“Man, I’m starvin’!” Carson grumbles, setting a hand to his stomach.
“There’s an inn over there!” I point ahead and a painted, wooden sign reads: Rusk’s Inn. We jog to the side of the building, out of the way of any curious passerby’s. I dig through my pack and shake my head. “Jarvis took our spoils when we left Kasardis.”
“Hmm...” Carson puts a hand to his chin in an exaggerated expression before rolling his eyes over at me. “Mal?”
I frown at my friend and shake my head, closing the distance between us, I show him a couple rings and an adorned necklace from my sash.
“Are... Are those mine?” the princess grabs to move my arm for a better look but I shy away, bending down to whisper to her.
“It’s just jewelry. It’s the only thing we have to trade with.”
“Did you steal these? How did you get them?!” she crosses her arms, a firm frown adorning her face before it changes to realization. “Were you... in my room?”
“I um...” I feel slight heat rise to my cheeks, embarrassed by how ridiculous it sounds. I felt guilty but I told myself I couldn’t help it; that it might prove useful later. The other reason, I hate to admit, was that I was curious of the life she lived and whether we would be able to trust her.
I hear a light snicker to my right and lock eyes with Carz who snatches a hand to his mouth, pointing at me. “She’s got ya, Mal. You’re caught!”
“That almost sounds like you were aware...?” she looks to Carz with an even more disgusted expression, and he raises his hands in submission.
“I only knew he went in; I swear!”
“Once a thief, always a thief. I thought you would at least respect my privacy.”
“Lena...” I try but am interrupted as she shoots out her hand, holding up a finger to silence me.
“No, you don’t get to say that name. I am revoking that privilege.”
“Alright... Princess,” I say it in a whisper as to not draw any attention. “I took them in case to bribe for your safety. We couldn’t exactly... get to the trade route papers at first. In case it would have been unsuccessful-”
“Stop. That is just an excuse. You’re a thief, correct?”
Frustration and humiliation run through me, my answering coming out short. “Yes.”
“Humph.” she raises an eyebrow at me, not needing to finish the thought. She walks closer, inspecting all the pieces and grabs for the necklace. “Not this one. Do what you wish with the others.”
She turns around, head in the air before disappearing around the corner into the inn. I release a large sigh and Carson pats my shoulder, “You did great.” and continues behind her.
Irritation spikes but I follow soon after. I walk in and the atmosphere is a mix of stories, laughing and a single drunken duel. Two men off to the side are nearly tumbling towards each other with each strike they miss at. We immediately walk up to the bar, a post board set to the side with a bunch of bounty posters.
The princess is standing along with Carson, arranging our regiments. The heavyweight, middle aged man nods and hands them a metal key. “Payment?”
I make it next to them and usher him closer, setting a large, jeweled ring in his plump hand. His eyes go wide, and he looks into my eyes. “Wrong key.” he takes the key back and hands us a different one before adding, “You three are in the far back, in the suite. Food and ale are on the house tonight. There is a washroom there as well with fresh water. Looks like you need it. As suite guests, I will have my maid come up to give you fresh clothes.”
As if just noticing, the smudges of soot, blood and sweat coats all of us, skin and clothes. I manage a thank you and we head upstairs. We walk through the sturdy, wooden hallway, sconces lit lining the walls. We press on through the dividing hallway and make it to the back to a smaller set of double doors. I slip the key in and turn. A small click and I push the doors open.
One large bed, draped with a forest green canopy to our left and a sizeable armoire adjacent to it ahead of us. A window straight ahead with wooden shutters and to our right, a small archway leading into with a wooden tub full of fresh hot water. A small stack of fresh linen sits on a stool next to it along with a sponge.
“I would like to go first.” she says, setting her pack down and looks at us. She adds, less demanding, “I mean... if you two don’t mind.”
“Be my guest.” Carz rolls his eyes, dropping his pack and jumping on the bed.
“Don’t lay on it! You’ll get it all dirty before I even get to sleep!”
“Who says you’re sleeping here?” Carz teases, sticking his tongue out towards her.
“Ugh, you’re a brute!” she rolls her eyes, a small smile playing before she disappears between the archway.
I head towards the window, opening the shutters and look out. The view shows some taverns and houses, the Black Shores in the distance. Muffled music begins to play downstairs, and Carson gets up quickly, shooting towards the door.
“That’s my que!” and disappears, shutting the door behind him. I sigh aloud, raising my voice towards the princess.
