Vai walked Fiona back to the main room and made sure she finished her math. Afterwards, Fiona began writing in her journal as Vai cleaned up and even when they finished, Fenrin did not return. Sensing the trouble of a bored Fiona, Vai set her to more lessons. She was just losing her last patience with geography when Fenrin stumbled through the door.

"Sorry I was gone long. Damn, Matius drugged me." He rubbed his eye and moved towards the water barrel, dunking his head in. Vai watched with disgust, he'd have to get more water for Fiona to drink.

"Drugged you?" Fiona cried in horror and Fenrin looked at her guiltily, shaking his head like a dog. Vai quickly retrieved a cloth and handed it to him. He took it, wiping himself dry. "Oh, nothing like that. He just saw I was tired and gave me something to help me sleep. Worked too well is all."

Fiona didn't look convinced. Fenrin looked around the house which Vai had gotten practically sparkling. "Hmph, looks nice. Vai, come with me to town, I'll need your help getting the right supplies." He turned to Fiona. "You won't cause any trouble while we're gone, right?"

He gave her a crooked smile and despite herself, she nearly returned it. Fenrin seemed a lot happier and a lot less intimidating.

Vai, however, stepped between them. "It would not be appropriate for me to leave Her Highness."

Fenrin's eyes narrowed and he stood up straighter. "We talked about this. Try again."

Vai seemed to lean away from Fenrin and Fiona froze watching the exchange. She'd never seen Vai hesitate like he did with her uncle but, after a seconds pause, he bowed. "My apologies. It would not be appropriate for me to leave my lady."

Fenrin grunted. "That'll work I guess. Well, kid, guess you're coming along but Jayln laid out the rules, right? No declaring yourself princess or anything. In fact, it's best you just lay low and let me do the talking."

Anything was better than more geography, so Fiona jumped up and fetched her boots where Vai had brushed and laid them out. Nervously, she followed Fenrin out the door. Without thinking, she reached for Vai's hand seeking some comfort but he stepped forward, his hand pulling out of reach.

Her hand fell and she curled her fingers around her thin leather belt instead. Old frustration crept up, sometimes it felt like Vai hated her. Her dad used to say Vai just didn't find it appropriate to show affection.

Fiona brushed the thought of her father aside, afraid she'd start to cry again. Instead, she took a deep breath and skipped forward, passing Vai and walking next to her uncle. He glanced at her for just a moment and then scratched his neck, brushing one last wet clump of hair behind him.

They approached the town and a few people smiled and waved at Fenrin who nodded back. Others looked at him with respect but kept their distance. Two kids were squatting by a shop, leaning and looking at something on the ground. There was a shuffle of movement and one jumped up cheering.

"Ha! I win again!"

The cheering boy bent back over and scooped up what looked like small rocks, dropping them into a bag. The other boy sat down on the dusty ground. "Yeah, alright. Don't let your head get too big or you'll be too easy to hit during training."

The two laughed and the winner pulled the loser up off the ground and they ran down the street. Fiona felt a nudge on her shoulder and jumped. It was Vai, gently pushing her forward. She'd slowed down to watch the boys and Fenrin had already ducked into a shop.

The shopkeeper, a elderly woman, turned to face them from behind the counter. Fiona smiled despite herself. The woman had an eyepatch over one eye, which might have been creepy if it didn't have a sunflower embroidered on it.

"Oh! Good day, Fenrin. Is it Friday already?" The woman titered, her wrinkles rearranging into concern.

"No, Marge. This isn't my regular trip. We've got a new resident. Noble girl, rescued her and her...manservant...yesterday. Jayln thought they'd best stay with me until we get things sorted, but my place isn't exactly equipped for young girls."

Marge peered at Fiona with her good eye which was periwinkle blue. She snorted, "I'd think not." She wagged a finger at Fenrin. "You'd better not be leaving swords or any dangerous items out around the house with children around. Goodness, where is the poor dear even sleeping?"

Fenrin waved a hand. "No worries there. I built her a bed last night. I just need something to put on it. Oh and for his." He stuck a thumb at Vai who was standing as passive as a statue.

