Hobbling, Nora follows me from behind, while we descend the stairs of the inn.

“Do you need help?” I ask.  

“No thanks.”

She seems to have come to terms with the situation, according to our earlier talk.

“Would you like some breakfast?” a young man greets us downstairs.

“Yes, but to take away.”

“Alright. Hmm, how about two breads with ham?”

“With cheese instead.”

“Okay, two coming up. Please wait at the counter,” he runs into the kitchen.

The inn is practically deserted, unlike yesterday, when everyone was happily drinking.

Like the young man said, we walk towards the counter.

As I lean on the counter, I fall into deep thought. Generally speaking, teens are all talk. They say one thing, but when the moment of truth comes, they do something entirely different. It remains to be seen if Nora meant what she said.

Looking at Nora next to me, I try to grasp what she is thinking.. She’s… okay, I guess? I can’t read her expression. I wonder if it was alright to tease her like I did earlier?

“Is something wrong Al?” she notices me looking at her.

“Nah, nothing. Just looking.”

“Hmm.”

The boy, who is busy cutting the bread, asks. “Hey, you guys heard the news already?”

“We just woke up,” I reply.

“Well huh, good point but this happened yesterday afternoon, so you could have heard about it then.”

“We didn’t, so what is it?”

“Some crazy group attacked some stores in Diamond Street. People were freaking out and running everywhere.”

“Wow, really? What was it about?”

“No idea. My dad thinks it was just some feud between families, but he’s very cynical about these kinda things.”

He comes closer to the counter. Nora immediately puts her hand on top of my right hand, which was lying on top of the counter.

Uh? Oh, wait… she covered the servant’s symbol.

Damn, I completely forgot to hide it today. Good catch girl.

I push my hand back and hide it behind the counter where he can’t see. Then I pull my sleeve to cover it.

Yesterday, I wasn’t able to find gloves and there weren’t any shops open. I had to hide the symbol with my sleeve, just like how I’m doing now. I have to get a pair of gloves as soon as possible.

The guy grabs a knife and a small cheese wheel from a drawer below the counter. Whereupon he starts cutting out some slices of it.

“Then, one store was burned to the ground. And another one was a mess inside, almost like it was raided. My friend told me that it was probably mana or some kind of magic that passed through the guards and messed up everything.”

“Hmm...”

Just as planned. With so many bottles broken, I doubt they will notice a few dyes missing.

If these dyes are just like the ones in my time, they will last for four weeks. It’s kind of amazing how these things get stuck to the hair. Furthermore, it’s literally impossible to remove it without a dye remover.

I remember the first time I dyed my hair. I was skeptical, but just as Christine had promised, it was effective. The black color is so imposing that it completely hides the original hair color, unlike the other dyes.

The young man puts the cheese slices in the bread and hands me one and Nora another.

“That will be ten copper.”

“Kinda pricy isn’t it?” I reply.

“Hey, I take pride in our quality food!” He laughs. “Nah, just kidding. I’m sorry, but the prices are going up a bit. Gastein, the country on the west, is stealing some of our country’s business, or so I heard.”

For a commoner, he sure is well informed, especially for a young lad like him. Moreover, he already knows this much, even though it happened not too long ago.

“Country’s business?”

“Yeah, like... Trade of milk, cereals, meat and the like.”

“And we are not doing anything about it?”

“Well, Coeburg still controls most of the sea market. If you want to save money, fish is the way to go. Except here of course! A little to the North of this place, we have some rabbit farms.”

“I see. Thanks for the info.”

“No problem!”

I put the bread on the counter, so that I can rummage my bag for my pouch. Upon finding it, I count 2 silver and 79 copper coins. My room had cost 30 copper coins, more than I originally thought. I pick 10 copper coins and put them on the counter.

The young man counts the coins with his index finger and after confirming the amount I paid, he collects them and puts them into his own pocket.

“Thank you for your business!” he says with a smile.

I nod while Nora replies with a thank you. Afterwards, we leave the inn.

…

The street is full of people moving around. A group of kids run past me, laughing. Street vendors are doing their business and calling people to come over.

“This can’t be a town. This is a freaking city.”

How is this a town!? This place is so big and full of people. I would sooner call it a city rather than a town... Meh, whatever. We have more to worry about.

The first step should be getting a pair of gloves. Then, buy some supplies. And finally, find a good way to Hullbeck, the coast city east of here.

“C’mon sis, lean on me.”

“I cann walq jusht fine,” she replies with her mouth stuffed with bread, and tries to hide it with her hand.

You either are assuming your new role like a pro or you already forgot your manners.

“If you say so.” I make a small shrug. “We need to buy a few things, let’s go.”