“We’re headed downstairs. Come find us when you’re done.”
“Fine.” I hear and then silence.
I shake my head; she is still angry with me. I quietly work my way downstairs and immediately spot my redheaded friend. He is sitting on a stool with a pale of ale and a girl with black hair and olive skin. Her eyes are a dark green-brown and she begins to wrap her arms around him, taking a seat on his lap. I chuckle lightly to myself and go to the bar for my own pale of ale. I look out listening for the music, in the back and a raised, wooden platform catches my attention. A woman, probably my age sits on a stool with a violin at her chin.
Her hair is a deep brown-red shine to it, her eyes an emerald green. She wears leather pants under an open slit dress from the waist down, a lacy corset adorning her chest over a blouse. Her hair is pinned high in a thick, ponytail-braid with a golden cuff holding her hair. A gold, thin chain belt is slashed around one of her hips. The melody she plays is upbeat and soon, the whole room I notice is drawn to her.
“Psst, Mal?” I hear from my side. I look in the direction to find Carz gesturing me over.
I walk over and take a stool, the girl walking over to me and rubbing my shoulders first before nearly hugging me from behind. She whispers in my ear, “I like your friend there. I like you, too. I have a couple friends and a room?” she raises an eyebrow, inviting and I look to Carson who is nodding towards me.
“Auh, not tonight, thanks. My friend and I have business to take care of.” I see Carson’s face fall and the girl sits on my lap, her chest a mere inch from my face. She draws an invisible line with her finger, tracing my collar bone and my cheek before leaning in, her lips connecting with mine. Instinctively, I bring my arms up to just below her shoulders, drawing her in closer.
“Thadda boy!” Carson snickers and a blonde comes rolling in, doing similar things.
“Another friend?” I ask, pulling her away a bit.
“Mhm. One of ’em. We can share though!” she winks and the music I notice ends, changing into a different tune.
“I, auh we, should get going.” I move her off of me gently and look to Carson who huffs with irritation.
“So, this is what you boys do?”
I whip around behind me and find the princess, hip out and arms crossed, disappointment showing. “Your turn.”
She walks towards the bar and grabs a pale of ale herself, the barkeeper raising an eyebrow in surprise but allows it. She sits into an empty stool, in between Carson and I but a bit farther out from the table.
“It isn’t what it-” I try but she holds up a hand.
“Please, just stop.” she sighs and takes a big gulp, her face going sour as she slams it back onto the table and coughs.
Carson chuckles but pats her on the back. “’Adda girl! We might make a street rat ’outta you yet!”
She glares at him through her coughs and the girl stalks a couple feet over to her. She kneels to the princess’s side and puts a hand on her leg, a flirtatious gesture. “Unless... you want some company?”
“I, auh No. I’m, um...” the princess goes red, bringing her hands in, almost to shield herself from the embarrassment. “I don’t, auh...”
I put a hand to cover my smile, but finish for her, “She’s taken.”
The lady looks at her suspiciously, looking to her hand, “No ring. She can’t be that taken.”
Carson intervenes, “She is. But I most certainly am not!” he huddles the blonde closer and reaches an arm out towards the dark-haired lady. She smiles deviously and sits on his other leg, both girls kissing each of his cheeks. Carson gives a big smile and a woman in a maid’s dress walks over with a plate of food.
“Finally!” Carson let’s go of both girls, grabbing a knife and fork, wedged between his hands as he says, “Thank you God for this most delicious, roasted salmon!”
He digs in, the girls pushed to the edge of either open leg, nearly off his lap. They look at each other with disgust and walk away.
“Well, now I know you’re food motivated at least.” the princess says, crossing her arms and throws a stubborn leg over the other.
“I can’t argue there!”
The maid brings the last two of us a roasted salmon and refills on the ales. We spend some time, eating food and enjoying the music before what we silently knew would await us upstairs. Carson even invites Lena to a food contest war on who could withstand the spicy calamari kabobs along with who could finish a pale of ale first. I intervened on that last one, but we all agreed cards were on the table.
After time has passed and half the crowd leaves to their homes or rooms here in the inn, the three of us head upstairs.
“Auh, I’m exhausted. Are you sure we can’t do this tomorrow?”
I hand him his half full ale after he drops, ass first onto the floor at the post of the bed. “I’m sure.”
“Ugh, fine... Hey Lena, remind me not to challenge you to spicy calamari kabobs again.”
