Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10: THE EXECUTION

As you set foot into the building, you were invited into the center of, what you imagined was a boundless pyre of cosmic energy. The atmosphere felt impenetrable and thick, but it was overflowing with some sort of current. Your hair attested to the phenomenon - threads of snowy locks pointing in all directions. Yet, despite the abnormalities, your human companions remained impervious. Once you brushed off your skepticism, you realized you lagged behind. Eventually, you found your footing and raced behind the two males.

"Where are we? This barely looks like the shop . . ." The high-blood asked, ducking beneath the low-hanging chandelier.

"It's the backroom," Uzner muttered, evading wooden furniture and glass antiques as he ventured down the dreary, moon-lit corridor. "We have something like this in our shop too. It's just for storage. A little further and we should find the entrance to the main shop."

"You don't think he would keep the crown somewhere in here?"

"It would be too obvious. This man - he's . . . calculated and deceptive. He would keep it somewhere secure but in plain sight," you speculated, helping the smith's boy pry open the first door that you encountered. In, at most, a few seconds, a lad the size of the pawner would have easily made it in. But with only the efforts of two pubescent teens, it took at least a minute to meddle with the rusty-hinged door and barge in.

Entering the familiar quaint shop, a warm tide of relief washed over you. It seemed to have affected the righteous and law-abiding Katolian too as a satisfied grin cursed his features. He suddenly jerked his head back, as though a thought had struck him. He immediately turned to the closest wall and found a lantern. "No! Wait!" The Prince called before decisions created consequences. "If turn you it on, someone from the outside might see that we're here."

"But can you see anything at all?"

"Aye. Is the street and moon-light not enough for you?" You chuckled - your tone drenched with the intent to taunt rather than to show concern. The boy flashed his teeth uncomfortably and shrugged. You covered your lips and chuckled once more. "Just . . . watch your step and try not to make too much noise. Your Majesty and I will take care of the rest."

The noble was pleased that you referred to yourself in succession to himself. It was not the order that charmed him. It was because you uttered your name with his - almost creating a verbal association. A bond. And sure, perhaps he was overthinking the little things but after all the bickering, it was nice to know that you wanted anything to do with him.

And, if it wasn't too outrageous to imagine, perhaps you would eventually consider him a friend.

Compromised by the deluge of thoughts within his mind, the young man failed to recognize that you were already far into the forage. But the moment he escaped his daze, he leaped into action. Yet, his diligence was short-lived just like every other being in the shop. The archaic structure of the room, the cases of brooches and pendants, and random obsolete artifacts - all of it was enchanting. It easily distracted you all from the mission. A part of you felt like you were trapped in a toy store. The other half was fascinated by all the possible memories embedded within each object. "There's so many things here . . . did he really acquire all of these legally?"

"Pawners are one of the most successful types of merchants. And because of that success, they usually practice the trade for years on end and pass their knowledge onto their families. So yes, this is all legitimate," the high-blood explained. "And this shop in particular has been running since the beginning of our monarch."

You quirked a playful brow, "That sounds like a long time."

"Very long," the Prince smirked, averting his gaze to the blacksmith. "Find anything?"