*Nemesia's POV*
The quaint mountain town seemed to emerge from the mists of the morning like a scene from a forgotten tale. As Evar and I walked through its narrow, cobblestone streets, the locals were already about their morning routines, casting curious glances our way. Their stares bore into me, reminding me how far I was from the cloistered courts and scheming nobles, yet somehow, I felt just as scrutinized here.
Evar seemed at ease, his rogue charm evident as he greeted a passing baker with a grin and exchanged pleasantries. I tried to mirror his casual demeanour, but each interaction felt like a dance I hadn't learned the steps to.
"Try to relax, Nemesia," Evar whispered, leaning close enough for his breath to tickle my ear, a strange shudder taking over my body.
"These people mean well. They're simple folk, living far from the intrigues of the court." He added.
I nodded, taking in the stalls brimming with fresh produce and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. We stopped at a vendor, and I watched Evar haggle over some supplies, his ease with the common tongue far surpassing mine.
"Why don't you try?" he suggested, handing me a few coins. "Just a simple transaction."
With a hesitant hand, I took the coins and approached the vendor, a stout woman with a friendly smile.
"May I have some of your apples?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.
"Of course, dear," she replied, her eyes crinkling in a warm smile as she handed me a bag filled with ripe, red apples. "Enjoy them. They're the first of the season."
The simplicity of the exchange, her unguarded kindness, left me momentarily disarmed.
"Thank you," I managed, returning her smile.
As we continued our preparations to leave, I sensed a familiar energy, a disturbance that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It was a feeling I couldn't shake off, an echo of my past life whispering through the bustling noise of the market.
That's when I saw him—Jonas, a man whose loyalty had once been mine to command, now possibly a snake hidden in the grass. He was smiling, approaching us with a familiarity that belied the years and secrets between us.
"Nemesia, as I live and breathe," he exclaimed, his arms open as if expecting a warm embrace. "What brings you to such a humble place?"
His words were like honey, but I knew better than to taste them.
"Jonas," I said coolly, maintaining a distance. "It's been a long time."
Evar watched the exchange, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in Jonas's too-casual demeanour.
"Friend of yours?" he asked under his breath.
"Hardly," I replied, keeping my eyes fixed on Jonas. "An acquaintance from the court. His loyalties are as changeable as the winds."
Jonas laughed, a sound that seemed to fill the space between us with cold air.
"You wound me, Nemesia. I've always admired your way with words."
"Cut the charm, Jonas. What are you really doing here?" I asked, my voice firm, betraying none of the unease that fluttered in my stomach.
"Oh, I've found a new patron, someone who appreciates my... talents," he said, his eyes glinting with unspoken truths. "And I hear you've been quite busy since our last encounter at the palace."
His insinuation hung heavily between us, a veiled threat cloaked in cordiality. I knew then that we needed to find out more, to see whether Jonas was merely a ghost from the past or a harbinger of danger.
"Let's find somewhere to talk," I suggested, gesturing to a quiet corner of the market. Evar followed, his senses alert, as we prepared to peel back the layers of Jonas's unexpected appearance.
As we sat, the murmur of the town around us, I braced myself for a conversation I knew wouldn't just be a stroll down memory lane. It would be a dance on a tightrope strung with potential lies and lethal truths.
*Jonas' POV*
The inn's atmosphere was thick with the scent of pine and the warmth of a large hearth at the centre of the common room. As I guided Nemesia and her companion to a secluded corner, I could sense their wariness, the tension almost palpable between them. We chose a table tucked away from prying eyes, the din of the other patrons muffling our conversation.
"Nemesia, it's been a while since the palace," I started, trying to break the ice with a casual tone, but her face remained impassive, her eyes sharp and calculating. "I must say, you've managed to stay off the radar. That's no small feat considering your... reputation."
Her companion sat beside her, his body language protective, almost defensive. It was clear he didn't trust me, but that was expected. Trust was a currency in short supply in our line of work.
"I'm surprised to see you so far from the capital, Jonas. To what do we owe this unexpected... pleasure?" Nemesia's voice was cool, her scepticism clear.
I smiled, leaning back in my chair slightly.
"As I mentioned earlier, I found a new patron—a very generous one. But that's my story. What about you, Nemesia? What brings you to this quaint little town?"
Her gaze didn't waver, her mind clearly piecing together her next move.
"We're just passing through," she said, a hint of dismissal in her tone.
"Passing through to where exactly? Into the mountains?" I probed, my curiosity genuine but also strategic. Knowing her destination could prove useful.
"That's none of your concern," her companion interjected, his voice a low growl. He was protective, maybe too much so. It was a weakness, perhaps one I could exploit later.
I laughed softly, raising my hands in a gesture of peace.
