Princess Turned Barter

Chapter Eight

Kyra

An older lady opens the door, her almost white hair pulled tightly onto the top of her head. A beautiful smile adorns her wrinkled features, shining light into the otherwise moody alley. The lady, who was stern when we were children but always full of hope, is known as Cateline.

"Kyra! My darling, you made it," Cateline exclaims, giving me a once over.

"I did," I reply with a hearty smile she so deserves. "And I brought Darius,"

Cateline grabs my scarred hand, crusted blood sits under my nails - which I hope she doesn't notice - to pull me inside before carefully closing the front door. The inside is lit up by dim candle light and smells of old, termite bitten wood mixed with years of caked dust. Still far better than her home in our village, but not the life I wish she were living in such a posh town.

There are books scattered in almost every corner of the home, old and worn with faded covers and yellowed pages. When we were children, Cate would read heroic stories to us by firelight before scuttling us off to bed far too early for 14 year olds. I can vividly remember hearing the village children still laughing together as they played outside, and I was stuck underneath the itchy blankets of my rickety bed. Nevertheless, It is a beautiful sight to see that her happiness to read is still very much ablaze.

"It's so lovely to see you again, my dear," Cateline says to Darius as she leaves a slobbery kiss on his flushed cheek and taps the metal plate against his chest.

Darius blushes a bright red and swiftly looks away. I want to make a comment about his obsession with older women, but I feel it's best not to embarrass the man so soon after entering our host's home.

"We need a place to rest," I proclaim, before heading deeper into her house.

Which isn't deep at all, as the house is smaller than a single horse's stable with all three of us occupying the deathly cramped space.

I begin touching dusty shelves full of trinkets. Old golden bracelets, locks of hair, a small silver mirror. Pieces that Cate has carried around with her for decades, and pieces she will never part with.

"Of course! You are more than welcome in my home, dear Kyra," She smiles a gummy smile and gestures for us to have a seat on the floor covered with bright pillows before hobbling over towards the other end of the cottage where the stove is placed, pushed into the very back of the house. A kettle is atop of it, about to whistle.

I plonk myself down on the first soft surface I've sat upon in weeks, and Darius next to me, before we begin to strip ourselves of the heavy armour. It claters onto the wooden floor, making a large raucous - disturbing the peace Cate has cultivated in her quaint home. Darius and I always find a way to disturb the amity in the places we venture.

Darius picks up a book he recognises, the cover barely legible, but no matter how worn the leather we can easily decipher it as a classic fairy tale from our childhood.

Just moments later, two cups of tea appear on the floor in front of us, steaming amber liquid and the smell of sweet honey fills my nostrils - along with two large slices of pie with the sweetest of aromas. For days, Darius and I have smelt horse, body odour, mud and blood. The scent of tea, let alone a homemade pie, is heaven in itself.

Darius makes a noise of pure excitement before ravishing the crust off his slice.

"How is work my dear?" Cate asks me, sitting on the lone chair in the middle of the room and glancing inconspicuously towards the scattered armour pieces.

Cateline is fully aware of my horrifying job, like most of the people in my life. I had gone to her the day I received my offer, and while it was against her better judgement to tell me to pursue it - she could see the determination that burned under my skin. The gold allows me to live just a little better, it also allows me to help others in the village - which has always made her proud.

When my work for King Qelia became serious, and I began making large sums of gold, I helped Cate purchase this home in Maidell - knowing that her old age and health would be better treated here. She was reluctant to leave Niraz, but I promised to visit as often as I could. She and I both knew that it was close to impossible, people like me are just not welcome to places like this, unless called on directly by the King. Nevertheless, my stubborn temper and her need to keep peace had pushed her into this home. 

Regardless of the consequences, I am able to help people with my work. I can handle eternal damnation to relieve others' suffering, even for a moment.

I glance at Darius, pie smeared in his stubble and bliss in his eyes. A tiny tear trickles down his cheek and my fingers itch to slap it off.

"It is fine and well, Cateline," I respond through gritted teeth before returning my gaze back towards my old guardian. "I am more than used to the bloodshed at this moment in time," I offer her a smile with my response, which we all know is forced.

"I am unsure if that statement is good my dear," Cate says to me empathetically, resting her frail hand gently on my leather covered knee.

I shrug, my pie and tea remaining untouched and irritation growing up my back like an annoying rash. 

Darius coughs and makes a greedy gesture towards my helping.

Cateline chortles. "There is an entire pie by the stove, my darling Darius. Go and help yourself while I speak to your friend."

I have never seen a grown man move so jubilantly, not until Darius launched up from his seat and rushed towards the fresh pie.

Cates eyes are on me, stern and serious, within seconds. Her grey orbs are drilling themselves into my soul and I can't help but gulp under her gaze. There is little that scares a trained assassin who has been killing for almost ten years, but a motherly figure? Now that will shake even the biggest, most burley of killers.

Cateline almost growls at me, "You stupid girl." She spits.

I am taken aback, the irritation rash that was itching up my skin now ice cold.

"I know what you're doing, lady!" Her voice is a whisper but I can hear - almost taste - the viper in her tone.

I cough, trying to conceal the panic that is growing inside, "I have to do something, I won't apologise for that." My voice is surprisingly solid.

Cate shakes her head, "I'm not asking you to stop, I'm asking you to grow a brain and be smarter about this, you stupid girl."

I receive a smack on the head with her words. For an old lady, she is a mighty mouse.

I rub the tender spot on the side of my head as she continues.

"There is talk of something coming," Cate cautions.

"I already-," I begin, but Cateline holds my gaze, which shuts me up.

"My girl, you have no idea the storm that is about to wreak havoc on this town."

"This pie is so good," Darius grunts from the back of the house.

My eyes are locked on Cateline, her face now smoothing into an unsuspecting mask. Suddenly my body hurts, my eyes burn and my heart is beating as fast as if I had just run away from incredible danger.

"Come try some, Kyra!" Darius calls for me, a piece of pie appearing in my periphery.

Still, Cate stares at me. Her face is now calm and friendly once again.

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