Destiny of Darkness - Chapter 2

<><>CHAPTER TWO<><>


Before long we were in town, our home but a candle mark from the village. The market square wasn't very big, the whole span that of four houses together, and the amount of people bustling about made it seem smaller. There were carts that the other crafters and farmers in town had set up, and others from the nearby towns that converged here every few months. It was for trade, we made things that the other towns didn't and likewise they made things we didn't. The guild masters oversaw everything, and there were few free traders that were able to trade without the Master's license.

Several of the girls my age were grouped on the stoop of the baker's house, tittering and giggling among themselves in pretty colored frocks that put my simple one to shame. Sometimes I still wished that they would finally accept me and play with me. But then, they were more taken now with gossiping and mooning over boys than they were three summers ago. I sniffed and turned my back on them walking to where my mother had started to set up her cart.

"Do you need any help?" I asked hopefully.

"Why are you asking me now? ‘Course I do. Grab that end over there." I lowered my sack to the ground and gripped the edge of the cart, easing it down and propped it up with a stick.

"That is perfect. Now why don't you go and have a good time? This is your Name Day after all."

"Thank you, Mother. Are you sure you don't need anything else?"

"I’m fine. Run now, I hear the new peddler's to be expected at any time. Oh! And here." She pressed five coppers into my hand.

My eyes must have sparkled as I kissed my mother on her cheek, grabbing my bag and running off into the crowd. I hesitantly waved to the Guild Master, who was off to one side yelling at his apprentice. I winced on behalf of the boy, but knowing him, it was his own fault.

"Good morning, Kokoro. How are you today?" A warm voice startled me, and I turned to see the wagon crafter's wife smiling at me.

"Fine, thank you. And how do you fare?" I replied politely. She was portly, and about as strong as an ox. Not one that anyone would cross, not even her husband I'll bet. Her nose jutted sharply from her otherwise round face, but her brown eyes glowed of warmth.

"As well as I'll ever be. Did you hear of the new peddler in town? He’s at the inn across the street from the livery. Arrived last night, he did, along with a richly dressed stranger."

"My mother had spoken of a new peddler, but I didn't know he was of that sort. Where is he from? And what is this of a stranger?"

"Outside the three towns, from the ocean he says. I wouldn't believe that mind you, but he’s not from any town I’ve seen. His clothing is strange also. You'll see what I mean. And the lady, she arrived with several burly men; one would almost think she was royalty with the airs that one has."

"Goodness!” My eyes widened in surprise; two oddities in this small town? That number was almost unheard of! For some odd reason, the thought of the lady aroused my curiosity more than the traveling peddler.

“Aye. Both of them look to be wealthy, and they are staying at the same inn! Maybe you’ll see them later.” The information was offered with a knowing wink.

“Thank you, good lady." I sketched a curtsy that had her in laughter driving her thoughts from the gossip of the village, though I fought to keep back a grin of my own.

"I not a lady, child, but you and your ways do a body good! Here, a sweet for you, a tart baked fresh this morning."

I could barely conceal my delight. Maria's tarts were the envy of the town, everyone fighting over every tray she made. I took it gently from her, and wrapped in a cloth from my sack.

"Thank you! I'll be fortunate if I still have it by lunch!" I grinned.

"Away with ye missy!" She beamed at me, pleased. I started nibbling on the tart; it's tangy fruit filling dancing across my tongue as I made my way through the crowd, looking at every booth. There was Peter with the poultry and livestock, and John with the tin pans and pitchers. Over to my right, Mary sold pastry alongside her husband, Francis the Baker. Fresh rows of bread lined their cart, and Francis laughed at something a customer said. I turned in the crowd, trying to find the peddler, but with all the people in the square, it was an impossible task.

After about what I presumed to be a candle mark, I was on the opposite side of the square. This day saw more carts than I could count, some even spilling out into the streets adjacent to the square and many strange faces I'd never seen. One such cart had colored rugs and cloth, some in so deep a red it seemed as blood. I paused to feel the fabric of one roll of cloth, but was shooed away by the owner. He probably thought me a child with no coin.

