The Villain's Hero
he said and took the bowl with him.
I bundled the apron up and searched my chest for another. It was the last, the first that I had bought from the villagers, this one because of the pretty embroidery sewn in the corner. I paused, holding it in my hands.
The tent flap opened and Aien returned with the empty bowl and a full jug of water. He did not look at me as he placed them, but he also did not leave, standing looking down at the bloody apron and rags. “I’ll… take these away for you,” he said. “The servants might be able to wash them…” He crossed to the doorway. “Is there anything else that you need?”