**RAYAN'S POV**
In all honesty, her reaction was not what I was expecting. I didn't think that witnessing bloodshed would affect her like this—losing focus, tripping all the time, and going into a daze. She's probably replaying the encounter over and over in her head. Not that I care or anything, but right now, she's dysfunctional. We reached the Sen town. It was nothing special in any way, except for the only inn it had, which was standing in the center.
The inn we were about to enter was one that I frequented from time to time. Even from outside, you could hear the chatter and the sound of, I think, a violin (I'm not really familiar with musical instruments). Mostly because this inn is among the closest to Henry's and Ava's village. The outside of the inn was made out of brown mahogany from its walls to its windows. On top of the door was a wooden board with a half-carving of a woman. The only part that was carved was her head and her huge bosoms, which were covered with a flimsy blouse that she was pulling down.
"Okay, princess, when we get in, shut your trap and let me do the talking, understood?" I said.
"Does it look like I would know how to converse here?" she said, her eyes showing her annoyance while she pointed at the carving.
"Good."
We walked in, where on the bartender's table, there was only one empty seat. Then again, this is the only inn here, so it would make sense that business is booming for them. I looked back to see the girl looking anxious and fidgety; she was twiddling with her fingers. Hmm, guess it's her first time in a place like this. The smell of beer was the only thing that lingered in the air, and the occupants were mostly men with shabby clothing. In front of us, a waitress who was serving beer passed a drunkard who slapped her bottom.
They hadn't noticed us before, but one of them saw us and shouted.
"Phew, check out the beauty that just walked in."
His shouts earned us the royal, blatant gawking of all the men here. Well, her looks are above average, so it makes sense.
"Hey beautiful, how about I buy you a beer?"
"Don't listen to that ass, I'll buy you one."
"Have you seen your face? Do you think she'd go for you?"
Amidst the shouts and whistles, I felt a light tug at the back of my shirt. Elena was holding my jacket and pulling herself behind me like a little child. I didn't say anything, but we walked to the owner of the inn, who was busy pouring drinks at the table.
"Well, hello there, Ghost and company," she said, though the way she said "company" was in a weird tone.
"So, are you here for business or pleasure?" she added while eyeing me and Princess here.
"Oh, she's not that type of woman. It's business," I said. "I'd like a room and maybe send over a hot meal for her. That's going to add up to fifteen copper pieces, right?"
I dropped the coins and stretched my hand out for the key. Elena was still holding my shirt, so I could feel a light strain as I stretched my arm.
"Same old Ghost, not even giving me the courtesy of exchanging a greeting," she said, trying to fake disappointment. "It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't even know my name."
Well, I don't know her name, and I don't care. The key now, am tired.
She rolled her eyes at me before taking a key out from under the table. "Take the stairs, third room from the right," she said, pointing to the staircase on the left side.
I took the key, and even before I took a step, a drunk man with a short stub stood in front of me. He was shabbily dressed; his clothes were loose on his body, swaying back and forth like a sailor in a storm.
"Hey..when...you...are...done...with...her...can...I...have...her...I'll...pay you...double," he slurred, his hands missing his pockets every time he tried to reach in. The men in the inn shouted happily, each one hoping for the same. Hearing this, Elena tightened her grip on my jacket, as if I would consider handing her over.
"Of course, I have to deal with this," I said as I shook my head. I grabbed him by the back of his neck and slammed his face first at the edge of the table. A loud crunch could be heard as the man's face connected with the table. I let go of his neck, and he dropped down. He lay still, but I could see from the movement of his back that he was still breathing.
"Anyone else has another offer they'd like to say?" I asked as I grabbed the hilts of my scimitars.
The entire room was quiet; some avoided my gaze completely; they instead focused on their glass or plates, while some glared at me, but they didn't have the balls to do anything.
"I didn't think so," I said. I turned to the owner. "Don't forget about the meal."
Elena was still holding my jacket and hiding behind me. We walked over to our room, and the moment the door was shut, she finally let go of me. I pulled my hood and mask down so that some air could pass through. Wearing them indoors is hot as hell.
"This is why I hate inns," I said. I looked around and saw that there was only one bed in the room. Argh! Fuck! I didn't specify the number of beds we needed.
Princess was busy eyeing the bed. Well, since she's royalty, she must miss sleeping in a bed. I, on the other hand, don't mind; it's not like I even get much sleep anyway.
"You take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor," I said.
"Really? For a second, I thought you'd say, 'Sorry, princess, I paid for the room, so you'll sleep on the floor. That'd teach your royal ass.' You know, something like that," she said as she tried to imitate my voice.
