The Fall of Eden

Chapter 9

    The day was young. A thin veil of cloud rested over the sky. Sprinkles of snow fell on Brayden's face as she rested on the roof of an empty watch tower.  The tower looked out over a steep drop in the mountains, a treasure to the eyes. It was a wonder why no one cared to visit it, but since no one did, Bray made it her home. She breathed in the fresh morning breeze and smiled, lying there with her thoughts to keep her company.

    Two days had passed since the discovery that the Natives were working with Sylvani. Bray was stuck on the idea of Sylvani in the Winterhorn Mountains. Sylvani are tree-folk who tame wild beasts. They make their home far west, within the warm forests. They rarely travel so deep into mountains; there's no green, and the beasts are vicious. How did they convince the Ar'i to accept them into their ranks? Bray of all people knew how much the Ar'i hated other bloodlines. Natives or not, Ar'i are stubborn and hold to their old laws of solitude. They separate themselves from the outside world to remain pure. Those Sylvani should have been cast out like demons. None of it added up.

    Brayden's stomach growled. She hadn't eaten since last morning. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pouch of coins. She had picked it off of some guards while they were busy arguing over who could lift the heavier rock, using only the wind. The pouch had seven coins: enough for three small meals.

    She rolled to the edge of the roof, grabbed the ledge, dropped her body, and swung into the tower through a window. She grabbed her black fur cloak, which was spread over a pile of hay she had made into a bed, and wrapped it around her body. She pulled the hood over her face, but not to hide it from others.  It was to blind her own eyes, hiding the dirty looks from everyone else. It was something she learned long ago.

    Brayden peered out the window, and looked down at the people. She smirked, another day, another adventure, and leapt out the window. Before she could fall too far, she vanished into vapor, then reappeared just above the snow and landed gracefully. Bray looked back up at the fifty foot high tower and smiled, proud of her own abilities. She hadn't med another Shade since she had left her home kingdom of Agon. So, being the only one made her feel special.

    Hungry for food, she headed to the market. The city had just woken up. Slowly, it began to come to life. Doors creaked open and shut, the whiff of hot soup and bread filled her nose, voices picked up with morning's welcome, and the sun's rays of gold warmed her cheeks.

    Suddenly, she felt an icy ball of snow pelt her face. She turned to see a group of children laughing and throwing snow balls. Just kids. Kids were the only ones who didn't care who she was, if they even knew. Bray smiled and knelt down. She packed snow into her hands and squeezed it between her palms. She looked up, hoping to join the fun. Instead, she was met with the cold glaring eyes of their parents. The children had been pulled away and sent back into their homes. Bray stood up and dropped her snow ball. Their scornful eyes watched Bray as she turned her back and walked away.  

    Trying to shrug off the embarrassment, she quickly turned the corner and entered the market. The market was a skinny path, with a row of venders on each side. Tables, wooden booths, and make-    shift huts were tightly packed together. People began to fill the market as traders shouted and hollered, fighting for attention. Brayden spotted a large hut selling soup. She hadn't had soup in weeks, and the mere thought of it made an involuntary "mmm" escape her lips.

    She stood behind two men in line for their meal. As she waited, Brayden bounced on her toes, eager for some hot food. She smiled wide when her turn came, and she hopped forward.

    "What-What do you want?" The old man grumbled.

    "Soup please."

    "I only serve paying customers."