The Underworld
Chapter 6 ~ Baron George Cooper

AN: Thanks to all who reviewed, especially TheLadySong! I decided to keep going. I want at least 12 reviews before I'll continue, I don't think it's too much to ask.
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After an afternoon of laughing, sharing stories and sewing Bryony and Rosetta ate a delicious meal with the family. Not 'the' family, Bryony corrected herself. They were her family now. But deep down inside her, she felt a longing for something she had never known or someone she had never known. Were her parents out there still? Were they looking for her? Did they think about her at night right before they went to sleep like she did for them? Bryony sighed inwardly, put on a smile and talked politely with Rosetta and her parents and younger siblings.

After supper Rosetta had to go to work at the Dancing Dove. Her job there brought in extra money for the family that helped them scrape by in the bad times. Bryony was unsure of what she was supposed to do. Although she was gradually warming up to Fredrick and Martha, she was still a bit uncomfortable around them. Spending an evening with them alone would be trying and would make Bryony nervous.

"Hello? Bryony are you listening?" Rosetta's voice jolted Bryony back to reality.

"I'm sorry, I was in a world of my own."

"I'll say! Well, I was asking, do you want a job?"

"A job? Well, I don't know..." Remembering all the kindness this family had shown her Bryony suddenly realized this would be a subtle way of paying them back! "Why yes of course. That would be a nice way to occupy my time wouldn't it?"

"I know just the place! How about you come with me to work tonight and I'll try and get you started as a maid like me! I'm sure the owner would take you on, we have a shortage of able girls to fill the positions."

"That sounds like fun!" Bryony said with real excitement in her voice.

"Well it's hard labour, but it's quite rewarding and it pays well. Let's be on our way!"

The two girls slipped into their good clothes, which for Bryony were new clothes too, and walked down the alleys of Corus on the way to the Dancing Dove. The sounds of laughter, drunken revelry and the hum of quiet comversations filled the air around the tavern.

They slipped behind the broad oak counter at the front of the large room. Rosetta began whispering quickly to a cheerful looking man who must have been her employer. Unlike Tekla, this master looked friendly and caring. Bryony was discovering new things about people every day!

Rosetta skipped happily over with a grin plastered to her face. "You got the job!" she said excitedly then led Bryony over to the back room where she picked out her own apron to wear when she was serving that showed she worked at the pub.

Then the two girls started working. They took orders, carried mugs of frothy beer, delivered steaming food and mouth-watering dishes to tables around the room and scrubbed the counter down until it sparkled. Unlike some visitors to the Dancing Dove, Bryony was not shocked by the rogues and thieves at all, she had grown up in their midst and was used to their lively antics.

Just then, a robed visitor entered the tavern. His face was covered by a dark hood and he had an air of mystery around him. His name was Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop and he was exhausted from riding all the way from his seaside manor. He was the former King of Thieves, but had settled down to an 'honest' living with his wife and children. None of the rogues recognized him or his companion though.

They were seated by Bryony who answered their questions politely and made small talk about the weather while they decided what to order. When they finally came to a decision she slipped back to the counter and relayed the information to Rosetta.

When he was sure she was out of earshot George addressed a question to his companion, who happened to be the Crown Prince Liam of Conte. "Who is that girl who served us? She seems vaguely familiar. I recognize her face and mannerisms very much, but I can't put my finger on it."

"I get the same feeling as well!" Liam added quietly. When you were surrounded by rogues you always needed to speak quietly to protect your secrets from curious ears. "Maybe she is the daughter of someone we know?"

"I don't know for sure... Maybe it is just a coincidence and my aging eyes are failing me." George smiled and chuckled at his joke. "But I don't think that likely. She has piqued my curiosity and I want to know who she is. When she leaves tonight let us follow her."

"Excellent idea!"

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After their shift was over at almost midnihgt Rosetta and Bryony deposited their aprons in the back room and exited the Dancing Dove. They were careful to be quiet and inconspicuous so as not to attract attention from the bad people of Corus who lurked in the streets at night.

They barely even noticed the two shadows that followed them all the way to their apartment. The shadows were careful never to step into light from an open window, but always hide behind corners and watch with the eyes of hawks. When the girls opened the door and went into the small house the shadows took note and sealed a picture of the dwelling into their minds. They would be back.