Yep. I know what you are thinking 'Quick update! Yay!' And the reason for this quick update, only a day after the last chapter was posted, is because I am on half term. A week of doing nothing! Except for, of course, updating and writing new chapter for my imaginary viewers.
Anyway, back to the story…
No one's PoV
It was late at night. The innkeeper was just cleaning the last of his dirty cups then going to bed. And boy, was he excited about that last bit.
It had been a good day of business for him. At hot day combined with his wife's cooling lemonade produced lots of money. And that would ensure his family would be warm in the winter.
(To the tune of 'frère Jacques') "Wipe the rim, wipe the rim, wipe the bottom, wipe the handle. Soon they'll be as clean, soon they'll be clean, as when you got'em, as when you got'em" he sang softly. "Wipe the rim-"
BANG!
The innkeeper jumped and dropped the cup in surprise as the door was thrown open. After recovering from his initial shock, he shivered as the cold night's air invaded the warm tavern. A figure, silhouetted by the lamps outside, slowly walked in. He, or at least the innkeeper thought it was a 'he', looked around then took a seat near the fire. The innkeeper nervously cleared his throat as he took in the appearance. The figure had a slight build, giving the impression that this was merely boy. But there was no way to tell, because a dark cowl covered the face.
"Sorry to disappoint you, sir, but the inn is full and the tavern is closed for the night. But feel free to come back tomorrow," The innkeeper said.
"I'm not here to waste my time." The figure growled. The innkeeper audibly swallowed.
"What is your name?" The figure asked, rising to his feet.
"Sorry, but as much as I am enjoying our little chit-chat, we're closed. Please leave." The innkeeper replied sternly. The figure laughed.
"I'm not kidding," the innkeeper said, his voice breaking.
"I'm sure you're not, but we need to talk" the figure said stepping forward.
"Please leave before I am forced to call security," the innkeeper pleaded.
"We need to talk" The figure repeated.
"I…I am an innkeeper and therefore have permission, from the king himself, to forcibly remove a customer, should I deem it necessary." The innkeeper stammered.
"If you knew who I was, you would not threaten me" the figure replied evenly. "now we need to talk," he repeated yet a second time. And by his dangerously low tone, the innkeeper knew meant business
"I wouldn't talk to you if you paid me one hundred gold royals" the innkeeper said, indignantly turning his back to the stranger. There was a clink of coins then a rattle as they were put on to the serving bar.
"How about one hundred and one golden royals?"
The innkeeper spun round and his eyes almost popped out of his head.
There on the bar before him was a big pile of golden royals.
"I'm pretty sure that's one hundred and one, but it may be a little more," the figure said casually.
"Who the heck are you?" The innkeeper spluttered. "Only the royal family have golden royals! Do you know the consequences of stealing from the royal family? Death!"
"I am fully aware of that fact" the figure, "now, you have your money and I only need to know one thing."
"I was joking!" The innkeeper cried. "I was joking! Do you really think I am going to answer your questioning?"
"Well I don't see why not" the figure replied. The innkeeper sighed. There seemed no way out of this.
"Fine. But at the end I want to know who you are…Understand?"
"Seems fair." The stranger sat down at the bar.
"You're nephew. What's his name?" the innkeeper inhaled sharply. The figure smiled evilly.
"Remember the deal," he said.
"My nephew is called Frankie." The innkeeper said reluctantly. The figure nodded thoughtfully.
"Thanks" he said simply.
"Now who are you?" the innkeeper demanded. The figure slowly lifted his hands up and threw back the cowl that covered his face. The innkeeper gasped.
"Prince Gunther?"
To Be Continued