Anastasia reached the town. She knew she must look like a strange sight. Her formal dress was in taters, and she was covered head to toe in mud. She knew she could not just go into a town looking like she did. Now that she had the cover of other people, she needed to blend in and not draw any attention.
She ducked behind the buildings on the perimeter of the town. She was lucky. She found someone’s laundry they had not brought in for the day. She could not help but thank the person that was forgetful about their chores for giving her this opportunity. She pulled down a few items that looked like they would fit and grabbed one of the sheets to use as a makeshift towel.
Anastasia hesitated at the thought of changing outside. She quickly dismissed this silly concern as the least of her problems right now. Once she was changed and had cleaned as much mud off herself as she could, she wrapped her old clothes tightly around a rock and dropped them in a nearby well.
She made her way to the street to get her bearings. Charlotte had told her to find the adventurers guild, but she did not say exactly what to do there. Anastasia knew the adventure guild was just a fancy name for a mercenary pub. The kingdom used those of the lower class to do trivial or less desirable jobs that the knights and city guards did not have the time or care to do.
Adventurers had a reputation of being no better than government sanctioned thugs for hire. Anastasia was not overly fond of the practice, feeling that it attracted the wrong kind of people. Every bully with a sword wanted to become an adventurer. Some adventures did make names for themselves. These were the exception and not the rule, and this tended to give them a false sense of importance.
After skulking around a few alleyways Anastasia was surprised how hard it was to find the guild. All the buildings kind of looked alike, she was unsure what to make of any of them. As she was poking her head around the corner, she saw a much better lit street ahead. Many people were coming and going. She figured that would be a place to start looking.
As she approached the street, the noise grew louder. The sounds of singing could be heard with the occasional cheer. Plus, the general rumble from groups of people interacting with each other. Not wanting to walk brazenly down the street, she stuck to the sides of buildings and moved forward when she felt less eyes would see her.
Anastasia was startled as she rounded a corner. She ran right into a large man and almost fell to the ground from the impact but caught herself against the building. The man was thrown back much more than he should have been from colliding with a person that must have been half his weight. He stumbled several feet away onto the ground.
Taking quick action and hoping to smooth over the accident, Anastasia went over to the man and tried to help him up.
“I am terribly sorry, good sir. It was not my intention to cause you to stumble. Please allow me to help you to your feet.” Anastasia could not believe the smell that came from this man. It almost caused her to recoil. Never mind the strong stench of alcohol. He smelled worse than a stable. She grabbed him under his arm and helped him to his feet. She had to turn her head away and hold her breath as best she could.
“Good sir. I hope you are ok, and I have not ruined your clothes.”
“Gods, who do you think you are, princess?” the man said, slurring every word.
Anastasia froze in panic. How had this man known her identity?
“Sir, I believe you are mistaken. I am not a member of the royal family.”
“Like hell you are not. Not even the priest speaks as high and mighty as you. And that man speaks for the gods,” the man spat out as he looked around the ground for something. “Have you seen my drink? I know I had it just now.”
Relief washed over Anastasia as the man had not recognized her. He was just making fun of her overly proper tone. She quickly grabbed the man’s bottle from the ground and handed it back to him.
“Thank you kindly, your highness, it was a pleasure meeting you.” The man attempted to bow but was unable to keep himself upright and fell into the dirt again. Several people had already taken note of the scene, so Anastasia started to move away from the man, sticking to the shadows as much as she could.
After a few more minutes of walking, Anastasia found the building that should be the adventures guild. The sign out front had the tell-tale insignia: a shield with sword and staff crossed behind it.
Anastasia moved toward the building and was nearly run over by a man three times her size exiting through the large double doors. He was well over 6 feet tall. His rough beard covered an even rougher looking face. His shoulders looked so broad that he would have needed to step sideways to exit if it had not been a double door. On his back was a sword that was as broad as Anastasia’s waist. She could not imagine how anyone other than the man before her would be able to wield such a weapon.
The man did not even look her way and a sigh of relief escaped Anastasia’s lips. She crept through the entrance and tried not to make eye contact with anyone. The room could easily be mistaken for a pub. Lots of tables lined with drinks and food filled the room. Around each was an eclectic gathering of individuals. Most looked little more than brutes. However, she saw several women mixed in the various groups, including a few demi-humans as well.
Anastasia weaved her way through the crowd, keeping her head down hoping to not draw attention to herself. She was not as successful as she had hoped. Several different people around the room took note of the strange newcomer. The first of which approached her as she was waiting for the attendant at the counter.