She smiles and takes a seat on the edge of the bed, laying down to face us still. I kneel down, stretching my arms before I face the both of them.
“We can’t be here in the morning.”
“Why not?” Lena asks, cocking her head to the side. Her behavior has greatly improved with the two pales of ale Carson teased her to drink. Overall, it had been a great time. One of the best times of late I have had recently.
“Because we need to go to Cherrwarden!” Carz hiccups and decides to lay down, propped on one arm to continue chugging some of his ale.
“Yes, and why is that, exactly?” Lena asks, a brow raised.
Carz looks straight ahead, in between myself and the princess and takes a drag of his ale before turning it over, a couple droplets hitting the floor. “Business.”
“Carz...?”
“Because, ok?! I will tell you when we get there!”
I roll my eyes, a headache beginning to form.
“Mal your hand...” Carz begins, pointing drunkenly towards it.
I look at it and my bandage is stained red. “Damn it... you would think this thing would heal already?!”
“Maybe we should go see a healer?” Lena asks, kicking her feet back and forth behind her on the bed.
“Maybe. I’ll tend to it soon, but we need to make a plan.” I look from Carz to Lena, “There is also something you should know. About the palace.”
“No... I don’t want to know. Not yet.” tears brim her eyes and she looks at her hands before shock suddenly takes over.
“No... NO!” she reaches into her pockets in her clean tunic, in her leather pants and she snaps her eyes up, terror written all over.
“What?” I say, Carson sitting up to get ready for any dangers that may come.
“My... My necklace. It’s gone!”
Carson and I look to each other and sudden realization: the only other company were those two girls.
“Damn beauties!” Carson smacks his forehead, and we quickly jog back downstairs, Carson a little less steady, but with years of drinking ale, he manages.
When we get down there, few drunks are scattered about the tables and stools. The music has stopped and the bardress who was playing the violin, sits at the bar, alone. I walk over to her, asking, “Excuse me, Miss?”
She looks at me with no amusement and doesn’t say anything. She takes a swig of her ale and I try again, “Sorry, we were just wondering if you had seen the two women? They took something from us.”
“Not my problem. You boys always getting into trouble.” she shakes her head.
If only she knew. “They stole something from our friend, here,” I gesture towards Lena and she steps forward, pleading in her eyes.
The bardress stares at her a second, as if debating before taking another swig of her ale.
“Please. It was from my m-... my late mother.” Tears brim the princess’s eyes again, her face becoming red and the bardress sighs.
“Fine. I might have seen something.” she closes her eyes as if defeated, one hand clenched on the near empty cup of ale.
“Where are they? Please, I need to get it back!”
“How?” the bardress asks in question, her eyes peering into the princess’s so deeply, I almost miss the slight flinch Lena gives.
“I, um...”
“Well, that depends on if it is with them or in their room.” Carz states like it’s obvious.
That seems to catch the woman’s attention. “They’re in a suite. Are you suggesting... breaking in and stealing it?”
I take a step closer, gaining her attention before I bend down, face to face, “We will do what is necessary, whatever it comes to.”
Carson rolls his eyes. Lena looks at me and nods appreciatively, clasping her hands together for the ladies’ answer.
“Hmm,” she sits back, leaning her cheek on her fist and crossing her legs, eyeing the princess. “I’ll tell you but, if I recall, I didn’t receive a tip from any of you three earlier.”
We all look at each other and she takes out a thick, leather coin pouch and holds it open in an angle that shadows anything inside it-as to not let us see her earnings.
I huff and roll my eyes, taking out the second of the three rings I had taken from the palace. She smiles like a cat, before tying it and setting it inside her waist-slit dress, hiding it from view and turns, clasping her hands over her crossed leg.
“They have a suite room upstairs. The hallway on the left, all the way down at the divider.”
She leans in, her expression turning serious. “I don’t want any blood drawn. Promise me that or I will turn you in.”
Carson and I look at each other before agreeing. We all head upstairs but linger at the dividing part of the hallway. “We’ll get it, but I need you to stay in your room.”
The princess looks at me as if I said some foreign language, rebellion in her stance and she whispers with her fists clenched, “No! This is my necklace. You said earlier that I needed to learn the streets. I am to be queen; I refuse to be dependent on you!”
My eyes go wide in surprise. I hear Carson mutter, “Damn!” and I sigh in defeat.
