Kings Game

Chapter 41 - Running from Shadows

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After settling their things at the inn, Zan took Roran on a tour around the Upper Rim. There wasn't much for them to see or do, given that they were from the Crags and had little money, but just wandering around was enough for Roran.

He was fascinated by the architecture and steelwork that kept the city warm. Despite being at the top of an icy mountain range, the Upper Rim was warm, humid, and surprisingly comfortable. It hadn't made sense to Roran that anyone would build a kingdom in such an inhospitable place but he now saw why they stayed. It was a warm little paradise hidden among the frigid peaks.

During their tours, they passed the library. It was big and easy to spot, built directly into the mountainside. Roran was used to seeing structures carved into the mountainside in King's City, but this was the first time he'd seen a building built into it, as though simply carving the structure from stone wasn't enough. Roran decided to wait until Zan was asleep before coming back. He didn't want to explain to Zan exactly what he was looking for and the boy likely would have been bored inside the library anyways.

After spending a day walking around the city, the pair headed back towards the inn. The sun had set and the city was left in a hazy fog, lit only by the fairy rock lamps on each corner. As they walked, Roran kept catching movement in the corner of his eye. It seemed as though the shadows were shifting, following them.

"Hey Zan?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you normally do when the shadows start following you?"

"Oh, I wait until I get to the main road, then run as fast as I can. It's scary but really exciting at the same time. Want to try it?"

"No thanks. Do me a favor and hold my coat."

Roran stripped off his traveling coat and tossed it over Zan. With the coat gone, his sword and shield were on display, as well as his light armor. Roran rolled his shoulders, hoping the little display would discourage their pursuers. He wasn't sure if his plan worked, but he stopped seeing movement in the shadows.

"With the military presence, I'm surprised there are people hiding in the shadows."

"The army and the guards only care about the Rimmers. They don't care if people like us get robbed and murdered, so long as our corpses don't stink up the alleyways. I'm told that when people get robbed up here they simply disappear, so nobody worries about it."

"What do they do with the bodies?"

"Probably throw them off a cliff somewhere. Hey, were you robbed and thrown off a cliff? Is that why your spirit had to get me and Pa to rescue you?"

"I wasn't robbed," said Roran.

"But you were thrown off a cliff?"

"Something like that. Hey, let's hurry back and get something to eat. I'm getting hungry."

"Okay!"

The two settled into the inn for the evening. The innkeeper was friendly, if a little distant. He very politely mentioned that it would be appreciated if Roran and Zan could eat in their room and come out of it as little as possible, lest the other patrons be forced to see miners from the Crags. The comment irked Roran but Zan was more than happy to oblige.

They took dinner in their room, along with a small amount of ale. After a hot meal and a little ale, Zan promptly fell asleep. Roran pulled out the map Orlas had given him. He'd already memorized the list of objectives but the map was a helpful reminder. Sipping his ale, Roran leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The last thing he wanted was to make life difficult for Vin and Zan. They had saved his life and he wanted to repay that kindness. But it appeared Ulara was gearing up to attempt a full on war with the King's Empire, one they would quickly lose.