I gasped as a thought struck me. I had forgotten to sell my herbs! I pushed through the crowd to my friend, Nathan, a peddler who I had already known for several years.

"Nathan!" I shouted. I had to call his name several times before he heard me.

"Ah, 'Koro! It does this heart good to see you!" He smiled. One of the things I liked about him was his accent. It had a lilt to it, an almost musical quality, with laughter barely on it's edge.

"Do you have any need for herbs?"

"Your herbs, little one? The ones you traded with me last, they sold for over three times the worth, and my customers were astounded at the quality! It is I who should be asking you for the right to purchase them."

I grinned at him, loving the compliments. I brought the sack up and pulled several bundles from its contents.

"Here, I have sage and rosemary in these packets, labeled too so you won't get them mixed up. In this one is some cinnamon bark; you can use it in tea, or to flavor pastries. I have a mustard seed and peppercorn mix in this packet, and ginger root in this one. Both are strong seasonings, so caution who buys them to use carefully. I think that's about it for the spices along with the usual."

Nathan chuckled, a rich, hearty sound. "You never cease to amaze me. Just listen to yourself, getting all grown. Well, I suppose I could give you a gold for the lot-"

"A gold?" I choked out.

"Aye, and that's far beneath what they be worth, no bartering needed... unless you would want more?"

"But, but... are you sure? A gold?" A gold was more than some saw in a year, and here he was offering a gold for several little packets of herbs?

"I'll be getting twice that, luv, if not more. You needn't worry. You'll be surprised at what some big city folk will pay for good herbs." He handed me the shining coin. "Here now, take it. It'll buy you a few good yarns I'll bet."

I accepted the coin mutely, staring at it in shock. With wide eyes, I looked up at him and stuttered my thanks.

"You're welcome. Keep saving, luv, and I'll keep looking for a real nice book for you to read from."

"Thank you, Nathan!" I swept him up into an embrace, squeezing him roughly with emotion.

"Easy there," he finally wheezed. "You've put on a might of muscle there too over the past year, you nearly killed me with your joy!"

I released him immediately, flushing, my hands clasping behind my back as I looked to the ground in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"Don't worry, no permanent harm has been done." He managed to say after wheezing for several minutes. He stood up slowly and brushed back his fiery, red hair. "I'll live."

Muttering apologies and thanks, I backed away after handing the packets over to him, my face flaming. In my confusion and embarrassment, I stumbled, tripping over something. I landed heavily in the middle of a group of girls, who had flocked around something that had caught their interest. They leapt away from me as if I were a leper. I pushed myself to my feet even more embarrassed than before, and now covered head to toe in dirt.

"You got dust on my dress."

I started at the cultured tone of the voice, dusting myself off as I could. The gold was still tightly clutched in my hand, much to my relief, if I had lost it... I paled at the thought. It could have been lost in the street.

"I said you got dust on my dress." The tone was angry, arrogant and thoroughly laced with scorn.

I flushed in anger at her words, and I barely managed to restrain myself before I snapped back, remembering what I had promised my mother.

"Is it my fault for where you were standing?" I looked up at her for the first time and my breath was almost taken away at her beauty. She was attired in a crimson gown, possibly satin, with lace fringes around the neck, sleeve, and hem. Hair as black as a raven's wing framed her delicate face and her near white complexion was offset by a pair of green stone earrings and matching necklace, her lips painted a soft pink. A petite nose swelled gently from her face, and her green eyes sparkled with aloof pomp, as did the very set of her face.

She must be someone of high class, or near to. To have enough coins to afford such a dress would see me an old lady, yet she walked the streets as if it were common. I felt a chill start in the center of my chest where my pendant hung, almost as if there were actual ice creeping across my body. The thought panicked me; nothing like this had ever happened before in my life, the occurrence of such almost more than I could handle. An overwhelming sense of dread made my entire body ache, and my head started pounding. It was almost a relief when her strident voice cut thought the clamminess of my mind and stoked the flames of my anger.

"A mere peasant would question where I walk?"

"Peasant?" I spluttered. She may have been a lady, but that gave her no right to use that word in such a way! "And who are you to call me that?"

