“I thank you for the offer,” Jose said, “but I do not intend to go to Estrellia.”
“Why?” asked the man. Once again, the amulet provided an easy explanation for Jose.
“My stepmother was visiting family in the Eastern Hills while my father and I remained at the Capitol. I must join her or she will worry.”
“You are a good son,” the man’s wife said. She tossed a bag at Jose. Jose caught it and looked inside. “Some supplies to keep you going. Homemade Estrellian delicacies.”
“Thank you,” Jose said, bowing his head. They came to a fork in the road. The Estrellian family headed to the south and Jose headed to the north. As Jose continued to ride Sierra, he silently prayed to the gods that he had not just made a mistake.
The coup happened in the middle of the night, so Jose rode in darkness. As the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, Jose and Sierra arrived at a small village. Sierra was slowing down, and Jose wasn’t much better. He was bone tired and needed to rest. But he had no money. Where could a teen boy with no coin find shelter?
Somewhere he could pay with labor, most likely. Jose came to a stop outside of a pub. He tied Sierra to the post outside and entered. The only person in the pub was an old man wiping down the bar, who scowled immediately upon seeing him.
“We don’t get many Estrellians in this town,” the man said firmly. Jose winced. “What do you need, boy?”
“I worked in the Royal Stables, but had to flee when the throne was overtaken,” Jose said, approaching the man. The man’s expression shifted from wariness to sympathy. “My father was killed in the chaos. I am headed to my stepmother’s home in the Eastern Hills, but need shelter for a few days until the fighting dies down.”
“You are in luck. We here in Haversfort may not like Estrellians, but every one of us is a Royalist. We will gladly house a refugee from the Palace, even if he comes from Estrellia.” The man frowned thoughtfully. “I know of a place where you may work for food and board, and maybe even earn a bit extra for when you continue your journey. It is far from glamorous, but no Estrellian teen would be given a fine job.”
“I understand,” Jose mumbled. Already, he could tell that his disguise was going to be difficult to work with.
“When you go there, tell them that Rickard Worth sends you,” the man said. “And be sure to mention your ties to the Palace.” Jose nodded. The man, Rickard, rattled off instructions. “Now leave. I do not need an Estrellian scaring away my regulars.”
Jose left the pub and mounted Sierra again. He followed Rickard’s instructions, eventually arriving at…