“Fine, but I will be going in there with you. Auh, don’t try to argue,” I stop her when she’s about to protest, “because that is the condition.”
She glares but stubbornly agrees, “Fine.”
“Carz, stay outside the door. Listen in on if we need help.” I say. Carson nods and we all head towards the room.
The halls are dark, minus the small sconces-every other one of them lit for guidance. I reach the similar double doors like our room has and try to listen in. I stay for a moment before looking up at Carson and shaking my head. He nods before I take a peek through the keyhole. Nothing but darkness on the other side. I take out a lockpick and I bend down to the lock to get to work.
I gesture for the princess to stick to my side, Carson on the lookout from behind, as I creek open the door just a slight. I peek in and see nothing but dark, silence filling the void. I step in and take Lena’s hand to guide her with me, shutting the door behind.
I wait a second for my eyes to adjust in the darkness, one shutter from the window cracked a bit, making it a bit easier.
“Mm...”
I freeze and feel the princess tense up behind me. One of the girls, I can’t tell which one, rolls over in the canopy bed. I bring my face down to the princess and put a finger over my lips and she nods in understanding.
I gesture for her to stay put but she pulls on my sleeve, making me turn back to her. She shakes her head and I roll my eyes, guiding her with me instead.
We make it to the foot of the bed, and I watch the woman whom I realize is the blonde. I cringe my brows, the space next to her catching my attention. The blanket is folded over. Just then, we hear a noise coming from the wash area, somewhere behind the archway across from us.
I bolt swiftly to the side of the bed where the woman above is sleeping, her hand resting over the cushion, towards the floor. I pull the princess with me and situate her, wedging her in-between the drawer and myself. I clasp a hand over her mouth and her eyes are wide. I just barely brush my lips against her ear, whispering a low “Shh.”
She stares at me, taking my hand in hers and squeezes as the woman walks over to the window. I can’t see her from my angle, but the remaining light cast from the room is cloaked with her shadow. I feel a light dribble of sweat free from my cheek. I look back at Lena and gesture her to stay put as I pull out my dagger.
Her eyes go wide with horror as she tries to stop me from leaving. She shakes her head, pleading for me to stay put. I try to move away, but a hand smacks my face, making me almost lose my footing.
“Mm, Josie there’s...” soft snoring follows after a shift from the girl.
I hear a light sigh from the window and some movement, the room spilling with moonlight, just a crack. A little noise is made above when the dark-haired girl, Josie, situates herself next to the blonde.
We both stay put for what feels like an eternity. After enough time passes, I am about to stand, but the princess takes the dagger from my hand before I can tighten my grip. I look at her, but she gestures for me to stay still.
Before I can react, she is already standing, turning to the blonde in the bed. I put a hand and wipe the sweat forming from my face. This is suicide.
I watch as she ever so gently, staying quiet, reaches towards the blonde. I hear gentle shifting before the blonde starts mumbling in her sleep, “Mm, right there... [Chuckles] Yes, there...”
I try not to snicker, holding a hand over my own mouth as I sit and wait for her to move onto the other woman. Lena soon straightens and tiptoes over a few steps, passing me and going around the edge of the bed towards the other side where the other lady lays.
I hear some minor shifting before a small jolt. I shoot up and barely see the lady holding onto Lena’s arm, then watch as she slowly lays back down, never once opening her eyes. Lena looks to me, silently breathing heavy as she tries again. A few seconds pass and finally she brings her hand up, holding the necklace. A smile plasters across her face and she tiptoes back towards me. I take her hand and guide her back towards the door, opening it just enough to squeeze us through as I pull her out and gently shut it behind us.
As I shut the door, a cold, sharp point sets pressure at the back of my neck. I freeze and hear Lena gasp in surprise, before I hear a familiar voice, “Turn around, slowly.”
I do just that and come face to face with the bardress. Carson, I noticed is sloughed against the wood wall, a sizeable red bruise forming at his temple.
“What did you-” Lena starts but is harshly cut off.
“Shut it. Your friend is fine. I didn’t want him interfering, so I knocked him out. He should come to any moment.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Those are my girls. I wanted to see what would happen. You weren’t tipping and they know the rules.”
“Wait, you did this all for a tip?” Lena nearly shouts as I shush her.
“Mm? Yes. They’re my friends and we make sure we get paid. But you tipped downstairs, remember? Sizeable enough I decided not to give you the runaround.”
