Silhouette

Chapter 2: Appointment

They rode on a mechanical carriage assembled from recycled mobile metals.

Gwyn watches the coach from a small steel window in front, the spiffy little man was too focused letting the carriage float a foot from the ground and he was busy tweaking the mechanism on his side. People parted as he pulled a ring that produces a weird honk.

The twin’s protectors settled by their mistresses’ side, stiff and attentive on Lady Carrie’s instructions. They arrived at the busy market place that surrounds the deep blue colored tower where the appointment will be held.

Protectors checked the security and escorted the heirs. Meera warned her sister to never remove her cloak and to be careful but Gwyn was too smug when it comes to things outside the palace.

“Relax, I've been here before and I know what to do”

“As a commoner Gwyn but not as an heir, your status is paramount” Meera emphasized yet her sister didn’t seem to bother.

Both of them continued to pass through the market stalls, the place was filled with straggly children running and playing around with clothes covered with dirt and mud, the odor of their sweat mixed with the strong perfume from the ladies with extravagant pale headdresses.

They pretend to trade but were just waiting for gossips, they lined up in front of a store but will just end up not buying anything, there are also traders from different villages convincing interested buyers on their goods, and curious folks who explores merchandises.

The noise of chatters, glass and tin clatters, footsteps and instrument played were everywhere, the sweet fragrance emitting from a nearby flower shop masked the stench of the market, the afternoon sun glare were prevented by temporary roofs and banners hanged above.

Gwyn suddenly grasped Meera who was walking past her, she turned around to ask but Gwyn pulled her sister and uttered “I sense an aqua Lyze around”

“That might just be only me” she removed her sister’s grip and inquired “When did you sense my kind?” curious of what Gwyn had stated.

“Just by now, maybe I'm becoming a full-grown” Gwyn excitedly claimed but suddenly altered by agony “Are you pained?”

Meera shook her head.

“Then it’s not you” Gwyn looked around but were overwhelmed by the crowded market “She's in pain…” grabbing her neck like something was choking her she continued.

“She's bleeding please give me a minute Meera, I promise I'll be careful” she suddenly decided to search for an aqua Lyze that seems to be calling her.

“No let the protectors do that, we need to proceed to the tower” Meera insisted pointing on the two protectors beside them.

“I'm the only one who can sense her and besides the market is full of Lumnoux”

“Fine, but do it quickly I'll wait you here!” Meera consented hopeless to stop her stubborn sister.

Gwyn with Charles on her side started to search the whole place, from wooden stalls, to carts, and to windowed closed rooms.

There were many vendors around selling variety of goods such as food, garments, and decorations but what caught her attention was the old lady dressed in dark sack-like cloth selling pieces of antique jewelries aligned in her rag placed on her cart.

“Come milady! You should try this” the old lady offered, but the jewelries were a little bit dusty, some were rusted and somehow not attractive.

“Thank you but I'm just looking for something and I guess it’s not here, I’m sorry” Gwyn humbly declined but suddenly out of the noise-filled environment she heard a whisper that pulled her back to look what was covered underneath the cloth beside the old lady's jewelries.