Missing Royal by Konstanz Silverbow

Author:Konstanz Silverbow [Silverbow, Konstanz]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-03-19T23:00:00+00:00

The sun sets but Javiar asks that we push on, knowing that we are almost there. I am ready to give up for the night just as lights twinkling in the distance give me hope. I’m ready to run for it. We’re so close.

I expected to see more people but the cobblestone streets are barren. Not a stir is made, and I realize I don’t know where Valentino is. He said to meet him here. But he never specified which home—or the inn, perhaps.

“You’re leading from here on out.” Javiar says. He doesn’t know either.

“Let’s start at the inn. I want a hot meal and a warm bed.” I turn down one street hoping I’m even going in the right direction. I hear laughter from inside the large building to my left. A sign hangs above the door but I can’t make out what it says.

“Not there.” He rides up beside me and puts his hand on my arm.

“Why not?”

“That’s no inn—that’s the alehouse. A whole lot of drunkards there. No, this is the inn.” He leads us farther down the street. There is noise from within but not laughing and shrieks. I’m glad he stopped me—I’m glad I brought him with me.

I follow Javiar’s lead and dismount. We walk the horses down the small alley behind the inn and put the horses in the stables. I don’t want to leave Star but I can’t bring her in with me.

Once the horses are as secure as they’ll be in a place like this, we walk back around the inn to the front door. A wave of smoke and the smell of drinks, vomit, and body odor hit me when we walk through the door. There’s drinking and eating, singing and storytelling. People of all kinds sit in a large room heated by a fireplace. At the back of the room is the bar, and a large man with a short beard and mustache of black and white greets us jovially.

“Wha’ can we get yer?” he asks Javiar, not even noting I’m there.

“We need a room for the night,” Javiar says. I wish he had asked for two but then I look at all the people and change my mind. I don’t want to be alone.

“Tha’ll be twelve ’oppers.” He holds out a hand. I don’t know what he’s actually asking for so I’m glad Javiar understands, though he doesn’t look happy about paying the man. I wonder if that’s a lot of money.

“Will yer and lady be needin’ supper as well? On the house, of course.” He looks to me. I want a hot meal but I let Javiar do the talking.

“Yes. Brought to our room.” Javiar nods.

“Of course,” the man says, winking. I shudder. “Marda!” he yells. A woman half his size walks out from behind the counter holding a single key.

“This way,” she says. No smile, no greeting. She doesn’t seem pleased. We follow her up a flight of stairs that makes so much noise, I’m pretty sure it should be condemned.

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