Serena blinked and then flashed a smile at the man. "Oh dear, I would not guess I stuck out like a sore thumb."
The man said nothing more and just stared Serena down like she was some monstrosity dragged into town by the guards. Nevertheless she willed herself to stay calm and walk away if needed.
"My hearing is poor these days," the man said with a short burst of laughter. "I was wondering why a cloaked person would Aramore. From the border towns, are ya?"
Her eyes drifted from the man and back to him. Guilt pricked at her for forgetting herself and using her mixed accent rather than forcing an Eastern one.
"Yes, how did you figure?"
The man shrugged and then kicked a rock. "You just have a look to ya. A little skittish but-" he gave her a once over. "You will adjust."
Serena nodded slowly, she wondered if Ironshaders rarely left their towns and villages, was a section run like a singular pack within itself? She rubbed her hands together and looked at the stalls.
