Jessica Robinson
Stories
9
Chapters
2,697
Words
1.2 M
Comments
0
Reading
4 d, 6 h
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The Viscount's residence is protected by high walls and many guards. It's almost like entering a royal palace. Does he need protection from his peasants so much? It would be enough to stop killing and abducting people to have a peaceful land. Unarmed folks-men do not rise against their lords without motive. ?Good evening, your grace,? Viscount Prothus says when he can look at us. ?It's an honour to have you here.? Now, we just need to explain what we are doing so far from Kyre. ?Likewise,?…-
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Convincing the bandits turns out simpler than expected. ?First of all, let's talk about it around a table,? Alexander says. ?Or a camping fire, whatever. Bring us to your camp, and let my knights drop their arms. They've stood like this long enough.? ?We don't trust you,? the bandits reply. And we don't have a choice but to accept staying unarmed. As we enter their place of hiding, I return to think about how to prove the crimes the local lord is committing. There's a chance that the exchange has…
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272 •
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?What are you mumbling about?? the bandit shouts when he notices how Alexander and I are conversing without a worry. He just ordered us to strip and give him our clothes, yet we've found a way to solve a more relevant problem they all have. But first, we have to convince them to let us help. And it doesn't seem that easy, considering the raised rusty weapons and the frowns. ?Listen,? Alexander starts, ?we know how we could help you have your people back. But first, you have to let us meet the local…
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272 •
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Alexander lets go of the sword and throws it on the ground. Where it lands with a clonk, dust rises. My husband lifts his arms and shows his empty hands, calm and composed. Nothing can unsettle him, really! He moves down the ladder to the ground, and then he turns to me. He stretches out his arm and waits for me to catch it. I prefer being next to him than alone in the carriage, so I promptly grab his hand and follow him down. As soon as we're stable, he surrounds my shoulders and pulls me in his…
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272 •
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It's late at night when we get out of the brothel and walk towards the harbour. These alleys are different during the night, so I need a few moments to understand which direction to take. In the end, we reach Diogenes's ship just in time. He's ready to leave as well, and he's ordering his men around. ?My Queen's husband must be a big shot for real,? he comments when he sees us. ?The document he signed was accepted without delays. They didn't even complain that it came out of nowhere.? ?The sigil…
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272 •
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?I'm not even sure we can agree on how this all looks,? Alexander chuckles. The woman in front of me, the prostitute who has trained the servants sent to Ethiro, stares at him with wide eyes. She covers her mouth with her hands, wondering what kind of trouble she pushed me in. ?It's very, very simple, actually,? I start, blinking in the most innocent way I can. ?This woman once worked in the Palace.? ?And what use did you have of a prostitute?? he continues. ?I didn't think you were that kind of…
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272 •
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After breakfast, we walk to the central library. ?I can't get in, or someone might recognise me,? I realise, in front of the entrance. ?Unless you fired all the librarians and workers.? ?No one has been fired from the library, Thea. But it opened a few months ago. It felt safer to keep it close during the shift of power.? ?It was a wise decision,? I praise him. ?I was thinking about something, by the way...? ?Regarding the library?? ?Yes, about that. Since both Kyre and Polis have public…
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272 •
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Alexander straightens his back. He crosses his arms and thinks for a while. I also look at him, wondering what he wants in return for this little favour. The elder waits for our reply to his question, nervous each second a little more. ?I can't promise you anything,? he says in the end. ?But if you tell me your granddaughter's name, I might ask my friend at the court when I see them. I'll just hint to them that the girl should write to her family a letter, nothing more than that. I'm not going out of…
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272 •
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In the morning, I get up at dawn. I stay in bed and sigh at the warmth of Alexander's arms for a while. My muscles are still tired, and I'm not sure I'll be able to walk today. Yet, it's the last day in Polis before the departure! I can't waste it. There are so many places I haven't visited yet. I'd like to see the central libraries, just to check they're still open. Also, it would be nice to buy some clothes for my alone moments. Even if I can't wear them in the Palace, I can use them in Kyre.…
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272 •
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We leave after locking the door through which we came in. The Palace is still silent, as it's dinner time, and people must have left to eat in their lodgings. I can't imagine them using one of the big halls as if nothing happened. Maybe, one day they'll forget and return to live like normal. But not that soon. We walk in the hallways with our hoods down so that we won't be treated like burglars the moment we're spotted. The dark clothes are suspicious, but Alexander has proof of his identity on…
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