āHalsin remained relaxed, his eyes tracking her progress until she rounded a corner, his hands open at each side, his stance loose. Waiting.
"Ah, you must be the man of legend, Master Halsin!" Tempestās uncle said, with a gloved hand outstretched. Halsin studied the offered hand in greeting before flicking his eyes back up. Accepting.
"It is my true honor and pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Alastair, the future of House Valourheart, and I wish to extend myāHngh!"
A crack of fine bones interrupted the manās prattling, followed by aĀ crickĀ of surrender from a pair of wooden soles. Alastair, disoriented, now found himself trapped under the hulking druidās shadow. Halsinās imposing figure worked in his favor, turning them away from prying eyes, avoiding suspicion.
An expression of camaraderie between gentlemenā nothing more.
Halsin leaned in, his voice low but undeniable.
āIf I catch a whiff of a Zhentarim presence on those docks againā¦ā
Alastairās mouth worked uselessly, understanding draining the blood from his features.
āā¦youāll not only find the road to Moonrise blocked by a landslideāyouāll find your merchant galleons at the bottom of the Chionthar.ā
Halsin waited for his words to sink in before he continued.
āAnd as for Tempestā¦āAlastair flinched in agony from the sudden twist and angle of his comparatively diminutive wrist. A pop of bones punctuated by a whimper. āā¦youāll never touch her again. Dishonor her name,Ā andĀ I will visit natureās fury upon you,ā Halsin growled.
He held the uncleās eyes a beat longer before releasing him, leaving Alastair to nurse the compressed bones in his hand and wrist.
āIndeed. Your renown and reputation precede you, Master Halsin. Truly, the Emerald Enclave breeds champions of the wildsāequal parts admired for your benevolence and feared for your swift retribution. We areā¦most fortunate to have you standing at Tempest's side.ā
āExcuse me.ā The perfumed charlatan drew a hasty retreat, personal guards in tow.ā
āChapter 2: With the Presence of a Bear
