Imperfect Queen

Rumors and Dreams may break my bones

After spending an afternoon doing nothing, Agatha gave in to boredom. She decided to go to the trade center, not to actually get something, but to look at stuff and think how crappy they look on a scale of 1 to 10.

Gavaldon traded with other three small villages; Ravenswood, Bloodbrock and Meneresque . Also with two big Kindoms: Pasha Dunes and Jaunt Jolie. There was interesting stuff from time to time, most of the time paraphernalia that Agatha wouldn't be able to afford.

The walk was longer than to Sophie's house, at least there weren't any hills. Ways were made out of cobblestone, some bushes along the way, and then the actual market started. People yelling and publicizing their product, tents where the people settled, some just spread some cloth on the floor and spread the merchandise. Artisans were in majority most of the time. Agatha just strutted seeing bartering happening, and people buying away. Typical afternoon.

She heard someone yelling something that sounded like: "Henna!", Agatha had no idea what was 'henna', so she followed the voice. There was a red tent with a girl around Agatha's age standing there

"Henna and Kohl!" The girl yelled. She had black hair pulled in low ponytail, a ring in her nose and a tattoo in her neck. She could terrify people just by standing

"What is henna?" Agatha asked, the girl got quiet and then replied

"A dye from a plant. You apply it on your skin and you will get a tattoo, like mine" Agatha looked at it, the fine and intricate patterns of the black colored dye. Agatha would probably get it, if she had something valuable and or if henna was useful.

"Nice" Agatha said and strolled down. The girl started yelling again "Henna! Kohl!"

The best thing about the market was how nobody ever pointed at Agatha or whispered stuff about her like it happened in other places. In the market people was too distracted by everything. Besides, traders always had good stories, even though some were banal. For example, how thieves almost attacked a group of blacksmiths or traders for their goods, this was the most overused she often heard. Agatha spotted Sophie in the crowd, she was looking at silks and other fabrics, she always did the same.

"Do you ever get tired of looking at fabrics?" Agatha asked, Sophie turned around

"You scared me! And no, this is actual silk! Is the best I've seen in ages" Sophie cried

"You always say the same" Agatha argued, while Sophie returned the silk to its place

"Whatever. Did that stuff that I gave you worked?" Sophie asked casually

Agatha nodded, "Seemed like it. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I had finished errands, had nothing to do, so I came. What about you?"

"Same" Agatha said "My mom went to the forest, she doesn't know I left, she probably is still looking for plants"

"I see. Honora is here, you know chatting with her friends, and dad is out working" Sophie said "What else can I do but look at fabrics?"

"I guess that is a good argument" Agatha complied " Want to walk?"

"Sure"

The two girls walked down the cobblestone way. They reached the town's fountain and sat there, like always. Silence was almost absolute,t he only sounds were their voices and the water running.

"Aggie, do you ever, just want to leave town?' Sophie asked

"Obviously. But where would I go, that's when it sinks in that I'll probably die here. Some people will probably sneak in a trader's horse. I don't think I would be that desperate." Agatha shrugged. She would probably end up alone, with Sophie being her only friend. She is completely fine with that. Truly