On the way to the tavern, Zepar noticed that many people stared at him. He didn't like the looks in many of their eyes. Still, he decided to ponder that later. He had something far more important to worry about. He ran through the streets before arriving at the Crimson Boar. It was a welcome sight after being gone for a little over two months. He couldn't wait to get back into his routine of bringing by apples for Boris to make ale with.
"Boris!" Zepar called out enthusiastically as he entered the tavern. Boris turned and smiled as he spotted Zepar.
"Zepar," he called out cheerfully. "It's been a while." He slid over an apple ale for him as he sat down.
It was at that moment that Zepar noticed something that finally made him pay closer attention. The tavern, which had been filled with the low murmur of conversation, suddenly went silent. He turned around in his seat to glance at the other patrons, his eyes widening as he realized they were all looking at him. Some of their gazes were terrified, while others were filled with suspicion.
"Why is everyone so tense?" Zepar asked Boris in confusion.
"Well…there've been rumors," Boris explained hesitantly. "A town crier broke the story a day after you left. They're calling you the Lichspawn of Dirkaz."
"What?" Zepar asked. "How the hell did he know? I haven't told anyone."
"So it's true?" Boris asked. "Your father's Zardeem Dirkaz?"
"It's complicated," Zepar replied. "But yes, he is my father." He raised his voice slightly so that the others in the tavern could hear. "And yes, my father's made a lot of mistakes and committed many crimes. But they belong to him alone."
"I agree," Boris said. "Good on ya. My old man was a thief and a killer for hire. Look at how I turned out."
The patrons who had been looking at Zepar turned back to their drinks, their heads lowered in shame. They knew better. They knew a son couldn't choose his father.
"So how did the town crier find out anyways?" Zepar asked.
"That's a question I'd hoped you would let go," Boris admitted. "Apparently he talked to Aya."
His eyes widened as he heard Boris's revelation. He felt his heart pounding in his ears as he tried to make sense of it. Aya had expressed interest in him first. She'd wanted to be with him, even after learning the truth about him. He couldn't understand how she could do something like this. How she could betray his trust like this.
"Zepar!"
He turned around slowly, his face ashen and his eyes wide as he stared at the woman who'd just entered the tavern. Aya was panting for breath, having sprinted to the tavern. She had hoped to explain everything before Zepar could hear it from anyone else.
"Oh," Zepar said. His face looked nearly devoid of emotion, a cold fury all that she could see. "Hello, Aya."
"Please, let me explain," she pleaded.
"Explain what?" Zepar asked coldly. "That you saw what I'd gone through as a child, knew what betrayal did to me…and told the town crier who my father was anyways?"
"I didn't—" she tried, but he cut her off.
"Didn't expect me to come back? Didn't think it mattered?" he growled, his face contorting with rage.
"I didn't mean to," she pleaded, tears in her eyes.
Zepar walked towards her before stepping around her to leave the tavern. He stopped when he was beside her, looking straight ahead.
"You know the worst part?" he asked, his voice calmer, but sounding shaky. "I came here to tell you I loved you." A single tear trailed down his cheek before leaving.
Zepar stumbled slightly as he headed to Edarin's tower. He could still hear his heart in his ears, and his vision was blurring slightly. He felt weak, ill. When he entered the tower, Edarin looked at him in concern before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"My boy, you're pale as a corpse," he said. "What happened?"
"I-I just need to lie down," Zepar replied. "N-need to be alone."
Shaking off Edarin's hand, Zepar headed into his dorm before collapsing onto the floor. His breathing turned ragged and rapid as he curled into a fetal position. His hands held his head as he tried to get himself together.
After several minutes, Nyx wandered into the room. He meowed softly before gently pushing his way into Zepar's chest and curling up there. Nyx began to purr as Zepar unconsciously pet him. Slowly, as Nyx cuddled against him, his breathing slowed until it returned to normal.
Zepar said nothing for a long moment as he continued petting Nyx. He finally began to calm down before sitting up and pulling Nyx against his chest, hugging the kitten as he briefly complained about his cuddles being interrupted.
"Thank you, Nyx," he whispered before planting a soft kiss on the kitten's head. He then set Nyx down and pulled some sausage and goat milk from his storage ring before using his magic to mulch the sausage and feeding both to Nyx. As the kitten ate, Zepar pet him, letting the familiar softness of his fur calm him further.
Now that he was calm, Zepar knew exactly what he would do next. Tomorrow, he'd find that town crier. He wouldn't be like his father. He wouldn't aim his vengeance indiscriminately. But that didn't mean he wouldn't seek vengeance against someone who'd wronged him. He couldn't hurt Aya. Even now the idea was repulsive to him. But the town crier? He'd learn that actions had consequences. With that thought in mind, he laid down on the bed with Nyx to sleep.