I look at her in disbelief. A small grunt from Carson as his eyes flutter open. He jumps at the sight and readies his dagger, getting into a fighting stance, accusing, “Mal! She knocked me out! She’s-” and he catches himself, nearly faceplanting at the sure motion.
“I know.”
The door behind us opens and both the girls come out, wide awake. “Could you be anymore loud?”
The blonde giggles and winks at the princess, “You almost got one of my spots!” The princess’s face brightens up and she averts her eyes before the bardress continues.
“It was fun. Good job, boys and gal, but I think tonight’s already finished with its finale, don’t you? Time for some beauty rest.
We all stare as she moves in between us, joining her friends and closing the door without any further protests. We all look at each other and shake our heads. We head back to our suite, the princess heading to the end of the bed, waiting.
“I need to wash up.” Carz says.
“I’ll go after.” I respond. Carz takes off his boots and shirt but disappears behind the archway with the curtain for a door.
“Ugh.” I begin to move, sluggish as I take off my boots first.
“How long have you been on the streets?” Lena asks, twirling a piece of her hair, absently.
“My whole life.”
A few seconds pass before she says, “Thank you. I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Don’t be. You were right. It was wrong to take them, but it is better you understand that some things have to come with a price. Those jewels have come in handy.”
She nods and I face away from her as I begin peeling off my shirt, throwing it to the floor. A light gasp behind me makes me look back at her.
“I, auh... Sorry. I wasn’t expecting...” I look at her before she points at my back and it clicks.
“The scars.”
“Yes. I didn’t mean to... It surprised me is all.”
“It’s ok. I’m not used to... having someone other than Carz see them.”
She looks at me in disbelief before adding, “You don’t seem a stranger to women.”
I stay silent a moment before, “No. But they’ve never seen my back.”
“Really?”
“I don’t give people the opportunity at my back. The only reason Carz has is because we’ve dressed together. He’s known me since we were kids. The few women I’ve been with? I don’t show them my backside.”
She blushes as I face her and averts her gaze.
“I trust you, enough.” I mutter and she meets my eyes, a small smile.
“Ugh, will you two stop?” Carz says from behind the curtain.
We both laugh and Carz comes out in fresh clothes, pointing me to go back.
I head back and take my time, feeling the exhaustion creep up more and more. We had paddled from morning until dusk, to having some fun downstairs until now. My muscles tense as I pour the now cold water over them. I take a fresh rag and wash the dried sweat, blood and soot off my face. I rinse my hair, lightly using the assorted oils on the floor and begin scrubbing the rest of my body. I hear Carz and Lena ramble about the entertainment downstairs before I finish. I grab the fresh stack of clean clothes, cloth pants and a tunic and begin at the bottom. A large rectangular mirror sits in the corner, and I pause at my reflection.
I turn around briefly, the scars contrasting against my tanned skin. Some of them were from being whipped and others from scraping it along cobblestone when running from the jackals. Only one scar in particular stood out from the fading street scars. No, this one was near white as snow and if I didn’t know any better, it almost formed some design of lettering I was sure might be familiar but too jagged to really make it what I sometimes thought it could be. It etched into my skin at the heart of my back.
I pull a shirt over my head and walk out.
“Well, your Majesty, you’re officially a thief! One of us! How does it feel?”
The amusement leaves her face as she unamusingly states, “I am not a thief. She stole from me first! I only stole it back.”
“But stealing it back is still stealing. You’re still thieving!” Carson smiles, amused.
She glares but ignores it, stiffly throwing a pillow to the ground and a fresh linen towel. She sits on the bed, going under the covers but remaining in a sit position, arms crossed over her chest.
Carson looks from the princess to the floor and realization hits. “No, you can’t be serious!”
“I am.” and with that, she lays down, turning away from us.
I chuckle and laugh, not able to contain it.
“Yeah, well where are you going to sleep?!” he looks at me with annoyance.
I see the princess shift, just ever slightly and silence takes over. Before long I answer, “Cuddled up with you, buddy.”
Carson groans and rolls his eyes, taking a blanket from his pack as I steal another pillow from the bed.
“Goodnight.” I say. After a few seconds, the princess says the same.
“Tomorrow, we talk on our way to Cherrwarden. We leave in a couple hours.”
This gets both, Carson and the princess to groan before a small smile splay upon my lips. I crouch down, slipping in, back-to-back with Carson, letting the candle they had lighted smother us into darkness.
ns 15.158.61.5da2
