“Did I do the right thing, Ran? I mean, it’s not like I can be in ten places at once. Momma needs me now that daddy’s gone. She can’t handle Jack and Jill by herself. Especially with Jill's sickness.”

That sounds like a paltry defense for not trying to save a life. Don’t I come to the city almost every evening just to save a life when I could help my family at home? But that's... that's different. That's a way for me to help and a way to forget everything at home, at least for a short time.

“I’m more scared than anything, girl.” I admit. Her compassion shoots through me. I lay a hand on her neck and lean my forehead against hers. A quiet thrum vibrates her throat. “This is out of our league. I mean evil mages? Really? Small time thieves I’m fine with. Stopping a rapist or murderer we can handle.”

I step back and continue to walk down the little alley. “But the consequences if we fail… that would be catastrophic. Is there not someone else? Can’t someone else take this burden? Someone more qualified?” I kick what I think is a loose pebble. Instead, it’s a solid block of rock attached to a bigger lump of rock. Owwwowow. I hop on one foot. That smarts.

“I hope I didn’t break my toes.” I grumble. Ran bows down so that I can hop on, despite the amusement that shows in her flashing eyes.

“Thanks, pretty girl.”

I lay flat back and let her haunch muscles lull me as I watch the sky through the tunnel of the two and three-story buildings on either side. The world seems to pause in this moment. Stars twinkle and wink in a multitude of colors. The air is soft with a slight breeze teasing Ran’s fur. There is but a slight stench of decomposing materials upon the breeze. It seems quiet... too quiet without the hustle and bustle of common folk.

The world sleeps as I contemplate whether or not to get involved in something with empire wide consequences. My eyes drift shut as I hear a wolf howl.

~~~

Something nudges my boot. “Just five more minutes, Momma.” I roll over on my soft, breathing bed.

Breathing? I think just as my eyes shoot open to spot nothing but air between me and a dirt floor.

I land with an unladylike “Oof.”

Amusement comes over the bond, then a big white nose under amber-brown eyes sticks itself in my vision. She snorts, and giant wolf snot covers me.

“Ew. Thanks, Ran.” I wipe it off as well as I'm able with my sleeve. “I need a good, long bath, and a full week without being covered in slobber and snot.”

She snorts again, and I dodge. Barely.

“We here?” I look up to see the white stucco of Jill’s friend’s house. The place is aglow with the red and gold gleam of the rising sun behind me. Ran must have taken me the long way around to let me sleep. Despite how she teases me, she really is a big softie.

Momma let Jill out for a bit to stay with a friend. Jill took Daddy’s death the hardest, so she needed the time out of our house. Besides, being in the woods makes it hard for Jill to visit her friends.

At thirteen full seasons, she’s a little Lilly Pad of both beauty and fun. And quite the socialite. I swear she could make the oldest, grouchiest lady in the castle smile. She’s just that charming. Too bad I didn’t get that gene.

I head up to knock on the front door as Ran and my red hood stays behind. Jill comes racing out the door before I even have the chance to tap the fading red door beneath an arch that holds a sign proclaiming the place an eatery, a tea pot and loaf of bread depicted on the swinging lavender sign. The two-story building itself is polished white with windows all along the front, showing empty round tables and a long table in the center that is being filled with goods by Becca's mother and their servants.

I'm here before they open, which is a positive. Jill would eat the poor folk out of house and home if I left her too much longer.

“I’m readyyyy!” She sings, coming out the door with a honeyed bun in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Most definitely a morning person. I just don't understand how she doesn't spill the tea from dancing around.

“Hello to you too, sis.” I ruffle her light blonde locks and pull her in for a quick hug, dodging the flailing tea. She gives me a peck on the cheek. “Did you have fun?”

“A total complete blast! Do you think I can talk Momma into letting me come back for the tournament? Do ya? Do ya? Becca’s pa promised to show us around if I can!” She hops up and down like a rabbit, making her curls leap and bound.

I chuckle. “Kiddo, we’ll see what we can do, k?”

“Thank you, thank you, thank youuuu!” She sprints back into the house.

“Becca! Ria is going to convince momma! I’ll be back for the tournament!” I groan into my hands. What have I gotten myself into?

“Greetings upon you, Aria. How are you doing this lovely morning?” Mrs. Tanner comes to the door and offers me a biscuit.

I take it with total adoration, my stomach near to eating itself after the exertion last night. “Thank you ever so much. I’m well. How have you been?”

“Fine, dear.” Her smile lights up her brown eyes and tan complexion as I take a bite of the biscuit. “It’s been quite the busy season for us. Keeping on top of orders has been quite the chore.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Mrs. Tanner,” I say around the biscuit in my mouth.

“Quite so. The lowering of taxes is said to be the prince’s idea, and I must say, it has helped us all. I hope his protector is worth his weight in gold.”

I paste a smile on my face. I just got my mind off that whole ordeal! “Couldn’t have happened to nicer folk. I’m so happy it has helped you all.”

“Thank you, dear. Take these, now." She plops a small sack of food in my hands, and I'm forced to take it or risk it dropping on the ground. I try to hand it back, but she ignores me. "I’ll go kick your sister out of the house. Could you take my Becca too?” She playfully winks as she heads back into the store. "Jill! Your sister has your Honied Krakken!"

I laugh. Sly woman knows the way to my sister's heart.

I'm grateful for her generosity. The warm, sweet scent of honey and meat from the sack eases into my nose and I enjoy the pleasant aroma making my stomach turns loops in grumbling discontent.