"First of all, I don't sound like that, and second, keep this up, and I'll dump you to the men downstairs. I'm sure they are itching to be with you," I said.
She paused and thought for a moment before heading to the bed and sitting there. After a few minutes, two plates were brought—one for Elena and the other as a way of apologizing.
After the meal, we placed the plates on the table next to the bed, and I took off my jacket and mask, leaving me with my loose tunic. I took out two blankets from our belongings and made a makeshift bed with them. Princess was already lying on her bed. I lay down, and we just stared at the ceiling in silence. Princess turned on her side, and I could feel her staring at me. She really needs to work on her staring.
"What?" I said.
"Um...I
...uh..."
"Spit it out," I said. I didn't bother looking at her. "If it's about the drunkard, then don't mention it."
"No, it's about what you said yesterday," she said, that extremely fast, obviously being cautious and nervous.
"What about it?" I turned my head, and we made eye contact.
"If you don't mind, could you tell me what happened?" she said in a really timid voice.
"Okay, fine, but only because we can't sleep with the noise downstairs."
She placed her head on top of her hand, raising it up, and lied down on her right side.
"Here goes."
**LITTLE RAYAN'S POV**
Father usually stayed at home on Saturdays. Usually, he'd spend his time in our little farm and also do some of his chores. Me and Sarah would help him most of the time, not by our own choice—well, mostly Sarah. My family did not trust me with sharp objects, and also because I was young, so I'd mostly spend the time removing weeds with my hands.
After we were done with helping father, he finally let the two of us leave. Sarah pulled me back to our house where she said, "Rey, Leah taught me a new hairstyle that I want to try. Will you help me?"
"No," I said. I'm not a dress-up doll.
"Why not?" she asked.
"And why should I? You have your own hair; do it yourself," I said.
"Mother, Rayan said he is not helping me!" she shouted.
"Rayan, help your sister, before I make you," mother threatened while she was in their room.
Sarah poked out her tongue at me and pulled me down to sit in front of her. She started twisting and braiding my hair until my head started aching. Helping father with his chores doesn't seem so bad.
"Hey! That hurts; be gentle," I shouted.
"Stop being a baby," Sarah said, ignoring what I said, and she kept on going for what felt like hours. She had braided my top hair but left the sides and then tied my hair back.
"See, you look pretty," Sarah said and giggled.
"Damn you," I whispered to her; my head felt like a thousand fire ants were biting it.
She was just about to say something back when we heard a small rumbling outside. Sarah and I quickly went to our door to see what was happening. The same could be said about our neighbors and the kids in the area.
We saw at least eight horses headed to where we were. On top of each horse was a man clad in armor in every part of their body, even their faces were covered. The horses stopped right next to my father, who was chopping wood at the time.
"Is there anything I can help you gentlemen with?" my father asked.
The horseman at the front got down from his horse. He was holding a scroll in his hand, which he began to unroll. He cleared his throat and started, "From His Majesty to the Baron family, His Majesty has granted an honor to the Baron family. The King would be pleased to have Sarah Baron and Hazel Baron as his concubines. Rest assured, Jake Baron and his son Rayan Baron would be allowed to visit them once a week, and His Majesty would graciously pay the Baron family three hundred gold coins for both of them, and also a monthly pay of ten gold coins. Both the women of the Baron family will be treated with the utmost respect, and it would be appreciated if you send them with us now."
My eyes landed on my sister, whose face had twisted into an expression I didn't know, same with my mother, while father, on the other hand, was silent before he burst out laughing. Everyone who witnessed this thought that father had lost his mind.
"I don't quite understand what you find funny about this?" the messenger said.
"I'm sorry; I just can't help laughing when I hear bullshit," father said in the middle of his laughter.
"Bullshit? You call His Majesty's words bullshit?" he said.
"Well, of course, it's bullshit. He wants me to sell my wife and daughter; what else should I call bullshit? Tell him I rudely refuse, and he can go and shove that scroll up his ass."
The messenger stood there, enraged, as he began talking gibberish. My father picked up the axe he was using and said, "Also, get out of my land. As you can see, I have other things to do. Tell His Majesty to focus his time on managing the kingdom instead of coveting other people's wives."
The messenger was still silent.
"Well then, didn't you hear me? Get lost!" father shouted.
The messenger went back to his horse and rode away with his companions. I wish that it would have ended there, but...
RAYAN'S POV
"I think that's enough for today. I'm tired and would like to rest, if you don't mind, Princess," I said, and I turned away from her.