Obran and Tori walked the streets with their hoods up, though once outside Tori spread out her new blonde hair whose color Obran was just getting used to. There were still some revelers on the streets but more were in the various temples they passed or in makeshift shrines that had appeared on the streets; the rumors of the King's health had affected the celebrations and Obran truly hoped he would recuperate, though even in his bleakest days in the army he'd never said a prayer to anyone or anything and wasn't about to start now.
"I see you picked up a stray for our trip up north," Tori says.
"What?" Obran said.
"The pretty shepherdess," she said.
"Oh, Katrina," Obran said.
"Yes...Katrina...so do you think Armenus will be okay with her tagging along?" Tori said.
"I don't think he'll have a problem with her," Obran said. "I think she can more than handle herself."
"Yes I'm sure," Tori said.
They made the last turn toward the northern gate. Nearby he saw some food stalls were already open.
"We'll order some food, just act natural," Obran said.
They ordered some choco crunchies and punch at a gnome stall and ate slowly, sitting by a fountain where they could see the gate.
"We're cheating on Zico," Tori said.
"Just try not to enjoy it," Obran teased.
"Just like I didn't enjoy the stew last night?" Tori said.
"Your pretty lies," Obran said.
As the sun rose, the gates opened, and traffic began to come in and out of the city. Obran saw two guards on the inside of the gate and a couple more outside. There were also several more on the walls and ramparts.
"I don't see the praetorian guard. Do you recognize any others?" Obran said.
"It's hard to see from this distance. Let me get a little closer," Tori said.
"Okay, be careful," Obran said.
Tori walked ahead, near the line of people leaving the city. Obran again felt the sword hilt under his cloak but he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against so many soldiers; luckily Tori returned after a minute.
"I didn't recognize anyone and I didn't seem like the guards were looking for anyone. Several girls walked by with their hoods up and no one was asked to lower them or get any extra attention," Tori said.
"Okay, let's buy some cakes for the others and head back," Obran said.
"Don't forget one for your shepherdess," Tori said.
"Oh...right," Obran said.
"You know I could imagine you raising sheep and goats."
"It is honest work..." Obran said.
Is there jealousy in her voice? It must be his imagination. He was just about to reaffirm his commitment to making sure she got home safe when he saw four cloaked horsemen headed to the gate.
"Keep your head down and look at the stalls," Obran said as he held a cake to his mouth to help hide his face.
The four riders rode quickly towards the gate so Obran couldn't get a clear look at their faces. The riders seemed oblivious to anything and anyone around them, almost knocking several people over as they exited the gate. The guards merely stared and let them proceed without objection.
"I think those might have been elves, Tori," Obran said.
"Are you sure?" Tori said.
"I'm not totally sure but those dark, blue cloaks and the condition of the horses," Obran said. They had all been on large, well built, war horses.
"Could they have been soldiers or mercenaries going north. The promise of goblin gold has been attracting many to join the auxiliaries," Tori said.
"I can't be sure but we should go back to the gremlin quarter," Obran said.
"Obran, elves can't just search and operate in the kingdom, they King wouldn't have allowed that, and even in Roma their movements were being monitored," Tori said.
"I doubt the elves care," Obran said.
***
Back in the tavern Stripe was sitting by the bar chatting with a silver haired woman whom Obran hadn't seen the previous night. They look friendly together, Obran thought. The woman, an older but attractive woman, smiled and waved at Tori and Obran, and they waved back. It was morning now so all the other gremlins customers had left, no doubt sleeping until dusk, and only a few humans were eating breakfast.
"Hello again Giz...hello miss, your friends are back," Stripe said. "I told them they could rest in a room upstairs."
"Thank you.," Obran said.
"I'm still waiting for Katrina but I have everything prepared if you want to talk now," Stripe said.
"Okay, just give me a few minutes," Obran said.
"They're on the third floor, far corner," the woman said. "Quite a lovely group."
"Thank you," Tori said.
Obran and Tori went upstairs and gently tapped the door.
"Yes?" said Tomas.
"It's, Obran."
The door unlocked and Tomas let them in. It was just a small room with a couple of beds, a table, and washbasins. They all sat up as Obran and Tori entered the room.
"Is everyone okay?" Tori said.
"Yes," Tomas said.
"Yes, fine," Erkin said.
"We're all fine," Zico said as Mara nodded. "
No sweat," Mara said.
"So how did it go? Tell me everything," Obran said.
"Okay...we went to the inn after my wife gave us the all clear," Zico said. "There, I spoke to the owner and he didn't say anything about soldiers but there was a message for us."
"What? A message for us?" Obran said.
