The Tale of Friedensberg

Chapter 5 - Trouble Around the Corner

After Jade finished putting her dress on, over her original outfit, she put the cape on once more and left the closet. "Is there anything I can get you before you leave miss?" The waitress asked, while filling a cup of mead. "Yes there is actually. I'll need food for the journey I have before me. I don't know how many days it will take, but I think I will need about two weeks worth of food." Jade replied. "I'll see what I can do miss." The waitress walked out of the back to the main dining area to serve the customers. Jade took a seat at the small table, waiting for the waitress to return. Moments later, the waitress came back with a satchel, full of food that could last a full month. "I only needed two weeks worth. This is a full month!" Jade's expression was of shock. "I know miss. But neither of us know if it will truly be only 2 weeks. It could be longer. If not, and you successfully rescue your lover, this will sustain you both for a while. If you ever need anything, the back door is always open." The waitress smiled then returned to tending to the other customers.

Jade placed the satchel over her shoulder, under the cloak to keep it concealed from any thieves that may be lurking around. After a moment of pondering, she exited through back to the main area, where the waitress left to tend to the customers. "Ah, lass, I see you got yourself some new garments." The barkeep chimed. Jade walked to the bar, and leaned in close. "You told me you would help me even if it was in secret." Jade whispered loudly, trying to be discreet amongst the noisy customers and music. "I don't know what you're talking about lass." Tom poured a drink for another customer. Jade slid two pieces of silver on the counter. "Oh fine! Danni, can you tend to the bar for me? I will return shortly." Tom asked Danni, the waitress. "Sure, Tom." The waitress called out in response. "Perfect. Follow me lass. You look exhausted." Tom walked out of the front door, Jade following closely behind. Moments later, they arrived to Tom's home. "Please, come in lass." Tom opened the door and ushered for Jade to enter first. "Thank you Tom." Jade smiled softly and entered, Tom following behind. "Please, make yourself at home. Rest up or fix a meal. You must be starving. I will be back later to give you all the details after sundown." Tom left, leaving Jade alone in a strangers home. 'It has been a while since I got proper sleep. Or a proper meal.' Jade reached into her satchel, grabbed a loaf of bread and started eating. While eating, she remembered that she had yet to plan Kai's rescue.

After she had finished eating, she looked around Tom's house for clues. Luckily for Jade, she found a book that mentioned the fortress that was seen on the cliff, earlier that day on the front cover. As she flipped through the book hoping to find some valuable information. After flipping through for a few minutes, she came across a page that had a brief layout of the fortress, from the lower floors and cellar to the top floor. As she examined the map closer, she saw where the dungeon would be located. 'Perfect. Just what I need. But I can't just steal from Tom. It wouldn't be right.' Jade searched around more and found blank paper along with an ink well and a quill. She walked over to the table and sat down, laying all items in front of her. 'I guess I can copy this.' Jade began copying the printed layout of the fortress onto the blank paper. Time passed and before Jade knew it, sundown had arrived and she had finished copying the map. She took the copy and laid it to dry as she placed the book, ink well and quill back where she had found it. As she did, Tom had arrived back to his home. "Ah I see you found my ink well and quill. Fancy some writing, eh?" Tom chuckled softly. "I guess you could say that." Jade finished placing the ink well and quill back then sat down at the table. Tom had taken notice to the map Jade had copied. "Are you sure you want to go through with this lass?" Tom questioned worriedly. "Yes Tom. I'm completely sure. if I were in my boyfriend's position he would do the same for me. Risk his very life to save me." Jade looked down, saddened. "Which is very brave of you lass. So why the sad look?" "Because I know what his captor is capable of. Very cruel things. If I am not fast enough. It could mean the end of my boyfriend's life." 

"I see..." Tom looked away for a moment, before Jade stood from the table. "I have to get going Tom. Time is of the essence right now." Tom stood as well. "But, lass, you still look as you haven't slept a wink." Tom reached out to Jade, as to place his hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for the concern Tom, but I can't sleep even if I wanted to." Jade smiled softly, then turned to walk out. It was nightfall when she stepped outside.

Right after she walked through the doorframe, she was attacked by a man in a white cloak. The assassin threw punch after punch, but she dodged them with ease before taking one of her throwing knives and stabbing the assassin in the wrist as another punch was being thrown. The assassin screamed in pain falling to his knees, holding his arm. "Who sent you?" Jade demanded, as she tore the knife from his arm. The assassin screamed once more before falling to his side. "Mercy, please!" The assassin begged. "Tell me who sent you." Jade demanded once more. "It was my master, the one who resides in the fortress." The assassin trembled with fear, crying. "Tell me their name." "I can't! If I do he'll kill me!" Jade held the knife, ready to stab him again. Jade lifted him off of the ground, held him in front of him and placed the blade against his neck. "The name. Now!" Jade growled. "Okay fine! Fine!" The assassin struggled. "The name is Seth." The assassin trembled, now knowing what fate would befall him, should he escape. But Jade did not want Seth to know of her presence. Not yet anyways. She dragged the blade across his neck, slicing it open. The assassin grabbed his neck, trying to stop the bleeding. Jade let him go, and he dropped to the ground, gasping for air as he choked on his own blood. Jade used the cloak the assassin wore to wipe off her blade, then put it back on her belt. 'Thank goodness for the gap between the dress and corset. Makes it easy to access my weapons belt.' Jade looked around, wanting to clean up the bloody mess she made. First, she grabbed some nearby sand and threw it over the pool of blood. As she did, the sand began to clump up as it absorbed the blood. Jade threw more until the blood was hidden. 'Now to dispose of the body. But where.' Jade saw a nearby pig pen. 'That should work.' Jade wrapped the cloak of the now dead assassin wrapping it around him to minimalize the blood leaving a trail. After that, she picked the body up and hauled it over to the pig pen, then threw it in. Jade then turned around, looking for any trails of blood that may have been left behind. A few drops were spotted. It was a mere easy fix with more sand. After she finished covering up the blood, she walked away with her eyes set on the fortress in the distance.

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Thank you for joining! Stay tuned for Chapter 6: Journey to the Fortress