“I’m, I just—” I stumbled over my words. Frustrated to be caught looking like a fool, I lifted my chin, straightened my hood, and cleared my throat. “I was just wondering where you bought the bread.” I swallowed the drool that formed when I said the word.
He paused, holding the last bite in front of his open mouth, pulling it back slowly.She’s hungry.
“I’mnotlooking for handouts,” I said, before he could verbalize that last one. My pride wouldn’t let me take some stranger’s leftovers. I’d figure something out. “I just need directions. I’m... new in town.”
“You sure are,” his thoughts and words overlapped, and that smirk returned. Pointing over his shoulder, he shrugged. “The market’s that way. Can’t miss it.”
Though I already knew where the market was, I thanked him and moved down the street, trying to keep a steady, non-desperate pace for appearance’s sake.
I like her.
I paused mid-step at his thought. Turning to face him, I stared up into those eyes and spoke without considering my words. “What was that?” His brows rose at the blunt question. He hadn’t actually said anything.
“I just—I thought I heard something...” I faltered. The seamless blend of his words and thoughts had thrown me off kilter; the last straw in my tired, confused mind. I just needed to hear him lie once so I could move on.
Squinting at me, he didn’t answer right away. After he finished chewing, he shrugged. “I was thinking... you’re a little odd.” Ha! First lie. I nodded to myself, turning away, when he added, “And I like it.”
Again, I paused. Looking over my shoulder at him, I croaked out, “You... like it?”
“Sure,” he shrugged again. “It. You. Stop making such a big deal out of it,” he said as my brows rose in shock. “Go get your bread.” And he walked off without a goodbye or another word.
I blinked at his back.
Turning toward the market, I tried to forget him, but I’d never met someone so honest. It took away the advantage I’d grown so used to.
As I entered the market, I wiped the frown from my face, shaking off the irritation. No need to worry about it anymore. I’d never see him again.Focus on getting something to eat. The smell of freshly baked bread, spices, and roasting meat flooded my senses, making me clench my fists until little crescent nail marks were indented in my skin.
I made my way through a new section of the bazaar, feeling too intimidated to try asking for work just yet, staring at the different spreads. Little tent awnings stretched out from the buildings on one side of the street, shading the tables underneath, full of all different wares, including food, food, and more food.
My stomach ached with a hollowness I’d never experienced before. I felt briefly murderous. All my high morals flew out the window when I saw a table left unattended.
I could spend the day asking for work again, only to be very likely turned away with yet another round of laughs. Or...
No. I shook my head, walking past the open booth and on down the street. Stealing was the very reason I didn’t have coin to buy food in the first place.
In the doorway of the shop ahead, a young woman stood sweeping dirt and debris out onto the street. “Pardon me,” I called, walking around a cart in the street to approach her, “Do you have any work for the day?” I began.
“No,” she snapped.
“Please,” I continued, humbling myself to beg. I had no other choice. “I could sweep for you, or–”
Without a word in reply, the woman turned to go inside and slammed the door in my face.Trying to steal my job,she thought as she did.And she was filthy too.I flinched. Had sleeping in the field left me looking that poorly after one night? I ran my hand through my hair, trying to straighten it. A piece of the sweet-smelling yellow grass fell to the ground.
The shopkeeper at the booth next to me saw me turn toward him, and before I could even open my mouth to ask, he shook his head in silent rejection.
A man with a thin mustache and hair slicked over in an effort to hide his balding head, stepped up next to me, sliding his hand down my arm. I jumped. He whispered in a deep voice, “I know where someone as beautiful as you could have work in minutes.” His face was just inches from mine.
I stepped back even as he spoke, yanking my arm away. The sudden urge to call for help hit me, but who would come? I called on all my courtly training, standing tall and strong, and glared at him. “Howdareyou,” I demanded in a loud tone. “Leave me at once!”
But my anger hardly affected him at all.
He had the audacity to step closer, still whispering, “Down the street, two blocks, ask for Elam if you change your mind.” He snaked a hand out toward me as if to stroke my arm yet again. I lurched out of reach with a shudder of disgust.
As he skulked off, I felt more frustrated than ever. His offer was quite clear. Between that and stealing a loaf of bread, I knew which I would choose in a heartbeat.
Before I could think too hard on it, my feet turned back toward the unmanned booth. Not knowing how much time I had before the owner returned, I picked up my pace. Hurrying toward it in a mix between a casual walk and a desperate jog, I pulled my hood up, trying to blend in.
The table was still unguarded.
