Page 58 of Warrior Princess
We walked side by side, which elicited quite a few startled looks from the locals. After we crossed a bridge that spit us out in the center of town, we saw Jolly’s Tavern. The place was packed with people from all over Asteria.
“Wine half off!” someone standing outside the tavern yelled. “In the name of our late king, let’s drink to our fill!”
Cheers rang out in the tavern and in the streets and everyone raised a glass in King Alwyn’s name.
The crowd parted with several startled gasps as we strode into the tavern. I scanned the patrons, searching for a Valorian woman, which proved to be a difficult venture when I realized how many Valorians were inside.
“How can we tell who she is without asking someone?” I murmured to Ronan and Shiro.
Ronan's gaze swept across the room, taking in the raucous laughter and the clinking of glasses as patrons celebrated and mourned in equal measure. “We may need to rely on more than just visual cues. Let's think about what we know—she's amidwife, so she might discuss topics related to her profession, perhaps even in passing.”
Shiro nodded, his eyes sharp and focused. “We listen,” he suggested, his voice low. “We move through the crowd, and listen in to conversations without intruding. If she's here and talking to someone, she might mention something about her work or past.”
I agreed, suddenly feeling a bit more hopeful. “If we split up, we can cover more ground. Let’s meet back here in an hour. If one of us finds her, don't approach. Just come back and report.”
Ronan squeezed my hand briefly before we parted ways, each trying our best to blend into the crowd. The interior was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of roasted meat and spiced wine. I drifted near a group of women; their conversation was light and punctuated by laughter. Moving on, I edged closer to a pair of older men discussing the properties of various medicinal herbs—a topic that piqued my interest, but they weren't who I was looking for.
An hour slipped by quickly. We reconvened at the designated spot, each of us shaking our heads. No luck. The noise and sheer number of people made it difficult to eavesdrop effectively or pick out anyone who might be Abigail.
“Maybe it’s time to be more direct,” Ronan suggested, frustration edging his voice. “Ask around subtly. See if anyone bites.”
Shiro agreed. “It's riskier, but we're running out of time. Let's try a few questions. If we're careful, we shouldn't draw too much attention.”
With a new plan in mind, we each took a section of the tavern. I approached the bartender, a burly man with a friendly face who was wiping down the counter.
“Excuse me,” I started, my voice casual. “I'm looking for a friend. She's a midwife, moved here from Valoria a few years back. She's helped a lot of families here, I bet.”
The bartender paused, his expression thoughtful. “A midwife, eh? We've got a few of those around, but one from Valoria... Yeah, might know who you're talking about. Keeps to herself mostly, comes in now and then for a drink. Haven't seen her tonight, though.”
I offered a smile. “Thanks.”
As we regrouped to share our findings, I relayed the bartender's words. “It's not much, but it's something. Maybe she'll come by later. At least now we have confirmation that she comes here pretty regularly.”
Ronan nodded, though Shiro's face was unreadable. “We stay a bit longer,” Shiro decided. “Watch the door; see if she comes in. If not, we come back tomorrow.”
Settling into a corner with a good view of the entrance, we ordered drinks and attempted to blend in, although each of us was alert to every new face that entered the tavern. Our vigilance remained constant as the night deepened, hope mingling with the growing fatigue of a long day.
“We should go soon,” Ronan said with a yawn. We hadn’t rested much since our travels. “My father might be looking for us in the inn.”
“He won’t,” Shiro reassured us. “We can stay a bit longer.”
Ronan furrowed his brows. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”
Shiro shrugged. “Of course. But it won’t do you any good to ask questions because I won’t tell you.”
Ronan sighed and rolled his eyes. “Of course you won’t. Why am I not surprised?”
Shiro grinned and then his face turned serious as he turned his attention back to scanning the tavern. “Oh, look over there!”He motioned with his head toward the door. “That’s a Valorian woman… and she’s alone.”
I looked toward where he motioned and saw an older woman in her late fifties to early sixties with auburn hair and the birthmark on her forehead that made her unmistakenly Valorian.
“That’s her,” I murmured and quickly stood before them and hurried toward her. I tugged her sleeve and turned her to face me. “Abigail?” I asked with a raised brow.
She frowned. “Who’s asking?” she said defensively.
I knew right then and there that I’d found her. I leaned forward and whispered, “Princess Lyanna, that’s who.”
Her eyebrows shot up and she gasped, then ripped her sleeve from my grip. She frantically looked around the tavern and I saw the moment she noticed Ronan and Shiro. Before I could say another word, she spun on her heels and darted out of the tavern.
