She sat down with a quill and paper and began planning. First the time. Would the guards be expecting her or would they be thinking she would be staying in tonight? Arland warned her that they would be watching her. So it would probably be best to do it during the time when they were watching the most so they were not expecting anything. Not later when they were in bed and on edge. She walked over to peer out her window and spotted three of them right away lingering about the streets dressed as common folk. She knew all the townspeople. Did they really think they could fool her? She had to think act quick while they were still out there. This was giving her such a rush. The excitement seemed to take over all her feelings of grief not to mention her confusion over Dev.
Second, what to steal. Their wagons were probably parked in town. They’re horses were probably in the stalls. She knew the stable boy very well. Perhaps she could pay him to bathe the horses. They guards could not arrest the him for it would be an extreme sign of respect if he were doing it for free. Their arrogance would distract them. It would take about an hour for the horses to be bathed and ready to ride again.
The guards knew better to keep their gold and valuable saddles in their own community rather than bring it into town where it could be thieved.
So she would take those gold and saddles. No not the saddles. No one would want anything they sat upon.
Thoughts and ideas continued to flow through her. She peered towards the window. If she slipped from their sight, they wouldn’t have any means of getting to the others to warn them. Not that they would admit that she slipped from their sight.
So now would conveniently be a good time to go to the market. And then maybe, slip out the back door, borrow the shop owner’s horse for about an hour, ride to the other end of the village where the guards lived. And thieve whatever she could find.
Her heart began to beat faster.
There were at least three right outside. There must’ve been at least two in the village. So that left another five at their home. There couldn’t be anymore than ten all together guarding their town. Not when one of their biggest criminals was gone. They had to make a statement letting the townsfolk know they aren’t afraid anymore. What idiots.
She tore the piece of paper into tiny shreds and crumpled them into little pieces. She scattered some into the fire pit and threw others into a trash bin. She always planned out her ideas on paper, yet she left no evidence to find. She ran into her room and grabbed a little bit of cash sticking it into her back pocket. She put her hair up in a pin and proceeded to leave her cabin. She was about to perform the greatest robbery. Her brother would be proud.
She noticed right away the three guards spot her leaving. They tried to be inconspicuous, but it wasn’t working. But she continued to town nonchalantly as if it were another day. Living right behind the town square, the first sight she came across was the platform where her brother was executed. It made her stop and just stare. As reality hit her, all thoughts disappeared and her body became cold. She wished she would’ve thought about this scenario, but it didn’t even enter her mind. She could’ve walked around the town and not directly through, but it was too late now. She had to come here eventually anyway.
Without thinking, she approached the stocks. There were still remnants of dried blood all around. She knew the townspeople had tried to clean and she definitely appreciated them for this. Tears formed in her eyes. She knelt down and said a small prayer to the gods asking them to watch over her brother. She was never the most spiritual of a person, but it felt appropriate for the time. “Oh Arland.”
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around. It was Emlyn and her huband, Dylis. The two of them practically helped raise her and her brother when they were children. They had another child of their own who had just turned a teenager. Sayer was standing with them. He seemed to get older and older every time she saw him.
“We are here if you need us.” Emlyn embraced her. One thing Aphria loved about them is that they would never require proof of being alright. If something was wrong and you wished to talk about it, then their large hearts were always there to listen and help. But they would never ask or force you to share any emotions.
“Thank you.” Aphria wiped those embarrassing tears and smiled. She looked around and realized she was gathering unwanted attention from the townsfolk.
“Everyone just wishes to show their respect.” Dylis spoke up. “You and your family have always given them and us hope.” Aphria was at a loss for words. As much as she appreciated this kindness, it was still hard for her to address the situation. Dylis must’ve sensed it. “Let us leave you be to your day. You know where to find us if you need company.”
Aphria hugged him. “I am sorry I am not much company today. I promise one night soon I will cook you all dinner.”
Emlyn rolled her eyes. “You do so much for all of us. Let us cook you dinner.”
Aphria blushed. “There will be a dinner. Who cooks gets to be decided on later.” She laughed.
They exchanged their goodbyes again before leaving to their own destinations. She walked into the market as the owner stood behind the desk. He was a tall man and rather large compared to the rest of the townsfolk. And looked as though he hadn’t shaved in a day, which was nothing new to him. Sal took one look at her and gave her a thoughtful smile. “I am so sorry about your brother.”
It was weird dealing with grief and people full of condolences. One on hand they lost someone important to them as well, but on another hand, she lost her brother. She didn’t know what to say. “Thank you.” It was all she could think up. Was that the right response? She didn’t know. She peered all around the store looking for any other patrons. “Is there anyone in here?” She needed to ask just to make sure.
“Just me. Business has been slow today.” Business was always slow. Everyone either grew their own food or only bought complete necessities. No one could afford much from a market.
“Good.” She responded quickly and realized it was the wrong answer. “Only because I need your help. There are guards following and watching me. They wouldn’t come in here because they know that someone would tell me who they are. They’re dumb enough not to realize that I always recognize them.”
“What kind of help do you need?” Sal smiled.
The rush from earlier came back to her. “Can you track down the stable boy and give him this.” She took some of the cash out of her back pocket and handed it to him. He eyed it as if he hadn’t seen that much in a long while. “And tell him to wash the guards horses.” The guards would have told the boy who they were in order to make sure that their horses were kept with the best care. The boy was probably sworn to secrecy. “I need about an hour so I can run to the guard’s part of town.” She felt herself genuinely smiling. She took out the rest of the cash and handed it to Sal. “This is for your help. When you leave the front, just yell something inside pretending I’m in here. Or that I am assisting you with something in here. I don’t need them to know that I left. Can I use your back door… and your horse?”
He seemed to be momentarily stunned by her request but nodded anyway. “You can use whatever you need. And I will help you in anyway possible. But please be careful.”
She looked around and spotted an empty potato bag. “Can I borrow that?” She ignored his request for her safety. Well not ignored.. Just decided not to respond. She didn’t care about her safety.
“Of course.” He seemed a bit confused but didn’t ask any questions.
“Thank you!” She smiled. “I should return in about an hour.” She didn’t want to open up the discussion on what would happen if she didn’t make it back. “Thank you so kindly.” She ran though to the back and out the door. Sal’s horse in the back stables waiting for him. She ran up and stroked his nose. “Orvin! Hello friend.” She rubbed his neck. Aphria had helped Sal taken care of the horse since it was born so the two of them were well acquainted. His beautiful soft brownness with creamy white splotches always made her smile.
She quickly opened the gate hopped on bareback not bothering to saddle up. She always preferred to ride without a saddle. In a second, she was off to the other part of town making a short cut through the forest path. The guards usually never go that way due to the possibility of getting dirt and mud and tree branches everywhere. Egotistical bastards. She tried not to let her anger consume her. She was about to take on her revenge in the largest way possible. |
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