Chapter 4
Four
Wrapping the black headscarf and veil around me, I make sure that none of my curly hair escapes.
After my little race through the city last week, I need to be careful.
If they were to discover who I actually was, it would change everything.
Everyone knows of the pink, curly haired sullied girl, and all it would take is for my veil to slip.
Compared to the thick, dark hair most of the citizens of Rune are born with, I stand out.
Staring at the figure in the cracked, dirty mirror, I hardly recognise myself.
My almond shaped eyes are framed by the black fabric of the veil, making the blue of my iris’ practically gleam.
It’s not my appearance that makes me take a second look though, but the slump of my shoulders and almost permanent frown etched onto my face.
The look fits with the character I’m playing, but when did the act become a part of my everyday life?
Life in Rune is hard, and for one of the sullied, it’s almost impossible. However, Ella and I have survived this far, we have proven that it is possible. Not only that, but that joy can be found. That is something I have been feeling less and less recently, and today is no different.
Something is coming. I don’t know what, or when, but when it does, it’s going to cause trouble.
There is an energy in the air that I don’t like, almost like the static feeling you get before a thunderstorm.
It’s been building for a few days now and I’ve been putting off going on a supplies run because of it.
However, we are completely out of food and almost out of water.
We can live on little food, but without water we wouldn’t survive. This trip cannot be left any longer.
Leaning up against the bottom of the mirror is a broken shard of the glass which I stare at, indecision making me waver.
I keep it here in case I ever need to defend our home, but thankfully I have never needed to use it.
It’s not large, fitting comfortably in my palm, with one edge sharp and jagged.
If anyone was to be stabbed by this, it would cause considerable damage.
Taking a weapon out with me feels very deliberate, like I’m planning on using it, which is not that case.
I might be sullied but I am not a murderer.
There is no evidence to show that anything is going to happen today, just a feeling from deep inside, my instincts on hyper alert.
There is more at stake than just my life here. I release a long breath and pick up the cold shard of glass. Not letting myself debate my decision, I slip it into the pocket of my tunic.
“I’m coming with you.”
Ella’s voice cuts through my thoughts and makes me realise just how quiet it had been in the room. Did she see me taking the weapon? Glancing over, my suspicions are confirmed as her gaze is locked onto my pocket.
Her hands are on her hips and her lips pursed in a stubborn expression, even though I can see how much the idea of leaving frightens her. Her lower lip trembles slightly despite her best effort to keep it straight.
“You are always telling me I need to get out more. To learn how to look after myself.” Her voice cracks a little as she attempts to justify herself.
It’s all a facade. Other than her own fears, she has always been vehemently against the idea of leaving to train as we both know that if she ever did need to look after herself, it would be because I was dead.
“Ella, not today.” Even the thought of her with me makes me sick to my stomach, my palms sweaty and a cold shudder passing down my spine. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
I wish I could explain it but I struggle to put the feeling into words. My soul seems to know something that I don’t, whether its intuition or a sign from the gods, and it’s screaming at me that danger is approaching. Unfortunately Ella seems to understand and turns my words right back at me.
“Then you shouldn’t go!”
Gritting my teeth, I brush past her to my sleeping area and grab the small pouch that I strap to my belt. “We’re almost out of water and we have no food. I have to go.”
It’s easier not to look at her as I prepare myself. My mind needs to be completely focused and if I’m worrying about Ella that’s not going to happen. Besides, I struggle to say not to her when she’s staring into my face.
Mirroring my movements, she walks to her pile of blankets and searches for a headscarf to wear. “They are looking for a widow. They will stop you, but if you have a child with you, they will be less likely to stop you.”
Annoyance makes me grit my teeth. Not because she’s frustrating me, but because she’s right.
Ella is small enough to pass as a child, especially when she covers her hair.
The few times we have left together, this is the guise we would use, her holding my hand as I lead her through the city.
It the guards saw me with a child, it would at least make them pause long enough to let us get away.
