Chapter Twelve; Leanunya

Leanunya talked with Drake til dawn, the rain having not stopped until well into the night long after Nagos and those others had fallen asleep. She knew she wouldn't have slept anyway so she had stayed up with Drake. They had talked about many things but at the same time nothing. They both knew more than either chose to speak about or wanted to. They had spoken of nothing that could give away who they truly were or what they did as a living.

They had talked about simple things. Fighting styles and journeys but never about the deaths or the tolls. They talked and began to know each other without truly knowing each other. Although, knowing one day they would meet again either as friends or enemies after they parted. They had long finished off the bottle of whiskey they had shared but they didn't mind as they talked through the night just like two old pals would do.

She could tell that it was time to go now that the sun was coming up and the way Drake seemed to tense up. Leanunya spoke softly, "We should get going but it was a pleasure to share a drink with you Drake," she looked at Drake who nodded in agreement.

She then went and woke Nagos. Leanunya's eyes were cold as she waited for Nagos to be ready to go. She saw the others were getting up as well. She knew they needed to leave. There was tension in the air and she knew a fight would soon ensue. She was going to be sure she wasn't going to be anywhere nearby when it started. She didn't know the details but knew it was serious.

She nodded once Nagos was ready and after saying farewell she headed out with Nagos. As they left the cave Leanunya threw over her shoulder to Drake "Guard your right". She heard a curse from someone before she left the cave and walked away.

Little did she know those simple words would lead Drake to become a legend and help her in her greatest time of need in the future. The greatest legend and hero being born as she walked away.

She was kind enough to give some advice although it did let the other know she knew his upcoming troubles. Her gaze turned ice cold as she walked away from the cave headed for Rynion. She could feel Nagos's gaze on her but she refused to look at him as she walked. Leanunya walked silently going to the town of Rynion her eyes like ice as she walked. She would not be coming back this way for a very long time.

Leanunya walked silently and soon reached the road for Rynion and started down it towards the town. She walked swiftly and soon reached the gates just before noon. She walked up to the gates and looked at the guards, just like last time paying the fee to get into the city. She walked into the city with Nagos and after a moment of looking around to get her bearings of the city started to walk.

Leanunya walked to the nearest sewer entrance and went in without pausing. She heard Nagos complain about the stench and she nodded slightly in agreement. She walked making her way to the Rusted Hinge Tavern hidden in the sewers. She knew it was the thieves guild hideout and also where she could find Bardock. She walked and soon spotted it and went to the door and entered without even pausing.

This morning had made her have a foul mood with little patience. This was also the reason Nagos had mostly been keeping quiet this whole time. Leanunya looked around the place as it went silent as everyone there looked at her. It had been a few years since she was last here but everyone remembered her. She saw Bardock and walked over but before she could say anything Nagos ran over and hugged him.

Leanunya nodded softly, "I'm returning your kid to you. He isn't going to get killed unless it's a person faster than him. Even then they'll have a hard time at it." Bardock looks at her after hugging Nagos and nodded "Thank you." Leanunya nodded, "I'll be in town for a day or two."

She then turned and headed out hearing Bardock saying to Nagos about how big he had grown and glad he was safe. She left the tavern and was about to round a corner when a catsterfy of voices raised up drowning out any one voice to be heard. She headed out of the sewers and went to find an inn to stay at. She found an inn to stay in and made the arrangements before going up to her room to sit and think.

She sat in her room in the sun's inn thinking. She had come a long way since she had become a fugitive. She needed some time to think of a plan to get to the castle and to think of what to do next if she could get into the castle or not. She was not stupid enough to go in blind without a plan by now. Her first attempt had taught her that. She had failed because she was rash in her decision and had no plan. It had nearly cost her her life and she never wanted to do that again.

At times she could get away with no plan and think of something on the spot but when it came to the king she knew she had to have a plan. The king had too many guards to not have a plan to get in or escape. But, Leanunya could only plan for so much since she didn't have a map of the castle. She could only rely on her instincts and her memories from when she first snuck into the castle.

Leanunya was going to use these two days she was staying to plan for what was up ahead. Her meeting Drake had reminded her of her ultimate goal of killing the king. This was the main reason for her foul mood as well. She sat thinking of what she remembered of the castle. Although it wasn't much she still remembered some. Ultimately though she decided to try and get a hold of a map to the castle when she got there.

———

Leanunya got up in the morning of the third day she had been staying in Rynion. She had made her plans and was ready to go. Bardock had come over and given her a pouch of money as a thank you for training Nagos. She had taken it without complaint knowing it would come in handy to have soon. Leanunya stood and dressed before heading out into the early morning light.

Leanunya headed out of town without grabbing any breakfast, having bought some food the day before she could eat later. She walked past the gates without any trouble as she headed down the road headed for the capital city Jarwar and the king's castle.