Elliot didn't realize how much longer it took to reach the city with Flora slowing him down. Elliot was used to traveling from the beach to the city and vice versa. It was his fault. He had kept Flora at the beach hideout for her safety and for his mental wellbeing. When they arrived at the city it was nightfall and the gates were closed.

  Could we at least light a fire? Those were Flora's words when the night grew cold.

  The guards would see it and would grow suspicious. We'll just have to fight through it. Before long the sun will return and you'll be begging for a cool breeze like this one. Elliot told Flora but his words did not make her feel any better about the situation.

  True to his words the sun reappeared and the air grew hot. The pair waited until the bell that told the farmers that their workday was over to join the crowd. The siblings wore clothing similar to the farmers under their cloak. Elliot had used this approach many times before when they needed to return to the city.

  Elliot was surprised to see the line stop at the front of the gate. He turned to Flora who looked worried.

  “What do you suppose is happening up there?” Flora asked.

  Elliot shrugged his shoulders together. “I don't know. It's probably nothing Flora. We'll be fine.” Elliot whispered.

  Flora glanced at Elliot. Her eyes were big and the light made it seem like she was about to cry. Elliot readied himself to comfort her but to his surprise her words told a different story.

  “I trust you.”

  Elliot felt his cheeks beginning to turn pink. He turned his face away so that Flora wouldn't see him flustered. A smile had even managed to grow on his lips. He turned his attention to the front gate.

  He didn't want to tell Flora that he was worried. It's been a little over two weeks since he robbed the baron. Two weeks since the bullet grazed his cloak and revealed his skin to the sun. Elliot had been certain that the time away from the city would cause those looking for him to grow weary. He stood on his tippy toes and managed to catch a glimpse at the front of the line.

  Two young boys a little older than Elliot were pulled aside by the guards. He couldn't hear what the guards told the boys but understood once they removed their tunic. His heart dropped. He glanced up at the sky and saw the bright sky. It was a beautiful sunny day with no clouds. He knew the citizens would be happy to enjoy the summer weather as long as they could before winter. But to Elliot it felt like being locked away in a dark dungeon. With his arms and legs chained against a cold stone wall and nobody but the squeaking rats to keep him company.

  He turned to his sister who was looking anxious for the line to move not knowing what lay ahead. Elliot wanted to grab her hand and head back into the forest but before his hand could meet hers the adults behind them pushed them forward as the line began to move at a rapid pace. Elliot pushed back but the line had turned claustrophobic and Elliot could do nothing as he was forced to march towards the gate.

  With each step it felt like he was stepping towards the gallows. The farmers were the audience and his sister would be the family members crying in the back as they watched silently as the trap flooring fell under and the victim hanged. Elliot mustered up all the strength he could to push the adults out of his way. He needed to find Flora in this crowd and leave before it was too late. But his strength was lacking. Their food had run out the night prior and they were surviving on berries that grow in patches of the forest.

  With nothing Elliot could do besides walk to his end he began to think. There had to be a way out of this. His sister had moments before displayed her trust in him and he was going to let her down. Flashes of the scar she wore and the red liquid that fell from the boy's head appeared in Elliot's mind. I won't let that happen again! Never again. I promised her! I promised Nakawé that I would protect her and get her through this.

  Elliot mustered up whatever strength he had and then some. He managed to push off a worn out farmer and allow himself to creep through the opening. Soon enough he found Flora who hadn't noticed his absence. She turned and glanced at him with a shocked look. Elliot had the words readied but lacked the air and strength to say them. In the end all he did was assure that Flora would get front row seats to his capture. Perhaps it would've been better to have been separated. That way Flora would have a chance in getting into the city unnoticed. They were looking for a boy and not a girl zapojin.

  When Elliot realized this he began to curse himself. How could he put Flora in such dangers once again? He knew Flora wouldn't stay aside silently as they took him away. She would protest and the guards would ask her who she was to him. Then they would both be taken and imprisoned. His promise would be broken.

  Then finally they reached the front gate. Elliot closed his eyes for the inevitable. To his surprise the line did not stop. He opened his eyes and saw as the guards at the gate were now behind him. The farmers had grown impatient and their pushing had caused the orderly line to become chaotic and clustered up with weary farmers. Elliot and Flora were in the middle and had been hidden by the taller adults.

