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The King and Firecracker

Synchronized chinks sounded throughout the market area. Silver chest plates sent shards of light in odd places and the masked faces gave a sense of unity without individualism. I grinded my teeth as the golden chariot plodded into view. The clean monstrosity was so out of place in this poor half of the country and so forth, stood out like a sore thumb. A pompous peacock among starved chickens. 

The spider king sat inside that chariot and was so vulnerable despite the obnoxious amount of guards marching alongside it. The windows were shrouded in darkness not unlike the king's soul. Every inch of gold cut back into the scars that had been dug so deep in the citizens only a decade before. I bowed my head and hoped that the gods were kind so that the prince would not be attending this show of wealth. Knowing my luck, he would have already spotted me among the crowd.

A loud screech echoed throughout the circular area and reverberated in my ears. Silence fell on the town with the only interruptions being the scuffing of worn shoes on the dirty concrete. Tick. Tick. Tick. If I didn't start moving soon then my coat would be a tiny pile of ash at the mercy of the wind. An itch clawed its way up my legs, a sign of my impatience from my stomach dragon. Grim had vanished into thin air like the devious scamp he was whenever trouble arose. A puff of smoke would be all that remained in this realm of the skin and bone that was the Grim reaper.

"Gotta move girly. Now or neva." Slate's calloused hands were on my shoulders. Her breath tickled the hairs on my neck and only fueled the desire to take things into my own hands. 

His salient eyes found mine before I could look away. My hungry eyes drank in his appearance; the shaggy hair, the crystalline blue eyes, and the shadows that exploded from his heart into mine. Prince Owen, the exact person I wanted to see. The heat on his gaze on mine calmed the burning of the pocketwatch as if he was going to kill the target himself. Logic wrapped its nails around my thoughts and pulled me back to earth. Owen wouldn't kill his father. Heat followed the realisation. Tick. Tick. Tick. 

I let my eyes travel the scenery until I noticed what I was looking for. A difference. One guard with sweat rolling down his brow, a mental weakness, and abnormally small shadow. The signs of someone overdue. While Grim was looking after me he must have been neglecting his primary duties. At least I could have some fun with this. 

My knuckles cracked as I curled my hands into fists. Slate's smile was devilish as she used her runes on me. Energy flowed through our physical contact and the world sharpened with a comforting warmth that ate away at the chill in my veins. Each corner cut into the sky and every movement of my target seemed momentous. The amplifier rune, a great advantage to any team. Slate was strong. Stronger than most who held runes within their greedy grasp. The amplifier rune meant that if she put her mind to it, she could play the royals like puppets. 

Now she was giving me her help in mutiny. One guard at a time. 

"Third to the left." The young girl's curiosity would be sated for now with that titbit of information, although Slate was the ever curious. A true firecracker - curious, young, and reckless.

My footsteps were quiet as I strode purposely to the front of the crowd. People moved to allow me access to be able to see the commotion up close. Faces blurred as I glanced to the bright blue sky. Winter would come any day now and the chill in the air confirmed the hard to miss fact. A droplet of cold perched on my nose and with that first fall of snow, I got my idea.

The easiest way to stay out of sight was to be in their faces. 

I had to do what I do best. 

Be someone else.