"Fair enough. But perhaps I can be of assistance. The roads from here to the mountains are treacherous, and not just because of the terrain."
Nemesia leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued despite herself.
"What are you suggesting, Jonas?"
"I know people here, connections that could make your journey smoother, safer. Of course, for old times' sake," I added, watching her reaction closely.
Her eyes narrowed, considering the offer. I could see the gears turning in her head, weighing the risks against the potential benefits.
"And what do you want in return?" she asked, direct and to the point.
"Let's just say I believe in keeping my friends close and my potential enemies closer. Helping you could ensure I stay on the right side of whatever it is you're planning," I explained, my tone sincere but layered with my own calculations.
Nemesia paused, her lips pressing into a thin line as she deliberated. Finally, she nodded slowly.
"We'll consider your offer, Jonas... But I wouldn't try to fool me if I were in your shoes..."
"I wouldn't dare to," I replied with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
As they stood to leave, I watched them go, their figures merging with the shadows of the inn. I had planted the seeds of an alliance, however tenuous. Now it was time to see whether they would take root or if I would need to prepare for the fallout.
Their departure left me with much to consider. Was it worth the risk to play both sides or had I just stepped into a game far more dangerous than I anticipated? Nah.. after all, she was just a woman with a broken heart. The crown would pay me lots of money for letting them know she's here and I have an eye on her.
*Evar's POV*
The day had progressed with a tension that clung to me like the chill of the encroaching evening. As Nemesia interacted with the locals, procuring supplies with a forced politeness foreign to her royal upbringing, I couldn't help but admire her effort to blend in. Yet, her discomfort was palpable, her glances often darting around as if expecting trouble at every turn.
And then the meeting with this 'Jonas'? I could feel fury boiling inside me as they were talking together.
"You jelly! Evar jelly!" Ragnar laughed shortly but I growled at him in my mind. I wasn't... I just... didn't enjoy it and I didn't trust him. The way he was looking at her was without even an inch of respect.
After we left I sighed with relief but I saw her troubled expression.
"I'll go secure us a room at the inn and gather some more supplies," I offered, wanting to ease her burden somewhat.
She nodded, her eyes briefly softening.
"Thank you, Evar." Her voice was so cold... and distant. I sighed again.
As I turned away to attend to the tasks, I felt a niggling worry at the back of my mind. The unease grew as I left her side, the market crowd swallowing me up.
*Nemesia's POV*
With Evar busy securing supplies and a place to spend the night, I found a fleeting moment of solitude, yet my mind was far from quiet. The market buzzed around me, a perfect cover for less savoury deeds. I spotted Jonas, seemingly engrossed in bartering with a travelling merchant. My heart steeled; it was time.
Approaching him with a practised ease, I summoned a friendly tone.
"Jonas, could you lend me a hand with my luggage?" I asked with a soft voice and smile, gesturing towards a less crowded corner of the market.
He agreed with an easy smile, oblivious to my intentions. We moved away from the bustling center, towards a narrow alley shielded by the shadows of the surrounding buildings. As we turned into the secluded space, I let my facade fall.
"Jonas, you know why we're here," I said sharply, pinning him with a look that I hoped masked my inner turmoil.
He chuckled, a hint of nervousness betraying his calm exterior.
"Nemesia, I assure you, I'm here to help..."
"Don't play games with me," I snapped, the cold edge of my voice cutting through the stale air of the alley. "I know you're planning to betray me to the royals."
His expression faltered, and he took a step back, his back hitting the rough brick wall.
"No, I—"
I stepped closer, invading his personal space to emphasize my threat, my hand slipping to the small dagger I took from Evar earlier during our journey, which lies concealed in my bag.
"This is your last chance, Jonas. Tell me the truth."
Fear flickered across his face as he glanced down at my hand, his voice shaking.
"I was just trying to survive, Nemesia! I thought if I could bring them something..."
Before he could finish, I pulled out the dagger, its blade glinting ominously under the dim light seeping into the alley.
"A poor choice," I whispered and, with a swift, calculated motion, I drove the dagger into his neck with a quick, clean cut. His body slumped against the wall as I withdrew the blade, his eyes wide in shock and fading life.
Cleaning the blade on his clothes, I started to check his pockets. On his body I found a letter... he was going to find a merchant to deliver the message to the crown. I left Jonas's lifeless body in the shadows of the alley, a stark reminder of the stakes in this deadly game.
I stepped back into the market's chaos, my heart pounding with the adrenaline of the kill but I felt surprisingly light after killing who was once my subordinate.
Evar was nowhere in sight at first, and I was grateful for the moment alone to collect myself after what had just transpired.
As I navigated through the crowd, the echo of Jonas's final words haunted me. Had I acted too hastily? No... in my current world, hesitation could be as deadly as the sharpest blade.