The air smelled of old horse dung as the carriage rolled to a stop. The curtain inside was drawn back as a face peered out examining the surrounding area. The carriage was parked in the busy market square of the city. People crowded everywhere shopping, laughing. The carriage driver hopped down from his perch before unlatching and opening the door. Once open a figure stepped out clad in a large cloak. The hood was up hiding the identity of the passenger. The door was closed as the hooded figure made their way into the crowd melting into the large numbers.
Vendors and booths of everything from vegetables to fine china. Something for everyone here. The cloaked body moved forward to examine a booth containing small trinkets. Small gold statues, rings, and jewels. Most fake for sure but it seemed to draw in a crowd. Next was a tent containing books. Children's stories and bibles. After that a small table holding baskets of fruits vegetables. Squashes, corn, apples. carrots, tomatoes, and other green goods. It wasn't the contents of the baskets that drew in the attention of the guest, but the boy behind the table. He looked as if he's slept in the same clothes for a month, dirty and torn. It wasn't even his filthy state that caught the eye of the stranger. It was the face of the boy. Freckles on beautifully tan skin, dark blue eyes, a rarity here, and the most gorgeous smile to ever been seen. Even as the boy spoke, his voice soft yet sweet, the figure only stood admiring the sight in front of them.
"Are you going to buy anything or..?" The boy trailed off. He had crossed his arms watching the figure with a slight raised eyebrow. His overalls were rolled up just below his knees and his straw hat tipped back letting the sunlight illuminate the ornament of a man in front of them. His feet covered in a leather case that could barely pass for a shoe. This kid was obviously poor and probably working hard for every meal. A hand reached into the cloak and pulled out a coin purse. The purse was sat on the table and one apple plucked from it's seat next to the pears. With a slight bow the figure was heading off into the crowd.
"Hey!" A voice was heard calling after the person. The boy lost sight of the stranger before he could return the very full coin purse. The boy stared into the pouch in utter shock. The bag felt heavy in his hands. A bag of at least 300 pound. For one apple worth barely a farthing.
As the hooded character made way back to the carriage the marketplace had grown in size tremendously as a small band of musicians started playing in the farthest corner. It was a relieving sight as the carriage came into view. Within seconds the door was being held open by the drive and shut behind them. Once in the carriage a small sigh was heard. The apple was being turned slowly in the owner's palm as the carriage started forward.
"Did you find what you were seeking?" The voice came from the front. The hood of the cloak was pulled down revealing who had been underneath.
"Your highness?"
The carriage ride hadn't been long enough for Keith. The apple had not been consumed yet since it has not been tested first. The King could never be too careful. He had thought he had hid his identity well enough and the boy from the market seemed innocent of any foul play but one could never be too careful. Keith ran a hand through his hair twirling the longer ends in thought. He had practically snuck out of the castle and would definitely be hearing about that. He had just waned to get away from it all for a while. The castle was looming in front of him as they drew closer and closer to what has become his prison. He had never expected being crowned King of Olkarion would be so overwhelming. His days as a mere Prince were so care free yet now he could barely breath fresh air without being surrounded by a small crowd. He was no fragile child anymore. He did not need a group of guards at every second yet no one seems to care about his opinions on the matter.
Once back at the castle Keith made his way inside announcing he was turning in for the evening. The apple was hidden safely in the pocket within the King's cloak. He would never be allowed to eat it having known where it had come from. Maybe it was rebellious or just idiocy but he wanted to try an apple from the common soils. The boy had seemed to worked hard to bring the apples so Keith felt inclined to try it. Once to his chambers he ordered everyone out before hanging his cloak up on the ornate hook on the wall. The apple was taken out and shined on his own pant leg before it was examined closely. It looked normal enough, he smelled it, smelled quite normal.
"Thomas!" Keith called and a half second later a servant was kneeling in front of him.
"You called for me, your Majesty?" He looked up eager to please his highness.
"Stand, please. No need for such formalities here." Keith said helping the boy up. He held out the apple and the boy took it questioningly.
"If you will, a small bite" Keith watched as the boy willingly bit into the apple. He chewed for a few seconds before breaking out into a wide smile.
"It's delicious your highness. No foul taste at all. " He handed back the newly found safe apple to the King.
"Thank you Thomas. You may take your leave now." Keith excused his servant before taking a seat in his armchair in front of the fireplace he turned the apple in his hands a few more times before sinking his own teeth into the soft flesh of the fruit. Thomas had been correct, this had to have been the sweetest apple that has ever passed through Keith's lips. The apple was savored and finished quickly before the core was tossed into the flames. Keith wiped his hands off on his pant legs before standing to ready himself for bed. He called in his staff to ready him. As they worked he could not get his mind off the boy at the market and just how good that apple had been. It had been a sign. He needed to purchase more apples.
After losing the mysterious buyer in the crowd the boy made his way back to his table in shock. He tucked the pouch safely into his overall's pocket making sure it was safe. He ended up selling most of his stock before the market ended. The boy was packing up excitedly at the day's earnings. He could finally feed his family something other than oats and water.
A small house nestled on a knoll overlooking a large pasture with a small herd of sheep and some goats. It was the place Lance had called home his whole life. The walk back home was usually a sullen one as Lance only carried more grains for the animals or a loaf of bread for themselves if he had gotten lucky. But not this night, this night his arms were full. His cart containing milk, eggs, and two chickens. Freshly baked loaves and even candied fruit for his siblings. All this food only cost a few pounds. His family wouldn't have to go hungry for at least the next month. If not longer. Lance had felt guilty about not returning the money but now he realized it must have been a blessing. Lance sent a quick prayer of thanks before hurrying to the house. The door opened and out spilled his four younger siblings.
"He's home mama! He's home!" They cheered running out to welcome him. Lance dropped the cart swooping them all into a hug planting kisses on each cheeks. Once all 8 cheeks were smooched he let them go before grabbing the cart again. He pulled the cart under the small roof joined to the side of the house to keep it safe from the elements.
"Lance.. Where did you get all of this?!" A petite woman stood behind him wiping her hands upon her apron. Her hair was in a messy bun and her skin sticky with sweat of a hard day's work. She was pulled into a hug and Lance buried his face in his hair.
"The Lord provided mama"
They spent the rest of the daylight plucking and cutting up one of the chickens before his mama went to work making an amazing dinner from the fresh ingredients. As they were sat eating dinner that evening Lance could only look lovingly at his family as they shared their adventures of that day. It was good seeing them so happy, it was hard to be happy when you were half starved to death.