Chapter Three

  To my surprise, when I turned to face my opponent, I found two men looking back at me. They both wore all black, and I couldn’t see any weapons on them. They were both tall and built like soldiers. One was taller than me by a few inches, though. The taller one put his hands out in a non-threatening position.

  “Hey there,” he began carefully. “You’re Huntsman, right? We’ve heard stories about you. We came to the Tavern looking for you, but you’d already made your way uptown.”

  “And your response was to follow me, instead of just waiting for me like everybody else?” I retorted with a deadly glare. “What do you want from me that could be so damned pressing?”

  Now the second man, the shorter of the pair, started forward. I raised my hands in an attack position, and my fingertips started glowing blue with a charged spell at the ready. He stopped and stared, but didn’t back down. “We were sent to bring you to our boss. He’s looking to hire someone with a specific skill, and I’m to believe you’ll fit that bill perfectly.”

  That caught my attention. They want to… hire me? Not take me in and burn me at the stake? I lowered my hands slightly, but made sure they were still visible. “What’s in it for me?” I called out.

  “Not being skinned alive in the street, for starters.” The short one replied. Height isn’t the only thing short about this one. I thought to myself, noting the temper of the smaller man.“Your options are limited. You can come with us, and keep your reputation clean here, or you can fight now, and we’ll expose you for what you really are.”

  Shit. I growled at the prospect of the latter option. I had built a life here at Sailor’s Rest. Not to mention, Shane would probably be executed for treason if it was revealed that he’s been housing me. That was simply not an option. “You can swear to me that my companions will continue life and business unbothered?” I pressed, unconvinced.

  “On my honor as a knight of Queen Renee.” Tall replied. “I, no- we, truly mean you no harm. My friend here is just a little rough around the edges. We’ll even let you finish the job you started last night. You’re a little pressed for time, if I’m not mistaken?”

  Scowling, I lowered my hands. He was right. I promised Shane I would be back any minute now. “Alright, fine. Meet me at Shane’s tonight, and I’ll go with you.” The men glanced at each other, clearly not liking my answer. Tall spoke up again.

  “We’ll be back after the evening meal. Settle all your affairs by then.”

  “And if you even think about backing out or trying something funny, well, you and everyone else at that tavern will severely regret your life decisions.” Short added.

  He then stepped back in line with the other man, and held out a dark object in his hand to his companion. It pulsed with a purple glow, and I could feel magic radiating off of it. Tall placed his hand on top of the object, and the atmosphere around them seemed to inhale them as they stepped backwards into the hazy, distorted void behind them.

  What in the flying fuck just happened? I furrowed my brow as I turned back towards the town. What in the nine Hells did I just sign up for? As if I had a choice. He said Queen Renee. I’ve never heard of her. I’ll have to find some records of her before I leave. Maybe Shane will know. Bloody Hells. Skin me alive. My mind swam as I walked briskly through Market Street. The vendors were opening up their stands now, displaying various foods, handmade trinkets, and supplies. I was oblivious to all of it as I barreled forward with my head down. I almost ran into someone more than once. Grumbles came from the offended passersby, and I muttered quick apologies as I hurried on my way.

  I shoved the tavern door open, and it hit the wall behind it with a WHAM. The glassware on all the tables rattled in response. The tavern was empty, as no one would be in for the first meal for another half hour yet. Shane’s head jerked up, and he stared daggers at me from behind the bar. “Wren,” he scolded, authority in his tone, “Mind the door. Unless ye’d like to pay for the damages.”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  I raised my lip and snarled in return as I stalked across the room to stand in front of the bar. “You’ll be able to afford your own damned door now, Shane.” I tossed both the pouch full of gold and my bag with all the valuables I’d collected onto the surface in front of me. Shane raised his eyebrows and dropped the towel he’d been holding. “I sincerely hope this will suffice as payment to settle the rat’s tab.” I said as I started unfastening my cloak.

  He pulled the bags closer to him, and peered inside one, then the other. “Yeah, this’ll do all right.” His fingers dipped into one and pulled out a gold coin, inspecting it, before dropping it back into the bag. “Tell me though, Wren, what’s got yer knickers in a twist? Ye be lookin’ madder than a hornet in a fly’s trap.”

  I huffed and sat down, resting my elbows on the bar. I motioned to the barrels behind him with a toss of my head. “Dark and Elven,” I barked, but when Shane didn’t move, I furrowed my brows. Staring him down with daggers of my own, I added; “Please.” Shane muttered something about it being too early for dark Elven brews, but turned and filled a mug anyway. I caught it as he slid it my way, and it sloshed around and foamed slightly with the sudden movements. I gulped half of it in one long swig. The fire in my throat burned, but it was a welcome distraction from my current predicament.

  “Now, spill.” Shane pressed, folding his arms against his chest. “What’s te matter with ye? Did something happen?”

  I speared a hand into my hair and leaned to rest my elbow on the table. “Nothing to bother yourself with. I just have a lot on my mind right now.” With that, Shane chortled in response.

