Fate Bound

part 1 chpt 2

“Hey, you there! Young lad!”

Oh Lady Telawri, what have I done to displease you? Colt gave a mental groan and rolled his eyes skyward in a silent plea towards the Goddess of Luck, also known as the Mistress of Thieves.

The cacophony of market sale cries and the general bustle of street hawkers, loud and abrasive to the ears, were of no help to his pounding head. However, here, he was no one; just another faceless marketer amongst the crowd. His fingers itched to check on his newly acquired stone.

He had discerned the voice calling out in the din since the first shout. But he’d been hoping that his pursuer would give up eventually. Apparently that was too good to be true.

Colt let out a small sigh. Nothing is going my way today.  

Colt turned around, wearing a bland expression to belie his inner frustration. A middle-aged man was looking at him, walking determinedly towards him. Or attempting to get to him; the throng of people gathered outside an infamous apothecary stall was practically impenetrable.

Normally Colt would have been out of the place and round the next corner by now, but –call him stupid – something, this feeling in his gut, made him stay put. I sure hope curiosity won’t kill me.

Twirling his bow-staff absentmindedly, his cool slate grey eyes marked the slightly pudgy man’s progress through the human barrier, taking in his attire and making note of possible weapons, an unconscious habit from the past.

And present. Colt mentally scolded himself for nearly letting his guard down, and returned his focus on the approaching man. He frowned; the man did not seem to be concealing any weapons. Is he that confident of his physical abilities? A small potbelly strained against his belt, and his hair seemed prematurely grey, starting to turn white at the temples.

After much curses and apologies, the mysterious stranger stood before him, hand on hips, beaming. Deep blue eyes smiled at him, and Colt stared back stoically.

The man was the first to look away, but not due to intimidation. His darting eyes landed on every King’s Guard in the vicinity, filled with confident wariness. Colt narrowed his eyes, and subtly shifted his stance in case he needed to escape on short notice, hand holding his bow firmly at the side.

The stranger raised an eyebrow good naturedly.

“No no, I mean no harm. But it is always wise to be wary.”

His mouth curled into a thin-lipped smile at the last part, enough to let Colt know he had some bitterness to do with the Guards. His itch to flee increased.

“Well,” the man rubbed his hands together, “I know you, your deeds and what you are.  Follow me. I have some business with you.” He added in a louder voice, “The best meat for travelling is of course pounded rat meat, which I currently have stored in my home. You will, of course, follow me.”

With that, the man pivoted on his feet and stalked off without once looking back.

Colt s stared bewildered by the man’s nonsensical behavior.  The man clearly held a secret, one that Colt suddenly felt compelled with the inexplicable need to find out. So he decided. He chased after the surprisingly swift man through the confusing twists and turns of the market, barely catching a glimpse of him disappearing in to a tent.

A tent seemingly made of an array of brilliantly colored scarves draped around.

Squinting with deep incredulity at his current situation, Colt shook his head, sighed and ducked under the entrance flap.

What in the world am I getting myself into?

When he raised his head, he received a very big surprise.

 It was as if he had opened the curtains to a whole new world. The inside of the tent was ten times larger than it seemed and contained a whole lot of surprises that had not been seen for ages. He couldn’t control the wry grin that broke out on his face.

“You do know what the Guards will do to you if they ever find these, don’t you?”

“That is only if they ever get the chance.” The man called cheerfully out of – a kitchen? – tumbling out with a tray of tea and all exotic snacks to be eaten.

“Not that you, oh chilly cold stranger, would care would you?” he tilted his head in question.

Colt shifted ever so slightly, but the man’s brilliant blue eyes caught it with a knowing smile.

“Here, wouldn’t want the tea to go cold, would we? Have a cookie, home-made and delicious beyond doubt.”

Colt just stared at him.

The man did not even squirm under Colt’s well-worn stare that had been known to break some hardened criminals. Colt lifted an eyebrow slightly. So he’s tougher than he looks then.

The man in question merely smiled again and said genially, “So I wager you are wondering what’s all this about, huh?” Colt let out a really slow nod.

“Well, how do we start?” the man crossed his legs and leaned forward on his elbows, eyes trained on Colt’s.

 “My name is Josiir. I am what you are too.” His voice held perfect gravity. “One of the four meant to save the people from all this despair and unfairness.” 

He paused, hesitated.

“You are like me, a Fated.”

(i just realised that each part is kinda...short. maybe i should squish them together... right now I'm just posting them at each double space i have...)