As Ander finally pushed himself up from the chair, his wooden leg thumping against the floor with every step, a collective sigh passed through the group—subtle, but very real. He gave them one last glance, tipped his weather-worn sailor hat, and limped out of the inn with his two silent companions trailing behind him. The moment the door creaked shut behind him, Sophia visibly relaxed, her shoulders slumping.
"Gods," she whispered, pinching her nose. "I can finally breathe again."
Eleanor exhaled dramatically. "That stench was physically attacking me."
Jason chuckled. "Was it the rotting teeth or the years of rum oozing out of his pores that did it for you?"
"Both," Sophia said without hesitation. "I feel like I'm going to have nightmares about that smile."
Eleanor nodded. "He grinned at us like we were pieces of meat."
"I think he wanted to drink and eat us," Sophia added with a disgusted twist of her lips.