  When the pair were deep into the city Elliot grabbed Flora by the hand and pushed their way towards an empty road.

  “Is everything alright Eli?” Flora asked.

  Elliot sat on the ground as he took his sighed in relief. Flora's face grew confused and she sat next to her brother. “You must be hungry Eli. Let's head towards the tavern. I'm sure they'll be able to give us a good meal with some of this gold.”

  “N-not safe.” Elliot said weakly. “I-I think the guards know.”

  Flora leaned and wrapped her arm around Elliot. “You're not making any sense Eli. What's not safe? The tavern? And what do the guards know?”

  “The tavern. It's not safe to spend gold at a crowded place. We have to spend some of the gold at the merchants and get some copper coins. Otherwise we'll look too suspicious.”

  Flora's mouth formed an oval as she realized what Elliot meant. She glanced at their clothing. They were peasants, smelled like peasants, talked like peasants, and above all else dressed like peasants. It would come off strange for two young peasant siblings to go into a tavern with even a few gold coins let alone a full purse.

  “But we didn't bring all the gold coins Eli. We brought—” she glanced at the nearly empty purse and said, “six gold coins. We could say we worked the farms and saved up.”

  Elliot shook his head. “Remember what Dash always said?”

  Flora's face turned cold. Her grip grew tighter around Elliot and she snuggled up closer to him. “I don't want to talk about Dash.”

  Elliot looked at his sister. Her eyes faced the small puddle that must've formed from a rainy day. He could tell she was zoning out as if remembering something about Dash. Something she wasn't telling.

  “Look, all I'm saying is that it'll be safer to exchange a gold piece or two with copper coins. We can get food in the process. Just not the tavern.

  Elliot remembered the couple that begged the baron for a few coins. The husband had asked for five gold pieces and claimed that would last them a week. He had overplayed his hand and got whacked for it. In truth five gold coins could last you a full month if you were buying food from the merchants. A day or two if you bought three meals a day at the tavern. Most of the entrées at the tavern included meat which jacked up the price. It was more for convenience and socializing with friends and a cute girl than anything.

  But the tavern was filled with people. Especially with those looking to make it rich. If anybody saw two young siblings walking in for a meal with one barely old enough to work the fields that would raise some questions. Dash had taught Elliot this.

  He raised himself from the ground and dusted himself off before turning to Flora. “The guards know Flora. About our glow.”

  Flora looked confused. “What do you mean? I thought that's how they found out about you Eli.”

  “Yes. I did glow during the robbery but that's not what I meant. The guards at the front gate were stripping boys that roughly looked like me.”

  “I'm not following Eli. What does that have to do with the guards and our glow?” Flora asked. Her face had turned to worry.

  “I'm saying they know that the sunlight causes our glow to you know—appear!” Said Elliot. There was a tone in his voice that doubted what he was saying. “I don't think they know how it works completely but they must know that sunlight causes our glow to activate. It's why they were stripping the tunic off the boys.”

  Flora gasped as she looked up at the sky. “Eli there's no clouds up in the sky today.” Then a thought came to her and made her feel that coming to the city was a mistake. “Eli!”

  Elliot had never seen her sister this worried. “What is it, Flora?”

  “What if they're at the marketplace? I'm pretty sure some guards would be stationed there looking for you.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Elliot took a moment to process her words before smiling at her. “They're looking for a boy. Not for a girl.”

  Flora was nervous about Elliot's plan but sure enough he was right. The guards were looking for a boy and when the guards stationed near the food merchants saw a cloaked little girl with a wooden push cart they left her alone.

  “Did you get everything?” Elliot asked.

  Flora nodded her head. “Everything. I even managed to get some salted meat to take back to the beach.”

  “That's awesome Flora.” Elliot petted his sister on the head. “You did amazing, Flora!”

  Elliot's words made his sister blush. “Look Elliot I even managed to get you something from the bagmaker.”

  Elliot looked as Flora revealed a handcrafted leather bag with straps to go around the chest. It was a modest bag but had an air of elegance that could only be given by a bagmaker who put his best into his work. Elliot felt like he was receiving a birthday present as flora wrapped the straps around her brother.

