Fighting For What?

A Busy Night

The commotion from the ballroom hasn't settled at all. I decided the easiest place to exit the castle was through the kitchen. The difficulty will be leaving Picca. My soot colored traveling cloak is draped over my body with the hood over my head to conceal my blonde hair. Pax's silver coat isn't as easily covered in the darkness of the night. He remains close to my side, keeping his left side pressed against my cloak. The bright lights and noise from the ballroom echoes through the corridors and entrances of the castle. Most of the guards and servants will be busy serving champagne at the feast or sleeping. Now's my chance.

The backstairs leading to the kitchen are in the dining room. As long as no one walks in, I'll be fine. Slipping between the doors from the corridor into the dining room, Pax leads on with a few sniffs in the air.

"Clear, boy?" I whisper, trying to hustle him along. A muzzled huff comes from his mouth. Taking that as my "all clear," I shuffle across the wooden floorboards through the dining room. The few candles that were still lit were shrinking upon the table. The darkness is a welcoming feeling. Lowlight gives me strength. People aren't watching or following me. I have control in the darkness. Sliding along the wall, I run my hands across the stone to find the corner leading down into the kitchen. The end of the wall startles me and I flinch at the top of the stairs. I cautiously start my way down the stairs. Pax follows close behind me.

The spacious kitchen with stone ovens and endless counter space is filled with light. Candles and torches are lit along the walls and on the single dining room table for the servants. The silhouette of a man sits alone at the table. He is mumbling words or phrases to himself. I can't quite tell what he's doing sitting at the table by himself this late at night, but every few moments he leans over the wood surface and his arm jerks. I assume writing something; a list perhaps? The familiar outline of Chef Louie is comforting, but I didn't want to be seen leaving the castle by anyone. With the Jardin King within earshot of a single rumor, I want to keep my whereabouts as far from my brother as possible.

I hug the walls tightly, with my soft footsteps practically flying over the cobblestone. Thankfully, the backdoor was open for whatever reason. I keep my pace and silently trot over to the exit. As Pax bolts through the doorway, Chef Louie raises his head and says something louder than his previous mumblings.

"Princess," His head is straight, searching the empty room before him.

I stand motionless in the doorway, afraid he had somehow heard me tip-toeing across the kitchen floor. My breathing stops. I listen for him to say something else.

"Adelia. Ivy. Who's the last?"

My breath escapes silently as I relax and exit into the courtyard. Such a thoughtful man, Chef Louie. A smile spreads across my lips. Pax wags his tail as I saunter though the dirt courtyard.

"I could use a drink, Pax. How 'bout you?" I ask with a big smile. Pax lets out a low growl. A single bark follows.

"Let's go, boy!" I cheer with a skip. He and I trot out of the castle's courtyard into the streets of Picca. The night life fills the streets of the city. The shops and homes closest to the castle are all shut tightly. The street lights glimmer from the oil fueling the flame. With dim light that only reaches a few paces from the source, the iron posts line the streets leading toward the market: the heart of the city.

Only armed with my cutlasses and hidden blades beneath my clothes, I feel very limited in my distance tactics. No arrows or bows to aid me in watching from afar. Close combat is my preferred tactic as it is, which helps me to hold myself with a confidence as I saunter down the cobblestone road with Pax at my side. A few cats and rats scurry across the cobblestone. The sole life of the city at this hour is in the tavern, but I haven't got the slightest clue where it is. I haven't seen much of anything other than the castle. Pax leads the way down the streets. They don't seem that different from the ones back in Vesi. Perhaps the only difference is the ocean to the east. Vesi is high in the mountains with rivers pouring out and around its brick roads and bridges.