Chapter One

  Part Two

  The monastery gates were tall and wide, made from the same light wood as the monastery itself, there were three in total, all round, the first was the biggest and the last was the smallest, all three had intricately carved runes and symbols, each ring with different patterns, and as they passed through them, they each glowed slightly with a warm ebb to them.

  The last gate immediately opened up to a bustling city street, even though this was the outskirts of the city, there were still street vendors selling odd trinkets and food to passers-by. The smell of roasted meat and grilled vegetables filled the air, alongside the smell of overwhelming perfumes, enough so to make her dizzy. The city of Yor was indeed a lively one. Unlike the light wood of the monastery, this city was mostly made from a light stone framed by a dark wood. This city was still relatively new as this city was only first built a few generations ago by a prince who lost his late wife, and thus named the city, and the mountain behind it, after the love of life, Yor.

  Line walked closer to the walls, where there were less people, while Ali on the other hand, skipped between vendors happily purchasing whatever she liked, which included food.

  Ali skipped over time Line “want some?” She asked offering a fruit skewer

  “No, I’m fasting”

  Ali groaned “how can you not eat food for so long?”

  Confused by this Line responded with all seriousness “I have only been fasting for six days”

  “only!?” Ali took a big bite from her fruit “you’re crazy”

  Line ignored her statement

  Ali continued to skip alongside Line “you know, you still haven’t told me why you avoid crowds”

  “I do not like people” Line answered honestly “people scare me”

  “You told me that last time”

  “then it must be true then”

  They rounded a corner to see people making way for a horse pulled carriage passing through. The carriage was made from a dark wood with deep red detailing, the horse pulling the carriage was also black, the reigns a deep red to match. But that wasn’t what caught Line’s attention, peeking through the curtains of the carriage was also handsome looking man, he had green piercing eyes with flecks of gold, dark black hair half up half down with many plaits throughout. Their gazes locked for a moment before Line pulled her eyes away, only when the carriage had passed did, she look up again. Line felt the man looked very familiar to her.

  “Let’s go” Line spoke calmly

  *

  They were standing before The White Deer Inn, a modest looking two story building, made from the same white stone and dark wood as the rest of the city around it. Hanging above the door was a wooden sign depicting a white deer with white antlers, underneath that image was the name of the inn. Upon entering the immediate smell of stale booze and smoke filled the air. Round oak tables lined the room, and on the far side opposite the door there was a long bar made from the same oak as the tables and chairs. Along one wall there were table booths, and behind the bar was a door heading into a kitchen. Standing next to the bar was a set of stair leading up into the guest rooms.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  There were only a small handful of people here since it was still morning, but a few of them already seemed drunk. The portly woman behind the counter didn’t seem to care though, as the guests were still paying for their drinks. Sat alone in a corner booth was a petite looking woman, dressed finely, definitely unlike the atmosphere of the bar. She had long brown hair tied into a clean bun, at first glance everything about seemed quite normal, but the more Line looked the more something about the woman seemed off.

  “there” Line gestured towards the woman

  Ali caught a look at her and headed that way, she then scooted herself into the booth next to the woman “good morning”

  The woman was caught off guard “who are you?”

  Line moved into the booth after Ali, sitting on the opposite of the woman “Inspector Line, written like line but the e is silent, you asked for me”

  Vivien Falls’ eyes widened “Inspector!”

  “shh” Ali whispered at her “stay calm"

  Now that Line was closer, she took in a more detailed look at the woman before her. Even though the woman was dressed up quite nicely, her dress seemed to be a little too big on her. The jewellery she wore all seemed cheap, the most expensive thing on her would be a delicate looking golden hairpin in her bun.

  “Mrs Falls” Line began calmly “do you realise impersonation is a serious crime”

  ‘Mrs Falls’ pretty eyes widened even more, but she still tried to deceive them both with a “whatever do you mean?”

  So Line continued “Vivien Falls died three years ago due to an accident, and I know our victim never had any sisters, so you can’t be one of them either” a pause “you're his lover, aren’t you?”

  Tears built up in her eyes, she dropped the act immediately “no one cares he’s dead, please help me”

  “well, that’s why we’re here”

  She nodded

  “Tell me, what’s your actual name?”

  “Delilah Barnes”

  “Miss Barnes?”

  She gave another nod

  “wait” Ali spoke up “what’s the dead guy’s name again?”

  Miss Barnes’ tears flowed as she covered her mouth with her hands

  Line eyed Ali

  “what?” Ali said all too innocently

  “His name is Mikael Stein... was...”

  Line continued “he was a mid-ranking merchant, from a few cities over, he came to the city of Yor to start a new business”

  Miss Barnes nodded again “he made jewellery” she ran her fingers along her hairpin “he made this for me”

  “Miss Barnes, where was he killed?”

  She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Line “here”

  Line glance at the address written down “who found him”

  “I... I did”

  “did you see how he was killed?”

  She shook her head “I... I remember seeing blood, a lot of it... but I, I...” she trailed off

  Line was quite for a moment “did he have any enemies you could think of?”

  “No, I... I don’t know. He was so nice, why would...?”

  “it’s alright Miss Barnes, I know this is difficult for you” a pause “listen, stay here. So we know where to find you if we ever need to ask more questions”

  Miss Barnes nodded again

  Line stood and made her way back out the inn

  “I’m sorry for your loss, Miss Barnes” Ali said softly “but trust us, we’ll find the truth” Ali reached over and gave Miss Barnes’ arm a squeeze, before following Line out.