Garath's easy smile never changed, nor did his eyes narrow (storytellers learn very early to control their faces) but his concern was rising. He and Wendella had made it out of town well enough, and once her shaking at such a close brush with magic and inquisitors had subsided he had taken full advantage of the human life-affirming instinct that came into play after reminders of mortality...And just as well, for if they had arrived earlier, he might have missed another blatant use of magic to get into the castle.
How many spellcasters were there here? There was something odd about the place, he was not feeling drained as he should by the magic he had used, after all, but could that account for so many? Garath thought not. Not with such obvious magical use in an area patrolled by the Inquisition. That betokened stupidity, inexperience, and ignorance, all of which made it unlikely that these other mages had discovered this locale intentionally.
Which meant something was drawing them here. And he had a good guess that the "something" was in that castle, or perhaps under it.
Garath liked playing with other people's minds.
He did not like his mind being played with.
"I think we'll need the shelter of the castle later, but let's wait long enough for whoever that was to get well away from us. And I know just the thing to pass the time..."
The former barmaid had a hesitant look, and started a little as Garath touched her again. He was clearly more than he seemed, and had already paid her more than a month's wage...And he could make her feel very, very, very good when he chose, but he had tastes that were...She had never...
But when she looked into his eyes, saw she had really no choice at all.