"It looks like the guests here are preparing for the Greengrass Festival."
Aaron said this to the Daemon Prince Annomyn inside the Last Light Inn.
Morning sunlight fell into Endglow Inn, illuminating the bustle around them.
The Harpers wore fitted robes as they directed their members to hang more lanterns on the trees in the inn's courtyard. Several oak branches and wreaths of oak leaves stood by the door, bridge tables filled the courtyard, and carved treants guarded every entrance.
An unusually large number of Harpers had gathered here today. Annomyn and Aaron had arranged to meet here.
The inn stood on a river peninsula, connected to the outside world only by a small bridge and a nearby marsh trail. It also had a small dock for loading and unloading cargo. The smithy that served adventurers was always open, and any new guest could get a delicious mug of ale at the bar.
"The Harpers have been planning something lately. They're gathering together, but they clearly don't welcome me. In truth, I've grown used to this kind of life."
Over the past year or so, Annomyn's entire bearing had changed dramatically. His expression had grown gloomier, and red light occasionally flashed in his eyes. His once undertrained body had gradually become tall and imposing, the sleek muscles lending him a measure of masculine appeal.
But after everything he had endured, though Annomyn's eyes were no longer childish, they had also lost their light. Successfully taking revenge had offered him only a little comfort, not enough to rekindle all his passion for life.
"You've done well, Annomyn. Although I think some of your methods were a little too extreme, this was your choice. I won't interfere." Aaron patted Annomyn's shoulder. What the Pasha's son had suffered gave him a perfect justification