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2023-01-26 09:31:55"What exactly is your plan here Sloan?" Hunt asks me after the boy leaves.
"Gather information. After that I will see about going back. I have to make sure that Raoul does not think that he managed to run me off already. He seems to think rather highly of himself as it is." I tell him.
Raoul might think that he got rid of me with the last mission that he gave me but if he thinks he can run me off that easily then he is going to have to think again. I am not that easy to get rid of. Not by any means. I will always make my way back stronger than ever.
"You want to go back? After what the Guild did to you? Why not get away. We can leave and find a better life. We can learn how to do something else and be happy. Together like we always are." Hunt says.
I know that we could easily learn a trade and do something else but why would he want to give up everything we have worked for already? Why would he think that I would be happy leaving with him? I have spent my entire life trying to learn who I am and who my parents are and I cannot just leave the place that I was born in and all of that information behind. I have to stay and learn everything I can about my past.
"Of course I want to go back. That Guild is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. To us. I have to go back. It is the closest thing we have ever had to having a home of our own. I will not be happy until we set things right and I go back to the Guild." I tell him.
"Will I never be enough for you? You have always been enough for me. We have been best friends our entire lives. Through everything. Why can't we do that again? Why does it have to be the Guild?" He asks exasperatedly.
"Hunt, you are the best friend that I could ever ask for. I do not want to lose you ever. Still, I have been learning so much with the Guild and I am getting closer to learning who my parents are. I want to go back. I have a feeling that I was set up for a reason. That reason has to be important if they were going to set me up for something that bad." I say quietly.
Hunt stares at me sadly as I explain everything that I need to do. I have to get the answers that are floating around somewhere. For all I know, the answers could be the only thing that keeps me alive in the future. If this is what happens when I start getting close to learning something then it is only going to get worse before it gets better.
"I think that it is time that we make our way back inside for some food. I am not sure what she was cooking but it smelled fantastic." Hunt says with a forced lightness.
I give him a funny look as we turn and head back down the ladder and into the Tavern. He has been acting strangely the last couple of days and I am not sure why. He just keeps talking about me getting into more trouble and having to save me. Now, he will not leave my side. We might have been best friends our entire lives but we have always kept a bit of space between us. What changed for him now?
"It looks like you guys could use a warm meal. Come on back here and help yourself to a bowl of stew and a hunk of bread. It is leftover from lunch and we will end up just throwing it out so eat as much as you want. We will be preparing for dinner soon." The tavern keeper says before she walks back towards the front of the building.
We grab seats and settle into our stew. It really is quite delicious. It looks to be chunks of rabbit and hearty vegetables floating around in the soup. Whoever cooked it is really good at what they do. The flavors are enough to make me want to keep eating bowl after bowl.
Instead of eating nonstop, I finish after the third bowl and begin cleaning up. Hunt eats one more bowl than I do and then stands up to start stretching. He brings me his dishes as I begin to wash my own. If I am going to be a dishwasher then I might as well start with our dishes.
Hunt gives me a sad look before walking back towards the front to find out what his chores in the stable are. We most likely will not get a chance to see each other again until after dinner. Taverns are amazing at keeping workers busy and visitors entertained. They eat and drink nonstop so I am expecting plenty of dishes to keep rolling back to me.
"Ah, I see that you have already started. Good. Once you get all of those washed I would like you to take all of the leftovers out back. There are a couple of people out there with buckets that will take whatever is left with them. After that you will need to wash the big pot and get some more water boiling. The cook will be back soon to start the next meal." She instructs.
I nod my head and quickly get back to work. I do not want to be stuck back her for the entire night. If I get the chance I want to head out to the front and see what all is going on out there. If I can listen to enough rumors then I might have a chance of landing back on my feet sometime in the near future. I just have to find enough luck to hear the right conversations.
