~ For Argaland ~

Chapter II

I sighed as I swept at the dust that had gathered in an awkward little corner in the backroom of the tailor shop; it had been a long and mostly uneventful day. I had started helping out the Toki's in their family-owned tailor shop when I was thirteen years old, and how at nineteen, I was well accustomed to what was required of me. My duties consisted of attending customers, cleaning, stitching clothes, and the occasional 'chasing-the-stray-dog-out-of-the-store-with-a-mop' times.

I was soon to lock up the small building for the night, but it was raining outside and I was not fond of the idea of arriving home soaked to the bone. So I decided to try to wait out the storm and give the hardwood floor of the shop one last sweep.

I stopped my cleaning for a brief moment and stood tall, arching my back to stretch my tired muscles. Pushing some of my firey red hair away from my face, I tucked it back into the string that was holding my locks in a bun, which was not doing a marvellous job as most of my curls hung about my face instead of neatly pinned.

Suddenly I jumped as there was a firm knock at the door of the small shop and fear crept into my heart as I wondered who it could be at this late hour. I swallowed nervously and leaned the broom against the counter as I slowly made my way towards the entrance.

I squinted, looking out of the small peephole cut at the top of the door and felt my nerves subside as I took notice of a figure that most certainly meant me no harm. A small woman covered in a large shawl with a red hood was waiting by the door, hiding under the small amount of protection the eaves of the store provided from the rain.

I hurriedly opened the door and ushered her inside, saying, "oh your poor thing, come in and shelter from the storm."

"Thank you, dear," the woman replied as I closed the door behind her.

I turned and expected to see an old beggar woman in front of me, but instead, I was greeted by a very different character as she removed her hood. Although it was dark, I could still make out her features by the orange glow of the lit lanterns. Her curly dark chestnut hair fell just past her shoulders and framed her face, her eyes were striking, yet there were such kindness and love in them. She had high set cheekbones, softly curved eyebrows and beautiful full lips that were a pretty mix of cherry and pink. Her body was womanly and ever so lightly, her face was decorated with freckles, which gave her a more youthful appearance, although I'd say, she easily could have been the age of my mother.

She met my eyes with a grave expression, not one of sadness, but concern, warning me that whatever she was about to say was of great importance.

"I have news, Amirah," she stated gently, confusing me, not because she knew my name, but by the accent with which she spoke. I had not heard a person speak with such an accent in almost ten years, and it frightened and greatly excited me.

"You are from Argarland are you not?" I asked quickly, eager for her answer, perhaps she had news of what had happened to the kingdom in my absence.

The woman held a finger to her lips, signalling me to be silent before she spoke, "keep your voice quiet, there are eyes everywhere," she stated glancing towards the door, "to answer your question, yes I am from Argarland; my name is Esmeralda Cleremont, and you are Amirah Raynesford."

I gasped, "how do you know my identity?" I asked, keeping my tone low, "how did you know I was here, no one but the king knows - did he send you?"

Esmeralda shook her head, "no he did not."

"Then how did you know my location?" I asked, worry creeping its way into my mind as my thoughts ran wild, "who told you? Do you work for the dark prince?! Why ar-."