Chapter 10

Bracken walked through the busy streets amidst stalls and small boutiques selling all kinds of things from fish to jewelry. He had his hood up to hide his face and he was taking long quick strides. A style of walking he had developed quite recently in fact. Right after he'd noticed the guards.

First it had been just one studying him from across the street, but soon he'd started noticing more and more lingering gazes everywhere he went. One guard was easy enough to shake, but two or three was a different matter altogether. Why were they following him? Surely the city was crawling with criminals more dangerous than a measly pickpocket.

Had someone sent them after him? Someone he'd stolen from? No. It was something else. They had made no attempt to arrest him. Besides Bracken was good at what he did. He doubted they even knew about his less than legal hobby. No. It was something else. Then why? What did they want from him?

He turned another corner into a smaller alley. He kept his head down even though he was almost certain no one was following him. Better safe than sorry. Bracken kept moving, letting his feet lead the way. He knew the city well. It's ever nook and corner. And especially this one, known for its shady businesses and illegal dealings. Yet he had somehow felt drawn there. Like an invisible force was pulling him forward. Telling him that this was where he was supposed to be today. At this very moment.

That's when he saw her. The strangest girl he had ever seen. She looked perfectly ordinary, jet somehow out of place, like she didn't quite belong. There was a certain innocence about her. But what made her truly strange was her brilliant aura. An almost angelic light, that made it hard for Bracken to look away. He had never seen anyone shine so brightly.

The girl wore simple clothes. A green knee length dress and a simple cloak. Her long hair fell down in messy ringlets from under the hood of her cloak. She was actually quite beautiful with a tall forehead and big round eyes. A rogue curl fell across her face and she pushed it back only to have it fall back down again. She seemed lost and a little nervous, but she kept a good posture and held her head up, probably in the hopes of looking less like an easy target. It didn't help much.

"Are you lost my dear? An old looking man questioned as the girl passed his booth. "Oh no, I'm fine, thank you," She answered politely. Bracken studied the man for a second. He looked old, but Bracken could see it was an illusion. A trick to make him look more fragile, trustworthy. That was the thing about demons. You couldn't really trust anybody. The girl might have looked innocent, but innocent wasn't the same thing as stupid.

"Don't be afraid, I'll help you find your way," the man purred. "No, I should really…" The girl turned to leave, but the man grabbed her wrist. He turned her around to face him with surprising strength and the girl gasped in surprise. Brackens feet moved before he even knew what he was doing. When was he going to learn to keep his nose out of other peoples business. He grabbed the mans arm pressing down on it hard, but his voice was amicable as he said: "I'm sure she's quite capable of finding her own way around. There's no need for you to worry."

The man's stunned expression turned quickly into something less friendly and Bracken could see a glint of anger in his eyes as he spoke through gritted teeth: "Can't blame an old man for worrying. After all it's not safe for a young girl like her to be walking around the city unaccompanied." "We'll keep that in mind, Bracken assured the man. The man released his hold on the girl and she quickly pulled her arm back.

"Well, shall we go?" Bracken looked at the startled girl. She stared back at him clearly considering her options. To Brackens relief she nodded and they walked down the alley side by side.

Only when they were way out of earshot, did Bracken speak up: "Are you okay?" "I'm just fine thank you, and for your information, I had the situation under control. So don't go thinking you had to save me or anything," She answered lifting her chin defiantly, like she was daring him to argue with her. "Sure whatever you say pipsqueak, but a simple thank you would have sufficed." "Pipsqueak?" "Would you prefer short steps?" "Short steps?" "I'm just saying you're a lot more tiny than I would have expected. I've never met anyone who's fairykind before, but I would have thought them to be a little more… fierce." "Sorry for not living up to your expectations, The girl huffed. And by the way my name isn't pipsqueak." "Oh?" "It's Kendra."

