Chapter fifty-four: Through the eyes of the Stranger
The plans I had for the day didn’t account for the bustling overcrowded streets down town. I hadn’t considered meandering through the crowded market street, and yet I was. The sights and smells of the people were accentuated by the warm weather, mixing the scent of sweat and food.
Why did I come out here? I pushed around a cart, avoiding animal droppings that no one had bothered to clean.
To my knowledge, a mage should have been patrolling the streets, cleaning up them so disease didn’t fester. At the rate they’re lagging behind, another plague will be upon us. I looked over my shoulder to speak to Thomas, but the man was nowhere to be seen. He can nag at me but he can’t be arsed to follow closely behind?
I changed my trajectory, moving closer along the wall. The crowd was far less chaotic, but it was still frustrating to be rubbed up against. If nothing happens again today. I’m going home. The smells were already burning into my nostrils and it would take several scrubbings to get the smell off of me.
I found myself moving past a merchant selling various colored apples. His back was turned, calling out to passersby to try his “fresh imported goods.” Imported my ass. I swiped an apple and walked by him, polishing it on my shirt. These came from the southern fields without a doubt.
After the people between us created enough coverage, I bit into the apple, chewing thoughtfully. Why do I always eat apples when I come here? I grinned, and turned walking toward High Street. I didn’t want to particularly mingle with nobles – it never ended well.
It can’t be helped. He’s using nobles as a cover and you know it. Thomas’s loud irritating voice flitted through my head, making my eye twitch. He was right, of course, but that didn’t make it less irritating.
Half an hour later, and my apple completely gone, I reached High Street. Several carriages rolled lazily around taking their passengers from shop to shop. A few clusters of men stood outside different boutiques, smoking or waiting impatiently for their wives or – most likely– their mistresses to finish spending their money.
I looked down at my attire, smoothing out the wrinkles. No one would mistake me for a noble, but they would think I was a coachman or a servant boy. Not that it mattered, I could always just hit one of them if they got unruly.
I moved down the street leisurely, looking at nothing and everything at the same time. To the untrained eye I looked nothing more than a lazy meandering nobody. I stretched and paused when I caught a familiar face walking along the other side of the street.
Kyla Thornevale.
Two guards wandered behind her, scanning the area like they were expecting trouble at any moment. Though their eyes looked a bit hollow and dazed. How do they plan to protect someone when they look mildly drunk?
I shook my head and turned my attention to Kyla. Her face was impassive and her movements stiff as though she was uncomfortable with them or something else had happened to upset her. She moved past several clothing shops, stopping only when she reached a well known bakery.
The guards attempted to follow her inside, but she barked something at them – freezing them in place. Satisfied they weren’t going to follow her after all, she entered, letting the door slap shut behind her.
Hm. Should I follow her? I knew it was a bad idea to chase after her, but I found myself walking across the street despite my better judgement. I suppose it won’t hurt to say hello to her. The guards didn’t flinch at my approach or even so much as look my way. Whatever was on their mind or wasn’t their attitude was strange.
I opened the door and stepped inside, to see several people sitting at tables, talking quietly. Kyla, drink in hand, found an empty seat and sat alone far away from the crowd. She probably wants seclusion. Eh, she’ll be fine. Maybe.
“Long time no see, my lady.” I said conversationally, walking around the table and claiming the seat across from her. “How are you doing on such a fine day?”
“What?” She stiffened, narrowing her eyes. “Why are you here?”
“Bit rude, don’t you think?” I laughed leaning my elbows on the table and resting my chins on my hands. “After everything we’ve been through together.”
She flickered her eyes toward the guards before leaning forward and pitching her voice low. “You can’t be here. If they see you, I know someone is going to throw a temper tantrum.”
“Who might that be?”
“It doesn’t matter.” She huffed, taking a long drink of her iced tea. “Go bother someone else.”
“There’s no one else of interest to bother here. Besides,” I leaned in, grabbing a piece of ice from her drink and popping it into my mouth. “Don’t we have some catching up to do?”
“No. We don’t.” She said, smacking my hand when I reached for another. “You helped me, and for that you have my thanks. We barely know each other, so I’d appreciate it if you'd leave me alone now.”
“So cold.” I leaned back, crossing my arms. “You know that offer to hide you still is valid.”
“You can’t hide me.” She snapped, taking another drink. “No one can.”
So persistently frigid. She had no idea what I could or could not do, but still she refused to accept any help that was offered. It was an admirable trait, if not annoying. I couldn’t blame her for rejecting me, after all, she had no idea who I truly was.
“What if I told you I could help you?”
“I’d call you a liar.” She responded without hesitation. “Do you really think I’d trust someone who claims they can help? You’re some random man from the streets. If I need someone to be mugged I’ll hit you up.”
I stared at, blinking a few times. Hit me up? What does that even mean? She didn’t bother to elaborate on her words, she simply sipped and stared at me as if she was bored of the interaction.
“The surface of someone isn’t all they are.” I shrugged. “Take you for example. Who would think that a noble man’s daughter would run through the streets and jump from buildings?”
She rolled her eyes in response and continued to sip – most likely waiting for me to leave. Too bad, I’m not leaving, not yet at least.
“The day you returned to the capital,” I leaned forward again, gripping the table a bit too tightly. “Who wounded you?”
She sighed and sat back, crossing her arms. “What does it matter who did?” A humorless smile tugged at her lips. “It’s none of your concern.”
“Was it those knights?” I jabbed my thumb in their direction. Time may have passed since then, but why is she not fuming with rage? Had it been me in her position, I’d have wanted to seek vengeance on them.
She pinched her nose, closed her eyes and sighed, longer and more exasperated this time. “I don’t know why I have to tell you a damn thing. You don’t even care.”
“Don’t assume I’m like those uppity ignorant nobles you bump elbows with.” I snapped, surprised and frustrated by my own reaction. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t care.”
Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked at me without saying anything for a long time. Was she offended? Frustrated? Annoyed still? Her expression was impossible to read. Why is this woman so aggravating?
“It was knights from a different household.” She stood, pushing the last of her drink toward me. “I’m leaving.”
“Wait a moment, my lady.” I jumped up, trailing after her.
People from the tables stopped speaking and turned, watching us with the hopes for juicy gossip. Damn it, I can’t draw attention to myself. I had no doubts she did this on purpose. The slyness of her action both amused and made me want to grab her by the shoulders and shake her.
“Thank you for the directions.” I gritted my teeth, bowing deeply. “It’s much appreciated as I’m new to the area.”
“Of course.” She said, a smirk in her voice. “Good day, sir.”
I watched her leave and disappear before I left the building. As I stepped out onto the street, her carriage moved past and her eyes didn’t once glance in my direction.
You’re a pain in my ass. I thought, chuckling like an idiot.
I shook my head and walked away, heading toward my original destination. I had other things I needed to take care of anyway. Corruption and insanity to sniff out.
Kyla’s past problems would have to wait.