The market had settled back into its usual rhythm, the morning rush mellowing as the sun climbed higher in the sky. I couldn't afford to keep lurking in the alleys; too many eyes were starting to notice. I needed a disguise—something that would let me blend in without drawing too much attention. My eyes darted around, and a plan began to form.
I spotted a cart at the edge of the square, piled high with all sorts of knick-knacks: faded quilts, chipped pottery, and bundles of dried herbs. A peddler. An old woman stood beside it, her back bent with age and the weight of the morning sun, arguing with a customer over the price of a rusty iron pot.
"Ten coppers for this? It's barely worth five!" the customer shouted, his face red.
"Then you can go find a pot elsewhere!" the old woman snapped back, waving a bony hand at him. She looked like the kind of woman who could haggle a king out of his crown, and I liked that.
I sidled up to the cart, running my fingers over a stack of moth-eaten scarves. "Good morning," I said, my voice light and cheerful, like I belonged here. "Lovely things you've got."
The old woman squinted at me. "Aye, if you've got coin to match," she grumbled, still eyeing the disgruntled customer as he stormed off.
"I do," I lied, flashing a handful of the few coppers I had left. "But I was hoping for something a bit more… unusual. My uncle is a collector, you see." I glanced around conspiratorially. "He likes things with a bit of history. You wouldn't happen to have anything special hidden away, would you?"
The old woman's eyes gleamed with a mix of suspicion and interest. She leaned closer. "History, eh? Might be I have a thing or two. But those things don't come cheap, girl."
"I can work with that," I said, and then lowered my voice to a whisper. "I'm good with people, too. Maybe you could use an extra hand around here? Just for the day. I've got a way with words, and I bet I could sell anything to anyone."
Her gaze raked over me, taking in my ragged cloak and the grime on my boots. She seemed to be weighing her options. "You got spirit, I'll give you that," she muttered. "All right. I could use a break, and maybe you can scare off some of the cheapskates. But if I catch you stealing even a spoon, I'll have the guard on you faster than you can spit."
"Deal," I said, grinning. I glanced at Hei Hei, who was watching us with what could only be described as a look of amusement. "I'll stable my horse nearby. She doesn't like to be far from me."
She grunted in response. "Fine. But no funny business."
I led Hei Hei to a nearby stable where I could keep an eye on her. After a few quiet words to the stable boy—who seemed more interested in napping than watching my horse—I returned to the cart, ready to begin my performance.
For the next few hours, I put on my best act as a traveling peddler. I smiled, complimented, haggled, and laughed, playing the role of a bright-eyed young girl new to the trade. It wasn't long before I realized I was good at it—very good. My voice was steady, my eyes sincere, and the lies slipped off my tongue like honey. People ate it up. I sold two chipped teapots, a threadbare rug, and a set of carved wooden spoons, all while listening intently to the chatter around me.
"Did you hear about Lord Renfell?" whispered a woman to her friend as they pawed through a stack of blankets. "They say his son's been taken by the darkness. Fell sick and started raving about shadows."
"Hush, not so loud," her friend warned. "The Watcher will hear. Or worse, the queen."
I leaned in, pretending to rearrange some pottery. "The queen?" I asked innocently. "What's she got to do with it?"
The women looked at me, and I quickly added, "I'm new to the city. Came from the south. Haven't heard much news."
The first woman, clearly enjoying being the bearer of information, leaned closer. "Oh, everyone knows the queen's been acting strange for some time now. Some say she's got a pact with the darkness. Others say she's cursed."
"Cursed, you say?" I repeated, feigning shock. "That's dreadful."
"It's all just talk," the second woman muttered. "But it's true that the ancient darkness has been more active lately. Ever since the new Watcher took over, things have gone wrong."
I nodded, letting their words sink in. The darkness was spreading, and there were rumors of a curse. It seemed like my banishment hadn't just been a punishment but a curse laid upon the kingdom itself. Maybe it was my destiny to set things right.
The old peddler woman returned, eyeing me suspiciously as I continued to sell her goods. She must have realized I had a knack for it because she didn't say much, just grunted her approval and pocketed the coins. But I wasn't here just to peddle wares; I needed more information.