I start walking towards the center of town and Nora follows me.

…

….

……

“Thank you for your business.” A middle aged woman replies after I buy some of her products. Turns out, she practically sells a little of everything. I got from her a pair of fingerless gloves, one canteen, a tent and some food in case we can’t find an inn along the way. Ideally, we would need more stuff than this, but money is a problem. I’m really outdated, the prices caught me off guard.

I spent one silver coin in total. A lot more than I originally thought. I thought that the money we got would last longer, but now I’ll need to get more sooner than expected.

We are currently in the town’s square, in the center of the town. And like earlier, it’s full of people.

But while previously everyone was moving around, going about their business, now everyone is gathering around a rectangular wooden platform in the center of the square.

It’s time for the news, huh?

“What now Al?” Nora asks.

“Let’s wait a little.”

I want to know if they are announcing his death today.

She looks at the crowd and the platform. “*sigh* I see. How long do we have to wait?”

“Not long I think.”

“Hmm.” She limps to the wall next to the store and leans on it. And crosses her arms.

“What's on your mind?” I do the same as her and lean on the wall next to her.

“I don't know. I just want to go home as soon as possible. And being here doing nothing instead of moving...”

“I understand. But look—”

“Everyone! I bring you important news!” A man, already on top of the platform, dressed with somewhat expensive clothes, shouts. “Prince Vanadis, heir to the throne, has died!”

The crowd gasps and start to make noise.

“His highness’ funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon in the capital. That is all.”

The crowd, after the abrupt ending, starts an uproar.

“What!? That’s it!?”

“You’ve got to be joking!”

“He died!? How did he die!?”

The crowd surrounds the man who announced the news, demanding answers. The only things protecting him are the three guards escorting him.

“Weird, only that much info, huh?”

“It must be a precaution.” She leans close and speaks quietly. “They are politically forced to execute us if they don’t find proof of our innocence. So, just in case they find proof, they only say he died. Because otherwise, if they say we are the killers or that simply he was assassinated, the people will look for blood.”

I see. If they say we are the killers we'll have a bad reputation with the general public, even if later they find us innocent. Or if they say he was killed without blaming anyone, the populace will look for a scapegoat. And may cause more problems in the process.

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“Good thinking. Political games are your thing?”

“Not really. It’s just obvious.”

A humble one aren’t you?

“Well, let’s move.”

She nods.

…

We made our way to the east side of the city.

Now is the toughest part.

Walking is not an option, not with her leg like that. Hiring a carriage is also too expensive. The only viable option is stealing a horse.

Nora will probably complain, but that’s the way it got to be.

As we are passing through the last couple of buildings, I spot a stable a few dozens of meters ahead of us. There’s a middle aged man, who I assume is the owner, handing the reins of a horse to a woman. Inside, there are more horses .

We walk towards them.

“You ever rode a horse?”

“Yeah, I took classes.”

“Oh, then that makes things easy.”

“You’re going to buy one?”

“No.”

“Al,” she stops walking.

I look back at her.

“Horses are expensive. And we need one, otherwise it’s just not possible to get to your home.”

“I know, but…”

She closes her eyes and seems to be struggling with herself. Finally she says,“*sigh* Alright, do what you must.”

I put my hand on her shoulder.

“Like I promised, if there’s another way, I’ll use it. But for now, we must do what we have to do.”

“Yeah, ok.” She takes a deep breath. “Let’s just get it over with.”

“Good.”

We start walking again.

“Oi there! Looking to buy a horse?”

“You could say that.”

“Good, good!” He turns to Nora “What’s your name young lady?”

“Arlene…”

“Oh what a lovely name! My name is Rainte. Nice to meet you!” He grabs her hand and shakes it.

“Uh… yeah, likewise.”

Is it just me, or is he ignoring me?

“Do you want to eat lunch with me? It may not seem like it, but I’m a good cook!”

Nora manages to shake his hand off.

“No thanks, we have to go somewhere… So…”

“Oh, but you don’t need to go right now! Why don’t we—”

He tries to grab her hand again, but this time I interfere. I grab his arm before he could reach her.

“Are you done?”

“Hey mate, I just wanted to be friends with her.” I squeeze his arm. “Ow, ouch ow!”

“Are you done?”

“Yes, yes! I’m done!” I let go of him. He massages his arm with the other hand and curses something under his breath. “So, business was it?”

“What’s the best horse you have?”

“It’s that one, right there.” He points to a black horse inside the stable. “He’s tough, fast and can run for hours without problems.”

“I see. So then—”

“Wait! I have a proposition, just for you!”

“Hm?”

