NEERAH
By: Silent Flame

Neerah walked through the busy market, dodging around the crowded area. She started to think about her family that once lived in the mountains. Her tribe was called the Terát. They were peaceful people and they never did anything to provoke any other tribe. The Terát had very few enemies. She missed her family. Neerah stood looking at the many different people trying to either bargain or swindle their customers. As she stood there, she fingered the necklace her father gave her when she was very little, and Neerah thought about how she would kill the man who took her whole family from her. Neerah was only eleven when it happened. She was lucky because she was the only one from her tribe who was not killed. Neerah stood there trying to trade with a woman that smelled as if she hadn't bathed for four years, and she wasn't having much luck.
"I'll give you 20, count them, 20 coins for that knife," she pointed to the knife placed on the table. "I would only pay half for at any one of your competitor's shops." The knife she was trying to purchase was silver with a leather sheath. Her other knife was sticking in the back of some robber who had tried to kill an old man.
"Fine," she said loudly. "You are a very good haggler miss." The old woman handed her the knife. "Don't forget to come back to Linda's for all of your weapon needs."
"Sure," Neerah said with a forced smile. She had been haggling with the woman for twenty minutes. Who would not be agitated?
"THEIF," a man yelled across the market. She looked over her shoulder and saw a young boy in rags about ten years old, with a loaf of bread in his hands. As he ran toward her, a fat man was chasing him, waving his fists quite clumsily. Most likely, he was the man the boy stole the bread from. Still looking at her newly purchased knife she stuck out her foot. The boy tripped and fell to the ground. She easily lifted the boy who was still clutching the bread in his hands. The fat man caught up to her and the boy, breathing very hard. Neerah could see his anger.
"You little urchin," the fat man yelled. The boy was still hiding behind Neerah. "You'll pay for stealing from me." He raised his hand, ready to strike the boy. But Neerah easily caught the fat man's hand before he had a chance to hit the boy.
"This should cover the cost of the bread," Neerah said calmly, putting a couple of coins in his shaking palm. She looked him straight in the eye until he finally backed down.
"Okay," the man yelled reluctantly. Now he looked at the boy, "But if you ever steal from my shop again, I'll cut off your hands." The fat man turned and stomped away. Neerah turned to face the boy.
"What's your name?"
"Ciric," the boy answered.
"Nice name. You know, you remind me of myself when I was little." She started to walk with him. "When I was ten years old, my father taught me a duplicating spell. He..." She started to continue but was interrupted. "Are you some kind of witch?" Ciric asked nervously. Neerah smiled at the thought. "No, I'm not a witch. As I was saying, he taught me a duplicating spell, but he said because he was the one who taught me the spell that he would know if I ever abused its power. Now I'm going to help you."
"How?" Ciric asked suspiciously. He was wondering what this woman could possibly do for him. Ciric did not like to talk about magic. It unnerved him. His mom always told him the devil used magic to spread his evil. Neerah held out a coin. "I cast a duplicating on this coin and now I'm going to give it to you. However, if you ever abuse it, I can make its power disappear. Go ahead, just say duplicate and the number of coins you want." Ciric held out his palm. "DUPLICATE, two coins." Instantly two coins appeared not including the original one. Ciric gasped in surprise. Neerah smiled. "You can tell which one is real because there's an X on the one with the duplicating spell. Now remember, don't misuse it." "I don't know what to say," Ciric said astonished. "Why would you do this for me?" "Because you're to young to end your life by becoming a thief. It's not exactly the perfect lifestyle. Believe me," Neerah answered ruffling his hair. "Put'er there," Ciric said. He held out his hand. Neerah took it openly. "I'll see you around." She turned and walked away. Ciric watched her leave. She looked like she owned the world.

* * * * * After she left the Market, Inx popped out of her bag. "Remind me again why I have to hide in the bag." Inx was an animal with small bird wings and a fox's tail. He had the face of a rabbit and his ears drooped. "I told you, that town isn't exactly animal friendly," Neerah answered. "They'd have you skinned alive if they saw you." "Good point," Inx said enthusiastically. Being skinned alive was not on his list of top ten things to do. Inx jumped out of her bag. "It's getting dark. If were going to keep traveling, better wake Nemo up." Nemo is a cross between a kitten and a bird. He's as small as a bird but glows brightly in the dark, and has the face of a two-week-old kitten. Neerah sat down with her bag in her lap. She looked inside one of its larger pockets. "Nemo." Petting the top of his head with her finger. "Nemo, time to wake up." The little creature's eyes fluttered open and then closed again. "Come on Nemo." Neerah said irritably. "If we're going to make it to the wedding in time, you're going to have to be our eyes." Nemo opened his eyes reluctantly, ready to continue on their journey.

*******_______*********______********_____*******______*******_____********_ ____ A/N: Sorry if the story is not that good, I wrote it a couple of years ago. Decided to post it now! I'd appreciate NO FLAMES!!!, but friendly constructive criticism is always welcome. Thank you and GOOD NIGHT!!! *bows and exits*