The Devil's Disciple

Chapter 14: My lady, Do Not Hold Back

Chapter 14

If Ildra was being honest, she was really enjoying herself in town. The liveliness of the people around her was contagious. So, she couldn't help but smile with them too. The liveliness had even wiped of her memories of that person and the Royal Palace. It was through this happiness that for the first time she realized that she didn't regret her actions at all. There were times when Ildra had felt uncertain. However, here and now, she didn't regret leaving her only home.

Walking alongside the stalls, she noticed a group gathered around one particular stall. This stall didn't seem to be selling goods from her country like the rest of the other stalls. It seemed to be a game of some sort. She peered closer, and saw animals hanging from the roof of the stall? Actual animals?

"Those animals look realistic, right princess?" Soren asked, taking her attention away from the stall.

She nodded, while taking another glance at the stall.

"They're not real. No part of that is from any animal. They are shaped into animals through cloth, and stuffed with pillowcase stuffing. Most of the time, they are used to cuddle with," he explained with a chuckle.

Giving him no answer, she briskly walked over to the stall. She took a closer look at the animals. How strange. They really weren't real. There was no such thing back in Illyria. So, this should be an invention of the devils.

"Do you want to try to win one of the animals? They are meant to be prizes," he asked, noticing his mistress' interest in the stall.

"Let's go to the stall," she finally replied.

Ildra led the way to one of the owners of the stall, who didn't seem to have any people surrounding him.

"You must solve my riddle, in order to win an animal. However, I must warn you that the riddle I give will not be easy. I only give out difficult riddles. If you would like easier ones, I suggest you go to the others," he explained, while pointing towards the other men who were surrounded by large crowds.

"Tell us the riddle." She was not fazed by the man's warning.

"Very well.

I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind.What am I?"

Ildra frowned. She had never heard of such a riddle.

"It's an echo. Is that all you got?" Soren asked in a bored voice, astounding the man in front of him.

"What prize would you like?" the man asked after regaining his composure.

Soren immediately turned to Ildra, silently asking her. She studied the animals closely. She had read about many animals from the books in the Royal Palace, so she was able to recognize them. There was a zebra. There was also a lion. There was also a hippo. And a giraffe. And a- forget it. She wished she could have all of them. She hated to say it, but they were all really cute. Ildra finally pointed to the elephant perched in the corner.

After handing the elephant to her, Soren commanded "Give me another riddle."

"You measure my life in hours and I serve you by expiring. I'm quick when I'm thin and slow when I'm fat. The wind is my enemy."

"A candle," Soren immediately answered. "You better make your riddles more difficult or else I'll take all the prizes from you. I intend on doing that." At Ildra's questioning look, Soren continued "Don't worry, my lady. I see that you like all of the animals. You won't go home disappointed today. I will get all of them for you."

Ildra widened her eyes.

"I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?"