"Yes, the owner told me a street kid gave it to him and that it was for the owner of our wagon," Tomas said.
Zico handed Obran a note; it was sealed with wax but had no markings.
"Did the owner say anything else?" Obran said.
"No, nothing else and I didn't open. I thought I should give it to you or Tori first," Zico said.
"Thank you, Zico," Tori said. "Thank you all for being so brave."
"It's no problem, Tori. It was kind of exciting," Mara said. "I think I know now why some fairies leave our lands to join in adventures."
"There will be no more adventures for us, dear," Zico said.
"Ha...we'll see," Mara said.
Obran handed the note to Tori; she opened it and read out loud.
"There is strong interest in you both from all sides. They are searching for you and your friend so proceed with haste. I will be delayed but will catch up and honor my promise," Tori said.
They all understood the letter. Obran hadn't held anything back since that night they were attacked. This isn't good, Obran thought. Obran started to consider his options going forward and none seemed too good.
"Okay...If we stay here and wait, sooner or later they will find us, or someone will give us up, word will get out about us, about me and Tori, but if we keep going up north, there is just as good a chance whoever is hunting us may find us on the road before we meet Armenus or get to Genoa," Obran said.
"I know, Obran," Tori said.
"Why are they doing this to you, Tori?" Mara asked.
"I'm not sure, Mara," Tori said.
"It's not fair bro," Erkin said.
"You two should just take a horse and head north as fast as you can with whatever supplies you can carry," Zico said.
"Zi, we have to help Tori too," Mara said.
"I know dear. I'm trying," Zico said.
"It's okay Mara. Obran and I will figure it out," Tori said. "You all have done more than enough but we also need to know you are all going to be safe too."
"They're only looking for us and you all can stay here until I get back or it's safe to go back to Roma," Obran said.
"I want to go with you," Erkin said.
"What?" Obran said. "Are you crazy?"
Erkin stood up and faced his older brother. He looked focused and determined.
"I had to sit out the last war and I won't let you fight this battle alone," Erkin said.
"Do you know what you are saying. Romans and elves are hunting us as we speak," Obran said.
"Brother, I know what it is to live in fear, every slave does," Erkin said. "Besides, I can't go back to studying right now even if I wanted to, but that doesn't matter because I know I can help you."
"You are being silly," Obran said.
"I want to go too," Tomas said.
"What? No! Tomas, I want you two to keep an eye on each other...Erkin, look what you started. Stop this all of you," Obran said. "Me and Tori will go on ahead, alone."
"No Obran," Tomas said. "Erkin is my best friend and you're my friend now too and so is Tori, so if Erkin wants to do this then I will help him," Tomas said.
"If they are going then I'm going too," Mara said.
"Jeez, I knew that was coming," Zico said.
"All of you, forget it, it's out of the question," Obran said.
"Don't forget about Katrina," Tori said. "But you'll have to tell her the truth and let her decide if she wants to join us."
"Of course," Obran said.
"Why does she get to go ?" Erkin said.
"She can kill a wolf single handed and she's part of the job, that's why, and after we tell her the truth I'm not even sure she will want to go with us," Obran said.
"But Obran, if they can't find you two sooner or later they may come for us," Tomas said.
"Hmm..." Obran said.
Maybe he was right, Obran thought. They had all been together at the King's birthday party. Whoever was looking for them would soon learn Obran had a brother who was enrolled in the university and who was paired off with Tomas, and that they'd also come to the ball with a gnome who had a pretty fae wife. Everyone in the central market would know that it was Zico and Mara. Besides, a woman and a gremlin alone on a horse or a carriage would draw all kinds of attention no matter how well they tried to hide. So what should they do? Obran had no clue.
"Maybe the gods brought us all together for a reason," Tomas said.
"He's right," Erkin said. "You can't choose your fate."
Obran didn't know what to say. Maybe they should all stick together but if something happened to any of them how could he live with himself? It would all be his fault. All of this because he met a princess in the forest. But was there any choice now? Worst of all, Tori looked as though she agreed with them.
"It might be the best thing, Obran," Tori said.
They all stared at him and for the first time in a long while he'd felt part of a whole, that maybe they were together for a reason.
"...Okay, okay," Obran finally said. "We will all go north, to Genoa."
What am I doing, he thought?
Mara did a loop de loop sprinkling dust all over the floor.
"Tori, does this mean I can be your lady-in-waiting?" Mara said, flying up to the princess.
"Of course, Mara," Tori said. "It would be an honor."
"Jeez, you'll be the end of me, wife," Zico said.
"Can you end me first please?" Obran said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbmL2aofMj
