Chance Encounter

The world swirled around me as I ran, all the colours blurring into one mud brown. The cobbled stone slapped against my bare feet, stinging a little.

I cursed loudly when I tripped on a lifted edge and almost hurtled into a small stand that had been set up on the side of the street. The stones ripped at my body, pulling away several layers of my skin along with my clothes. Great, more scars.

I cringed away from the stall, my skin crawling with the desire to run away. I had no idea why, until I saw them. Dark magic flowed through the orbs that were placed out very specifically on the table. The crooked merchant looked at me and smiled, baring his crusty, old teeth.

My arms wrapped around my body instinctively, covering the holes in my ripped, and tattered clothes, which exposed parts of my skin, as he watched me appreciatively. His wrinkled eyes widened just as much as his smile did.

I shivered unconsciously and backed away from him as fast as I could, then ran down a smaller, darker alleyway. I could still hear the stall owner calling me, his voice oily and slimy. His attempts to lure me back were not going to work.

I knew this part of town so well – all the side streets and places to hide. I had been roaming the streets all my life, for as long as I could remember, as a small child. Even if he tried to find me, I would be able to outrun him easily. He was old after all. My heart thudded in my chest uncomfortably. I wouldn’t be able to run forever. I could already feel my head starting to spin with the lack of air.

Ducking into a small doorway that was hidden by some large crates, I was immediately encircled by the pitch-black darkness. The coolness swept over me, taking all the heat away from the day.

My breathing was laboured as I gulped down air hurriedly. Panic was beginning to set in, its claws digging deeper into my chest as my escape became a more and more impossible thought.

The city guards made as much noise as a stampede as they charged up the street where I had come from, far too close behind me for my own comfort. I listened carefully, trying to control my ragged breathing as one barked out a question to the stall owner.

“Where is the girl?” asked a man, his voice deep and rough.

“What girl?”

“Don’t play games with me or I will take one of these magic glass balls and smash it on your head,” Rough Voice yelled.

The stall owner merely laughed at him in a drawling way, increasing the tension in the air around me. Something pulled at me like a light breeze that tugged ever so softly at my hair. My stomach tensed as intense fear shot through me momentarily.

Rough Voice roared out something unintelligible and I heard glass smashing loudly. I was in trouble if they found me. It seems that I had taken one too many risky chances, and now it was catching up with me.

I forced my body to calm, slowing my breathing, but I could still feel my heartbeat pulsing through every vein in my body at an incredible speed. It hardly wanted to be tamed in this moment, pushing adrenaline and anxiety around my system.

I squeezed tighter into my hiding spot, shaking from head to foot. I couldn’t believe my stupidity. I should have known better. My thoughts flitted back to the moment this had all begun. If I had just ignored my urges.

I had seen the man from afar, my spot in the town square was a good one that I had fought hard for. I could watch for hours, picking my perfect targets and I only chose the richest looking people to take from. I never wanted to steal from someone who truly needed it.

When the man had entered the square, it was obvious he was a perfect target. He had stood out immensely with his bright travelling cloak and entourage of guards. I knew he had to be rich and powerful. My fingers twitched and my lips quirked up in delight. It would be too easy.

I had dropped down from my perch above the bakery stand and stealthily made my way towards the large group. When I was closer enough, I allowed my body to stumble and fall against the man. My deft fingers had swiftly reached into his belt and pulled out the coin purse, which I tucked away, all within a matter of moments.

I had grumbled a low apology and stumbled my way out of the square to keep up the appearance of just a drunk, young girl. There were many in Verdana, some trying to escape the reality of their miserable lives, some trying to enjoy a moment of inhibited passion while the festival was on.

The moment I felt the burning stare on the back of my neck, and my hair had stood up on end, I knew I had messed up. Panic was flickered to life, sending my heartbeat skyrocketing.

Once I was out of sight, I bolted, faster than ever before, but the way my stomach had dropped, I knew I was in for another visit to the cells.

I took a gasping breath as I was pulled back to the present, my skin alight with fear.

The guards were mainly minders of the people. Here to make sure people like me never had the opportunity to steal. But it seems I had crossed the wrong Lord.

“Enough, Rowin!” a new voice said. His tone was smooth and calm, and immediately all the noises stopped, bringing with it a loud silence. He sounded annoyed, and almost bored, but under all of that was the power that he commanded. “We are sorry for troubling you, Sir.”

The sound of coins in a bag being dropped onto the table met my ears and my mouth fell open of its own accord. It sounded heavy, and my body quivered with the sudden ideas that rambled through my head. If only I could get that.

All the things I could do with that much money I mused. Eat for a start!