"Well Kendra you should really be more careful, considering who you are. You can't just trust any stranger. There are a lot of people here who would be more than happy to take advantage of someone like you." " Strangers like you, you mean? And how exactly did you know who I was?" "It really isn't that hard to tell what you are. You shine brighter than a lighthouse." "Most people can't even see my light." "Well I'm not most people." "And who are you then?" "My names Bracken." "Well Bracken I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself, so if you'll excuse me, I really have to go now."

"Yeah, no doubt about that, bracken muttered. Hey wait." He called after the girl who was already walking down the street. "It was just a joke." "Stop following me." "Wait up." He ran to catch up with her. "What is so unclear about stop following me." "You're not from around here are you?" "Is it that obvious?" "Well you do look kind of lost."

"Okay fine, She relented. I'm completely lost. Happy?" "Extremely, because now I have an excuse to spend more time with you." Why did he just say that? This wasn't at all like him. Usually he was a lot more awkward and chose his words more carefully, but something about this girl made him feel at ease. Like he'd known her for years. She was somehow familiar, yet Bracken was sure he'd never seen her before.

"Can you show me the way to the square at the city center. I think I could find my way from there." "Sure thing my lady, just follow me," He said grinning playfully and offering Kendra his arm. She took it rolling her eyes and smiling.

They walked in silence for a while before Bracken finally broke the silence: "So if you're not from around here then where are you from?" "I'm not sure, she answered a bit hesitantly. I'm actually trying to figure it out." "What do you mean you're not sure?" "I can't remember. It's the strangest thing, whenever I think about it I hit a dead end. I know I'm close to the answer, like it's right at the tip of my tongue. I just can't quite reach it. It's like somethings stopping me from remembering. It's been happening a lot lately. I actually came here to find out if something would click back into place. In case I could remember something, but I haven't had any luck." They had reached the market place surrounding the city center, but Bracken had hardly noticed. "Stop looking at me like that," Kendra ordered. "Like what?" "Like I'm some fascinating new species you just discovered." "Well you are." "What?" "Fascinating."

Kendra laughed. The sweetest laugh Bracken had ever heard. It was the true kind of laugh. Spontaneous and filled with joy. The kind that made Bracken want to smile too. He couldn't even remember when he'd last felt this way with anyone.

The feeling didn't last very long as a sudden force pulled him back and someone punched him in the stomach, making him double over. Damn it. He'd let his guard down, if only for a second, but that had been enough for his attacker to sneak up behind him. How had he not noticed? Another pair of arms grabbed him lifting him up harshly.

Kendra let out a scream as one of the hooded guards grabbed her by the arm. She winced in pain as the guard squeezed her arm with unnecessary force. "There you are. Your disappearance caused quite a ruckus. Why is it that I always end up having to babysit you anyway."

Bracken recognized the man immediately. There was no mistaking it. "Let her go Orogoro," Bracken ordered. "Oh and it looks like you've made a friend." "You've got me, isn't that what you want." "Not this time. Catching you is just a pleasant bonus. So do consider yourself under arrest."

The guards dragged him towards the center of the square. Bracken fought back, but it was two against one and all he was rewarded with was another hard punch, this time to the face. "What are you charging him with?" Bracken could hear the anger and disbelief in Kendras voice. "With kidnapping the princess of course," Came Orogoros indifferent response. "What? No. I wasn't kidnapped. I ran away," She protested.

§The princess? Bracken met her worried gaze for only a second before he was pushed forward again. What exactly had he gotten himself into? "Ten lashes should be a suitable punishment," Orogoro decided. "Please, he's done nothing," Kendra pleaded, but Bracken knew it was pointless. "Or maybe fifteen would be better."

The square was in the center of the market place. It was a popular place to carry out public punishments. Whipping being the most common and cruelest of its forms. Bracken was led to the very center of the square, with a wooden pole still adorning dried up blood from it's latest victim. He was forced on his knees in front of the pole and his wrists were shackled to its sides keeping him immobilized. One of the guards grabbed Brackens cloak throwing it aside.

