Page 43 of Cage of Destiny
“There’s no need to worry,”Neco assured her. “Jana was very explicit in her instructions thatyou be delivered alive. No one will risk incurring herwrath.”
“Be careful,” Darmik said.“Remember everything you’ve been taught.”
“You’ll be fine,” Necoadded. “If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t be going along withyour father’s plan.”
She almost laughed. The two of themwere spending an awful lot of time assuring her that everythingwould be fine. They seemed more nervous than she was.
“I love you,” Darmiksaid.
“Love you too.” She urgedher horse on before she could change her mind. This plan wouldwork—it had to. Winding between the tall trees, she refused to lookback at her father and Neco. She would see them again. Nothingwould go wrong. Not when the brightest minds and greatest militaryleaders were working together. They would bring Jana to her knees,and then kill her. And Allyssa’s nightmares would beover.
Exiting the forest, thesmall town came into view. Situated between low rolling hills,Jontis served as a pit stop for travelers and consisted of severalinns and taverns. Most of the structures were two-story buildingswith thatched roofs. Several people were walking along the narrowstreets. Not seeing anyone else on horseback, Allyssa dismountedand searched for a barn to stable her horse.
The air was frigid, so shepulled her sleeves down over her hands in an attempt to stay warm.Her horse nickered, seeming uncomfortable. She kept talking softly,trying to keep the horse calm. Most of the people she passed werehulking, wide-shouldered, heavily muscled men with long hair,typical for Russek soldiers. From here on out, she had to assumeshe was being tracked—by Nathenek and the enemy.
“Stable’s on the westside,” a man sitting on the ground said, making her jump. Shehadn’t even noticed him sitting there. His hair was a mess,sticking out in all directions, and his smile revealed severalmissing teeth.
“Thank you.” She headedthat way, her skin tingling with the sensation that spiders werecrawling on her arms and legs. She wanted to jump up and down toshake them off, but she knew nothing was there. Rather, someone wasfollowing her. When she had first agreed to this plan, it seemedlike a clever idea. Now, not so much.
How would Kerdan’s men getto her first?Stop it, she scolded herself. This was a much smaller town thanEmperor’s City, and she managed just fine there all on her own.Nathenek had worked with and trained her for a reason. It was timeto put everything she’d learned to use.
“Looking for a place to tieyour horse?” a woman asked, holding a pitchfork in onehand.
“Yes.” Allyssa had arrivedat the stables without even realizing it.
“Bring your mare in here.”The woman slid open the door, and the welcome smell of hay filledthe air.
After putting her horse inone of the stalls, Allyssa paid the woman extra money, knowing shewouldn’t be back for the animal anytime soon. Leaving the stables,she suddenly felt naked without the steady presence of the horse ather side. She ignored the sensation of feeling oddly exposed andfocused on the plan. She’d completed the first requirement andstabled the horse. Now onto the second. Go to the nearest tavernand inquire about Kerdan.
Glancing at the nearbybuildings, she spotted a tavern across the street. Bloody hell. Shecouldn’t believe she was doing this. Making her way around a groupof men, she pushed open the rickety door and stepped inside. Onceher eyes adjusted, she headed toward the long bar at the front ofthe dark room. Only a handful of people sat at thetables.
“What’ll it be?” thebartender asked, wiping a mug with a towel.
“House ale.” Her late-nightescapades with Grevik were paying off. Ordering a drink at a barwas something a princess wouldn’t know how to do.
The bartender pulled out a jug andfilled the mug. When he slid it in front of her, she handed him acoin and realized her hands were shaking.
“You okay?” heasked.
“Fine.”She tried to smile. “Actually, I’m looking for a friend.” Shecouldn’t use Kerdan’s name—that would be too obvious. Kerdan hadsuggested she be as subtle as possible. The fact she was a femaletraveling alone, and she matched the description Jana gave, wouldbe more than enough for people to recognize her. She took a sip ofthe ale. Blasted, that was some strong stuff. Nathenek had drilledit in her that to play a part well, she had tobethe part. So, she wasa scared princess looking for the exiled prince to save her lover.“Anyone new come into town today?” she asked.
The bartender laughed.“Honey, everyone that comes in here is new. No one stays. If you’relooking for someone, best go walking around searching for him.Won’t find no one sitting in here drinking.” He squinted. “Unlessyou’re looking for a paying customer?” He soundedskeptical.
Her face went flaming red,and she sat up nice and tall. “No, I’m not that sort of girl.” Hewas either teasing or testing her. Taking another sip of the ale,she glanced around the room. “What about anyone from the army?” sheasked, lowering her voice. “Have you seen… a captain? Or anyhigh-ranking officer?” She widened her eyes, trying to appearnaïve.
“We don’t serve the army inhere.” A patron entered, sitting at the other end of the bar. Thebartender went over, pouring the man a drink.
Something in the airshifted, and Allyssa instinctively knew someone was approachingfrom behind her. Unsheathing one of her daggers, she held it in thepalm of her hand, ready to use it if need be.
“Looking for someone, areya?” a man asked, the smell of smoke heavy on him.
“Yes.” He sat on the stoolnext to her. Was he Kerdan’s man or Jana’s soldier? They shouldhave decided on some sort of signal so she would know. UnlessKerdan didn’t want her to know so her fear would be genuine. Sherolled her eyes. That was something he would do.
“Why don’t you tell me whoyou’re looking for, and I’ll find him for you?” He took her ale andchugged it.
She raised an eyebrow,watching him slam her empty mug down on the bar. “I don’t think youcan help me. I’m looking for an officer in the army.” She made noattempt to hide her accent.
“What’s your name?” heasked, eyeing her.