“Now, kind Sir, can you tell me which way the girl went?”

I heard nothing for a moment except the bag being picked up from the table, my ears straining to hear any slight sound, and then the guards were on the march again.

I jumped a little and hoped that my hiding spot was good enough. I pushed myself as tightly against the back of the door as I could, only to feel the painful sting of a stray piece of wood sticking my skin. My skinned hands and knees throbbed and ached as my rapid pulse forced blood to the injuries. The sensation of my own blood trickling down my legs and dripping off my fingers made my hands twitch with the desire to wipe it away. Blood always left trails – obvious ones.

Closing my eyes tightly, I listened with all my might, waiting. It was awful. The suspense was terrifying, and my own heartbeat, sounded louder than a flock of birds taking off.

I didn’t need to be caught, not again. Not to wait in that dark, dreary cell for the guards to finally release me. I was overcome with emotions, as the memories of my most recent capture and imprisonment played in my mind.

The smells and sounds reverberated in my head, as if I were reliving it right there and then. The smell of my blood had mingled with the pure fear and adrenaline that had pumped through my veins. Their taunting smirks as they dragged me ruthlessly through the streets. Fighting the entire way, my energy was all but spent before they had even thrown me in the cell. I had lay there for days with no food and only a limited amount of water. I touched the faint scar instinctively on my dirt-smeared arm, trying desperately to come back to the present.

The noise of the guards’ marching feet coming closer awoke me from my daze. The sound passed right by me - so loud I almost couldn’t bear it anymore - but then it was gone.

With a deep sigh of relief, I opened my eyes. But I was not alone.

A man stood in front of me. His face was hidden in the shadows, a sense of calm radiating from him. But panic surged through me.

He was the man I had robbed. I could tell just from the way he stood, his way he held himself. His tall frame loomed over me, but he made no move to grab me. I hoped to the Magicians that this was not Rowin. His soundless arrival had startled me into silence as I watched him meekly, waiting for my moment.

“Up you get,” he said, his voice gentle. There was that tone again, that bored and annoyed quality that tinged his words.

So this was the man that had called the guards to order? I pondered.

He didn’t appear as powerful as I had imagined, so I figured I would play it out as long as possible, hoping to find my opening; the one moment when they faltered over my youth and frailty. My one strength; I was not what I appeared. I remained still, just watching and waiting for him to get mad.

“Come on, don’t play games, I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. The shadow of a smile appeared on his darkened face.

He offered his hand but I cringed away from his movement, expecting to be struck. His hand remained outstretched, waiting for me to take hold of it.

“What is your name?” the man asked. Instead of boredom and annoyance, a genuine tone crept into his words, coating them with what felt like a friendly nature. I wasn’t going to let him suck me in though.

My mind was racing, thoughts swirling around as I tried to figure out how to get away from him. I then remembered the man was waiting for an answer.

 “Oh… My name is Kida,” I answered weakly, my tongue stumbling over the words and my voice cracking from limited use. It had been some time since I had spoken to another human being, normally preferring my own company, and well, I didn’t play well with others. I lowered my eyes slightly to appear meek, but kept lifted them up enough to see him through my dirt-clumped eyelashes.

The man stood watching me, and I winced at the intensity of his stare as he took me.

He was obviously powerful, more powerful than even I had first thought. An error on my part I would make sure never to make again.

Frustration ran through me at not being able to see his face. To get a chance to see what his eyes were saying and betray to me what his next move would be. I had become used to reading people’s eyes for their next move. You had to be on your toes when you lived the way I did.

“Well, Kida, I sent them back to the barracks,” he said quietly, obviously sensing my distrust and wanting to make me feel safe.

I grasped his hand slowly, taking note of the gentle warmth of his palm, and in one swift movement I was up on my feet.

But I couldn’t make the mistake to trust him through, and a huge part of me was suspicious. Why was he being so kind? I had just stolen his money. Or maybe he hadn’t figured that out yet? Either way, I wasn’t taking that chance.

Now was my moment.

As quickly as I could I lashed out, kicking him hard in the stomach. There was no way I was going to trust this seemingly nice man, when all my instincts were telling me to run. If he had been willing to pay off stall owners, what else would he be willing to do?

As soon as I felt his grip loosen, I tried to pull away, but a sudden eruption of flames around us stopped me in my tracks.

The heat pulsed against my skin in anger, sucking away all the oxygen. The world was on fire, and I felt it too, searing my skin and burning away my thoughts.

I couldn’t breathe anymore and gave in to the darkness, falling gladly into a place with less pain.

The last thing I felt was two soft hands gently picking me up, and the heat dissipating.

It had to be magic.