He looked her up and down, his expression sceptical, and didn’t bother to bow. ‘Right. My name’s Rafiq. Captain says I’m to take you to the Stonehill Inn for the night.’
‘I’m quite looking forward to sleeping in a bed that doesn’t sway,’ Aisha said.
Rafiq chuckled. ‘And a wash, judging by the look of you.’ He began walking. ‘This way.’
The two women exchanged an amused glance before following.
Virelin was quieter than Aisha had expected. It had narrow stone alleys, packed with faded houses and shutters already drawn for the night. Lanterns glowed in doorways.
The inn sat at the top of a hill, nestled between an apothecary and a wine merchant. Its stone façade was chipped along the archway.
‘Wait here,’ Rafiq said before disappearing inside. He emerged a few minutes later. ‘Everything’s settled with the innkeeper.’ He pointed to the ground. ‘I’ll meet you at this very spot at first light. Don’t be late.’ He then limped away.
Inside, the courtyard smelled of roasted meat and cardamom. A pang of hunger hit Aisha. Arched walkways lined the courtyard, each leading to a heavy wooden door or a curtained sleeping alcove. A tired woman rose from a bench when she spotted them, setting aside her teacup and bowing politely. She crossed the worn rug to reach them.
‘My name is Maryam,’ the attendant said. ‘And this is?—’
‘Princess Aisha of Avanid,’ Aisha finished.
Maryam didn’t correct her.
‘Welcome,’ said the woman. ‘We don’t get a lot of royal visitors. Or wild animals, for that matter,’ she added, looking pointedly at Mira.
Aisha smiled politely.
‘We would love to put our bags down,’ Maryam said.
‘Of course.’ She bowed again. ‘This way.’ She led them along a pathway before pushing open one of the doors. ‘This one’s yours.’
Aisha peered inside. The room was small but clean, with two cots and a washbasin.
‘Let me know if you need anything,’ the woman said before leaving them.
Aisha entered first, placing Mira on the bed before going over to the window and pulling back the curtain. Lights flickered across the town.
Maryam organised the bags near the wall. ‘I will get us some food,’ she said, then slipped quietly out the door.
Aisha was relieved to be alone for a few moments. She went to fetch a clean set of clothes from the bag Maryam had packed on her behalf. As she was digging around in search of clean linen, her fingers brushed against something soft. She drew out a small suede pouch. Something clinked inside as she lifted it. Untying it, she found gold dinars and a folded piece of parchment tucked in with them. Pulling it out, she opened it, running her thumb over Tariq’s familiar handwriting.
* * *
In case you need it.
* * *
No signature. Nor was it needed. She pressed the note to her chest, closed her eyes, then tucked it back into the pouch and buried it at the bottom of the bag.
Aisha had just finished washing and changing when Maryam returned with a tray of food and some fresh water. The smell of spiced lentils filled the room.
‘They gave me some goat ribs,’ Maryam said, placing them on the ground for Mira.
The two women sat opposite each other on their cots, watching the cub gnaw noisily. They were too tired for conversation, and Aisha didn’t know what to say anyway.
When the food was gone, Mira curled up on the foot of Aisha’s bed while she lay there appreciating the silence. No men shouting or creaking timber.
The last thing she saw was Tariq’s face as he had torn the token from her neck. She pressed a hand to her chest before sleep took her.
Chapter 36
