AN/ Oh, look at this! A new chapter in Open Road, wow, that has to be a sign for something. *^_^* I know at the end of chapter 5 I said that this would be out by Monday, well, you'll notice that I did not specify which Monday, and thus, this chapter is early! Aha! Truly though, gomen nasai for the delay, reality decided to give me a wake-up call, and it wasn't very pleasant. . .Anyway, I promise there won't be this much of a wait for the next chapter, which is in works in my mind, and soon to meet the keyboard. Oh, and while you wait, why don't you go over and check out my other fic, Dark Paradox? ( a Celena/Dilandau piece) As always, reviews are appreciated, even if it's just to flame me for taking so long with this ^_^;;
Thanks Bunches Everybody!
Enjoy,
Chapter Six - Titles Are Becoming Difficult To Think Of
"Folken, I can't go into the market! People will see what I am!" Estrela and the prince sat in their garden once more, shadowed from the afternoon sun by the great marble fountain. It had been almost two glass since they had left the King's study, Folken had showed her almost all of the castle, and they had just finished eating a small lunch of vegetable stew, hard rolls, and fruit tarts. They had then migrated back to the garden they had occupied earlier that morning, the First Garden, Folken told her it was called.
"Second only to my mother's private gardens in beauty," He had said, "Though unrivaled in good company." She had felt her cheeks burning after that, and he had laughed at her reaction. Then he had asked if she would go into the city with him. She didn't know what to say, she was so uncomfortable with the idea, but she didn't want to hurt the prince's feelings. . . She couldn't go, there were too many people, they would see her eyes, but Folken had quickly silenced her,
"You will be safe," He told her, gripping her finely-boned hands between both of his palms, "You'll be with me. And. . ." He continued as she raised her eyes to meet his, "You'll have fun." He grinned at her and she let out a defeated sigh,
"Fine," She said quietly, "I'll go. . ." Folken let out a celebratory whoop and holding tightly onto Estrela's hands, he spun her in a wide circle. She let out a laugh of delight as her braid whipped about in the afternoon air and then disengaged herself from his grasp,
"I'll go and get my things, meet you back here?"
"No, the front gates, in, oh let's say a quarter glass." He grinned at her as he continued, "That is, of course, if you don't mind going through the main entrance. You didn't seem to eager to use it the last time. . ." Her eyes narrowed in a deadly glare as he trailed off, a sheepish expression on his face. She keep her eyes locked on his for a moment, grinding him beneath her gaze, before finally turning and striding toward the garden's exit. She paused before the large doors and turned back to face him once more,
"I'll be there!" She cried, her dark eyes still menacing, "A quarter glass, don't be late!" Then she was gone.
Folken sat back against the fountain as the doors swung shut, producing a dull thud as they met their frames. The prince did not move, simply sat and stared at the doors, a wolfish grin on his face. He stayed in that position until the heavy door creaked open again a few moments later, and Estrela's pale head thrust inside. Her eyes met his, and then fell to the cloth bundle lying by his feet. Neither spoke a word while she strode quickly towards him, her gaze never leaving the package as she knelt to retrieve it. She then turned her back to him once again and darted back through the doors.
Folken fell from his seat into the soft grass, clutching his sides as the uncontrollable laughter shook his entire body. After what seemed like eternity the attack began to ebb, and the prince stood up unsteadily, wiping the tears from his eyes, and wheezing with giggles. That was how he stumbled through the hallways to his room, grabbing his coin purse and his lightest cloak, while passing servants whispered things to one another and glanced in his direction. He was still chortling as he rounded the last corner toward the main entrance, and he nearly fell to the ground again as he saw who was waiting for him.
Estrela stood by the large gate which would lead out into the city. She glanced around, wondering what could be keeping Folken as she shifted her brown cloak on her shoulders. It was really too hot to be wearing the woolen mantle, but she was so nervous about being recognized that she pushed aside her comfort and began to raise the deep hood. She paused as she saw Folken come around the corner, that accursed grin still plastered on his face. When his eyes met her's, he seemed to stumble, and a gleeful cackle escaped his throat. She glared at him as he came and stood beside her, still laughing softly.
"It's not funny." She said in a low voice, filled with menace. He looked up at her, his eyes beginning to water again,
"Nooooo. . ." He managed to choke out between snickers, "Not funny at all. . ." She clouted him on the arm and he yelped in pain. He glared at her as he rubbed his bicep, and she glared back, imitating his grin from earlier.