I noticed a man approaching—a nobleman, by the look of his fine cloak and the way he walked with an arrogant swagger. His eyes scanned the market like he owned it, and I could tell he was looking for something—or someone. I took a chance and waved him over.
"Good sir!" I called out with the brightest smile I could muster. "You look like a man with an eye for quality. Can I interest you in some fine goods?"
He stopped, his gaze narrowing on me. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone sharp.
I bowed my head slightly, pretending to be meek. "Just a humble peddler, sir. Mara's the name. I travel from village to village with my wares. Perhaps I have something that might catch your fancy?"
His eyes flicked over the cart, unimpressed, but then they lingered on me, sizing me up. "You've got a clever tongue for a peddler," he said slowly. "Tell me, have you heard any news of trouble in the south?"
I hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying, "Trouble's everywhere these days, isn't it? But if you're talking about the darkness, I've heard whispers, yes. Folks say it's getting worse."
He nodded, as if he expected that answer. "And what else do you know?"
I shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "Just rumors, really. They say there's a new Watcher, but he's not like the old ones. Not as strong. Not as… vigilant."
The nobleman's face darkened. "Be careful who you speak to about the Watcher," he warned. "There are ears everywhere."
I nodded, lowering my eyes. "Of course, sir. I meant no harm."
He gave me a final, scrutinizing look before moving on. I watched him go, feeling a thrill of victory. I had drawn him in, gotten a hint of his concerns, and learned a little more about the state of the kingdom. But I needed more.
As the day wore on, I began to pick up bits and pieces of gossip and stories. A merchant mentioned that the royal court was in turmoil—factions forming, with some whispering that the new Watcher wasn't fit to protect the kingdom. A fisherman, half-drunk on ale, muttered about seeing shadows on the water that shouldn't have been there. And a child, no older than eight, swore she'd seen a woman vanish into thin air, leaving only a blackened patch of earth where she'd stood.
Each story added another piece to the puzzle, painting a picture of a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos. But the real breakthrough came when a young stable boy—no more than fifteen and covered in mud—approached me shyly, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
"You're not from here, are you?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
I shook my head. "No, just passing through. Why?"
He bit his lip, then leaned closer. "I've heard things," he said. "About the darkness. My cousin, he works in the palace. He says there've been strange meetings, late at night. The queen's involved. And the new Watcher… they say he's hiding something."
My heart quickened. "What kind of meetings?"
The boy shook his head. "I don't know. But my cousin says the old WatchWatchers never needed them. They fought in the open. Now there are whispers of alliances, hidden deals, things that don't feel right."
I pressed a copper coin into his hand. "Thank you," I said, genuinely. "You've been very helpful."
He nodded, pocketing the coin and darted away, casting a wary glance back as if to make sure no one had noticed our exchange.
The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows over the market. I'd learned a lot today, but I could feel the weight of the secrets still lurking just out of reach. There was more to uncover—more about the darkness, the Watcher, and whatever plans the queen had hidden behind the palace walls.
As I packed up the cart with the remaining goods, the old peddler woman eyed me with a grudging respect. "You did well today, girl," she said, her voice rough but not unkind. "Better than I expected. Keep your ears sharp and your mouth shut, and you'll do just fine."
I nodded, offering a small smile. "Thank you. Maybe I'll see you around."
She grunted, pocketing the day's earnings. "Maybe. But don't get too comfortable. The city's a dangerous place for those who don't know their way."
I tipped my head in agreement and turned to leave, my mind already spinning with everything I'd heard. I collected Hei Hei from the stable, where she waited patiently, munching on hay. I patted her neck, and she nuzzled me in response, her warm breath a comforting reassurance in the cooling evening air.
"Come on, Hei Hei," I murmured. "We've got work to do."
We moved away from the market square, blending into the shadows that stretched across the cobblestone streets. Tonight, I needed to think—to plan my next move. The city was full of secrets, and I was going to find them all, one way or another. And if the kingdom was truly teetering on the brink of chaos, then maybe it was time to push a little harder and see what would fall.