Prince of the Stable

9. Life in a Loft

Aiden was forking fresh hay into the stalls when he heard the sound of his chamber pot being used. He hadn't realized how the sound carried in here. When he could hear nothing more, he climbed the ladder to see Ro, looking worse in the light of day, on his feet and staring into the cracked mirror. "Ro?"

He turned his head and tried to smile. "Aiden. I thought I was dreaming. What... how'd I get here?"

"How...are you?" Aiden wasn't sure how efficacious the healing spells would be. If they were being sold across borders, they would be as harmless as possible to escape notice. But Ro, although he looked terrible, still looked much better than he had last night. 

Ro sat back on the bed. He'd found a clean silk robe to pull around himself. "Like a fully loaded ice wagon ran me over. Why didn't you just leave me in my room?"

"Who would look after you?"

"They'll give it away I don't go back soon." Ro's brow creased and he closed his eyes. "I guess I'm not working there any more, am I. My face..."

"I won't lie," Aiden said, "You look like shit. But you still have all your teeth and the bruises will fade." He paused before adding, "Madam basically gave you to me, I," he waved to the pile of Ro's belongings, which looked exotic in the rough loft. "I brought your things."

"She did what?" He frowned and winced as the downturn of his mouth pulled at flesh newly closed. "Gilbert said... he... she gave up money?"

"I might have pretended to be a friend of Prince Edward's. I might have... made certain threats."

Ro's lips twitched as he tried not to laugh, and he clutched his ribs, then flinched again. "I can't even laugh."  He held up his hand and wiggled his fingers experimentally.

"Madam might have been overcome by remorse and supplied additional healing spells."

"Ha, not likely." He looked at Aiden, "I don't know how you did it, or why, but... thank you."

Aiden waved away his thanks.  He pointed to a bundled napkin. "I brought you some bread and cheese; they don't like to let us take plates from the kitchen, so there's no eggs or custard."

"The kitchen?" Ro picked up the bread and pulled a piece off. "This is fluffy."

"Palace left overs. We - the palace servants - eat our fill, and if there's anything left after that, it goes to the almshouse."

"I didn't realize you were prince of a royal stable, though that makes sense." Ro chewed slowly, rubbing absently at his jaw.

"I started in the livery of the Royal Watch. They ride outside the walls, day and night, to..." Aiden frowned. "Not exactly sure what. I like horses, better than most people, especially the Watch."

Ro made a hmpf sound like agreement, nibbling on the cheese. 

"When this job became vacant - he went to farm for a landowner for love a woman, so the gossip says - the king's Keeper of the Horse picked me for the job. It was a great relief, to get away from the Watch."

"I can imagine."  

The Royal Watch was supposed to guard the city citizens against thieves and cutthroats, but the reality was, anyone of a certain class was more likely to be victimized by the Watch than protected by it.

Ro lay back down, exhausted. Aiden took care of the piss pot, and left a mug of steeped herbs he'd bought from the market.  He was paid a small amount of coin for clothing and such personal items as he might need - a razor, soap, and so forth, but his needs were few and he had a sizable stash of coins hidden in a worn out stocking stuffed under the bed.