The Puppeteer

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Cam strummed softly at the lute in her arms. The song was her own creation, specifically designed to make people gullible, the perfect quality in a customer who’s who’s suppliers were elves.

Luca proudly displayed his newest magnificent creation, a shimmering green satin gown. He demonstrated to the growing audience about it’s many fantastic features, “Look at the lovely ruffles at the ends of the sleeves, and let me show you my newest invention: I call it, the pocket!”

Cam grinned as the cash began rolling in. Luca could usually sell about four or five dresses every day, which was more than enough to keep the two of them going. But that didn’t make life easy.

Soldiers were constantly patrolling the marketplace to keep an eye out for elves, and, as there was only so much her magic lute could do, on more than one occasion the two of them had had to flee the vicinity to escape otherwise inevitable peril. They would have to hide out for weeks at a time to keep from being caught by the government and tortured on the stage in the middle of their village. Things had gotten worse since their parents had been killed. They used to just murder caught elves, but now they would take the poor people onto the stage, burn off their ears, and torture them until they died. Luca and Cam avoided the stage at all costs, both aware that one day they would might be the one standing there, humiliated, in excruciating pain, and with no hope for the people they loved because they were going up next.

But they tried not to think about that.

That day was successful, their work earned them thirty whits. Luca started on his way to the cave in the forest where they lived, while Camden went to the shops to buy him more fabric and the both of them bread. They met in their cave when the golden sun had just slipped below the horizon for another night.

Luca smiled at his sister, relieved that she had made it home in time. Every single day he worried about her getting home safely. He knew she was smart and fast and could usually outwit the clumsy humans in armor, but he had seen the elves on the stage, and he had nightmares about her on that stage more often than he would ever admit to her face.

She set enough bread and cheese on the table for supper and put the rest in the chest in the back of the cave. They always kept several weeks of food there in case of an emergency.

“Hey Luke. How’s the sewing coming along?” Cam asked.

“Pretty good, I’m almost done with this dress. I think I can finish seven before I tire,” he decided, pausing before asking, “I’m manly, right?”

Camden thought about it for a moment, “You are manly enough. At least, you’re strong. What did I do to elicit such a question?”

He laughed, “Nothing, it’s just that my craft is sewing. And that’s woman’s work. A manly man would have something different, like making houses or crossbows or something like that, right? But I sew.”

“You’re sewing is what has kept us alive for the last four years, first of all. Second, your craft does not define you as a person. Third, at least you have one. And finally, who cares? If elves deserve to live peacefully without prejudice against them, why shouldn’t a man who isn’t manly be allowed to live peacefully without being subject to prejudice? I don’t see why you don’t make that connection.”

“Because they aren’t connected. Men have certain activities they just do without question, and women have certain activities they were made for. There’s nothing more to it.”

“Suit yourself,” Camden said, giving in to the fact that he would not be deterred, “Besides, if I am going to try to fight for some one’s rights, at least for the time being, they will have to be my own.”

“This again? You know we can’t possibly join the rebellion unless we somehow miraculously get to being in a situation in which we have room to worry about something besides the next move of the soldiers.”

“Yea I know. But if we ever get into that situation I will find a way to contact them and tell them I want in.”

“I’m going to join too.” Luca declared, a decision he had only come to after much thought. “I think it’s a better idea for us to be in it together.”

Cam stared at him, trying to decide whether to let him or not. There really wasn’t a lot she could do about it, as in only a few years he would be thirteen, and therefore legally an adult, but her brother needed protection. He did have several years before he turned thirteen, during which she might be able to dissuade him. She, on the other hand, would be old enough in only three months.

“Let’s make a deal,” she announced, “We can join the rebellion when each of us are old enough. But we absolutely have to be in a position where if one person gets caught the other will be able to get by. Which is not where we are at right now.”

Luca paused before nodding. “Okay, that’s fair,” he decided, “but lets add something. You can’t join until I’m in.”

            Cam decided not to respond to that, “We’ll deal with that issue if the time comes.”

            And with that the two of them began their meal.