by Lisa Dawn
“Take care of Krystal and Lily for me.”
He nodded.
The first step was the hardest. Seeing Henry, Lily, and Elsie made me painfully aware of what I was leaving behind. It wasn’t about being royal or living in a castle. These were the people I loved. This was my home. Now I could never go back. I had no one to blame for it but myself. It could have been worse, I suppose. I could have been executed or imprisoned as King Mercer wanted. Maybe that’s what I deserved. At least then I would know what to expect. My foot felt as though it weighed a hundred pounds as I lifted it onto the drawbridge.
I thought it would get easier, but it didn’t. Every step took me further away from all of the things in the world that I loved. As a princess, I had been trained to walk with a purpose and keep my head held high to create an image of confidence and stability for my people, but now I had no purpose. I was venturing into the great unknown where I would likely be swallowed by my own guilt and lack of competence.
I didn’t realize I had stepped off the drawbridge until I heard it rising behind me. I could never go back. I fantasized about turning around and jumping into the moat and end it all right then and there, but that would have been too cruel to Henry, Lily, and Elsie if they were still watching me. They cared about me and wanted me to be happy. I needed to persevere for their sake as well as for the faint glimmer of hope that perhaps someday I could find a way to restore magic to the kingdom.
I wandered in a daze through the forest into the noble district. If I really wanted to, I could seek out Lily’s parents for shelter, but I didn’t deserve their kindness after the way I had disgraced myself. I would never force that shame onto her family. So I continued onward until the houses got smaller and the path got coarser. I was so numb from crying that I barely noticed the sharp pain in my feet and back from carrying my heavy satchel.
As I traversed the unfamiliar streets of Klingland, I began to recognize motifs in the architecture and wares. The symbols from the runes that I studied for so long seemed to be everywhere from carvings on wooden signs to painted vases being sold on the streets. I pulled out my journal to compare my sketches. Sure enough, a healer’s tent had symbols of the healing rune etched around the door way. As I walked by, a woman with a scarred face and a plain dress and apron walked out with an older woman with graying hair.
“I lost another patient to the crimson fever yesterday,” said the scarred woman. “The medicinal herbs I need are so rare. I used to perform miracles back when I had my… well, you know.”
“You know how those blue bloods are. They take away anything that makes people happy while they’re too busy attending their fancy parties to notice.”
Is this how my people thought of me? I decided it would be best to keep a low profile.
“We used to be a blessed land. These days, it’s like we’re all cursed.”
“No use complaining about it. Best get back to work.”
They walked by without noticing me. If only there were something I could have said to ease their troubles. The crimson fever is an awful disease that I wouldn’t even wish on my worst enemy. If I could somehow recover the healing rune from the bottom of the ocean and given it to her, I would have. Lily liked to talk about rumors of mermaids, especially off the coast of the kingdom of Ganchepone. I longed for those rumors to be true and for the mermaids to bring the runes back and ease the suffering of this healer’s poor patients.
I continued walking with no set destination as my vision blurred and my legs ached. A man in the marketplace with a scruffy red beard caught my eye and waved.
“Miss,” he said, “Today is your lucky day! I’m having a sale!”
I couldn’t help but grin at his attempt to make a sale to such an unlikely candidate. It may have been a lucky day for some, but it was by far the worst day of my life, and I doubted anything he had to sell would change that. Nevertheless, I decided to see what he was so eager to show me.
“Do ya like what ya see, lassie?” he asked when I approached the table. “Only two silvers apiece!”
The pottery had a great deal of love and care put into it. Each piece was engraved with the same symbols I had sketched in my journal surrounded by images of what each rune represented. For instance, there was a bright red pot with intricate orange flames painted onto it alongside symbols for the fire rune. A tinted glass pot had swirling blue and white waves surrounded by circular symbols for the water rune. This man was as fascinated by the runes as I was. Perhaps he used to be a mage before the war.
“These symbols,” I said, brushing my fingers over the fine handiwork, “Aren’t they magical?”
The man leaned in and lowered his voice.
“You must be new around here,” he said.
It felt odd to say I was new to my own kingdom, but I never had much reason to go outside the castle.
“Er, yes,” I confessed hesitantly.
“We don’t like to say the ‘M’ word in these parts. Ya never know who might be listening. As for the carvings, they’re just reminders of what we lost.”
“I don’t see why it would be a problem to talk about it now that the runes are gone.”
“Can never be too careful. The royals are ruthless. They’ve got spies everywhere, ya know.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
I turned away. I’d heard enough insults about my family today to last a lifetime. These people had never even met us, and they were judging every decision we made, not that I was the best role model for good decision making.
“Won’t ya be buying anything then?” he called after me.
I must have been walking for longer than I thought. The gray sky shifted to black as my shadow dimmed. Stars sparkled brightly as they shined down over the village. Loud noises from my stomach reminded me that I had been on my feet for an entire day without a single bite of food. Normally, I had servants to remind me when to eat. At this rate, I would pass out from exhaustion if I took one more step.
