Chapter 77: Gems, Gossips, and the Golden Prince
The midday sun hangs lazily overhead, beating down on the rooftops of Husk Horn like a drunkard pounding a tavern table. A breeze tries to slither through the narrow streets but barely stirs the air as it reaches the porch of a small but charmingly crooked house.
The porch creaks beneath the weight of rest and heat.
Vuvi and Veena sit at a makeshift reception desk, really just an old writing desk propped on two crates, fanning themselves slowly with decorative hand-fans they won in a card game two towns ago.
Penelo lies sprawled across the floorboards in a dramatic pose of defeat, groaning, "I’m melting..."
Ka’Lula sits beside her, legs swinging back and forth as she sips a bottle of local fizzy fruit soda. "You said that yesterday," she chirps.
Penelo whines louder.
Two small children pass the property and come to a full stop. They stare at Ka’Lula with wide eyes and dropped jaws.
The boy, cheeks red, blurts out, "You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen!"
Ka’Lula gasps, touched. She skips over to him and scoops the blushing boy into a firm, chesty hug. His eyes nearly pop from his head.
She giggles, digs between her breasts, and pulls out a large, sparkling ruby the size of a plum. The kids’ eyes widen in pure wonder.
"Here," she says sweetly, pressing the gem into the girl’s hands. "Don’t spend it all in one place."