"Someone who will be more than you'll ever even dream about!" Her words contained even more irritation this time, and louder. Some people were starting to turn heads at us. The other girls that had been near to see my fall tittered behind their hands, smirking at my predicament. I huffed. My necklace felt like a piece of ice against my skin, it’s chill coursing through my body in tandem with the fires of rage. What could be the cause of this? These feelings that were burning my body I had never experienced before, as well as this chained power that hurtled through my veins. If only my father were here! He would certainly know what to do. As it was, I could but retort to her nettling barbs.

"Can you be sure of that? You don't seem more than a stuck up brat to me!"

"Brat?" Her face darkened.

"If the word fits!"

At that moment, two burly men shoved their way through the crowd that had gathered, both dressed alike in dark green tunics. They also carried swords around their waists. I would wager they were guards of some sort.

"Lady Nikia!" They rushed to her side. Her face was getting darker by the minute, turning a startling crimson, her hands clenched into fists. "Are you alright?"

She remained mute.

"Remember what your father said-"

"I remember you idiot! I just got sick of you jackasses following me around!"

"But lady..."

"I can't stand this a moment longer! I'm going to tell my father about this deplorable situation you have created as soon as we get home!"

"Yes, Lady."

"As for you," She turned back to me. "I really can't stand a peasant who mouths off at her betters. If I were back home I'd have you flogged. You'd better be grateful I'm not."

With a sniff at me she turned, holding up the edges of her gown from the dusty street. The two men flanked her, glaring at the people around them. What in San's name was going on? I gaped openly at their retreating figures. As they drew away, the cold that had entombed my body gradually started to lift. I didn't understand any of this. Nothing like this had happened before... why now? I started as a hand touched my shoulder. I turned to see Nathan standing there, a pasty look to his face.

"Do you have any idea who that was, lass?"

I shook my head mutely. I didn’t know who she was, other than some lady of stature passing though this small town, undoubtedly heading for somewhere far more suited to her taste... but why did Nathan seem to? And why did that knowledge scare him?

"That was the Princess Nikia of Chiang, the sole heir to the throne of Cadji."

My eyes must have widened comically. The Princess? Why on earth would a Princess come to this poor village that wasn't even considered worthy of a name?

"I never would have though her father would let her leave his castle."

"H- how do you know this?"

"I... It does not matter, but I would stake my life that the girl who just left is that princess!" He shook his head. "I have a feeling the king might have sent her here on purpose."

"But why? If you say that he is protective of her, why send her to where his word has no jurisdiction?"

"That's what I'm afraid of. Whatever the circumstance, it must be dire."

Something even a King was afraid of. What was going to happen? Coldness ran through my heart, laced again with a warm tingle of fear. I shook it off, my hand creating soothing circles on my chill pendant. I doubted that anything would happen in this town, it was too remote for any news to travel, and it's location nowhere desirable for an outpost or important for an invasion. It was just an out of the way farming village. I let out a sigh, calming myself with my thoughts.

I gave Nathan a small smile. He turned back to his wagon and busied himself setting out more wares for the ones people had already bought, seeming just as worried as before. I felt a sharp sting in my right hand, and I looked down to see I had clutched the gold hard enough to bite into my skin, drawing blood. I gingerly extracted the bloody piece of metal, wiping it on the hem of my dress. The cut didn't look too bad. I cleaned it with the same spot of dress as I had cleaned the coin, then tore a portion off and bound the wound. I'd have to get another dress soon; this was but good for rags. The forgotten sack I had held in my left hand had fallen to the ground, and I picked it up, shaking the dust from it. The five coppers my mother had given me still jangled inside it, so I dropped the gold in too, holding the bag close to the end to avoid losing the coins.

With a grimace, I turned to Nathan. "I think I should leave now. I'm sorry for getting into trouble like that."

He looked at me oddly for a moment before nodding. "I guess I should have expected such. You remember what I have told you, and think about it. If you are ever in trouble..."

"I will. Till next time."

"May the One bless you, 'Koro."

"The same to you, Nathan."

With a small smile and a wave, I turned into the crowd searching for my mother's booth. It was noontime; we had been in town for nearly four candle marks. How could I let anything spoil this for me? I shook my head. My dreams of nobles had almost been shattered with the Princess. Who could have thought that nobility would act so vulgar?

