The Princess's Rebellion

Chapter 10: Truth Be Told

Rebecca stared out at Village plantae Pauperum in confusion. This can't be Village plantae Pauperum. I've never seen a giant wooden wall at the back of the village before.

But it was. Sure enough, Rebecca could recognize the straw roofs and the style of architecture they were built in. She looked around for some time before turning to Garrett.

"This doesn't make sense. I've never seen a wooden fence behind this village ever."

Garrett shrugged, "They put it in the way back, and barely anyone comes by so close to the edge of town."

"But I thought that the village was completely surrounded by grasslands, not a wall."

"You aren't wrong," Rebecca realized that he wasn't giving anything away, so she tried again.

"So how do you know this place?"

But he seemed to be ready for that one, "I live around here with my parents."

Rebecca sighed once he dropped down on the other side. She followed him but didn't bother to thank him when he helped her keep her balance once she hit the ground. They walked down several paths and Rebecca took careful note of everything around her so she could come back. She noticed that the houses were either vacant or too beaten down for anyone to live in. She almost threw up when she saw a particularly familiar red liquid on one door, which was open.

But soon her surroundings became more and more familiar. Once Rebecca realized that they were passing the tavern she was at only a night ago, she wondered if she could check if any of her friends were there. She decided against it, only because if Garrett found out who she was at any point, he would know somewhere she had been.

The sound of people's voices and pattering feet began to make an appearance as they approached the Centrum Fori. Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief when they came out in the open and were staring at the marketplace from the perimeter. The sun was shining high above the village, revealing the people going about their daily business. Rebecca fought the urge to call out to Tristan when she saw him on the other side of the marketplace weaving his way through the crowd. Instead, she turned to her so-called hero.

"Thank you for doing this; I doubt I would have been able to find a way out," that was a lie, she knew, but she was already wary of this man and wanted to get away before he discovered her identity.

Garrett bowed slightly, "It was an honor. Just keep your distance from that place. It's bad news. Even my parents stay away from the edge."

"Will do. I'll see you around then, I suppose."

"Non erit ad expectare et videre, belle. Until then, be safe."

"You as well," Rebecca replied while turning around, but by the time she realized what he had called her, she turned back around and found that he had already vanished into the crowd. She frowned at his speed and how easily he could just up and disappear, but she tried to shrugged it off. It didn't matter anyways. Now it's time to find my friends.

Rebecca followed the mass of people over to where she saw Tristan, and sure enough, she found him leaning up against the side of a stand full of jewels and gems. She swiftly grabbed a black cloak hanging off a man's shoulder and put it on to hid her hideous dress before coming closer. Tristan noticed her once she emerged from the people surrounding him and smiled.

"Well, I didn't expect you here today. We never see you out in the marketplace," he greeted her warmly.

"Thought I ought to get some fresh air. It's a nice day," she returned with the same warmth in her voice, "You here with anyone?"