Crowns and Daggers

chapter ten

By the time Ash and Raven reached the closest town to the Stormbird Woods, it was dusk and they had heard more than a few royal guards inquiring about Ash.

"We're in Etile now, Zimeania's southernmost town. We should find an inn to stay at tonight," Ash suggested. He glanced around as they stepped onto the main road of the town.

"Good idea. How much money do you have?" Ash reached into his satchel and brought out his purse, jingling it. Raven's eyes widened.

"Don't do that! There are thieves waiting for a chance to pickpocket you at any sign of weakness. Also, that's more coins than I've ever seen at a time."

"I mean, we come from really different backgrounds, so..." Ash trailed off, but his meaning was clear. Raven frowned, and he knew he had misstepped. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that." He elbowed her a little.

She recoiled and snapped, "Don't touch me," then stalked ahead.

"You covered my face in dirt, remember? You touched me first!" Ash cried indignantly.

"That's different," Raven muttered, so low Ash almost didn't hear her. He sighed.

"Let's just pick where we're staying tonight." Scanning the row of buildings, he pointed to a fancy inn built of clean white brick with gold finishing.

"What about there?" Ash asked.

"There?" Raven scoffed. "No, too nice. We have to go somewhere people won't ask questions about two teenagers traveling alone. Like there." She nodded towards an inn called The Switchblade Tavern, which had peeling gray paint and a crumbling brick foundation. Ash wrinkled his nose and Raven glared at him.

"You brought me along to help keep you alive," She reminded him icily. Ash scowled at her but relented, pulling the hood of his cloak up to conceal his face and pointed ears as he followed Raven into the inn.

They were greeted by a woman with short, spiky black hair, nose and ear piercings, and tattoos winding around her arms standing behind a podium in the shabby lobby of the tavern.

"I'm Raelynn, says so here on my name tag. How can I help you today?" She drawled. Ash cleared his throat and stepped forward, only to be yanked back by Raven as she told Raelynn,

"Excuse my, um, friend, but he's recently become mute, and he forgets that sometimes. Do you have a spare room we could stay the night in? One with two beds please." Ash stared daggers at Raven's back while the innkeeper searched the row of pegs behind her for a key.

"Your room is the fifth door on the left. Stew and ale all night in the main room," Raelynn said, handing the key to Raven and pointing toward a doorway behind her. Ash dropped a few coins on the counter and opened his mouth to thank her, only to be pinched on the arm by Raven and startled into silence. Raelynn gave them a strange look, but Raven was already dragging Ash towards the narrow wooden staircase that led up to the rooms.

"You're mute, remember?" Raven hissed as soon as they were out of earshot. Ash glared at her.

"Why did you—" he started, but cut off as a pair of giggling girls came stumbling around the corner and Raven shushed him. Once they were gone, Raven spun around to face Ash.

"You can only talk in our room. And even then, very low."

"But why do I have to be mute?" he demanded. Raven rolled her eyes.

"You can't be recognized. Your voice is one of the many aspects possible of giving us away." She spoke as though it were the most obvious thing in the world and Ash was reminded immensely of Sir Orton.