When Kingdom Goes

Act II - Chapter 8

"So where exactly are we going right now?" Rose asks while sprinting down the road.

"We're on our way to see a friend of mine. He's a fortune teller of sorts." Aamir says.

Following the manifestation of Rite of Royalty, Rose and Aamir donned a pair of cloaks and fled the town under the cover of night. They run towards the outskirts of the capital unobstructed until they arrive at the gate.

"So how are we getting past the guards?"

"I have no idea. Truth be told, I didn't think we'd make it this far without someone coming after us."

"Fine, I'll handle it, but they might see us." She steps close to him and wraps her arms around his neck.

"Keep your eyes open and stay close." She says before teleporting them to the top of the gate.

"The inn he's staying at should be somewhere over... There!" He says pointing at a rather large inn not too far down the road. Rose teleports the pair to a nearby alleyway before walking toward the door.

"Before we go in, is there anything I need to know about him?" Rose asks.

"Not really. He's a little bit younger than us, and a tad shy, otherwise, he's a regular kid."

They walk into the inn and walk to the reception desk.

"Hello ma'am, I'm looking for a young man by the name of Aaro."

"And what's your name and business with him?" She asks while scribbling something down on a piece of paper.

"My name is Aamir and-"

"Right this way." She says as she walks around her desk and up the stairs. She goes three floors up to a room in the farthest corner of the inn before knocking on the door.

"Young Master, you have visitors." She says, leaving immediately after speaking.

"I'm glad you could-" The young man shirks back behind the door.

"It's okay Aaro, she's a friend."

"If you say so. Come on in."

They walk in and take a seat. Rose on the desk and Aamir takes the chair.

"So who exactly is she?" Aaro asks.

"My name's Rose Azor and I'm a noble from Rahu."

"Truly? You certainly don't speak like one."

"Ah, well, that's because I wasn't born into it. Lord Hiro Azor offered me an opportunity and I accepted."

"Aamir, can you confirm this?"

"No I can't, but when she was granted an audience with Lord Cromwell, he spoke as if he knew her, so I assumed that she was some kind of nobility, even before she told me."

"I suppose that's fine." Aaro sighs.

"Aside from her, how do you feel? I saw the ceremony from here and I've been awake ever since."

"Hmm... Now that you mentioned it, I feel like there's something coursing through me."

Rose activates her Ether Sight and looks at Aamir. She sees a myriad of colors swirling throughout his body.

"Well, if it doesn't hurt, we'll call it a good thing." Aaro says.

"Agreed. My real reason for coming was to ask you for a reading. I'm just a little nervous about all this."

"Anything for a friend."

Aamir puts his palms on Aaro's and they close their eyes. A moment passes before Aaro breaks into a cold sweat.