Chickens

It has been a week since I last visited the sea. These past few days have been troubling me deeply. The Royal Knights were tightening their security and it seemed that they were doubling their efforts in order to find me. I thought that in a few weeks they would give up trying to search for me- it's been months since I escaped the 1st region. Was it because I used magic too much?

I opened my cabinet to find that all I had left are potatoes. I sighed as I closed it again. After that incident I have tried my best to steer clear of potatoes. It was time for me to go to the market again. I grabbed my hair stick, but on a second thought, left it on my nightstand. Although it was my medium, the big blue crystals that formed a fan-like shape on the top were too eye-catching. I nodded. I could go a day without my medium.

I put my hair up into a ponytail and left my coat this time. The sun was still shining brightly- it felt like I was inside an oven for the whole week. I casted an invisibility spell on my treehouse- and left for the market. It was a good thing that I thought to bring my gold while escaping. I might need to find work soon if I plan to stay here any longer though.

*

After 15 minutes of walking, I finally arrived at the market. It wasn't a particularly busy day, which was good news for me. I skipped right past the fish and potatoes that were on display and headed straight for the meat. "How much is two of these whole chickens?" If I ration enough, two may last me more than a week. I look up, and- lo and behold there was Ren, selling chicken. Why is it like fate is mocking me?

"They're quite meaty so around 20 silver coins." I narrowed my eyes at him. "That's too much isn't it? What about 7 coins per chicken?" He laughed. "My dad would kill me if I sold this for any lower than 10 coins. But, for you," He winked, "I'll sell it for 8. Is that a deal?" I sighed. It was a pretty good deal already. "Deal." I handed him the coins and he tied the chickens together. While he was doing that, he looked up at me again, studying me closely.

"Have I seen you before? I don't think you're from around here. I'm Florence by the way." You can call me Ren, I said in my head. "You can call me Ren." At this point I don't know if it was physically possible to ignore him. "Yeah I kno-" I caught myself before I let it slip. He doesn't recall me, I reminded myself. "I've been here for a few months. I don't think we've met before." I said simply. He handed me the chicken and stared at me some more until something clicked.

"No, I have seen you! Near the forest... or was it the sea?" Curses- he still remembers me after the countless spells? "Really?" I pretend to act surprised. I look around- the market was starting to get a bit crowded so I couldn't perform the spell. What should I do now? An idea popped into my head.

"Hey listen... I've actually been running pretty low on money. I was wondering if you can hire me for the day? I can help you with the shop and all." I asked nicely. Being a prince, they did teach me countless of etiquette lessons- even how to be nice despite not wanting to. He brightened up immediately.

"I could use the extra help. It's extremely hot and I've been wanting to get a rest ever since we opened. I'll just tell my dad-" I panicked a bit. "No need for that! I- uhm" I tried to find a good excuse. "I'm kind of... shy." I ended up saying. That was the worst excuse ever. This was all falling to pieces. Ren nodded, and I let out a sigh of relief. Thank the heavens he was gullible.

"You can come in here, just put your chickens to the side." He glanced at me. "Do you have to wear gloves? It's much better if you're barehanded. I don't know how you can handle wearing that kind of clothes in this heat." The gloves were connected to my masking spell. Although I could easily just cast the spell again, it would be hard to explain the silver aura that would emanate from my hands.

"Sadly no, my hands are sensitive. They... just got burned recently." He frowned, and rummaged through his things hidden under the table. "Is that so? I have a salve here for burns because I usually get a whole lot of them. It's from helping out in my uncle's shop. He makes weapons." Now is my chance. I kneel down with him, making sure that the table completely covered both of us.

"Thank you." I said. He looked at me and smiled. I was taken aback by how genuine the smile was. He went back to looking for the salve in his back. Curses, lost my chance. "Ren?" He glanced back up at me. I put my finger on his forehead and-

There was a huge knock on the table. "Ren? Where's my order of chicken?" He immediately went back up. "Oh, Mr. Solomon! It's ready to go, that would be 35 silver coins please." There was a clink as money was exchanged, and we were left alone again. This was harder than I thought it would be.

"Sorry, you had dirt on your forehead." I said as I stood up. Now how will I get him alone? Ren gave the salve to me and I pocketed it. "That's okay! My parents always scold me for having dirt on my face, my shirt, my hands, my arms, my legs- basically my whole body, you know?" I nodded. His previously white shirt- or what I assume was previously white- was marked by grime.

In the distance, a group of men started approaching the market. My eyes widened; it was the Royal Knights. Trying not to panic, I tell Ren, "My father showed me a great way to kill chickens. Would you like to see?" He laughed and shook his head. "I already know how to. I bet my technique is better than yours!" They were getting closer. "We'll see about that, why don't we go to the back and I'll show you how it's done" He laughed again.

