Kaseke lunges for the envelope. "Open it."
I move away from him before he can snatch it away and take another huge breath before opening it.
It's a note.
Princess, Imani
I don't remember saying you could keep the change, did I? I want my F300 back.
My banking details are on the back of the note.
Thank you.
D.M Duma
For some reason, when I read it I imagine how sarcastic the princess probably sounded in his head.
"So...?" Kaseke says, impatiently tapping his foot on the floor. "What does it say?"
I stare at him blankly. What the hell just happened? This guy owns a fancy l, expensive dragon and yet he's demanding his money back?
Kaseke snatches it and this time I let him have it. He reads it. And frowns.
"I thought you said this guy owns a Dark Force Dragon? "
I didn't, which means he's had a vision about this guy. But I nod.
"Yet he wants his change back?"
I nod again.
He exhales. "What a cheapskate."
"I know, right?"
Kaseke shakes his head and looks at anywhere but me. "Just give him back his money."
And what happens if I don't give him back his money? Kaseke won't answer me even if I ask.
I point at him. "Wait, what's that?"
He feigns innocence. "What's what?"
"That eye thing you do when you've had a vision about me. In fact, you've had a vision about this Duma person, haven't you?" I ask, hesitantly. "And it somehow involves... me?"
He groans. "Let's go get your sword. I haven't had any visions lately, okay? I've been drinking way too much."
I wonder if any part of it is true.
He puts his arm behind my back, not quite touching me, and guides me toward the door, and my feet move unwillingly.
For a second, I think about running back inside and locking myself away from the rest of the world. What if I get caught? Mama would be so disappointed if she were to find out. I want to avenge my brother but I know Commodore wouldn't want me to put myself in danger like this. The essence thief might be onto me already. But I clamp down my fear and roll back my shoulders and hold my head a little higher. I'm doing this. For my brother. Commodore deserves justice.
I look up to find Kaseke watching me, apprehensive. I beam at him. He doesn't seem to buy it but he simply sighs and we break through the large door.
Noddon is beautiful, of course: if fairies existed this would be their hideout. The magic in our land ensures there's always colour in the tree trunks: brown, orange, purple, the leaves always grow a strong green despite the season.
The streets are billowing. People hurrying home, worrying about kids dying today (should they get a sword with magic the essence thief wants). Teenagers head to Sword Universe. Some boys already have their swords and they're practicing on the streets.
"Wish I could sell my sword. If only its magic didn't die in another's use," Kaseke says as we brush ankles with the sidewalks that lead up to the centre of the village bustling with shops.
"I'm surprised you kept it, really." I stare at the road ahead. "You could sell it as an ordinary sword."
Kaseke glares in disbelief. "And be without magic?"
I shrug. "You don't even like yer gift that much."
"That would send Mama to an early grave."
"She's already got her feet in."
His face is tense, defensive. "Don't joke about that."
Kaseke elbows the thick crowds easily. I keep my feet directly behind his.
"I'm not. Mama's starving herself, purposely. She wants to die." The last word clots my throat. Mama's
"That's not why," he admits sheepishly.
"So... I'm right? Leza! Why didn't ya say anything?" His expression changes. This is the question he was hoping I wouldn't ask.
"She's trying to look like Queen Mother." He peeks sideways at me.
First, good luck, Mama! Seriously, no snark. Queen Mother is the Goddess version of a model. No amount of treadmill can earn ya that.
"Mama's never been skinny. She won't keep the weight off and besides I think it's rather pointless. Papa would never leave the Queen. He loves power way too much."
He looks at me with exasperation. "Imani," he says. "Please stop insinuating. You'll drive yourself crazy."
I point to my forehead then poke his twice. "Well, Kaseke," I say through clenched teeth. "For heavens sake, I don't read minds, so forgive me for not having answers to things. My brain obviously isn't wired like yours. Why won't you just tell me why you were snooping, what you saw about that Duma guy and why the hell mama's starving herself?"
He frowns.
"Oh c'mon. Seriously?" I ask disbelievingly. "You're ignoring me?"
"Okay," he says warily. "Mama's stressed and it has nothing to do with papa. I can't say a damn thing about Duma because if I do, it could alter fate. And I wasn't snooping."
As I stomp behind him, anger creeps in through the fibers of my body.
"Why do I even bother?" I say, annoyed by his evasiveness. "You never trust me with anything. Commodore would've told me."
"Steel," he sounds defensive or hurt, maybe it's a combination of both. "It's not like I asked for this gift but you have to understand, I can't just tell you people's secrets. Staff I'm not even supposed to know. And one last thing, I am not Commodore. I didn't kill him. Stop making me feel guilty I'm alive and he isn't."
He has a point there. Sometimes -- and I immediately hate myself those sometimes -- I wish, even for a second, that Commodore hadn't died.
I sigh. "Okay, you're right. I'm sorry."
A man bumps roughly into me and I stumble against Kaseke before I right myself.
I cuss him: ya demonic wizard.
Instinctively, I search my side. Phew. My version of the Bakantwa sword is still safe under my metal uniform. I built it to hide the sword.
We pass a couple of vendor stalls along the way selling fruits, vegetables, snacks, sausages, cheap jewelry, anshoes. My brother's hands dart in and out, always in fleeting touches. His skills earn us each a banana and a can of merryz drink. We gobble everything in seconds.
"Here we are," he says, coming to a halt, "this is always so exciting."
Yeah. Sure. As 'exciting' as wandering into a lion's den.
A sign over the door, in gold, italic letters reads "Sword Universe". A painting of the Bakantwa sword underlines the letters.
A bell chimes as we step inside. My heart is in my mouth, and my hands begin to feel clammy. Just knowing the real reason why I'm here makes me break into a sweat. I've graduated from blacksmith to thief.
I cross my fingers behind my back.
You won't get caught. I tell myself feebly. Ya can do this.