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CHAPTER 4
"What is wrong with you?!" Zale questioned while maintaining a distance from her.
The last thing he wanted was a torn head by the hands of a frail human girl.
"Nothing and everything," she responded.
"Oh, it is everything, all right. But calm down!" Zale ordered rather than give a plea, shocking her.
"You know," he let out a sharp breath, "for a girl who is terrible at welding a sword, you sure have the needed fire to hurt someone."
"And you know, for someone about to die, you sure know how to joke too much."
Not giving him room for a chance, she struck again and this time he did more than dodge.
In a swift move, he turned on his heels, moved to the right and knocked her stick out of her hand when he made another turn, leaving her speechless by the sudden turn of events.
Satisfied with his actions, Zale cast a mischievous smirk on his face and was ready to proclaim victory when the vines sprouted out from behind her as she mirrored his earlier look.
Sensing his loss and loving how interesting she got by the moment, Zale lifted both hands in surrender.
"There would be no need to shed my blood, little one. I come in peace."
"Little one?" Her lips curved up in annoyance. "Say that one more time and I will not hesitate…"
"Your secret is safe with me," Zale cut in quickly and this time, he let his eyes trail to the vines.
"I promise you, not a single word," he added, hoping she would trust him.
She squinted, her sharp eyes glancing over him once more as she assessed the situation properly.
"You're not from around here, are you?" She pried.
"No. In fact, I was going to seek your help."
"On?"
"I am a traveler. Only here to make a trade. After I carry on my business for a few days, I would be gone."
She was not so sure if she should trust the words of a stranger but given the circumstances, what choice did she have?
It wasn't as though she could kill him. She was scared and unsure.
Sadly, he saw through her façade in a minute.
To make matters worse, she knew her mother would scream the life out of her should she be found out.
"Fine, I will spare you," she uttered, taking a step back.
"Phew!" Zale exhaled but the second he did that, the vines shot up close to his face.
"If I notice you did not keep your word, I will find you and I will e..."
"My name's Zale," he interjected. "What's yours?"
He wasn't here for a fight. And the earlier he found things out and retrieved the pearl, the better for him.
"Also, for someone who doesn't want the world to know of your powers, shouldn't you keep them out of sight, genius?"
A few seconds passed and she finally withdrew her vines. He had a fair point.
"You are wise, I'll give you that." The smile returned to her lips. And like a free child, all of her anger disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"My name's Pearl."
As soon as she mentioned her name, Zale's eyes flew open.
How could fate be so ironic and cruelly funny in a way?
He had left Ashedore, in search of the Pearl of Azucean, the Soul Pearl, only for the first person he met to be named Pearl.
Shaking his head, he rid his face of such shock. His smile was dry but his eyes twinkled with mirth.
"Nice name."
"Thank you."
With her smile, everything returned to normal, adding to the shimmer in her crystal-blue eyes just like the pearl.
"Yes, you are in need of directions I gather?"
"Aye. I would love to see the market place or should I say, the…"
"Go right through this path, till you come across another path, take your right, it would lead straight to the village. The path to the marketplace is undeniably unmistakable. Once there, locate the baker's shop."
"Baker's shop?" Zale interrupted.
What business had he with the baker's shop?
Sensing his worry, Pearl smiled as she resumed her directions.
"It would not be bad to always get baked bread from the baker's shop while you're here. However, I am guessing from the looks of things, you are not here to sell or buy common wares."
His brows creased at her perception. Every minute she became more interesting and he loved it.
"From your silence, I am right. If that is the case, then you must be searching for the black market."
"You are knowledgeable but what business should a proper maiden have with the black market?"
"I hear stories," Pearl said with a lighter note. "And I love stories. I haven't been there but it is a place everyone knows to beware of, of course."
"I see."
Letting out a small laugh, Zale noted inwardly. 'Then it is just the right place for me.'
"Anyways, I am sure you would get what you are looking for. But adjacent to the baker's shop, there is an inn that is looked over by the innkeeper, and from there, I hear you can find almost anything in the kingdom."
"Oh, like a warehouse of information?"
"Exactly. So, I have given all the help I know of."
"And how did you know of this inn?"
"I visit the baker's shop a lot. It is hard to miss when such stories are being told."
A small smile of satisfaction lit up Zale's face. For the first time since his mother's death, he had a reason to be this way and he saw hope in completing his mission as quickly as possible.
'The earlier I find this black market KaiKane spoke of, the better for us all and the quicker I can drive this dagger into the heart of the scoundrel who took mother's life.'
"Huh, Zale?" Pearl called out when she noticed how gone he seemed.
"Yes?" he blinked, managing to control his rage.
"Now that I have helped you, promise to keep my secret."
"Without question, Pearl. You have my word. Your secret is safe with me."