Chapter 12: Hiding a Body and Other Relatable Crimes

Chapter 12: Hiding a Body and Other Relatable Crimes

The courtyard was too well lit for his liking. Most of it came from atop the wall, where redcoats always stood watch, but lamps burned quietly from here and there and a little bit of everywhere. Just outside the stables, a lantern hung over a girl who nodded in and out of dreams, on duty all night in case of late messengers. Light spilled from the windows in the guard barracks, like embers lit around the base of the royal tower. Hed forgotten how much uptowners liked their lights. Bad as he was in the dark, hed give anything for a strong wind to blow out each and every one.

Probably an unwise thought to have when a fey was granting his wishes.

Aaron eased himself out of the doorway and started around the side of the castle. He didnt try to hidethere was no hiding if a guard looked down from their post. But hed just come out of the kitchens, and from that distance, who was to say he wasnt just a servant? He tried to move casually. Mostly, he tried to move towards an exit.

The main gates were closed and even more lit up than the rest of the place, besides. If he could find a servants door, though, maybe. Or someplace to hole up. He had food now, he could last a day or two. Long enough they might think him well and truly escaped. Might be an opening, then. Or

A door opened in front of him. Light spilled out, catching the guardswomans smile as she tossed crude words back over her shoulder. She kicked the door shut with her foot, leaving both hands free for a last impolite gesture to those inside.

The door slammed shut on laughter.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

It was as good an aim as any. If he could catch the guard by surprise like hed done with Chereau, if he could get out the gate quick enough to have a head start, if he didnt get shot in the back running away

There were two guards at the gate. Not one. Aaron almost altered his steps, almost kept walking like hed never been headed there in the first place, but one of them was leaving already. The man came his way.

Aaron had recognized Chereau the moment shed stepped out. Highlighted in the doorway, a few strands escaping from her tied hair, hed known her the moment he saw her.

Lochlann, now. Lochlann recognized him first. Aaron was too busy nodding a casual greeting, trying to keep his shoulders straight and his pace even. By the time he saw the furrowing of the young lieutenants eyebrows, he was caught.

The guard drew his sword. Aaron stuck his hands in his pockets and closed his fingers around the hilt of the little carving knife. He met the good lieutenants scowl with a tight smile.

Up in the watchtower, someone sounded the alarm.