Battle of Crimson

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

Wildspring Alchemy

  "Lying would only cost you your head." The commander's warning was laced with a tone of threat. "I suggest you tell me the truth young lady, where is the boy?"

  Lillie Ann was no stranger to frightening men and sinister guards. They roam the streets more frequently this week. It became her mission to outsmart them every single time. Living in Crimson at this day and age, one has to be brave and cautious enough to be good. She caught a glint of the Crimson brooch on his left lapel of his guard uniform. It was obvious the man wore it with pride. A symbol made from five red stars molded into a circle. She knew how difficult it was for him to earn that symbol. To his left and right were his two heavy weight guardsmen, their guns pointed upward to her wooden ceiling, their uniforms less decorated.

  "I couldn't tell you, officer, because I have not seen any boy or girl."

  The commander's mustache twitched. His annoyance grew as his eyes squinted with disdain. He looked young, too young to be an officer of rank, given by the gold and maroon stars and straps that lined his sleeves. She noticed this trend too. It seems that anyone can be someone of rank these days. Put them in a uniform and give them a gun with an order and they would conquer the world. Or in this case, bloody the streets

  And Lillie Ann knew how he hated the little effect she had on her. Good, it has to be that way. He can never know the tremors that were now wreaking havoc in her knees.

  "I saw the little rascal scurry his way to this shop. Children under the age of 10 are to be housed before sundown and we are way past curfew. So tell me, Miss, where is he?"

  Crossing her arms, she leaned back a little, as if to goad him, "I don't see why a child would wander into my shop. I doubt they would have enough gold or silver to buy my items. Might I suggest checking the Sugar shop across the street?"

  "Are you denying the commander of the King?" Ah yes, the new King.

  "I am simply saying that you might be mistaken." Lillie Ann stepped back a few inches, spreading her arms, gesturing for them to look around. "But since you and your men look dashing and I might say quite charming tonight, go ahead and search around if you'd like."

  Commander of gloom lifted his chin, and his men began to search around her shop. They walked over to the row and rows and bottles and glass vials that lined almost the four walls of her tiny space. Looking under every oak wood table and stools. One of the men walked over behind the counter, circling Lillie Ann and began his search further into her shop. She guessed her ingredient storeroom and the supply closet would be next.

  "Hey!" She alerted the guards snooping too closely at her work station, located at the far back. She snapped her fingers and grinned. "Break or touch anything, you're going to pay for it. Even your handsome face can't get away with that."

  Another sneer from the bitter commander. It was no surprise. He probably took her as another low class citizen he couldn't wait to take in. Lillie Ann heard that the king's guard earned more successes by the number of prisoners they managed to capture. The more wanted they are the better. Still a little too close, the guard coughed as smoke rose from her bronze copper cauldron in the center of the table, brewing her latest healing potion for cough and snot. Tubes and glass containers neatly stacked by the wall, some even hung from the air. Those are for the more advanced potion even for an amateur like her. She frequently used the more simple mortar and pestle.

  After 10 minutes of pathetic search, Lillie Ann's pounding heart slowed when she heard the guards report, "All clear, Sir." The commander eyed her again, this time starting from the top of the head. He made a face as he took in her braided brown hair intertwined with her mother's glittered ribbon at the base. She wore one of her usual dresses, a simple one made of white cotton that pinches her waist. Under his stare, goosebumps began to arrive, littering her skin. There were stains of fragrance dye and syrup on them but she covered it as best she could with her light blue cardigan. Though it didn't deter the guards' judgment of her.

  He gave her a curt nod, "Thank you for your... cooperation."

  "Pleasure's all mine, officers." She finished with a wink. The youngest guardsmen hid his blush.

  The floorboards creaked beneath her as they left. Lillie Ann curled her palms into fists, begging her nerves to settle down. News of the Crimson Royal Guards executing people for simply a minor offense had spread across. Crimson was by no means a large kingdom, which made terror easy to install. The new mandatory curfews were put in place several months ago. After sundown, electricity would be cut. Just like tonight. Darkness has begun to cloak the sky, stars absent. Only the glow of a sad crescent moon helped to light the streets. Children under ten were to be inside before then, adults given more room to breathe, needing to be home before nine.

  No one knows what truly happened after nine. All everyone heard were the whispers of the wind and the eerie turbulence of magnified sorrow that carried through the air. People had been reported missing or worse, killed without any reason. But Lillie Ann knew why. She knew what was happening. And the little boy, the poor boy that ran for his life too, knew. He was not chased because he was outside simply after curfew. There was another reason for the guards hounding and demanding. A reason that simply made Lillie Ann's chest burn with anger. It was one of the reasons she continued to live in this forsaken Kingdom that killed her father.

  She let a few heartbeats pass. She rolled the palms of her feet back and forth, feeling the burn on her calves. Her eyes scan the surroundings of her shop. Yes, she should close the door shut, locking all the three rusted cooper latches by the entrance door. Light a few candles, to not grab attention being the only dark house on her street. Make sure there were no creatures lurking around. Then and only then she could-

  The door opened.