Several hours later, Ciel was awakened by the sun shining through the carriage blinds. Blinking sleepily, he glanced around himself quickly, sitting up and composing himself before moving the blinds aside. Hmm…it looked like they were nearly at their destination.
Ciel didn't recognize the town they were in, but then again, he shouldn't, because if he was familiar with the town, then the people would likely be familiar with him. So the further away he was, the better their chances at having this mission succeed the first time.
Numerous people were up and about, going about their daily lives and ignoring the carriage that traveled in their midst. Ciel looked back behind him, and saw that there were other carriages, some of them going down side streets, or heading up the main road.
Ciel smiled grimly; Sebastian's intelligence had been spot on. This was a small tourist town, which meant a lot of carriages, and a lot of travelers. What better place to kidnap children than in a town where the flow of people changed every day, where strangers were everywhere?
The carriage finally rolled to a stop in front of a dilapidated inn, but Ciel had no doubt that this was the best one in town; Sebastian wouldn't dare settle for anything less. When his butler opened the carriage door, he stepped down onto the road, shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight glancing off of the stones paving the street.
The air here was fresh, and tasted of salt. Ciel could hear the lap of water somewhere nearby, probably behind the inn. A gentle breeze blew through the town, ruffling Ciel's hair. Besides him, Sebastian was as impeccable as always, even after a several hour ride on the driver's seat of a carriage.
"This way, Bocchan," Sebastian murmured softly, and Ciel led the way up the short flight of stairs to the doorway. Sebastian opened the door with his usual efficiency, and Ciel walked into the inn, looking around. There was a single clerk standing behind the main counter, absentmindedly wiping down the same area.
Glancing up when they walked in, his eyes took in Ciel, and then shifted to stare at Sebastian. "Mr. Michaelis?" he asked, his voice quiet and unruffled. Sebastian merely nodded, and the clerk turned around and pulled down a key. "Your rooms are ready, sir." No further inquiries, and Ciel realized that Sebastian hadn't just picked the best inn in town – he had picked the best, most discrete inn. One that wouldn't ask questions, such as why a butler was traveling with what appeared to be a peasant boy in tow.
Sebastian led the way up the stairs and down the hall, stopping at a random door to their right. Slipping in the old-fashioned brass key, Sebastian opened the door, and then stood aside to allow Ciel to step into the room. The Earl did so, glancing around with a critical eye, and deciding that he was satisfied enough to remain here for a few days.
The room was not opulent by any means, but it was functional, and it was clean. The rug, though faded to a medium blue, was thick and cushioned his footsteps easily. The walls had recently been painted, and the pale blue of the room made the area appear to be larger than it was. The bedspread was a deep blue, the sheets underneath a paler blue that matched the walls. The wood in the room was of a simple oak, sturdy and worn, but useable.
There was a simple desk, furnished with a matching wooden chair, the seat and back padded for comfort. A small table sat on either side of the queen-sized bed, and sconces sat in the wall above the tables, designed to hold three candles apiece once night fell.
The single window was large, and Ciel saw what he had heard earlier – the seaside. The water sparkled in the sunlight, the waves appearing gentle. But Ciel knew better than anyone that looks could be deceiving. The fact that nobody was in the water indicated that it was either rougher than it appeared, or colder.
"This will do," Ciel finally said, and Sebastian bowed in acquiescence. Staring out the window a moment, Ciel made his decision. "We will spend the day walking through the town, making me visible. After dusk has fallen, we will venture out in search of our kidnappers."
"Understood, Bocchan," Sebastian replied, unruffled by the constant demands placed on him. "I shall remain in the shadows while you explore the town. Make certain to know some of the back alleys, won't you?" he smiled, his eyes gleaming with amusement, and Ciel scowled as his butler left, leaping lightly out of the window and disappearing into the shadows at the side of the building. Not even Ciel would be able to spot him, much less their enemies.
