Chapter Eighteen: In the Market

The busy market was alive with the crowd of vendors screaming out their wares, the clinking of coins passing from hand to hand, and the mingled smells of spices, fruits, and freshly baked bread. Amidst the crowd, a middle-aged woman with beautiful eyes, sharp as knives, made her way through the chaos with an air of command, though her garments were as simple as the rest. This was Miriam, Rieka's mother-a woman whose face and sharp tongue were as well-known as her ability to fight. She had been standing near a stall of embroidered fabrics when suddenly her ears pricked at a conversation occurring nearby. Two traders, their voices were low but eygdte excited, were discussing something or someone of apparent consequence. "Do you know about the girl who was born wolfless?" one man said leamingwards his co-companion. "The one that's said to marry the Alpha King on the Fourth Night?" the other asked, tones of incredulity rising above for all to hear. Piqued, Miriam froze, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before her. She took another step forward, feigning interest in a bolt of folded fabric, while craning to hear their words. "Can you believe it?" the first trader continued. "The king, marrying a peasant? And a wolfless one at that!" "Unheard of," the second trader agreed. "No one even knows who she is. Her identity's a complete mystery." Miriam's heart began racing as she whirled suddenly to face the men. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice sharp and commanding. The traders seemed taken aback by the sudden outburst; they exchanged nervous glances. "We were just talking about the king's upcoming wedding," the first man ventured cautiously. "To a wolfless girl." "Who is this girl?" Miriam pressed, her tone not allowing for any evasion. The second merchant shrugged. "No person has such information. The palace has kept her under wraps." Miriam's lips wriggled into a thin line. She then turned on her heel and started off for her house, already doing some thinking. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Back in their humble abode, Miriam found her husband, Luthan, seated at the worn wooden table, his hands calloused from year to year of work. He looked up as she came in, instantly noticing her uneasiness. "What's wrong, Miriam?" he asked, setting down his mug of ale. She crossed the room in quick strides, her voice low but urgent. "Have you heard about the king's upcoming wedding?" Luthan frowned. "Everyone has. What about it?" "They're saying he's marrying a wolfless girl," Miriam said, her eyes narrowing. "A peasant." Luthan's face went from confusion to shock. "A wolfless girl? Why would he do that? "I don't know," Miriam confessed, pacing the room. "But the traders in the market were talking about it. No one knows her identity." Luthan leaned back in his chair, furrowing his brow in thought. "Could it be…?" he began but trailed off, shaking his head. "No, that's impossible." Before Miriam could reply, the door creaked open and their son Riftan tumbled in. He was covered with filth, his tunic torn and stained with mud, and carrying an awful stench about him. "Riftan!" Miriam exclaimed, crinkling up her nose. "Where have you been? You smell like a sty!" Riftan shrugged, his face sulky. "Out." "Out thieving again, no doubt," Miriam said, her eyes flashing. "Look at the state of you!" Luthan sighed heavily. "Go clean yourself up, boy. You're a disgrace." Riftan slumped into a chair, dismissing them both. This earned a glare from his mother. "I said clean up!" Miriam barked, to which Riftan didn't rise. She added sharply, "Did you find your sister, at least?" To this, Riftan cast his face upward, impassive. "I did." Miriam and Luthan exchanged surprised looks. "You did?" Miriam repeated. "And where is she? Why isn't she with you?" Riftan scowled. "She refused to come back." "Refused?" Miriam's voice rose, a mix of anger and disbelief. "That ungrateful little—" She stopped herself, taking a deep breath. "Tomorrow, you're taking me to her. I'll deal with her myself." He faltered, then nodded. "All right. But don't say I didn't warn you. She's stubborn as ever." "She'll listen to me," Miriam said shortly, her eyes flashing. "She doesn't have a choice." Riftan leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "By the way," he added, his tone casual, "have you heard about the wolfless girl who's supposed to marry the king?" Miriam's spine snapped straight, agitation once more blooming in her chest. "Yes, I have," she said tightly. "What about her?" Riftan allowed himself a faint smirk. "Just thought it was interesting. A wolfless girl, marrying the Alpha King. Makes you wonder who she is." Luthan leaned further forward, his face grim. "You don't think…?" "It couldn't be," Miriam said quickly, though her voice betrayed her uncertainty. "Rieka ran away that's what matters to me" "She's always been full of surprises," Riftan muttered, earning a sharp look from his mother. "Enough," Miriam snapped. "Tomorrow, we'll find her and get to the bottom of this." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That night, as the family settled into an uneasy silence, Miriam's thoughts refused to rest. The idea that her daughter could be the mysterious wolfless girl consumed her, filling her with a mix of dread and disbelief. If Rieka was really the one destined to marry the king, then everything would have changed. Large changes that Miriam couldn't help but feel were fraught with hidden dangers. Meanwhile, Riftan sat on his cot staring up at the ceiling. He couldn't help but feel this weird sense of pride that his sister will be taught a bitter lesson by his mother. Still, he also knew that Rieka was no ordinary girl. She had a fire in her that couldn't be tamed, and he found himself wondering just how long before that fire burnt everything in its path. The night wore on, and the house was quiet, but the air wasn't. The next day would bring answers, but it would bring conflict, and none of them was going to be able to avoid it.