Enchanted Tale

Three: Teamwork

5 months later

"Pardon me, kind sir? You could spare a copper for a desperate lad? My sister has fallen terribly ill. A sickness that has taken both our parents." Peter begged.

He put on a marvelous act. I've been training him in the art. One of the most important rules of this type of business: only take what you need and do not exceed that point. People call us theives but they're wrong, we're survivors.

The story goes, Peter asks a carefully selected middle class commoner to spare him a copper crestler, if they didn't then it was my job to take two silver crestlers. It may seem dishonorable, and maybe it is, but the middle class is that of the stubborn and greedy. They don't like to give what they have even if it's in small excess. In my experience, the lower class gives whole heartedly, even when they don't have much to give. As for the higher class, well, they don't even walk these roads.

There are three types of crestlers, gold, silver, and copper. Crestlers are divided by social classes. If you're apart of the high class you have the authorization to get all three crestlers. If you're in the middle class, you are only allowed the silver and copper. And lastly, the lower class gets only copper. But if you're me or Peter, then you just get what you need.

We stood outside near the resturant area. It was a bright sunny day. The type of day where you don't need your cloak, but I had mine so I wasn't noticed.

I kept my distance from the scene, waiting for Peter's signal. If he walked away, then the middle classmen had been generous enough to have given him the copper. But if Peter dropped to his knees begging even harder, then I would have to put my sticky fingers to use.

"Please sir! She's all I have!" He said blocking the man's way so he could leave.

"Get out of my face boy!" The man shouted.

Peter dropped to his knees. There's the signal. I slowly made my way to the man. Acting as if I were just looking around.

"Please sir, don't let my sister die!" Peter cried grabbing onto the man's hand.

"I don't care about your damn sister! Leave me--!"

I bumped into the man as hard as I could but made it seem like an accident. He spun around with fire in his eyes.

"Oh, I am so sorry sir! Are you alright! Oh, for heavens sake I musn't be so clumsy!" I babbled on, grabbing onto his face, then clothes as if I was trying to make sure he was okay. I was actually searching for his money. My desperation for the money and to get out of there grew. I didn't know how long I could grope him until it started getting weird. I was about to reach into his pocket before I felt two coins rise to my hand as if they wanted to go with me. That's a new one? I dropped the coins into Peter's hands, and he ran away. I was still blabbering on about how sorry I was.

"It's okay madam. No harm done." He smiled. His teeth were gross and brown and I wondered how he has this money, but hasn't thought about dental care.

"What an angel you are." I smiled cupping his cheek. I noticed under his prickly beard he started to blush. He had to be at least fourty, he should not be blushing this way.

I looked over the man's shoulder and saw Peter who was standing at the door to our favourite resturant. He was smiling in victory.

"Good day, sir." I said to the man grabbing the bottom of my dress off of the floor beginning to walk away. I stopped when I felt a firm hand grip on my wrist. I was yanked back on him and he wrapped his chubby arms around me.

"Why don't I but you a drink. It's the least you could do for bumping into me so rudly." He smiled. I could smell the rum on his breath which made me gag.

"No sir, I reckon you've had enough to drink today. But thank you for the gesture." I said trying to push myself off of him.

"Oh come on! A fair maiden like you deserves a good time!" He brought his face down to my ear and I felt his beard brush against my cheek. "Or we can go somewhere else and have our own fun." He rasply laughed.

I was beyond disgusted now, somewhat insulted. What type of girl does he think I am!? I shoved him back. He went further then expected. I felt wind leave my hands. I looked at my hands in confusion. What is going on with me? I hadn't noticed that he crashed into a booth until he got up from the debris.

"Bitch!" He sweared. "Come here!"

My eyes grew wide as he lunged over the debris to capture me. Peter saw the commotion and ran over to grab me. I was in too much shock of the situation and how I handled it, that I couldn't move.

"Elle! Come on! Let's go!" Peter said.

I obeyed and started to run. The man was gaining on us, fast. I noticed a stack of barrels sitting against the wall. I ran towards them, Peter followed. As we grew closer to the barrels, the man was inches away from grabbing us. Thank goodness no one interferred or else we would have been goners. I pushed the bottom barrel out which was heavier than expected so Peter helped. All of the barrels on top came crashing down. We got it just in time to slow the man down.

We made it to the gate without being captured. Just incase we were being followed we took an indirect route to the cottage. We couldn't stop running. We didn't know whether the man had informed guards or just stopped chasing us, but we weren't going to take the chance. The farther we were, the safer we'd be.

"El-Elle! Can we stop for a moment! I-I can't breathe!" Peter panted.

I slowed down and checked to see if there was anyone following us. We were an exceptional distance from the gate. I couldn't even see the village anymore.

Peter put his hands on his knees and took deep breaths. I was perfectly fine. I wasn't panting, or thirsty. It was like I didn't run at all.

"W-Why did we run this way?" Peter asked.

"Because no one knows that my cottage exists. And I'd like to keep it that way." I explained

"Do you even know where we are?" He asked putting his hands on his hips, trying to expand his lungs.

I looked around. This part of the woods was unknown to me. Which was weird because I knew the way around the woods like the back of my hand.

"Elle?" Peter asked interrupting my thoughts.

"I-I don't know this part?" I admitted squinting my eyes trying to remember if I ever came across it once before. "These trees are taller than the one's we're used to. See?" I pointed out.

He looked up. "Yeah. I suppose so."

I looked for the sun to get a sense of direction. But the sun was nowhere to be found. It was gloomy out.

"Peter? I asked.

"Yes?"

"Was it not sunny outside when we left the village?"

"It was..."

^*^*^*^*^*^

I really hope you're enjoying this so far. Harry makes an apperance next chapter so be ready for that ((:

Also if you want to know how I imagine this fairy tale world, they're inspired by the films "Jack the Giant Slayer" & "Ella Enchanted", mainly the way the commoners dress if you had a hard time picturing it.

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NEXT CHAPTER:

"Future Duties"

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