My nose was filled with a wonderful scent that made my stomach growl even louder. I followed it to a nearby table where a woman with dry, rough skin was selling bowlfuls of delicious-looking stew. At this point, I was willing to beg on my hands and knees for a single bite.
“Might I interest you in a fresh batch of delicious stew? It may not be piping hot, but it’ll fill your belly just fine.”
“How much?” I asked.
My parched throat burned as the words stumbled out.
“For a nice young thing like you? Five coppers will do fine.”
Coppers. I was familiar with Klinglish currency, but I didn’t have any to pack with me when I left. I had plenty of other expensive things to trade, though. My jewelry alone was worth far more than five coppers. I removed an emerald ring from my finger.
“I’m afraid I haven’t any coppers. Will this be sufficient?”
“Where did you get that?”
“I-I had it,” I stuttered.
“You have no coppers, but you had this priceless ring just lying around?”
I had never been at a loss for words before. What sort of response was I supposed to give? This wasn’t the same as preparing a royal speech.
“Um…”
“Who are you? Is this some kind of trick?”
“I’m nobody. I swear.”
Not anymore, anyway.
“You’re trying my patience.”
She ripped one of my jeweled earrings clean off my ear. A few drops of blood fell into one of the bowls. I clutched my ear in painful shock. Now I was angry.
“Please stop! This is not the proper way to treat a-a…”
Oh, right. I was nobody now.
“A what? Are you a royal spy here to make sure none of us have been practicing in secret?”
“Not exactly. I—”
“Not exactly? Then am I to assume that you’re a thief who stole these jewels?”
Technically, I was a jewel thief. Maybe now I would get the punishment I deserved.
“Are
you going to have me arrested?” I asked.
“I don’t do business with criminals.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll leave you be.”
So much for food.
“Not so fast,” she said as I walked away.
The vendor pulled my sack off my arm and started rummaging through the dresses that Elsie packed for me.
“Someone is going to have to return these back to where you stole them from, you know.”
“I can take responsibility for my own actions.”
The vendor wouldn’t stop. She kept going through my things until she located my precious journal containing all of my sketches and notes about the runes. I’d been compiling it since childhood. If someone else got their hands on it, it could be a disaster.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“It’s worthless. Take anything else you want, but not that.”
“What’s so special about a bit of parchment?”
“They are only some mindless scribbles. Surely, this gown is worth far more,” I said.
I pulled out a beaded gold dress, but she ignored it.
“Who taught you how to read and write, girlie?”
“I just copy what I see. I don’t know what any of it says,” I lied.
“Do you take me for a halfwit?”
“Of course not.”
“These symbols are from the old days before the war. There’s no way a girl like you would know any of this.”
“Please, I can explain.”
“You stole it from the castle, didn’t you?”
“What? Um, yes, that’s right.”
I suppose that was technically true since it was from my old room in the castle. The greedy vendor had a death grip on my journal with no intention of letting go. I tried kicking the pot of stew at of her, but I only succeeded in stubbing my toe. Physical strength was never my forte. My hunger and exhaustion made me so weak I could barely even stand on my own two feet. Still not ready to give up, I lunged at the old woman and reached for the journal. My attempt backfired as her grip was stronger than mine. She used the journal to fling me into the mud. Not only was I hungry now, but I was also filthy.
“Off with you then!” she shouted.
I was far too exhausted to go any further, so I stumbled into an alleyway and fell asleep in my own filth. I could not have possibly sunk any lower than this.
Chapter 10
When I woke up early the next morning, it hurt in places I didn’t even realize I had. I tried to reach behind my back and rub my shoulders like Elsie used to when I was stressed, but the pain in my arms prevented them from bending that way. My knees wobbled as I tried to lift myself off the ground. On my first attempt, my hips gave out, and I fell back into the mud on my behind. Fortunately, I had chosen a remote alleyway to sleep in, so not many people saw me in my state of shame. However, that wouldn’t last long. I was in desperate need of water.
As I rounded the corner, it was apparent that I looked every bit as terrible as I felt. People shielded their eyes and pinched their noses when I came within a few feet of them. There was nothing I wouldn’t have given at that moment for a warm bath. Then I saw nirvana. A barrel of sparkling clear fresh water stood off to the side of a vendor table. My body moved before my mind had an opportunity to catch up. I stood over the barrel smothering water over my mud-stained face and hair and drinking as much as I could cup in my hands, doing my best to prevent the precious liquid from slipping through the cracks between my fingers.
“What do you think you’re doing there, Missy? Water doesn’t grow on trees, you know!”
I barely heard the creaky voice of the hunchbacked vendor as I drank away my exhaustion from the previous day. When my brain caught up with me, I realized I should give some sort explanation. I had gone from a thief of rare and powerful jewels to a petty beggar who inhaled ordinary spring water like a desperate drunkard with the last bottle of wine.
“I’m sorry, but I have nothing to trade right now. Would it be all right if I came back?”
The hunchbacked vendor stared at my freshly clean face through crooked eyes.
“I’ve seen your face before.”
“You must be mistaken.”
