Fresh energy in my step, I marched towards Lattice, Diggery by my side. Sun on my skin, wind in my hair. It was nice to have a day off, my misadventures in Euphoria feeling like a distant dream. Diggery whistled a lazy tune. Both of us collected fists full of daisies. The bright white flowers lining the road. 

Diggery made a crown out of his, sticking it proudly on his head. A playful smirk, all too excited about his creation. 

"That's a nice tiara." I held back a giggle. 

He curtsied. "What can I say? I have great taste in tiaras." He lifted the crown off, placing it on my head. "Although, it looks better on you." His fingers slipped a strand of hair behind my ear. 

I swatted his hand. "Ya right, whatever." 

Diggery shook his head at me, green eyes laughing at me. He was such a loon sometimes. I reached up to take the flowers off, stopping myself. Such a crown fit the mood, it could stay. 

Distant music flooding over the horizon, I held my breath. Traveling performers. Diggery grinned at me "Good day to be off, huh." 

Breaking out into the sky, the city called to me. Lazy clouds over the blue skies. "Yes! It's going to be magical." I spun after the sound.  

"I don't think I've ever seen you so cheery." 

I stopped my dance, crossing my arms "Shut up, Diggery." 

"That's the Phyn I know," he laughed.

"Just keep moving, slowpoke." I glared at him through the dust kicked up.

He lifted his hands. "I am, but I actually wanna enjoy myself." 

"I'm having plenty of fun,” I said, turning around.

"That’s only because you're arguing with me." Diggery smirked, dragging his feet.

"You wish." I grabbed his arm, pulling him with me. Running towards the sound of instruments. I could pick out a lute, a horn, maybe  some sort of fiddle. There would be shows as well.  Dramas, puppets, great feats, I loved it all. 

My friend Freya was one of them, a traveling performer. She told stories at a carnival like this one. Warm cinnamon skin and long dark hair, Freya was beautiful. A tad eccentric, but that came with the territory. Often dressed like some sort of forest sprite, acted about as mysterious as one.

She took me under her wing, taught me so much. Freya had the biggest heart in the whole world but you couldn't trust a word she said. She would lie with or without reason. It was if she needed it to breathe. I didn't really mind though. I'd give anything to see her again. 

Shivers ran down my arms, the cheery music taunting me. If only I could trade her life for mine.  It was my fault she was dead. 

"Don't just stand there zoning out, go enjoy yourself " Diggery laughed, pushing me through the gate.

I blinked, stumbling to stay on my feet. Ribbons cascaded across the streets, the air full of music and flower petals.Taking advantage of the fresh attention, vendors lined the walkways. Mouth-watering treats and the best wares, on front display. The dreary town now bright with celebration. 

“Come on!" Diggery shouted, now pulling my onward. Sprinting towards the musicians, I followed after him. Shuffling around people, we stopped at the edge of a crowd.

People oohing and awing at something on the stage. I couldn't see past their heads, standing on my tiptoes. Diggery didn’t have the same problem, a good half a foot taller than me, he was watching the show intently. 

A tap on my shoulder, sent my head turning. A freckle-faced boy stood on a pair of stilts. "Miss, you wanna give 'em a try so you can see?" He pointed to the wooden poles. 

I blinked, staring up at him. "Really? Are you sure?" 

Jumping down, he motioned me over. "Of course! It'd be a shame to miss the show." 

He set poles in place, holding them steady. Reaching up as high as I could,I  hoisted myself up.  Scrambling to get my feet in the right spots, the stilts teetered.

"Careful there." He laughed, adjusting his grip. I took a breath, my stance secure. 

"I think I like this height," I cheered, "you can see everything up here!" Two acrobatics flipped across the stage, a trio of musicians playing them a tune. They were incredible. Moving effortlessly, in sync with the music. So elegant and precise.

"You wanna try walking around?" The circus boy squinted up at me.

"No, I don't think-"  He let go. 

"It's easy, just don't hesitate!" he called from below.

My legs wobbled, buckling in one step. The ground spun. I crashed to the ground, stilts beside me. 

The freckled boy ran after me, eyes wide. "I'm so sorry, I thought you had it," he apologized, pulling me to my feet. 

My face bright red, I picked up the stilts."It's ok, it was my mistake." I handed them back to him. "I'm the clumsy one." 

