Deceit's Strategy: A False Prince FanFic

Chapter 4

I am scared.

I hate being honest, but this is something that I really can't hide.

My arms shake when I walk, my words have become stuttered, I just can't seem to take a breath. But what scares me most was not knowing why I was scared.

If I knew why, I could adjust, stay as far away from my fear as possible, but not knowing means I might have to face it one day. Means I can't shove it into a box and lock it with a key to bury for eternity. It means that I'm vulnerable.

I was glad the boys had left three days ago so they couldn't see my vulnerableness. Puny had told me something along the lines of, 'They went to practice and train for the role they might be given.'

I don't care is what  I want to yell into his face, or I guess his well muscled chest since that was where I reached on him. He wouldn't tell me why I've been left to rot in this clearing and not move on with my life and it's left me irked.

I spend most of my day chained to a wagon and watching the leaves flutter in the howling wind and listening to the chatter of the birds. Looking at the mountains far in the distance and wondering if I stare long enough if I can see them grow.

I still refused to tell Puny my real name, along with learning his, but he has come up with some good tactics to try and break through my barriers. Little does he know that I've been building these protective walls for years, he will never see them tumble like the walls of Jericho.

The sun is just beginning to rise and here comes Puny. He begins each morning by asking me my name.

"Hello Puny," I respond each time.

He doesn't let him phase him, he had to have been expecting it. "My name isn't Puny it's-"

Interrupt his sentence as usual like it's a dance that we have both come to learn, swooping and falling. "When will leave."

Puny's answer surprises me, it's as if someone has changed the tune we dance to. "Today."

I look up in astonishment and practically let out a hysterical giggle. "The devils have finally seen fit to leave me alone." I yell too late realizing that the devils might find it as challenge and shut me mouth.

"I like your enthusiasm, but we won't be going to join the boys just yet."

I tilt my head, not in surprise or confusion, but out of curiosity. "Will just maybe explain why you have seen fit to kidnap me." I point toward the chain shackling me to the wooden wagon.

Puny just lets out a soft laugh. "Maybe, although I'm not sure what you seek." 

I cross my arms, anxiousness had filled my days of gazing. I wanted answers now and if not now I wanted to be able to puzzle them out, but neither of those seemed to be the answer for this. It was like trying to win tug of war against someone just barely stronger then you. You were so close, but would never win. 

...

We stop in a small town that is in better condition than the unnamed one which the orphanage had been. I assume that means we were closer to Carthya's capital, Drylliad. 

Puny finally undoes the shackle around my ankle and I rub the spot it had laid furiously, the burn would not be soothed this easily. 

Puny and I walk into some sort of inn that has a bar on the bottom. I had never been into one of these before. The whole place smells like alcohol and sweaty men. The heat is nauseating as it drifts out in waves and I have to stifle a gag. 

Puny looks at me with no look of glee in his eyes, but also no remorse. "Conner took you for three reasons one he wanted no eye witnesses of his kidnapping of Sage-"

I cut him off, when I realize he says something that doesn't match my deduced version. "Woah, woah, woah. You didn't tell Mrs. Turbely that you took Sage? You didn't even pay her?" I stumble over my words, shock spilling out of my mouth as it hangs open.

"Well, we were going to, but we had to get out of there pretty quickly once you were knocked out. Also, Sage had become unwieldly and had to also be knocked out."

I clench my fists by my sides, but keep my voice light. "Ah of course." 

Puny continues on his spiel, "Anyways, the second reason had something to do with liking you- and the last reason I don't fully understand, but he saw you had a knack for turning things the way you want."

I step backward a pace, from how my life had gone that seemed oddly polar. "Um, if he's so certain then I'm about to disappoint a lot of people."

Puny sighs and puts a hand on my back pushing me forward, "Let's hope not."

...

I snarl as I enter the bar. I stomp over to a table next to a man that looks he has heavy pockets. I can tell from the way coins clink when he moves and the obvious weight in his pockets. I don't know how Conner and Puny know this man, all I know is what they want me to do.

I slide into a seat across from him and took in all the physical attributes I could. He looks around the same age as Conner with straight black hair pulled back into a pony tail, defined cheekbones and jaw along with a nose so pointy he could kill something with it. Although by far the most off putting part of his face was his eyes. They were so deep in color that even his pupil could not be discerned from the iris.

I lean forward as he looks at me quizzically. "I come to bargain."

The man let's out a small laugh. "With what."

"Knowledge," I reply with confidence that was all feigned. I knew the devils were just behind me waiting to strike until the opportune moment.

He raises one eyebrow and leans in. "And what kind of knowledge would a young fellow like you know?"

I had my hair shoved up into a hat Puny had produced and was wearing my usual pants and tunic. I looked like a young lad rather than a girl. Honestly I preferred looking like this, but Mrs. Turbely had always hated it.

"I know where the lost prince of Carthya is." I smoothly reply, not letting the fear growing in me rise out of my throat.

"Jaron has long been dead, he is at the bottom of the ocean." Then man replies.

Four years ago the younger prince of Carthya had been lost to sea when he was only ten. The country had grieved, but no body had ever been found. It was a mystery no one could solve. Surly if the prince lives he would come out and reclaim his place, but to no alas he hasn't. So people may speculate, but they have no proof the rebellious young prince lives. 

"But you are to quick to come to a conclusion." I pull out a sword that was supposedly a replica of Jaron's sword- the original was also lost with him. I handed it to the man. "This was Jaron's sword."

I have no clue how or why Puny had the sword, but I knew the threatening tone he had used when he shoved me in here with strict directions. I was not one for being killed.

"Ah," was the man's only response.

"I need something from you though if I am to tell you the location of the prince." I of course have no idea whether or not the location is a lie or not, but I'm not one to question things that don't matter to me.

"And that would be?"

The man was leaning in so close now that when I spoke a could have hit my head on his. "I need one hundred of your best soldiers."

He nods. And I smile it seems the devils are on my side today, but I know it won't last.