15. The Raven

As I rode Charis back to the inn, exhaustion nearly overtook me, but the satisfaction of giving that poor farmer something I could never hope to have fueled me just enough to make it through the journey. I sighed as I climbed up the wall and slid the window open to let myself back into our room. William and Isobel were both sleeping and woke up with a start, ready to cut the intruder's throat before they realized it was me.

“Goodness, Cat. Were you out all night again?” Isobel asked as she noticed the dark circles under my eyes.

“I was, but it was productive.” I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and looked toward both of them. “I might have secured a home for us.”

William chuckled and shook his head. “Our dear, old master thief. You’ve gone from coins and jewelry to houses now?”

I rolled my eyes. “Perhaps I have. Now, if you’ll be so kind as to let me sleep, I’ll show you my find around midday.”

Isobel and William permitted me to sleep for a few hours and quietly packed our few belongings while I rested, so by the time the sun was at its midpoint, we were ready to return to Rodenwhal—to our new home that sat just outside the town. When we made it to the farm, Onyx circled happily overhead and sized up the other animals that trotted about the yard. We led our horses to the small stable in need of repair and were thankful to see it was clean and stocked with hay, despite no other horses being on the property. Perhaps, there was one and the old farmer took it as he escaped this life.

Once Charis, Storm, and Starlight were settled into their new home, the three of us went inside the farmhouse whose partially-rotted porch, and creaky doors almost reminded me of our old home in Penichros—with the exception of the chipped, red paint used to mask the house’s poverty with a thin veil of luxury.

Isobel and I worked to open all of the windows while William busied himself removing our bags from the porch and bringing them inside. There was a small, simple living area with a short table, a fireplace, and that old, red couch I noticed last night. The kitchen featured a stone oven and another round table with four old chairs around it, several of which were uneven and rocked when William tested them out. Down the hall, there were three bedrooms that, thankfully, already had beds and another two rooms we planned to use for storage and laying out maps until we found more people to join us. And although the farmhouse was a far cry from many of the other establishments in Opoulsios, it did have a designated bathroom with a tub, which was nice and something we never had the luxury of experiencing in Penichros.

Isobel and I made ourselves comfortable in the larger rooms near the end of the hallway while William took the smaller of the three—though it was the one with the biggest, most comfortable bed. Once I set my stuff down, Isobel knocked softly on my open door.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“It’s been a while since we’ve trained together. Now that we have the space to, would you be up for it in a few hours after you get some rest and maybe settle in a bit?”

I smiled brightly. “Sure. That sounds great.”

“Wonderful.” She grinned, then rushed off to enjoy our new bathtub.

The bed creaked as I laid down on it. I glanced around my new room and Onyx, who had already made herself comfortable on the desk near the open window. The house was small but lovely. It would fit our needs perfectly, at least for now. And while Isobel busied herself with washing up, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Unfortunately, my slumber was cut short because Onyx awoke me before the sun was down, nudging me and smearing fresh berry juice on my cheek as she dropped a purple-stained, crumpled page on my lap. “What in heaven have you gotten into now?” I grumbled as I flipped open the paper.

It would seem that fate has come in the form of a bird who loves berries, Mouse.

I shot up out of bed. “Of all the people you could have stolen from, Onyx? Seriously?”

She tilted her head to the side and cooed, completely undeterred by my harsh whisper. I nibbled on my fingernails as I stared at the note. What do I do? I know I should just throw it away and imagine I never saw it, but why can’t I? In truth, perhaps it would be wise to speak with Theo, if only for a little bit. I should desire to learn more about why high society might be dangerous for me, right? “I’m about to make a terrible decision, I fear,” I told my bird as I moved to the desk and grabbed a quill, scribbling my response on the same bit of crumpled paper.

Was it fate, or was it your own intervention? I’m more inclined to believe the latter.

“Here, Onyx,” I whispered. “Go get more berries.” Onyx cawed and flew out of the window with the paper in her grasp. What am I doing? I stared out of the window, watching as Onyx’s form disappeared and ignoring the ever-increasing sense of both dread and stupidity within me.

“Are you ready, Cat?” Isobel asked, and I practically leapt out of my skin.

“Yeah, let’s go,” I replied, grabbing my sword and walking toward the door. Isobel stared at me peculiarly, and I groaned internally the moment she arched her eyebrow. Why must she be so perceptive?

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Let’s go,” I insisted.

“Don’t lie to me, Cat. What’s going on? Is this about the ball? I’ve noticed you’ve been oddly distant the past week.”

“Yes, but not for reasons you think,” I said, searching for comfort in the fact that was not a full lie. “I’ll tell you about it when I’m ready.”

Isobel pressed her lips into a thin line and studied my face for what felt like an eternity before she finally spoke. “Alright. Just promise me you won’t do anything too reckless.”

“I promise, I will try my best,” I replied with a half smile.

I’m in trouble.