Page 100 of Cages and Crowns
“Not far at all, maybe an hour at this pace.” He responds. We stay quiet for a while, and I relish the silence. I don’t know what to do, what to think. What option to choose. He can take the child’s life. He can remove the curse that is flowing through my veins.
But is that even what it is? Would that even do anything?
I get lost in my thoughts as we continue on. We pass farms, trees dotting the vast plains and hills, and then we reach the crest of another green hill, where we stop.
Down below in the valley lay a town larger than I have ever seen. Rows and rows of houses, stores and taverns fill the maze of streets. A large building sits in the very center, made of pale stone. Ships of all sizes are docked off land, smaller boats line up against the many piers. Smoke billows out of the different chimneys, the different buildings.
I have never seen anything like it.
“My gods.” I whisper, my mouth staying open like a fish.
“I say we stop at the inn, board the horses, and then find something to eat.” Enzo says and all I can do is nod.
He pulls his horse towards the path and mine follows. I watch the town, thecity, as we grow closer and closer. No walls border the outside of it. No fear of invasion. No fear of anything, really. The cobblestones under the horses click as we trot through the town.
People stare as we pass, their shops open. I see roasted meats and bread. Cloth, and small toys. I even see a bookstore.
I can’t keep the smile off my face as our horses stop in front of a two-story white building. Enzo dismounts and hands his reigns off to a man who comes out of the building. Nero does the same before walking over and offering his arms. I nod, and he grabs my waist, helping me off my horse.
He lets go of me quickly before turning and scanning the area.
“What do you think?” He asks as he looks around.
“I have no words. I have never seen anything like this.” I smile up at him and he places his hand on my lower back, guiding me towards the street where Enzo is waiting.
We walk up and down the cobblestones. Children scream as they play, candles on strings are woven between windows of tight alleyways, probably to keep the area well-lit at night.
Everywhere I turn there are more people. The salty sea air fills the town, and I can’t stop breathing it in. I have never been this close to the sea.
We stop in front of a darker wood building with a fish on a hook sign above the door. Nero opens the door and glances in before I follow him.
The tavern is dark, only torches on tables to light the room. Men shouting with laughter, music playing as a man with a stringed instrument strums in the corner.
The smell of fish and something salty permeates the air as Nero leads us to a table in the corner. I sit in between them, my mouth still frozen open as I take everything in.
No one pays us any mind. No one cares.
“You look like a fish.”
“I don’t care.” Nero laughs as I look at every single person in here. Young and old, clean and dirty. Every type of person imaginable. “This is incredible.”
“You truly have never been anywhere?” Enzo asks as he flags down a barmaid.
“I haven’t.” A stout, older woman approaches with three mugs of liquid spilling everywhere. She sets them on the table and slides them over to us. I quickly grab mine before it topples over the edge. Her graying hair is pulled back into a bun, her apron covered in stains.
“What’ll it be?” She barks and I just stare at her.
“Whatever the special is.” Enzo responds. She just nods and walks away, maneuvering her way through the crowd. I look down at the mug in front of meand sniff. Something kind of sour makes my nose crinkle and Enzo laughs.
“What is this?”
“Ale. Smells disgusting, tastes even worse, but the more you drink, the better the smell and taste become.” I glance up at him with my eyebrows raised. He lifts his own mug and takes a swig before exhaling like it was the most delicious thing he has ever tasted. I look over at Nero, who isn’t touching his, and then back to my mug.
I grab the handle and bring it up to my lips. The first taste nearly makes me gag as the warm and fizzy liquid slides down my throat. It tastes like old bread mixed with overripe fruit. I set the glass down and smile up at Enzo, who looks at me as if I’m a whole different person.
Chapter Fifty-Two
The Caged
