Amber took Plonita by the arm, and started walking down the docks with her at a hurried pace. Suddenly, every stranger seemed dangerous. That man, right there to the left, the one carrying a crate- a murderer. The woman they just passed, the one with bright red robes selling charmed bracelets? She's selling black Maegick. The small streetrat, who's pickpocketing the captain of a large passenger ship? A spy.
Amber's mind went into overdrive, spinning out of control and conjuring invisible demons out of thin air. "The Raiders, who are they again?"
"My dear child, have you not heard of them before?" Plonita said, aghasted at the thought.
Amber gave her a dark look as they travelled.
"I've been on many travels, Plonita. If I were to remember every single story used to scare misbehaving children I would have no place left in my mind to remember anything else. Now, what do the stories tell us about them?"
"They are known for many, many horrific deeds. Raping beautiful, innocent women for pleasure and returning years later to whisk the child away, as to have 'suitable heirs'. Abducting young, handsome men to tempt the Siren who then in turn drown, devour, and the gods know what else they do to the men whilst they thieve from the maiden's treasure troves. Using pure virgins to lure those of the Pegasus, and lest we forget the unicorns, to capture them for their price on the black markets."
But," Amber asked, pausing to take a deep breath, "Which bits are true?"
The older woman gave her a strange look.
"Girl, do you even realise what you are suggesting?"
Amber nodded, and released her arm. She realized this was one subject Plonita wasn't impartial on, and she could no longer gather any information from her.
"I shall see you some other day, Plonita. I'm going to ask around, see if there are more confirmations to your theories."
Plonita gave her a cold, hard look.
"Child, I- I understand, even if I personally believe it to be absurd that you'd even consider these facts to be a far cry from the truth! Why, I cannot believe you are actually doubting it so. You've been here for less than 5 seasons, not once have you experienced their coming here. I thought it kind to warn you, but I do not wish to hear anything on the contrary, unless you have cold, hard evidence of their innocence. Do you understand me, Amber?"
Amber stopped walking, and turned to face the lady with a neutral expression.
"Cristal. You won't be hearing anything about them again from me. Nor,"she added as an afterthought, "of anything else of importance. Thank you for your hospitality these past few months, but it was not needed. And thank you for the best marketstal food on the Brown side, and for providing me with intel at such a low cost, it was a pleasure."
The woman frowned slightly before she nodded as a farewell, and vanished into the crowd.
Amber licked her soft lips, a bitter taste in her mouth from the unpleasant encounter. Even though she had gained information, she had most likely just lost one of her main informants. She swore internally, making a mental note to be more careful next time. In between the escapee, the slightly-less-mysterious new ship and the newly arisen conflict between herself and Plonita, she seemed to be making a right mess out of things lately.
Suddenly, she noticed Lodell running in between the crowds, and called him over.
"'Ello, miss! What can I do fer ya?" he asked, grinning. She instantly felt lighter. Lodell might be a nosy little thing, but his curiosity was refreshing, and reminded her of herself. Besides, he already knew that not everything you heard was to be trusted, so she knew him to be honest and forthcoming.
"Well, what can you tell me about the Raiders? I've heard Plonita's tales of doom, but you and I both know she has a habit of twisting the truth," she responded, and winked.
"There are other tales, Am. Lesser known amongst the higher ups, but heroic amongst us street rats. Of them allowing things of all sorts!There are even rumours," Lodell said, hushing his voice for dramatic effect, "That those who's romantic taste lies with their own type love freely among them! Of equal edu-caishon for all. Wimmin, men, childrun, rich or poor- don't matter to 'em. The abductions? More people joining 'em. The only catch is them have to cut most ties, so people think them been taken against their will. 'Tis some kinda paradise. Surely you, Am, who speaks to people of all sorts, have heard this before?"
Stunned by what he told her, Amber didn't even notice his exaggeratedly poor manner of speaking.
"Thank you for the intel, Lo. I'll have Loveday lay out a treat for you tomorrow. I'll see you around, shall I?"
The boy nodded, smiled widely at her, and scampered off somewhere.
Amber frowned. She would have to start making tracks soon, she realised, and she really didn't feel like it. She would miss seeing Loveday so much. But if the Raiders had arrived in this part of Moglux, then it seemed that there were bad times ahead of her.
Amber looked around, and noticed the sun was setting.
A dark grin settled onto her face.
It was time for Raven to make another appearance.
(#{*
A'ight, Editing is slowling down now. Oops. I know, I know- I haven't 'really' updated in some time- but I feel the need to edit. That way, newer chaps will match up a lot better. Also, I feel like I'm adding too many twists and bends, an I need to add a hint of foreshadowing here and there. Casual stuff. I *promise* to do my best to have this all edited at least once before March.
Keep on reading!
Valentina
*}#)
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Shadowwalker - Under Review For Now
RastgeleRun. That's what they told, no, ordered her to do. They held the weapons, she held nothing. She was a mere slip of a girl, but they had no clue who she was, or anything about her, except that she was unarmed and no match for them. An easy chase to h...
