Everywhere I looked people were trading. It was as if the inn opened a door to another world and that I arrived on the market day. Merchants, traders, but also swordsmen and tailors, everything was found.

“That’s quite something right lad?” The barman grinned at me while he made way.

“I’m amazed.”

“Thought ya to be. Lets head toward the accountant.” I nodded and the two of us headed to a proper looking sir in the back. His tie was black at the night, and it made a huge contrast with his pale skin. He looked nothing like me, as my skin wat tinted somewhat dark, but still had a spark of light. I had the luck my skin was full of dirt from traveling, but I’m sure the accountant would have known I was actually from the city of Alnia.

“Hey Jamyn, this lad wants to exchange some coin.” With that the bartender left and I was alone with Jamyn.

“What can I do to help you lad?” I decided to stick to my story and give him ten of my golden coins.

“That’s quite a remarkable coin, was your great grandmother royalty?”

“She was involved with royalty, as far as I know.”

“You don’t seem too concerned with her dead.”

“I believed she died years ago sir, I grieved back then. It was a surprise when I heard I inherited something.” I wanted the guy to hurry up, I didn’t have all evening to chat. I stared at the coins he handed me over as I realised he wasn’t giving me the full exchange.

“That’s 5 silvers less than what I just traded you.”

“I have to run a business lad. Take it, or deal with your golden coins forever.”

“Fair nuf.” I grabbed the coins from the table and hid them in my bag. This guy was up to no good, and I was sure someone would be trying to rob me within the coming
twenty-four hours.

“Would there be a merchant who sells travel clothes, as far as you know of?”

“Yeah two to your right.”

“Thanks.” With that I departed to the other guy in the room, I hoped he had a more reliable price for me than the con accountant.

“Hey there lad. I take it you’re looking for new clothes, yours look wasted.”

“Aye sir, I need two pair travel clothes and a cloak that keeps me warm at night.”

“You’re not from around here are ya?”

“Indeed, I’m heading back to my family in Florn, a relative died in the city.”

“Sorry for your loss.” The merchant looked at his stand and grabbed a few supplies, then he bent over to me.

“I don’t know if you know lad, but this place is known as the black market, the con, you just were at, is in charge, that’s why he took another 5 silvers from you. He makes sure everyone keeps his mouth shut about this place.” I looked shocked but knew better than to ask more.

“Here’s your purchases, that’ll be 13 silver coins.”

“Here.” I put 13 silver pieces on his desk and left, it was time to find myself a meal. I entered the main door and was back in the inn. Nobody had seen me arrive and the barman pointed at a table in the corner. I sat down and waited for my food.

“Here’s your plate lad, enjoy.”

“Thank you.” I immediately attacked on the food and for a few seconds my world was just me and this plate. Nobody running, nor going away, no troubles. Just me. I eventually wandered and looked in the room. It seemed there were a lot of regular guests, but also some soldiers. I didn’t want to run into them, so I decided to get to my room.

“Where can I sleep?”

“I’ll show you the common room, unless you want to pay a golden coin?”

“Common room is fine. Can you wake me at dawn? I’d like to get on the road as soon as possible.”

“Will do. Just follow me.” The barman went up two stairs and showed me the room.

“Just choice a bed on the side, they’re nearly all empty.” I nodded. “Oh, and your payment.” I handed over the 5 silvers and got left alone. Using the peace to my advantage I got up and looked what I had in my bag. I rearranged everything and cleaned myself with the water I found on the side, then I dressed in my travelling clothes and wrapped myself in my cloak. It was time for a good night’s rest.

The wind waved through my hair as I set my first steps outside the gate. It’s been years since I last felt the breeze caressing my cheeks, but I enjoyed it. The last time I went outside it was on horseback. My mother had taken me on a secret fieldtrip to visit the place we came from. She never took my brother, as this was the heritage of her mother, and not of the king at all. My father had no clue about this, and I was told to keep this a secret to my brother as well.

“Lyin lived here my child. She was our ancestor and held the biggest secret in the whole history.” My mother had sighed, and it took me a while to realise what she meant.