“Hey now, little miss. You lost? This ain’t no pub.”
Remembering her last encounter, Anastasia tried to change her speech in the hopes of drawing less attention.
“I am aware sir. I apologize for disturbing you.” She was thoroughly unsuccessful.
“Wow, aren’t you fancy? Pretty too,” the man said as he ran his hands through her hair.
A shudder ran down Anastasia’s spine. She wanted nothing more than to slap the man’s hand away. But she knew very well that it would only cause more problems.
Anastasia looked at the man. He had a creepy smile over his face. She knew it could not mean anything good. His clothes looked well-worn but still looked better than most commoners. She could tell he wore several pieces of protective gear over his body. The sword that hung at his hip had an above average hilt, meaning that it was likely very high quality. This man was for sure a seasoned adventurer. “I appreciate the compliment. I need to speak to the attendant, so if you will excuse me.” She turned away from the man and tried to move to another section of the counter. However, she was stopped as the man gripped her shoulder tightly.
“Don’t rush off. I am sure I will be able to assist you with anything that you need.” The man loosened his grip on her shoulder, but that only was because he lowered his hand around her back to try and pull her in close.
“SARAH! I am so glad you made it.” Just then another man shoved his way between Anastasia and the large man that was pawing at her back. She was not sure this was better. This man's hands grabbed her firmly and started to guide her in the direction he wanted to go. At the sheer forcefulness of his action, Anastasia pulled away.
The man was not deterred and followed her movements, keeping his hands around her and continued to guide her. “Sarah, we have a table in the back. What took you so long?” The man started to move deeper into the Guild Hall.
“Sir, my name is not Sarah. Please unhand me.” Unsure of what else she could do but speak out against being abducted.
“Ya Finn, I got to her first. You can have her once I am done.”
“You absolutely cannot!” Anastasia was unable to keep her response from being blurted out.
“Sarah, if you just went along with this everything would have worked out.”
“I told you my name is not Sarah. My name is….” Anastasia caught herself before she could finish. The stress of the situation had caused her to fall to an instinctual reaction.
“Sarah, I am surprised you are playing games right now. We have not seen each other in so long.”
The man was finally in front of Anastasia. He was tall but lean for his size. His dark hair was long for a man and hung loosely around his face. His beard was cut short, not much longer than stubble. His clothes were clean and well maintained. The leather looked almost new, but she could tell it was not. Across his chest he had several pouches and three smaller daggers. He had two different swords at his waist, one short and one long. Anastasia finally met his eyes. She was caught off guard as she was drawn into them; they were a light blue or maybe gray. The strangest part was the kindness she saw in his eyes. She should be afraid of him. He basically tried to abduct her, but for some reason she did not feel any malice, like she had with the other man.
Finn seemed to be trying to tell Anastasia something with his eyes as they darted over to her left quickly, before refocusing back on her. Anastasia looked over her shoulder and found a striking woman with red hair dressed almost exactly like Finn standing there. The woman leaned in and whispered.
“It will be ok. Please come with me.”
Anastasia was confused at what was happening, but started to follow the woman without much hesitation.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Finn what the fuck do you think this is? I had her first.”
“Rex, my boy, this is my dear friend Sarah. She was looking for me. So, there is no need to get all worked up.” Finn turned to face the much larger man. Finn was not short by anyone's reckoning, but Rex stood a full head taller than Finn.
“Bullshit, she said her name was not Sarah. You are just playing one of your dumb fucking games that no one thinks is funny,” Rex said as he moved toward Finn.
“Rex, I am hurt. Everyone thinks my games are funny.” Finn looked around the guild, everyone averted their gaze with no one able to make eye contact.
“You know what, screw you guys… Look Rex, I promise this is not a game. She is an old friend, and she is going to join me for a nice meal to catch up. Ain’t that right Sarah?” Finn turned toward Anastasia, stressing the name Sarah so she would understand the message. His eyes widened, almost pleading with her to agree.
Anastasia was terrified that everyone was looking at her. She was unable to say anything until she felt a light nudge at her back. It was from the red-haired woman.
“Yes, that is correct.” Anastasia blurted out, averting her gaze to the floor and unable to look at anyone.
“See Rex. I am sorry you got your hopes up. Here, go down the street and get yourself a nice girl there. They are more your speed. They talk to anyone with coins.” Finn said, pressing a few coins into Rex’s hands.