A lump forms in the back of my throat and I swallow several times to shift it. “If anything happens, it will be more difficult to get away if I’m worrying about you too.” I snap, my arms gesturing wide with my growing emotion. “You don’t know the streets like I do.”
It’s harsh, but I need her to understand. Really, I don’t care about the risk to myself, I’m just terrified she will get hurt. Unfortunately, my sharp words seem to be doing the opposite.
Tilting her head to one side, she plants her hands on her hips once more. “Then it is time I learnt. I’m coming.”
This is a colossally bad idea but she leaves no room for argument. If I leave her behind, she will only follow me. She might be a shy, quiet whisp of a girl, but occasionally I see these little stubborn sparks of who she could have been if life hadn’t treated her so harshly.
Letting my head fall back I let out a long-suffering groan, staring up at the cracked ceiling.
“Fine,” I agree reluctantly, lifting my head to glance over what she’s wearing. “Go for light colours, you will blend in better. Finish getting dressed.”
While she gets herself ready to leave, I go to my crystal stash.
We’re going to need as much protection as possible.
There aren’t many stones left, meaning I will have to go to the black mountains soon and collect more.
Shifting through what I have left, a low hum greets me, some becoming louder as I brush my fingers over them. What should I take?
My eyes land on a smooth piece of polished black stone.
Onyx. That will be a good one as it’s a protective stone and banishes negative energy.
Slipping it into my pouch, I consider the rest. A small cluster of crystals calls to me, smoky quartz.
The gems glisten, the brown, smoky looking streaks of colour through the crystal giving it its name.
Another that offers protection. It’s small and barely makes a noise as I pick it up, but I’m going to take it anyway.
Huffing out a breath, I wish I was more prepared than this.
Putting the stones away, something glistens, catching my eye.
Labradorite. It’s a chunky piece, the low hum it lets out makes the hair on my arms stand on end. Traditionally Labradorite is used for truth and to shatter illusions, something I wouldn’t usually take with me for a simple trip to the market yet my gut is telling me to take it with us.
Frowning softly, I wrap my fingers around the stone, lifting it to the light to examine the rainbow colours along the shiny surface.
I should be planning, plotting how to manage this trip with Ella at my side, but my mind is lost in the uncertainty of the future.
All I can think about is my wish that Ella and I will survive the coming storm.
She is what I keep going for, and I’m determined to make a better life for her.
A throb of power seems pulse from the stone in my hand, travelling down my arm and buzzing through my entire body like a thousand tiny electric shocks. It takes my breath away, not because it hurts, but because of how powerful it makes me feel.
What in the name of the gods was that?
Dropping the labradorite, I stare at it like it’s going to come to life and bite me. Stupid, such a stupid thought, nothing like that could ever happen. Although, I have never felt anything like the power that pulsed from the stone either. Could it have been…
No. I don’t use magic. I know nothing about it and as far as the citizens of Rune are concerned, it disappeared centuries ago.
Over the years I have researched gemstones and rock formations, gathering together any information I could, hoarding it in my mind like others might with gold.
Before I was redesignated, my father worked as a master artist, making mosaics for the rich.
He taught me about various gemstones, their colours and properties.
It fascinated me, and nothing that I share with others now is information that you couldn’t find if you looked hard enough.
No, what I offer that the city finds so dangerous is something you cannot buy. Hope. When I offer them a crystal that signifies good luck, or healing, love, or wealth, it is not any magic in the stone that they are buying, but the hope that it will answer their prayers.
Oh, I have always believed that the gems have their own inner power, the hum that fills my ears is testament to that. All I’m doing is putting the right gem into the hand that needs it most. However, what I just felt was something different altogether.
“Kiara?”
Shocked out of my internal meltdown, I jerk forward and grab the labradorite, throwing it into my pouch, pulling the strings closed. I start to put the rest of the gems away, but pause as I remember what we’re about to do. Grabbing another small piece of smoky quartz, I stand and turn to face Ella.