Outside, Andre's eyes stayed fixed on Nox, as if he were trying to see through him, and the crowd around the inn looked like a collection of statues that had forgotten how to breathe properly. Everyone could feel that something was about to happen, and nobody wanted to be the first person to move.
The innkeeper was still somewhere inside the building, shaking with anger and fear, but even he had gone quiet for a moment. When two strong people started speaking calmly, it meant the violence was about to become organised, and organised violence was always worse than random destruction.
Nox raised his chin slightly, keeping his posture relaxed, then spoke in a voice that was clear enough for Andre to hear but not dramatic enough to invite panic from the onlookers.
