Chapter 7
Rapunzel and Cass have been on the road all night, yet somehow, neither of them seems to be that tired.
They'd reached daybreak hours ago and judging by the position of the sun, Cassandra presumes it is late morning by now.
They stop near a pond nestled within the forest outside Corona's walls, surrounded by lush grass and endless trees harboring swaying vines.
Rapunzel had brought enough food for a couple days, some money, and a change of clothes, securely attached to the saddle on Fidella's back.
The two women sit on the rocks and enjoy a well-earned meal as the birds chirp lively overhead. Fidella grazes nearby and drinks from the shallow pond. The sound of the water running gently brings a sense of peace and serenity that they swear they haven't felt in years.
When they decide to keep moving, Cassandra opts to walk alongside the horse this time, claiming she should stretch her legs.
Rapunzel doesn't argue, and so Cassandra holds the reigns in one hand, guiding Fidella while Rapunzel perches atop the saddle.
"Thanks for doing this with me, Cass," Rapunzel breaks the calm silence as Fidella trots along. "I know it's crazy."
"Crazy? Nah, this is just a regular day of being your best friend," responds Cass sarcastically. She stares at her own shoes treading through dirt at a leisure pace. Then she realizes she can't tease Rapunzel without also attempting to make her feel better. Her tone becomes more serious as she says, "But you know, even I need a break from the castle sometimes. I know it isn't the same thing for me, but still."
"Yeah," Rapunzel agrees somberly, suddenly reminded of her home life and everything she'd been trying so hard to forget.
She doesn't even want to think about the consequences of what they are doing. Cassandra doesn't mention it either, though Rapunzel can't imagine she'd be worried. They'll deal with whatever it is when they get back to the castle. It isn't anything they haven't handled before.
It's just like Cass said, what more can the king do to them?
They ran away a couple times as kids. Growing up, they were always plotting some new scheme just for the sake of stirring up trouble. But they'd always come running back to the castle once they realized they were hungry. It usually ended with them sneaking into the kitchen and stuffing their faces with forbidden pastries.
"So, what's the plan?" asks Cass. "We have a destination for your weekend getaway?"
"I don't know. Anywhere but home. Just getting further away from the castle right now is already making me feel better."
"Well, in that case, we should probably find some place to settle down for the night," suggests Cassandra. "Not that sleeping in the dirt isn't appealing or anything. I'm just worried about your bedhead in the morning."
Rapunzel forces a weak smirk. "Yeah. You're probably right."
Cass glances up at her on the horse, taken aback. Rapunzel is so much quieter than usual. She'd half expected a witty comeback to come out of the princess' mouth. She can't really blame Rapunzel though, considering the circumstances.
It hurts Cass just as much knowing all that Rapunzel is going through, but they both know there's nothing either of them can do about it. So instead, Cassandra deliberately doesn't bring it up.
"There's a village not too far north from here. Should be there in a few hours," she continues, hoping to take Rapunzel's mind off of what she knows she's thinking about.
Rapunzel doesn't say anything after that.
When Cass peers up at her again, the princess is merely staring down with drooped shoulders and a glum expression on her face. All that can be heard is the sound of Fidella's hooves trotting along the dirt and the saddle rattling from her movement.
"Do you… wanna talk about it?" Cassandra murmurs after a while.
"Talk about what?"
Cass knows she's pretending. "You know… your dad."
Rapunzel exhales. "I don't know."
"Okay. We don't have to," assures Cassandra. "Just let me know if you do."
"Thanks… again." A brighter tone reaches Rapunzel's voice, and she smiles softly. "I mean it."
Rapunzel pulls up her hood as her and Cassandra ride into town.
The sun is completely hidden behind the thick clouds now, appearing as if it may rain any minute. It seems they made it just in time to miss whatever brewing storm may soon occur.
The tudor style buildings buried within the woods lean atop dirt roads occupied by wagons pulled by donkeys. Against the stone and wooden buildings are stacks of crates overflowing with various trading supplies, trailing down into shadowy alleyways.
The pointed rooftops protrude from the thick trees surrounding them, with chimney smoke floating toward the gray sky overhead.
Soft chatter and crunching gravel can be heard as preoccupied villagers go about their daily business, never paying any mind to the newcoming travellers.
The streets are a lot quieter than the bustling community of Corona, with only a few rather unlively figures seen wandering outside. There are no guards patrolling the streets which Rapunzel and Cass have grown so used to, and there's no intimidating castle that sits higher than all the rest of the buildings. Rather, each of them appears entirely equal.
It's quaint enough for a village not far outside of town, but something about the air here feels uneasy. Perhaps it's how oddly dead it all seems, or the fact that everyone here seems to either be covered in dirt or harboring some sort of weapon that Cass would spot from a mile away.
They don't exchange a word about it, but Rapunzel knows Cass is wary too. The sword on Cassandra's hip gives the princess a sense of security.
Eventually, they spot a large two-story building along one of the narrow streets. There's a rickety looking balcony on the second floor beneath log archways and decaying brown shingles. Various barrels are stacked on their sides along the exterior. The chimney emits a strong smell of both smoke and ale. A short staircase leads up to the front door covered by an awning. A rustic sign sticks outward above it, swaying gently in the wind. It reads 'Blunderbuss Tavern and Inn', with the faded image of the very weapon next to it's cursive lettering.
