Runaway Princess

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I jumped off the wagon into the bustling square of Tamanth. Everyone was dark haired, and dark eyed. If I didn’t have a head wrap, like most women in the square, I would have stuck out like a sore thumb. I watched as women and men bargained and bickered loudly with street merchants.

Copying the actions of others around me, I held my head high and walked into the throng of people. Everyone was pushing, and shouting, and I was overwhelmed. The first thing I would need to do would be to find a job.

I went up to another that looked to be around my age and asked her if there was any well paying places hiring.

“You need to speak up girl! I can’t hear you!” she shouted. I cringed from the loudness. “Get your dirty hands off my purse you street urchin!” she yelled at a small boy, obviously trying to steal money from the girl.

“Uh, a job. I need a job.” I said loudly. I had tried to learn how to speak as the Tamanthians do from Elsa, but I still needed practice.

“A job eh? Well I just so happen to be heading to the palace to find a job as well. My parents kicked me out. I’m Jasmin.” She stated very bluntly. “You’re not from around here are you?” she stared at me intently. My hands were sweating and I nervously wiped them on the front of my skirt.

“Uh, uh, well, I’m, I’m… Erica. And, and, no, I’m not from around here…” what would she do? Should I run? Jasmin seemed to be friendly, at least compared to other Tamanthians.

“Well, nice to meet you Erica! And I knew you weren’t from around here! You’re accent’s off, and your eyebrows are so light!” she exclaimed. “Are you a criminal? No, wait don’t answer that. Where are you from? Why did you choose to come to Tamanth? The city of thieves, beggars, and criminals?!” All the questions rushed out of her and I was still having a hard time understanding her, because of the many people pushing and shoving their way past.

“Uh, I’m not a criminal, I didn’t have any other choice than Tamanth.” I managed. A burly man rammed into me as he ran from a street merchant, all the wind was knocked out of me and I stumbled into Jasmin. We both tumbled over. Embaressment washed over me as I scrambled to my feet, still gasping and weezing for air as I helped the other girl jump up, so not to be trampled.

“Watch where you’re going next time! She screamed to the man, who was far out of sight.” She shrugged at me and we started our trek to the castle, dodging multiple near death experiences.

Once at the castle, I began to worry. What if the king had already been told about the runaway princess from the neighboring kingdom?! What if the guards were required to check everyone’s hair color? I needed to calm down.

“Are we required to take off our head scarves in the presence of the king?” I asked Jasmin nervously.

“No, silly! That’s optional!” she muttered something under her breath, but I couldn’t hear.

We were slowly inching our way to the front of the line, my palms and forehead were sweating profusely. I wiped at my brow. We were at the foot of the king!

Jasmin and I both curtsied low.

“You may stand.” He said in his deep baritone voice. “What ails you two young ladies?”

“We’re looking for jobs, your highness.” Jasmin said, our heads were bowed low. It was disgraceful to look the king in the eyes, only other royals were allowed to look freely into other royals’ eyes.

“You two are what? Seventeen?” he asked.

“I’m nineteen, and my friend is eighteen,” Jasmin answered.

“Good! I have two palace staff positions available! You girl, on the left, will work in the kitchen! And you on the right will work in the stables.” That means I would be working in the kitchen.

A guard led us away in opposite directions, me to the kitchen, Jasmin to the stables.

*****