Ch 4- You are a brainiac

Maya 

“Valeria, how will I know which one is Kingston?” I asked as she used a yarn to tie Kai’s oversized trousers around my waist. 

“You will know him when you see him. Someone like that would look exactly like the kind of job he does,” she said, tying the knot and tugging the tunic down to cover her work. 

My small breasts had been flattened against my chest with linen wrappings, and my long black hair had been braided and wrapped around my scalp before being stuffed under a top hat. Valeria had used a bit of coal to darken and thicken my eyebrows, and to dirty my jawline, so that in the dim lighting it would look like I had a beard. To complete my disguise, I had also stolen the pack clerk’s spectacles. I put them on my nose and checked my reflection in the lengthened wall mirror. 

“What do you think?” 

Maggie shook her head. “I don’t know Maya, but you look too petite and attractive to pass as a man.” 

“You have forgotten that men come in different looks, shapes, and sizes,” I said, “Take Kai as an example, he’s just a few inches taller than me.”

“Absolutely, but he's way fatter than you.” Valeria grabbed my shoulder and squeezed me hard against her chest. “Remember to mask your voice.” 

I clung to her for a moment. “Aren't you going to talk me out of this dangerous move? Won’t you stop me?” 

She stroked my back with her hand, “It is too dangerous and I equally know that it is pointless trying to stop Maya Russell, you never listen. Besides,” she drew a breath and straightened, releasing me from her fierce hug. “Going there can’t be worse than being married off to that unliving monster.” 

I adjusted the cap in a way that hid my eyes. “Thanks for the reminder,” I muttered.

I drew a deep breath and stepped out of the dark alley and into the street in front of Grim Goblin Inn. Dim disco lights and music emitted from its open window, along with the stench of beer, tobacco and roasted meat, beckoning to travelers to come and seek shelter in the weather-beaten building that looked as though it would crumble at any moment. 

“Wait!” Valeria called, grabbing my hand and pulling me back gently. She pulled out a small golden vial from her pocket. “I stole the cloaking scent portion from the pack physician.” She opened the cover and poured a large portion of the strong-smelling liquid into her hands then she started rubbing her hands all over my face, neck, and clothes. She even lifted my arms one after the other and applied a generous amount under my armpit. 

The sweet herbal scents burned into my nostrils immediately cloaking my scent and the lingering scent from Kai’s clothes. 

I kissed her on the forehead, “You are a brainiac, my precious Valeria. Now wish me luck and pray for the Moon Goddess's protection. And if anything happens to me, don’t panic or be sad. Just try to live a happy and fulfilled life.”

“Don’t speak like that you duckling!” She sobbed and gave me a shove towards the door. “Go find that rogue. This is going to work!” she lowered her voice and whispered, “You will return to me, duckling.” She twisted her hands on her apron and moved into the gloom again. “Go kick some ass, I’ll be waiting here.” 

I walked down to the Inn, this time I made it to the door and stepped over the foyer. Dirty-looking men were sitting around rough wooden tables. A trio of musicians was set up in a corner, and a few boozers were dancing to the tune. The only women inside the inn were the barmaids and a few scantily clad prostitutes who had wrapped themselves around their potential customers. 

No one paid any attention to me and I was once grateful for my invincible techniques. I slipped between the tables, surveying the room for the mercenary. 

Valeria had said I would know him once I set my eyes on him, and she was right. I was sure I had found my target, the moment my eyes fell on the huge scary figure of a man sitting alone in a dimly lit, shadowy corner. I straightened my shoulders and moved purposefully toward the table. When I was a few feet away from the table, I stopped feeling a strange heaviness in my chest, like someone was crushing my windpipe and making it difficult for me to breathe. 

“Well, boy? Are you going to spend the whole night gawking or are you not here for business?” 

He didn’t sound like I had expected a rogue hireling to sound. Instead, his voice was deep and velvety, soft and soothing like a melody that eased every worry. It was completely weird judging by his appearance. He wore an all-black outfit, an old faded black jacket over a tee. His long raven-black hair had hues of chestnut, and it was pulled back from his forehead. It was hard to make out his facial features in the dim light. 

I staggered forward and grasped the chair that was still pushed up to the table across from him. “Are you—” I remembered immediately that I needed to conceal and deepen my voice. “Are you Mr Kingston?”

The man stared back at me, “Nobody calls me that title. I am just Tyler. Who’s asking?” 

“I’m Theo. Theo Griffen.” I stretched out my hand, hoping he wouldn't pay attention to how tiny they are. He didn’t grasp my hand and after a moment, I dropped it back to my side. “May I sit?” 

He picked up his stein of beer and inclined his head in what I took to be an approval. I pulled out the chair and quickly sat down before I lost my footing. “Let me get straight to the point Mr—uhm, Tyler. I am desperately in need of your services.” 

I could see his brown orbs glistening in the lamplight. Although his expression remained as hard as granite, it seemed like his eyes were taunting me. 

“And which of my services are you seeking?” He asked in a tone that rumbled like distant thunder, powerful yet strangely comforting. 

I glanced around nervously to make sure no one was close enough to listen. But it almost seemed like the other customers in the inn were avoiding his corner. I leaned closer and lowered my voice, “I need you to abduct someone. Someone very dear to me”