Chapter 14: Noodles are My Weakness

Over the next couple of hours, we used the map of the city and some information to plan out the details of a decent entry and escape. Now, it was all to see if it actually worked.

When we got to the city, I had the driver pull over just outside of sight of the walls and make a camp in a small stand of trees. The four of us got out and began walking the last couple of miles to the city, One hanging on my arm the whole way.

As soon as the sun hit its zenith, One had ousted Nine from her spot and switched back to be glued to my side. Nine had argued, saying that technically, it was Seven's turn, but Seven wasn't here and that they didn't need to change. But One apparently was still respected or feared enough amongst my Numbered that Nine eventually acquiesced.

Once she realized that there was no way they were going to be able to both sit next to me, not with how narrow the carriage was, of course. She hadn't given up that easily.

Four just looked on like they were crazy. But I did catch her sending me a reappraising glance every once in a while. Was it really acting that much differently that she was changing her mind so quickly? We hadn't even really had a proper conversation yet.

Once we got in sight of the city, the demeanors of the women changed. The lithe grace and a deadly look in their eyes disappeared and shifted to the elegant gliding walk of nobility or servants.

One playing the part of my mistress. Four and Nine played handmaidens and servants, respectively, quickly falling into the roles with a few adjustments of their clothes.

If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn they were just ordinary people. That was almost more scary than just knowing who they actually were. I was lucky that my role hadn’t really changed at all as I didn’t think that I would be able to pull off such a seamless transition.

When we got to the gate, there was a bit of a line, but we walked right past it and up to the guards.

"Oi, there is a line, you see." One of the guards yelled at us.

"Yes, yes," I waved him off. Ah, "Some trouble with our carriage, and we had to walk the rest of the way back. My servants and I will need access to whatever high-end rental carriages this city has as soon as possible. Make it happen," I said, and I tossed him a gold coin.

The guard had been opening his mouth, ready to cut off my tirade of self-entitled annoyance, but when he caught the gold coin out of the air, his eyes changed. He bowed clumsily, banging his sword against his greaves.

"Of course, my lord. Uh, Right this way, sir, he said and ushered us into the city.

***

Nine vanished from our side the second we made it into the gate. I could barely see her form as she disappeared into the shadow of one of the buildings and set off at a dead sprint.

Four shifted slightly to help cover my back as one was still attached to my side. The guard led us a few streets down to a fancy yet small building with a massive stable yard out back. Several coaches were hooked up and ready to go.

"You should be able to find what you need here, my lord." The guard said with a more successful bow.

I thanked the man by throwing him in another entire gold.

"Thank you, my lord." He said, bowing again, even deeper this time. Backing up, ready to get out of our sight and back into position before his supervisor realized he had left his post. I wasn't sure if that was a desertion, but it would have pretty harsh consequences if they considered it. Or if I would simply change my mind and ask for the money back.

It might have seemed dumb to take the risk of getting in trouble leaving his post, but two gold was likely over a year's pay for him and well worth the risk.

Four opened the door for One and I to stroll through. As we did, we kept our heads held high. A clerk looked up at us with a weary expression, but when he met my eyes, he perked up slightly. The superior look I was trying to keep in my eye apparently screamed wealth, and he stood up behind his desk.

"Welcome Lord," He paused as if expecting me to fill in, but I ignored him as beneath my notice. Four bustled forward and introduced me as the Minor Baron I was in character as.

Quickly, she negotiated in hushed tones for services of their finest carriage. The man nodded understandingly and scurried out the back. To go, prepare a driver and a fancy carriage to take us wherever we need to go.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

There were a few chairs off to the side and a small table with a few books on it. I walked over and flipped the top one open. It was a catalog of horse breeds several years out of date. What customer would actually want to sit here and wait and read this? I had no idea. But I suppose that more than just having a book was a sign of wealth enough to impress the noble clientele they apparently catered to.

"My lord, your carriage is right outside." The man said as he came back, and Four slipped him a coin or two.

We went back outside and found a slightly less fancy but more comfortable carriage than the one that had brought us to the city. This was clearly made for slow rides through well-paved streets rather than a fast pace over a road for several days. One and I climbed in the cushy carriage while Four went to speak to the driver.

