Chapter 19 - Anne

As the wind whispered secrets through the empty streets of Lutton, the door to the inn creaked open, its rusty hinges catching my attention.

Oh, how deeply I loathed this stagnant town, mired in an unyielding ennui, a place where time seemed to have halted in its tracks.

Lutton Marsh, once a bustling centre of life and commerce, now lay under the pall of war. The lively throngs of travellers and merchants that once animated its streets had vanished, leaving behind a sombre shell of what it used to be.

I could recall every face that had once filled this place, for, in these times, the arrival of anyone new was as rare and as treasured as a gem unearthed from the depths of the earth.

But then, amidst the unchanging rhythm of my days, my gaze landed on a boy who entered the inn.

He appeared much like a beggar, yet there was something about him that set him apart from the locals. His hair was a dark shade of brown, matching the depth of his eyes.

He was attired in tattered brown garments, his feet were clad in sandals that had clearly seen better days. He was tall, his stature noticeable even in his weary, slightly slim posture.

There was an air about him, a hint of a story yet untold, that piqued my curiosity in this town where novelty was a rare visitor.

As I observed the unfamiliar boy's actions, he approached the counter with an air of nonchalance, effortlessly dropping a copper coin to cover the cost of a room.

Perhaps my initial assumption was hasty; he appeared more like an independent traveller than a mere beggar.

After purchasing his room, the boy left to settle in, but as the night unfolded and the vibrant nightlife of the town bloomed, he descended from his room. To my surprise, he approached the counter once again, casually dropping another copper coin to accompany the innkeeper's inexpensive ale.

Such an act puzzled me—why would he spend that much on such cheap ale? Could it be that he possessed substantial wealth? My curiosity got the better of me, compelling me to approach him as he turned to take a seat at the bar, facing the bustling room.

"You're not from around these parts, are you?" I asked politely, curiosity piqued by the boy's unfamiliarity.

"Shouldn't you be working?" he retorted with a smug tone.

His rudeness caught me off guard, we appeared to be around the same age, perhaps he was slightly older, but it didn't warrant such impertinence.

"I may be younger than you, but you seem very foolish," I responded, determined not to let his attitude go unchecked.

The boy seemed taken aback by my firm response, his demeanour shifting. He appeared somewhat shy, not accustomed to arguing with a woman I could tell.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to offend. How should I address you then?" he quickly replied, setting his cup of ale down on the table.

A shy boy, a rare sight in Lutton where most boys were rough and unfiltered from birth.

With mischievous intent, I decided to playfully tease him.

"Call me Anne. That will do just fine. Now, tell me, sir, what brings you to our humble inn? You don't strike me as a local," I said, taking a step forward and confidently settling myself between his legs.

He initially seemed reserved, but gradually, he eased into the rhythm of our conversation. As we engaged further, I sensed something firm, something substantial pressed against me.

A knowing smile smeared my face—this had been my true intention all along. Confirming my suspicions, he must be wealthy, for I could feel the presence of a pouch, and the subtle shifts within indicated its contents were monetary, coins!

With practised dexterity, my hand subtly manoeuvred closer to the pouch.

With each word exchanged, my fingers deftly closed around the fabric, ensuring a seamless and undetected theft. Carefully and discreetly, I removed the pouch from his possession, ensuring no disruption to our conversation.

Silently, I celebrated my successful acquisition, relishing in the thrill of the act. My smile remained unwavering, disguising the satisfaction that swelled within me.

Standing up, I uttered, "May you find glory in the forthcoming battles." However, the strange boy remained silent. Undeterred, I paid little mind to his lack of response, swiftly making my way back to the comfort of my own house, satisfied with my secret triumph.

Upon arriving home, my mother informed me of her desire for me to entertain the guests by playing the harpsichord.

A wave of frustration washed over me, for I despised playing that instrument. The mere thought of playing the instrument made me apprehensive...

Before making my way to the room where I would be performing, I retreated to my room to conceal my stolen loot. With the prized possessions safely hidden away, I ventured towards the dimly lit room.

As I stepped into the room, familiar faces materialized from the shadows, a mixture of fathers from my circle of friends and local fishermen.

The sight of them sent an uneasy shiver down my spine, stirring a queasiness within. Their scrutinizing gazes bore into me, following my every move from the moment I entered until I reached the stool where I was to perform.

A hushed ambience enveloped the room, not entirely devoid of conversation but subdued enough to create an eerie stillness.

As I positioned myself and my fingers gracefully danced across the harpsichord keys, the melody emerged, filling the void and stirring a renewed flow of conversation among the guests.

After some time of playing, my mother interrupted and asked me to check on Carter, my adopted sister.

Obliging her request, I left the room and informed Carter the guest was getting impatient. However, upon attending to her, I decided not to return to the room where the guests were gathered. Instead, I retired to my own bed.

As I lay on my bed, anticipation gnawed at me, urging me to inspect the contents of my gains. With trembling hands, I opened the pouch and beheld a sight that left me in awe.

I had never before witnessed such a substantial amount of money in my life. The collective earnings of all the girls in the house each month amounted to one or two silver coins, yet this pouch contained fifty gleaming silver coins.

A whirlwind of emotions surged within me, a potent mixture of terror and elation, as the weight of my newfound wealth sank in; this will aid me in my journey I thought.

With a smile on my lips, I allowed sleep to embrace me.

...

As the gentle embrace of sleep released its hold on me, my eyes fluttered open, the morning light filtering through the window and casting a soft glow across the room.

A sense of unease washed over me as I shifted, my hand instinctively reaching for the pouch that held my fortune. However, to my dismay, my fingers grasped at empty air. Panic surged through my veins as the realization dawned upon me—I had been robbed. The money, my wealth, was gone.

Frantically, I searched the surrounding area, hoping to find any trace of the pouch or a clue to its disappearance. Yet, all I found was an empty void, mocking my naivety.

With suspicion clouding my thoughts, I approached the girls who worked for my mother, studying their faces intently. However, their expressions revealed no signs of guilt or knowledge regarding the missing pouch of fortune.

Unable to find the words to voice my suspicions, I simply stared at them, hoping to glean some hint of deception or recognition. Yet, they appeared as they always did—ordinary and hopeless.

The realization of my misfortune sank in slowly, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. The elation I had experienced just hours ago transformed into a hollow emptiness. I had been both a victim and a perpetrator.

Despite the setback of losing the fortune, I resolved to press on with my original plans, undeterred by the absence of those valuable funds. Though the money would have been a substantial aid in achieving my goals, it was not factored into my plans.

As the sun began its ascent, I made my way towards the docks.