“How about a bet? You see that tree?” He points to a tree at least 50 meters from here. “You see that hole in the trunk?”

“Yes.”

It’s a small hole in the middle of the trunk, either done by someone or a bird.

“Grab that bow and arrows from over there and hit it. If you hit it, the horse is yours.” He points to the bow standing on the wall behind him.

“And if I don’t?”

“The girl must stay with me!”

“Huh!?”

Is this guy for real?

“What!?” Nora, obviously, also became perplexed by his suggestion.

“Hey, it’s a fair bet! That horse, Mark, he’s a very dear friend of mine. I raised him! He’s like a son to me.”

“Congratulations Arlene, you’re being compared to a horse.”

“Ha, ha, ha. Very funny.”

“So, what d’you say? I’ll not sell you any horse. You either accept it or walk away.” He’s rubbing his hands as he says that.

I look at Nora.

She looks back at me. “You’re not going to…”

Then I look at the bow and the arrows.

“Alright, on one condition.”

“Al!?”

“Oh? What condition?”

“I can try three times.”

I need to test the bow at least two times to be sure I can hit the target.

“Accepted! Good luck!” He quickly grabs the bow and the arrows and gives them to me. “Here you go!”

“You have got to be kidding me… Al, are you serious!?”

“Don’t worry. I can handle it.” I wink at her.

Besides, you’re the one who wanted to avoid stealing. And it’s not like I’m actually giving you to him on the off chance I lose.

“Hmph!”

I ready the bow and pull the string... Seems fine. Not the best quality but it will launch the arrow alright.

I notice the man getting closer to Nora.

“You touch her, I put a hole between your eyes.”

“Fine! Fine!” He replies.

This time, I pick an arrow and ready the bow, and aim for the hole in the tree.

The arrow seems fine. I don’t think it will change it’s trajectory randomly. There’s no wind, I just have to compensate for the gravity.

I aim a little higher and pull the string as much as I can. This is just to test how long the arrow can fly at full strength. It would be a miracle if it actually hits the target.

After a moment, I let go of the arrow and the string does it’s job. The arrow flies in the right direction.

However, it misses. It hits just a little below the hole.

“H-hey! I didn’t know you were good at it! H-how about—”

“You made this bet. You better respect it like a man.”

“Y-yeah, sure! But—”

“Shut it. I have to concentrate.”

I ready the bow again with another arrow. Seems like I won’t need more than two tries after all.

I aim a little higher than before. As I release the arrow, the man coughs loudly. Unluckily for him, that kind of crap doesn’t work on me. I’m used to battles, dumbass.

The arrow hits the spot.

I turn to him and grin. “I believe I won a horse?”

Nora has a smile on her face. “Good work Al!”

“Hmm…” He has a painful expression. “Look, why don’t we work out a—”

“I, believe, I won a black horse.”

“B-but… *sigh* Yes, yes, you did. Let me just get the paper.”

He walks inside a room. I put down the bow and arrows and Nora comes to my side.

“Good job.”

“Thank you.”

“But...”

She tramples on my foot.

“Ouch.” I fake. And made it obvious to notice.

“Don’t use me like that again!”

“Will try, but no promises.”

“Yeah!? How about—”

“Here’s the paper.” The man comes back and hands it to me. “Take care of him.” Then he walks away, rubbing his eyes with his sleeve.

“You alright?” I ask.

“Oh, don’t mind me, I’m fine. Perfectly fine.”

“Ok, if you say so…”

He enters the room again. “Bwaaaaaaahaha! My Mark! My beautiful Mark! I was so dumb! So dumb! Bwaaaaa!”

“He’s… crying,” Nora exclaims.

We look at the door of the room, stupefied.

“Of all the idiots I ever met, that’s the first one who I truly pity.”

“...”

After a moment.

“Well, nevermind him. Let’s get the horse and move on.”

“Yes, let’s,” she replies.

We walk to the horse.

It’s beautiful. Dark as the darkest night and with a strong build. How much does this guy cost?

I look at the paper the guy gave me. It’s an official document of the horse. It has it’s name, race, parents… In other words, it’s a property paper. Seems to be genuine as far I can tell.

He’s already equipped, we just have to hop on.

“C’mon, ladies first.”

“Help me get on the saddle.”

“Sure thing.”

She turns her back to me and puts her foot on the saddle. I pick her by the waist and raise her. She manages to sit on top of the horse.

I sit behind her.

“You good?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

“Alright. Heya!”

I kick the horse with my heels.

"houyhnhnm!" The horse whines and starts running.

*********

Next Chapter

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Many thanks to Fayman for helping me out with this chapter!