Chpt. 3.)
A TOWN CALLED WOOD WELT
She didn't seem to recognize them, but if she did, she hid it well. Her brown hair was curled in waves reaching just below her middle back, her chocolate eyes were intense and focused, and her body had matured quite well physically.
Armor shoulder plates rested on each of her broad shoulders, a red scarf covered her nose, mouth, chin, and neck, a thick leather corset-looking material hugged her torso, black sleeves ran from her corset and down both of her arms. She seemed to have black animal hide on as pants, a hard-like material- maybe steel?- on her knee caps, and steel-toed boots.
She looked like a warrior marching straight into battle. A sword rested in a scabbard tied to her thin waist, it had dark purple jewels bedazzled on the hilt.
She raised a brow, "you accept my offer or not?" The crowd gasped in how rudely she addressed the crown prince, but Kyah didn't care, it was refreshing to know he was still him.
He nodded, clucking to Astoria to follow behind Novie's roan. Ari treaded close behind, neither looking back as they rode back into the forest- heading west. If they did, they weren't so sure they'd keep pressing onward.
"You are November, aren't you?" Ari questioned once they were a few miles from town. "I meet a lot of people in passing, I'm sure you don't know me as you think," was her concise and a bit snippy response.
They remained quiet for some time before the girl spoke again. "We're about to pass through Wood Welt. Kylander, you need a disguise to keep from being recognized as easily. You'll put us all in danger if and when Crone finds of your survival. We will need to get food while we stop; Wood Welt will be the only town we'll visit for the next four days."
Sure enough, Wood Welt came into view. It wasn't much different than Petal Locke, the buildings were still rundown, shops were perched on either side of the dirt road, and parents sent their children to beg for coin.
It was a sad sight, but it was one Kyah had known for his whole life. Growing up in a withering town provided him with daily reminders. His home had been just the same with a leaky roof, cracks in the walls, and holes in the floor.
"Leave your horses at the hitching post or take them with you, Wood Welt is known for its petty thieves and pick pocketing," she said, sliding off of her roan and walking past a grape shop. "I'll get food, you get clothes?" Ari suggested, figuring they would be done quicker that way.
"Sure." Kyah hopped off of Astoria, stroking the mare's nose once before leading her into the dusty old town. Unlike Petal Locke, this town mostly had dirt for ground. There was dust everywhere, and nearly every building was covered in it.
Children were coated in layers of dust, their brown hair colored gray from clumps of dirt and grime embedded in their roots, and their eyelashes were white from filth. The adults looked much the same, except only slightly more clean. They hadn't been running around in the dirt all day like the little ones did.
A young boy of perhaps ten ran up to Kyah. He had hazel eyes, glittering brown skin, and dust-infested black hair. "Beautiful horse, sir," his high voice complimented, eyes wide at the Thoroughbred's daring height.
"Thank you, her name is Astoria. She's been my horse since I was as little as you," Kyah grinned, patting the mare's lean shoulder. The boy eyed her reins before he looked up at her black saddle, "I've always wanted to ride a tall horse."
The prince nodded, "very well, stand still." He lifted the boy onto the saddle, chuckling at how much bigger his little body made Astoria look.
YOU ARE READING
UNDER SIEGE |COMPLETED|
FantasíaCOMPLETED Mingold was a kingdom of great riches and prosperity... until the king was assassinated and the crown prince fled the castle. Years later, the prince has lost all memory of his royal status and previous family. It isn't until he's in the...
