The Orphan's Discovery by Shawn Robert Smith

Author:Shawn Robert Smith [Smith, Shawn Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-09T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Day 8 — Morning

Markus awoke, darkness filling his small room above the bar in Darfield. He heard footsteps coming from the hallway outside of his room. He looked outside the window, noticing a half-dozen men with torches. Some bore swords on their hips. He stood up and tried to listen for noises through the door. After a minute of silence, he cracked the door a sliver. His tiny view showed him the girl who helped him with the Amanuensis sitting near the stairs. He heard the door below open and men come inside. The girl turned toward the stairway and took a few steps down.

“He’s up here. In room three,” she called to them.

Markus took her momentary distraction as his chance to sneak out. He locked the door and went farther down the hall to the bathroom. He moved inside and out of the door’s path. He closed it without a sound, hoping she didn’t see him. Markus scanned the room for an exit and found a small window. He’d have to be quick to move before they found his room empty, but also quiet enough he didn’t signal his whereabouts.

He stepped into the bathtub, using its few inches of height to get him closer. Markus glanced to his right, noticing a small mirror. He hadn’t looked at himself in some time, but noticed dark lines starting to spread out from his eyes. They were subtle, but unmistakable to him. The low light in the bar made it difficult for the barkeep to notice, but the girl had a lantern lit in the backroom to help her read. She must have noticed them and feigned nonchalance until he left and fell asleep.

Markus pushed open the shutters and climbed onto the windowsill. A small part of the roof sat below him at a sharp slant. All the men looking for him had gone inside, giving him his chance to take off.

He heard slams on the door to room number three. “Open up. We know what you are. The Decayed are not welcome here!”

They kicked at it until they bashed it in. “He’s not here!”

Markus leapt to the ground outside the bar and took off running for the city exit. He glanced back to find several men chasing him. Although strong, Markus lacked the ability to run for long distances with any speed. He found the road outside Darfield that headed south, but after a few minutes, they caught up to him.

They all had their swords and shields drawn while Markus found himself with only his magic. He formed a dark sphere in each hand. The men, all middle age and ranging from fit to fat, stood before him. He caught fear in their eyes, but also a primal determination to protect themselves and their families. Markus couldn’t let them know his plan to spy on the Decayed. For one, he’d risk that any rumors that got out would include that fact and cast doubt on his alliances. He needed the Decayed to believe him.

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