The Dark

chapter six

Chapter six

                We arrive in Audenburg early in the morning, of the next day. Today is Friday, the weekends always bring traders and costumers. Like the twins, I haven’t been to the city in five years. It’s exactly how it was. The city walls are clean stone, with archers circling on top. The gate is open, Alex drives the wagon right in.

                “State your business in Audenburg.” a guard says, once we enter the gate.

                “We have come to trade.” Alex says, nodding to the wagon.

                “That’ll cost one shilling.” The guard states. He’s dressed in armor, but without a helmet. His facial expression is blank.

                “What?” Alex exclaims. “Last time you didn’t have to pay to get into the city.”

                “King Lenard has changed the regulations.”

                I pull a shilling out of my bag, and hand it to the guard. “Here.”

                Alex grumbles as we pull into the Forum. The Forum is the largest market in Brittania. It has a stone-brick paving, and is almost an acre large. There is a large platform in the middle that is used for daily announcements. The houses are tall and close together. They’re pushed off onto side roads.

                I would know all this, since I lived here. My parents and I lived here until riots broke out, then we escaped to the country.

                I feel sorrow, thinking of my family. Now though, I have a live one.

                “There’s going to be riots again if the king doesn’t stop with the taxes.” I mumble to Alex.

                “That family has been in power for two hundred years,” Alex shakes his head. “But the only king to raise taxes is Lenard.”

                “You should tell people that,” I say, gesturing around. “You’re one of the few of us who are educated.”

                “If you would let me teach you how to read,” Alex begins. “You’d be able to read records and books on your own.”

                “Not enough time in the day for that,” I sigh. “Park here.”

                Alex stops the cart. He turns around to the others and says, “Alright, you lot get off of the merchandise.”

                James and Oliver hop down. Maddox moves slowly off of the wagon. Auburn hops off and picks Elyse up.

                The air smells of city and life. It smells of warmth, sunshine, and the lingering ounce of summer that remains in Audenburg. Today, the weather is calm and warm. I have a feeling today something great will happen.

                Or something awful.

                “Celeste,” Alex hands me a punch filled with coins. “Go around and buy the items on this list. Other vendors will be setting up soon.”

                I nod. “Elyse, and James, you two are coming with me.”

                “I can go grab some of the items on my own,” James suggests once we are on our way. “It’ll move everything along.”