CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

Gwen

The Seven Stars inn was busier than normal.

That was good for business, but it also meant that Gwen had been rushing around most of the evening, filling tankards and delivering steaming food. It was warm, uncomfortably so, and Gwen was glad the night was almost over. The air was thick with pipe smoke and boisterous laughter, a rarity these days.

Gwen spotted a man waving his arm, tankard upside down on the table. She heaved a weary sigh and hurried to the table, forcing a smile.

“More ale?” she asked.

“Yes, and keep it flowing,” the man replied.

Gwen could tell by the way he slurred his words that he’d probably already had too much, but she nodded and refilled his tankard. The inn would be closing soon, so not much more ale would be “flowing” anyway. Gwen’s father had been in the kitchen since opening, fulfilling the endless stream of orders and cursing when he burned himself, which was quite often.

A bard began playing a cheerful song, his fingers flying over the strings of his lute with a practiced ease. Gwen liked the melodies he played, but he was passing through and tonight would be his last performance at the inn. She did another loop of the tables, making sure the patrons were taken care of, then sat behind the bar and listened to the music.

Gwen found the bard handsome. He was young and energetic, his face clean shaven, and his brown hair trimmed short and neat. Her father would never allow her to marry someone with a profession that required constant travel, but she didn’t see any problem with admiring the man’s attractiveness. Besides that, it was common knowledge that Gwen would take over the Seven Stars once her father retired.

As the bard finished his song, a commotion outside the inn caught Gwen’s attention. She looked to the windows, but it was too dark to see anything other than vague shadows. The noise drew the attention of the inn’s customers as well, and the people quickly congregated in front of the windows. Those who couldn’t squeeze in among the others exited the doors to see things up close.

Gwen heard angry shouting and groaned. Drunken men fist fighting one another wasn’t uncommon, especially when the place was busy. She removed her apron and hung it on one of the hooks on the wall, then walked to the door and cracked it open, peering out into the night.

A single man was surrounded by a group of the king’s soldiers. Their black leather armor made them blend in with the darkness, but Gwen knew the attire. The soldiers had become a common sight around the inn, and around Dawsbury in general. Rumors of war had been circulating for years, but now there were signs of it. Aside from the presence of the king’s men, there were also whispers of dark magic and sightings of dragons.

Gwen didn’t know what to think about any of it. She lived a simple life working at the inn, and she wanted it to stay that way. The king could make war on the surrounding kingdoms if he wanted to, so long as Gwen’s way of life wasn’t impacted. Her attention was jerked back to the present when one of the soldiers kicked the back of the man’s legs, knocking him to the ground. The man being harassed scowled and tried to get back up.

“Stay down, dog,” one of the soldiers said.

“Yeah,” chimed in another. “If you know what’s good for you.”

Someone bumped into Gwen from behind and she looked over her shoulder to see Tobias, the baker’s son.

“What’s going on out there?” he asked.

“Some of the soldiers have taken an interest in Garre,” Gwen replied. “Garre’s angry, but I think he’ll keep his temper under control.”

“I can’t stand those soldiers,” Tobias muttered. “They think they can come to our town and do whatever they want just because they wear the king’s emblem.”

“As long as we stay out of their way, we don’t have anything to worry about,” Gwen said. “They’re just following orders.”

Tobias snorted but didn’t say anything.

Garre was glaring daggers at the soldiers, but he stayed where he was.

“Good dog,” one of the soldiers goaded. “Now lick the dirt off my boots.”

“Screw off,” Garre spat.

The soldier who’d spoke drew his sword and leveled the tip at Garre’s throat. “What was that, dog? Did I tell you to speak?”

Silence fell over everyone in the inn. Gwen watched intently, her heart hammering in her chest with anxiety. “They can’t kill someone for no reason,” she whispered.

“That’s what you’d think, anyway,” Tobias said. “When left unchecked, that tyrant’s hired hands will do anything, including murdering innocent people.”

“Watch your words, boy,” one of the patrons said. “You’ll bring the king’s wrath down on us all.”

Gwen watched with bated breath, silently praying that Garre wouldn’t be hurt. She wasn’t friends with him, but she knew who he was, and they’d never had any issues. Even if they had, Gwen would never wish harm on anyone.

“Get to licking,” the soldier demanded, lifting his boot near Garre’s face. For a moment, Gwen thought he was going to lick the soldier’s boot. Instead, Garre grabbed onto the soldier’s leg and pulled, forcing the soldier to fall onto his back.

“Yeah!” Tobias shouted. “Give him what for!”

Gwen had a feeling something terrible was about to happen. The soldier scrambled back onto his feet and kicked Garre in the face. Garre crumbled backward awkwardly, his legs tucked under his body.

“Gods,” Gwen said, flinching and looking at Tobias.

“Someone has to do something,” Tobias said. “They’re going to kill him.”

“Don’t say that,” Gwen replied.

Tobias stared at her, jaw clenched. “No more,” he said.

Before Gwen could figure out what he meant, Tobias drew a dagger and pushed past her. He sprinted toward the soldier that had kicked Garre and leaped onto his back, driving the small blade into the soldier’s chest.

The world froze.

