Charades

Chapter 18

     Losing Ronan and his family was like losing my family again. All I felt was loneliness after the death of my parents and once again, I had no one. I lost everyone I loved, everything that mattered to me. And this time, it was all my fault. Because I'd been selfish, because I chose myself over the safety of Ronan and his family, I was left with nothing. I deserved it, I earned it, and I was miserable.

     I pulled my cloak tightly around me and rushed to my shop. I passed by townsfolk and the busy market. The soldiers were always around the market, on the lookout for the lost princess and I wondered what to do. I couldn't spend the rest of my life near the soldiers - not when eventually, I'd be caught. And I wondered if I needed to run away. I wondered if it was time to leave once again.

     Slowing down my walk, I let out a sigh as I neared the small flower shop. I glanced around, looking for the soldiers and I froze immediately when my eyes spotted them. Kamal and Satheesh were there by another shop across the road, and they weren't alone. In front of them was Indira and my heart jolted with fear. I moved closer to check out what was going on.

     "Are you Amara?" Kamal snickered. "You're brown and beautiful. I think you're the lost princess."

     "I'm Indira Singh!" Indira exclaimed. "Let me leave. I'm shopping for my family."

     Indira moved to leave, but Satheesh blocked her path. She huffed and glared at them and slowly, I moved closer to them. Fear was pumping through me as I worried for Indira.

     "I don't believe you," Satheesh said. He leaned forward to get a better look at Indira and she jerked back. "You're way too pretty. And you're a lady with brown skin. That isn't common in Edolas."

     "I'm not a princess!" she exclaimed. "I'm a peasant. I was born a peasant and I will die a peasant. Now let me leave."

     Indira whirled to run and Kamal lunged to grab her arm. His stubby hand grabbed her forearm and he yanked her and Indira gasped as she stumbled back. I ran then, adrenaline leaving my heart pounding.

     "Don't touch me!" Indira shouted.

     "We're taking you to Prince Emir," Kamal said. "Stop resisting."

     "Stop!" I shouted.

     Kamal and Satheesh froze and so did Indira. Indira's eyes flew wide at the sight of me and I hung my head low, ensuring my cloak covered most of my face.

     "That's my cousin," I said. "Why are you harassing her?"

     "She looks like the lost princess," Kamal said. "Are you trying to hide the princess? If you are, you know you'll be imprisoned for life."

     "I'm not. This is my cousin and you are harassing a sixteen year old."

     Kamal let go of Indira then and glanced at Satheesh, who didn't look convinced. I stood my ground, however. Glaring at both Kamal and Satheeesh, I prayed they'd believe me.

     "Prove it," Satheesh said.

     "What do you want me to do, bring out our family tree?" I asked. "I can't, but what I will do is go straight to Queen Diana and King Alexander and tell them you were man handling my cousin. Is that what you prefer?"

     A wave of fear passed through both Kamal and Satheesh's face and once again, they glanced at each other. But this time, in a look of agreement.

     "No, that isn't necessary," Satheesh said. "Fine, take your cousin and leave. But, I'm keeping my eye out on you now. There's something sketchy about you."