Ace's POV
The wooden door of the inn groaned shut behind us as we stepped into the crisp afternoon air. A gust of wind carried the scent of damp earth from last night's rain. I glanced back through the grimy window just in time to see Chief Gareth's broad shoulders settle opposite Khaleed at a corner table. Chief Gareth's eyes, normally warm with paternal kindness, now burned with quiet intensity as they locked onto his protégé.
"Khaleed," Gareth's deep voice rumbled through the glass, "why don't we stay for a bit? Let's play chess for an hour."