  “You look like adventurer Eli!” Said Flora after looking at her brother's new bag wrapped behind his back. To her surprise she was met with a hug so tight that she felt the air escape her lungs. She tapped her brother on the back and he loosened his grip.

  “S-sorry. I didn't mean to take the air out of you.” Elliot whispered as he hid the tears falling from his face.

  She didn't say a word and enjoyed the embrace from her brother.

  “Meat, veggies, fruits, a waterskin, and flint to start our fires. Is that everything?” Elliot asked.

  Elliot saw as Flora remained silent. He could tell there was something on her mind. “What is it, Flora?”

  “There is something we're missing.”

  “Well don't keep it a secret Flora. What's left?”

  Flora looked at the ground before saying, “I'm missing some herbs for the medicine I want to make. It's been hard finding them in the forest this time of year.”

  Elliot took a moment to think where they could buy some herbs. Not too many villagers left the city for herbs. Too scared to face their fears of what no longer exists if it ever did to begin with. Elliot had seen what was out there. Nothing but a vast forest with a large body of water at the end of it. No monsters and no mist. He frowned when he realized who would have the herbs in stock.

  “Oh no. Anyone but her Flora.”

  “She's the only one who has what I need. What if you were to get sick and I couldn't heal you? You're not dying on my watch. I'll kill you before I let a cold take you away from me. Plus it's getting late. She'll let us spend the night there.” Flora said as she put her foot down.

  Elliot didn't say a word. Once his sister had made up her mind like this then there was little he could say to change her mind. He had no choice but to head towards the herbalist home.

  Elliot knocked on the door and the old lady met them. Flora smiled and hugged the old lady.

  “Ah Flora, how I missed you. I see you brought your stubborn brother with you.”

  “Hag.” Elliot whispered as he turned his gaze away from the herbalist.

  “I'm here to buy some herbs that I haven't been able to find in the forest. And could we spend the night here? It's getting late.”

  The herbalist's eyes sparkled in what Elliot believed to be her first sparkle in over a century. “Of course you can spend the night here child. You always have a home here. Even your stubborn brother is welcomed here” The herbalist turned to Elliot, “boy make yourself useful and carry your sister's things inside. Oh Flora you look malnourished. Let me get you some buttered bread. I baked it myself.”

  Elliot scoffed. He was already carrying everything. He was even maneuvering the push cart that was filled with their supplies. He placed the push cart at the corner next to the door before allowing himself to rest on the straw couch.

  “Now Flora, what herbs are you missing, my child?” The herbalist said softly.

  Flora smiled at the old lady. “I'm missing mint, aloe vera, neem, oh and marigold!”

  The herbalist's baggy skin managed to raise a brow. “Marigold child?”

  Flora nodded her head. “For some reason the marigold in the forest hasn't been blooming as of late. I think it might be because of the rain.”

  The herbalist took a moment to reflect on Flora's words. “Marigold needs a semi dry environment. Perhaps the rain has killed off whatever was in the forest.”

  “That's what I'm thinking. Which is why I came to you.”

  “You're such a bright child. I suspect you'll male a great healer someday.” The herbalist selected a loaf of bread from her tray and handed it to Flora.

  “You really think so?” Flora asked.

  “No doubt about it. I'll be more than happy to continue your studies. Your brother has been keeping you from seeing me hasn't he?”

  Flora blushed and side eyed at before munching on the buttered bread. The herbalist walked up to Elliot and offered him a loaf. Elliot glanced at the bread expecting to see a small patch of mold. He glared at the herbalist who had a long smile across her wrinkled face.

  “What did you put in it, hag?” Elliot asked.

  “Just a bit of water, flour and melted butter on top to give it that nice and golden color on it. Everything a growing boy needs. Manners not included.”

  Elliot was about to fuss but once the smell of the buttered bread hit his nose he felt drool dripping from the corner of his lips.

  “Imma eat this, but I won't like it.” Elliot lied.

  The first bite was like heaven. The flavor of the bread with the touch of warm butter was the best thing he had in his mouth in days. Before he knew it the entire loaf was in his stomach. He looked over to see the herbalist standing over him with her smile.

  You wont like it huh? Looks like you enjoyed the heck out of it stupid Elliot. Elliot imagined this is what the old lady was thinking.

