A Crowned King (Complete)

Chapter 4

The Green Shield was set right in the middle of the Lower Quarter, the only area in the city where the cutthroats of their society could be found en masse. Because most in the Lower Quarter would rather steal than earn their wages honestly there were no market stands or any real trade in this area of the city. There were people on every street corner, some begging and others preying on those weaker than themselves. The beggars were dresssed in threadbare clothing that looked like it could barely keep out the cold and often wore no shoes, leaving their feet a disgusting mess. Meanwhile, the predators were often dressed rather well and looked well fed, but neither side looked like they had bathed in years.

Mako walked by a group of small children playing a game of kick the rock which looked to be quite painful with no shoes on, but they played anyway. It was likely that they'd played the game for so long that they no longer felt the pain in their feet. Dogs, emaciated and filled with mange, wandered the streets with their heads to the ground trying to sniff out their next meal. The air smelled of urine, feces, vomit, but most of all it smelled of death.

I have to fix this, the Prince thought to himself in despair as he took in all the sights. I have to make this right. Once I have justice for my father and I'm crowned, I will focus on this first. This must be my top priority.

Tearing himself from his feelings he stopped in front of the Green Shield Inn. It was an old, dillapated building of rotten and broken wood. It was only a one story building and that was a good thing. If there had been any more weight to the building the top story would've come crashing down, crushing all at the bottom. What windows the building once had had been boarded up with thick sheets of plywood and someone had painted red X's on the front. The only reason he even knew this was the Green Shield was the sign that hung next to the door thst displayed the name in garish green, but peeling paint.

Typhon save me, Mako prayed to the Father of his Faith and he grabbed the knob of the door, opening it slowly. Looking around the inn he could feel the despair and desperation all around him.

It was a small room with only two tables in the entire place, one chair at each. There were no adornments on the walls or anything special around. The bar was at the back and looked as of it had been burned some time ago as well as cut up with axes or maces. Standing behind the bar was a tired looking old woman with short cut dark gray hair. She was rather gaunt and thin as if she hadn't eaten in over a year. When she blinked open her eyes he noticed they were muddied and glazed over. It was likely that she had imbibed some kind of drug to help her get by mentally.

She didn't even look up as he approached. She continued to stare at the bar as if it was her whole life. Stopping in front of the bar the Prince placed his hand down on the rotted and burned bar, tapping his fingers to drawn her attention. Finallly, her eyes moved to first his fingers and then to his face. Even when they made eye contact it didn't seem as if she was seeing him.

"Welcome to Green Shield Inn. Can I get you a drink and a room?" she asked in monotone as if she wasn't even a human being. It was like she was the thrall of some vampire with no feelings of her own.

"Actually I would like some information." Mako replied easily, slipping a few Griffons into his palm and sliding them across the counter to her. She eyed the coins and picked them up, tucking them into the apron of her dress.

"What can I do for you?"

"Just a question." Mako replied, standing up straight. "I hear there was a man who was staying here for a few days. I need to see his room."

The proprieter frowned,shaking her head. "There have been a few who have stayed in the Green Shield. You'll have to be more specific." she told him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"He didn't come back the other day and I would think he probably kept his face hidden while he was here." Mako replied.

"Ah the skulker." she said with a nod of her head. She tilted her head to the side. "I already spoke to the Wardens about this and they checked the room. They didn't find anything of note."

"Call it curiosity."

The proprietor shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head. "As you wish. Come with me." she told him as she walked away from the counter heading for the back rooms. He fell in behind her as they walked down the narrow hallway until they stopped at a door a short distance away. "This is it."

"Thank you good lady." Mako said with a smile. He opened the door and stepped inside, leaving her outside. He paused, looking around with interest at the room. It had a stale smell, but the scent exactly escaped him.

The room was small with nothing on the walls and the floor were stained wood. There was no furniture except a small bed and a chest at the foot of the bed which was thrown open, revealing a bare and empty space from within. The windows were covered with torn and tattered curtains that did little to nothing to keep the sunlight or prying eyes from outside.

Shutting the door behind him the Heir stepped into the room. He knew that it was likely that the Wardens had gone over this place already, but he wanted to check it over himself. There was a small possibility that there was something the assassin had left behind that would give him his next clue on where to go next. He could hope so anyway. Otherwise this whole thing would be a dead end and the investigation would be stalled.

He walked over to the chest first. He doubted the assassin had placed anything in the chest, but he had to look. He knelt down, reaching into the chest, swiping his fingers over the bottom, coming away with dust covering his fingertips. Standing up he walked over to the bed, flipping up the straw filled mattress. There was nothing underneath so he sat the mattress back down, running a hand over his face.

Mako looked over every inch of the room, but in the end he found nothing. He cursed as he approached the bed and he kicked the chest with frustration, upending the chest on the side. He turned and walked over to the window. It was dirty, but he could still see out into the Lower Quarter. He realized that his father might never get his justice. There was nothing to go on. Not a single clue to lead to the ones who had hired the assassin.

The Prince turned to walk out of the room. As he made his way past the bed he caught sight of something and stopped. He frowned and looked to the item that had caught his eye. It was a small piece of parchment, folded into a small square nearly lost to the eye it was so small.

This has to be something, he thought to himself in desperation. He bent down to one knee, picking up the paper. He carefully unfolded the paper, not wanting to damage the contents of it. This might be the only thing that could possibly lead him to something. He had to know what it was.

As the paper was unfolded, he frowned at what was on it. It was a detailed map of Star with every city, town, village, forest, lake, and even pastures marked on it. It was obvious this map had been given to the assassin so he could navigate his way through Star, but that could only mean one thing.

The assassin himself wasn't from Star which opened up a new realm of possibilities. Before, he had considered that the King had been assassinated by a Noble Clan from within the Nation. In fact, it was the only thing that he'd thought of, but now he had to consider other options.

Mako flipped the paper over in dire hopes of finding something. To his surprise he did. It was small writing in a neat hand in the bottom left corner. It was a name: Kane Hawk.

The Prince furrowed his brow. He knew the name, but he couldn't recall where it sounded familiar. He would consult his sister. Drianna would likely recognize the name since he didn't. He hoped so anyway. He would have to find out who this man was and put him to the question.

He would find out who this Kane Hawk was and he would exact the answers that he needed. Hopefully when he found the man it would lead him to the next step in finding the ones responsible.