The crowd was milling in the square, and I had to push my way through the throng of bodies. I received more than a few dirty stares, but I managed to inch through to where my mother's cart was standing.

"Kokoro?" My mother shouted over the noise. It had never been this crowded in all the market days I'd seen; there were more people here than in the three villages combined. Would this have something to do with the princess’ appearance?

"Kokoro! Have you found what you want?"

"I don't think so, but I was waiting for the new peddler to show before I chose anything."

"There are a lot of new peddlers this day; I wonder where they all came from?"

"I wouldn't know. There are too many people here to even count!" I gestured around me.

"I agree. I'm almost sold out of the herbs and getting to be low on the others! I think in about one candle mark we should be going. Best you find what you want and quick!"

"One candle mark then." I waved and turned back into the crowd as my mother started talking with a potential customer. I think the first thing I needed was a good purse to hold my money in. I couldn't go carrying around a burlap sack, it could fray and then my money would be lost. I looked around for a peddler that would have a carry sack for a few coppers. It would be a good investment for future market days too. Maybe the demand for my herbs would be so great I would need two purses to hold all the coins I would make!

"...Goods for you! Fine baked goods!"

"...Better chicken's you won't find..."

"A copper for freshly made cheese!"

The sounds of the market washed over me, and I relaxed further with every step I took. Everything was normal, just another day in life. I saw a man holding up some leather goods and I eased towards him.

"What are you selling?" I asked.

In reply, he held up a tanned water skin. I looked around his cart at his goods. A small deerskin pouch caught my eye and I pointed to it.

"How much is that?"

"Seven coppers."

"Seven? For that little thing I'd pay no more than three." These traders would always try and charge far more than an item's worth, and the only way to lower it would be to bicker. The purse was exactly what I needed, the craftsmanship beautiful. It was also tanned in a way that if I ever had the time, a design could be sewn into it.

"It was worked by the Master crafter Nelis of Naga, I couldn't charge less than six."

"Six! You paid but one I'd wager! Four coppers for it and you'd be eating like a king."

"Five, and not one copper lower! You would have my children starve?"

I reached into the sack that I still carried and pulled out the five coppers I had, handing them over to the man. It had cost more than I had realized, although five was better than seven. After he bit the metal bits with blackened teeth to test their worth, he handed over the pouch to me. I nodded my thanks and walked off clutching hard the two items I carried as the crowd jostled me.

With the bodies pressing in on me, I struggled from the edge of the square into one of the adjoining streets. There weren't as many people on this one, and I ran further down it to escape the pressure of the market. As unwise as it was, I jumped to a low roof when no one was looking in an unwomanly show of strength and sat down heavily with a sigh in a small patch of shade. Who would have expected the day to turn out like this! I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, melting into the warm tile.

Well then, might as well use the purse now that I had one. I looked it over. There were two long straps on either side of the main pouch where a small flap hung across the top half. I opened the flap to see the smaller bag inside it, with a drawstring looped around it's top. Smiling, I reached inside the burlap sack and pulled out the remaining parcel of herbs and the gold I had been paid for the rest. I loosened the drawstrings of the pouch, and deposited the gold inside, pulling them shut again with a jerk. I set the pouch inside the purse and fitted the small bundle of herbs beside it.

I then stood up and looped the purse around my waist, the smooth leather flexible in my hands. The knot tied, I leapt to the ground. A little dust was kicked up at my landing, forming billowing mushrooms around my feet. I was unsure how much time had passed, but was certain it was not a full candle mark. There were several people dotting the side street, walking from the square. The inn was only a few streets down from where I was at the moment, the one where the peddler was supposed to be staying.

I shrugged. I should have enough time to listen to one story before we had to go. I sprinted off down the twisting streets, avoiding the people roaming around as I came into sight of the large building. Unlike the others in the town, the Inn and several other of the well off citizen’s houses had two floors to them. And judging from the crowd around the front, the peddler must have made his appearance. I slowed down at the edge of the crowd and inched my way to the center, trying for a better view.

The peddler had set up his cart to one side of the door and was standing on a table that had been dragged out from the Inn.

