I walked through the village, hands in my pockets, taking in the repair work still ongoing around me.
People were working hard.
I was still watching a group of men try to maneuver a massive beam into position when I walked directly into someone's back.
"What the—"
I backstepped, catching my balance.
Rowan stood in front of me, turning around.
"Apologies, Young Master." His tone was polite. "Didn't realize you were right behind me."
Asshole. You've been guiding me here for the last five minutes. Who does you think I've been following?
Though I kept the thought firmly internal and glanced past him at the house we'd stopped in front of.
It was modest but well-maintained, slightly larger than the ones immediately around it. A small garden along the front wall, mostly herbs. Clean shutters. Someone had recently swept the path leading to the door.
"Is this it?" I asked.
Rowan gave a stiff nod.
