After standing under the sun for a few hours contemplating on her next cause of action, Hazel finally decided to handle things without bothering master Finley. The man had already helped her a lot and she was also glad because he didn't inquire further on how she ended up in Hawksley and in such a miserable state. Yes, she left out the part about her arrest and only told him the occurrences after her release.
Now going to him about her uncle's lost dagger seemed unnecessary so she decided to watch and wait until George's closing hours.
The heat from the scorching sun made her scalp tingle and her skin sticky with sweat but she couldn't really feel it.
Finally night came and she had to wait a few more hours before closing time. Business in Hawksley went on till about ten.
When the oil lamps and lanterns started going out in the neighbouring shops, Hazel stalked closer to the pawnshop and hid in the shadows. She pressed her ear close to the wall and listened as George settled the burly men he had used to drag a customer away earlier.
After they left, George walked out to close the doors and Hazel appeared right then from behind, clamping a hand over his mouth and pressed a knife on his neck.
"Don't try anything stupid," she warned in a low voice and George raised his hands in the air, his heartbeat spiking up from fear.
Hazel dragged him inside the shop then ordered, "Close the doors." Her tone left no room for defiance and the hand over his mouth didn't give him a chance to speak either.
George closed the door and Hazel immediately landed a punch at the side of his neck, pulling away from him and immediately pushed him against the closed doors.
"Where is my dagger old man?" She asked, pressing the sharp point of the knife on the side of George's face.
"I told you I sold it," George responded shakily, his voice raised in panic.
"I would advise you to keep your voice down," Hazel warned again, using more force to press the dagger, this time drawing blood.
George trembled at the sight of blood and sweat coated his forehead. "Please, please don't kill me," he begged frantically, folding his hands in front of his face.
Hazel had to refrain from laughing at the fear in his eyes. She hadn't even done anything.
Amusement dancing in her eyes, she tilted her head to the side and said, "That dagger is very important to me. You sold it at the first opportunity because you knew it was very valuable, didn't you? You are going to tell me who you sold the knife to, and exactly where the person is so that I can get it back."
"Please, I–I don't know. I only sold it because he threatened me," George was close to tears but Hazel was getting impatient.
She withdrew the knife from his face then impaled it on his upper arm, making George scream in pain.
"Sshhh," she shushed with a finger on her lips and he shut his mouth. Muffled whimpering sounds filled the shop as blood seeped from the inflicted wound.
"I really don't want to hurt you so you have to tell me where the dagger is," Hazel said calmly, but irritation was evident in her eyes when she realized she was being violent again. This wasn't her plan.
"Alright, alright, I'll talk," George finally relented when he saw that she wasn't joking. He didn't want to reveal who he sold the knife to but concluded that even if she went to get it back, the Prince was well capable of protecting himself.
He told Hazel where the prince and his men were staying, leaving out the part about their identities.
After getting directions to the inn, Hazel finally released him but before he could sigh in relief, she knocked him out with a punch in the gut and he dropped on the floor.
Hazel was still afraid of getting caught so she quickly searched his pockets and took out exactly five silver coins.
She quietly left the shop and took off running in the direction where she had been directed. She didn't even stop to wonder if the man just lied to her to get her to leave him alone.
When she got to the inn, she first observed the structure of the building. She needed a way to get in and out without being noticed. It would be hard because she didn't even know which room to start searching and she couldn't go into every single room, but she remembered George saying there was a separate room at the back.
Rushing to the back, she almost bumped into a group of men walking towards her direction and she slowed her pace, lowering her head to hide her face. When their voices disappeared, she finally looked up and almost sighed when she saw two rooms above.
Her eyes darted around and when she couldn't see anyone, she started climbing the wall. The windows weren't that high so it was easy to climb in. The first room she entered was empty and she started searching immediately. She checked under the bed and on the desk, then the wardrobe. As soon as she closed the doors to the wardrobe, she heard footsteps approaching and her eyes widened.
Panic surged within her as she searched for a place to hide. The footsteps got closer and Hazel heard muffled voices. She thought of the window and how it would be an easier escape if she got caught so she tore the thin inner curtains and wrapped it around her head, covering her face entirely.
The door opened and Hazel's heartbeat quickened. She held her breath when the sound of footsteps stopped. Cold sweat dripped down her back and her heart drummed in her ears.
She tried to listen to any sound but she heard nothing and only saw a man's shadow approaching. Before he could pull the curtains open, she stepped forward and attacked him first. The man carefully dodged the punch but Hazel grabbed both of his legs and he dropped on the floor.
She straddled him and was ready to fight him but she momentarily froze when she saw his face and the dagger in his hands. The man took advantage of that moment and wrestled her to the floor. Before Hazel could fight back, he uncovered her face and they both froze again.
"You?" He exclaimed in disbelief.
Coming back to her senses, Hazel used her fingers to press down on his eyes. When his weight eased above her she kneed him in the groin. The man fell back with a painful groan and Hazel snatched the dagger from him.
She ran to the window but the man was also on his feet and managed to grab the piece of cloth covering her head before she jumped out of the window.
She landed on the ground gracefully but encountered another man releasing himself steps away from her. He looked startled to see someone jumping out of the window.
"Aye! You're a thief!" He shouted and more men came rushing, as if they were just around the corner waiting to be called.
"Damnit!" Hazel cursed under her breath and ran towards the man. He tried to stop her but Hazel couldn't take any chances and stabbed his hand, using her strength to push him out of the way.
The man screamed in pain and Hazel made a sprint to the picket fence. She jumped over and ran as fast as she could, not bothering to look back.
She was panting and sweating hard when she stopped to catch her breath. Her hands rested on her knees as she bent forward, still looking around for any threat.
"Phew! Why am I so unlucky?" She wondered out loud.
She didn't know where she was currently and didn't even know where she was supposed to go. It was only then that she realized they hadn't agreed on a meeting place with master Finley.
Just as she turned around, she bumped into a masculine chest and her heart skipped a beat.