The sting of betrayal | Closed.

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya watched him draw the blade from his cloak, tensing slightly at first, although when he offered it to her she relaxed, carefully taking the blade from him.

"It's beatiful.. Are you sure I should have it? Won't you need it?" She asked as she gazed up at him, smiling faintly when she noticed his smile. "If you ever need to reach me, this tunnel leads almost all the way to my chambers.. If you ever need assistance, food, supplies, money, please don't hesitate to ask."

Rowan watched her and shook his head. "I have plenty of blades, hold onto that one for me," he said matter of factually. He moved away from her slightly, "that's good to know," he said in reference to the tunnel.

"I'll try keep an eye on you when I can, to make sure you're safe," he promised her. He turned beginning to walk away slowly. He clearly hadn't been raised with much etiquette.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya watched him quietly, holding onto the blade he'd given her tightly. "Of course... Thank you." She called after him, waiting another moment before disappearing back down the tunnel, hurrying to her chambers for the night.

She dressed in her nightgown and let her hair down, hiding the dagger in the top drawer of her nightstand, wanting to keep it safe. She was relieved that he was going to help her, hoping he'd find the men responsible quickly.

Rowan quickly made his way towards the slum district. He didn't want to be caught out at night, with all the weapons he still had on him. He didn't really have a starting point for finding who was responsible for the bounty, but he figured he'd try the thieves guild.

As with any large city, there was an organised criminal element in Rythinia. It was a decent place to get information, if you knew how.

@ katahdin

Freya slept a bit sounder knowing that Rowan would be looking out for her, sleeping well into morning before a chamber maid came to wake her for the day. She dressed for the day, preparing to attend some sort of function with her father out in the city, honoring someone or dedicating something. Her mother had not wanted her to go, but her father insisted she go, wanting to show the people that they weren't afraid of these rumors.

Freya left the palace in the carriage with her father, fidgeting a little with her fingers as she looked out the window, eyes scanning the crowd once the carriage stopped to let them out.

@ A Drop On the Window

Rowan slept soundly thinking of how to address the problem. As the sun came up, he headed to the underground. He began spreading the word that he needed some info, and was willing to pay for it. Money always loosened lips.

By midday, he had headed into the main square. Some big festival or something was happening. The crowd was intense, so he easily slipped into it unnoticed,

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya stood up on the little stage that had been set up for the festival next to her father, smiling and waving a bit nervously at the crowd, eyes scanning all the different faces, wondering if any of them could be who wanted to kill her.

She spotted Rowan after a little while of searching, but quickly looked away, not wanting to draw attention to the outlaw.

Rowan moved through the crowd, searching the faces. He was looking for the tense people, the ones that seemed out of place. He kept moving along not finding any threats.

As the presentation continued, the crowd continued to murmur quietly. Rowan scanned the rooftops to see if any threats were present, but didn't see any.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya relaxed a little as the presentation went along, although she was glad when it was finished and the crowd began to disperse to enjoy the festival. She linked her arm with her father as they walked down off of the platform, looking around once more for any sign of Rowan before she got in the carriage.

Rowan spotted a shadow on one of the rooftops. He carefully followed behind it, as it left the square. Thankfully whoever it was, hadn't made an attempt yet, but Rowan definitely wanted to question them. He darted through the alleys, trailing the figure.

@ katahdin

Freya frowned a little when she couldn't spot him, leaning her head against the carriage window boredly as she listened to her father speak to her about something or other.

She was glad that Rowan was helping her, but knew if her father ever found out he'd be furious, and would surely have him executed.

@ A Drop On the Window

Rowan followed the figure all the way back to an inn. The figure was clearly from out of town. Rowan entered the Inn a few moments after the figure and ordered a drink. He was hoping the figure would come down and find him in their own time.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya and her father made it safely back to the palace, the young princess heading up to her chambers for the evening, feeling safest there alone, despite there being more guards stationed throughout the palace.

Rowan sat silently at a table near the back. He watched as an woman walked down from upstairs, the woman ordered a drink and approached his table. He looked up at her, "evening Alesha," he said calmly.

He had met the woman before, on a job. It surprised him that she would take this job though.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya spent her afternoon before dinner reading and fretting over her situation, hoping that Rowan would be able to help and find whoever was responsible. However, she also worried that he would betray her, but it was a risk she'd have to take.

Rowan spoke with Alesha for awhile, trying to gather information. He smiled softly, "Alesha, do you really think it's a good idea to go after the king's daughter, there's safer ways to earn a living?" he asked her.

Alesha smirked, "What are you concerned about me? I'll be alright, see you around," she replied before leaving the table.

Rowan made his way out of the Inn, and towards the secret entrance to the castle.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya had been so stressed and tired that after dinner she'd completely forgotten about meeting Rowan that night, having fallen asleep shortly after returning to her room. Due to the lateness of the hour though, there were less guards roaming the halls, making it easier to sneak in.

Rowan made his way through the secret entrance. Being mindful to keep silent. He came out into her room, it was surprisingly neat. He kept low and made his way over to her bed, and watched her for a moment, considering whether to wake her.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya hadn't even changed out of her dress before she'd fallen asleep, her shoes discarded at the end of her bed and her hair still pinned up like it had been at the festival. She looked rather peaceful sleeping, but her brow still showed how worried she was, seeming like she wasn't truly relaxed.

Rowan looked at her, she was extremely beautiful. He moved to her head, and shook her awake, his hand over her mouth, so she couldn't scream. He waited for her to wake up, before carefully stepping back from her.

@ katahdin