  Elliot wasn't quite sure how he ended up hating the herbalist. She was nice and offered to feed them whenever they were in need. One day Flora had come to him saying that the herbalist offered them a home. He remembered how surprised he was that someone would be so willing to offer them a home especially at her age. But that was the earliest he remembered feeling resentment towards her. He just couldn't figure out why.

  “I'll get you another one Elliot. A boy needs to eat to grow up strong.” She said with a warm tone.

  She headed to the back of her home and shortly came out with a batch of marigolds. “Here you go Flora. Make sure to mix them with the others as soon as you can, you hear me?” The herbalist said as she placed a marigold petal between Flora's ears.

  “Thank you so much granny!” Flora said.

  Granny…

  Then Elliot understood. He was old enough to remember his parents were Flora only had Elliot to look up to as anything resembling a parent. That was until they met the herbalist. She was exactly what Flora needed to grow into her own person and because of that she had started calling her her grandmother even though they weren't blood related. But to Elliot it would be like he was replacing his parents for someone who had more in common with the people hunting him down. It felt like a betrayal. Was he correct in his anger, he wondered.

  “No problem my child. Elliot, can I speak to you for a moment?”

  Elliot jumped when her words reached him. Why did she want to talk to him privately? He didn't have a good feeling about this. Like he was about to get lectured. Nevertheless he obeyed and went to the back where the herbalist was mixing herbs together in a molcajete.

  “So I hear people are out hunting for a thief.”

  “So I've heard. Must be smart if they haven't caught him yet.” Elliot shrugged.

  “Or someone really stupid.” She said as she kept grinding at the herbs.

  “Well it was a nice talk—” Elliot stretched his arms out and yawned, “but I had a long day. If you don't mind, I would like to know where I will be sleeping.”

  The herbalist sighed. “You really don't know how stupid it was to steal from him do you?”

  “I didn't steal—”

  “Shut up and listen Stupid Elliot. You didn't just steal from the fat baron.”

  “I didn't steal anything you old hag.”

  “Don't you see the gravity of your actions? You've not only placed yourself in danger but your sister as well. And did you even take time to think about who you were stealing from?”

  “Let's say I was the thief. It was just a lowly baron. Nobody too high up the chain.”

  The herbalist turned to Elliot and the flame behind her made the lady look similar to the shadow in his dream. He could feel a cold sweat forming on his brow. “You didn't steal from the baron stupid Elliot. You stole from the king. And he won't stop looking for you until he has you in his clutches. BOTH OF YOU.”

  Elliot leaned to the side to see Flora in the other room eating her load of bread.

  “Do you understand now Elliot? To top it off you came right back into the city when they figured out the trick to your glowing shenanigans.”

  Elliot froze. “H-how do you know—”

  “Everyone knows Elliot. I knew from the moment we met.” She added a few more ingredients to her molcajete and continued to grind. “I offered you both a home and you rejected me. And now you're in so much trouble it will be difficult to hide you here for long.”

  “We got a hideout outside the city. I don't need your help.”

  “You still don't get it.” The herbalist snapped. “You can't leave the city anymore. You may have had luck getting in but how do you expect to leave without a crowd?”

  Elliot didn't say a word. He knew she was right. It was purely out of luck that they managed to get back into the city. Without the farmers to mask their exit they would have no way to leave. But how was he supposed to know the guards would figure out the trick to his glow?

  “W-what do I do? I can't let them get to her.”

  “You can leave Flora here. But the girl adores you. She will never leave your side.” She walked towards Elliot and handed him a tea she brewed. “If you turn yourself in. To any of the hunters looking for you they might end the search. You may lose your life but Flora will get the chance to live hers. I'm sorry child but I don't see any other way out of this.”

  Elliot took the tea but even with the hot cup in his hands he felt nothing. Like the warmth in his body has turned into winter winds.

  Turn myself in? So that Flora may live? He didn't want to believe her but there was truth in her words.

  All he wants is to protect Flora. Perhaps once he gives up his life she would be able to live hers. To grow up with the herbalist and become a healer. Where she can become a productive member of society and live out until she's old and her hair is fully white. He imagined the life she could have. All it would take was to give up his own in return.