SHATTERED CROWN

CHAPTER 006; Rumors follow

Camyre’s POV

the streets, thick with common folk, pressed ever tighter, and I found myself pushing through the crowd, each step swifter than the last. A strange unease gnawed at me, for the thought of some ill news reaching this city troubled my heart, though I knew not why.

It seemed madness to me, for how could I, a mere man raised by foster kin, have aught to do with the royal line? My days had ever been spent in their humble care, as far back as memory did stretch. Yet, still, a shadow clung to my thoughts, one I could not shake.

I kept glancing back now and then to make sure I wasn't being followed until I came to a stop, my breath increasing and I doubled over, the surrounding new crowd stared at me as though I was insane.

My newly acquired rob was stained with mud and there was nothing I could do about it, thanks to the servant, my way home was defined but the real issue was getting back there. It was a thousand miles of a journey and my legs were already hurting from all the running I had been doing to hey back home, my stomach grumbled reminding me more of my plight.

The best thing for me to do was to find a horse that would take me back to Heisenberg, getting a hire in this part of town was quite expensive and I would have to rent one if I wanted to make it back home, I needed to get a job, that was the only solution I could think of.

Strolling down the sides of the muddy road, chickens came out of nowhere and fluttered around me, I waved them off, at the same time, a man was tossed out from a cut into the streets, rolling on the mud before me, “and stay the hell away from my pub,” I glanced up and watched the angry man bark out as he glared harshly.

The man at my feet staggered to his feet but was barely able to hold himself up as he cursed at the other man, “Shame on you cuz you never finding another worker better than me,” a round of hiccups resonated from him as he stumbled away,”

An idea popped into my head as the man dragged my shirt loosely to keep himself steady complaining about how the man from earlier who was probably his worker was the worst and how he had only taken a few drinks from the stash and had gotten him fired. I raised a brow at this and pulled the man off me, not feeling pity on him in any way as his unemployment was just what I needed.

He yelled out for me to come back, catching the attention of passersby but I ignored him, pushing the wooden door of the bar and walking inside, just like every other bar I had entered which was only one of them, a few men and women were drinking to their feel and being merry on one corner and other state in seclusion and drowned themselves in their sorrow.

I let my eyes scan the surroundings before they landed on the man who I presumed was the owner of the pub and would be willing to hand off some work for me, assuming there was an opening, “Sir?” I called out, pushing past tables and stepping forward

“Yes? What would you like to be served, ale, beer, what is it?’ he questioned as he turned towards me, thinking I must be a customer of the sort.

I smiled in response, wringing my hands together before correcting him, “ A job perhaps?” I was a bit unsure as he seemed a bit impatient, his eyes scanning me from head to toe and an eyebrow arched in surprise, “A fine, nobleman like you wants to work in a tavern like this?” he asked curiously and I nodded enthusiastically.

“I am no nobleman sir, just a citizen like the rest of you lots,” correcting him once again and offering my best smile, I needed this job and I was willing to do anything to get it.

His eyes contemplated as he stared at me and dawned, “Have you ever worked in one of these joints before?”

If this was a criterion to work with, I contemplate whether or not to withhold the truth to get the job, or, to be straightforward, “I…….” I felt a warm sensation that was pressed against my chest and an overwhelming feeling that seemed to nag at me, making me change my mind. “no, I do not have the experience of working in such a place. But I am open to learning, "I rushed to add. Just in case.

He sizes me up and down once more, a smile spreads across his lips instantly which makes me retch in confusion as he takes me by the hand and pulls me over to the serving counter, “You're hired, this would be your workstation, all you have to do is just serve, there's nothing to learn about it,”

I nodded my head and pushed my confusion to the back of my mind as he continued, “The last guy that was here drank half of my stash the entire night, make sure you're not like him,” he warned and I nodded to show my understanding.

We stood in silence, staring at each other, “Well?” He asked, with hands placed on both sides of his hips and an arched brow.

I didn't know what to say or do as I didn't understand his question. A frown settled on his face, “GET TO WORK, CUSTOMERS ARE WAITING,” He barked out making me stumble from the shock and going behind the counter to begin my work.

His sudden change in moods was something I didn't fathom and wasn't used to either, using a rag to clean the nugs and taking ale from the barrel before walking around and serving them.

“This wouldn't last for long, I just need enough money for food and to rent a horse,” I encouraged myself that it was only a matter of time and I would be home soon.

But my worry was piqued when I listened to the chatter in the room, they were talking about a man who wielded the power of the wind and fought his opponent and the same rumors that had been spread before.

This seemed to follow me everywhere I went, as long as they didn't know it had been me, I was still safe. Gazing over the crowd and pretended that I didn't eavesdrop on their conversation, serving them their drinks as they drank themselves into stupor.