“Fine,” I agree reluctantly, lifting my head to glance over what she’s wearing. “Go for light colours, you will blend in better. Finish getting dressed.”
While she gets herself ready to leave, I go to my crystal stash. We’re going to need as much protection as possible. There aren’t many stones left, meaning I will have to go to the black mountains soon and collect more. Shifting through what I have left, a low hum greets me, some becoming louder as I brush my fingers over them. What should I take?
My eyes land on a smooth piece of polished black stone. Onyx. That will be a good one as it’s a protective stone and banishes negative energy. Slipping it into my pouch, I consider the rest. A small cluster of crystals calls to me, smoky quartz. The gems glisten, the brown, smoky looking streaks of colour through the crystal giving it its name. Another that offers protection. It’s small and barely makes a noise as I pick it up, butI’m going to take it anyway. Huffing out a breath, I wish I was more prepared than this. Putting the stones away, something glistens, catching my eye.
Labradorite. It’s a chunky piece, the low hum it lets out makes the hair on my arms stand on end. Traditionally Labradorite is used for truth and to shatter illusions, something I wouldn’t usually take with me for a simple trip to the market yet my gut is telling me to take it with us.
Frowning softly, I wrap my fingers around the stone, lifting it to the light to examine the rainbow colours along the shiny surface. I should be planning, plotting how to manage this trip with Ella at my side, but my mind is lost in the uncertainty of the future. All I can think about is my wish that Ella and I will survive the coming storm. She is what I keep going for, and I’m determined to make a better life for her.
A throb of power seems pulse from the stone in my hand, travelling down my arm and buzzing through my entire body like a thousand tiny electric shocks. It takes my breath away, not because it hurts, but because of howpowerfulit makes me feel.
What in the name of the gods was that?
Dropping the labradorite, I stare at it like it’s going to come to life and bite me. Stupid, such a stupid thought, nothing like that could ever happen. Although, I have never felt anything like the power that pulsed from the stone either. Could it have been…
No. I don’t use magic. I know nothing about it and as far as the citizens of Rune are concerned, it disappeared centuries ago. Over the years I have researched gemstones and rock formations, gathering together any information I could, hoarding it in my mind like others might with gold. Before I was redesignated, my father worked as a master artist, making mosaics for the rich. He taught me about various gemstones, their colours and properties. It fascinated me, and nothing thatI share with others now is information that you couldn’t find if you looked hard enough.
No, what I offer that the city finds so dangerous is something you cannot buy. Hope. When I offer them a crystal that signifies good luck, or healing, love, or wealth, it is not any magic in the stone that they are buying, but the hope that it will answer their prayers.
Oh, I have always believed that the gems have their own inner power, the hum that fills my ears is testament to that. All I’m doing is putting the right gem into the hand that needs it most. However, what I just felt was something different altogether.
“Kiara?”
Shocked out of my internal meltdown, I jerk forward and grab the labradorite, throwing it into my pouch, pulling the strings closed. I start to put the rest of the gems away, but pause as I remember what we’re about to do. Grabbing another small piece of smoky quartz, I stand and turn to face Ella.
“Yes?” It’s an effort to keep my voice even, but seeing her concerned face makes it possible.
“Are you okay?”
She’s frightened. What we’re about to do is a huge challenge for her, but she’s putting all those feelings aside so she can come with me. If she suspects something is wrong, it will only make her feel worse and we can’t risk her having an anxiety attack at the market. In all honestly, I don’t even know how to explain to her about the feeling the stone gave me, so I’m going to keep it to myself.
“I’m fine.” I smile and hold my hand out, showing her the glittering quartz. “This is for you. It will protect you.”
Taking the gem, she examines it and slowly smiles, and I can almost sense her drawing strength from it. Shaking my head torid myself of that strange thought, I take a deep breath and check my scarf once more.
As ready as I am going to get, I force a smile. “Right, let’s go.”
The market is alwaysat its busiest at the beginning of the week, which is why I chose today to come out. It is bustling with people, all wearing a huge array of different colours, making it easier for one widow and her child to blend in. Guards stand at the entrances of the market and we have already passed several sets of guards on patrol. They are all watching over everything with an intensity that sets my instincts alight, but no one has tried to stop us. In fact, they have barely even looked our way, as though they are looking for someone else.
Ella is holding onto my hand tightly, her palms sweaty, but she doesn’t let it stop her or pull her out of character. She’s a stubborn little thing and I’m so proud of her. I can count on one hand the number of times she’s left our home since I found her. After everything she’s gone through, trusting others is difficult for her. It’s more than that though, she’s terrified of others now, preferring to hide away than risking getting hurt again.
Having her here is a nice change, as many of the vendors seem happier to interact with a widow when she has a child with her. Interesting. On the times I come alone, I am either ignored or charged an extortionate price. In the past, I have stolen food, I will not pretend that I won’t ever do it again. I am no saint. The city has abandoned us, branding us sullied and leaving us to rot, so I don’t feel bad about this. To provide for Ella, there is not much that I wouldn’t do. However, when I have the means, I do buy what I can.
My basket is filled with bread, fruit, and other various products all paid for with Caleb’s coin from his purchase last week. Thanks to him, we shall be enjoying fresh food tonight and not the stale leftovers from the market stalls.
There is one last thing that we need, and it is this that makes me the most anxious.
Water.
The sound of the water in the fountain makes my throat ache, my mouth dry and lips cracked.
Technically we are not supposed to use the fountain to drink from, and the guards do come around from time to time and clear everyone away. However, Rune is a desert city and water is sparce. It has become a currency, the various gangs controlling the wells. If the king wanted the fountain off limits, then he would have to have it guarded constantly. There would be an uproar and I’m sure that is the only reason that the fountain is open to all.
Glancing around, I make sure that no guards are nearby and that we aren’t being followed. As far as I can tell, we are in the clear. There are already people around the fountain, drinking and collecting water, so we shouldn’t stand out. Squeezing Ella’s hand in mine, I guide her toward the centre of the market. Finding a space before the grand marble and gold fountain, I sink to my knees, Ella doing the same beside me.
“Drink,” I instruct quietly. She doesn’t need telling twice and quickly lowers her face to the water, sucking it down greedily. I want nothing more than to do the same, but I need to stay aware of what’s going on around us. Taking out my water container, I sink it into the cool water, keeping my gaze up.
The fountain has a gorgeous tiled baisen that reminds me of my father. I remember him bringing me here and explaining how the mosaic process worked and the stones that were inlaid. I wish I had time to examine and enjoy it now, but for everysecond that we are out in the open, we are in danger. Finding the beauty in the city that hates me is something I no longer have the luxury of doing.
