Anniya

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" Look at her! Honestly, does she have any self respect at all?"

" You know how it is with the greenies."

" It's almost funny, in a sick sort of way. Look at how she's twisting them around her finger. I heard that she really speaks Kyrrian, but just pretends that she can't understand it."

" You know that crazed blood thirsty dragon that she has? Well, Yvette told me that she was running back to her carriage for something, and suddenly she heard this piercing whistle."

Mariah's story captured all of the girls attention. " Go on." Blossom prodded.

" Anyway, Yvette thought it was a hawk or something of that sort-- until she looked to see where it was coming from. It was from the little monster! She was calling on that blood thirsty creature of hers that almost killed Hattie!" The other girls gasped, Hattie included.

All this was shocking news, but Hattie smirked as she dropped the bomb.

" I've heard more. She's apparently wanted in the town of Jenn for murder." All the girls gasped again. But Mariah shook her head.

" Hattie, is it true? I'd believe if she was a witch, but what would she be doing in Court if she were a murderer? She'd be lying low." Hattie smirked again, as she pulled out a crude sign that Sir Peter had brought back from the town.

Hattie had happened to take a glimpse of it. She dangled the sign in front of the other girl's faces. On it, accused of murderer, were two men and a young girl. The girl's facial features were unmistakably Anna's. Or was it Annya? Hattie frowned, and continued.

" You know those Bandits that Charmont said escaped into the Fens? She was partners with those bandits. What do they call themselves?"

The other girl's shrugged, and eagerly started whispering.

" Mariah, Hattie?" called out the girl's voice herself.

The other girls kept on talking, knowing that Anniya couldn't speak Kyrrian. Hattie shushed them all, and she plastered a fake smile on her face.

" Anna! We wondering where you were!" she cooed in Elfin. Anniya smiled uncertainly. Mariah spoke up.

" Where ever have you been? We've been waiting up for you."

" I'm sorry! There were all these maids fussing over what I should wear. Very annoying." Hattie resisted the urge to laugh. This poor pitiful creature didn't want maids fussing over what she should wear. This girl had to go.

" Yes, come with us Anna. Mariah and I going to go to the market. We were worried that you might be late." She beckoned Anniya to follow her.

The market was alive and bustling with noise. There were parrots from all lands exotic; silks and beautiful material, glittering jewels, foods of all kind, horses, and so many more things. Gleex chirped happily as he saw the parrots. Anniya grinned. Hattie hated Gleex still, but Mariah tolerated him , feeding him a bit of cheese occasionally. Gleex was oddly hostile toward Mariah as well though. They had two guards escorting them as they all walked down the street. Anniya wished she had money, and looked left and right, wondering what she could buy with the two KJ's Robert had left her. A bird jabbered in her home language.

" Good day to you, might I have a sweet or two?" he talked as she passed by.

Anniya couldn't help but laugh. It was nice to here the familiar accent, that the Kyrrian's lacked. Mariah suddenly stopped and glanced at Anniya, as Hattie did. Anniya self-consciously felt her hair and looked at her dress.

" Your Laugh." Mariah told her. Anniya stared at her.

" What about it?"

" Nothing. Nothing. Let's get back in the carriage." she said quickly.

As they did so, Anniya noticed that Hattie nudged Mariah a bit. Strange. She didn't say anything, but got back in the carriage. They had the entire day to spend here.

" Miladies, I don't know if the carriage will be able to carry all of this home."

" It better. You'll be carrying it otherwise. Oh no!" Hattie exclaimed.

" What's wrong?" Anniya asked her.

" My money change purse! I left it back at that shop!"

" I'll go for it, Lady Hattie." one of their escorts volunteered. \

" No, honestly. It's a woman's booth. Who knows what they'd think? No, I suppose it's gone for good." Hattie sighed unhappily.

" I'll run and get it for you." Anniya volunteered. Despite the fact she had made friends with Hattie, she knew the girl wouldn't shut up until she had it back.

Hattie's eyes lit up oddly.

" You will? Oh Anniya, you're wonderful! We'll wait right here for you!"

" Shouldn't we at least drive her there..." the coachman began. Anniya began,

" Yes, please.."

" No, that wouldn't be impossible. The streets too narrow." Hattie cut in.

Anniya stared at the girl. she hadn't remembered the street being too narrow. It was sunset now. If she ran, she could get there in time.

" Wait right here. I'll be back in a moment." Once she was around the corner, Anniya would kick off her shoes and sprint.

" That's a wonderful idea! Hurry now, so we can get back in time!" Mariah told her.

Smiling uncertainly, she began running toward the jewelry place, where Hattie had left her purse. After running for a few minutes, something suddenly occurred to her. Hattie had thrown her old money pouch away since she had boughten a new one. Why would Hattie told her this? Anniya turned back, running just as fast, with a quick beating heart. They wouldn't. Surely they wouldn't. As she veered where they had been 10 minutes ago, what she had dreaded had come true. They had tricked her. They had left her, stranded in the middle of the capital city, with no money, no friends, and no language.