Charades

Chapter 4

     It was silent as Ronan led me through the town of Edolas. The streets were busy. Artists lounged around some streets, musicians in other and every other house contained a food stand. Fruits, vegetables and more were on display and my eyes lingered on their prices as I wondered how I would feed myself until I found a job.

     "Are you hungry?" Ronan asked.

    "No," I said. Embarrassed, I shook my head. "I was just curious about the prices here."

     Ronan rolled his eyes and went to a stand of fruits. He picked out some apples and pears and placed them into a small brown bag, and tossed coins towards the seller. And when he went back to me, he handed me the bag and my cheeks were enflamed. I lowered my eyes, unsure of what to say.

     "Take it," Ronan said. "I already paid for it and my family has more than enough fruits."

     "Thank you," I said.

     I took the bag from Ronan and I held it tightly to my chest. Eren was walking next to us and he neighed at the sight of apples. I pulled out an apple and fed him, and he grunted. I smiled, thankful Eren was at my side in this unfamiliar setting.

     Ronan and I continued walking and neither of us spoke. I glanced at Ronan, wondering about the man who stood next to me. His eyes were glancing around him and his hands were shoved into his pockets. He seemed deep in thought and my eyes remained on him until he looked to me. My eyes darted away.

     "Do you know much about this town?" Ronan asked.

     "No."

     "Then let me explain it."

     Ronan stretched out his arms in front of him and gestured to his surroundings. I looked away, noticing the way everyone was smiling and chattering amongst each other. The town reminded me of my own town and a feeling of sorrow filled me. I left them. To be free, I left my town in the grasps of my uncle, and I hoped that somehow they'd be okay.

     "Edolas is ruled by Queen Diana and her husband, King Alexander," Ronan said. "They are good rulers. They take care of us and make sure the poor and ill are cared for. And they're merely twenty one. They're a year younger than me.

     My eyes sparked at hearing Ronan's age. He was merely two years older than me and my eyes lingered on him, curious about him.

     "Did you grow up here?" I asked.

     "No," Ronan said. "I actually grew up in the kingdom of Vispur."

     My heart jolted at the mention of Emir's kingdom. My eyes flew wide, but it made sense. Unlike the people surrounding us, Ronan didn't have the same pale skin. Ronan had brown skin, skin only a shade darker than mine and that was a trait kingdoms like Narakha and Vispur had.

     "Why did you leave?" I asked. "And come to Edolas?"

     Ronan shrugged. He hesitated before he said, "Vispur wasn't the place for me and my family."

     Ronan grew quiet then. His eyes lowered to the stone beneath our feat and I gulped. I hadn't meant to make him uneasy.

     "What about you?" Ronan asked after a moment. "Where are you from?"

     I flushed. My eyes were wide and when Ronan's blue eyes met mine, I jumped. He looked confused for a moment and I yanked my eyes away.

     "Um, I'm actually from Narakha," I confessed. "I think Vispur is south of it."

     "Why did you leave?" Ronan asked.

     Ronan's voice was quiet, so low it rumbled. My eyes locked on his and we slowed down our walk. My heart was pounding as I wondered what to say.