Faefalling (working title)

17- I return to civilisation and find it still sucks

I was suddenly grateful for my hood, as it concealed wandering eyes and burning cheeks.

"Besides," Agaveah went on, "if we'd been caught, they'd've arrested us by now. Why wait to trap us in private when they could make a spectacle in the square. Remind the people of their power. No, I don't think it's a trap."

I nodded, peering down once more at the swirling letters. "Fine, we eat and then set off to find this Samh Corner."

So it was agreed. I cast a quick glance out the dusty windows. The sun would set in a couple of hours. We had until midnight, at most, to get things done. Any longer and it wouldn't be a rescue mission I was in Deaintinn for anymore. It'd be an assassination.

As I tore my gaze from the sun, the door flew open. In walked a gaggle of soldiers, laughing amongst themselves. It was clear by the shoves and slurred words that , though they must've only just gotten off their shifts, they'd been drinking for a while now. Within the small throng, I noticed the young guard who I'd spoken with at the gates. I averted my eyes, hoping he hadn't spotted me. The lad was far too nosy.

The server approached, pulling me from my thoughts. He clanked three jugs of mead on the counter and one plate of raisin-speckled soda bread. I grabbed a flagon, brought it to my lips, and took a healthy swig. It went down hard. Nearly choking, I forced myself to swallow as the man watched, a thin smile on his face. Setting the drink down, I ran a hand over my lips to strangle the coughs threatening to burst my chest open.

"You wouldn't happen to know the whereabouts of Samh Corner, would you?" I ventured, voice strangled.

His amused expression fell flat. "I've got to go tend to my other customers." The haste in his words startled me. "You'd do well to pay up and leave my shop." With that, the big fae scurried off behind his counter to attend the soldiers.

My sights drifted back to Agaveah. "What kind of people are these friends of yours exactly?"

She opened her mouth to answer, but the words died in her throat as the lad from the gate drew near, searching for a place to sit. His eyes landed on me and filled with glee.

"It's you! Mister bounty hunter!" he exclaimed.

I winced, hoping no one had heard. Thankfully, they were all busy intoxicating themselves.

"Well, it was lovely speaking to you, ladies. Thanks for all the help. I'll definitely catch you around if I need anything else," I said, adding a playful wink and chuckle.

Agaveah got the clue, getting to her feet with a giggle. Lazuli followed an instant later, keeping her eyes low as they both grabbed their drinks and shuffled off to another table. I broke a piece off the soda bread and shoved it into my mouth, hoping the boy would lose interest and drift off.

"Are they suspects?" He eyed the girls.

I sighed. "How old are you?"

He got a pompous look in his eye. "Going on 52 seasons."

By the gods... "And they let boys your age play soldier, do they?"

He shrugged. "They didn't used to, but apparently the Scathlian scumbag you're after took out a whole fleet. Not all of them died, but, with the injured, we were short on men. I'm just doing my part to make sure the fugitive doesn't get away with his plan."

"And what would that be?" I prodded.

"He plans to kill Prince Daemon." The anger in his eyes was real. "I couldn't believe it when I first heard. What reason could anyone have for harming him..."

"I take it you've met your Prince Daemon then?" I gritted my teeth to keep from saying any more on the matter.

The young lad shook his head. "Well, no... but my parents have! And they've told me such wonderful tales of bravery."