Meanwhile, Cassie was leading the drunken group of sailors to her "mother's house"—really just an abandoned shed on the edge of town.
"How much further?" one of the sailors slurred loudly.
"Just a bit," Cassie said sweetly, sniffling as she led them on.
As they neared the shed, Cassie stopped and turned around. Her watery eyes glistened, her lips trembled—then curled into a dark smile.
She flung out her hand. "Ice Trap!" she shouted.
A stream of frost burst from her palms, curling around the sailors' feet and locking them in place with thick coils of ice.
The men cursed and flailed, but Cassie was already gone—bolting down the street to meet up with Revan.
He'd be waiting inside The Golden Pig, probably halfway through a bowl of beef stew by now. Her mouth watered at the thought of it.
She sprinted down the darkening road, the warm, soft yellow glow of the tavern ahead like a lighthouse in the gloom.
Cassie threw the door open and rushed to the counter where Billy stood.
"Ho, Cass," Billy greeted, his bald head shining under the lanternlight, his round belly straining against his apron.
"Ho, Billy," Cassie replied with a tired smile.
She glanced around. No sign of Revan.
"You seen Revan?" she asked.
Billy shook his head. "Phaps no. Haven't laid eyes on him. He's probably off exploring, you know how he is."
As he spoke, he set a steaming bowl of beef stew on the counter.
Cassie stared at it, her stomach practically growling.
Billy chuckled. "It's on the house tonight. Your smile's enough payment."
Cass flashed Billy a smile, but the warmth didn't quite reach her eyes. Revan should be here. He always was.
The smell of the beef stew made her stomach twist in hunger, but she pushed the bowl away. She couldn't eat—not yet. She had to find him.
"Hey, Billy," she called. "I'll give you a hug for another free bowl of stew—for Revan."
Billy chuckled. "Off to find him, huh? Tell him when you see him he still owes me ten solires for letting you two stay in the barn."
Cass grinned faintly, then turned toward the door.
With one last glance at the untouched bowl, she stepped out into the pitch of the night.