Over by the window, three extremely loud men were drinking something green and frothy from big wooden mugs, which they flailed around in the air while talking. A middle-aged woman with two children sat on the bench next to them, and she seemed to be having a very hard time trying to get her wailing offspring to eat. A few others, still wearing their cloaks, had sat down and were quietly eating breakfast, but Aunt Serena and Erien were not there.
The innkeeper saw me and hurried over. “Apologies, my lady. The others didn’t want to wake you, and the lady Serena said she would be back soon. Would you like something to eat?”
I nodded as the innkeeper brought over a basket of warm bread with a bowl of freshly churned white butter, a whole honeycomb on a wooden plate, and a small pot of a red berry jam, which was delicious. He also produced a big bowl of juicy strawberries, and with it a jug of thick, yellow cream. I ate furiously; everything was scrumptious, and who knew when I would get my next meal?
I was finishing my third helping of strawberries and cream when Aunt Serena and Rafe came back to the inn. A few of the people in the inn looked over at us but quickly resumed their own business. Aunt Serena sat down next to me, but Rafe remained standing. He didn’t take off his cloak, and he still had his hood on.
“Did you have a good rest?” His tone was nonchalant, but he looked like his mind was elsewhere.
I nodded. My mouth was still full.
“Have you finished your breakfast?” Aunt Serena asked me. “We should get going. It’s still a long way to Evolon.”
“Where’s Erien?”
“Seeing to the horses.”
I nodded again, took a piece of buttered bread, and got up.
Rafe turned to the innkeeper and lowered his voice. “I have something I want you to do for me, Bumbletree.”
“I am always at your service, milord.”
Rafe gave him a sealed scroll. “See that it is delivered to our mutual friend.”
The little man bowed and tucked the scroll into his apron pocket.
I was curious. Mutual friend? Who was this mutual friend, and what was in that scroll? I decided to ask him later, when he was in a better mood. At the moment, both Rafe and Aunt Serena looked very preoccupied.
“I would advise you to take the old road,” said the little man to Rafe as I put on my cloak. “The king’s road has Blue Cloaks patrolling all the way south.”
“Blue Cloaks?” I threw a look at Rafe.
“The King of Eldoren’s elite guard,” Rafe answered. “We will keep to the inner roads.”
Aunt Serena nodded, agreeing with him. “But why are the Blue Cloaks here? The king is in Neris.”
Bumbletree leaned forward. “Yes, he is, my lady. But there is something else you should know.” He paused, looked around, and said, “The Shadow Guard have been seen prowling about these parts. There were six of them seen just north of here last moon tide.”
“Six!” hissed Aunt Serena, her lips a thin line.
The little man nodded. “They say that the Shadow Guard have been roaming the southern lands more frequently now. They have even been seen as far south as the villages in the valley. They seem to be searching for a prisoner, a girl. Supposedly with long, jet-black hair and eyes like a cat.” He looked at me for a second before he turned back to Aunt Serena. “That’s why the Blue Cloaks are out in full force; the Shadow Guard have to be kept in check.”
Rafe’s eyes narrowed to ice chips. “I will send a raven to Silverthorne to keep watch. Thank you for warning us.”
Aunt Serena thanked the innkeeper while Rafe paid him, and I popped a strawberry into my mouth. I followed Aunt Serena and Rafe to the stables, which were situated at the back of the inn. Erien had already saddled the horses, and they were ready and waiting when we arrived there.
We rode through the crowded morning market. The tiny streets were paved with cobblestones, and some were simple, rough mud paths, which were now littered with people and livestock. I saw some pigs wallowing in the mud outside a small wooden house with a thatched roof that looked like it would fall down with a sudden gust of wind.
We passed through the town gates, which were now open. Oxen-driven carts filled with fruits, vegetables, and bags of what looked like grain rolled in at a leisurely pace, driven by farmers who had come a long way to the town to sell their goods. Numerous people, chickens, and dogs rushed about the horses’ legs, and I had to struggle to keep my horse from being startled.
Rafe had a ship waiting for us on the river. It looked a bit like a pirate galleon, but smaller and better suited for river travel. We got off our horses, and Aunt Serena’s guards led them onboard and below deck where the horses were stowed. The crew started scurrying around the deck, getting ready to raise the anchor and unfurl the sails.
“This is where I take your leave,” said Rafe.
“But I thought you were supposed to escort us all the way to Evolon,” I blurted out without thinking, as usual.
Rafe’s lips curved slightly. “I have done what your uncle wanted. You will not be recognized now. Your Aunt Serena’s guards will escort you from here. I assure you, you shall be quite safe.”
“Why did you tell the innkeeper that we would be traveling by the old road?”
“Always helps to be careful,” he said, “just in case anyone recognized me.”
I nodded. What else was there to say?
“Till we meet again.” Rafe spurred his black monster of a horse into an easy canter and rode away toward