He shook his head. "No, no it's my fault." 

I smiled, dusting the grass off my clothes. "It really is okay.”

He held out a little purple flower. "Please, take this as an apology."

I chuckled at the gift.  "Sure." I took the flower from him, spinning it between my fingers. 

Diggery’s hand landed on my shoulder, his jaw stiff. "If you're okay, Phyn, we should move on." He glared at the circus boy. 

"Ok..." I hesitated, waving goodbye to my new friend. Walking away, I lowered my tone, "You don't have to be rude, he was just being nice." 

Diggery stopped, taking a deep breath."You should be careful who you make friends with. A lot of those guys are pickpockets and thieves." 

I rolled my eyes. "We're thieves, Diggery. Plus I don't have anything valuable on me." 

He kept walking, talking ahead of me. "Well it doesn't hurt to be careful." 

I snorted, "You? Careful?" 

He opened his mouth and shut it, pursuing his lips. "This isn't about me." 

"Uh huh." I smirked at him. We stopped in front of a less crowded stage.

He sighed, "Just drop it okay?" 

"Okay." I muttered. What had gotten into him? I put my hands in my pockets, watching the play in front of us. Something about a fish or a horse, it was hard to pay attention with Diggery scowling over my shoulder. 

I shut my eyes, turning away from the production. "We should probably get something to eat."

Diggery barely looked over. "Yeah, okay." He followed me out into the bustling crowd. Back on the mainroad, we came around the corner.

"Where do you wanna eat?" He threw his hand up, pointing at the row of vendors.

I shrugged at the options. "How about we just go to Red Bear?"

"Are you sure?" Diggery wrinkled his nose "You really want to spend lunch with a bunch of drunks?" 

"No, but we already have a running tab." I raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to try and convince anyone that Malachi’s gonna pay later?”

Diggery rolled his eyes. "No...Red Bear it is." He started in its direction.

Wading through the streets, shoulder to shoulder with the people around us. Shoving people aside, I pushed forward, inching my way closer. The crowds moved in chaotic directions, it was hard to navigate. 

I checked over my shoulder, Diggery was gone. Scanning over the heads, I couldn't see him anywhere. Where did that boy go? Somewhere swallowed up in the crowd. Surrounded on all sides, I'd have to just wait for him at Red Bear.

I used the tavern as a beacon. The iconic sign, shaped like a bear and painted red, hanging over the doorway. 

Freeing myself from the crowds, I ducked in the side alley. I’d have a chance to breathe before Diggery caught up. I leaned up against the wall, fiddling with my finger nails.

The walls of the tavern were thin, jovial singing coming from within. A shout interrupted the melody. The beginnings of a fight based on the scuffling. Red Bear always attracted a rambunctious crowd.

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The side door flew open, two people thrown out. They stumbled to their feet, dusting themselves off. I stepped away from the wall, backing into the alley. What were Lawrence and Benjamin doing here? I could smell the alcohol on them, they must’ve convinced the barkeep to serve them ale. 

"Look who it is, Benny," Lawrence slurred off tune,"that stuck up princess who thinks she's too good for us." 

Benny folded in hysterical laughter, pointing at my head. "She's even got a crown."

I pulled off the flowers, the white petals scattered across the dirt. Their laughter loud in my ears, I tightened my fists. "At least I don't act like real trash, stinking of booze and cackling like idiots." 

Lawrence traced his hand across the wall. "What do you think, Benny? Little Phyn has the nerve to call us trash?"

Benjamin laughed, falling over his own feet. "The nerve."

Lawrence locked eyes with me. "You better be ready to back up that big mouth of yours. Malachi can’t save you now," he hissed.

I held my chin high. "I don't need Malachi for spineless weasels like you." 

Right in my face, his boozy breath unavoidable. "We'll see about that, now won't we?"

He slammed me back against the wall. The wind knocked out of my lungs, I gasped, trying to breathe. Snarling teeth, his fingers jabbed into my shoulder. "Not so brave now, are you?" 

Cornered against the wall, fighting his grip. He snickered at my attempts. I couldn't take him. I couldn't win this fight. Lawrence raised a fist.

"Whatcha guys doing?" an innocent voice came from the street. My heart pounded in my head, relief flooding my veins. 

"Diggery," Lawrence growled, stalling his fist. "Walk away now if you're smart.”

