I pulled a spidery twig from my hair, flinging it back into the undergrowth as we emerged from the greenery-filled pathway and into the bustling town square.
I was yanked forward as Coral tore her hand away from my grasp and ran towards the weakly spurting fountain in the centre of the square. She clambered into the clay bottom, shrieking with laughter as she splashed her hands against the surface of the water, fascinated by the way droplets would leap up and land on her face.
"Give the bucket," Silvia huffed, snatching the metal handle from my other hand, leaving me standing awkwardly on the edge of the square.
"Could've asked," I snapped at her, jogging to catch up with her fast pace.
"Did," She muttered back.
"Yes whilst snatching the entire thing out my hands."
She didn't answer back and I rolled my eyes, watching her with a wince as she threw the buckets down and began to aggressively pump water into them.
I shook my head at her antics and settled myself on stone ledge beside the rusty taps, surveying the scenery before- it was a familiar sight, one I had seen regularly since I was a child and found solace in.
I gazed into the fantastic frenzy with intent amusement- the fruit and veg sellers hollering meagre discounts on the top of their lungs, the tailors showcasing their overpriced dresses to the posh folk, carpenters rubbing a stained cloth over the wooden tables still its rich, brown surfaces gleamed in the sunlight all kept me captivated and in rapture.
Someone must've set off a firecracker because a loud bang rang through the weaving crowd along with the faint scent of acidic smoke, Coral had also gotten out of the fountain after setting eyes on a guardian and was now running after a flock of pigeons, her dark brown waves streaming loosely behind her with the red ribbon I had tied on hanging off by a strand. The suns rays hit her bare arms making them look more bronzed than ever and a light breeze wafted around her dress, drying the soaking garment at a pace I was thankful for.
"Take yours," Silvia said gruffly.
I heaved myself of the ledge with a sigh, reluctantly turning away from the interesting bustle in front of me and to the miserable sight of the full, rippling bucket of water.
I grabbed hold of the metal handle and tried to pick the bucket up, holding it above the ground for a few seconds before placing down on the grainy earth with a pain filled grunt. It was heavier that I remember it was and I could barley pick it off the ground for longer than a minute, the thought of carrying the entire thing home almost brought tears to my eyes.
"Tell your slave to carry it,"
I glanced up through my eyelashes to see a man standing in front of me, his loose shirt billowing in the breeze, revealing the outline of his lanky frame.
"Excuse me?" I replied in confusion, glancing around to see that no slaves were nearby.
"Your slave," he nodded to Silvia who was staring at the ground with sullen, downcast eyes. "Tell her to carry it."
"What?" I glanced at Silvia and the realisation hit me like a blow to the stomach, "no, she isn't a slave, she's my sister."
"No need to be modest, a blind man can see she's a slave, how much did she cost you?" He ran a slender hand over the faint bristle on his chin and tilted his head in casual interest.
I stared at the man, from the black felt hat on his pin- sized head to his polished black shoes that shone in the brightness of daylight. I didn't speak whilst I did so, only glaring till he became uncomfortable and fiddled with his collar.
"I don't like repeating myself, she is not a slave and barley anyone has slaves in Havenmist." Although slavery was allowed in Evelon, Aleand was the state that had the very least, I suppose being the poorest part of the country had something to do with it.
"She looks just like one," he exclaimed with an uncertain grin which I'd rather have another hangover from a ruguf than return.
"And you look like a decapitated walrus but I didn't stop you in the street and let you know did I?" My lip curled at him and I curled my fist into a ball to stop myself from taking a swing at his conceited, arrogant face.
"I didn't-," he began but I held a hand.
"Leave us, before I alert a guard for harassment," I could barley contain the anger from spilling into my words.
"I was only-," he began with a frown.
"I couldn't care less, you have not only greatly offended my sister but also myself, have some shame and leave."
He stood, torn between the wise decision of leaving our presence or staying and giving us another useless statement that we could've done greatly without.
"Fine but you need to take that forsaken back to where she belongs, we didn't give them land for nothing."
"I said leave us." I stepped forward brashly and glared up at his tall frame.
The man sucked his teeth in annoyance before finally walking away from us, muttering under his breath and leaving Silvia and I in a tense silence.
"You alri-,"
"No, leave it Earl." She turned away, staring at the cluster of tree that ringed the town square.
"Look he was just an arse, ignore what he said."
"And how exactly do I do that Miss 'I think I know everything there is to know about everyone'." She snapped.
"What is your problem Silvia? I'm trying to help you." She shook her head at my weary words.
"With what? Looking like a forsaken?" She scoffed sourly and I sighed.
"Look it's fine, he's gone now and-,"
"It's fine? Well of course you'd think it's all find, after all, he didn't think you were a slave did he?" She looked at me, purple eyes narrowed coldly.
"Well no-," I began but she quickly cut me off again.
"He didn't mistake you for a forsaken did he?"
"No he didn't," I sighed.
"Exactly, that's what I thought." She seethed through her teeth as the gentle breeze blew her blond white strands across her face. "You have no idea Earl so stop acting like you do- I'm just another slave to them."
"You're not a slave." I told her softly after a pause.
"I look like one," she snapped, "you see my hair? My eyes? My face? My entire body?"
"You look like our grandmother Silvia." I reached out for her hand but she jerked away.
"She was a slave." She spat.
"No she wasn't, she died a free women, never forget."
She shook her head and sucked her teeth, staring into the bustling crowds of people in the hazy distance.
"Everything about me screams 'slave' might as well walk around with the word carved into my face, maybe I should start walking like you do- with my nose in the air-at least then they might think I'm a proud one."
I moved towards her and placed an arm over her small shoulders, she was quite short compared to me, coming at my chin and I had to be careful not to put all my weight onto her slender frame.
That thoughtful gesture proved to be a waste of energy however when she shoved me away, almost making me knock over the buckets of water she had just filled.
"Will you leave me alone," she snapped, "stop it, stop feeling sorry for me Earl."
"I don't understand why you're so angry at me? I'm trying my best to help you." I cried out in frustration.
"I don't want your pity and least of all your help." Silvia said the last word like it was the last remnants of sour lime left in her mouth.
"Look if you're upset with what just happened, just say so- I would be to, it's okay,"
"Stop patronising me." She said acidly.
"I'm not patronising you God." I rolled my eyes upward in exasperation.
"Whatever the hell you're doing- stop it." She replied.
"You're impossible," I snapped. "Just say your mad and get over it."
"I'm not mad so just shut it." She pointed a finger at my chest and I batted her hand away.
She then pushed me and I stumbled back against the taps, the metal curves digging into my waist.
"Right," I sneered at her, trying to ignore the sharp pain that was running up my sides, "sure you aren't."
"I- actually, I don't need to explain myself to you, in fact, I don't need to explain myself to anyone." Her bright violet eyes stared into my golden ones for a second before she spun on her heel and stormed away.
I watched, confused, as she grabbed a hold of Coral chubby arm and began to drag her to the large gap between the cluster of trees.
"Wait, wait where are you going?" I yelled after her.
"Home," she called monotonously behind her.
"What? But how am I going to carry all this water back to the house?" I glanced at the silver buckets that stood innocently beside me and felt a flicker of panic well up in my chest.
"Figure it out," She replied indifferent, "you're meant to be the smart one."
I watched with a gulp as they disappeared round the bend and the sounds of Corals defiant cries died away before slumping down onto the ground, my sore back against the brick ledge, wondering what on earth was I suppose to do.