Falsified (Tarnished Book 2)

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Chapters will be posted once a week.

After meeting the Old Crow by the grove, I needed to create a sanctuary and collect what information without raising suspicion about where I am from. I lied about being from Ravela. Now I must answer to a name that is not my own and pray the man does not realize I tricked him.

So, wandering about in the small city I found myself in. I went door to door asking a few questions here and there about where to find some literature and other necessities to live off the land. With what I had, I was penniless and living off the land will be rough since I have always found a way to earn coin.

Wandering through the main city street, the Ravelian guards were keeping eyes on me. They did not make any effort to exert themselves, so acting as if I knew the city would be vital to keep my identity hidden.

I noticed a store up ahead and a name I recognized from the first king's myth. It appeared in good condition considering its age. The foundation made of moss and ivy snaking up the stone walls of the little store. I went inside and took a deep breath that I was out of the guards' sights for the time being.

Peering around the many shelves, I noticed many of the strange things mentioned in the myth. The shelves had battered-spine books and many herbs known in the area. Upon looking at all these marvels, I noticed an Erstonian sword resting on a table with an assortment of diverse swords and daggers that were made from across the eight realms. I picked up the Erstonian blade and testing its weight. I swung a regular strike with both my hands on the grip. It felt heavier than I was used to, but it was a decent blade with no emblems that could give me away.

"That is an odd choice," someone commented from behind me. Upon turning my head, a leanly muscled man with a blackbird tattoo on his neck seemed familiar. "I have not met a person that blade likes."

I smiled a little. "Thought a sword would be an appropriate choice, I lost mine on the journey over here from another isle."

The man's eyes were a strange hue I rarely saw in any realm. They reminded me of lipid pools of lavender. "You aren't honest, but that blade does seem to suit you."

I did not panic. This man knew I was lying, but he must be what I think he is. I smirked. "You caught me, I have my reasons for lying though. It's not the first time I have hidden." Setting the blade down, I turned to the man a little more clearly. He was a foot and a half taller than me, but he was watching my every breath and movement. "You would not happen to be a chosen crest bearer, would you?"

The man belted out a laugh and focused his eyes on me. "Boy, you are a perceptive one. How might you know that?" he asked and glowered down at me.

"Your tattoo is a crest, is it not?" I answered. His eyes narrowed upon hands while I tore my gaze from him. "I need your assistance."

"Boy, it is not wise to ask for a favor when we are strangers."

I sighed and revealed the sixth crest on my right arm to him. Those eyes of his widened in surprise, and then he walked over to the store door to latch it shut.

"Who are you?" he asked when he glanced over at me.

I prepared to disclose my story to him, but there was no time for that. "I am a long way from home, sir. I need you to promise me that if I tell you in confidence who I am and why I am here, that you will help me return home."

He thought about it. Sighing, he strode over to me. "You have my word, but it will not be an easy task to get you off the isles."

I grinned overjoyed he accepted my offer. "Say do you know about the Prince of Wolves?"