“Gather around, see my wares! No finer collection of merchandise will you find from here to the five seas!”

A person near me shouted, “Enough with the wares, what of the tales you bring?”

“Ah yes, the tales! I have traveled around this land and I know many, from the latest of rumors, to the prophecies of the Ancient Circle, handed down though the generations of my family!”

Now that I had a clear view, I could see that the man was portly and dressed in a rich tunic and breeches. The obvious comfort of his clothes made me yearn for my own that I had left at home. His hands gestured dramatically as he launched into the gossip of far away places.

“ …Even as we speak, the Priests of the Sacred Order hunt for the Chosen One. It is said that he has finally been reborn, and that his rebirth heralds the end of the Order!”

“How can this be true?” Another voice from the crowd asked.

“It is stated in the Prophecy of Chaos, foretold by the Ancient Prophets,

“In an obscure place at an unforeseen time,
The Order’s end will soon draw nigh.

“The Chosen One from long past
Without knowledge of their might
Will fight the dark ones forces
On the sacred ground of light

“From afar, from nearby
Evil’s eye draws nigh
They shall maim they shall tear;
To destroy their only care

“The Chosen One’s legacy, offered but not given
Will seek out it’s true host; it’s haven
Light in darkness, Darkness in Light
No one shall care, to see it right.”

A hush had descended over the crowd as he spoke, every eye upon him as he told his tale. As I too watched, a cold feeling, similar to the one from before, wove its way across my chest radiating from my pendant. I frowned as it was followed by small jolts of pain. I rubbed absently at it to regain the lost warmth.

I turned to a well-dressed woman standing nearby. “Who is this… ‘Chosen one’ supposed to be?”

She looked at me strangely for a moment before answering. “The Chosen One is said to be a young man, cursed with a dark power. It’s his destiny to destroy the Order, nay, the earth, and so many seek to stop him.”

“But, why must he destroy this Order?”

“He is the bringer of destruction.”

“You mean he can’t help it? But no one’s even seen him yet, right? How can you judge him if you don’t know him?”

She sighed in frustration. “If you don’t get it now, then you never will. Go back to your mother’s apron strings, child.”

I almost glared at her but I caught myself in time. In time the arrogant will fall, I consoled myself silently, glaring at her. But that didn’t mean I didn’t want to strangle her for what she had said! I was as grown as any other woman in this village! As I decided to throw my mother’s caution to the wind and speak my mind, a shadow was thrown over me. I looked up to see dark clouds gathering in the sky, blotting out the sun.

What was going on?

A high-pitched scream split the air, coming from the direction of the square my mother was in. Sending prayers to San, I tried to get out of the body of the crowd. If something was wrong, I needed to be beside my mother, and she would need me there as well. Another scream rang out amongst the many others, and impossibly I was able to recognize it; a voice that I knew as well as my own. Without thought, I began pushing my way roughly through the crowd back the way I had come. Everyone was milling around in panic. In frustration, I balled up my fists and created an opening through which I crept, stepping on a few feet as I did.

“Mother!” I screamed as I started to panic too, the crowd to dense for me to continue. In desperation, I shoved my way ruthlessly to the side of the street and launched myself off the ground to the roof of the nearest building. My finger’s caught the edge of the inn and I pulled the rest of my body up with ease. Once up, I turned towards the square. Through the darkened sky, I made out flashes of ruby light, the effect that they created reminding me of the tales of the Dark One that my father would tell me about on Hallows Eve. Blessed San, please protect my mother! Closing my eyes and trusting in my strength I threw myself from the building I was on, alighting on the nearest outcropping before repeating my actions with my heart almost leaping from my chest with my fear, tearing my dress as I did. I continued running on top of the buildings between the square and myself… but what I saw there drove a large spike of fear solidly into my mind.

Towering above the masses were hulking, black creatures. Hundreds of sharp spikes jutted from their backs as opaque as obsidian, their forms vaguely dog-like. The creatures stood perched on their hind legs, claws held against their chests, as their long snouts filled with inky, sharp teeth sniffed the crowd. The thin lips turned slightly upward as one stopped in front of my mother.