The Inheritor of Light

Protection Detail (Part One)

"Not as long as I'm on contract."

"Oh, and how much are you being paid under this 'contract?'"

"Twenty gold trade coins up front, and twenty when I deliver you back to your ivory tower. It's a small fortune, but it'll fund me for several months at least."

"Oh, so we're only in it for the money then? No semblance of loyalty for king and country, is that it?" Sãra mocked.

"What has king and country ever done for me? I'm not some altruistic fool who thinks that by sacrificing everything I'll earn some grander reward."

"That's a stupid thing to say. My father did just that and look what he gained." Sãra made a half-hearted attempt to wave her hand around the room.

Johnathan eyed her suspiciously. "I'm not buying it. If the kings such an amazing person, he'd be out here right now trying to fix his own damn kingdom. Instead, he's locked up in the palace."

Sãra leapt of the bed. "You don't get it! Even though he's afflicted by a horrible illness, he still does everything he can for Milzoc!"

"Is that why he sent you out here? Some king who'd send his bratty little girl to do his job."

"Ho—how dare you! I'll have you know that—"

A knock at their door silenced their argument. A moment later, it opened to Timothy carrying a tray full of food. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I heard quite the lively conversation from down the hall. I can only imagine about the other patrons in the rooms around here. So, unless you want other people listening in on what you're saying, you may wish to keep it down."

Sãra turned away, a scowl attached to her face.

"Thanks, Timothy. Go ahead and set it down on the table there." Johnathan swung his legs off the side of his bed as Timothy set down the tray.

"Well, if that is all, I'll be off. Enjoy your evening, and do try to keep the commotion down." He nodded to both of them and then left the room.

Johnathan stood up and walked over to the table in the corner. He pulled out one of the two chairs and sat down. He grabbed a plate of food and began eating it. After a minute, he looked over to Sãra. "If you keep pouting like that, I'm going eat yours as well."

"What do you care?"

"I don't. However, if you don't eat, you're not going to do well tomorrow."

"Maybe I'll just stay here."

Johnathan stopped for a moment. "You could. However, Timothy isn't just going to let you stay for free. I doubt you have any money, but he'd probably let you work it off. He could always do with a barmaid."

Sãra gritted her teeth. Timothy didn't seem like the sort to that would gawk at credit. She was nobility after all. If she wanted to, she could buy a hundred taverns. "I'm a princess, it's not like I'm not good for it."

Johnathan broke down laughing. Sãra's mouth went agape as she watched him try not to choke on his food. She couldn't understand it. Why was he laughing? Was it at her? The thoughts made her angry again.

Johnathan managed to wrestle back control of himself. "That was beautiful. Go ahead little princess, go right now and declare to him your nobility. I'm certain he'll give you the best room in the place."

"It's not a joke."

Johnathan gave her a bemused smile. "You're not in the capital or a large city, princess. Out here, people don't do things on credit. Besides, I'm not sure how many of the people around here even know there's a princess, let alone would have ever seen you. More than likely, they'd think you'd gone stark raving mad. Although, that would get you a nice and cozy little cell to sleep in, so it might work."

"Maybe I'll just travel to a larger city. Millross is nearby here, I'm certain I could get aid from Earl Embridge."

Johnathan took a bite out of a chicken leg. "Sure you could." He waved around the half-eaten piece as he spoke. "Of course, since I'm not going that direction, you'd be all on your own. I don't think you'd want to have another run-in with bandits." He finished the piece in another two bites and dropped the bone onto the plate.

Sãra took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Fine." She sat down in the other chair and began eating as well. At least the meal wasn't bad.

After the meal, the two of them retired. Sãra had never slept in the same room as a man, so she felt somewhat uncomfortable and strangely self-conscience. Adding to her discomfort was the fact she didn't have any sort of nightwear. So, she was forced to sleep in her dress, which was hardly a comfortable thing to do. Still, the exhaustion from the day before was more than enough to ensure she fell right to sleep.

The following morning, she was woken up by Johnathan calling her to breakfast. Sãra managed to drag herself out of bed and ate the meal of eggs and buttered toast with tea. "This is hardly a breakfast for royalty," she said, taking a sip of tea.

"If you want something better, you'll have to wait until you're back in Cerenzi. Until then, this will probably be the best breakfast you have for the next couple days."

"What are you saying?"

Johnathan set finished his piece of toast. "What I'm saying is that we won't be in another town for the rest of our trip. This is the last hot meal you'll have." He held up his mug and then took a swig.

Sãra looked down at her cup. It wasn't very good tea, but it would have to do. Very soon, she'd be back on the road and away from any semblance of culture. She took her time drinking the tea; Johnathan ended up having to scold her for it.

They left the room within the hour. Johnathan set the key on the bar counter, before walking to the door. "I'll see you later, Timothy."

"And you as well, Johnathan," Timothy called after them as the door came to a close.

"Alright, now to Cerenzi. Steel yourself, princess, we've got a long walk ahead of us."

"Oh joy."