"Your challenge is accepted- Hey, you know what? I don't know your name." I grabbed his hands and marched towards the forest using an alternative route. "They call me Black. Your people, I mean." He followed along as I made sure we were in a secluded area. "Where's the chickens though?" He asked. I put my finger on his forehead and he gasped, falling down in shock.

"What? What is it?" I asked. He looked up at me. "We've met. I just remembered. We've met three times including today." Now that was taking it too far. How did he remember? Was my magic not effective anymore? "It's that thing you do. Where you put your finger on my forehead and everything disappears. That's what made me remember you." He said.

I didn't know what to say. I was in shock that he remembered everything. "Listen, Black. I don't want to forget you anymore. Please, you're my only hope at mastering magic. I was lying a while ago- I had burns because I tried to practice my magic with fire. I don't know what else to do and..." He trailed off. "I want to get out of here. The yearly promotion is my only chance at leaving this place."

"That's nice and all, but I can't risk it. I'm sorry Ren, I really am. It's tiring trying to avoid you, but it looks like it's inevitable." I tried to sound as genuine as possible. "Look, there are people after me. You don't want to get involved with me." He looked disappointed. "Didn't I say I would protect you? I don't recall the details well but... I don't say anything I don't mean."

"I know you don't. For the past three encounters you've been too nice to me and I don't like owing people anything. But, there's one thing I ask of you. Just forget me and never talk to anyone about me. Please. Meanwhile I'll try to find a suitable teacher who can take you as their apprentice." I hold my hand out.

"If you shake my hand, you agree." He looked at my outstretched hand. "Black, I'm tired of forgetting you too. You're my only hope left. Please?" I shook my head. "Ren, we can't go on like this forever. If we meet again and you remember me, I'll take you in as my apprentice. Is that a deal?" My hands were still outstretched. He finally shook it. "That's a promise I won't forget, no matter how many spells you cast on me. Go ahead." He said, gesturing to his forehead. I placed my finger on his forehead. "Thank you, Ren." I said, before casting the spell. His eyes again turned cloudy. Catching him as he fell, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching them. Curse it all to hell and back- is it the Royal Knights? Ren got back to his senses, and stared at me. His head was resting on my lap. Reaching out with his hand, he touched my face, and smiled.

"I didn't forget you. I think my magic protected me. Now keep your promise, we met again right?" He tried to stand up and I helped him up. "This doesn't count." The footsteps were getting louder. "We have to leave. They might have detected my magic." I cast an invisibility spell and ran towards the forest, dragging Ren by his hands.

Ren was suspiciously quiet, I turned back to look at him as we were sprinting. "What's wrong? You wanted to get dragged into this mess." He nodded, "I know that. But, why are we running? I'll protect you!" He said loudly. I covered his mouth and pressed him against my body as the Knights ran past us, their white coats almost grazing us. "It was in this area sir." One person said. "Keep searching." The leader growled. "The traitor prince is just around here. It's his mistake, using magic so near the town." He continued.

Ren's heavy breathing synchronized with mine. They spread out trying to search for us. I was highly aware of his warm body and his heart beating quickly. "Black," He whispered lightly. "Let go of me," I tightened my grip on him. Is he stupid? Does he have a death wish? "You have to trust me, okay? Awhile ago you asked me to forget you. Now it's my turn to ask something of you." He had a point. Whatever he's planning, I just have... to trust him. I let go of him slowly.

"The invisibility spell," He whispered. So, he knew what the spell was. I let go of the spell on him and watched as he approached one of the Royal Knights. "What's all the ruckus about? I passed out after trying a spell on myself. I didn't have anyone else to practice it on." He said sheepishly. They looked at him in suspicion.

"So, you're the one who was using magic in this area?" He nodded. "Yeah, my dad doesn't know. You won't tell him, would you? I just wanted to practice before the promotion and I didn't know what else to do so I-"

"That's enough, kid." The knight interrupted him. "Just report to us if you see anyone else using magic." Ren nodded. "Of course! Thank you for protecting us!" The knight puffed his chest out. I almost gagged at the sudden display of confidence. "That's nothing. General William, it was a false alarm." The general scowled at that. The Royal Knights retreated, until their footsteps were barely audible.

"You're safe now." Ren said. I slowly let go of the indivisibility spell and looked at him in awe. Despite his gullible and honest nature, he was a pretty good liar. Ren suddenly jumped around in excitement. "You trusted me! You see, I told you I can protect you! It was so easy, I didn't even have to use magic! You can't say no now!" I shook my head, and laughed.

"There's no escaping it now." I said. My respect for him grew. "Fine. Meet me at the treehouse as soon as the sun comes up." His eyes lit up- it almost looked like flames were dancing around in his eyes as the sunlight hit them. He nodded excitedly. Maybe what he said was right- I just needed to trust people more.