Chapter 9: And So The Play Continues.
Kael. Chapter 9.
"You," the youth declared, voice sharp as a sword draw. "Show your face."
The entire crowd froze.
Then came the gasps, all at once, like the whole village was in a play and had rehearsed this part. Heads turned. People whispered. Fingers pointed.
Kael didn’t move. Not right away. His heart thumped once like a slow warning of impending trouble, but outside, he stayed calm.
Like someone being mistaken for a baker who owed money for sweetrolls.
He had taken every precaution to avoid being too suspicious or standing out amongst the crowd.
What was going on?
"...Me?" he asked, raising one hand with just the right amount of lazy confusion.
The black-haired youth strode forward, boots thumping against the grass.
He pulled out a dazzling plaque that was a mix of deep brown and burning crimson etched with golden symbols that shimmered like gemstones.