Of Flame, Sand, and Gold

remembering something; dust, sun-warmed stone, and the sharp bite o

ets like someone who knew how to v

nderstood how to be un

ulder and glanced up at the river th

ections of crooked rooftops and faded banners. It w

the back of his neck rose; not from wind, but from that quiet, i

his pace. Didn't glance aroun

er

tep too

measured. A

ays. His foot caught the edge of the stone walkway, and su

didn't e

ody went under, the water curling

urrent pulled with the st

o the bone. His arms flailed, not because he c

ward the edge, fingers

d at the riverbank, golden skin catching the aft

is tone was smooth; too smooth... like someone

his eyes. "You

linch. "What? Me? Never

n sta

With sho

host," the strange

the way. City law enf

imself up, dripping and irritated. H

ike someone looking at a stranger but like so

rom here," he

. "I've lived in this

re," Sahen repeated

each other. Something crackled in the s

something heav

same damn smile. "You meet me tomorrow. Downstream.

dn't

called back, alre

lf tempted to throw a boot after him. Instead,

t shove was the beginning. Not o

ckon

er reme

n, so w

y rhythm, though inside, everything felt fractured; as

should've felt like home. But the scent of roasting meats only reminded him of things he coul

eet, half-watching the shadows, half-

t errand before he could vanish for a

errand-runner to a woman who'd appar

sarily. It was easy. But easy had

ed what he didn't understand. He was just a man w

nd saw the woman waiting by the spice

cribed. But there she was, standing with a worn-out, tired expressio

t there was something underneath - somet

gh from the water still catching in his throat, like he was trying t

t bother you?" she asked, her tone sharp. A woman who

lied with a lazy shrug. "I j

her arms and leaned back against the cart, watching the bustle of the street with half

d still felt cloudy; the river, the strange enc

From what?

might as well know. You're not just picking up a p

blinked

me. From my

e the sense did. He stared at her

n her voice. "I've made all the arrangements. Now, yo

s new level of weirdness. This wasn't just a st

fering me money for th

laugh. "Of course not.

's yo

ng married, Kaelen. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. I just nee

that instead of running away, you want me t

ust... play along. We get you in, w

quiet between them hung heavy. This wasn't just a job anymore. There

Kaelen asked. "The one

ng up behind the layers of composure. "Someone wh

He had a choice. A simple one, r

guarantees I'm not going to

just nodded, like she kn

right before the ceremo

leave, her low volum

e added, her tone colder now, "but because

ing in her words. He wasn't sure what she meant, but his g

idn't ask.