AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This is a wooden structure up in the trees. Leaving a candle burning was idiocy.
I snuffed the flame then regretted it as the building became darker since there were no windows. Feeling around, I finally bumped into a table and with fumbling fingers found my bow, quiver, and my dagger.
I slung my bow over my shoulder, tied the quiver around my hips, then slipped the dagger into my boot. Satisfied and marveling at my luck I exited the building, shut the door behind me, then climbed down into the branches of the trees.
Using the sun, I triangulated which direction was west then angled the trajectory until I was positive I was facing southwest.
I leaped out of my tree onto the branch of a neighboring one. With nimble feet and practiced skill, I wound a path through the trees glad to finally be out in the open and away from that cave. I wasn’t meant for the ground, my father used to say.
Holding that memory close with a smile, I headed off into the untamed Greenwood Forest.
My blood was pumping hard, and my breath was winded when I began to slow down hours later. The branches had been growing farther and farther apart, and I had been pushing myself to not slow down until I judged I was far enough away from the encampment. I swung down to the ground, careful to make sure no one else was around. It had been too long since I’d trained, and my muscles were protesting the abuse. My stomach gurgled, reminding me I’d barely eaten these last couple days, but I felt I still needed more distance between myself and Greenwood before I could take the time to hunt for food. Einri would probably be on my trail by now.
Off in the distance I heard a wolf howl, and a shiver worked its way down my spine. The howls had been following me since I’d left and had finally started to sound farther away about an hour ago. I could never again hear that sound and not feel a sense of foreboding, of wrongness. I picked up my pace. No way was I going to let myself be caught again.
My mind wandered to Will. It seemed my every thought always led to him and how I failed to protect him. But I was finally in a position to do something about it. The messenger had said that the Bruralians were only a day away, so if I traveled hard, I should be able to meet up with them by morning. Another wolf howl filtered through the trees. I picked my way carefully, taking care to hide my trail as best I could.
My thoughts turned to the place I’d left behind and Tuck’s story. How could a king do such a thing? Turn his people into beasts? Kings are supposed to protect their people, not erase their humanity! My father had drilled into me the importance of caring for your people, to act with generosity toward those less privileged. It boggled my mind that a King couldn’t see and understand the simple fact that the better he treated his people, the more prosperous his kingdom, and the quality of life for all would be.
For all his many, many faults, at least Einri seemed to care for his people. My cheeks grew warm as I remembered how his muscles rippled under his skin. My fingers itched to touch them, to feel the power I could see. I shook my head to get rid of the mental image.The goal is William, Arrow.
The trees were fewer here. I could see a small village peeking between the brush as evening turned into night. I climbed up a towering pine, the rough bark digging into my palms, so I could watch the town until I knew it was safe enough to approach. I didn’t see any sign of Bruralians, nor did I recognize faces from Greenwood.
I opened my pack and pulled out my red cloak, my fingers brushing against the beautiful but grisly white hood. Not knowing if they were Greenwood sympathizers, it was best to not be seen wearing it. I carefully hid my bow and quiver in the brush, memorizing where I placed it. My daggers stayed strapped to my thigh. Tucking my hair into my hood, I slinked into the village and then the Inn, hoping to get some information and possibly a free meal. I was beginning to regret giving all of my coins away. Although if I had any, Einri and his men would probably have stolen them from me. I scoffed internally. I had forgotten for a moment that they were thieves.
Shaking my head, I sat down in an unobtrusive corner and waved toward the server. I needed to focus on the here and now.
“What can I get you, Miss?” The girl walked up, curiosity splashed across her face since I still had my hood up covering my face and hair.
“Water. And information.” I added quickly as her face switched from open curiosity to shuttered suspicion.
“What kinda information you lookin’ for?” She asked stiffly looking over her shoulder to the man behind the bar.
I decided to go with something simple. “Do you know if there is work available for a night’s sleep?” I’d rather not sleep in the barn if there was an option of sleeping in a bed. The past couple of nights sleeping in a cave were not my favorite. Just because I was fierce didn’t mean I liked roughing it.
“I can find out.”
I watched her walk away, but truth be told, I didn’t hold much hope, judging by her expression.
As I waited for her return, I took a closer look at my surroundings. I had eyed the occupants as I entered the building, noting that they seemed typical Thimmarians going about their daily business, nothing particularly peculiar. As I took a more thorough glance, something seemed slightly off, but I couldn’t place what it was. The inn seemed clean, if not sumptuous, and there didn’t seem to be very much wear and tear. In fact, I could see certain items looked almost – new. My suspicions rose further, and my heart tried to grab my throat.
This inn was far too prosperous for its location in the middle of the damn forest.
“Here’s your water, Miss.”
I started, not having seen her walk up as I was focused on the brand-new stair railing off to the left. Seriously, who decided that a railing was the item to make it look elegant and expensive?
“Thank you.” I responded, barely remembering my manners. “And the other…?”
Her face remained impassive. “‘fraid there isn’t any work to be had ‘round here.”
I squinted at her for a moment, then nodded. Honestly, I half expected that response, especially after she seemed to clam up. I shook my head as she walked away. I was losing my touch; what I wouldn’t give to have Brexley here with me! She could have charmed the information out, or worst-case scenario, sneaked around and overheard it.
I stilled. Brex may be the spy queen, but I was no slouch. With a new goal, I gulped down my tepid water with only a slight shudder at the earthy taste and went back out the way I came.
Once outside, I slipped down the side of the building and into the alleyway. If I was lucky, I’d be able to hear some of the gossip around town.
Exhausted from a hard day escaping and disheartened at my lack of spy skills, I decided to settle in the barn. It wouldn’t be the most comfortable place to sleep, but I didn’t know who I could trust, so best to trust nobody. Except horses. They were at least predictable and smelled a whole lot better than some people I’d met.
