Green embers

chapters 2-4

Chapter 2

It was my perfect chance to see him. I decided that I would meet him in front of the people so that he wouldn't be able to turn his back on me. I snuck out of my chambers and used my own secret shortcut until I found my way outside the palace gates. I noticed the royal guards were everywhere, awaiting my father by the main road. With a scarf around my face and a long hooded cloak, I walked inconspicuously, for if they notice me I know I'll miss my chance.

I went walking by a busy market place as casually as possible. The venders were selling fruits of all kinds, their colors gleaming in the sun. The main road was an alleyway away from me and the guards were on standby. I concentrated on looking around, enjoying the everyday labor of the commoners as they sold and bought when…

All of a sudden, someone bumped into me! I turned to see who it was when another person bumped me too and launched himself on the first man! I regained balance and without thinking, I immediately blurted out.

"Would you two watch where you're going?"

I didn't realize until I turned around that one of the men was wearing the dark night-blue uniform of my father's army. He seems like a regular foot-soldier from the looks of it; no strips that indicated a high rank and just a saber by his side. He was arresting the other man who was dressed in commoner's clothes. The soldier’s sable hair and light-brown eyes were of ordinary features. His small face and not that much of a height made him look forgettable. His scrawny body didn’t go with the appearance of a solider. As for the thief, middle-aged though youthful, adult, but child-like reckless. He was dressed like a bum and he looked quite drunk.

"Where's the merchandise that you stole, thief?" the soldier demanded.

"I didn't steal anything, he did!"

To my surprise, the thief pointed at me.

''Check his pockets, they're all there." he continued.

The soldier looked at me suspiciously before he threw the thief against a wall and started searching him.

"Nothing," the soldier muttered to himself before he turned and looked dubiously at me.

"You; turn out your pockets, now." he ordered me. I didn't know what to do for I know I didn’t steal anything.

"Turn them over!" he shouted sternly when I didn’t move. I went blank and just did what I was told. I could hardly believe it but I found a gold bracelet in my pocket. I threw it on the ground immediately.

"I swear on my honor, I did not steal this!" I cried. "This man bumped into me and must have shoved it in my pocket. That's the truth; ask him."

"No, he stole it. You got the wrong man." the thief contradicted. The soldier looked at me conspicuously.

"Pinning it on someone else when the evidence is right in front of you, huh?" he said as he started untying the real thief. "Not only did you steal, you even lied to a soldier of King Lainus’ army. You won't get away with this."

"No, I didn't do anything..." I pleaded when a voice interrupted.

"Stop it, Soji."

I looked behind me immediately and there approached another soldier. Alongside him was an elderly man.

"The man you've arrested is the real thief." he continued. "Don't you remember we were chasing a man with a red cloak?"

I looked at my cloak and was relieved it was as black as the color can be. The thief looked defiantly at the second soldier.

"Then how come the gold bracelet was in his pocket, huh? You two really got this wrong I'm telling you..."

"No, you're lying," I interrupted. "You bumped into me and shoved it in my pocket. That's the honest truth…"