Wrinkles rose to form a smile and the woman practically beamed. "Why, if you aren't the most resourceful man. Already built her a nice bed. Probably sturdy as a tree if I know those hands."

Fiona watched as the most remarkable thing happened to Fenrin's face. The cloud that seemed to always hang over him lifted to a moment and a genuine smile crept out. "It is," he said with a fragile pride. The same way Fiona would present her latest picture to her father. Marge smiled even wider and then slapped a hand on the counter.

"Well enough chirping, let's get you what you need."

Soon she was loading Fenrin up with supplies. Vai eventually was absorbed, occasionally advising or rejecting items. Even though Marge gave Fiona a sweet piece of honey candy to suck on, she soon grew quite bored. She stood at the doorway, though a glance back told her both her handlers had an eye on her and their looks warned her not to put a toe over the threshold. So she leaned against the doorframe and watched the town.

The two boys were playing catch with a brown dog. Fiona wanted so badly for the dog to run her way so she could pet its curly fur. Two older girls walked arm in arm giggling and pointing at windows. A blacksmith's work clanged and hissed from down the street and the air smelled like roasting nuts.

Fiona closed her eyes. It was nice and so different from her lonely wing of the palace. She had the strangest urge to burst onto the street and run its length. She imagined it, braid flying, shoes pounding the dirt, and never coming to a closed door.

"Fiona."

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Fenrin's tone was warning and she opened her eyes. She had scooched past the doorframe. She stepped back guiltily. Marge glanced up from where she was pulling ribbons from a jar and slapped Fenrin on the shoulder.

"Oh, let the girl go enjoy herself. She doesn't want to sit in here watching us bargain. Just stay in the square, dearie!" She shook a hand, gesturing Fiona to go.

The princess looked anxiously at Fenrin who glanced at Marge then shrugged. Vai began to turn to follow, but Fenrin grabbed his arm, pulling his attention back to the ribbons. For a second, Fiona could've sworn her uncle winked but without double checking she ran out the door.

Her face split into a grin, free for the first time in her life. Then the fear set in.

What should she do? Where to go? What if she did something wrong? She nearly turned around right then and there when a voice called out to her.

"Oi! I've never seen you before. Come 'ere."

Fiona peered around for the speaker and saw a girl about her age behind a barrel on the side of Marge's shop. Her arm and chin resting on the round top.

She smiled and Fiona saw one of her bottom teeth was missing, emphasizing the natural gap in the ones above. Fiona stepped over and the girl scrambled up the barrel and sat atop it, her face just a bit higher than Fiona's. She stuck out a hand. "Name's Liberty, but everyone just calls me Libby."

Fiona took the hand, about to curtsey, but Libby pulled her forward and peered at her hair. "Oh, wow! I've never seen plaits that neat before! My dad is hopeless with braids and my mom doesn't like them so I've got nothing to tame this mane."

The girl shook her hair, which was dark chocolate brown and wirey, sticking up at odd angles.The girl was a lot and Fiona wanted to match her energy, but found herself tongue tied.

"T-thanks. Vai did them. I'm Fiona by the way. I like your hair."

Libby squinted, like she was seeing if Fiona was lying, but Fiona really did like the wildness. It reminded her of horse hair and she wondered how it would move if Libby ran. Judging her truthful, Libby grinned her gapped smile. She jumped off the barrel, she was a good five inches shorter than Fiona, and tugged Fiona's hand.

"I like you. Come with me."

She pulled Fiona along and they raced down the square. A laugh tore from Fiona's throat and Libby grinned wider. They jumped over a piece of broken fence and Libby put a finger over her mouth. "Shhh. Quietly!"

Fiona covered her mouth, crushing another giggle and followed Libby's creeping. They stole under a window and Libby winked, reaching a hand up and retrieving a glazed bun. Fiona gasped.

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

Another wink. "Gemma's dog is out with Theo and Hart, so I knew we could get here. Her buns are the best, really." Libby shoved the stolen pastry into Fiona's hand and snatched another. She bit it and sighed before starting to sneak away. Fiona froze. This was a crime. She was a criminal.

"We...we can't steal them!" she hissed. Libby rolled her eyes and pulled her arm. Fiona glanced about terrified. Scared of being caught, she left with Libby and when they were safely on the path she held the offending dessert out.

