Page 38 of Slippers and Thorns
The weapon-smith furrowed his brow as he looked behind her again, apparently unsure how to interpret her strange behavior. He shook it off and returned his attention to her. “Is there any particular type?” he asked.
For the next several minutes, Ella listened to the young man as he enthusiastically showed her quite a few of his bladed weapons, lauding the virtues and bemoaning the shortcomings of each style. He certainly seemed to know what he was talking about, but most of it went straight over Ella’s head. The only part she was able to keep track of was the price of each. And as they progressed through each item, her heart fell a little farther.
To her untrained eye, at least, all of the blades seemed like they were good quality. And although she had never priced weapons before, meaning she didn’t really know what a fair market value was, the prices he was quoting her seemed to reflect that quality. She would never have enough money left over for one of these after buying her boots. She might be able to afford one of the daggers, but it would be pushing it.
“Thank you for showing me your wares,” Ella said politely when he finally finished. “I will keep it in mind, but for now, I think I will keep looking.”
“Of course,” the young man nodded. “Thank you for your time.” He held out his hand. “The name’s Keenan, if you come back another day and I’m not here.”
“Thank you, Keenan,” she said as she gave his hand a quick clasp.
From there, Ella meandered through the crowd in the direction of the cobbler’s workshop. It was unfortunate that the swords were so expensive – she would have to come up with something else if she wanted to give Michael a gift.
The cobbler, a brusque older man with a wild white mustache and beard, was more helpful than she feared upon his initial gruff greeting. After listening to her explanation of what she wanted, he showed her several different styles to choose from before taking measurements of her feet so he could size the new shoes properly.
She handed over the deposit on her boots, then slipped out the door to join her retainers. They settled into position behind her as she directed her steps towards the castle.
As she walked, Ella continued to mull over the difficulty of purchasing something for Michael. The cobbler had given her a good deal on her boots, and she would receive more allowance before they were ready. Therefore, the money still in her purse was at her disposal…
Ella wended her way back through the market. She clutched her purse to her side to keep it steady on her belt as she dodged around other people. Now that she was finished with her shopping, she wanted to get back to the castle before her over-full purse dumped itself on the road. Perhaps she should have fetched a more appropriate bag first, she considered grimly as the contents wobbled again.
The line for a food vendor stretched into the road ahead of her. As she waffled between going around the back and shuffling through the middle, she noticed a young man in a leather outfit, similar to what the guards often wore, standing near the front of the line. Next to him was a young lady in a dress of understated elegance. Something about them struck her. Peering closer, she tried to decide if he was a member of the royal guard.
She gasped when recognition struck. Adjusting her path, she headed for the young couple, waiting until she was at his elbow before addressing the male.
“Are you enjoying yourself, milady?” she heard him ask as she approached from behind.
“You may call me Lucinda,” his companion shyly replied.
His suave smile was evident in his voice. “Only if you call me—”
“Justin!” Ella hissed in a whisper. “What are you doing here?”
He jumped a little when he saw her, but quickly settled into his normal relaxed attitude. Lady Lucinda nervously patted her dark hair. “Arabella! What a pleasant surprise,” he said.
“Are you supposed to be wandering through the market alone?” she pushed.
“I’m not alone,” he argued with a mild grin. He gestured to his companion. “Lady Lucinda is with me.”
Ella huffed. “Yes, and her presence means you ought to have a chaperone, but I was actually referring to your personal guard. Aren’t you supposed to have one?”
“A chaperone?” Justin made a face. “We’re in public.”
“Yes, and you are seventeenanda prince,” she told him. “I’m fairly confident you are expected to have a chaperone when out with a young lady, no matter where you are. Now stop avoiding the question. Did you lose Harrison again?”
“Like you’re one to talk,” he scoffed. His eyes instantly widened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“And yet here I am, with my two guards in tow,” Ella coolly replied.
Justin ducked his head sheepishly. “I know. Hello, Charlie, Jacob.”
Her guards nodded back – less with the respect of royal guardsmen to a prince, though, she noted with interest, but more the acknowledgment of one comrade to another. She knew that Justin, like Michael, spent a portion of his time training in the practice yards; perhaps they had developed a rapport in training bouts.
“So…Harrison?”
Sighing, Justin replied, “Anne was looking at some earrings when I saw Lady Lucinda walking by. I slipped away to join her. Harrison and Sam are both with her!” he hastened to add. “I did not leave my little sister alone in the market.”
Ella pursed her lips, considering. Sheshouldeither stay with Justin or take him back to the castle with her. Harrison would never find him if he were at the castle, but she could send messengers out to find him and let him know his charge had been located.
