Marcus is taken from his home but his Mother has a plan to hide them

In the end, despite the Queen's fears, Marcus didn't see even one of his uncle's soldiers as they rode hard and fast out an open, unguarded gate through the walls of the castle, leaving behind the home where he'd spent his entire life. The young prince bounced awkwardly in the saddle as the horse underneath him galloped down a dark, muddy track skirting far from the town around the castle. He could guess his mother was trying to avoid being spotted, but he didn't understand why she was so **** to get away this quickly. Couldn't they have tried to save his Father? Or at least found some of the guards to help and escort them rather than riding out alone like this. Even if his uncle was trying to take the throne there must still be some soldiers who were loyal to the true king, right? When he tried to ask what was going on, she'd hushed him sharply, telling him to stay quiet so she could concentrate on the road. Too nervous and afraid to question her, Marcus had obeyed and pursed his lips shut, despite the questions racing through his head.

They rode for a while, the wind whipping past the shivering young prince, still wearing only his thin shift, his bare legs dangling on either side of the horse's flanks. His mother's arms were wrapped tight around his flanks the entire time, as she deftly held the reins in front of him, and the warm softness of her chest pressed against his back. Trembling with the cold, Marcus found himself leaning back into her even more, seeking what comfort he could from the one woman who'd always protected him and told him what to do. She'd known what was best for him his entire life...this had to be no different, right? If she said they had to escape into the night like this, it had to be the right thing to do!

At last, after what must have been a few hours of riding through dark, empty fields, Marcus spotted the shadow of buildings up ahead, what he guessed must be a small, farming village. As his Mother guided the horse into the little hamlet, pulling gently on the reins to slow the animal to a walk, Marcus leaned up into the saddle to look. Spending most of his life within the castle walls, he'd never really had the chance to see how ordinary people lived in the kingdom. It was kind of hard to make much out, but he was a little shocked at how small and run-down the buildings looked. He couldn't imagine living in one of those tatty wooden houses with so little space. Where would the servants even stay?

"There, a tavern." The Queen murmured suddenly, turning the horse towards one of the larger buildings off to the side of the main square. "We'll stay there for the night, and continue on tomorrow. Gaius' men won't think to look for us here." Marcus nodded. That made sense to him. Who would think the Queen and prince would be staying in a small village like this one after all? "I'll get off first, then I'll help you, okay." His mother announced as she pulled the horse to a halt just in front of the silent tavern. Marcus opened his mouth to protest that he was perfectly capable of dismounting himself, but the Queen was already lifting herself up off the side of her mount, sliding deftly down to land on her boots. Deciding it was better to just do what she wanted like always, the young prince kept quiet and let her gently grip him by the waist and guide him up off the saddle. Soon he was standing beside his mother, still shivering with the cold, his bare feet on frigid earth. She tied the horse's reins neatly off to a pole just outside the tavern then turned to look at him, worry flickering across her face as she saw him trembling there in just his thin shift. "Oh Marcus darling, you're going to get sick like that." The Queen sighed. "Why didn't you bring any proper clothes?" Marcus paused, his mouth hanging open. She was asking him that...now?

"You...didn't let me!" The young prince gasped out. "You just pulled me out of my room and you didn't tell me anything! I still don't know anything!" His mother sighed sharply and he felt his mouth snap shut.

"I was trying to save you, Marcus. That was what I was concerned about. I can't think of everything for you, darling." The Queen shook her head. The young prince glanced at the ground, feeling a cold guilt settle in his belly for questioning her. Suddenly it seemed like she was right, like always. He should have said something...or grabbed some shoes at least. It was his own fault he'd ended up like this, not hers. Marcus watched uncertainly as his mother reached up to the bags beside her horse and pulled out a long cape made of thick wool. "Here, I've got a spare cloak you can wear. There's a hood as well so no-one sees that pretty face. We don't want anyone recognizing you and telling Gaius where we are are after all." She swept the cloak over his shoulders and neatly tied it round his neck, brushing it down so it settled over his entire body. The cloak was heavy and warm at least, and when she pulled the hood up over his head he felt rather warmer. "There we are, much better, right?" She nodded, gently patting his head through the hood.

