The Red King [Book II]

V

On his way through the city, sticking to the shade, Alex came across a stall within a small square of the street's loggia. He dismounted his horse and approached. The teenage boy running it was whittling the wooden block in his hand, precise with his small blade and his thumb cushioning each stroke. It summoned the image of a bored young James.

ㅤLittle carved creatures, keepsake boxes, and even walking sticks were displayed. What'd caught Alex's attention, however, was a small wooden blade, too long to be a dagger, too short to be a sword. It was light in his hands.

ㅤ'How much for this?'

ㅤWith a slight breeze, the stagnant hot air lifted for a brief moment, delicate dull clangings catching his attention, wooden wind chimes fussing a quiet tune. James' unimpressed sniff at Alex's makeshift alarm made from sticks, back when they'd first met, came to mind. It'd taken Alex a long time to assemble it. James had been right, of course; the sound had annoyed them all day.

ㅤ'They ward off evil Gods,' the seller said, noticing his attention.

ㅤThat being minor Gods. But Alex didn't believe in such things, so such a creation was pointless to him.

ㅤHe purchased both.

ㅤLittle Emily had been waiting for his arrival on the doorstep, standing and calling out to him after spotting his horse. She obediently waited for him to dismantle before running up, as he'd told her to before.

ㅤ'Uncle Alex!'

ㅤAlex smiled, relieved when she didn't try to hug him, perhaps unconsciously realising Alex's limits. But her unnecessary excitement was all the same.

ㅤLucia's dull correction came muffled from within the house. 'It's Lord!' But, as always, Emily was deaf to it.

ㅤ'I have a present for you,' Alex said, passing her the wooden sword.

ㅤShe screamed, striking Alex's blood with ice. Lucia rushed outside at the noise and Alex's galloping heart slowed but throbbed with a deep breath.

ㅤ'Emily,' Lucia scolded, 'do not scream like that. You gave me a bloody fright.'

ㅤEmily clamped a hand to her mouth and nodded, squealing from behind it, looking down at her hand, realising her gift was real.

ㅤ'Mummy, look what Uncle Alex got me!' She then began stabbing at the air, providing accompanying swishing noises for effect.

ㅤ'It's Lord,' Lucia said, again, out of habit.

ㅤIt suddenly occurred to Alex that he should've asked Lucia for permission before giving Emily such a thing. Alex was ignorant to women and children alike, he had no idea if this was a gender or age-appropriate gift.

ㅤHe almost apologised but Lucia was smiling softly at the sight; even as Emily's noises swished less and began to resemble squelching flesh.

ㅤ'That was very kind, My Lord. Emily, what do we say?'