I had made it into the kingdom—my birthright, my prison, and now, my hunting ground. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread, roasting meat, and a tangy hint of sea breeze, all mixed with the dust kicked up by early morning travelers. I pulled the hood of my cloak lower over my face, hiding my wild curls and the unmistakable glint of green in my eyes. Here, in the bustling marketplace, surrounded by strangers who might know my name, I had to become someone else entirely.
The marketplace was already alive despite the early hour. Merchants shouted over one another to advertise their wares—fabrics dyed in vibrant hues, exotic spices stacked in neat pyramids, and trinkets that sparkled like stars even in the dim morning light. I kept my head down, steering Hei Hei carefully through the throng. She seemed unbothered, her large eyes darting left and right, taking in everything with a calm curiosity. If only I could be so calm.
"Keep it together," I muttered under my breath. Hei Hei snorted, as if to say, You keep it together, not me.
I couldn't help but smile. Hei Hei had been my constant companion, my only friend since Mother had… disappeared. The thought of her stung, and I pushed it aside. I needed to focus on surviving the day, not dwelling on old wounds.
I guided Hei Hei to a quieter corner of the marketplace, near a stall selling roasted nuts and honey cakes. The stall keeper, a stout woman with a face as round as her cooking pots, eyed me suspiciously. "You there, girl," she called out, her voice raspy like she'd swallowed too much smoke in her life. "Stable your horse! You'll spook the customers."
I glanced around and quickly concocted a lie. "Sorry, ma'am. Just passing through. I'm looking for my uncle. He's a spice merchant from the west." I nodded vaguely in a direction. "Maybe you've seen him? Tall, with a red beard?"
She squinted at me, then spat on the ground. "Red beard, eh? Plenty of red beards in this market. Don't cause trouble."
"I wouldn't dream of it," I said, flashing a smile that I hoped looked more innocent than mischievous. I wasn't here to cause trouble—not right now, anyway. I needed to blend in, to become one of the faceless masses.
I led Hei Hei further into the market, keeping to the shadows of the awnings that stretched over the stalls. People bustled around me, too busy haggling over prices or chasing after children to pay much attention. But I noticed the way some glanced my way—a little too long, a little too curious. I kept my head low and my eyes moving, scanning for any sign that I'd been recognized.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since the previous day. I stopped by a stall selling meat pies, my mouth watering at the smell of freshly baked crust and spiced meat. The vendor, a wiry man with a patchy beard, grinned at me.
"Hungry, lass? First pie of the day, half price!"
"Thank you, but I'm saving my coins for a room tonight," I said, feigning regret. My hands, however, moved on their own. I snatched a small pie when his back was turned to serve another customer, tucking it under my cloak with a skillful flick of my wrist. I'd learned that trick from Mother—a lesson in mischief for when times were tough.
Hei Hei nudged me with her nose, almost knocking me over. "Shush," I whispered to her, breaking off a piece of the pie and sneaking it into her mouth. She chewed it loudly, her lips smacking together. I had to stifle a laugh. I loved this beast more than anything. She was the one constant in a world that seemed hell-bent on casting me aside.
Just as I was beginning to think I could manage a day here without drawing too much attention, I heard a loud, booming voice. "Thief! Someone stop her!"
My heart dropped. Had the pie-seller noticed?
No, it wasn't him. It was coming from another stall, one selling bolts of silk. I spotted a young girl, no older than ten, sprinting away with a bright blue cloth trailing behind her like a banner. Two large men chased after her, their boots slamming against the cobblestones.
I didn't think. I reacted. "Hei Hei!" I hissed. "Block them!"
Hei Hei knew me well enough to obey without question. She darted forward, her bulky frame cutting off the men's path. They stumbled to a stop, swearing loudly, as Hei Hei reared up just enough to force them back. The girl shot past me, her eyes wide with surprise, and disappeared into a nearby alley.
"What in the blazes is wrong with you?" one of the men shouted, waving his fist. "Control your damn horse!"
I shrugged, feigning innocence. "She's skittish. Doesn't like the smell of sweat, I guess."
The other man grunted, still eyeing Hei Hei warily. "Keep that beast under control, or we'll have her carted off."
"Sure, sure," I said, nodding placatingly. "I'll just be on my way then."
They grumbled but moved on, casting dark looks over their shoulders as they went. I waited until they were out of sight before letting out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "Good job, Hei Hei," I muttered, giving her neck a pat. She snorted again, clearly pleased with herself.
The commotion, however, had drawn some unwanted attention. A few nearby merchants had stopped what they were doing to stare. I could feel their eyes on me—sizing me up, whispering to each other. I needed to get out of here before anyone decided I was worth questioning.
I quickly led Hei Hei down a narrow side street, away from the main square. The alley was quieter, lined with smaller, less reputable stalls. I spotted a group of rough-looking men and women huddled around a makeshift dice game. One of them, a tall woman with a scar running down her cheek, looked up as I passed.
"You lookin' for trouble, girl?" she asked, her voice dripping with mockery.
"Not today," I replied with a grin. "But if you find any, let me know. I'm always game."
She laughed, a harsh, barking sound. "I like you. What's your name?"
I hesitated for a heartbeat before answering. "Call me Mara." Of course, it wasn't my real name, but it was close enough to be believable.
"Well, Mara," the woman said, "if you're looking for work, we could use someone with guts."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, though I had no intention of getting mixed up with thieves and cutthroats. Still, it was good to have options, and I needed to stay on the move.
I kept walking, weaving through the alleys and side streets until I found a quiet corner near a blacksmith's forge. I leaned against the cool stone wall, letting out a long breath. I had managed to fit in for now, but I'd have to be smarter, faster, and a whole lot luckier to survive in this kingdom full of dangers, secrets, and those who might recognize me for who I truly was.
Hei Hei nudged me again, this time softer, more comforting. "Yeah, I know," I whispered, scratching behind her ear. "One day down. A lifetime more to go."
I pulled my cloak tighter around me and looked back toward the marketplace, where the chaos was already returning to its normal rhythm. I would need to find a place to sleep, figure out who I could trust, and gather information about this so-called ancient darkness. And I had to do it all without slipping up, without revealing the truth of who I was—the female Watcher, born without magic, a misfit in a world that had no place for me.
But if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was how to survive. And maybe, just maybe, cause a little trouble along the way.