“This is so beautiful!” I touched the supple, buttery soft leather sleeve.
“It must fit you like a glove. The suit will adjust to your body, no matter what might happen to your form. Although, you must know that I don’t recommend women who are expecting a child to wear it. First of all, the change is not recommended for someone expecting, and the suit may rip,” the man explained.
I gaped at him.Was he suggesting that I was going to have children?
In my current state, I was not sure if I would even make it to tomorrow. Children were not a part of my short term plan, or any kind of plans, actually.
“I am not expecting, nor am I planning to.”
“Not yet,” he said calmly.
I frowned. If the man was a seer, he has not impressed me so far.
“Another thing, princess; there is no running away from your destiny. What is for you, will not go by you. The future is never set in stone, it is fluid in all its probabilities. I can see many roads, but there is only one way for you. Trust that he would burn the whole world to find you again,” the tailor said.
“I don’t understand.” I took the suit from him.
“Yes, I suppose you would not.” He was deep in thought.
“What else do you know?” I asked.
“You should change. I’ll give you some privacy.” With those words, he left the room.
I stood for some time, unsure what to think about all of that. After a moment of indecision, I walked to the corner of the shop where a screen separated me from the view of the people outside and a mirror was hung on the wall behind it. I stripped off the simple clothes Frid bought for me and put on my new flying suit. The leather was sleek and soft and very form-fitting. The new sensation of my body being protected and shaped in a way that was most comfortable was unusual, but not unpleasant. I sighed and looked in the mirror. A young girl with bright red hair, braided and secured atop her head, with bright eyes stared back at me through the cloudy glass. The leather hugged my body, and it was a little awkward being in such a tight outfit, yet it mademe feel confident and strong at the same time. It felt like it was a part of me.
I wondered how much money Frid had to put down to buy it for me. I bit my lip, and for the first time, a weak sigh of regret passed my lips. I touched my stomach as I took a deep breath, forming a new resolve. I had to be strong and finish what I started.
When I finally left the store, Frid whistled.
“You look . . . amazing!” she exclaimed.
“This suit is a work of art. Thank you for buying it for me!” I said.
“The old man did it for free.”
“What?”
“Yeah. He said something about not forgetting about him when the time comes.” Frid added.
“I . . . don’t know what that means.”
“Me neither, but I was not going to turn down his generosity.”
“That is very unusual,” I responded.
“It sure is.” Frid moved ahead of me, as the street would not allow both of us to walk side by side.
I looked at her strong back thinking that from this point on, there was nothing stopping me from disappearing into the crowd. I could step aside and make a run for it. I only had two more days until Erin reached the capital, and that was my last window of opportunity.
“Are you coming?” Frid turned and I followed her. “Don’tpay attention to Tynan. He has a history with girls, especially the pretty ones.” Frid gave me a quick look.
“What kind of history?” I asked.
“He was engaged and she dumped him when a wealthy man from another clan asked for her hand. I don’t think he’s recovered all the way. He has trust issues, that’s for certain,” she explained.
Too preoccupied with my own thoughts, I barely understood what she was saying. I looked around; if I was going to make my escape, it had to be tonight, after everyone went to sleep. I returned my gaze to Frid and felt like the worst person who ever walked this earth. She was helping me, she was protecting me from her messed up friends, and I was going to betray her. I was going to take the suit that will probably cost her many disagreements with her group, and disappear in the middle of the night.
“Really?” I asked.
