It was two and half days, actually. Not that I'd complain in the slightest, after sleeping on the ground in the cold. I'd never been much of a camper, even back home and back then I'd had the modern amenities. Whoever first thought: “Hey, how about we stop using the houses we spent generations perfecting and instead make tents from blankets and sticks for fun!”, should be drawn and quartered.
The first part of the town that came into view was a tower looming over the horizon for half a day before we even saw the wall crown. The surrounding city was no less impressive in size. Rebecca suddenly stopped her horse and told me to do the same.
“Why are we stopping?”, I asked as she lifted me out of the saddle one handed.
“What are you gonna tell the people when they ask who I am?”, she asked.
I hesitated. “My wife?”, I asked, unsure what she wanted to hear.
Rebecca nodded. “And you′ll tell them that if they ask?”, she insisted.
“Yes. Or would you rather I say something else?"
Rebecca thought for a few moments. “At this point I'm not sure if I should be grateful or confused by whatever you got going on.” She looked at me for a few more seconds and lifted me into the saddle by the collar of my chainmail again. “Good enough, we should keep going. I don't wanna sleep outside more often than necessary and I'd kill for a bed at the inn.”
“You and me both, sister.”
“Im pretty sure we aren't related.”
We managed to secure a spot at an inn, paid in advance for two weeks. Rebecca saw no point in starting with separate beds after we had shared a bed back at Henry′s mansion, and I saw no reason to tell her otherwise.
“Jesus Christ.”, I thought to myself. “How lonely of an existence did I have that I'd just let this woman drag me around like a passport that doubles as a bedwarmer.”
I looked back on my life.
No.
No.
No.
No.
I would not be opening that can of worms now.
The room at the inn was about as sparsely decorated as the room Henry had had back at the mansion, but somehow, instead of seeming minimalist and elegant, here it just seemed lacking.
Having some time left in the day, and no interest in staring at the room more than necessary, we decided to get some dinner and have a look around. As we walked down the streets, I noticed that we were practically alone outside of a couple of people that made sure to not stop for even a second.. “Is it usually this empty?”, I asked Rebecca.
“No, it's not.” She looked expectantly at me. “You know, your bloodline ability would be very useful in finding out why.”
Luckily I had made myself an excuse already: “I'm the seventh son, do you think they actually taught me how to use it? You should've married one of my older brothers if you wanted that.” For a few seconds she stared at me and sighed.
“Yeah I should've checked that before picking out a brother." she admitted. I still had no clue what that ability was even supposed to be.
“Though that does give me an idea.” she said.
She closed her eyes for a second before turning a corner with me. “Change of plans, we′re getting ourselves registered today instead of tomorrow.”
And with that she dragged me along behind her.
The Registration office was a large building at the center of the town, directly around the base of the tower we had seen since yesterday. I should have figured as much, honestly.
Stolen story; please report.
“And why are we getting registered today?”, I asked.
“Cause it wont matter what you were and weren't taught about yourself or your ability once you receive your grace.”
The halls, despite its gigantic size outside, were almost completely empty, holding no more than six people sitting around tables and a couple of employees in uniform, some wiping the floors, some standing behind counters waiting for someone to bother them.
Rebecca′s entrance raised a few eyebrows, especially when she dragged me towards and laid her hands onto the counter. “We would like-” The lady at the counter tilted her head. “Sir, would you please control your dog?”
I looked at Rebecca, then at the lady again.
“Pardon?”
“You can't have your dog causing a scene.”
Rebecca began to growl.
“If you cant control your pet-”,
I heard Rebecca′s breathing change, her fingernails once more shifting towards the claws I had seen a few days ago, marking the countertop.
“That's my wife.”, I say in a strict tone.
The lady at the counter didn't lose her customer service smile. “Pardon?”
I showed her Henry′s ring, engraved with the coat of arms of Henry's family, a golden eye on a crimson background. Seeing it like this it was most likely connected to his family′s bloodline ability and I was stupid for not figuring that much out earlier.
“The coat of arms of the Vide family.”, the lady said, looking at the ring. “Ill bring my supervisor, please wait a moment.”
I sighed and looked at Rebecca. “I see why you married me to do this. A pet? That's crazy.”
There was a look in Rebecca's eyes as if she hadn't expected me to be on her side.
“When I came here alone a year ago they called the guards and threatened to sell me overseas if I tried again. By Roland, I'm glad that your father had that accident. Especially since he didn't see me until after promising me one of his sons.
A cold shower went through me. So that's why we were married. Quite literally given away as a thank you gift.
“And why did you pick me then?”
The door opened and a man wearing clothes that seemed as expensive as some of the coats Henry owned entered the room, causing a few people to do a double take.
“You seemed the least threatening and being the seventh son I doubted your family would care that much marrying you of to a stranger with no political gain.”
“Lord Vide?”, the man asked. He had a pencil mustache and the face of someone who bowed upwards and kicked downwards.
“That would be me, yes.”, I said, putting on my best noble impression.
“I am very grateful to hear you blessed us with your presence, how can I be of service?”, he asked.
“My wife and I would like to register as Adventurers.”, I said.
“Your wife?”, he said, looking around. it would have been easier for him to ignore a brick wall in his path than it would to ignore Rebecca standing behind me, yet somehow he still managed to furrow his brow in confusion. “Is she not here with you?”
I pointed at Rebecca. “She is.”
The color drained from the man's face. “I- I see. Now my lord, would you like to come with me to discuss this?” He opened a small door hidden by the counter to let me step behind.
“Of course.”, I said. As he tried to close the door behind me I stopped him.
“By all means, I wouldn't want to be separated from my wife.”, I said and I could see the war raging behind his eyes. Did he obey the noble? Even if that meant hed have to let in a woman he considered a pet at best and an animal at worst?
Of course, he said, as his face, previously almost anemic, became redder by the second.
Rebecca's tail wagged as she stepped behind the counter after me. “Thank you.”, she told him, causing his face to crinkle up as he forced himself into a customer service smile of his own.
“Of course.”, he repeated.
We were led into a small but somewhat fancy room, containing two sofas a small table and a bottle of wine.
“Would you care for a drink as we talk?”, he asked.
“I wouldn't want to trouble you.”, I said as I sat down.
“Oh, my lord, you're joking, there is no way you could trouble me. Please, I must insist.”, he said and poured a glass. “And would you like a bow- glass yourself my lady?”, he added, looking at Rebecca.
I took the glass and looked at the wine. I had never been much of a drinker of any kind, but I decided a glass of wine couldn't hurt.
As soon as the liquid ran down my throat the man leaned back, calmed.
“Who are you really and why do you pretend to be Henry Vide?”, he asked.
The words flowed from my lips without me being able to stop them.
“My name is Lucas Schmid and I awoke in this body less than a week ago. I was worried that I might get into trouble if anybody found out so I did my best to keep it secret.”
As I registered what I had said and the looks given to me by Rebecca and the man, my heart nearly stopped.
