“What do you need to get in this town, anyway?” Eulalia kicked a rock as they entered the town.

“This town has some of the best food,” Azureth said simply.

“You came here for food?” She looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

“Everyone has to eat.” He dismounted from Zura.

“Why don’t you have food on you?”

“My father didn’t want me to come home. I’ll buy you a horse so you can travel quicker. The longer we’re here, the worse off we are.” He brought Zura to a water basin and removed her bridle.

“Where are we headed next, then?”

“The coast. I have a pirate to meet.”

“Surely not the captain of The Siren?” Eulalia’s eyes went wide with shock.

“That’s exactly who.” He made a mental note of the shock she felt. It was strange she felt that way when she boasted connections. Perhaps the captain was not on her side because of her connections.

Eulalia went into a sudden coughing fit. After she was done, she finally spoke, “Sorry, I’m just shocked that you want her.” She rubbed her arm up and down.

“Why? She’ll be a powerful ally.” Azureth quirked a brow. He removed his helmet. “Let’s go get something to eat.” He walked away from Zura and past Eulalia. He didn’t understand why she was being this way, but he wasn’t going to let it linger on for long. Azureth needed Eulalia and him to be in top condition, and that meant getting food and rest. “The Drunk Unicorn is a good place to eat and get information. Would you be able to send a message to one of your contacts there?” He glanced over his shoulder at Eulalia.

“Perhaps. It depends on who is there at this time. I know a few people in this town that like that place. For the right price, they’d be willing to send a discreet message.” She smiled.

“What price?” He pursed his lips. A soft rustling sound caught his attention. He looked around and saw someone slip into the shadows of an alley across from where Zura stood.

“Gold of course. I sure hope you have enough,” Eulalia chirped.

“Hmm.” Azureth turned down an alley. “Don’t look behind you, because they’ll know you know they’re there,” he said under hushed breath.

“Why don’t you just take them on, then?” she asked. Her pace quickened to match Azureth’s.

“Because that would be a very bad idea.” The alleyway opened up into another section of the main road in the town. This one was far busier than the one Eulalia and him entered on. Market stands lined the street, and kids ran to each of the shops for a few seconds before dashing off to the next. “It’s our job to make sure that the peace isn’t disturbed in this town because of the people following us.”

Eulalia crossed her arms. “And letting bounty hunters torment you in their town is protecting them?”

“It is, because some of these kids have never seen bloodshed before.” Azureth entered the street. It didn’t take long for the stares of the people in this town to land on him. A town this far away from the capital city wasn’t used to receiving visitors of noble birth. He couldn’t shed his armour to be more discreet. It was the only thing that protected him. And where he was going, he needed protection.

“It's only a matter of time before they see bloodshed. Better now than their friend’s lives.” Eulalia sighed. “Two alleys down and then left into that one. Third door down. Knock three times. Tell them that you’re being followed, and you won’t have to deal with those snakes anymore.”

Azureth looked at her. “I would have thought you wanted to deal with them yourself.” He entered the street. “I’ll meet you at The Drunk Unicorn in an hour.” With that, Azureth moved through the crowd, leaving Eulalia behind before she could protest his actions. He followed her directions clearly. He glanced at the children one last time before entering the dark alley. If it wasn’t for his father, they would never have to worry about bounty hunters entering their village and destroying the peace that they know.

He found the door Eulalia mentioned. Almost immediately after he knocked, a person appeared. He was gruff in appearance. His beard was greasy and his hands were covered in dirt. "Who are you?" He asked; his voice a low rumble like thunder.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Eulalia said to tell you that I'm being followed," Azureth responded plainly. His hand fell to his sword, gripping it tightly just in case things went south. Though Eulalia has proven herself to be trustworthy for the most part, the battle with her lingered in the back of his head. She was an artefact user, and it was likely that others she knew were also artefact users.

The man's eyes filled with recognition at the words Azureth spoke. "I can't believe the Capt'n really chose to side with you. You must mean something to her if she chose to fight with you."

Azureth shrugged in response. He wasn't entirely sure. "Just take care of the followers discreetly. No need to destroy the blissful unawareness this town has."

The man laughed. "Don't worry. We wouldn't dare cross you, your highness."

