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The marketplace was as it ususally was, packed with throngs of people. Allen dodged between the masses as he tried to force his way through the townsquare to the other side of town. No one bothered to give him a second glance, since he had the same features, brown hair and eyes, as most of the common folk did. He finally managed to break through the mob and came to a spot in the road that was surprisingly free of people. Before Allen could ponder on why the crowd had suddenly thinned, he stepped on something with an audible squish. He lifted up his boot and checked the back. Allen's nose crinkled up in disgust and he struggled to breath through his mouth as the powerful smell hit him. By chance, he caught sight of an expensive looking inn with even a few tables set up outside to enjoy the warm spring air. Much to his good fortune all of the tables had tablecloths over them. No one was outside at the moment but that could change at any time. He ran across the street to the nearest table and bent down. Allen stayed down so that no one could see what he was doing. After taking off his leather boot he grabbed a handful of the table cloth and began to wipe industriously at the bottom of his boot.
A cough interrupted him and suddenly he realised that he wasn't holding part of the table cloth at all, but a woman's dress. Allen gazed up at the owner of the dress with a sheepish smile.
* * * * *
She folded up the old parchment and sighed. The old runes still weren't any more legible. She placed it in its mohogany leather wallet and slipped that into her pocket. As Leonora reached for her water glass, she discovered it was empty. She looked up to signal the barmaid for more, when she noticed the barmaid was having a bit of trouble. Leonora smiled and laughed softly to herself as she watched the man look up after wiping his boot on the woman's clean skirt. She shook her head gently and looked around. A breeze softly tugged at her forest green hood. She reached up a slender, tanned hand and pulled it tighter around her face. Hazel-green eyes turned back to the scene with the barmaid and watched curiously.
* * * * *
The slap Allen recieved on his left cheek left him jarred. The barmaid left in a hurry, storming back into the tavern. Allen placed a hand gingerly on the red imprint marking his left cheek. Now that there was no need to hide, he pulled himself to his feet and sat down heavily on a wooden chair. He leaned back and puffed a breath up to dislodge the long bangs from his eyes. It had been a long day already and it wasn't even midday, as such he was glad for a chance to rest his feet. Out of the corner of his eye Allen glimpsed a woman sitting some ways off, but he made no move toward her. Allen had no intention of getting both cheeks marked.
* * * * *
Leonora smiled softly when she felt the man's gaze on her, but didn't return his glance. She pushed her chair back and slowly stood up. She flipped a gold coin out of her pocket. It clinked on the table and glittered in the sun. The woman nodded to the barmaid, pulled her cloak closer around her and walked off.
The streets were getting busier. Leonora raised her hand to block the sun from her face and looked down the street for Elijah's sign. It's gentle motion as it swung in the breeze caught her attention and she headed for it. She kept her eyes to the ground and carefully dodged the passing people.
* * * * *
Allen watched the woman suspiciously, especially from the way she avoided his eyes as well as those around her. He rubbed the bump on his head and resolutely began to follow her through the throngs of people. He reached deep into his pocket and pulled out one of his last gold coins. If she somehow spotted him, he would pretend that she had dropped it and that he was returning it. There was something different, but oddly familiar about this woman. Allen set a brisk pace and made sure that he always kept the mystery woman in sight because he knew the second he lost sight of her she would dissapear.
* * * * *
Leonora waded through the crowd. A child bumped into her and ran off. As Leonora looked down, she noticed the boy had dropped a small leather pouch. She quickly pocketed it and looked around for its owner. He was no where in sight. _I'll check this out after I get to Elijah's shop_, she thought to herself.
A little further and Leonora was at his door. She walked to the side door, pressed against it and knocked softly. A moment went by before a gentle old man drew open the door. He smiled and motioned her inside. Leonora returned his smile and slowly closed the door behind her.
A figure draped in a brown cloak bumped into Allen. A slim, feminine hand grasped his wrist. He was held motionless as he stared at the light blue fingers.
"Let her be," the stranger spoke. As the words drifted to his ears, he had lost track of Leonora. When he looked up, the figure was gone and he could once again move.
* * * * *
Allen wiped his wrist repeatedly on his trousers as if the touch of the blue hand had sullied it somehow. He glanced around the square but couldn't catch sight of the cloaked person who had grabbed him. With a shrug he ran over to the door he saw the woman enter. He tried the doorknob, but found that it was locked. With no other option available, Alan rapped on the oak door three times and took a step back waiting to see what would happen.
* * * * *
"Well, girl, they know you're here," Elijah said as he poured the hot tea into two cups. "I have seen the guards ask around and they have even searched a couple hovels." He carried the steaming cups to the table. He softly plumped into his seat and watched her, his hands enfolding the creamy yellow tea cup.
Leonora closed her eyes and sniffed the warm aroma. Apple berry tea was her favorite. Eldith used to make it all the time when she came over. She opened her eyes and looked down into the cup. It had been two years since the old woman had passed away. Leonora looked at the aging man across from her. _She was his world. They were two peas in a pod,_ she thought and sighed. _Well, at least he seems to be doing a lot better._ She smiled and looked around the small dining room. Her gaze rested on a picture of Elijah and Eldith together. A warm draft passed through the room and Leonora felt the elder woman's presence. She sipped her tea.
"Have you heard anything from Anara or Johan? They were supposed to meet me, but they were not at the appointed location. I trust they are alright, as they usually are, but strange things have been happening lately," Leonora said as she reached into her satchel and pulled out the small pouch.
"Nope. I've seen neither hide nor hair of them. Knowing those two, Johan is probably visiting one of the many town brothels and the little miss is probably trying to free a slaved donkey." He chuckled. "What've ya got there?"
"A boy dropped this as he bumped into me," she said as she untied the leather thong. Inside was a small, dark brown ball, seemingly made of wood with a light covering of short, soft fur. Under that was a small piece of torn parchment with two runes scrolled onto it. "How curious," Leonora said in puzzlement as she examined the objects. "These runes are the same style as the ones on my parchment. I have not been able to figure them out yet, but it is quite interesting that more should turn up in this manner. Can you make anything of this?" she asked handing the strange ball to Elijah.
He reached out an old, strong hand and held the object. He brought it close and looked through the small glasses perched on his nose. "Doesn't look familiar to me. Eldith might have known, as she knew more of peculiar things than I," Elijah said as he shrugged and handed it back.
Leonora returned the objects to the pouch and placed it back in her satchel. At that moment, knocks were heard at the side door.
"Hurry, dear. Go out the back way," Elijah said as he pushed his chair back and stood up. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good luck on your quest and come back soon." He smiled and walked into the other room, softly closing the dining room door behind him.
Leonora got up and quietly walked to the door. She pressed her ear against it and heard the old man ask who was there, knowing that he would not open the door until he heard the click of the back door signaling her leave.
"I will return soon, old friend. May you be blessed," she said quietly under her breath as she swiftly passed through the room and opened the back door. "It's good to be back." She took one last look around the small living area behind the shop, smiled and closed the door quietly behind her.
* * * * *
An older man opened the door, which surprised Allen. He had expected the hauntingly familiar woman he had been pursuing.
"Excuse me sir, but did a woman just enter this door a few moments ago?" He tried to act calm as he posed the question. There was no need to alarm. Allen folded his arms across his chest and tried to look bored, thinking that would put the man at ease. "She looked very familiar and I was hoping I could speak with her."
* * * * *
If you want to add to this story, e-mail me at jasujo@hotmail.com.
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