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The Royal Thieves 5
My chance to head out to the front of the building comes at an unexpectedly perfect time. Here I am, just washing dishes like a good girl, when all of a sudden there is a commotion at the front of the Tavern. I know that I am not supposed to go out there unless called but I cannot help but peek my head around the corner to see what is going on. In walks four of the Royal Guardians with Prince Francis in the middle of them. He looks around the room quickly before finding a table that is free. As soon as he walks over to the table with his guards the surrounding tables all clear out to give them some privacy. Not that they are not all still straining their ears to listen or anything.Mary walks in just as I get back to washing dishes and gives me a click once over. I am not sure what she is looking for but she seems satisfied with whatever it is. She walks over and stops right next to me and just waits for me to set down my dishes. I do so and turn to her with a polite smile that makes
Last Updated : 2023-01-31The Royal Thieves 6
While the prince and his guardians drink and talk, I find myself hovering just a few tables back to give them their privacy. Even though they do not want me too close to them if I try getting much further away then I earn myself a dirty look from Prince Francis. Apparently even though I am not to get any closer I cannot get too far either. Good to know."More ale." One of the guardians says slamming their tankard down.I rush over with a pitcher of ale and begin refilling it. I make my way around the table and fill everybody else's drinks as well. The entire time, I can feel the Prince's eyes on me. Studying me. I am not sure what he wishes to find but I feel extremely uncomfortable with his assessment.Once I reach his chair I lean over slightly to pour his ale. He reaches a hand back and begins rubbing it up the back of my leg causing me to jump and spill a few drops of it. Everybody at the table begins laughing as I mutter quick apologies before scampering off to grab a rag to clea
Last Updated : 2023-02-02The Royal Thieves 7
I find myself blushing as I stand back up and brush off my skirt. Looking around I find that all of the other patrons are pointedly not looking in our direction. I am grateful for the fact that they are not all watching but still upset that they all know exactly what is going on. I grab all of the rags and quickly walk back to the kitchen area. Mary has her head close to the cook whispering but stop abruptly as soon as I walk into the room. Like that is not obvious at all. Mary shoots me a dirty look as I drop off the rags and turn to head back out to the dining area. "I see that you are willing to throw away your man for a prince. Typical nobility." Mary says snidely. I pivot on my heel and walk back towards her. Even if I really was with Hunt she has no right to talk to me like that. I did not ask for his attention and with him being the Prince I cannot exactly tell him off. Not that I want to if it gets me more information. "I did not ask for his attention. In fact, I would pre
Last Updated : 2023-02-10The Royal Thieves 8
I make my way quickly to the stables where Hunt is busy cleaning out stalls while another helper is taking care of the Prince's horses. Apparently Hunt is not considered trustworthy enough to actually take care of a horse. All he can do is clean up after them. Considering how often he has cleaned up my messes I cannot help but admit that he is rather good at it. When we walk in he looks up at us and gives me a quick smile before noticing my new friend. I give him a reassuring smile as his falters and wave him over to us. After leaning the pitchfork carefully against the wall, he makes his way over to us carefully. I can tell that me being followed in here by a knight has him extremely nervous. "What's going on?" He asks as he approaches us. "This knight here would like to escort you to the gates that we arrived through earlier." I say. I planned on explaining why but the Knight promptly gives me a sharp jab in the back that he does not even try to hide from Hunt. There is no denyin
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"They were telling the truth Your Highness. With the direction that they entered the town from I cannot see how they could have been involved. It was just bad luck for them that they showed up today of all days." The knight says to the Prince.Hunt is very carefully holding his tongue. Very likely biting it to keep from saying what he wants to say. He knows as well as I do that if he were to say what he was thinking to the Prince then there is a good chance that he would be killed for speaking to him that way. I will just have to explain all of this to him a little later."Thank you. You may go back to the stables." The Prince says waving Hunt away with a hand.Hunt walks away while looking back at me. His face is bright red and furious but there is really nothing to be done about it. It is not like we are together anways. He will just have to deal with what is going on. When I glance towards the kitchen, Mary is watching Hunt walk away with a worried expression as well."Well, I see
Last Updated : 2023-02-12The Royal Thieves 10
I quickly make my way back out to the Prince with new tankards full of ale. I might need to know how to get out of joining him for the night but I cannot spend much time in there with Mary and the Cook talking about ways to get out of it without the Prince getting upset that I have not returned yet. I am already exhausted after stealing from the castle, walking miles here and now working while waiting on information. I see Hunt glancing my way as I pass one of the windows returning to the Prince. He and his knights are once again chatting with their heads close together until I get closer to them. That is when they all sit back and watch me apprehensively as I walk up with their drinks. Almost seems as if they might be talking about me with the way that they all act as I walk up. They are definitely eyeing me suspiciously but about what, I am not sure."What did you say that your name was wench?" The Prince asks me."You did not ask my name until now Your Highness. I am sorry but my
