Read Noble Falling for Free Online

forgetting the blade belted around Ori’s waist. “Men were looking for you two earlier today.” Her head bobbed up and down as though she had agreed to a question unheard by Ori or me. “Only said somethin’ about a man and younger girl travelin’ through. I can help the two of ya, but tell me why first.”
    Ori provided an overly simplified account of what we had gone through, not giving away our true identities. He told the woman we had been ambushed by some bandits as we were on our way to the market. I knew his story was weak, and so did he, but we were both hoping it would work.
    The woman cut Ori off before he stumbled over himself trying to provide a more solid story. “I didn’t trust the men earlier, armed to the teeth sayin’ they were merchants. Didn’t fit. Don’t know what ya did to upset ’em, but come in. I can help. My name’s Muerra.”
    “Thank you kindly.” Ori smiled, then stepped back to allow me to enter the home first.
    Soon, we were huddled over a small table in Muerra’s home, bowls of gray mush passing as oatmeal placed before us. I realized when the old woman was staring at me with a curious look on her face that I had not managed to forget my years of etiquette lessons, even while eating something so repulsive in appearance. I quickly began to eat in the most casual manner I could manage, letting my back droop and my arms actually touch the table. I ate as much as I could stomach, but the old woman shuffling around the room continued to throw a few strange looks my way. Eventually, she called me over to a trunk in the corner of her cramped house.
    “Here now, these should fit well enough.” Muerra held up a simple linen underdress and a long tunic of reddish-brown color, “They were my girl’s. She was about your size. There’re some shoes too. Ya can try ’em, at least.”
    I saw a glimmer of sadness pass through the woman’s eyes. I looked away, feeling oddly voyeuristic at seeing the pain etched on Muerra’s face as she thought of whatever misfortune her daughter had met. Not wanting to upset her further, I took the clothing without much more than a thank-you. The single-room house did not offer much privacy, but I opened a door to a large cabinet and used it to shield myself as I changed. After struggling to get out of my dress without help, I slid the commoner’s dress over my head. Finally emerging from the corner, I felt out of place, already itching from the rough fabric, but the dress was certainly more discreet than my own formal gowns.
    Both Ori and Muerra turned to look at me once I closed the cabinet’s door. Though smiles were present on both faces, Muerra’s eyes still held the same haunted gleam. I tore my gaze from hers again, afraid she would see that same look of loss on my own face.
    A moment later, after freeing the last strands of braiding from my hair and pulling it back into a more modest style, I spoke to Muerra. “I left the dress there on top of the trunk. As I said, you should be able to get a few gold pieces for it. Hopefully, that will cover the hospitality you have shown us.”
    “Yes, yes.” The old woman glanced between me and Ori, her look of sadness replaced by something more mischievous and excited. “Now, Duchess, tell ol’ Muerra why you’re really here.”
    As soon as the old woman used my title, Ori jumped to his feet and reached for his sword. Muerra cackled at his reaction, waving her hands to get him to relax. I sat frozen in shock, my heart racing as I begged my body to respond in any way.
    “Why didn’t you say anything when we got here?” Ori kept his hand on the hilt of his sword.
    “Thought it best to show I was gonna help.” Muerra shrugged. “Bet ya would have run if I drew attention to the fact that the Duchess was standin’ at my door after men had been lookin’ for people like you. But, if yer gonna try and blend in, try losing those table manners, Yer Grace. And you, boy”—a gnarled finger shot out