Lightning was being more than patient waiting for this man to answer her question, but he refused to say anything and thought it was more important to polish the items hanging on the wall. They were dingy and old, she doubted polishing wouldn't actually make them look any better. The very one she had inquired about being obviously the most decorative and elaborate piece in his run down establishment. The man himself was barely in his thirties but had started to sprout some grey hairs which he tried to cover up, albeit not very well with a rather unsuited cowl. He was quite pale with a few freckles dotted across his cheeks and nose and had the hint of a beard growing. The man had a nasty snarl to his voice as he barked at the young lady.
"What was that you were sayin' miss?"
She ignored his rudeness through gritted teeth and crossed her arms, putting herself and a more prepared stance.
"That sword there. How much do you want for it? " She asked, an edge to her voice that he wasn't keen on. Little did he know she was referring to her own weapon. A firm sword, it has been very trusty over the years, a main body of silver with slight dashes of pink.
He scoffed at her.
"You couldn't afford that lass, I had to chew my own arm off to hack at it."
The young woman held back a laugh and pulled out her coin purse, spilling more than enough gold onto his work surface. His eyes widened in astonishment and his mouth broadened into a wild smile. His entire demeanour changing.
He leant on the wooden surface, now knowing she had money he was intent on getting a decent price. His lip curled up maliciously and she grimaced at his stench of oil and wood shavings.
He had the sword brought to him this morning, a travelling merchant tossed it into his shop demanding he takes it and left without so much as a goodbye. He had thought himself lucky to come across such a thing and this pink headed girl wanted it for a few mere gold? No way he thought to himself. It looks far too expensive.
"Sorry girl. Still not enough. A prized possession it be here. You're gonna need a fair bit more than that measly coin."
She poured even more on the desk as well a gemmed ring that took to his shining. His wife would love that, would give him good eating for a week, his stomach grumbled and he snatched up the treats, throwing the sword at her chest not caring if she catches the damn thing.
She grits her teeth at the force that hits her and grumbles out thanks and takes off. Glad to have it back in her arms.
She didn't care very much when it was stolen during her slumber over a week ago, and it had taken her many days of tracking it down to finally have it back in her possession. She grips it tightly to herself before sheathing it to her belt. Praying something like this doesn't happen again.
She leaves the market, the thoughts of the nasty man leaving her head with the smell of the food and oil. She wants to meet up with Hope, her friend that's travelling with her. He was much taller even though a year younger, with silver hair no one could miss and a tall lanky frame with green eyes she just adored. With a rather pleasant day ahead of her she sets her path straight for the small inn they had slept in the previous night, she had abandoned Hope in the morning, wanting to go look for her weapon, and now it's by her side she's hoping to find him still in bed.
She greets the innkeeper on the way in through the door, giving her a warm smile before going up to her room. Every floorboard never failing to creek under her supposed light footsteps. They're in room six at the end of the hall and gets there with ease.
She smiles softly upon entering the dark room, the curtains drawn and the glass of water and bread on the bedside table untouched, Hope is still fast asleep. Lightning had thought much, but the sight was pleasing. They had walked a long way and he deserved the rest.
While she waited for him to wake she took a comfortable seat under the window, perched against the wall and gave her sword a decent clean. Getting between all the crevices and making it look brand new.
"Have I been out long?" Lightning looks up into the soft green eyes. She smiles softly and looks back to her sword.
"Not long, it's still early. I had a bit of business to attend to and thought it best to let you sleep." He ruffles his head as he sits up, the blanket rolling off his shoulder down to his stomach, revealing his very pale but muscular body. He had gotten considerably stronger over the last several months of their travels, it was noticeable and Lightning often took the occasional lingering glance.
"Well, I suppose it wasn't too bad. I was having a rather good dream Light." He jokes with a wink before climbing up and going to the washbowl, he rinses his face and dries it off promptly with the white towel. "You'd think after this way we'd get some hot water but I guess not."
"Hm, you'd think."
"Where are we going to next?" Hope asks, joining her on the floor, grabbing his own weapon, a trusty bow from his father. He starts cleaning it as well.
"I want to head east, to a temple. We should find a shaman there. My dad wrote about it in his papers, and if my own family won't accept me, then he'll know where we can go. A safe place." Hope frowns.
"It's a long way"
"But it's worth it. Hope if we do this, then we'll find out where I came from. What I'm supposed to be." He touches a hand lovingly against her own and squeezes it softly.
"I know light, but if this shaman doesn't help what do we do?"
"We keep trying." She brushes his hands off and closes her eyes. "I need to know how this started, how I got these powers. And why there a people trying to hunt me for it."
I really enjoyed writing this, and I hope you feel the same way about reading it.
More chapters to come soon!
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