“Fuck you Finn" Rex spat on the floor in front of Finn. "But how can I pass up an offer like that?”
“Rex, I know your mother raised you better than that. Don’t spit on my floor,” the old woman from behind the counter pipped in and threw a rag at the back of Rex’s head. “Wipe that shit up.”
The whole guild hall broke out in laughter as Rex whipped his head around. He is confronted with the withering stare of the Guild Master. Rex instantly backed down, as if he was a scolded puppy. He dropped to the floor to start wiping. Several of the other adventurers nearby throw things on the ground around Rex.
“Rex, you missed a spot,” they all say before laughing again. Rex was too afraid of the guild master not to clean up, thus he kept cleaning the new messes.
Anastasia was at a loss for what just happened. This man had completely changed the atmosphere of the room within a few short seconds. She was sure the brute Rex was going to start something.
“Sarah I am sorry for the commotion with Rex. Let’s head to my table.” Finn came over and offered his hand, bowing his head slightly.
Anastasia, still in a daze, just took his hand and is led to a table with two gruff looking characters sitting at it.
One was a beast of a man, his hair wild and unkept; it is bright orange and matted together. His beard is as wild and unkept as his hair. His chest is mostly exposed with only a thin shirt and a leather strap across it. The second was a small man with a hood. He was playing with a knife in his hands. Not much can be seen other than the fact that his clothes also seem to match Finn’s and the red-haired woman.
“Please, my lady, have a seat.” Finn pulls out a chair for Anastasia
“I am sorry Sir. I am not a noble,” Anastasia says while taking a seat.
“Wow, someone is defensive. It is just a saying, girl. Try to unbind them… ok,” Finn said with a snicker as he helped push Anastasia’s seat in.
Anastasia bristles at being called a girl; she is nineteen. She has been an adult for four years and does not like being treated as a child.
“I am also not a girl,” she snaps back. She can hear a stifled chuckle from the man in the hood.
“Yes, but If I said woman in place of girl you would have said something about that.”
“What happened to Sarah?” Anastasia quipped, smiling smugly and feeling as if she won this little back and forth.
“Touché girl,” Finn said back with a wink.
“Captain please, she has obviously had a rough day.” The red-haired woman sat next to Anastasia. She was finally able to take in the pure beauty that was next to her. Her hair was an oddly bright red color she has never seen before. It was very full and pulled back behind her head with a thick band that went over the top of her head. Her skin looked perfectly smooth, almost like she could not be real. This woman would give any noble a run for their money.
“Come on Liza, you know I am just messing with her.” Finn sat in the seat next to Anastasia and put his arm on the back of her chair. Anastasia stiffened, expecting him to touch her, but he did not. His eyes did look her over. It did not feel lecherous, however. It mainly seems as if he was sizing her up now that he had a moment to do so properly.
“Everyone, this is Sarah. She is my old friend. I have not seen her in a long time, so let’s try to make her feel welcome,” Finn said, turning to the others at the table.
“I believe you have already met this ravishing beauty, her name is Liza. The big boy over there is Brox. The pip squeak next to me, trying to act cool in the hood, is Sam.”
After the last introduction Finn slapped the hood off Sam’s head. Anastasia was shocked it was a boy no more than 14 or 15 at the oldest. His face was so soft and boyish. It was currently twisted in an angry expression.
“What the hell, Finn…I had the air of mystery going” Sam said, unable to hide the crack in his voice.
“Bullshit, you looked like a fuck wad. Don’t listen to that dip shit Resse.” Finn replied
Brox slammed his drink down,roaring in laughter, and slapped the young Sam so hard on the back that he almost fell out of his chair. Anastasia was unsure of what to make of this group. They were helping her blend in. The man Rex from earlier was too creepy to trust, but she was unsure if she should trust this group either.
“So, Sarah, what brings you to this dump?” Finn takes a large drink from the mug in front of Sam as he fends off Sam’s hands trying to take it back.
“First, I would like to thank you both for your assistance with the matter at the counter just now.” Looking at Finn then at Liza. “I am unsure of what that man’s intentions were but…”
“Girly, everyone knows what his intentions were,” Brox said as he grabbed the meat from his plate with his bare hand and took a bite.
“Brox, please use a fucking fork, there is a lady present.”
Anastasia found it odd that Finn had an issue with the lack of utensils but not with his own language. “As I said before I am no lady. I am just your friend Sarah.”
