The Cyber Chronicles - Book I: Queen of Arlin

by T C Southwell

Chapter Fourteen

  Tassin woke at cockcrow. An amazing number of roosters inhabited the city, most of which, it appeared, were perched outside her window. She had never heard such a cacophony of crowing in all her life. Certainly there was no chance of a lie in, so she rose and washed in the basin of water, deciding to ask for chicken at suppertime.

  Only after she had washed did she realise that Sabre had not returned. She frowned, wondering where he was, then remembered his plans to sleep with one of the inn’s many sluts. Disgusted, she made her way down to the common room and ate an unappetising grey paste that was served for breakfast. With that sitting like a lump of lead in her stomach, she went to the shops to buy some new clothes.

  The pretty garments and reasonable prices in the bustling marketplace delighted her. The redolence and crowds were unpleasant and the men rude, but the abundance of goods was so distracting she hardly noticed the curious stares and dark looks she received. As the only unveiled woman, she was out of place, and that was the reason for the hard glances, but she refused to allow it to bother her.

  Tassin spent the morning picking out a pair of black satin pantaloons embroidered with gold thread and a sky blue silk blouse, over which she chose to wear a natty royal blue tunic, also ornamented with gold embroidery. A pair of black velvet slippers completed the outfit, and she returned to the inn to change. There was still no sign of Sabre, so when she was ready, she left a message with the innkeeper and set off for the palace.