The Princess Wars

Chapter Five

We reached the first town since entering Thealith by the following night.  I knew it to be near where Aggie had been raised. She never really mentioned her home, but I'd always imagined it being a sweet little town with the people out, cheerily going on about their business.  However, I was  disapointed.  The area was vacant and dark, almost haunting.  The only light in the place came from the windows of what seemed to be a tavern. 

Inside, we found ourselves facing all sorts of .  Will slumped himself at an the empty wooden table, closing his shadowed eyes.  Paying no mind to the hungry gazes of the men, I lead Liza over to sit beside him.    

We stayed a while at the table and ate supper.  The head of the inn was a very thin, frail man whom was controlled by what seemed to be his wife, a rather stout woman with roses in her cheeks.  

From a distance you could see her shouting at her husband continously.  The man looked so shaken, I'm surprised he could even stand.  When the woman finished her rant, the man scurried off through the nearest doorway and disappeared.  

I watched her amble between the rows of tables in her grease stained apron, collecting plates, scolding the drunk men and their companions.  

When she reached our table she nearly tripped over herself at the sight of me, almost knocking the dishes to the ground.

"Well, who would've thought, a noble lady stayin 'round these parts," she said looking down at my ring throwing a hand to her face, "a Beaumont!"

The woman curtsied. "Oh my, I pray ya've found evrythin alright.  So where are ya headin to?  No one stops here just for a visit."

"Why is that, if I may ask?" I questioned genuinely, as though it were not obvious already.

"Ah, well, most keep away from these parts considerin this here's the border o' multiple kingdoms, and there's nothing that brings the theives from the scrin like th' smooth route to freedom.  No need to worry though, dearie.  No one's gettin harmed in my tavern if I have any thing to do with it."

The thought of coming to face such villains froze my blood, though something about this woman gave me a sense of security and I relaxed.

"I am glad to hear it.  My name is Maura, Maura Beaumont.  We have been traveling for sometime to reach the Kingdom of Thealith."

"Ah, the garden lands.  Such a beauty the place is.  Well, the name's Helen m'lady 'n," she smiled and reached for the empty dishes at our table," if there's anything ya need-" 

"Well, actually I was wondering if there might be any place we could rest for the night?" I asked  looking over at Liza whom was already drifting off, her head resting on Will's arm.  Helen shifted her gazed to the girl and smiled.  

"Any member o th' royal family is welcome in our home."

The moment she finished, a band of tall men dressed in modest black, each with a face that reeked of trouble, entered the room.  Helen immediately left to conftont the gentlemen, by the look of her expression, she did not mean to welcome them.  

I rapped my fingernails on the wood as I watched her converse with what seemed to be their leader, and as she grew more and more angry.  One of them, skinnier than the rest and far more ominous, scanned the tables eerily until his unfriendly gaze met mine.  A threatening smile played upon his lips.  I quickly averted my eyes and tried to focus on the stone wall ahead.

No one can harm me, I thought, attempting to steady my breath, not while Will and Helen are here.  Though I couldn't help but glance from the corner of my eye to watch the head of the group nod sharply to Helen before  leading the men out the door. 

"Who were they?"  asked Will, whom had obviously been dreaming.  

"I'm not sure," I said distantly, "but Helen has just offered us a place to rest for the night."

"Oh no, not here.  We were just supposed to pass through for the next town.  Have you any idea what   this place is known for?"  

My attention focused back to him.

"Just look at both you and Liza.  You could barely keep awake through dinner.  And if you think I am letting you drive us in such a poor state, you are sadly mistaken,"  I said teasingly, but he did not smile.

"I don't like this, Maura."

"It is only for a night."

Helen returned looking flushed, but satisfied.

"Sent them off like horses, I did."  

We followed Helen behind the doorway I had seen her husband go through earilier. It lead to a stairway above the tavern.  Upstairs, there were four rooms down a stout hall.  She opened the first door to the left.

"This here is for the gentleman and that one further down is for you and the child.  If ya need anythin at all just holler." 

She plodded back down to the door, leaving us alone.  

"I don't feel good about this place," Will grumbled.

My brows furrowed.

I set my hand on his shoulder.

"We will be fine, Will."

He shook his head, too tired to continue on the subject.  After ruffling Liza's hair and bidding us goodnight we retired to our rooms.     

Helen entered after a whiler with a pitcher of water.  She set it by the bedside table and then turned to give me a peculiar look as if it were not really me she was facing. She reached out as if to stroke my cheek, but pulled away.

"You look just like her, you do.  She used to sleep here in this very room." Her eyes scanned the bare walls.

"What happened to her?"

"As strong as she was, illness got th best o her.  We tried evry'thin, and still I had to watch my girl drown in death."

I looked down at my hands, "I am so sorry,"  I added quietly.  She only shook her head slightly.

"Be cautious in those garden lands, dearie.  Aye it may be a beauty,"  she drifted off, searching my face, " But there are many pretty things in this world that lead to nothin but trouble."

I frowned but nodded attentively before she turned towards the door, "Thank you, for everthing," I said, but she did not reply. She went over to the window, and closed the shutters, locking them with a latch.

"G'night miss."

"Goodnight Helen."

The door shut and I turned to seen Elizabeth curled up on the bed sound asleep.  I layed back and closed my eyes, but Helen's words rang in my ears.  What could she have meant?  Was it a dangerous place this kingdom? Finally I gave up on sleeping and propped myself up on my forearms.  It was then something caught my eye in the corner of the room. A dark figure of what seemed to be a man.

"Will?" I said to the dark.

The figure stepped into the light of the moon, shining from the window, which was now once again open and I found myself staring at a familiar, yet terrifying face; the same threatening smile I had seen not too long ago.

"What a pleasure it is to see you again, my lady."

And before I could do so much as scream, he swiftly rushed over, grabbed my arm and dragged me to the ground.