One of the tables had a larger pile of coins in the center. She nudged Grevik and tilted her head in that direction. Since she was female, she couldn’t join a card game played only by men without garnering undo attention. Allyssa furtively handed him a bag of coins, and he made his way over to the table. She watched him speak to the men as he tossed his bag of coins on top of the pile. One of the men nodded, and Grevik pulled a chair over and joined the game. Allyssa studied the one who had nodded—most likely he was in charge, which meant he was one of the thieves.
She stood there, growing tired, while Grevik played a couple of games, purposely losing each one in order to rouse the other men into boasting. When he ran out of money, he stood and came over to her.
“Well?” she asked, holding the mug in front of her lips so no one could see her talking to Grevik.
“The tall, thin guy with black hair,” Grevik mumbled, pointing out the one she’d suspected, “is one of the thieves. Don’t know who the second is, though.”
Observing the other tables, she didn’t notice anyone who appeared out of place or suspicious. “Anything else?” she asked, hoping the man had told Grevik something useful.
“He said he was only passing through. Plans to leave first thing tomorrow.”
They didn’t have time to figure out who the second thief was then. They had to take this one to their contact in the City Guard tonight. “Very well,” she uttered. “One is better than none.”
Grevik chuckled. “Sometimes you speak so … formal. It makes me laugh.”
“Glad I can be of amusement.”
“Me too.”
They made their way to an empty table near the back where they could watch the thief without being noticed. After a couple more rounds, he collected the money piled high in the middle of the table. This was Allyssa and Grevik’s cue to leave. They exited the tavern and slid into the shadows, watching. When the thief left, they silently followed him until they came to a deserted street.
The two friends had done this so many times they didn’t even have to talk to one another. Grevik left her side and ran a block ahead to cut the thief off. Allyssa remained trailing the man. When she saw Grevik step into the middle of the street up ahead, she unsheathed her daggers. While the thief’s attention was on Grevik ahead of him, Allyssa silently strode up behind the man and struck him across the back of his head with her dagger. He dropped to the ground.
When she glanced up at Grevik, his eyes widened at something behind her. She knew someone was there. She spun and kicked, her foot nicking her attacker. He lunged with his sword and she stepped to the side. Bringing her arm up, she hit his sword arm. His weapon clanked to the ground. Grevik managed to strike the man’s head with the hilt of his own sword, and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
“I take it this is the second thief?” Allyssa said, panting.
“Doesn’t matter,” Grevik replied. “We’re taking them both to my contact, regardless.” His contact in the City Guard ensured anyone they delivered to him was secured in prison. This particular guard had been good friends with Grevik’s father, and he was eager to help.
Allyssa glided inside Darmik’s office. Her parents and Prince Zek sat at a small, round table waiting for her. She had planned to arrive early so she could talk to her parents before the prince showed up, but it had taken even longer today to conceal her bruised face than it had yesterday. It actually hurt to smile. As gracefully as possible, she took her seat between her parents.
She’d attended enough of these meetings by now to be able to determine the seriousness based upon small subtleties. The low fire in the hearth, the absence of fresh flowers, and the fact that her father wore his commander uniform instead of his royal tunic and crown indicated that her parents didn’t consider the prince a potential suitor. However, there was definitely something of importance they wished to discuss—otherwise, they wouldn’t have even bothered to meet with him.
Darmik motioned for the remaining guards to exit and shut the door, leaving the four of them alone. “You wanted an audience with us,” he said to the prince. “What would you like to discuss?”
Prince Zek cleared his throat. “I wish for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Allyssa had heard similar declarations before. Many wanted to marry the crown—no one actually cared for the person wearing it.
“You and every other prince on the continent,” Darmik bluntly answered.
Allyssa wanted to kiss her father. She tried desperately not to laugh at the look of shock on the prince’s face.