The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

C21 - Flock

Chapter 21 – Flock.

A murder of crows cawed raucously from their perch upon the jagged, naked limbs of the dying tree, challenging the insistent rapping of worn hammers, the loud hollering of tired workers, and the ever-constant roaring of rushing water. High up above, more crows circled lazily above in the grey and sunless sky, endlessly searching for scraps of food and trash among the laboring humans.

Well-trodden mud squelched underneath Rose's boots as she came to a halt, giving way to a group of workers laboriously heaving a heavy bundle of planks down the opposing path. Once the junction had cleared, the woman headed up the path the workers had come from, quietly humming a chipper tune to herself. Behind her, the cawing of the crows continued, incessantly demanding attention amidst the dreary grim, dreary weather besieging the west bank of the Griflet River.

"...stores of lumber are running exceedingly low."

The dangling green ornaments hanging from Rose's outfit trailed to a halt behind her as she stopped by the side of the path, discretely tilting her head to listen in on the voices coming from inside one of the tents lining the muddy trail on the outer edge of the campsite.

"It would seem that the project requires far more materials than the engineers had initially suspected." the man inside concluded gravely. "Princess..."

"I understand." replied a distinctive, feminine voice. "I shall see to it that additional resources are procured. Rest assured that you will receive whatever you deem is necessary for the completion of this project."

A pause followed as the other man leant forward in a bow. "Princess Alisha. I dearly appreciate the aid you've provided. It has made things far, far easier for all of us ever since your arrival. Thank you."

"Do not hesitate to ask me for anything else." came the reply. "Keep up the good work."

Rose watched from the corner of her eye as two royal guard soldiers lifted the flaps to the tent, allowing the foreman to exit the Princess's tent and letting them fall shut after he had left. She crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side curiously.

On the other side of the fabric walls, Princess Alisha let out a quiet breath as she returned to her workplace, a temporarily desk and chair setup amidst the damp, poorly lit interior of the tent emblazoned with the crest of the Royal Family. Her armor pieces clinked quietly amidst the muffled sound of construction outside as she leaned forward, picking up the quill inside the inkpot while procuring a fresh scroll meant for royal decrees.

"Hey there. Alisha, right?"

The princess let out a soft gasp, her free hand reflexively wrapping around the royal dagger sheathed at her waist as she registered the intruder in her tent. Her expression morphed into one of confusion as she found a familiar merchant standing in front of her desk with a friendly, nonchalant smile on her face.

"You're... Rose, of the Sparrowfeathers." Alisha mumbled, blinking in confusion; her hand was still wrapped hesitantly around the handle of her dagger. "How did you get past the guards outside?"

The familiar merchant called Rose casually laid a hand on her hip, confidence clear in her stance. "It'll take more than that to stop the Shepherd's Squire from dropping in to say hi." she boasted, a friendly grin on her face.

Understanding dawned upon Alisha's expression, her eyes widening in surprise. "...Oh!" she gasped. "Then you must be a new Squire of Sorey's!" Her hand fell away from the handle of her dagger as she stood up from her chair. "I take it that means Sorey and the others are here as well?" she prompted.

"Yep." Rose's hand fell from her hip. "Though we sure didn't expect to find you here." She gestured with her head towards the accumulated paperwork laid out on the desk. "Don't princesses usually have better things to do than this kinda stuff?" she asked curiously.