"I can't take this. It's stolen."

Libby laughed. "It's hardly a criminal offense. It's just a window snatch. If Gemma really cared, she'd lock the window. Dad says she leaves them out for me on purpose. Though if she sees me she does yell a lot, so I'm not sure I believe him."

Fiona shook her head. "I can't." Her voice trembled.

Frowning Libby looked her new friend over. "Look it's really alright. I promise." At no change, Libby sighed and took the bun, stuffing it in her mouth. "Th'r no e'dence."

She wiped her mouth on her sleeve and Fiona looked at the flecks of glaze still on her palms. Libby sighed again and groaned before turning and marching up the bun maker's door. Fiona stared confused as the short girl rapped on the door. A red faced woman with an apron and a wooden spoon answered.

"Mornin' Gemma." Libby sniffed the air dramatically. "What is that amazing smell? I was just telling my new friend Fiona here about your amazing glazed buns and she didn't believe me when I said they were the best in the world. I was wondering if you might enligh'n her?"

Gemma raised an eyebrow but a glance at Fiona's pained face and smiled. "New eh? Well I'll get one for you, but not for this silver-tongued devil. One second."

She disappeared and then came back with one of the glistening rolls. Fiona shuffled forward and took the warm treat. Libby glanced around and sighed with longing. The wooden spoon hit her head with a crack.

"Don't you be giving me that look, I can see the glaze on your hands. You've already had more than your fair share I reckon. Now get along and stay away from my sills, ya hear?"

Libby saluted. "Yessem!"

Fiona ate the bun. It was delicious. Warm, sweet, soft, and free of criminal offences. She daintily licked her fingers clean and looked up to see Libby watching her. "Thank you," she said, a bit embarrassed.

Libby gave her another gap toothed smile. "You're weird. Where'd you come from anyway?"

Fiona started, she'd never been called weird before. No one would have dared. "I'm..." Her uncle's warnings made her stumble a bit. "Uncle Fenrin saved me." She winced. She shouldn't have called him uncle.

"Fen did? He's your uncle?!" Libby glanced at Fiona with new respect but she quickly amended.

"Not really my uncle. He just told me to call him that since I'm staying with him."

"You're staying with him?! What's his house like? I bet it's full of swords and...and wild animals and secret maps!"

Fiona laughed. "Why would there be wild animals?"

Libby shrugged. "Dunno. He's always off by himself and he never lets me visit. He teases me and says if I go to his house I'd get eaten by wolves but that's silly because my dad says Fen keeps the wolves away. So I thought maybe he lives with them. Like pets or something."

"There's some wolf pelts but besides that not much. Honestly," she whispered conspiratorially feeling bold enough to talk ill of her elders, "it was a bit of a mess. Vai spent all day making it presentable."

"Who's Vai?"

Fiona started again. "Oh, he's my manservant."

"Manservant? You mean like a butler?"

Libby was giving her a very odd look and suddenly Fiona felt embarrassed of Vai. "Sort of. He takes care of me since my parents..."

Fiona wasn't sure she could say they were dead believably since the idea of anything killing her mother was laughable. There was an uncomfortable silence then Libby prodded Fiona's shoulder.

"Listen, I know I lie when I hear one, so don't think I don't know you're spinning some tale. But my mom always says a person's past is their business so I don't mind."

Fiona's eyes grew wide and Libby gave her a knowing look before she clapped her hands. "Maybe now that you're here, Fen will let me come visit. We could—" Libby looked past Fiona and then ducked forward, positioning herself strategically behind her taller friend. "Ah, cripes. Anwen's here."

Fiona started to turn but Libby tittered, "No, no don't turn around. She's my sister and I left a few not-too-important chores not done at home. I'm going to bolt outta here, but listen, you ask Fen about me coming over, alright?"

"I will!" Fiona found herself answering with a surprising amount of enthusiasm.

Libby gave her a two finger salute and then did as promised and bolted down the street. Fiona turned the opposite direction and spotted a girl with long beautiful loose black hair peering down the street suspiciously. Fiona bit her lip and started back towards Marge's shop feeling a bit light headed with delight. She laughed and burst into a run.