things happen.’ The other young man nodded vigorously. ‘Family comes first, so we didn’t say a word.’
‘Between ourselves...’ Ethman gestured towards the two of them. ‘...we agreed that we’d have to see Caim off properly. The road’s dangerous too, and we didn’t want to let him go on his own.’
‘Yes, exactly.’ The older Watchman toned down his friend’s enthusiasm a little. ‘Before he left, about a week and a half ago, the rest of us organised a farewell party for Caim. We all chipped in, so it was quite lively, and in the morning he was supposed to set off with the caravan.’
‘Except he didn't know we were going with him too.’
‘When he saw us on the cart that morning, he was taken aback.’ McKinnon frowned slightly. ‘And for a moment, I thought he was angry. He tried to talk us out of such a long journey, but we were determined. Once the caravan set off, he gave in.’ He shrugged. ‘The journey went smoothly and within three days we were already at the enclave’s borders. And thanks to the artefacts, we could travel by day, so we arrived at the village in the evening.’ He shifted as if uncomfortable. ‘I thought then that he’d go straight to his family home, but he said he’d spend the night at the inn.’
The innkeeper grunted in approval.
‘To save money, we took one room for the three of us.’
‘They even haggled.’ The innkeeper clasped his hands behind his back and tried not to look at anyone in particular.
‘In the evening, we all went to bed,’ continued the Watchman undeterred. ‘In the morning, after breakfast, I suggested we go together to visit Caim’s family, but he started making excuses. That it was too early, that everyone was working now, that it was chaotic and, anyway, better another time.’
‘All in all, it made sense.’ Ethman was the only one who tried to look Darius in the eye, but he quickly gave up. ‘Everyone here works in the fields from dawn till dusk.’
‘So we just nodded