"That was funny," She said simply as she turned and began to walk out of the gates. The prince hastily sprinted to catch up to her, hand still massaging his injured arm, as he grumbled under his breath. Estrela sighed and looked up at him, clearly irritated,
"Oh, come on!" She exclaimed, "I didn't even hit you hard! Be a man!" At that last remark Folken whipped his hand back to his side, and scowled at the woman beside him. She simply smirked.
"We're here." He said swiftly, looking up at their surroundings. They had left the palace and walked down a wide cobblestone road flanked on either side by tall plaster-walled buildings, but Estrela had been to preoccupied with Folken to notice. She gasped as she allowed her gaze to wander, over the vendors shouting their wares, the milling crowds of people, so many. . . She hastily raised her hood, obscuring her face before anyone around could have a chance to get a good look, but it was quickly pulled back down again as Folken stared at her startled expression and sighed. He had a firm grip on the back of her cowl, and despite her protests, would not allow her to raise it over her head. Finally she gave up trying to pry his fingers from the material, and instead jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. He let out a quiet Ophf and released his grasp. Estrela pulled away from the prince and raised her hood once more. This time Folken made no move to stop her, he simply huffed in a bothered sort of way and lead her into the bustling populace, oblivious to Estrela's quickened breathing and stiff demeanor as they wove deeper into the throng.
Estrela had never been good in crowds, even in her own village. They worried her, scared her. Too many people, too close, it made her so uncomfortable, so anxious. Why did Folken want her to come? He knew what she was, and he still didn't understand how difficult this was for her. But he's half draconian, they're considered cursed as well. . . He's a prince, he's been protected, No one could have protected him from the whispers, the taunts behind his back, you remember. . . Oh yes, she remembered, Perhaps he does understand. . . Then why did he ask me to come, if he understands, if he knows how I feel? Maybe he knows something you don't. . . What?
Estrela shook her head, she was confusing herself, that nagging voice in the back of her mind talking in riddles. She glanced over at Folken as they continued through the crowd, and caught him looking back at her, an unidentifiable expression on his face. He quickly shifted his gaze to a nearby merchant's stall, pausing to examine the fine jewelry on display. The owner ended a conversation with a birdman at the other end of his table and approached the pair, smiling brightly,
"How may I help you today, my lord?" The man was young, if he were one of her people, Estrela would say he was no more than one hundred and eighty, with short curly hair of a mahogany brown and sparkling green eyes. His skin was a dark tan, though lighter than his hair, and he was dressed in woolen robes of blue and yellow. The grin he flashed them was unearthly white, a stark contrast to his brown skin, but by far the oddest thing about his appearance was his jewelry, both ears covered in large gold rings, with a thin golden chain running across his left cheek from a hoop in his ear to another ring pierced through the side of his nose. He also had three long golden chains around his neck, each of a different length and each with numerous small golden medallions hanging from them, and his fingers and wrists glittered with his many golden rings and bracelets. It was truly a sight.
Folken glanced up at the man, a southerner by his dress, possibly from Daedalus or Egzardia, and then gave the table another thoughtful look,
"Nothing for me today, my good sir," the prince said lightly, beginning to turn away,
"Then perhaps something for your lady?" The merchant said hastily, not willing to loose a potential customer without a fight. Folken glanced at his companion, her cloak still concealing her eyes, but exposing enough of her figure and jaw to establish that she was female.
"Estrela?" Folken asked her, "Do you see anything you like?" She met his gaze, then scanned the table before her. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, and pendants, in every type of metal imaginable, some set with colourful stones or enamel. She reached down and picked up a thin silver chain with a plain silver medallion hanging from it, similar in design to the merchant's own necklaces, though less flashy. The pendant was about the size of her thumbnail, oval in shape, and was smooth and flat, with no marking or designs. She ran the chain through her long fingers, it flowed like water over her knuckles and formed a shining pool in her palm,
"That is an exquisite piece, Egzardian design, highest quality silver. Why the Queen of Fanelia herself could own no better!" The merchant declared, "I also have more intricate designs, in other metals, if you wish to see. . ."
