The Guardian

Chapter Nine

The next morning, I'd pulled on black pants and a sky blue tunic, braided my hair around my head, tied up my leather boots, and given Phillipa the day off. Breakfast wasn't terrible, Isodore managed to only speak semi-sensible things, I didn't make a single sarcastic comment and Damian sat there, waiting for one of us to explode at the other. 

Until he spotted a little girl out the window, watching from across the street. She froze when Damian saw her. We both got up and strapped on our weapons, then hurried out the door and watched her disappear around a corner. 

We quickly followed her, not saying a word. We walked separately to avoid drawing attention to ourselves. We left the nice neighbourhood near the castle behind quickly, creeping after her through slums. They were packed with people and I kept a tight grip on my sword handle. 

As the people started to thin, a huge, muscled man stepped into my path, blocking my way. I saw Damian freeze up ahead, and turn around slightly. I looked up at the man, he had an ugly, mauled face.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" I smiled falsely up at him, my voice sweet as honey. And he shook his head. "Then get out of my way."

"I don't think so," his voice was hoarse and gravelly, and he reached out to grab my wrist but my sword was at his throat a moment later.

"Well what a shame on your part," I give a small laugh, even as a few other men, just as large as him step toward me, rubbing their hands together.

"You shouldn't be out here alone, pretty girl," he stares down at me, the look in his eyes making my skin crawl.

"What makes you think she's alone?" Damian's voice from behind me is soon followed by the sounds of two men slumping to the ground. And the man in front of me falls to his knees.

"I'm sorry, you can just be on your way," he looks up at me, only a head shorter than me on his knees.

"I know I can, and I will be," I give him another false smile, my eyes full of venom. I turn and step over one of the fallen men, giving him a small nudge with my foot.

Damian and I quickly hurry in the direction we saw the girl go when we see her matted blonde curls turning a corner up ahead. I break into a run, Damian yelling Violette and then following quickly behind me. I follow her through another few turns before I catch up to her as she closes a wooden door. I walk straight up and knock.

"What are you doing?" Damian stops beside me and I shrug, but before I can answer, the door swings open to reveal a plump, red haired woman and several young children standing behind her.

"Who the heck are you?" Her voice is rough, and she stands with her hands on her hips. "What are fancy people like you pair doin' down here?"

"May we come in? I have some questions for you, if you don't mind," I give a small, sweet smile, and hope Damian is doing the same behind me.

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We learn the woman's name is Trina Hodge. And that she cares for a lot of children. 

She does let us inside, and leads us to some low chairs around a table. We take a seat and the blonde girl from earlier is peeking out at us from behind a cracked pillar. A young, dark-skinned boy climbs onto Trina's lap and sits quietly while we talk with her.

"How many children do you have here?" I keep my voice quiet, not wanting to draw unwanted attention.

"Well, about 12, sometimes more, sometimes less," Trina gives me a small, shy smile, and looks uncomfortable about my shiny clothes in her run down home.

"Wow, are they all yours?" I raise an eyebrow, highly doubting it.

"None of 'em are, they're all orphans," she looks down at the ground and the boy sitting on her lap twists his hand in her skirt material. "My husband left me and I started to take 'em in."

"That's so touching of you," I smile, her kindness touching my heart.

"I love them all like they're me own though," she smiles and I smile back.

I don't know what to say, so I look to the boy in her lap. "What's your name?"

He gives me a tiny smile and speaks quietly. "Warren."

"That's a lovely name," I smile at him and then look at the blonde girl from behind the pole. "You, come over here. What's your name?"

She takes a few steps towards us, looking at the ground. "My name is Violette."

"A very pretty name, it's the same as mine," I smile widely through the lie, it was the truth as far as they could know anyway.

"Really?" She smiles widely and I nod. "And are you a Hamlin? Judging from the colour of your shirt."

"I am," I almost wince at the lie, I'd rather be dead than be a Hamlin.

She smiles widely and I'm about to speak before Damian interrupts. "I'm sorry, my Lady, but we must go, we have other places to visit."

"Yes, we do," I nod and stand, and Trina does the same and the children scurry off. "It was lovely to meet you Trina. If you ever need anything, send word for Violette Hamlin, and I'll send whatever money you need to help these children."

"Thank you, my Lady, you are much too kind," she beams brightly as she curtsies and we start to walk out.

"Don't thank me, and you needn't curtsy to me Trina," I give her a small smile and she farewells us as Damian and I start to walk back to the house. 

We walk in silence until we exit the slums and the roads become cobbled. 

"That was incredible, Adelaide," Damian's voice is quiet as we walk.

"Well, they broke my heart," I give him a small smile as my eyes start to water.

"I can see that, are you crying?" He raises an eyebrow and I wipe my eyes quickly.

"No," I shake my head and keep walking. "I just can't imagine growing up like that, no child deserves that upbringing. And Trina does so much for those children."

"You are crying," he grabs my arm and drags me into a small alley between two houses before I can protest. 

I wipe at my eyes roughly and don't look at him. "So what if I am. A girl's allowed to cry, isn't she?"

"Of course you," he leans down a little to meet my eyes. "I just didn't think you'd break down in the middle of the street."

"Shut your face," I frown and cross my arm, and this causes him to laugh.

"Oh Adelaide," he wraps his arms around me before I can protest and I'm swallowed by his muscled arms and chest.

"Damian," I mumble into his chest and he eventually lets me go. "Don't do that again."

I'm still frowning and he laughs, so I start walking back to the house, not waiting for him. He follows soon after, but he doesn't speak. Which is smart on his part. 

It's not that I didn't like the hug. It's that I didn't expect it. 

At all.