II. KELLY

Kelly sat at the order table.

The inn was unusually quiet tonight. There were no knights or peasants present and the maids had retired to their chambers.

Word has been sent out that the Dark Prince has returned. He had broken into the Capital and had stolen the dark sword from the crypts of Arath.

She wasn't in the least bothered about by it, but it affected business.

The door opened with a loud creak and a man entered.

She could swear, she had never met him before, but the face looked awfully familiar.

He was tall and handsome with a black cloak and heavy boots.

He walked straight to her with a smile and said,

"It's been a long time, cousin."

She could not believe she had heard right, after all these years, the face bespoke of itself.

It was Alex.

She visibly wavered from a series of mixed emotions.

Surprise, anger, happiness,sorrow, all flowed through her in a nick of time.

She retained her composure,"You decide to come here after all these years, so I guess you deserve a room for tonight."

He frowned at her, as if he expected something else.

Of course, she was happy to see his face after all these years. She had thought he was dead and had mourned him everyday and now when he was in front of her, she just wanted to embrace him and not let go.

But she could not show her happiness.

She had never been soft to him. If she hugged him now, he would think she was going mad.

Affection was not something he knew from her.

"By the five, am I supposed to cry now? Just get going, I believe you are tired." She scoffed.

He smiled at her,"Yes, it has been a long day."

He started off for the room, but paused on the stairs."Cousin?"

"If you are looking for Serena, the little maggot is working at the Molby's."

He stared at her, but thankfully, he didn't ask why.

Even if he had any doubts, he decided against it.

Kelly was never fond of Serena.

The wretched girl had gone rebellious after the fire.

When she had wanted to dye her hair to avoid detection, she had thrashed and kicked. The perilous task was accomplished after a great struggle.

She had blamed him for Alex's death and went bitter from sadness.

On her fifteenth nameday, she ran away to work at Molby's.

"Thank you." He gave her a last smile and went upstairs.

The door opened again and a second man came in. He was dragging a bag and an axe with him.

He had short hair and wore a rug over his shoulders. He had a scar on his right eye.

She recognised him instantly.

"I see, his running off in the fire didn't go waste."Kelly noted.

The man turned towards her and gave a dry smile.

"Where's the other one?"

The smile disappeared from his lips.

"When Alex saved us, we were followed. Luke said he would act as the bait." His eyes turned sad." We never saw him after that."

"So, my cousin saved your life and made you his slave, to drag his luggage, is that what what happened?"

Devon smiled and gave a mocking bow," The lesser houses serve the King."

"You both have been playing King and slave, all these years."

"You can say that." With that he turned and went to join his friend upstairs.

She didn't know what these two had been doing for the past and didn't really wish to know.

There are many things men do these days.

She roused the cook and told him to take mead and bread for Alex and Devon.

The night became still again.

She sat at her table, with some bread and stared off into the night.

She fancied she heard pattering of hooves outside.

The pattering grew louder until she realised what was happening.

The doors opened and the Knights barged in.