The Vow Keeper

Prologue

My calves burn and my breathing is labored as I cut through an alley and nearly run into a street vendor who yelps in surprise then scowls at me.
"Sorry!" I exclaim as I rush past, eyes scanning the market square as I continue to run. Shoppers complain as I push past them and ignore them, trying to focus on my mission. Then I remember what Zioh taught me the other day and I look down. It's hard to tell since there are so many footprints of shoppers coming and going throughout the day. But I pick up on smaller tracks that are fresh. Deciding it's worth a shot, I follow them. It doesn't take long until they lead me into another alley. I duck in and slow my pace. She's tricked me in a similar fashion before, this time she won't have the chance.

Wary, I take out my slingshot. Zioh warned me to never use it on people without him unless I had to defend myself so I reach into a pouch attached to my belt, place a blueberry in the leather pad, and draw back careful not to squish it. It's problematic ammunition, but at least it won't hurt her.

A sudden hiss startles me and I fire immediately. When I realize it's just a pissed off cat, I can't help but laugh at the purple smudge the blueberry has left on it's white fur.

"Get out of here, furball. You're in the middle of a war zone." And I kick up some dust using my boot toward the cat, causing it to hiss even more and scurry off.

That's when I sense movement. Before I can even react, my back is on the ground, dust stirring up around me. A loud oof sound comes from my mouth involuntarily and next thing I know, I'm looking up at the greenest eyes I've ever seen. Her mouth curves up into a smug smirk that I know all too well and I let out a frustrated sigh.

"You make this easy." The dark skinned girl says, using her forearm to pin down my chest. She's so close to me now, her hair falls forward and tickles my cheeks. I can feel her breath as she asks, "Now what are you going to do now, bandit?"

Quickly, I reach into my side pouch and take out a handful of blueberries, making sure to squeeze them really good. Without hesitation I reach up and wipe the purple juice on her face. She screams in surprise and I take the opportunity to slip out from under her and take off running. "You're dead, Ghoste!" I hear behind me. Chuckling, I sprint in the direction of my hut. Once I leave the district limits it's not long before I'm running in the familiar wheat field. I could theoretically take the trail, but there's no way I can be out in the open when I have a target on my back. Crouching low as I run, I'm sure I'm home free. I enjoy the feeling of the leaves of the stalks tickling my cheeks as I run. Minutes pass and I finally get to the village.

Right when I emerge from the safety of the field, I'm tackled to the ground once again. This time, a purple faced girl is on top of me eyes dancing with fire and fierceness I've never seen before from her. Maybe I went too far this time.

"I need to go to a ball this evening, you idiot!" She practically screams, "My Dad is going to be mad if I go home like this! I have a reputation I need to uphold. You dumb thief."

"Sorry, Emma." I pant, struggling to find some way to break out of her grapple "I didn't know. I wouldn't have-"

"I hate you." It shocks me when it comes out as a sob. Emma reaches up and wipes away a tear, but another one escapes and lands on my tunic. I stop struggling. Is she really that upset over this? It shocks me even more when she lashes out and strikes me in the face, scratching my right eye.

Pain erupts from the new wound and I grit my teeth to stop from yelling out in agony. Both of Emma's hands fly to her face, covering her shocked expression. When I reach up to clutch my eye, I can feel warm liquid run through my fingers.
I feel Emma get off of me. Time seems to slow around me. It feels like it's been forever until I feel hands on my shoulders. Next thing I know I'm lifted to my feet and am looking into the concerned face of Zioh. His brows are furrowed and he runs a hand through his long black hair.