"You and Merlin need to practice on how you address Royalty."
"I promise you, your highness, I try, but it's never done me any good in the past."
"Its Prince Arthur..." He paused, likely realizing he didn't know my name. "And you are?"
"I'm but a co...
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THE POMPOUS PRINCE Known also as... {THE DRAGON'S CALL :: Part Two}
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"HEY! Stop, you bloody bastard Street Rat- Guards! Thief!"
The fat and balding baker nearly killed me with just his bellowing.
I swear he'd been occupied with the woman at the counter. Obviously he was smarter than I had given him credit for.
That didn't matter now. I could berate myself later if I wanted- if I got away with my skin.
Darting down the nearest alleyway, I hoped the baker would give up the trouble of recovering one measly loaf of bread.
Yet, as I dared a glance over my shoulder, my hopes were dashed as I found the lumbering man round the corner, fast on my heels with a long walking stick held threateningly over his head.
Didn't he know that he was only giving a better opportunity for other kids to steal from him with his shop unintended?
With newfound adrenaline coursing through my veins, I pushed myself further than I ever had. Nauseous punched my chest like a kick to the gut.
As I broke away from the alley, my feet slipped across the frozen dirt road. I choked as the air left my lungs. By an act of mercy, my left foot found just enough traction to keep my footing.
Not wanting to risk a glance behind me, I ran forward as I scanned my surroundings.
Coming from my right, a large group of women with their daughters were walking toward the Winter Solstice festival. Without hesitation, I made for the back of their group and weaseled my way into their midst, throwing up my hood with the rest of them. I prayed that my dirty and torn cloak didn't make me stand out like a lantern in the middle of the night.
I forced down several slow breaths as fought to bring back color to my pale face. I didn't need any concerned mothers asking after my well-being.
I risked a glance toward the alleyway in time to see the baker skid to a halt at the mouth. Well, he tried too anyways. Unlike me, he did not find his footing. Instead, he slipped and landed on his back with a painful thud.
Thank you, Lord, for small mercies.
I walked with the group woman a bit further as they're indifferent company felt safer than chancing a run-in a city guard.
