After the fall

Chapter 14

The autumn wind blows through the windows at the inn as Lapisa moves along the tables, her feet almost sliding across the wooden blanks. It had been some time since she came to this strange world and it seemed like she wouldn't get out of here anytime soon. The old and dull memories of her past drifted away and became distant, just like the leaves blowing down from the trees as they fell. The streets became filled with leaves, giving the rather dull village some color to it. A soft smile plastered onto Lapisa's lips as her shift for the day finally came to an end. "I'll be off then!" She takes off her apron with a swift movement. "Someone's in a good mood," Lan grins, leaning his arm on the counter as Matilda places a huge package on the counter. "Sweetie, before you go, could you be so kind and deliver this to old lady Bertha?" Matilda's sweet smile made her give in, "Alright." Being familiar with the village by now she knew exactly where Bertha lives. She takes the package and leaves the inn with a huff, not even acknowledging Lan, whose eyes follow her out of the inn; Eyes sparking with slight curiosity and perhaps concern.

The town had been busier these days. From the guests at the inn Lapisa got the impression that some sort of festival was closing in though it was not halloween, but a rather interesting festival. This festival must have been rather important since there was never anything special that usually happened in this dull town. Across from the town square was the old lady's house, it had some decorations plastered around already. "Perhaps I should ask Lan about it later", Lapisa thought, her curiosity about this festival peaked. She had never seen such engagement from the townies before. She knocked on the wooden door causing the hanging decoration to swing before the door opened, revealing the short and smiling old lady Bertha. She always had a smile plastered on her face despite being very old, seemingly one of the oldest people in this town. "Matilda asked me to deliver this," Lapisa forced a friendly smile onto her lips. "Ah! How lovely to see you! Please come in. I have just brewed some rose tea." Bertha gestured for Lapisa to enter, only for her to chuckle awkwardly before finding herself seated at Bertha's dining table inside her house. The small town house was cramped but still cozy, giving off a homely atmosphere. "I couldn't help but notice that you seem to have settled in rather well, dear," Bertha smiles warmly yet her eyes keep lingering on the midnight blue cape, causing Lapisa to feel rather self conscious as she also shifts her gaze down to it. The old lady chuckles softly, noticing Lapisa's discomfort. "That cape of yours is quite the sight, I couldn't help but feel drawn to its embroidery. Where did you find it?" Lapisa's eyes widened at her question, Bertha had not asked where she bought it but rather where she found it, as if she recognized it. "I bought it from Lan.. the traveler who collects stuff. He works at Matilda's inn," she replied cautiously, not sure if she could trust the lady anymore. Her demeanor seemed to have shifted quite a lot. But the old lady only hummed in response as she sipped her rose tea, "Of course Lannister would find something of such value. Tell me, dear, do you know who's cape that is?" Lapisa's lips parted, her surprise and suspicion of the old lady was clear. Bertha placed down the cup of tea and looked at Lapisa with a serious expression, "Let me tell you the story of the forgotten prince."

Lapisa drags her feet back towards the inn, passing the busy streets as the autumn breeze blows onto her clothes. Her dark hair blows all over her face but she doesn't mind it at all, her thoughts are elsewhere. Bertha's story about the forgotten prince still lingers in her mind. "If what old lady Bertha said is true then perhaps...", her thoughts trail off as she takes out some coins from her cape pocket, counting them quietly. All of a sudden someone pulls her cape hood over her head causing her to drop her coins. Startled, she turns around and swings a fist that way, only to be met with Lan's teasing smirk. "Woah! Easy there, miss punch thrower!" Lan moves back in a swift motion, grabbing Lapisa's wrist mid air. "Lan!" She exclaims before pulling away, only to groan in annoyance as she crouches down to gather the dropped coins. Lan's dark eyes follow her figure when she crouches down, only to narrow slightly at the sight of the cape she's wearing. "Headed somewhere?" He breaks the silence and hands her the coins he had picked up. Lapisa takes the coins and quickly recounts them. "Do you know how to travel to the Luminescence kingdom?" She asks, holding a hopeful gaze in her eyes. A look Lan had never seen been displayed on her usually dull face, the face that usually forced a smile. Lan sighed, leaning against a nearby beer barrel. "I do," he paused to acknowledge her eyes brightening as a smile crept onto her lips. "...But there's only a limited number of carriages that travel there each day. If you miss the last carriage you'll have to walk." Lapisa nods in understanding. "Right, now where do I take this carriage?" She looked around, the streets were less busy and different stalls began closing, as the afternoon breeze grew colder. Lan smiled softly and took her hand, pulling her along without saying anything. Lapisa let herself be led there, a slight blush forming on her cheeks at the warmth of his hand in hers. Lan stopped at a path that parted two ways, letting go off her hand and placing his hands on his hips. "This path to the right will take you there," Lapisa raised her eyebrows, "What about you?" Lan scoffed, "I don't have time to babysit you my lady, you'll have to go alone." He pauses his sentence to examine her expression. In truth he wasn't busy at the moment, in fact, he had been following Lapisa. "But don't forget, the last carriage departs right before sunset." He gave her one last reminder before simply walking off, hands in his pockets. Lapisa watched as he left before exhaling nervously as she began walking down the path.

