Page 18 of Retribution

That seemed to upset the woman further. “I came with an escort,” she said. “Are they fighting as well?”

Aidric turned toward the shop, still hearing the sounds of a fight. “Possibly,” he said. “Come with me, my lady. I must take you to safety until we can get this situation sorted out.”

The woman didn’t argue. She didn’t resist when he took her elbow, politely but quickly removing her from the yard and through a passageway that dumped them into the next street. Aidric knew this section of town, and knew it well, and that meant he knew of an inn that was down the street and around the corner, on a road called Lloyd’s Avenue. The inn itself was called Old Lloyd’s. Aidric had visited the place in the past and, quite honestly, it was the only place of safety he could think of at the moment for a woman who was clearly a target. His horse was back on the other avenue, right across from Adelie’s, and he didn’t want to try to make it to his animal and chance the woman being seen or even taken from him by those seeking her.

It was better to hide her.

Quickly making that decision, he took her down the street and around the corner. Old Lloyd’s was immediately in sight, just a few doors down with a green-and-white sign on the front proclaiming the oldest of Lloyd’s on Lloyd Avenue. It was a three-story establishment, with the second and third floors jutting out over the street, wider than the ground floor, and Aidric rushed the lady up to the door and through it as fast as he could. He wasn’t entirely sure they wouldn’t be followed, so best to get her off the street.

Into the dark inn they went.

The common room of the inn was deep. It went back, all the way to the rear of the building, and it was about half-full at this time of day. This place was more expensive than most, with a good meal served to those who had paid for a room for the night, and Aidric kept the lady in his grip as he sought out the innkeeper. The man had been back in the kitchens, which smelled heavily of bread and singed meat, and he emerged from the steamy kitchen wiping the sweat off his face with a rag.

“What’s wanting, m’lord?” he asked.

Aidric went straight to the point. “A room for the lady,” he said. “I want your finest with a good, solid door and a lock. Do you have such a room available?”

The innkeeper nodded and again wiped his face of the sweat that wouldn’t seem to go away. “Aye,” he said. “But it will cost you.”

“I will pay.”

“Show me your money.”

“How much is it?”

“Five shillings.”

Aidric didn’t hesitate. He dug into his purse, pulled out the money, and slapped it into the man’s hand. “There,” he said. “Show me the chamber. Now.”

The innkeeper pocketed the coin and began to move quickly, heading for the stairs. They passed an entry into the kitchen as they moved and he shouted to those in the kitchen to bring food to the Bird’s Chamber. Aidric put the lady in front of him as they entered a narrow corridor, glancing over his shoulder at the entry door they’d just come through, keeping an eye out for anyone who might have followed them.

He was in battle mode.

Up the narrow, leaning stairs they went, up two flights, until they came to a landing at the very top. There were two doors on this level and the innkeeper opened the door with a bird carved in the wood.

“Here,” he said, going straight to the windows to open them and air out the musty, dusty smell. “This chamber has a big bed for the lady and a private room for her trunks and bath. I reserve this for my wealthiest customers, so it has a lock and a bolt on the door.”

Aidric dared to finally release the lady as he inspected the door itself. It had an enormous bolt on it, with a lock, and then a second big bolt above it. The door itself was solid oak, two inches thick at least, and quite sturdy. Realizing that, Aidric began to feel some relief for the first time since departing Adelie’s.

“This will do,” he said. Then, he dug into his purse and pulled forth another five shillings, handing them over to the innkeeper. “This is for your silence. You did not see us. Not me, not the lady. No one matching our descriptions has come to your inn. Is that clear?”

The innkeeper took the money, nodding as he tucked it into his pocket. “It is, m’lord,” he said. “Food is coming. I assume you want it.”

Aidric wasn’t sure if the lady did or not, but he agreed. “Aye,” he said. “Send it up.”

With that, the innkeeper departed, closing the door behind him. Aidric threw both bolts, going to peer cautiously from the window and realizing they were facing the street. He could see a great deal from this vantage point, including the street they’d come from after fleeing the shop. Realizing they were safe for the moment, he sighed heavily.

“Now,” he said, turning to her. “I am going to return to the shop and locate your escort. I will send them to this tavern so they can return you to Cambridge. You are not to leave here until I can send them. Do you understand?”

The woman nodded timidly. “Aye,” she said. “But… but why did you do this? Why did you take me away?”

Aidric lifted his eyebrows. “Because you were targeted by thieves,” he said. “Did you not hear the man? He wanted your garment and he wanted you. Lady, you cannot go out in public wearing valuable clothing like that. Men of greed will target you. Has no one told you so?”

She looked down at herself, at the elaborate gown with the pearls sewn into patterns and the diamond chips that lined her neckline. After a moment, she sighed faintly.

“It does not matter if I have been told or not,” she said, sounding glum. “I wear what I am told to wear. I do what I am told to do. I have no choice.”

“Who gives you such dangerous orders?”