"What?" Diggery tilted his head.

Lawrence shrugged. “You want things to stay smooth with your new crew, now don't you? I can make your life very difficult."

My eyes went wide. "You wouldn't dare-" 

Lawrence slapped a hand over my mouth. "Do you ever shut up?" he hissed in my ear. 

"I can't leave her,”  Diggery said, easing into the alleyway

“Come on, this isn’t worth ruining your life over.” Lawernece dug his nails into my cheek, "She doesn't have your best interests at heart. You really think Rudolph's crew is the best she can do?"

Diggery's eyes flickered, his steps slowing. Did he actually think I was trying to hold him back? 

Lawrence smirked. "Phyn only wants to keep you down, wrapped around her little finger."

Diggery stepped around a dazed Benjamin. "If you think that, you don't know her."

"Diggery, be smart-" 

"Why on earth would I abandon my friend for some scum who don't even like me anyway?" 

Lawrence pursed his lips. "I guess we have a problem then." 

I yanked my shoulder free, pulling his hand from my face. "Not so fast, princess." Lawrence threw me back against the wall. Another hyena-laugh from Benjamin. I would make them pay for this.

Diggery cringed, urgency in his steps. "Leave or I'm going to make you," he ordered, his voice shaky. 

Lawrence laughed, "You're gonna make us? It's a long run to go and get Malachi." 

"You better get going," Benjamin slurred, patting him on the shoulder. 

Diggery pushed him aside, eyes locked on Lawrence. "You're smaller than Rudolph and a little tipsy, I'll take my chances." 

Lawrence's eyes bugged out, looking like he choked on something. Diggery walked right up to him, rolling up his sleeves."Plus, I'm going to enjoy beating the snot out of you." 

"Just stay calm there, blondie. We're leaving."  Lawrence let go of my arm, raising his hands. I pushed him away, running behind Diggery. 

Lawrence looked around him, spitting on the ground. "You're not worth dirtying my hands with anyway, Phynley." Pulling Benjamin in tow, they slinked away. Tripping over each other, out into the street. 

"Ya, keep walking." Diggery sneered at them, throwing a loose fist.

I crossed my arms, attempting to hide my shaking hands. "Thanks." 

"No need, I'm just glad that my bluff worked." His green eyes softened. "Are you alright?" 

I nodded, "Right as rain." My fake grin hiding reality, I felt paralyzed, weak. I let Lawrence push me around, Lawrence. I couldn't even stand up for myself, it was pathetic. I was pathetic.

"Let's just get something to eat," Diggery said, pulling me along into the tavern. Everything blurring together, mixed up in the loud sloppy ballad. Diggery sat me down at a table, asking me again if I was alright. He looked back once more before heading off to order. 

I buried my head in my hands. I had to get a hold of myself. This was silly, I should be stronger than this. I had to be stronger than this. There were bigger things to worry about than half-witt bullies.

The singing was annoying. I covered my ears, muffling the sound. A stark contrast from the usual gloom of this place. The carnival had affected everyone.

Almost everyone, a woman walked in, a terribly grim expression. Her grayish green cloak was badly tattered, well worn from travel. Grayish unruly curls over her shoulders. She held herself with certainty. Eyes sweeping across the room, they stopped on mine. She froze where she was, the color draining from her face. As if she had seen a ghost... I looked over my shoulder, no one behind me.

The strange old woman blinked, shaking off her trance. Staff in hand, she walked towards the bar.

Diggery scooted back in his chair. "Got you lamb, hope that's ok." He pushed the dish over. I nodded, looking past him to see the gloomy lady. She ordered a drink, sipping it slowly.

"Are you listening?" Diggery waved his hand in my face. 

I pulled his hand away. "Have you ever seen her before?" I asked, subtly pointing at the woman at the bar.

Diggery looked over his shoulder. "I don't think so why?" 

"She keeps looking at me funny." I shrunk back in my seat.

Diggery took a big bite out of his dish. "You're being paranoid," he said, chewing on his roast chicken. 

Maybe he was right. I dipped my fork into my lamb dish. I was reading too much into this. I met her eyes again, a slight smile on her lips. What was her deal? I moved my head down, frowning at my lunch. She was messing with me, playing mind games. I was sure of that. 

