Lesson One On Why Humans Suck (6)

Their days of travel had passed by in relative peace. They began with no set destination, only the knowledge that they were hunted. And in that time Zara had barely stopped chatting, to either Adrielle or Ember, yet had proved to adapt to a life camping in caves and beside dirt paths rather quickly. She seemed brighter as the days went on too. Not that Adrielle believed that was even possible…

The young princess practically glowed now.

A road-sign, worn and coated in a thick layer of moss, gave away their first destination.

'Finch's Clutch' Adrielle brightened up as she read the words. "Hey, I had a job there!"

"Really? What for?" Zara peaked over Adrielle's shoulder at the sign, hands rested on her shoulders. Though Adrielle couldn't see, she knew Zara was standing on the very tips of her toes.

"Removing a troll hoard. Easy, but your father kidnapped me before I could get paid. We need more supplies anyway, and I could use a good nights rest." She swiftly spun, holding Zara's hands so the princess wouldn't fall. "And we could get that hair product for you, if you'd like?"

Zara shook her head. "I don't want you to waste your coins on me like that. I'll be fine with or without it."

"Zara," Adrielle's grip tightened slightly, "no coins I spend on you could possibly go to waste."

"I… ok. If you say so." Zara glanced everywhere but Adrielle. "How far away is… Finch's Clutch?"

Adrielle squinted slightly as she thought. "An hour at most."

The second they enter town Zara's eyes grow wide, like twinkling stars growing into the sun itself. Her gaze darted constantly to each and every new treasure that took her attention. From steaming street food to sparkling jewels.

Adrielle grasped her hand firmly, not missing the way men's gazes gravitated towards Zara.

Blissfully oblivious as always. Zara began questioning everything she saw. "What gemstone is that?" "What does that plant do?" Every time one question was answered ten more took its place.

"What's that painting of?" Zara pointed to an intricate painting of a snowy forest. Tall trees framed a glacier, pushed forward by a giant snowstorm, fractured and about to crumble upon the kingdom below. Instantly Adrielle tensed, jolting back from the image as though it's mere presence had burned her. "Adrielle? Are you ok?"

She nodded, though the smile that followed was clearly faked. "Yes, don't worry about me. Oh look it's the man who gave me the job." Zara seemed about to protest when Adrielle dragged her to a dimly lit store. Soft candlelight reflected off various trinkets stacked closely together on cramped shelves. There was barely enough space for both Zara and Adrielle, however the burly, grumpy looking man behind the counter seemed completely oblivious to how cramped the space was.

"Can I help you?" He asked, voice deep yet gravely, reminding Adrielle of a wheat mill somehow.

Adrielle shoved her hand into her pocket, quickly summoning the contract she'd signed only about a week and a half ago. "In case you hadn't noticed, the trolls are gone. So you can 'help' by giving me my coins."

The man glared at her, clearly unimpressed by her attitude, and threw a small coin pouch onto the counter. The bag jingled as Adrielle peered inside.

The second her finger grazed the coins she stumbled back, hissing in warning at the shopkeeper. "I believe we agreed on gold coins, not iron?" The burns on her finger blistered and bubbled, ruby red and sickly yellow against her skin.

"Plans change." He towered over her, clearly trying to be intimidating. "You should feel lucky that I'd even do business with your kind."

Adrielle snarled, swiftly pressing a knife to the man's neck. The mask had fallen from her face, and she felt the prickling of magic just below the surface of her skin. Amethyst filled her veins, skin glowing with power. "Give me my coins, or things will get very ugly, very quickly."

"I'll call the guards before you can even draw blood. And who would they believe, hmm? A poor shopkeeper, or a bloodthirsty monster?" He said. The grin that pulled at his lips only served to make Adrielle contemplate further whether she should slit his throat here and there. Collect her gold coins, stained in crimson, and be on her merry way.

"Good sir, please pay my friend properly." Zara spoke up. Her eyes were blown wide, innocent and pleading, a hand tentatively finding Adrielle's wrist. In the fleeting moment their eyes met Adrielle understood what Zara was trying to say. 'Let me handle this, trust me'.

Adrielle scoffed, letting the man go to throw her hands up in surrender. She would give Zara her chance.

His eyes raked slowly over Zara's body, a perverted shroud swiftly draped over his eyes. "And what would I get in return?" He licked his lips, leaning forward over his counter. Rage flared throughout Adrielle's body once more, white hot and violent, when fingers twined with hers.

Zara have her hand a squeeze.

"You would be paid with the gratitude of a simple maiden, sir." Zara curtseyed low, gaze forced downward. The way the shopkeeper's eyes shifted to the exposed flesh above the collar of Zara's cotton shirt didn't go unnoticed by Adrielle.

He grinned, eyes trained to Zara as he threw a new bag onto the counter. Adrielle snatched it quickly before he could back down again, checking its contents and nodding once to Zara when she confirmed he'd paid her correctly now.

Meaty hands found the twine that tied Zara's collar shut.

With a single, swift tug Zara's shirt came undone. The princess gasped in horror, dark eyes tainted by shock. Adrielle caught the fabric, fist closing over both halves to afford Zara her modesty. A low, rumbling laugh left the shopkeeper's mouth, twine thrown back into their faces. "That is the gratitude of a young maiden, is it not?"

His laugh came to a swift halt, silenced by Adrielle's fist as blood splurged from his nose. Then she bolted, glad Zara now had her shirt closed by herself. Dirt created clouds with the impact of their shoes. The more distance between Zara and that boar, the better.

Adrielle abruptly pulls them into a crevice between two homes, where they would be afforded some privacy. Zara immediately slumped to the ground with strained breaths.

"Hey, look at me." Adrielle lifts Zara's face, finger hooked gently under her chin. "Are you alright?"

"What was wrong with that man? Has he no shame?" Zara's voice was strained with disgust, mixed with her clear distress. Tears began to pour down her cheeks. Unyielding rivers that trickled down to her chin, droplets staining Adrielle's hand.

Adrielle cupped Zara's face, using the pads of her thumbs to carefully wipe her tears away. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. Here, let me." Adrielle began to thread the twine back through the loops in Zara's shirt. She focussed nervously on her hands, a sense of awkwardness building in her shoulders. In her peripheral vision she could see the curve of Zara's chest, the small sliver of skin bringing heat to her cheeks. Twine tied into a neat bow, Adrielle stilled for a moment before raising her eyes again to meet Zara's.

"A little flustered, aren't you?" Zara said, giggling as she traced the blush across Adrielle's cheekbones.

"Oh, hush." Adrielle swatted Zara's hand away playfully. She was beyond happy to see that the princess had began to calm since their escape from the shop. "Thank you. I probably would have killed him if you didn't stop me."

"I figured as much. And thank you for saving me, again. There's something I don't understand though…"

"And what would that be?" Adrielle helped Zara up, trying to figure out where they should go next.

"Why wouldn't that guy just pay you properly?" Zara stared up at Adrielle with complete sincerity. On instinct Adrielle searched Zara's bright gaze for any sign that indicated the prejudice Adrielle had grown so deeply accustomed to, yet all she could see was complete curiosity blooming in those innocent eyes.

With a deep, tired sigh Adrielle took hold of Zara's shirt sleeve as they fled the privacy of the alleyway. "To answer that question I'm gonna need a drink, Highness."