.’’ Leywin said from behind him.

‘’And what answer did you give her?’’ The Shark said without turning around.

‘’Don’t know – I’ve forgotten.’’ Leywin said, stepping forward, he sat on the straw mattress. ‘’We can’t continue like this Fa – Shark –‘’

‘’We are alone, there is no need for you to keep calling me that’’ The Shark said icily.

Leywin shrugged. ‘’One of us has to be cautious –‘’

‘’And you think I have not been?’’ The Shark interrupted, his voice even c