Figuring it may be worth scoping out, they hitch Fidella outside with a couple other horses grazing on a patch of yellow grass.
Cautiously, Rapunzel and Cassandra make their way inside.
With it merely being late afternoon, the interior is nearly empty with only a few burly figures hunched over round tables. They're chatting quietly amongst themselves beneath the soft sounds of clanking silverware and bottles.
There's a bartender wiping down counters at the opposite end, and a barmaid swerving through tables with a tray full of food. Its savory smell could make anyone hungry.
A couple of the men shoot judgmental glares their way as they enter, their skin coated in dirt and tattoos.
A sense of both comfort and nervousness washes over the two women at the sight of it all. Despite the fact that they probably stick out like sore thumbs, the place is warm with beds and food. It would definitely appear cozy to anyone after walking through the woods for an entire night.
They linger by the doorway as they observe it all. An intimidated Rapunzel hovers behind Cass' shoulder, pulling her cloak further around herself.
"Just stay close and let me do the talking," Cassandra mutters over her shoulder without looking back. "Something tells me the regulars here aren't as friendly as we think. Just keep to yourself and we'll be fine."
She's fully aware that she is technically harboring the princess of Corona, and their presence here is entirely risky. Still, Cass doubts anyone will recognize her, especially being so far outside of the kingdom. These people look more like ruffians to her and have probably never laid eyes on the royal family before, therefore they wouldn't know what she looks like. Hopefully.
Effortlessly blending in, Cassandra confidently lifts her chin as she leads the way toward the counter.
She slaps down a handful of golden coins onto the bar. The surface of it feels like it's taller than her once she's in front of it.
The distracted barman peers over his shoulder at the sound.
"We'd like a room. And two meals, please."
He glances down at the coins, then back up at her, all while casually wiping down an empty tankard with a worn rag between oily fingers. He has a dark beard, shoulder-length hair, and wears a stained white apron wrapped around his round belly.
He tilts his chin to glance at Rapunzel behind her, who is currently avoiding eye contact and causing her hood to cover most of her face. Her heart has begun to race, but she trusts Cass more than anyone with this kind of thing.
He sets the tankard down and reaches for something beneath the counter. After a moment, he sets down a rusty golden key.
"Up the stairs. Second door to your left," the man responds in a gruff yet gentle voice. He nods his head toward the redheaded barmaid collecting dishes at the other side of the bar. "Beth here'll get ya somethin'."
Rapunzel and Cass settle at an empty table in the corner of the tavern hovered over their fully plated meals.
They're far enough away from everyone else as they eat and converse, but close enough to be able to observe the rest of the building.
As the evening goes on and the sun begins to set, more and more tavern goers seem to be flooding in by the minute, no doubt as a result of the drizzling rain outside. The number of men five times their size here makes them feel restless.
They aren't risking anyone recognizing Rapunzel, and especially don't want to run into any guards from the castle. They've had to have realized the two girls are missing by now, and no doubt the king has already ordered a search party throughout town.
Before the inn gets too busy, they quickly sneak outside to tend to Fidella before managing to retire upstairs, all without anyone trying to engage with them.
Their room is just big enough for the two of them, with firelit lanterns hooked along the wooden walls and a deer hide rug in the centre of the floor.
The bed is big enough for Rapunzel to stretch her limbs out in her sleep without completely pushing Cassandra off the bed. Cass knows this because she speaks from experience, having had many sleepovers in each other's bedrooms while growing up in the castle.
There's a door at the back of the room that leads out onto a small balcony, overlooking the back streets of the inn.
When it's late in the evening and Rapunzel finds herself unable to stop yawning, she is pretty much ready to pass out on the bed. They'd hardly slept at all the night before and have both been riding on Fidella and walking on foot all day. By now, it has made their limbs numb and their eyelids heavy.
"Think you'll be warm enough?" Cassandra asks a sleepy princess whose eyelids are already falling closed.
As Cass sits on the end of the bed, she absentmindedly finds herself tugging the blanket further over Rapunzel's shoulders and patting it down.
Rapunzel's lips tug into a grin beneath the covers.
That's just like Cass. Always making sure she's comfortable - which may or may not have to do with the fact that it is technically her job. Though, a huge part of Cassandra's concern has nothing to do with that.
Rapunzel has always known Cass is a softy on the inside, despite her stern demeanor. She'd learned not to say anything about it though, because that would only earn her a punch in the arm.
"Yeah," hums the princess, peering up at the other girl through hazy vision. Then she realizes that Cassandra is still sitting up on the bed with her sword mysteriously on her hip. "Aren't you gonna sleep? You look exhausted."
Cassandra stares hard at the door leading back out to the tavern, deep in thought. The sounds of chatter and faint music can still be heard from downstairs.
After a moment, Cass springs to her feet with determination. "I think I might keep watch for a bit. Scope out the area. Make sure we aren't in any danger." She grabs the key from the bedside table and approaches the door. Her fingers reach for the handle as she peers over her shoulder. "You just get some rest, all right?"
Rapunzel watches her with unease as she lays curled on her side. The thought of Cass going out there alone makes her nervous, but at the same time, she knows Cassandra can handle herself. If anyone can fight, it's her.
Besides, Rapunzel is far too tired to even try and argue with her. It might be good for them both to know that there are no potential threats nearby, anyway.
So, all Rapunzel does is breathe softly, before mumbling with a lazy grin, "Just be careful… Cass."