A Devious Exchange

Dreams Under the Sister's Watch

The simple walk home was more of a shuffle through the twilight, the sun now being fully set, and the dark, navy sky began to saturate with a heavy, pale fog. The moonlight reflected into the turgid mixture of clouds to illuminate them with a white glow, a few dots of pure light shining through from the stars above. Its beauty was bittersweet, because it meant that the sun was no longer there to keep the bad away. Now, I had to venture home in the dark night, alone. I inwardly sigh at the knowledge that home is nearly a day's journey on foot. It's idiotic how the guards brought me here but couldn't bring me back to my sector. What did they expect me to do once night fell? Wagons don't run this late, nor did I have the pieces to pay for a one-way ride.

My luck was continuously dwindling when I realized I didn't have a lick of change on me to stay at an inn. I normally would've had a side pouch buried in my skirts when I worked, especially near nighttime when I'd gather a few, random tips from the bar. Today though, I never did serve even a single drink to grant me the few pieces needed for a room.

Today just keeps getting better and better.

I set forth on my trek back home, my hands buried deep in my skirt pockets to treasure their remaining warmth. My face felt sticky from the dried tears, scrunching it up a little to loosen their constricting feeling on my cheeks. My throat was dry too, my tongue licking the bottom of my mouth for the relief of some saliva, begging for a pitcher of water.

A sigh left my cold lips as I continued onward, passing by a few carriages. Other than them, the streets were quite empty, an odd site for such a bustling time of year. The stone architecture and colorful assortment of shops were indicative of the upper-class sector, the brick structures standing tall without so much as a single mossy spot or crack. The pavement below my feet was even elaborately designed, though a bit more worn. Oil lamps evenly spaced the sidewalks with not a single lamp unlit, whereas the Shambles didn't even possess a single lamp. The sector was beautiful and elegant, fit for the people who would never go out of their manors to see it.

When the moon finally gravitated towards the peak of the night, I felt a biting chill run through me. The wind was particularly horrid tonight, seeping a coldness into my bones that I couldn't block with the thin clothing. I pushed myself further to cross the border between the upper-class and the market, a sense of relief budding within me. It wouldn't be long now, just another couple hours before I'd make it home. Into my warm bed.

Wait. Home. Mom and Delilah. It feels like a millennium has passed since I'd last seen them, and funnily enough I was only a few hours past the end of my shift when I'd normally come home. Mom was probably waiting for me, horrified and panicked when I never came home. A twinge of sadness filled my heart at the thought of her sitting in the rocking chair, waiting for the door to open. Consoling herself that I wasn't taken away like she always feared. If I had any tears left, I would cry now too. But I'd make it back before the moon fell, everything will be alright.

But then another thought hits me, what if they weren't there? The prince never said he'd take them initially, but I couldn't help but think he sent guards out to capture them. My feet quickened their pace at the horrid thought, my breaths growing a bit shaky. Calm yourself. The prince only said he'd act if I didn't comply.

I threw that can of worms away immediately. I didn't want to dwell on the main issues at hand, far too tired to try to weave my thoughts together. Tomorrow was another day.

I kept my gaze forward onto the empty stalls of the market. Several booths lined the square space, forming into a compact maze with various houses and shops bordering around them. A port wasn't too far from here, delivering the oversee goods from merchants. Many brought fine silks, weaponry, spices, livestock, and foreign fruits to barter with. Like they say, 'if you can't find it in the shops, you can find it near the rocks.' Various wagons and drapes also concealed many booths with outdoor goods their owners didn't bother to take home, like livestock wagons from the country and some empty barrels from the docks. It felt odd to see it completely vacant of villagers and travelers, normally it would be packed to the brim. I'm sure it will be by dawn.