Gwen’s eyes widened in horror and surprise. She screamed, and the world began moving again, but now it was a blur. The other soldiers grabbed Tobias and forced him to the ground, wrenching his dagger away. The soldier he’d attempted to stab was uninjured.

“Some dogs don’t understand loyalty,” he said, then lifted his sword up threateningly. With a sudden grunt, he staggered forward as Garre pushed him from behind. Another soldier drew his sword and thrust it into Garre’s back.

Gwen stepped back from the door, shaken. Garre screamed and fell to the ground, writhing in the dirt. There was confusion among the rest of the soldiers as they glanced at each other with uncertainty. Tobias broke free of the men holding him and sprinted to the left, running down the alley beside the inn.

The apparent leader threw his arms up. “Don’t just stand there, get him!”

The others chased after Tobias and Gwen quietly shut the door and returned to the bar. The patrons slowly went back to their tables, but the mood had changed. The bard had stopped playing his music and the conversations became muted.

Gwen wrung her hands together nervously, not knowing what she could do to help Garre. Should she help him? What if he had done something to warrant the interest of the soldiers and she wasn’t privy to that knowledge? She started to head around the bar when the kitchen door flung open and Tobias ran in, followed by Boris, Gwen’s father.

“What’s going on?” Boris demanded.

“I need somewhere to hide,” Tobias replied. He looked around the inn, frantic. Gwen thought he looked like a frightened deer, ready to flee at any moment.

Boris looked around the room, noting the patrons, then grabbed onto the edge of the bar. “Help me, will you?”

Tobias grabbed the other end and, together, they heaved the stout wooden structure forward. Gwen was surprised to see a trap door hidden in the floor.

Boris opened the small door and motioned to the darkness within. “Go,” he said. “Hurry.”

Tobias didn’t question the order and hurried down into the hidden space. Boris closed the door and tried to move the bar back into place, but it was too heavy. He looked at Gwen, then changed his mind and turned to the customers.

“Someone give me a hand!”

A few people leaped to their feet to help and, within a few moments, the bar was back in place.

“Father,” Gwen said softly, following him into the kitchen. “You never told me about that door.”

“Forget that you ever saw it,” Boris replied, washing his hands off in a bucket of clean water. He went back to preparing meals as if nothing had happened.

Gwen watched her father work, wondering why his demeanor had changed so suddenly. There was something he wasn’t telling her, that much was obvious. There was shouting in the common room and Gwen rushed out of the kitchen. The soldiers had entered the inn and were harassing the customers.

“Gentlemen,” Gwen greeted loudly, offering the largest smile she could muster. “Drinks?”

“We’re looking for a criminal,” one of them said. Gwen turned her attention to him and recognized him as the leader of the group from outside.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone shady in here, but I’ll help if I can,” Gwen said cheerily. She was surprised her voice hadn’t cracked.

“This person is an enemy of the king. He’s dangerous and we need to remove him from the streets. He’s about my height and build, with black hair.”

Gwen put a puzzled look on her face and slowly shook her head. “I can’t say I’ve seen anyone like that in here. Would you like a drink while your men ask my customers?”

“I’d love one, but I must refuse. I’m on duty.”

“Right. Can’t have you out there staggering around on the job.” Gwen laughed. The soldier didn’t share her mirth. The kitchen door opened as Boris came out, carrying a tray full of food. The soldier jumped, obviously startled, then calmed when he saw there was no threat.

“Evening,” Boris greeted as he passed them, delivering the food to a table by the windows.

“If you see anyone matching the description, please report it to the local constabulary. They’ll get word to us.”

“I will,” Gwen replied.

The soldier turned his back to Gwen, and she noticed the uneasiness of the customers. Most were minding their own business, but a few people were staring death at the soldiers. Boris returned to the bar and the lead soldier stopped him.

“Are you the owner?”

“I am,” Boris replied, offering a grin. “It’s a humble place, but it’s served me well.”

“It’s a dump,” the soldier grunted. “I’ve also heard that it’s a den of protection for the king’s enemies.”

Boris looked pained. “I hope no one questions my devotion to the king,” he said. “I’ve been a staunch supporter all my years.”

The soldier stared at Boris intently, then nodded, seeming satisfied.

“Anything?” the soldier asked his men.

“Nothing,” someone answered.

“Let’s go, then.” The lead soldier looked from Boris to Gwen, then headed for the door. His men followed after him and they exited the inn. Gwen sighed in relief and leaned over the bar.

“That was close,” she whispered.

There was a pounding noise at the door and Gwen realized that the soldiers were securing it so that no one could leave.

“Father, what’s happening? Why did he say we’re hiding enemies here?”

Boris suddenly looked older to her. Deep lines spread across his face and there were bags under his eyes.

“There are things I haven’t told you because I wanted to keep you safe,” Boris replied.

The customers of the inn began to panic and started kicking at the door. A few others picked up chairs and broke some of the windows, but they were greeted with flaming torches that were thrown into the inn. People scattered out of the way, knocking over tables and spilling drinks. Alcohol hit the torches and flames spread across the floor.

“We’ve got to get out of here!” Gwen shouted.

Boris grabbed her hand and led her through the kitchen to the backdoor, but when he pushed on it, it didn’t budge.

“They’ve blocked us in,” Boris said grimly.