The man was flustered, cheeks reddening, a vein on his forehead bulging until he glimpsed the steel poised toward his leg. My blazing stare was just as pointed as the shiny metal.
“Hey, that’s my basket! I didn’t sell to you?!” a voice called toward the less than subtle altercation.
My gaze shifted to the man peering behind the row of booths, who pinned me with a look of outrage.
Damn, I’d circled back too far, back to the scene of the crime. Returning to the donkey cart deliverer, I saw his eyes still fixed on my weapon. It was an empty threat. That’s why the blade was so shiny, because it rarely saw action beyond slicing some rope. I knew that, but he didn’t. The now growing crowd of onlookers didn’t know it either. Soon the soldiers would come to inquire about the disturbance, and I could not be found here when they did. Brandishing a weapon with so many people around would get me locked up instantly without a trial to clear my name.
Not that it could be. Iwaspretending to threaten a man in broad daylight. Hard to convince a judge or jury that I didn’t reallymean it.
My cheeks scorched as if a flame licked over them. I needed to get out of here,now. In one smooth motion, I turned, pocketed my blade, and charged into the sea of people. Hoping I’d dipped out of sight, with a firm clasp around the basket, I did my best to shelter my bounty of fruits and vegetables while fighting like a salmon against the oncoming stream of bodies. My miraja stalk toppled over the edge, but I had to keep moving. Better to come out of this with one less fruit to harvest than wind up rotting in jail.
Fortunately, standing five feet, four inches tall, I could blend within the masses. A recognizable whistle rang through the crowd, one we’d prepared in case we needed to make a quickescape. I worried my fast pace would draw attention from the soldiers streaming into the market, but their growing shouts compelled my strides.
Oophs and grunts of ‘hey watch it’ as I nudged my way through didn’t alter my course, not as I glimpsed soldiers from the corner of my eye. Within seconds they’d have a description from the vendors and an order, and I wouldn’t be able to evade them. Bodies continued pressing in on me, and my muscles strained to force my way past.
The din of the masses faded behind the blood thrumming in my ears. Just ahead, the market crowd would thin. Easier to get through, sure, but also easier to be spotted. Beyond the thinning market, I would need to race for the woods. Any soldiers on my trail would be sure to follow the woman fleeing into the forest.
Would my stolen stash survive the jostling escape? Running, jumping, and dodging trees would mean losing more of these items, and that I couldn’t afford. Not with the influx of refugees in Rahana.
Gossip in Hava’s market spreads worse than fire among hay. The vendor with the medicinal potions and salves would hear product had been used on a donkey, and know his inventory wasn’t accounted for. Which made sending Tio back to retrieve more crops since I’d botched it risky.
Ravinder could go, but he hadn’t nearly as much skill as we did. Honorable man, and such. Sharp, admonishing words formed an anthem in my mind for causing such a scene. Not that I regretted helping that poor creature. My heart always called to those in need, and damn any polite conventions that might get in my way.
Time was running out as the space between people and my elbows grew cavernous. A sweeping glance didn’t reveal where Tio had gone. Good. Two people moving too swiftly against the crowd would only raise suspicion.
My mind whirled, calculating the best route to exit the market and shelter myself in the woods with minimal sightlines from the soldiers. I’d have no choice but to move west toward the river, since heading deeper into the city would only result in more encounters with the army.
No, my best option was to lose them in the forest.
My grip tightened on the basket handle. Only a hundred more feet until the outskirts. I nearly gasped when an arm closed around me. Had soldiers caught up? Flanked me? A jerk of my chin revealed Ravinder by my side, his arm wrapped around my shoulder.
“Slow down,” he whispered, not a speck of panic or concern on his face. Instead, a charming smile remained across his ochre complexion. To any onlookers, we were just two lovers strolling through the morning market. My muscles begged me to keep running, to flee from the danger that might come upon us any moment. Nevertheless, I slowed. A sheen of sweat graced my brow, but I closed my open mouth, pretending I wasn’t desperate for air from my push through the crowd and swelling panic.
No words were exchanged, but the pounding of Rav’s steps, though nonchalant to an untrained ear, was communication enough. I was in for a verbal lashing once we cleared the public space. Would anyone else notice the way his fingers latched around my arm, the tension of the bunched fabric under his stern grasp? I certainly did, and gulped over it.
The sounds of commotion dulled, and not one person questioned us as we left the market and headed into the surrounding woods. Once we had coverage, Rav let his arm drop from me. We stepped over and through the dense woods until nothing but the blissful peace of nature filled our ears.
“What in the gods’ names were you thinking?”
Blissful peace no more. “I’m sorry,” I sighed, letting my hood fall so I could cool down.
Air rushed from his nostrils, his hands clenching his hips. I swore I could always feel a pulse in the air when he was angry like this. Intentional or unintentional from his elemental wielding, I couldn’t say for certain. If he wanted, he could knock me on my ass or send me flying into a tree. He didn’t. Never did. Never wielded that power for any other purpose than to help.
I bet some days I made him want to, though.
If the gods had blessed me with that kind of power, I doubted my ability to keep it leashed under pressure. Maybe that’s the reason I didn’t have more, because the gods knew I’d be left unchecked. Though, I wouldn’t be the first magic wielder in history to lose my cool. Argora Vale was proof, but I’d never go as far as blasting magic across an entire kingdom. Smack Tio around when he was being a little annoying? Sure.
Growing in the distance, the sound of snapping twigs and leaves drew both of our focus. My bow and arrow were stashed deeper in the forest, but with Rav near, we’d be protected until we could reach it. Regardless, we both ducked, rapt attention on the approaching figure.
That familiar whistle had both of us sighing as we rose to our feet. Rav whistled back, and Tio echoed curses while stumbling through the brambles.
7
Dae
Tonight's meal was shitty. Maybe it was a good thing we were running low and the portion was small.
Tilton grumbled beside me. “That rutting scout group has yet to return. Useless, incompetent mouth-breathers.”