Soon she found herself in front of a rather long house, filled with hay along the sides and then there was the carriage. Lapisa rushed forward to the old man who was feeding his horses. "Excuse me sir, does this carriage go to the luminescence kingdom?" The old man stroked his gray beard before huffing. "Do you have coins?". Lapisa realized what he meant and quickly nodded as she began counting the coins in her hand. The old man's eyes sparkled at the sight and he immediately took the coins out of Lapisa's palm, "This shall do. Now get in." He rudely waved her in the direction of the carriage that was filled with hay. Lapisa was dumbfounded, the old man had taken almost all her coins, only two remaining in her palm.

The carriage stopped right outside the gates of the luminescence kingdom and she's forced down from it to try and find an entrance for herself, since the old man wouldn't let her enter with him. Lapisa pulls her hood over and begins to inspect the thick and tall stone wall, when she does not find a way in other than the main gate she decides to try and climb one of the nearby trees. The guards take notice of the fluttering midnight blue cape in the tree. "Stop right there!" One of the guards' yell as a group of them begin to approach the young woman, only to stop in their tracks with widened eyes. They instantly recognize the cape and its golden embroidery. Lapisa freezes in her movements, "Why is her highness climbing the tree?" one of the guards asks the other who responds with a simple shrug. "Please come down, your highness, it is not safe up there." Lapisa is almost in shock, they were after all referring to her as if she was a royal. Could it be the cape that gave them the idea, she had no idea. Either way she climbs back down and soon finds herself within the walls of the luminescence kingdom, standing in the town square. It was much livelier here, the colors of the buildings, the smiles and laughs of people unlike back at the kingdom of calamity. She looks around in astonishment before remembering her purpose here, which was to find that murderer and ask him to kill her. However luck isn't in her favor; she ends up lost in the kingdom and misses the last carriage back. "Was it left.. or right?" She stands confusingly grumbling to herself under the pole as its small light illuminates her caped figure. Not realizing another figure was silently yet not discretely approaching her.

Ease, that was the feeling that had completely taken over Theron as he walked on the uneven stone slabs through the town of the Luminescence kingdom. Wherever he looked, all he was met with was the dark and empty streets. The town looked almost abandoned, the stalls usually filling the streets with chatter now being empty looking like a gaping mouth in the dark, the only source of light came from the moon and the stars. As the town was sleeping the only sounds present was the wind rustling through leaves and different fabrics hanging out of peoples houses, an animal somewhere in the distance and his own steps and heavy breathing. It was just as Theron liked it, he stopped in the middle of the street where the moon gleam didn't have any obstacles in its way resulting in a strong gleam lighting up the empty street adding to the somewhat creepy scenery. He looked down at the sharp object in his hands, seeing the moon reflecting in the somewhat rusty and dark red almost rust-coloured stained metal, with pure glee. He had succeeded again, each time easier, more quiet and less messy than the previous time. No one had woken up, not even the person at the receiving end of his rage, Theron's smile grew wider as he thought back on his work, he could now go back to the inn and sleep well for a while. He started walking again, looking around the place he once called home, the same place that later betrayed him and left him to die, while letting the metal object roll through his fingers.

Lapisa holds a finger under her chin as she keeps turning to her left and right, unsure of which direction to go. She wanted to find her way back but couldn't remember it. At that same moment Theron walks along the street, headed her way. His eyes glance her way as he notices the midnight blue cape and its golden embroidery that is illuminated by moonlight.

Even though there was a person in front of him which could potentially blow his cover, expose all of the things he's done leading his head to be separated from his body just like they did every other crook, he didn't flinch nor budge instead he nonchalantly, swiftly and calmly put the blood stained knife underneath his sleeve as his hazel eyes narrow, just before she turns around to spot the familiar figure behind her. Her eyes widened as she pointed at him, "You!" she exclaims, noticing small stains of blood on him. Theron merely raises his eyebrows in amusement to her reaction before letting out a scoff. How fortunate to come across each other here.