The front door slammed, a man walking in. Face bright red, sweat on his brow. "I know it's you, Emery!" The man shook his fist at the mysterious woman. "What do you think you're doing here, traitor?" 

She took one last swig, stepping off her stool. "A traitor of who?"  The whole tavern went silent. She held her head high. "Is it traitorous to betray those who betray you?" 

"But, they were your people," his voice pleaded. 

"And they bled me dry…" Emery smiled at him. "Don't speak of things you don't understand." 

"Don't understand? I saw the destruction myself!" He tightened his fists, knuckles white.

An icy glare, she walked past him. "Stellar should've burned long ago."

"How can you say that?" he growled, chasing after her. 

She sighed, swinging the door open. "It's my well informed opinion." 

He slammed the door shut. "I won't let you get out of this."

Emery raised her chin, staring him down, "I would prefer to leave in peace, but if you want to settle this with blood, I have no qualms about spilling yours." 

His lips parted, gaping at her. She nodded. "Good, that's what I thought." Right out the door, he didn't stop her. 

What was that about?

I stood up, Diggery giving me a skeptical eye. "Just a second," I said, running after her.

Out the door, skidding to a stop. All I found was an empty alleyway and the distant buzz of the carnival. She couldn't have been that much farther ahead of me. 

"Hello, little one." 

I jumped, scattering back. The strange old woman leaning against the tavern wall, arms crossed. "Thought you might follow me out." She stepped off the off wall, walking closer. "No need to be shy. I promise not to bite."

I lost all words, her cold grey eyes burrowing into me. She was younger than I originally thought, maybe only in her fortieth decade. It was those eyes that made her seem older. The weight was heavy, even to an onlooker. 

"I can do the talking if you won't." Emery shrugged, adjusting the amulet-glove on her hand. The fourth numeral symbol scratched into its surface. "Sorry for the weird looks, it's rare to meet another soul who is Marked, much less someone of your caliber." 

I frowned, turning as she circled me. "What do you mean by Marked?" I asked. 

"It's an old name for those with giftings. They used to physically scar, or mark, them. Rather barbaric, I know." 

"Wait, you have a gifting too?" My eyes grew wide. 

She smirked, continuing her circle. "Nothing quite as earth shattering as being a Wanderer. You’re the first one in nearly a century."

How did she know I was a Wanderer? 

"That's quite daunting right? This world isn't even ready for you yet." She laughed, sizing me up. "Who am I kidding? You aren't even ready for you yet."

I furrowed my brow. "Not ready for me? I am me." 

"Oh, okay." She raised an eyebrow. "So you're ready for your potential? Your future? Your pivotal piece in this whole twisted up puzzle? I think not. Do you even know what you're up against?" 

“No…” I stepped back, gawking at her. "...do you?"

Emery tilted her head. “That’s an interesting question.” Staring off, she tapped her chin. “It really doesn’t matter if you're ready, I just can’t believe you're real."

"Who are you?" 

She smiled. "My name is Emery, but that means very little." 

I frowned, reaching out my hand. "My name is-" 

"Phynley, I know." She shook my hand. 

There was no way. This didn’t make sense. How did she know my name? 

“I would love to explain but-” Emery shut her eyes, hissing out a sigh. "Oh no, not now." She hung her head, grumbling. 

I blinked. "What?"

She picked up her staff, adjusting her cloak. "I have to go."

“Where are-”

Emery shushed me. "My friend in the tavern there is about to change his mind. I don't really need his blood on my hands." 

"I don't understand....what happened?" I called after her.

"A free lesson for you Phyn, people will always  resent it when you stick up for yourself. Don't let it dissuade you," her voice echoed between buildings. Staff in hand and a slight swagger to her step. Emery headed down the road.

"I'm sure we'll meet again soon," She shouted, waving goodbye. Disappearing into the carnival chaos, away with all her answers.

Diggery cracked open the door, standing beside me. "What was that all about?" he asked.

"I have no idea." 

He sighed, "Are you done eating cause I don't want to spend the whole afternoon here."

"I'll finish up quickly," I promised, taking one last glance in her direction. I wish I knew what she was talking about. I followed Diggery back inside, the red-faced man running by us. 

The singing started again, loud and obnoxious. The world slowly returned to normal, the gloom fading. My mind was stuck on Emery, I couldn’t get her words out of my head. Would I ever find out what any of that meant?