Night Games

Amira

Night winds howled, muffled only by the roaring cheers of men. The room appeared dark, lit merely by lanterns that swung from the wall casting shadows throughout the dim tavern. Overcrowded with the familiar and lingering smell of musk and beer, only miscreants were out at this time of night but that hasn't stopped me yet. One man towered over the rest. Rugged, torn clothes hugged his body a little too tightly and his scruffy beard gave off a foul smell. He laid his cards down on the table so roughly the mugs of house brew shook. Words weren't necessary, the smirk that crept upon his face said plenty. Scars covered his arms, intimidating most that crossed his path. The mark on his arm suggested he was a hunter.

So, the rumors were true. The Queen had begun to brand the citizens. The coins were not enough anymore, too easily stolen I suppose.

All eyes darted to the old wooden table. On the far side lay three Jacks and two Queens. Full house. He had a right to smirk.

Three other men lay their cards face down.

Cowards.

Only one hand remained.

Time to play the hand that I was dealt.

Ten. Jack. Queen. King. Ace. A royal flush.

Men roared and a pair of strong hands slammed the table scattering cards and drinks to the floor. "Cheater!" The grizzly loser yelled.

"Now, now ... just because you lost to a girl doesn't mean that I cheated." I smirked as I gathered the coins from the table into my coin purse hidden in a satchel under my robes. I had made sure the coin around my neck remained visible, not that everyone here didn't know who I was. I was anything but a stranger to these parts. "Now, if you will excuse me, it's awfully late for a lady to be outside the castle. Wouldn't you agree?" Keeping my eyes firmly locked on Cyrus, the man who clearly had a problem losing to a lady. He held out his arm cornering me against a wall. The potent smell of fish and body odor burned my nostrils. "That's no way to treat a lady, right gentlemen?" I stood my ground.

The room had gone quiet. The remaining men, bartenders, and even the 'working women' stopped to see what would happen. "Perhaps you should let her go. Best not to quarrel with a lady of the court." A man's voice sprung from the dark.

"You, Amira, are no lady!" Cyrus grunted while withdrawing his arm back to his side. "Get out, but I had better not see you in here again." His voice was loud enough for everyone in the tavern to hear.

I never lost my calm. Instead, I smiled sweetly at Cyrus and narrowed my eyes. "That wouldn't be any fun, now would it?" Cyrus bit his tongue and made his way to the bar ordering a pint to soothe his ego.

He was right, it was late. A lady shouldn't be outside the castle at midnight. Let alone outside the castle without company. I had other people to play cards with but Lorin had thought it child's play and I couldn't take money from Aryn. I hid my satchel as best I could. Robbers would frequent the streets under the dim light of the moon. I was practiced with a blade and kept a dagger easily accessible at my side, but I was small and the blade in need of sharpening. A group of men could easily take advantage of a woman my size.

The air was crisp and the few street lanterns lit a path around the city. The nights were becoming longer, the trees slowly shedding their leaves. I pulled my cloak in closer, the soft fabric gently caressing my chilled cheeks. Although the days were hot, the night was filled with winds from the North. The seasons were changing. The stars were enough when the lanterns became too few. Still, I kept to the shadows. Best not to be seen. I was good at not being seen. Although I was a lady of the court, shown off as prized merchandise, I spent my days as a maid just as the rest of the young ladies at court. 'Jewels of the court' we were called, but we had to earn our keep none the less. With many years slipping around the palace fulfilling my chores, I easily learned to go unnoticed when I wanted.

Even if I ran into guards, I could easily play the role of a silly lost girl. It would be all too easy to explain away some menial task, even for the night. The Royals were anything but patient people, most of them. The guards knew not to question the maidens or give them too much attention. The Queen allowed little interaction with her property. That is unless they were prepared to pay the price.

The halls were silent as I crept to my quarters. If that's what you wanted to call it. It had everything but room. A nice bed, a large vanity, and stacks of dresses. A lady must be kept well presented for suitors at all times. Paid for by the work they did and the dowry money that came when they were 'chosen' for a suitor.

I had weaseled my way out of all the suitors that had come my way, and early on there were many. Not so many now that rumor had spread of my 'uneasiness' to claim.

I loosened my robes and emptied my coin purse on my bed. Five gold coins, better than most nights, but not as much as I had hoped. The castle had been stricter on guard duty lately, making it nearly impossible to slip in and out. Luckily, I knew my way around very well.

I slipped under the small of my vanity. I hadn't any need for a lamp, my fingers knew the grooves well. With a small knife I carved a stone from the wall and took out a small box. I placed my earnings from the night inside and replaced the box, leaving no trace of its existence. Not much longer, I hoped.

After changing to my night-gown, I slipped into my lumpy bed, closed my eyes, and slowly drifted into an uneasy slumber.

Morning Light

Aryn

Shadows filled the grand hall, falling along the pillars. I crouched low, steadying my breath. The nearly empty room echoed and mocked even the slightest sound. I was being hunted. The sound of a rolling pebble caught my ear. Shifting my weight slightly, a loose strand of hair fell in my eyes. I silently cursed myself. I knew better than to fall for a distraction. Especially that of a small pebble. Fortunately, I stayed in a position that gave no hint of my whereabouts, yet I had to move soon. Sitting prey was easy prey.

I closed my eyes, I knew this room well. Even down to the smell. A faint whiff of musty smoke burned my nostrils. He was close.

Gripping my sword tighter, I lunged out at my attacker. The steal of my sword caught my opponent's. Our eyes locked, the flame from the lanterns ignited the face opposite of mine. His expression stern and unchanged. I leapt back and lunged toward the swordsman again. We were both fit and strong, but where he was muscular I was lean. My advantage would be my quick feet and stamina. If I could continue to strike as a viper, I could catch him off guard.

Slipping in for another charge, I felt my feet being swept from beneath me. Tipping forward I took an elbow to the chest, knocking the wind from me, causing me to fall on my back coughing for air. My sword hand been knocked out of my hand but laid only inches from my reach. I stretched my aching fingers to find my weapon while my eyes adjusted to the dark corner I crawled toward. A heavy boot stepped on my arm shooting a pain up to my shoulder. At last, a sharp sensation tickled at my throat. A sword.

"Say it." The man demanded.

"Never!" As I swallowed, the sharp blade scraped against my Adam's apple.

The sword dug deeper into my throat, a single drop of blood slowly dripping down my...