Last Updated : 2023-02-14The Royal Thieves 11
For hours the Prince stayed there with his knights talking and drinking. I still never really saw the Prince touch his ale but somehow it always ends up empty with the rest of them. Constantly, I have to get up and get them refills and then when I bring them back I am expected to sit back on his lap with his arm around me. Each time I come back, I swear that they are all talking about me but I have no clue as to what they are saying."Well, I do not know about the rest of you but I think that I am going to retire for the night. Go ahead and find yourselves some company and I will see you all first light." The Prince says pushing me off of him.I try to walk into the kitchen but he stops me with a hand on my shoulder. When I turn to look at him he just chuckles and holds out his hand expecting me to take it. I know that he is the Prince and all but he could definitely work on wooing a girl. Still, I reluctantly take his hand and allow him to drag me to his bedroom. Okay, I walked somew
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As soon as I settle on the bed next to the Prince, I turn my back towards him so that I do not have to look at him the entire night. He is not willing to let me get away with the distance though as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me to him. The fact that he is unbelievably comfortable is not helping me to keep my guard up around him."So, we are just going to lay here and sleep and then you are going to leave in the morning?" I ask to clarify things. "That is the general idea. Unless you wish to come with me. Then you could leave when we leave in the morning." He whispers in my ear.His mouth is close enough to my earlobe that I can feel his lips moving against it. The feeling sends shivers down my body that I try to hide from him but I swear that I can still feel the smug bastard smirking from behind me. He has to know that he has some effect on me. Even if I do not wish to have a relationship with him."Why would I want to do something like that? I just got here." I tell hi
Last Updated : 2023-02-15
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The Royal Thieves 40
After we finally leave the dining room we head back up to his room to begin packing our things to leave first thing in the morning. He explains to me that there are a few items I am able to leave behind as the door is kept locked when he is not here. He pays Mary quite a fee to keep the room open for him since he has had to leave in a hurry a few times while leaving items behind. She has given him his own key to lock the door with when he leaves keeping others out.As he explains this I am surprised to remember that the last time that he left he kept the bedroom open for me to use. He did not bother taking all of his personal effects out but rather left them behind and kept the door unlocked for me to have use of his room while he was away. This shows far more trust than I would ever expect a Prince to give a thief like myself."Are we making any other stops on our way into the city tomorrow?" I ask to stop my mind from spinning around all of the things he has been telling me today."
The Royal Thieves 40
For the rest of the day I zone out most of what is going on around me as I try to find a way out of this meeting with the King. There is no way that I can bring myself to meet him. I value my life far too much to put it in danger like that. As we finish packing up and preparing to leave the following morning I find myself with little to share as I spend all of my time focusing on trying to find a way out. "Sloan? Have you heard anything that I have said lately? I am used to women being quiet around me but not having them zoning out while I speak." He says finally capturing my attention. I flick my eyes back to him and note the slight concern written on his face. He might be joking towards me but something about the way that I am acting is quite definitely concerning him. Maybe I should have made more of an effort to pay attention to him. "I'm sorry. I have a lot on my mind. Much more than the other women that happily hang on your every word." I say with a bit more venom than intende
The Royal Thieves 39
The shock over what had just happened is hard to shake. My face is as bright of a red color as it has ever been. Probably more so if I remember correctly. I never would have expected him to kiss me on the cheek in front of all of these people. The fact that he did it directly after I had slapped him made it all the more shocking.When I do not respond for a while he seems to get more worried. At first he was smirking as he watched me blundering for something to snarky to say back to him. When I was unable to think of anything, I just sat there for a while and stared at him. I wanted to lower my eyes but I would be damned if I let him or any of the other patrons think of me as demure."Are you okay? I did not offend you at all did I? That was not my intention I just wanted to demonstrate how to distract those around you when you are in my position." He stammers when I make no move to reply. "It is a little interesting watching you flounder for a comeback though. If I had known that it
The Royal Thieves 38
