Willow pulled her cloak tighter hiding her armour as she sat listening to the bustling activity going on around her. Three days had passed since Willow had reached Amstrad. She was currently staying at the Rogue Merchant Inn. It had a bad reputation but Willow was cautious and enjoyed knowing the true people of a city.

A plump woman in a shabby red dress moved over she smiled kindly. “May I sit?” She asked.

Willow waved her hand to the empty seat. “Please do, would you like a drink?” She asked kindly. The woman nodded and Willow hailed the barman.

“What’s a nice lass like you doing in armour.” The woman asked as light reflected off Willow’s suddenly revealed armour.

“Dangerous world we live in,” she whispered as two flagons where placed on the table. “Business well sister?” she asked politely as she put some coppers on the tray as the serving wench turned to leave.

The whore hooted. “Fine, thank you. I see I can’t shock you.”

Willow shrugged. “Not really. You have to earn a living and I bet there where not many options open to you.”

The whore shook her head intrigued. “What’s your name?”

Willow smiled “Willow and you madam?”

“Polite too, well I’m called Rosa, my lady.” Realising straight away the Willow would hold some sort of title.

“Just call me Willow titles are dangerous in this place.” The whore nodded and looked around her eyes scanning for potential clientele.

“How long you staying for?” Rosa asked out of politeness.

“Not sure. I was supposed to be staying at the Lion Inn but that snooty innkeeper didn’t like the look of me.”

Rose looked her over and roared with laughter turning a few heads. She shook her head ruefully. “I’m sure he didn’t but, this is not a place for you to be child, how long have you had to stay already?”

“A couple of days have passed since I left my brother’s company.” she replied evasively.

The woman nodded. “I have work too be doing you be careful now strangers are filling the streets.” The woman smiled at her warmly and Willow found herself returning it the veiled warning had not gone unnoticed by Willow who now knew that many other outsiders had travelled to the city recently. Willow finished her ale and left the inn.

She walked around the merchant quarter until she found the herbalists shop. She stepped inside inhaling the fragrances that hung heavy in the air. A young man smiled at her from behind the counter. Willow smiled back.

“I need some small pouches of eucalyptus, mint, rosemary, and burdock and a small tin of chamomile.” He nodded and went to work weighing out what she asked once he was finished she paid her two gold crowns and left.

She spent the last hours of light surveying the city getting to know the lay of the city she never liked not knowing how to evade or take advantage of the things around her. As the sky darkened Willow returned to the inn she decided to pack away her herbs she was just walking up the stairs when voices caught her attention.

“_they say the king knows.”

“Yes but this has worked in our favour. With the king absent from his city our agents will be able to move freely.” Willow bit her lip in fear wondering what was happening in the royal city she hoped Rye was okay.

“It will take too long for an operation to be set up.”

The mystery man gave a sardonic laugh. “It already is and soon we will succeed.” Sudden footsteps made the men stop talking, they quickly moved towards Willow.

Willow silently fled back down the stairs she watched as the two men walked into the common room they whispered conspiratorially then went there separate ways. Willow rushed to her room and grabbed some parchment she could not risk revealing herself yet.

Dearest Ryeonus,

I hope all is well and your search is fruitful, King Edward knighted me for saving his life, wish you could have been there, it would have made it complete.

I have overheard troubling reports here in Amstrad where I am staying at Edward’s request. There are many strangers filling the streets enough so that it is troubling the locals who deal with one of the Four. I have also overheard people talking of plots within the royal city and I am anxious, I believe they search for something of great worth or power. Unfortunately, before I could learn more they were interrupted. I will see what I can discover whilst I am here and try to send you information of all that I have learned. I wonder if I should tell someone in authority but I don’t know if they would believe me from what I saw of the men one is from noble birth, and where they where talking is not a place you would find one from a noble family.

Stay safe Rye as I feel things are going to get worse and I would hate to loose you.

Yours lovingly

Willow.

She sealed the missive then rushed from the inn heading towards the Magic Guild.

The guild was as foreboding to look at as the high walls that surrounded it and the massive gates which made her pause. She went through the small door within its face and made her way across the quiet courtyard her skin prickled and she stopped and scanned the courtyard as if someone watched her. It was quiet too quiet she shook herself as she walked inside. Inside the cool light coloured marbled halls where creating rich corridors of light filled with multiple colours a vast contrast to the cold grey foreboding walls of its exterior.

She spotted a novice and approached. “Excuse me but I need to find the magician of the hall?”

The lad stared at her he was about to brush her off when she showed him her signet ring. He pointed her in the right direction and she rushed off. She found herself outside the Arch magician’s door.

She gasped as the door suddenly swung open. “Enter child.” Willow entered and bowed realising she was before the Arch Mage not just any higher ranked magician. He had a white beard and silver hair which contrasted with his golden skin his amethyst eyes softened as he smiled benevolently at her.