Azureth's teeth grinded against each other. He wasn't sure if he liked that this man knew who he was. He wasn't sure if he liked that so many people knew who he was. It didn't matter, though. Everything about this whole situation was strange except for his father trying to kill him. Eulalia coming at the time she did, meant that she had eyes everywhere. Worst of all, she lied about the contacts in this city. The fact that she was easily able to get in touch with one through him was suspicious. It was like she wanted him to think of her as an enigma. She was nervous about meeting with the captain of the ship, yet this man called her "Capt'n." Perhaps there was some feud between Eulalia and the Siren's captain. Or there was something he had not considered about the two of them.

"Aight, will that be all then, Princeling?" the man asked, breaking Azureth out of his thoughts.

"Yes. Thank you," Azureth responded. He turned on his heels and walked out of the alley. The loud noises of people returned, and with that, their gazes. He supposed that someone as illustrious as him was always going to be well known, regardless of where he walked. He couldn't remove his armour since people would still know who he was. He wished he had the artefact that could change his appearance so no one could recognise him, but that meant stealing it from the elves; and he would not be like his father, taking everything he wanted for his own benefit. No, he would be better than his father. Azureth made a mental note to talk to Eulalia when he sees her next, because she could be his best chance at getting in contact with the elves.

Azureth moved down the streets with ease, weaving between the people to avoid touching them as much as possible. For a moment, he wondered how Zura was doing. She would have many eyes on her with all this commotion. At least she could run away if she got too overwhelmed by the onlookers. It was a trait he envied, being able to run away when things got too much.

The Drunk Unicorn was not hard to find. It bustled with people coming in and out of the door. For such a small place, it always drew in a crowd. There were some expansions to it since Azureth last visited it, like the outdoor dining area that was filled with people gambling away money on rigged games. It was strange seeing people waste their time and money on such games, but maybe their was a thrill behind it that Azureth had yet to experience. He had no time for it.

Eulalia's laughter filled the air. Her face was lit up with joy. She looked right at home at the gaming tables. The people around her were drawn to her presence. The way she flicked back her hair and eyed her opponents with confidence said it all. She was going to win, and there was nothing her opponents could do. She tossed all five knuckles in the air, and is if by magic, she caught all five. The groans of the others at the table only boosted her confidence. He had to admit, there was something lovely about seeing such a thing.

"Now, I'll take what I'm owed. My partner should be here soon, and I don't think he'd be too thrilled to see me gambling away our money," Eulalia said; her voice as sweet as honey. The disappointment in the men at the table were clear. They were hoping she was single and available to give their desires release. Azureth expected them to get angry and deny her her winnings. Azureth took the oppportunity to walk up behind Eulalia and wrap his arms around her waist. She was a lot smaller than he had realised, but he could feel that she was ready to kill him.

"Yes, I am disappointed that you're gambling our limited money away, but I saw that win, and I couldn't be more proud of you," he said. "Now, I'd appreciate my bag of gold back," he whispered low enough just so she could hear.

"Hello, darling," she said as she turned around in her arms. "I missed you! I'm so glad you were able to find me with ease. It worried me when you didn't return when you said you would." She pursed her lips to make her worry clear to the onlookers. Her hands slid around Azureth's waist, tying his pouch of gold back on his belt. Eulalia stood on her tippy toes and her face was close to where his ears would be if the armour wasn't on. "If you didn't want me taking it, you should have kept it in a safer place." She pressed her lips to his armour. "Come, we have much to talk about since it had been ages since I've last seen you."

Azureth released his grip from her and grabbed her hand. The two entered the building, forcing their way through the evergrowing crowd. With one look at the hostesses running the stand and seating the people, they understood. The younger and darker skinned one approached Azureth and Eulalia.

"Right this way, sir," she said. Her voice was delicate as if she was afraid he was going to harm her. She guided the couple to a secluded room where they could talk in peace. "I'll tell the waiters and waitresses not to distrub you two until you call for them. Should I tell the Matron that you're here?"

"Thank you. And yes, do inform her that I'm here," Azureth responded before Eulalia could say something. "You're not the only person with connections," he growled. "Now, it's time for you to give me some answers.