Requiem for an Aberrant Chapter 6: Chapter 6- Escape

Read chapter 6 of Requiem for an Aberrant by TheJestersGambit on NovelPedia.

Cole slouched beneath a tattered coat just by the crumbling wall outside the market district. The beggar glanced over his shoulder with twitchy paranoia. “You sure about this?” he asked. “If they think the castle’s water been poisoned and trace it back to me—” “You’ll get paid even more when it’s done. No questions. Just stick to the plan.” “If they catch me, it’s the noose, or worse!” the beggar cried. Cole’s tone stayed firm, despite the man beginning to make him worried. “So am I. We’re both corpses if this goes sideways. Everything will be fine, yeah?” He reached into his pockets and slid a few bronze Aelons across the ground. “Keep your ears open. If the castle tightens up, that means the water’s already doing its job. Just be ready.” The beggar pocketed the coins and gave a crooked grin. “You’re insane, you know that?” [Trait Interaction Detected] [Another Stain Accepted] Cole's fingers halted around his pack, glancing at the Soulgrid. 'Accepted?' It conveyed a message he didn't want to believe in. That every desperate choice had become easier to justify over the years. Shaking his head, he opened his pack and pulled out a second cloak, tossing it to the beggar. “Wear this.” He stood up, brushing dust from his sleeve as his eyes landed on the arena in the distance. “Follow me.” After a quick stop at a nearby stall, Cole picked up a cheap dagger. It was nothing fancy, but he would swing it wildly if it helped him survive. He and the beggar also stopped at the local church for free food. Some of the eggs reeked of rot, which was perfect. The worse the smell, the better. By midday, the outside perimeter of the castle came into view. Cole moved through the backstreets, sticking close to the cracked stone as he traced the castle’s water supply. Slipping into a narrow alley, he spotted a metal pipe running from the castle’s direction into massive sheds. It looked abandoned but a lone lantern swung from a post. Nearby, two guards lingered. Cole crouched beside the beggar, eyes narrowing as he followed the pipe’s path. Just beyond it, a rusted grate sat embedded in the stone. “This might be it,” he murmured. He nudged the beggar with his elbow. “See those two? I think they’re guarding the grate. Could you distract them?” The beggar studied the guards. His expression was distant at first… then unease crept in. “Are you sure about this? I know the layout better than you… Maybe I should be the one crawling through.” Cole hadn’t expected that, however, if the man was volunteering, all the better. “Alright,” Cole agreed. “I’ll draw their attention.” He stepped into view, clutching his stomach like he’d been gutted. Each step came with a fresh groan. The guards looked up. “Please,” Cole gasped, stumbling forward. “Do either of you have medicine?” He inched himself closer, then collapsed to the ground with all the grace of a dropped sack. The nearest guard stepped aside without a word, avoiding Cole. “Sorry!” the guard apologised, offering a hand after realising what he had done. Cole looked up, a mark on his face and disbelief in his eyes. ‘ Am I diseased?’ Still, he took the offered hand and pulled himself up. “Medicine… please?” The guards shook their heads. Cole figured as much. It was a dumb question, but he didn't have many options. An image entered his mind: faking a gag, pretending to vomit. Even worse, to fake a random burst of diarrhoea. Unfortunately, he had shame. Before he could stall further, the beggar returned, faster than expected. Cole slowly straightened, preparing to leave. “No worries, then. Thanks for the help.” One of the guards grabbed his shoulder. “Hold on. Doesn’t he look familiar?” Caution spread in his gut, the kind that made your fingers twitch toward a steel dagger on your hip before your mind could process it. The second guard looked at Cole, then glanced toward the other beggar. He studied both of their faces intensely. “Nah,” he muttered. “He’s fine. Let him go.” Cole stepped back and rejoined the begg