“Forgive me for asking you too do something that is below your worth but I need to send a message to the royal city one that can’t be intercepted in anyway.” She begged humbly.

“Your words will grant you this you are most polite Dame Willow.” She smiled not surprised he knew who she was. He took the missive and a purple glow appeared around it, with a pop the letter disappeared the Arch mage smiled staring at her as if seeing something within her, he suddenly paled.

“Your grace, are you well?” She asked concerned she looked around for a drink and quickly poured him what appeared to be wine and handed it to him.

He shook himself taking the drink which he drunk with a thoughtful frown but realised he had worried the child.

“I am sorry I am fine. Please before the streets become more dangerous you should return to your lodgings.” His smile wobbled a little but she relented and nodded.

“Thank you again for the trouble.” Willow paused at the door and turned back. “May I visit you again sometime?” she asked tentatively, she suddenly felt a need to know more about him, she wondered if it was her guardians influence.

“Yes child you are most welcome.” She smiled and with a deep bow walked from the guild making her way back to the inn ready to get some rest deciding that in the morning she would start her investigation into the plot that seemed to be brewing she didn’t care where it led her she would allow no harm to her king.

Willow was awoken by a troubling feeling she sheathed the sword which was below her hand and belted on her sword as she left her room. She followed her instincts which led her upstairs coming to a halt outside the third bedroom the sound of a struggle and a woman’s cry urged Willow on.

She opened the door and watched as a familiar woman received a back hand sending her sprawling across the room. Willow’s eyes narrowed in annoyance as she unsheathed her sword she stepped into the room. The sound of steel turned the brute as he raised his hand to deliver another blow, bellowing he stumbled towards Willow, he pulled up short as she raised her sword to strike.

“Rosa, leave us and wait for me in the hall.” Bruised and wincing in pain Rosa rushed from the room, Willow sheathed her sword not willing to tarnish her blade for such a man.

“You will regret this mercenary. I have friends in high places and I…” He staggered back roaring with pain as Willow hit him in the face breaking his nose, he lumbered toward her but she kicked him in the stomach, as he doubled over she kneed him in the side of the head sending him crashing to the floor. Groaning and bloody the man lay on the floor as Willow loomed over him.

“Just because Rosa is a whore does not give you the right to treat her that way.” Willow grabbed his throat and squeezed. “I’m watching you.” Her voice was deadly as she squeezed a little harder he struggled to breathe and she let go his eyes where dilated with fear but she did not miss the hatred within his depths.

Walking out into the hall she paused beside the tearful Rosa. Without a word Willow led Rosa back to her room. She pointed to the bed and Rosa sat, Willow handed her over a cloak and pulled the chair in front of the door before she sat she grabbed her medic pack and began tending to Rosa’s wounds.

“These will swell but I’m sure you’re already aware of that. I’ll use some lavender and chamomile it will help bring the bruising out so it will fade quicker.” She grabbed some items from her pack Rosa watched in silence as Willow ground together some herbs. Once finished Willow silently stood before Rosa and applied it her bruises on her face. Once Willow was finished she surveyed Rosa’s dress.

“If you wrap up in my cloak and blanket I can fix your dress for you.” Rosa decided not to argue and handed over her dress. She watched as Willow rummaged in her pack and pulled out a small sewing kit, Willow began fixing the repairs her face gentle in the candle light as she hummed softly to herself. Rosa was filled with admiration as she studied the beautiful faced woman before her. The woman was a walking contradiction, she radiated maturity and wisdom yet she did not look old enough to have learnt wisdom with age.

“Dame Willow, may I ask how old you are?”

Willow looked up with a small smile, “how old do you think I am?” She challenged. She cut a lose thread and began on the next rip.

“Well you seem to understand things that those with more years understand but your youthful features don’t fit this, I would guess at oldest you are twenty two winters.”

“Subtract four Rosa I have only turned eighteen this spring.” her answer made Rosa gasp. It was not uncommon for children of the streets to be more knowledgeable to the world, but Willow should have led a sheltered life, should have been kept from the shadier side of the world instead the titled child was a knight and living her life like one of the mercenary women of the north.

Willow stood and returned her dress Rosa gasped she fingered the invisible repairs. Not only had Willow repaired the new rips she had also repaired the old ones. Unaccustomed with free kindness Rosa just stared, Willow frowned thinking she had done a poor job. “Forgive me it’s the best I could do, my sister was the gifted one with all things feminine. I love my sword and would have it no other way.”

Rosa shook her head. “No it’s great thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, why don’t you take my bed I’ll rest here by the door at least you’ll be able to get a good night sleep for once, rest well Rosa.” Willow whispered as she blew out the lamp. Light from the moon gently illuminated the room from the open window it calmed Willow as she allowed its light to wash over her, she took a bottle of mead from her pack and drank deeply as she watched over the woman now sleeping in her bed as she slept peacefully for probably the first time in a long while.