Royal Rebellion {on hold}

Chapter 15

I had changed into the plainer clothes George had packed for me a couple weeks before. Roy took the cloak and my fancier clothes and said he would go get some money in exchange for it. How, I had no idea.

As I sulked in an alley waiting for Roy to come back, I observed the people. They were quieter than before. It was probably the extra guards I'd seen roaming about or perhaps it was just news of the public executions. It was no secret that while the aristocracy loved it, most of the commoners hated the excessive bloodshed.

Roy slipped back into the alley with a bundle of plain, coarse cloth and a handful of shiny coins. He tried his best to hide it under the cloth from the watchful eyes just outside the alley.

"Here," Roy handed me the bigger cloth. "I got you a cloak. Figured you didn't want anyone to know you were here." I nodded a thanks before slipping it on over my head and pulling the hood up. It was a little weird to have a hood up in the early morning but I didn't want to risk someone identifying me.

Roy handed me the coins which I tucked into a crudely sewn pocket in the inside of the cloak.

"Your clothes sure were worth a lot. Even filthy..." A good share of the coins he'd got were a shiny gold.

"Wait here," I said quietly before slipping out of the alley and back to the horses. Taking both their reins, I led them to the nearest stables. The sign read: Sadely's Stables. A boy hurried over from attending to another horse.

"Good day sir, would you like to borrow a horse?" He asked politely, eyeing the two horses in my grasp.

"Not today, but would you be able to take these horses?" He looked the horses over again, this time more thoroughly. They were fine thoroughbreds just a little worn from travel.

"I-I'm not sure that the boss would..." he trailed off. I sighed.

"I just need someone to take care of them. I can no longer do that." The boy shifted awkwardly.

"Alright I guess?" he took the reins. "May I ask what's your name sir?" He peered into the shadow of my hood, trying to see my face. I smiled slightly, turning away from him.

"My name is not important," I replied before ducking off into the meager crowd.

"Sir!" the boy called, but I ignored him.

I made my way back to Roy. He was fidgeting in the alley and seemed relieved to see me. Just as I opened my mouth to say something, Roy's stomach grumbled in the loudest way possible. I smiled while he flushed in embarrassment. Now that I think about it, I was pretty hungry myself. Not to mention tired as we'd been riding through the night to get here at dawn.

"Come on. Let's get a place to eat...and sleep." Roy nodded, grateful and trailed after me. I headed for one of the less popular inns nearby. The Black Octopus, the one with the rebellion's hideout was too busy and too far away anyways. Despite the cloak, I needed to do everything to prevent being discovered. But with the money Roy had got it'd be too suspicious to head to a really small inn.

Before long, we stumbled across The Rusty Bucket. It was a nicely sized place and was clean. It seemed like a good choice. We entered.

The interior was nothing special but it was that bad either. There were only a few patrons nursing their drinks, hunched over their tables. The bartender was a heavy-set man with observant eyes and a shiny bald head. He wore a grubby looking apron and looked up at the sound of the door, watching as we approached and setting down the damp cloth he was using to wipe the glasses.

I unconsciously tugged my hood lower.

"I'd like a room please." I lowered my voice a few octaves in hopes it would further disguise me. The bartender tried to peer under my hood.