Brilliant Disguise

Chapter Twenty-Three

As she neared Erebor's main gates, Sophie's heart sped up. The sentry smiled down at her. "Morning, Mrs. Asharm. Off to Dale?"

"I am, yes."

"Just let me send word to Dwalin. His Majesty has let it be known he does not wish you to be traveling to Dale unaccompanied."

Her gut twisted sharply and sent a sour taste into her mouth, one she swallowed hard against. "He—he has?"

He nodded. "Aye. He said it's not safe and that if you must leave, you are to go with Dwalin."

"Oh, but I'm sure he has far more important things to do than to keep watch over me."

"Be that as it may, Mrs. Asharm, I have to fetch him. His Majesty was very clear in his instructions."

Impatience seared her insides, but she tamped them down as she peered over her shoulder. No sign of Thorin yet. "Very well. But, please hurry. I'd planned on doing a bit of Yule shopping for His Majesty and I want him to be surprised."

"It won't take but a minute or two." He smiled as he started past her. "I'll be back as soon as I find him."

"If you insist."

He didn't reply, but made his way down the corridor toward the Great Hall and as soon as he rounded the corner, she turned and made haste to slip through the door and out into the wintry air.

Dale was busier than normal, as the Yule holiday was only a week out and more than once, Thorin found himself being knocked off to the side by an impatient man or woman, who then offered up an automatic, "I beg your pardon."

He paid little heed to those he passed as he hurried along the walkways toward Stone Street. He wanted to find Jora as well as Sten. He had a score to settle with both of them.

A hint of snow hung in the air once more, the breeze crisp and cold as it stung his cheeks. He ignored it at he neared Lucy's. From there, he walked to the end of the street, and turned toward the alley Jora had taken them down. His heart beat faster as he drew near the door with the peeling black paint. Asharm was not taking him by surprise this time, so Thorin carefully drew the Orcrist and moved closer to the building itself, close enough that he felt the cold of the stone through his leather and fur overcoat.

At the door with the peeling paint, he paused, drew a deep breath, then grabbed hold of the handle, although he didn't expect it to actually be unlocked.

But to his surprise, the door wasn't locked and instead swung open with only a soft whine of somewhat rusted hinges, which immediately put him on his guard. He carefully stepped over the splintering threshold, into the dingy main room. The air felt stale and cold, the room giving off an absolutely abandoned feeling.

Still, the hair along the back of Thorin's neck prickled and stood up, which made him even more aware of his surroundings. He held the Orcrist at the ready, carefully moving along the room's perimeter toward the kitchen.

It was empty—no dishes in the drainer, not even a drop of water in the sink basin. There was no sign of life at all anywhere in the flat. If it weren't for the fact that he still sported a small lump just above his temple and the healing cut above his eye, he'd swear he'd imagined what happened the previous night.

"Wherever Asharm is," Thorin muttered, "he's not here."

"Thorin?"

He jumped, jerking the blade clear as he spun about to see Dwalin in the doorway. "Are you trying to make my heart stop?"