"No, thank you," Estrela said suddenly, dropping the necklace back on the table, "Perhaps another time," The merchant looked a bit defeated, but began to speak again,
"Are you sure? I will only be in the city for a short time, and you won't find better quality anywhere else for these prices,"
"No, really. I apologize for wasting your time," Estrela stated, turning away. Folken let his gaze rest on the chain for a moment longer, before turning as well and following the woman back into the street. The merchant sighed dejectedly, but quickly regained his blinding smile as another person approached his stall.
"Estrela!" Folken called to her retreating back. She stopped and waited for him to catch up, adjusting her cloak so it no longer draped over her shoulders, but hung loosely down her back. It was too damned hot for the woolen garb, but she couldn't risk taking it off. Folken watched her discomfort as they continued their walk, and finally could take no more. He stopped abruptly at a vacant corner and turned to face her,
"Estrela, if you insist on hiding yourself like this, at least take my cloak," He said, removing the robe from his shoulders, "It is much lighter than that gods-forsaken thing you're wearing now, and I don't really need it anyway." She looked ready to refuse, but he cut her off before she could begin, "Take it, I mean it. Please?" Estrela murmured something under her breath in a language Folken could not understand, but then after glancing around to make sure that no one was watching, removed the heavy mantle from her shoulders and accepted the other cloak from the prince's hand. He was right, it was much lighter. She raised the hood, it was not as deep as she would have liked, but it served. The dark red fabric was soft, and it seemed to breathe in the light breeze, a welcome relief from the choking heat inside her own cloak. She gave Folken a grateful smile, and he grinned back, placing an arm around her shoulders.
"I told you." He said, "Much better, yes?"
"Yes, it is, thank you Folken. I didn't realize how warm it actually was with that on," Estrela responded, motioning to the folded cloth now tucked under the prince's free arm. He was holding her very closely to his side, she could feel his breathing, his muscles shifting as he began to move again. It was remarkably comfortable despite the heat, and Estrela felt herself relax into him, resting her head on his broad shoulder. It was ridiculous, she had know him for a night and a day, but she felt more comfortable with him than she had ever felt with anyone, even her master. What was she doing? She felt her arm extend, seemingly of its own free will, and wrap around the prince's waist, holding him even closer to her, if that was possible. Folken glanced down at her, slightly flushed, but did not pull away, or make any move to remove her hand from his hip.
They kept walking, passing shops and booths selling everything imaginable, from swords and other weapons, to laces and fabrics, books, foods, and even live animals. Folken halted before a small stall between a meat pie stand and a wrinkled old woman who seemed to be selling charms and potions, and gazed down at the goods on the table before him. Glasses, frames of many shapes and sizes with their thin lenses, different strengths for all types of vision. A small collection lying in one corner of the small booth caught his attention, glass tinted dark for reading in bright sunlight. Releasing Estrela from his grasp, Folken approached the table and inspected a pair of the dark glasses. The merchant addressed the prince in a slightly strained, though cheery voice as she stood from where she had been crouching behind the stall, a large wooden box in her arms,
"I'll be with ye in a moment, sir" She said, her accent labeling her as from one of the outlying districts of Fanelia, probably Timmins or Unden. She had a good-natured smile on her freckled face, her long red hair pulled back into a loose ponytail and her midnight blue eyes wide. She wore a simple dress in a light blue cloth, with no accessories or jewelry to speak of. She placed the box back on the ground and rose to meet Folken's gaze once again, raising her hands to pat down some stray strands of hair which had sprung loose into her eyes.
"Now, what can I be helpin' ye with?" She asked the pair. Unlike the jewelry merchant from before, this woman addressed both Folken and Estrela together, as equals. Folken picked up a pair of tinted glasses for her to view,
"How much?" He asked. She glanced at the frames in his hand and then said,
"That pair, two silver crowns an' five coppers, but dependin' on the style o' frame ye want, could be more o' less," The merchant said, pointing towards the other darkened glasses. Folken looked at Estrela, a single brow raised,
"What do you think?" He asked her, "Would you wear a pair?" Estrela eyed the glasses in his hand, and then glanced at his face. It might work, she couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before. She nodded her head, and he stepped aside to allow her a better view of the different styles on display. There were thick and thin frames, in many different colours, and the lenses came in many different shapes. Some even had lenses that flipped upwards to reveal normal glass beneath.