  “What else is new? That head o’ yers is always filled with something ‘r other. Ye can tell me, Wren. Ye know that.” His voice softened, and concern filled his gaze. “Are ye in trouble?” He asked in a lowered tone.

  I shook my head and slammed the empty mug down. “No, Shane, really. I’ll figure it out. I just need a minute.” I slid the mug back to him and released a long, rumbling sigh. “I picked up a job. I’m leaving tonight. I don’t know how long I’ll be out.”

  Shane unfolded his arms and leaned forward, bracing against the bar with his palms spread wide. The mug that I slid towards him bumped his hand on the counter. “Is that so? Who’s the contact?”

  “Couple of guys from out of town. They were very determined to have me for the job. Made me an offer I couldn't refuse.” I wasn’t lying, there was no way I could refuse them without killing everyone I’d come to love in Sailor’s Rest. I couldn’t watch that happen again. “One of them mentioned they worked for Queen Renee. Do you recognize the name?”

  “Aye, I do.” Shane pushed off the bar again and shoved the sleeves of his grey tunic up past his elbows. He picked up his towel and continued his cleaning duties. Folks started trickling in one by one, looking for a hot meal before heading out for the day. “She’s a piece, that Renee. Got a body that’s been blessed by Lady Firehair herself. I believe she’s not fully human, though I’m not sure what else could be in there. An angel, maybe, if her looks give anything away.” He chuckled at his own comment.

  That was a name I recognized. Lady Firehair was the most recognized Goddess of beauty and love. She had many names, but I couldn’t list them all by memory.

  “Anywho, Renee rules the Eastern lands of Euloth with her husband. Her husband is King Gorralt. They say he came and plucked her from her homeland once he heard of her beauty. They’ve no children yet, and some speculate it may be too late. Rumor has it that Renee is doing it on purpose, somehow. That she’s just waiting for the old man to croak. I think the citizens are more loyal to her than their birth-righted King.” Shane paused and stepped away to help a customer a few seats away from mine. When he returned, he continued his ramblings of royal gossip he was somehow privy to.

  “Gorralt’s brother, Markus, rules the Western lands. They’ve been at odds for the last thirty years or so. Since I was very young, at least. I’m not keen on exactly why, though. Familial affairs I’d reckon. I’m sure King Markus would love to swoop in and steal a lovely bride away from his brother if’n he got the chance. Hells, she might even go willingly, just to spite her husband. Wouldn’t that be somethin’!” He bellowed a loud ‘HAH!’ to finish his story. “Well, Wren, I’ve got customers to serve. And seems like you’ve got yer ‘ands full with yer own business. I’ll be here for a chat and a drink, anytime ye need it.”

  I couldn’t help but smile back at the bugger. He had answered the questions I’d been pondering, and then some. All but one, that is. I stood up and took a step back from the bar. There were plenty of things I needed to take care of before I left, but right now a bath was the only thing on my mind. “I’m headed out to the bath house. I’ll be back soon to start getting things in order. Thanks, Shane.” He nodded in response, a knowing smile on his face and behind his eyes.

  As soon as I climbed the stairs to the second floor and entered my study, all the energy seemed to seep from my body. Everything ached. My muscles screamed at me. My ankles throbbed. Even my eyes burned. I had too little time left to stop and properly rest, though. I rummaged through my wardrobe, eventually finding a clean blue tunic and slacks. I tossed my cloak, belt, and knives onto the bed. Emptying my pockets brought the note to the front of my attention once more. I stared at it for a moment before grabbing my cloak and pulling it over the note to conceal it. I don’t have the energy for another mystery right now. I thought to myself. Instead of thinking any more about it, I gathered up my bundle of clothes and set off for the inn’s private bath house.

  The bath house behind Shane’s was the secret selling point of his tavern and inn. It was not very large, but it was secluded and the water was always warm. The room was built around the organic features, molding the building to the earth instead of vice versa. It was a natural hot spring of sorts, with water trickling in from the rocky wall on the far corner of the room. Steam rose from the blue water as the early morning air was still crisp. It smelled like a pine forest after a rainstorm, and that was probably why I liked it here so much. It reminded me of the pine forests I used to live in. I did a quick check of the area, channeling my senses to probe for anything suspicious. I’d had enough surprises for one day already, and it was barely after sunrise. Sensing that I was truly alone, I muttered the enchantment for a privacy ward. I needed to truly relax, and the ward ensured nobody would disturb me once I let my guard down.

  Satisfied with my preparations, I stripped my clothes off into a pile and stepped down into the water. The heat sent tingles up my body, and the hairs on my arms raised. I plunged the rest of the way down and groaned as the water penetrated the deepest parts of my muscles. When I fully submerged myself in the pool and swam to the natural rock wall, I dropped all my defenses. I let go of my Persona. There was no Wren, or rat-man. Or suspicious knights who could use magic for instant transportation. There was only Rune of the Mist, and this hot spring. I came up for air, then turned to have my back to the wall. I sat with the water level with my chest and leaned my head back against the stone wall to look at the glass ceiling. With a sigh, I sunk down a little more, and closed my eyes. I would deal with whatever came next when the time arose. For now, at least, there was nothing but peace.