Book 4: Chapter 53 (1/2)

Tafel’s expression was dark. She was staring up at a city with a map in her hands. She glared at the city, lowered her head to stare at the map, and frowned. The city wasn’t marked on the map! Her cloak fluttered, and she reached up to make sure her hood was covering her horns. It did make it seem like she had a lumpy head, but it was better being stared at for that than having everyone stare at her for having horns. She walked up to the lone man standing by the city gates. “Hello,” she said, making sure her eyes were covered by the shadows of her hood. The people here didn’t react to purple eyes too well either. “I’m a traveler, and I happen to be lost.” She held out her map. “Can you tell me where the city of Coburg is on the map?”

The man grabbed the map. His brow furrowed. “This isn’t like any map I’ve seen,” he said and handed it back to Tafel.

“What do you mean it isn’t like any map you’ve seen?” Tafel asked with a frown. This map was given to her by Thomas, and he pointed out the cities where the leaders of the Swabian League were located. There’s no way he would’ve given her an inaccurate map.

“Well,” the man said and cleared his throat. “The only maps I’ve seen are about this big.” He spread apart his hands. “And it’s in the shape of Coburg. What kind of map do you have there? Is it of the world?”

“No,” Tafel said. “It’s a map of the Holy Roman Empire.”

The man scratched his head. “Well, why do you have a map of that?” he asked. “This is Coburg, not the Holy Roman Empire.”

“Yes, well, Coburg is in the Holy Roman Empire, no?” Tafel asked and raised an eyebrow. However, her hood prevented the man from seeing it.

“Eh?” The man frowned. “Coburg is in Saxony. You should have a map of Saxony if you want to find Coburg on it.”

Tafel nodded. “Saxony…, Saxony…,” she muttered while looking at her map. “Oh! Here it is.” She raised her head and stared at the man. “Saxony is part of the Holy Roman Empire.”

“Is it?” The man cleared his throat. “Well, now you know where Coburg is.” He nodded and looked away.

“Wait,” Tafel said. “Saxony is on this map, but Coburg isn’t. Where in Saxony is Coburg?”

The man scratched his head, his face turning a light shade of red. “Lady, if I knew that, do you think I’d be working as a shepherd?”

“A shepherd?” Tafel blinked. “What do you mean a shepherd? You’re not a guard?”