As the shackles clicked shut, Bracken closed his eyes accepting his inevitable faith and preparing himself for the pain that would soon follow, but it never came. "Move." Bracken heard Orogoro order. "No," Answered Kendra in return. It was difficult to see what was happening, considering how his back was towards the arguing pair, but from what he could see, Kendra had placed herself between him and Orogoro, lifting her chin up in defiance. What was she doing? "I said move," Orogoro repeated more slowly this time emphasizing each word. "And I said no," Kendra answered coolly. "If you think I won't hurt you, you're wrong." "Well what are you waiting for?" She answered, without a single trace of fear in her voice.

At that moment Bracken couldn't help but admire her bravery. Maybe she was more fierce than he had first anticipated. Unfortunately bravery and recklessness often went hand in hand and this time it turned out to be the case as Orogoro pulled back his arm. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Kendra made no attempt to move out of the way. All she did was turn her face away lifting up her arms to shield her face. No. Get out of the way you idiot!

Just as Orogoro brought his arm down another hooded figure appeared from the crowd. Without hesitating he stepped in front of Kendra bringing up his own arm and receiving the painful whip lash. He didn't even wince as the whip sliced open the skin on his arm.

He lowered his arm slowly inspecting the wound before turning around to look at Kendra. "You're not hurt, are you?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Thanks to you I'm not." The boy paid no more mind to the wound that had started bleeding generously down his arm. He removed his hood revealing a messy head of pitch-black hair and his indifferent gaze fell on Bracken for a brief second before he turned to face Orogoro.

"And what the hell do you think you're doing?" "Simply carrying out his punishment." "And what is he charged with?" "With kidnapping the princess." "He didn't kidnap me, Kendra interjected. She looked down, not wanting to meet the boys gaze. I ran away." "If she says he's innocent, I believe her. She has no reason to lie. Let him go."

The guards unlocked Brackens bindings and he stood up rubbing his wrists. He looked at the boy. He had a blazing dark aura. A perfect contrast to Kendra's light. Who was he? He clearly outranked Orogoro. That's when it hit him. It was so obvious how could he not see it before. He was Navarog, the demon prince of dragons. The future king and Kendras fiancé. Their eyes met and both boys studied each other intently.

Navarog was the first to turn away. "Well are you coming?" He directed his words to Kendra who nodded and followed him away from the square and the mass of people who had stopped to watch the scene. Kendra glanced back at Bracken meeting his gaze once more before disappearing into the crowd.

Bracken ambled through the city, lost somewhere deep in his thoughts. It was already becoming dark and Bracken was glad to see the familiar sign hung over the tavern door. The Hells gates was a lot more quaint than its name suggested. Sure it was like any tavern, filled with drunks and its other shady patrons, but it was still home.

Bracken walked up the stone steps and stepped inside. Having little interest in drinking, he quickly climbed up the steps to the second floor waving hello to Bardroy, the taverns grumpy owner as he went. Bardroy was a tall burly man with Longish brown hair tied into a ponytail. His dark eyes and grumpy expression made him a truly terrifying sight and therefore perfect for the position of tavern keeper. He was a demon who luckily didn't care where Brackens coin came from, as long as it wasn't from his customers. Bardroy nodded in acknowledgement as Bracken passed by.

When Bracken reached the end of the hall he took a key out of his pocket and turned it in the lock. His room atop the tavern was small, with its only furniture consisting of a bed, a desk and a chair. He slumped down on the bed, completely exhausted. He closed his eyes wanting nothing more than to drift off to sleep, but something in the back of his mind kept bothering him. The sudden realization hit him like a slap in the face. Suddenly he was completely awake. He wasn't alone. Someone was in his room.

Bracken stood up quickly, but it was too late. Before he had time to react a cool, sharp blade was pressed to his throat. This really wasn't his day. "What do you want?" He asked. "You're going to help me kidnap the princess," Came the answer from the shadows.