Chapter 4 #2
“Yes?” It’s an effort to keep my voice even, but seeing her concerned face makes it possible.
“Are you okay?”
She’s frightened. What we’re about to do is a huge challenge for her, but she’s putting all those feelings aside so she can come with me.
If she suspects something is wrong, it will only make her feel worse and we can’t risk her having an anxiety attack at the market.
In all honestly, I don’t even know how to explain to her about the feeling the stone gave me, so I’m going to keep it to myself.
“I’m fine.” I smile and hold my hand out, showing her the glittering quartz. “This is for you. It will protect you.”
Taking the gem, she examines it and slowly smiles, and I can almost sense her drawing strength from it. Shaking my head to rid myself of that strange thought, I take a deep breath and check my scarf once more.
As ready as I am going to get, I force a smile. “Right, let’s go.”
The market is always at its busiest at the beginning of the week, which is why I chose today to come out.
It is bustling with people, all wearing a huge array of different colours, making it easier for one widow and her child to blend in.
Guards stand at the entrances of the market and we have already passed several sets of guards on patrol.
They are all watching over everything with an intensity that sets my instincts alight, but no one has tried to stop us.
In fact, they have barely even looked our way, as though they are looking for someone else.
Ella is holding onto my hand tightly, her palms sweaty, but she doesn’t let it stop her or pull her out of character.
She’s a stubborn little thing and I’m so proud of her.
I can count on one hand the number of times she’s left our home since I found her.
After everything she’s gone through, trusting others is difficult for her.
It’s more than that though, she’s terrified of others now, preferring to hide away than risking getting hurt again.
Having her here is a nice change, as many of the vendors seem happier to interact with a widow when she has a child with her.
Interesting. On the times I come alone, I am either ignored or charged an extortionate price.
In the past, I have stolen food, I will not pretend that I won’t ever do it again.
I am no saint. The city has abandoned us, branding us sullied and leaving us to rot, so I don’t feel bad about this.
To provide for Ella, there is not much that I wouldn’t do.
However, when I have the means, I do buy what I can.
My basket is filled with bread, fruit, and other various products all paid for with Caleb’s coin from his purchase last week. Thanks to him, we shall be enjoying fresh food tonight and not the stale leftovers from the market stalls.
There is one last thing that we need, and it is this that makes me the most anxious.
Water.
The sound of the water in the fountain makes my throat ache, my mouth dry and lips cracked.
Technically we are not supposed to use the fountain to drink from, and the guards do come around from time to time and clear everyone away.
However, Rune is a desert city and water is sparce.
It has become a currency, the various gangs controlling the wells.
If the king wanted the fountain off limits, then he would have to have it guarded constantly.
There would be an uproar and I’m sure that is the only reason that the fountain is open to all.
Glancing around, I make sure that no guards are nearby and that we aren’t being followed.
As far as I can tell, we are in the clear.
There are already people around the fountain, drinking and collecting water, so we shouldn’t stand out.
Squeezing Ella’s hand in mine, I guide her toward the centre of the market.
Finding a space before the grand marble and gold fountain, I sink to my knees, Ella doing the same beside me.
“Drink,” I instruct quietly. She doesn’t need telling twice and quickly lowers her face to the water, sucking it down greedily.
I want nothing more than to do the same, but I need to stay aware of what’s going on around us.
Taking out my water container, I sink it into the cool water, keeping my gaze up.
The fountain has a gorgeous tiled baisen that reminds me of my father.
I remember him bringing me here and explaining how the mosaic process worked and the stones that were inlaid.
I wish I had time to examine and enjoy it now, but for every second that we are out in the open, we are in danger.
Finding the beauty in the city that hates me is something I no longer have the luxury of doing.
“Steady,” I murmur to Ella who is still gasping down the water, out of breath in her desperation to drink. “You’ll make yourself sick if you drink too quickly.”
She glances at me, nods and takes several deep breaths, her face flushed. Returning to the water, she cups her hands and lifts the cool liquid to her mouth.
The container is now full and no one has stopped us…
I can’t hold back any longer, leaning forward I plunge my hands into the water and scoop it to my mouth, shifting the veil from my face.
Groaning as the sweet water cools my dry throat, I keep drinking, allowing myself to have my fill.
It’s hard to follow my own advise and pace myself as I drink.
Having unrestrained access to clean water is so rare that it’s difficult not to overindulge.
Someone kneels beside me, and I focus on my surroundings once more. I got carried away and somehow this person got close to us without me noticing. Flicking my gaze to the size, I release a breath as I see the figure is dressed in white.
Caleb.
“Run.”
His voice is full of warning and authority, sounding nothing like the Caleb I know. Twisting, I take in my friend. He won’t look at me, scooping water into his hands but I can see the tension in his movements.
“What?” I realise how stupid I sound as the word leaves my lips, but I’m so surprised by his sudden appearance.
Dropping the pretence, he faces me and I see the fear and urgency shining back at me in his blue eyes.
“This is a trap, Kiara.” He scans the area as though looking for someone but his face pales as his gaze locks on something over my shoulder. “You need to leave. Now.”