“Ha true enough. But you speak so… proper and stuff.” Finn narrowed his eyes. “Let me guess, you were a servant to one of those uppity pricks I bet.”
“Uh..You guessed it sir. I uh…worked for a baron’s family in the capital,” Anastasia said with a strained smile on her face.
A smug grin spread across Finn’s mouth. “I knew it. Pay up Sam.” Finn held his hand out as Sam begrudgingly handed over a few coins.
“Sam here pegged for you a proper noble. I told him he was full of it. No way a proper lady would be walking around this town in that get up with no shoes on.” Anastasia was suddenly brought back to her appearance. She had been so worked up from getting to the town and trying to figure out her next step it had not really dawn on her how she must look.
“Finn, come on you had to think that for a second too. I mean look how pretty she is.” Anastasia eyes shot to Sam, he averted his gaze and blushed deeply.
“Sam my boy, that is where my experience comes in. Those noble women are all fake. They cake on layers of makeup and squeeze their fat asses into those death traps they call dresses. It is all a big show.” Finn pulled Sam in close. “My boy, girls like this one across from you, are the way to go. When you find a commoner who looks like this girl here, you have true beauty. She has had to work hard her whole life. That kind of effort forces her to stay in shape, and since she is not cheating with makeup you know she will always be that pretty.”
It was now Anastasia’s turn to blush. She knew she must look awful right now covered head to toe in dirt in little more than rags, but Finn was saying how pretty she was. She quickly regained her composure, the seriousness of the night coming back to her.
“I take it from your dress that you are adventures.”
“I am not wearing a dress.” Brox barked at her.
“Calm down big boy, she means our clothes.”
“Then why not say that.” Brox went back to his meat
“Well however we phrase it. I take it that you work for this guild, correct?” Anastasia redirected the conversation back to her question
“We do.” Finn leaned back in his chair
“Then I would like to hire you for a job.”
“Not how it works Sarah, you post your job like everyone else. If we are up for it, we may take you up on it.”
Anastasia Looked around the room. She was not sure she could trust some random group that took her job if she posted it normally. While Finn and his group were not much better they are a known quantity. “I understand how it normally works, but this job is sensitive. I need to be sure it is handled with utmost care.” Anastasia knew most adventures were full of themselves and this Finn seemed the same. She hoped that stroking his ego a little may help her. “I can tell by the way you deftly handle the lummox earlier that you are a man that can get things done. That is the kind of man I need.”
“Ugh… fine Sarah what is the job?” Finn took another sip of Sam drink
“Come on get your own.” Sam grabs his mug back as he flags the waitress over.
“I need to be escorted back to the capital. I can pay 500 gold.” Anastasia was unaware of how much this kind of guard request should cost. She wanted to say a number that was high enough to convince Finn to take the job. Anastasia had unknowingly offered many times the normal rate.
“Half up front.” Finn said as he leaned over his head resting on his hand.
“That is why it is so much… because… you will be paid after.”
“Sarah, that is not how this works. We need something now. It is a show of good faith, or you will just stiff us when we make it there.”
“I understand why that is the norm and I appreciate that. But I just don’t have anything to give you at this time.” Anastasia paused, waiting to see what the group would say. They all shot looks around except for Liza who had been quiet. Her eyes closed as if she was meditating the whole time. Anastasia was unable to bear the silence any longer
“Fine, I can go as high as 750.”
“HAHAHA.” Finn could no longer keep it in and started laughing.
“I don’t think this is funny. I am serious. I need your help.” Anastasia puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
“Look, 500 was already too much. No one would pay that for simple escort work. Then with barely any negotiating you jump to 750. Do we look like dumb asses to you? There is no way anyone but…” Finn’s playful tone all but vanished and a very serious one took over. “.... Royalty could pay that amount.”
Anastasia was scared at his sudden turn. Could this man know who she really is? Was she the one to give it away with the amount she suggested? She was not able to hide the look of fear on her face, and she knew it. She was seated in the back of the guild with these people. She was totally at their mercy.
Finn’s face lighted again and his cheery playful tone was back “And come on you are not royalty, but it was a funny joke you played. I have not laughed that hard in a while. We will do it for the standard 50 Gold.” Finn smirked, still charging what you would for the most elite of nobles.
Anastasia was unsure of what to make of this. She was sure this man knows more than he is letting on, but she had no idea who to trust and their actions earlier had at least seemed honorable.
Just then screams could be heard outside Liza eye shot opened as she made her way to the window.
“PRINCESS … COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE!”