Citadel of Shadows

Chapter Five

Alamora

The next few weeks were busy, and people came in and out of the healer's hut, offering gifts and blessings. Some even asked me what it was like meeting Amara, though they were disappointed when I said I couldn't find the words to describe it. It seemed that someone had decided to inform the general populace of the events that had transpired during my Marking. I wanted to hunt that person down and throttle them, for not waiting for at least a week before revealing any information. The 'plague' finally disappeared and those that occupied the cots were able to leave, with strict instructions from Anae. The pregnant woman, the one that I had been focusing on healing, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He was named Tio.

I focused on the task given to me by the guard captain, Kaida. It was an interesting task, with quite a list of things that could possibly go wrong. I studied what I could and after a few tries, I had it written down and the alarm stones made. They wouldn't work exactly as I hoped, but it was better than having no way of knowing where the Queen's soldiers might attack. I tucked the implements into a bag and sealed it, disguising it from any scrying magicks.

The barracks were one of the few stone buildings in the Citadel, made from bricks shipped from the famous Everan Mountains. It was a pale grey, almost white material. The walls were smooth, with runes carved into the doorway. I recognised a few them, due to reading and wanting to understand more about the world around me. Isan's father had been kind enough to help in that endeavour, though I wasn't quite able to learn how to speak it. I made another note to myself to go and ask for more help now that I was older and was fluent in two of the main tongues in our world.

I knocked on the heavy wooden door, the thumping echoing dully inside. I waited and waited, and after what felt like ages, I raised my hand to signify my arrival again. The door swung open and Kaida stood there, narrowly avoiding a fist to the face.

"I am so-"

She stood to the side and a dignified noble walked out, hair mussed and clothes in disarray. He balked at the sight of me and started walking at a less elegant pace. I waited until I couldn't see him and turned to Kaida, letting out poorly restrained snickers and giggles.

"Was that who I think it was?"

She grinned and ushered me inside, the door slamming shut behind us. I had feeling that the door was designed that way, as an intimidation tactic, but also to keep thieves from being able to sneak in and steal anything. We went into a small office, with a dark wood desk that was covered in various papers and ledgers. I saw a sword or two leaned against the wall and there was a layer of dust in some places. Kaida sat in a plush seat that was furthest from the door and gestured to the less comfortable looking chair across the desk. I dragged it over to beside her and handed her the bag.

"You didn't answer me."

She chuckled and my eyes widened, already understanding the meaning behind it. Even if I didn't like gossip, I was immensely curious and Kaida knew that I wasn't going to tell anyone that would spread it around. My mother and company didn't count, of course.

"Isn't he married?"

Kaida shrugged, before kicking a suspicious bundle of cloth into the shadows under her table. I raised an eyebrow, eyes full of questions. She sighed and conceded with my request, steeling herself for the barrage of queries she would receive.

"Yes, he's married and his wife is with child. I know, it only makes it worse."

"Did he approach you or did you approach him?"

"The former. He was also drunk."

I glanced at the wine bottle, before standing to pick it up. It was old and from the smell, rather potent. Kaida was looking a little bashful. She'd helped him finish the bottle it seemed.