Reign Shadowfell's Arc

Chapter 20 of 29

Reign finished his ale and set the cup down. Lux drained the last of his sweet hooch and licked the rim. Lyla left half her wine. Vixen wiped her mouth on the back of her hand and stood. Lux slid off the bench, coins already in his fist, and marched to the bar to settle the tab. He counted out the payment with a grin, added an extra piece for the barmaid, and told her the food was good enough that he would lie about it later. Reign walked to the counter alone. The keeper was an older woman with flour on her sleeves and sharp eyes. She looked into his face and did not look away. "Usually royal blood sleeps at the castle," she said. Her voice was low. She did not say which castle. She did not need to. Reign kept his hands on the wood and his mouth closed over his teeth. "We'll be heading there tomorrow," he said. "Tonight I wanted quiet. Something normal." The keeper studied him a moment longer. Then she smirked and reached under the counter for a key. "Room 4B. Second floor. Biggest room I have. It should fit all of you." She set the iron key in his palm and closed his fingers over it. "Whatever comes through my door tonight, boy, comes for you, not for me. Keep it upstairs." Reign nodded once. Vixen stepped up beside him and thanked her. Lyla thanked her twice, quiet and careful. The keeper only nodded and turned to wipe a glass. They climbed the narrow stairs together. Lux went first, sniffing at each landing. Vixen came behind Reign with her hand near her belt. Lyla followed last with the bag. The hallway smelled of lamp oil and old wood. Room 4B was at the end. Reign turned the key and pushed the door open. Two beds. A long couch under the window. A washbasin. A single lamp already lit low on the table. He stepped in first and checked the window latch, the closet, the space under each bed. Then he waved the others through and shut the door behind them. Reign lifted the amulet from under his shirt and let it rest against the outside of the cloth. The red stone caught the lamplight. The silver serpent and the black raven showed plain on his chest. He would not meet his grandfather's people in worn road clothes and a hidden pledge. He would meet them as what he was. Vixen saw the change and gave a small nod. Lyla sat on the couch and folded her hands. Lux climbed onto the window sill and watched the street below. "They're already moving," he said. "Two on the corner. One on the roof across." Reign sat in the chair facing the door and waited for the knock.