As soon as we finish our food some of his Knights sit down to join us. They are all staring at me curiously as we are sitting rather close together. After the way he kept me on his lap the other day I am a little surprised by their antics. Maybe, they are more surprised at the fact that I am still around than the fact that I am getting closer to the Prince."Your Highness, we made sure to follow him out of town. I have one other person tailing him to make sure that he does not circle back." One of the Knights says addressing the Prince."Good, I do not want to have to have him killed before I am able to save Hunt. That would really put a damper in my plans." He says turning to look at me.I warm a little inside as I realize that he really is planning to help me rescue Hunt. So far, I would not have been surprised if he had just used that to get closer to me. Knowing that he actually intends to help has me feeling things that I did not expect. There might be a bit more to him after all
The Royal Thieves 37
Did he really just ask me to marry him? Hypothetically, of course, but still. He did just mention that word. I am not ready to even come close to thinking about something like this. There is no way that he would ever accept me either. It takes me a few moments to realize that I am staring at him with my mouth hanging slightly open. I have not replied to his 'proposal' at all. I guess that in the least I could just agree to think about it. Even if I have no real intention of entertaining the idea of marrying him by any means. Still, if it is going to keep me on his good side for now then I could at least pretend to think about it."Are you okay? I understand if this is rather sudden but I really expected that you would have expected it a little more after everything I have told you." He says sounding worried."It is rather sudden. I know that you have brought up the idea of us being meant for each other and all, but I just never really considered that you would ask something like this
The Royal Thieves 36
When we arrive back at the Inn I am amazed to see that the clothing from the first store is already being delivered. It was lucky that she had that much stock that fit me or else we would not have seen any of it for weeks. Still, the fact that it is already here shows just how much he had to spend to get them to move it this fast. Most likely cost him what I would consider to be a small fortune.He immediately makes his way to his usual table while everyone stares at the fact that we both walked in together. Some of the ladies are giving me dirty looks as he places his hand on my back to steer me towards his table. I give them back an answering glare as they all give me looks that could maim.As soon as we sit down, Mary brings us out some water for us to drink before rushing back to grab us some lunch. As opposed to all of the dirty looks that the other ladies have given me, she gives me a hesitant smile as if she is judging my mood and reaction to all of the attention. I give her a
The Royal Thieves 35
"What are the rest of your plans for today then?" I ask him after we leave the store."I thought that maybe we could just go and get some lunch at the Inn and talk for a while. All I plan on doing for the rest of the day is trying to convince you to leave with me in the morning." He admits."Considering what is going on with Hunt I do not think that you could make me stay at this point." I tell him honestly."That is not exactly the way that I wanted you to agree to leave with me but I guess that I will take it. I guess we could just make sure that you have everything ready to leave with me tomorrow then. After we eat a decent meal of course. You need to put a little more meat on you." He says.I look down at myself and have to admit that I could use a little more. I have spent my entire life half starved. I cannot imagine myself looking any other way. The fact that there is any meat on me at all is quite an accomplishment. The time spent washing dishes has helped since I have receive
The Royal Thieves 34
The next store that he leads me to is still not quite the quality of cloth that I am looking for. As I do not want to hurt his feelings after already insisting that we go to another store, I decide to keep this one to myself. To be completely fair, it is not like I normally buy clothes anyways. Actually, I had never been in a clothing store as a customer before so this is all kind of a novel experience.To his credit though, this store does have more wool in it than the last one. Even though the winters are really cold and the wool is nice on those days, the summers are extremely hot and that is what we are witnessing right now. The wool is going to have me feeling like I am dying. Maybe I should have just gotten a few more at the first store?"Do you want me to leave you here again?" He asks me after telling the seamstress what all I still need."Just for a short period. This should not take as long as the first store. Besides, I will not k now if he is watching me or plans to come b
The Royal Thieves 33
"I am sorry that it took me so long to get back. I was trying to give you your space while you shopped for dresses. As soon as I heard the whispers that the Guild Master was in town I rushed back over here." He says to me."Why would you do that? I have been dealing with him for years." I say."I watched outside for a bit but it did not seem as if he had any plans to just allow you to walk out of here." He tells me.As much as I appreciate his help I can only hope that this does not come back to bite me. Sure, I was struggling but I always find a way to talk my way out of things. This time, I was a little caught off guard and struggling but I definitely could have found a different way out of that. One that would still allow me to go back to the Guild in the future."I would have figured something out." I say indignantly.In truth, I am not completely sure that I would have talked my way out of it but I am still hopeful. I have always managed to talk my way out in the past. This time,