Sighing in resignation, Ciel turned and left the room, opening the door by himself this time. He really didn't need a butler to do half of the things he had Sebastian do, but he enjoyed bossing the demon around. It was one of those small pleasures in life, and as he was giving up his soul for the privilege, he might as well take full advantage of the terms of their contract.
He slipped quietly down the stairs, but the man at the counter was nowhere to be found, so Ciel just shrugged and walked outside, blinking in the bright sunlight again as his eyes adjusted. Once he could make out the area around him, he turned left, heading away from the water. Confident that Sebastian was somewhere nearby, Ciel took his time exploring the town, trying to appear to be nothing more than a curious child wandering alone in an unfamiliar town – easy prey. He just hoped that nobody tried to stop him and ask where his parents were. He wondered how Sebastian would handle matters if he ordered the demon to pretend to be his father.
Ciel scowled and dismissed the thought. He had a father once; he certainly didn't need another one. If anybody asked where his parents were, he'd just tell them that they were back at the inn, and that he had gotten lost while exploring. Surely somebody would direct him back towards the inn.
Vendors shouted and peddled their wares, calling out to the passersby, the street noisy with bargaining, and laughing children playing with each other while their parents shopped. Fruit and vegetables were sold alongside fish and shrimp. Toys with their vibrant colors, and jewelry that shone brilliantly in the sun glittered next to each other, garnering the attention of young girls and boys alike.
Ciel took everything in, but kept moving, not stopping at any particular stall. He tried to appear as if he knew where he was going, his gait steady as he moved. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but then again, he doubted that he was aware of nearly as much as his butler. Just because the enemy couldn't be seen by him, didn't mean that he wasn't being watched or tagged.
Nearly two hours later, Ciel finally decided that he had done enough, and turned back towards the hotel wearily. His feet ached, unaccustomed to walking so much, but he refused to stop, determination forcing his feet to keep moving until he reached the inn. The innkeeper was there, and just nodded at him. "Shall I have supper brought up, then, young sir?" he asked.
Ciel just nodded in acquiescence and walked up the steps, sheer will keeping him from slumping over in exhaustion. The heat and the constant walking had sapped most of his energy, and he'd probably retire early tonight. Perhaps he'd have Sebastian wake him before dawn, so that they could go back out and wander around when it was a little cooler, when their enemies might actually make a move.
Stopping in front of his door, Ciel reached for the knob when the door swung open, and he found himself staring instead at his butler. Sebastian smiled and bowed. "Bocchan," he greeted mildly. Ciel just scowled and moved into the room, head held high. The demon closed the door behind him, and Sebastian sat on the bed, his head bowing with his exhaustion. Normally, his pride kept him from showing such weakness in front of Sebastian, but right now, he didn't really care.
Sebastian, competent butler that he was, just set about getting Ciel out of his dirty clothes and into a warm bath. Ciel leaned back against the edge of the tub as Sebastian washed him, allowing the soothing water and gentle touches to remove some of the exhaustion.
A quiet tap on the door, and Sebastian stood and left, probably going to answer the door and get the food that Ciel had requested. Ciel closed his eyes and tipped his head back, sinking further into the bathtub. Movement in the bathroom, and Ciel didn't move as Sebastian came back around the tub.
Hands touched his shoulders, and Ciel's eyes flew open, gasping as they stared at an unfamiliar face. He struggled, but he was in a rather compromised position, and the man above him used his weight to shove Ciel under the water. Arms and legs flailing, Ciel's eye glowed with the sigil of the contract, but he could not speak an order while trapped under the water.
Slowly, he lost the fight for air, and swallowed the tepid water, choking, unable to breathe. Afraid now, Ciel made one last desperate strike, his nails digging into his attacker's wrist, clawing at it and drawing blood. The hands released him, and Ciel broke to the surface, but he was still drowning, the water caught in his lungs. He couldn't even call for Sebastian, though he knew the demon must still be nearby.
The man struck out at him, cuffing him soundly about the head. A sharp pain as his head connected with the side of the tub, and Ciel knew no more.