As a child she told me and my brother stories of the last liar, and its history. It was written in the books we read, but now it only occurred to me she had also told the two of us about our past.

“Mother, do I decent from the last liar in the world?”

“Yes darling, you do.” My mother’s voice sounded distant as if she wasn’t sure what I would think of it. I had been 13 years old at that time, the deceiving number, according to my lecturer.

The wind breezed through my hair as I put my hoodie on. I couldn’t take any risks and I had to reach my grandmother in the village. It would be a long journey, and I wasn’t prepared for it. The first stop would be at the market since I had some valuables that would gain me all the things that I needed.

With every step I distanced myself further from the main city of the Alni Realm, while remembering the route my mother and I took years ago. I didn’t even know for sure if my grandmother was still alive, but I had faith. I felt sorry for Jalan, as he didn’t realise he hadn’t fully spoken the truth, he knew more, but they didn’t ask the right questions, so he probably didn’t feel obligated to tell them more. He didn’t have the urge to tell the truth, but he only did because everyone told him to do so. That’s how my brother saw it at least, and he never told anyone except me. This piece of information would save my life. As I walked on the night fell and I eventually stopped at an inn.

“Good evening.”

“Good evening lad. Looking for someone?

“Looking for a meal and a room sir.”

“Then you’re at the right place. Five silvers lad, local price.” I looked in my pocket and realised I only had golden coins. I knew I made a mistake not exchanging them for silver. One coin was worth 20 silvers, and it’d be suspicious if I paid with one.

“Is there somewhere I can exchange coins?”

“You can in the back, though I doubt you’ll need it.” The barman looked suspiciously at my bag compared to my clothing and I knew I had to be careful.

“My great grandmother died sir. I was the only living family member left, and I inherited her wealth.” I knew the man would take my story for granted as people never expected anyone to live at all.

“Ah, my condolences lad. If you would follow me to the back I can exchange your coins.”

“Thank you sir.” The two of us entered a room on the side and the barman closed the door.

I watched the scene and saw my brother be brought in by the person whom he once considered his most loyal guard member. As I studied his face I saw regret, but also there was justice, that he knew this had to be done.

“Jalan of Alni, you’ve brought up to this place today to face the trial of Jaen and to give the people of the Alni Realm some answers. It’s time you speak up for your deeds.” My brother looked stern towards the priest as he spoke towards the crowd that was still growing.

It was as if the whole Realm had sent witnesses for this trial, just to make sure everything was done by the rules. I wished to look upon my brother more closely, but I had to hide in the shadows provided by the ally I stood in.

“We will need answers from you, Jalan. Making our crown princess disappear into the void is a terrible mistake. Where is she?” The crowd started to make more and more noise, as they only knew why he was called out for on that instance. I only now realised how big of a fuzz was made about the fact I had disappeared. I remember telling my brother I wouldn’t come back if the council kept threatening me like a little kid.

“She…”

“Speak your mind boy.”

“All I know is that she said the immaturity of the council had been enough. That’s when she left. I gave her my cloak and all my hard-earned coins.” The priest looked surprised, as I knew he would. Nobody suspected I didn’t like being dressed up all the time and shown to the highest bidder as a bride.

I had one more look at the plaza and turned around. I had seen enough of the desperate faces in the crowd. I felt as if the whole Realm disapproved of me and my decision. They hadn’t seen the council interact with me though. Acting as if I was a little child, needing guidance. They had taken full advantage over me when my parents died, and I would pay them back one day.

The only thing I hadn’t lost yet was my identity. The crown princess always had a tattoo assigned to her by birth. Mine, in fact, was well hidden. It had been a wise decision of the village’s elder to mark my upper right arm. I reached for the spot as I adjusted the bandage I put over it. I had no time to lose, within no time everyone would be looking out for me. This was the first word that was spread of out the crown princess missing. I had to leave town as soon as possible.

I grabbed my bag and slowly walked away from the crowd. Nobody would pay attention to a girl dressed in boy’s clothes. It wouldn’t even occur to the people I was the crown princess as there was so much dirt on my clothes from hiding the past week.

“I’m sorry brother.” The wind carried my whisper as I departed to start my journey.