"Thank you, mother." The young prince murmured.

"Good boy. Now, come, follow me. And keep quiet. I'll do the talking." The Queen slipped her the hood of her own cloak up over her silver hair and stepped for the door of the tavern. Marcus moved to follow her, feeling a flicker of excitement. In the stories he read, taverns like this were always bustling, exciting places where brave lady knights sought out quests and adventures! Maybe there'd be one waiting for him just inside, to help escort him and his mother to safety with her sword and armor! That would be just so exciting!

His mother carefully eased the door open and stepped inside, the young prince following at her footsteps. The room inside was dark and quiet, the shadows of empty tables and chairs. A single candle burned at a counter against the far wall. Marcus swallowed a sigh of disappointment. There were no lady knights after all. Though he supposed it was very late and they might be asleep. The queen strode confidently over to the counter, with him scampering after. There was a small brass bell waiting beside the candle and she rang it loudly, the piercing noise echoing through the empty room.

There was silence for a few long moments, and Marcus watched nervously as his mother's frown grew steadily more impatient. She rang the bell again, even louder this time, her blue eyes flashing in the light of the candle. The young prince peered out from beside her as a door swung suddenly open behind the counter, and a ragged-looking woman with bleary eyes stepped out, a tired scowl on her weathered face. The innkeeper, he had to guess, and she didn't seem happy about being disturbed so late at night.

"You there!" The Queen snapped, waving the bell at the woman. "I need to rent a room for the night, with two beds, for me and my...companion here."

"Fuck off." The innkeeper spat waspishly, her voice as coarse and rough as she looked.

"What?" The Queen gasped, utter shock on her face. Marcus froze as well. So rude! No-one ever spoke to his mother that way!

"Can't you hear right, prissy cunt?" The woman sneered. "I said fuck off. You come in this late and start demanding I give you a room like that. Well, I'm telling you to take a fucking hike!" She turned, already stepping back towards the door.

"Wait, I can pay!" The Queen stammered. She seized a bag from her belt and yanked out several gold coins, waving them hurriedly in front of the innkeeper. The surly woman paused, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the money.

"One room, ten crowns." She grunted. "And don't bother haggling. This is the only inn for miles, so either you pay up or fuck off." The queen didn't even hesitate, dropping ten of the gold coins on the counter. The innkeeper swept them up, frowning sourly. Even Marcus knew that was a lot of money for just one night in a room, but she was clearly regretting not asking for even more. Still scowling, the horrible woman reached under the counter and took out a small brass key, placing it down in front of the queen. "Up the stairs, the third door on the right." She sneered, then turned on her heels and strode back through the door behind her, slamming it shut.

"The nerve of that peasant!" The Queen spat, sweeping up the key. "She's lucky we're in hiding or I'd have the constabulary throw her in the stocks for such insolence! Come Marcus, let's get you into bed. We have an early start tomorrow if we're to make it to the border." The young prince bit his lip in confusion. What border? Where were they even going? Before he could ask, his mother stepped away, heading for the dusty stairs and he had to hurriedly follow before that awful woman came out and snapped at him or something. After climbing the stairs, the Queen made for the room they'd been given, then slid the key into the lock and swung it open. Marcus gasped in shock as he peeked inside around his mother's body. It was...a rather small room for one thing, bare wooden walls and floors that were covered in dust. What was more worrying though, was the one single bed placed against the far wall, the sheets and blanket clean and well-made, but clearly only meant for one person all the same. "That damn woman...I said....!" The Queen snapped viciously, then she paused and let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping under her cloak. "No point trying to complain or she might really try to kick us out. We'll have to share and make do with this, darling."

Staring at the bed, Marcus swallowed anxiously. It was smaller even than the one he usually slept in back in the castle. How were they both supposed to fit on that?