THE ROOT OF DARKNESS

A

at rouses me from my slumber. I blink the sleep fro

Bang

is Majesty, the king!" A

y dark hair. I cannot find the strip of cloth I always tie my shoulder-l

and I pull the door open wider. Two guards st

taxes, you are far behind on your paym

oducing themselves each time they come for taxes, despite the fa

em the same words I said du

s one last chance to pay what we owe, w

my face and spraying me with a fresh wav

r guard took a step closer, looming over me intimidatingly. It w

s face closer to mine. Nothing scary about th

This is the third time in a row yo

ugh to pay our taxes. M

rampled on by the guards when they sho

your aunt? Step out here and face the royal guards! Explain yo

I shove my way to the door, standing with my

step out! How much

back angrily, "Tw

ants, and dig out the last copper pieces I have to my name. I

Take it for now and leave us in peace. I will

he money in a little too harshly. It is a real pa

count it, and g

be back tomorrow for the rest of it. Make

holes in their backs with my simmering, angr

the room, huddled in blankets. Lines o

unt. They're gone. C

she was trembling just from standing up for a short

it for 30 copper pieces. We can pay the royal gua

p at her in alarm, about to vehem

e cow, so we can sell it. I don't want t

ky to stop the guards from breaking into the house

m two hulking guards, and she also needs more medicine for her ill

he donkey is the only o

er into my nostrils. I walk further into the area that had more promi

s. The trader yells profanities at me, checking his stall for damage

he donkey further away

"Now, we have to get

ad to the pawn shop where Adam and I will se

nd raise my voice to the market, joining

g for only 30 copper pieces! A go

key without fleas! Only 30 copper pieces! W

exchange for

tartle and jump away, spotting the crooked, s

of the few lunatics that regularly escapes t

bargain, lad." He

pond in the b

accept copper pieces in

I look back at his face, wondering if I should just walk to another part

you plant them, they create something utterly

inced, he digs around in his pocke

copper pieces, I will give you these fine copper pie

to shake

do

hose seeds are worth more than your do

at my chest, and I instinctively move

ion, he pulls the reins out of my lo

idened, a

ey

marketplace at full speed. He rides the donkey straight towards the kingdom gates

what kind of explanation I could give to aunt for g

of multiple horses. People scream and hurry out of th

e the i

he king's vault

ds the kingdom gat

wed by the scream of the unlucky commoner who takes

of my way

they yell anger-packed instructio

hem back at all costs!" I freeze, glancing down

cal