Chapter 15

　　“I assumed because you’re an honourable man,” I replied, not quite sure why my lungs were suddenly breathless.

　　He snorted and pulled a few strands of hair from my head. “Virgin hair,” he chuckled.

　　“That is...” I fumed.

　　“A valuable spell component,” he finished for me. “You would not believe how hard it is to find.”

　　“What about the inn keeper’s daughters? Not that I am arguing for seduction, but still!”

　　He burst out laughing. “Oh, Siorin, you’re so... innocent. The inn keeper, like most inn keepers, has a side trade offering his wife and daughter’s services to his guests.”

　　“Oh,” I was shocked. “That’s awful.”

　　“Starving is awful,” he corrected me. “A little village like Nedin, it’s how they survive.”

　　“Is that why you stole me from the road?” I wondered. “Because you needed my hair?”