Surely I would have remembered seeing someone so distinctive back at the castle. Was I really so wrapped up in my studies not to notice?
“No, I never forget a face,” said the hunchback. “Me uncle married a noble who got me into them royal affairs at the palace a couple times. You’re Princess Charlotte, aren’t you?”
“Not anymore.”
I never felt less like Princess Charlotte than I did at that moment. I was a stranger to myself with no skills and no purpose. I had no idea who I was anymore. The hunchback seemed to, though. He climbed on a table and drew in a small crowd. I did my best to hide my face under the hood of my cloak, but it stank terribly of mud and whatever else was lying on the ground in the alleyway where I slept.
“’Ey! Everyone, listen up! This here is one of the royals who agreed to take away our runes!”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” I insisted.
I had to get out of here. None of these people looked like they wanted to have a civilized discussion. They held up hammers, axes, and other tools as if ready to strike me down. Maybe the execution that Mercer wanted for me would have been more humane. I considered my options.
“Why don’t you tell us where our runes are then?” asked the hunchback.
As a princess, I was taught to look my accusers directly in the eye and never show vulnerability so I would always have the upper hand. Being that I was no longer a princess, I answered their question while trembling and looking at my feet. If they didn’t want my head on a platter already, they were about to.
“The bottom of the sea. I tried to stop them. I did everything I could, but no one would listen!”
“Did ya hear that? They drowned our runes! We should throw her in the sea as a thank you!”
I wouldn’t let these brutes take away what little sense of self-preservation I had left, especially when they were the ones I was trying to protect. I faced my transgressors, gaining confidence in my determination.
“I know it sounds bad, but I’m no longer part of the royal court. I’m on your side.”
They didn’t look the slightest bit convinced. I needed to come up with a plan, and fast, or my desire to disappear was going to come true with a whole lot more pain than I anticipated.
“Why should we believe you? Where were you when all this was happening? Parading around at one of your fancy balls?”
As the hunchback riled up the crowd, I ducked under the table and flipped my cloak around from the black velvet exterior, which was now mostly covered in mud, to the red satin lining on the other side. It looked completely different. I crawled beneath several occupied tables and popped back out behind an unattended one that was selling children’s toys. I gazed upon the endearing dolls and blocks and trinkets, meant to encourage imagination in young minds and wondered what it would have been like if I had time to play pretend as a child.
“Mommy, can I have one of those?”
A little girl dragged a petite blonde woman out of the crowd to look at some of the hand-sewn rag dolls.
“It’s her!” someone shouted when they followed the girl’s gaze.
There was no time to waste. I shoved the table down into the path of the villagers to give myself a head start. The beautiful toys got covered in mud as they hit the ground. I didn’t have time to mourn their loss. Considering how little water I had a chance to drink, I had a surprising amount of stamina. Perhaps I found my second wind. As I ran, the buildings became larger and more distinguished. I realized I had made my way into the business district. I passed an apothecary, a tavern, and an inn. The villagers were hot on my trail. I ducked around to the side of the inn and hoped for the best.
For once, my wishes had paid off. The inn I chose had a back door. The decaying wooden door wobbling on its r
usty hinges was the most welcoming site I had seen since leaving the castle. I pushed on it, ignoring the splinters that pierced through the bare skin on my fingers, breathing a sigh of relief as it creaked open, welcoming me inside. I found myself in a private storage room in the back of the inn. I was saved! They’d never think to look for me in here.
I took in my surroundings. Chamber pots, towels, cleaning supplies, and all of the usual items needed to run an inn lined the shelves along the walls. Yet, there was something else that seemed out of place. Tucked into the back of a shelf was a series of elegant scrolls marked with the symbol for the truth rune. Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence that I found my way here. Curiosity got the best of me. I reached for the closest scroll and carefully unwound the bottom section. It appeared to be an extended study of techniques invoked with the truth rune. I felt a pang of sadness when I remembered my own journal that I would probably never see again.
Day 182 – Do not let guests touch metal surfaces that touch the truth rune. It creates an unpredictable response that can backfire against the wielder.
Day 205 – Found a stowaway attempting to hide in an unclaimed room. Used rune to reveal he was a runaway slave. Let him work to cover the charges for the room.
Day 213 – Used the rune to help the stowaway find family in town. He is safe now.
Day 245 – Guest claimed he couldn’t afford a room. Used rune to reveal that he was a wealthy foreigner. Charged double.
Day 348 – Had a visitor from the castle claiming to do routine inspections. Used the rune to learn that the regent is banning magic.
Day 352 – Truth rune confiscated. End of study.
“Intruder! Drop the scroll.”
The scroll fell hard onto my foot as I turned around slowly to face my new threat.
Chapter 11
I found myself face-to-face with a tan-skinned balding man with wisps of silver hair framing the back of his skull. He was no taller than me and had a pair of small spectacles balanced on his oversized nose. His authoritative stance revealed that this was probably the owner of the inn. I couldn’t quite place his accent, but he sounded like someone that had lived in more than one place. He wielded a sharp silver letter opener like a dagger. Maybe I wasn’t out of the woods yet after all.