Carver squeaked. He'd been offering food, ale, and lodging to the pair a moment before, in return for killing the monster that had plagued them. "We killed the 'dragon' and the mage that created it," Esset repeated with a hint of pride. A murmur rippled through the small crowd that had gathered upon their return. Toman didn't like the feel of that murmur, but Esset didn't seem to notice. "B-but, that'd be Dark Lord Koris," Mr. Carver stuttered. "One of the dark lords." Esset shrugged. "He was an old man in red robes with a white beard." The crowd visibly drew back an inch or two. A few at the fringes even scurried away. "You killed a mage lord. Oh no." Mr. Carver suddenly looked very afraid. More people hurried away. "Look, we're very grateful that you killed the dragon, but you have to go now. Right now. Go." Mr. Carver actually made a shooing motion with his hands before looking shocked at his own actions. When he looked Toman in the eye, briefly, by accident, he looked afraid of them.
