The King's Queen by Haydn Hubbard

Author:Haydn Hubbard [Hubbard, Haydn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-30T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Verosa

Rowan stalks to the front desk, where the innkeeper sleeps. His face contorts with disgust for a moment before he announces loudly in a wail, “Please, kind soul, my wife and I were on our way here when we were robbed by merciless thugs. I barely fought them off, but she’s quite shaken. Please take pity on two pour souls.”

Refraining from laughing in a state of delirium is a true testament to my acting skills, and I allow my lower lip to wobble bit. A few patrons look on in pity or disgust, but the innkeeper schools his countenance of a savvy businessman once the shock of being startled awake wears off.

“I don’t know, how much coin do you have to offer?”

“23 coins.”

“Gold or silver?”

“17 silver, 5 gold.”

“Gold might be a trouble around these parts.”

“That’s why I’m entrusting you with it,” Rowan counters quickly.

The innkeeper sighs. “And who should I book the room under?”

“Leo and Marie.”

The innkeeper scribbles all this down furiously before handing a different sheet of paper to Rowan. The young man, far too young to be an innkeeper, leans over the desk and speaks lowly. “I’ll send this on to our most trusted crew. They won’t say a word.” He presses a key into Rowan’s palm. “Usual room, I’ll send for the doctor tonight and some horses in the morning. I assume you’ll be out of here before they follow you.”

Rowan accepts the key as if it is a mere handshake. “Good man.” The innkeeper only grunts and stalks off silently through a door behind the counter without accepting any money. Rowan holds my hand tightly and guides me up the first few stairs, but when he is sure no one is watching, he takes a sharp left into a broom closet.

“Well, this is cozy,” I jest while he takes to pushing aside some meager cleaning supplies. He doesn’t bother with a response before he pushes a particular stone, causing the whole wall to slide and reveal a large room.

“You were saying?” Rowan responds drily.

The room is large, with two large beds on either side of the room. Each are lavishly decorated with a multitude of colorful pillows and embroidered throw blankets. The walls are coated with hand-painted designs, minuscule whorls of pearlescent gold paint that stretches like veiny webs across the entirety of the room. A plush carpet greets my feet as I remove my muddy boots, and Rowan settles on a chair seated next to a matching mahogany table.

“The bathroom is right through those doors if you’d like to wash up before the doctor arrives.” Rowan winces as he bends over to untie his boots.

“Let me.” I bend before him, untying his laces swiftly and helping remove the filthy boot. Rowan watches silently, his motions stiff and lagging.

I rock back on my heels, even the small motion draining all remaining energy from my body. Adil is a half day’s ride from the palace. We will probably have to leave by first light to avoid

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