100 Chapter 100

"We ask around." He answered simply. He took a step forward but was halted by her hand grabbing his.

"That's too dangerous. What if someone recognizes us?" She asked shaking her head.

"We'll be fine. Besides, we have to know some things. I need to know..." He said taking a step towards her. She looked up and pressed her lips into a thin line. He saw determination in her eyes and he knew that she agreed.

They walked slowly, trying to appear casual, as they walked along the storefronts. In the centre of the plaza ran a long narrow strip of clean bricks—free of mud—that held the gallows, whipping post, a fountain and a statue of Queen Valentina, the fifth queen of Cadarama. She established the first city of Crescent and was wife to Sovereign Agustin.

Passing by a tailor, a butcher shop and a cheesemonger with stale cheese, they stopped in front of a general store. Bastian politely opened the door and Hydrangea thanked him as though they weren't on the run for their lives.

They both removed their cloaks but Hydrangea made sure to keep her hair in a way that hid her features. Bastian's beard had grown to cover all of his lower face, he trimmed it but it was still quite thick.

He nodded to the man behind the counter, clearly the owner by his age and dress. Walking up to him he said in a Crescent accent, "Me and my wife have been travelling for the past few months. I heard that-"

He was interrupted by the door being opened and two people walking in. He looked down one of the aisles and saw Hydrangea checking out some brushes.

He continued in a lowered voice, "I heard that there's been some trouble down on the island."

The middle aged man nodded, "Aye, there 'as been. The Sovereign was killed, along with the new Queen."

Bastian feigned shock and nodded, "Oh, aye that is a mighty thing."

"Hm," The man hummed, "'Twas indeed, now they're saying that a' alliance between Mathuba and Cadarama will be happening." The store owner began to shuffle some brooms around, "Never trusted those desert people, and now they wan' us to."

Bastian simply nodded, his eyes focused and severe as he thought of what Lord Stone could possibly be trying to do. An alliance between Mathuba and Cadarama could never work.

The Sultan was a ruthless man that had too much power, he'd inherited a powerful empire from his father. The current Sultan had no eyes for peace, he only seeked to enlarge his empire and wealth. When the coup had occurred he'd recently received word that Mathuba was attempting to create aqueducts from Selva's mountains to their western most region. It was possible that a war between those two countries had already broken out. Which meant that if Cadarama and Mathuba became allies, then there was a possibility that Cadarama would be at war with the Sun Followers of Selva.

He thanked the man and went to fetch Hydrangea. She was sitting on the wooden floor in front of a bronze mirror. Her eyes looked saddened. He felt a pang in his chest and his heart tugged in empathy. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she craned her neck to see him. She stood and removed the dismal expression from her face to replace it with one of earnest curiosity.

"What did he say?" She asked.

He glanced at the other two people inside the store, "I'll tell you once we get out of here."

She looked at the same place he did and nodded.

With hands joined they left the store. The sky was pitch black and the candles in the lampposts were all lit. No stars dotted the sky, instead large monstrous clouds covered it. And a fierce, chilling wind blew down the streets, causing their cloaks to whip around them.

They settled down in an alley, the straw adding some comfort. They'd both pulled their cloaks close to themselves, the howling wind not ceasing.

He'd explained all of the details that had been relayed to him from the store owner. She'd nodded but not said anything. By the time he'd finished her eyes were distant and unfocused.

He reclined against the crumbling brick wall and sighed.

"Do you think they let him live?" She asked and he looked at her with pain.

He closed his eyes for a second and answered, "No."

They both said nothing further. The cold made it near impossible to; both of their teeth were chattering and both of them shivered violently.

He wrapped his arm around her and she didn't resist. Both clung to each other as they fought the cold. Eventually exhaustion from the stress of the day overtook them.

~~~~~~~~~

Bastian blinked awake to the sound of a never ending pitter-patter. He squinted his eyes open feeling disoriented as to where he was and why.

He looked down when he felt a warm exhale on his chest. His eyes widened when he saw Hydrangea with her head nestled closely on his chest. Her black hair was hidden in her blue cloak and his arms held her close to him.

An unknown smile appeared on his lips. He liked holding her, and he loved how relaxed and peaceful her face looked. Her soft lashes brushing her skin as her delicate arched brows rested peacefully above her closed eyes. Her chest rose and fell against his. He just wanted to cuddle her and keep her warm for all eternity.

But, that would not be possible. She soon began to stir and he released his hold on her. That's when he noticed that her arms were wrapped securely around him. He grinned. That grin faltered when her sleepy grey eyes landed on his.

After a few moments of waking up she seemed to realize their position. Her hands left his back and flew to her mouth. He held in a chuckle at the furious blush that appeared on her cheeks, that were still smudged from sleep.

"I-I…" She glanced from him to where she'd been sleeping then back to him, "I…"

He got up and stretched, "It's alright, Hydrangea." He moved to the entrance of the alley. It was pouring rain. He heard feet shuffling and turned to find her on her feet, her hands dusting at her skirt.

Grabbing her hand he felt surprised that she still allowed him to. They both fixed their hoods in place and walked down the otherwise quiet street if it weren't for the rain.