I overheard her conversation as she told the man to head to the palace. The man just nodded as if it was not an unusual request. Four joined us in the carriage, and we were off. So far, so good.

A few blocks later, the door cracked open, and Nine slipped back inside.

"Is it done?" I asked in a low voice that was unable to carry too far.

"Yes, master," she said. "The King should be expecting you with an urgent message from the Duke of Weatherfast."

I nodded. "Good."

We chose a message sender that was important enough that he would be willing to meet me. As long as I arrive at a reasonable time. But not an important enough messenger such that there was any ceremony needed. That had been part of the plan, at least.

We slowly rolled through the city, and we left the curtains drawn. As I watched the hustle and bustle of the daily life. It was interesting to see what people were doing. We saw cobblers but also printed newspapers and newspaper shops with massive typeface presses visible in display windows. I wasn’t sure why it felt off to me, but I expected something different. Was that because I was from somewhere else? What did I expect?

There were taverns and inns and everything along the main road. We didn't go through any of the residential districts but slowly wound our way through the first ring of the city. We had to do almost a full circle before we could make it to the second ring and then an entire circle around again to make it one ring further in.

Large carriages had to go that way. Runners were able to cross the city rings quickly, which is why our message would arrive well before we did enough time for the King to make time for us. Hopefully.

This layout theoretically forced any large attacking armies to slowly wind their way through the city, allowing defenders to set up defenses and slow them down as much as possible. It also made for a several-hour approach to the palace instead of something that could be accomplished in 20 minutes by walking.

But the ride was comfortable. The cushy seats were clearly made to protect the lady's delicate behind. They were a welcome reprieve after the jostling ride of the previous day. One and I chatted softly between the two of us. Four and nine, occasionally exchanging words as well.

Mostly we talked about the shops. She would point out some restaurants that she had heard were good, and I would quiz her on it. She seemed to be enjoying herself, but at the same time, taking it as a chance to teach me. She also used the opportunity to display her knowledge of both the city and other things.

She pointed out the signs of our organization to me. The fact that that scribe shop had private messages for pickup. Or that the tavern on one street corner was the safe house.

I was surprised. Over the course of the ride, there were almost a dozen various functions that she pointed out. Many were duplicates in different rings of the city, apparently for when we needed jobs in the wealthier districts or the lesser districts.

They also served as redundancies. I did my best to memorize the clues she pointed out. Some of them were things we had talked about, like the stylized raven hidden in the signs, filigree being the most common sign. But it was different than seeing it in person. Learning how to search quickly for the patterns and signals was a skill, as they would often change when they became public.

The stylized raven was one of the open secrets, a place where anyone in the know could come and get to speak to one of our representatives with a little bit of work and money.

The Three Roses' placement in an arc, though, was a more recent sign for the latest iteration of Safe Houses. But as much as we talked about work, we also talked about pleasure.

“What do they serve?” I pointed to a restaurant that was doing pretty good business.

One leaned over me to get a look at the sign. “Ooo, that's a spicy noodle shop! I love those. Noodles are the best.”

“I do like a good ramen.” I agreed.

“A what?” She asked.

Did she not know what ramen was? “It’s a pork based noodle soup. Have you never had it before?”

One wrinkled her nose. “Why would you waste perfectly good noodles in soup?”

She pointed out several other restaurants she would love to try if we were going to stay a little bit longer. I laughed when she hinted a little too hard at where she would like to eat. I had to let her know that it was likely that we would leave the city with a 'return message' tonight and wouldn’t have time to stop for dinner.

She pouted at that. But when I told her she would choose the inn if we had to stay the night, she gave me a quick peck on the cheek and a brilliant smile. I ran my fingers through her blond hair as she leaned in close, happy to enjoy the closeness.

The sun was approaching the horizon when we finally made it to the palace. I was disappointed that we had missed dinner, but it was necessary if we were to deliver the message to the King. At least, that's what everyone else would think.

So when we showed up, it was well past when dinner had been served in the palace, and an escort was waiting for us to take me to see the King. By the time I stepped out of the carriage, all of my Numbered were nowhere to be found.