It was difficult to decide but Estrela finally picked up a pair with large, rectangular lenses with rounded corners. The frames were a thin black wire, and each of the darkened glass lenses flipped outwards to each side as apposed to upwards like some of the other pairs on the table. She showed them to Folken and he nodded his head. Closing her eyes, Estrela lowered the hood of her borrowed cloak and placed the glasses on her face. She opened her eyes and looked at the prince. He smiled at her,
"Beautiful," He said quietly. The merchant woman held up a small polished mirror for Estrela to see. The lenses completely covered her large eyes, and they were tinted darkly enough that no one could discern her race. Estrela smiled, she looked like a human. Folken let his gaze linger on the woman beside him for a few moments, completely engrossed in her own reflection, before turning back to the merchant, a small smile playing on his features.
"For this pair?" He asked. The merchant seemed to consider for a moment, raising a hand to tug the lobe of her ear a few times before responding,
"Normally, I'd be sayin' three silver an' four copper, but for ye, I'll let them go for just the silver." Folken grinned as he dug through his small belt pouch. He removed three large coins, and placed them gingerly in the woman's waiting hand. Her blue eyes widened at the money now in her palm, and her lips parted slightly as she exhaled through her teeth.
"Three golden dragons. . ." She whispered, flipping one of the coins over with hesitant fingers. The figure of a land dragon stood out on one side of the medium sized discs, a Fanelian crest on the other. "M'lord, there is no need. . ." Folken gently cut her off before she could finish her protest.
"You have earned it, my dear lady. You have no idea what these glasses will mean to my companion, and your courteous manners have merited this gift. Please, accept it and my gratitude." He finished with a small bow, which left the merchant woman speechless and blushing. She simply nodded her head, and Folken grinned at her before turning to Estrela. "Come my lady," He said to her, "We are running short on time, and if I do not return with something for my dear brother, he will never forgive me." He offered his arm to her, which she accepted, and then turned back to the merchant, "Thank you again, fair lady, and be blessed." Then they were off, back into the horde of people that still filled the streets.
"Bless you, m'lord!" Came a cry from behind them, barely audible through the din of the crowd. The merchant had gotten her voice back. Estrela smiled.
"That was a very kind thing," she said, shifting her now obscured gaze to the prince. He did not look at her, simply shrugging as he scanned the shops lining the opposite side of the street,
Estrela glanced up at the sky; it looked to be about two, perhaps two and a half glass past midday. That meant that they had only been in the market for about one glass. . . it felt like so much longer.
"Come on," Folken said suddenly, "I was serious about picking something up for Van. He'll pout for a week if we come back empty-handed," The prince was pulling Estrela towards the booths before he had even finished, weaving between the bustling people, drawing a few curses and shouts as they jostled their way through. Finally on the other side of the street, Estrela allowed her gaze to wander down the rows of shops and stalls, it looked the same as the other streets. She was about to ask Folken what they were looking for when he began moving again, dragging her along behind him toward their mystery destination.
A little over a half glass later found the pair in one of the city's many small parks, this one more out of the way than most, and completely deserted besides the couple resting beneath a large tree. They were sitting in the shade of the ancient bows, back to back beside the rough trunk, necks craned backwards so that the back of each one's head rested on the other's right shoulder. Both had their knees drawn up to their chests, Estrela's arms wrapped around her legs, while Folken's were locked straight behind him, palms digging into the soft soil on either side of her hips. Beside them lay the two folded cloaks, two small paper wrapped packages, Estrela's glasses, and a few daggers she had removed from her person for reasons of comfort. One of the packages was filled with sweets of every sort, the other, slightly larger, held a leather bound book, a story of a cursed princess and a handsome knight. Folken had told Estrela that Van was learning to read, and this book might keep his interest more so than those his tutors used, at least this one had pictures. The candy was a backup in case the book failed.
"Folken," Estrela said gently as the leaves above them rustled in the dying breeze,
"Hmmm?"
"We really should be getting back, the King is expecting us soon,"
"Of course. . ." Neither one stirred,
"Folken," Estrela began again, her voice becoming muted and drowsy,
"Yes?"
"We don't seem to be moving,"
"No, I suppose we don't," A pause,
"Alright then. . ."
AN/ I know, nothing is happening, no action. . .Is it boring? I hope not, but this story is really quite long in my head, and there is not going to be a great deal of action for a while. This first bit is just learning about Estrela and the relationship between her and Folken growing. . . So, is it boring? Really, please tell me. Next chapter out soon, promise *^_^*
Peace and Love