18 years later

I checked over my shoulder once again as I walked through the busy market. That was my routine: walk and check. Walk and check.

If found: run.

Do you honestly think you can run from them forever? he taunted.

I acquired a few strange looks from passerbys, most likely due to my dark colored robe, but thankfully, no questions were asked.

Ducking my head a little further, just to make sure no one could see my face under my hood, I slowly continued on my way to find a good, non-questioning dealer. My gaze scanned left and right as I waded through the flood of innocent civilians. Voices pounded on my ears from all directions and the delicious smell of fresh pastries baking made my stomach growl. Hush, I scolded it silently, tightening my grip on my precious maroon-violet tome and hoping no one had heard.

Aw, is the little birdy hungry? he cooed mockingly. Better eat quick, before the hunters find you!

Then I noticed a plain, not-very-busy vendor tucked into a shadowy little corner of the market, selling what looked to be exactly what I needed.

Changing my course so that I swam at an angle to the flow of people, I soon found myself under the eaves of the tent. The vendor, a middle-aged man with a growing bald spot on his head, glanced up at me as he organized some materials. "G'day. What can I fix you with?" he grunted, dusting his hands off and facing me.

"I need food that will last through several days of travel," I stated quietly. "Do you have that?"

Miraculously hearing me over the clamor of the market, the man stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Depends," he mused. "How long're we talkin'?"

I allowed the faintest of smiles to touch my lips. "How far is the next village?" I countered calmly.

You'll never make it that far! he assured me, laughing.

The vendor let out a short bark of laughter. "Oh, so you're talkin' THAT kind of food," he chuckled. "Well, I think I can get you just the thing. Assuming you got the gold to pay for it?"

"Money is no object," I assured him. My right hand twitched and I scowled under my hood. It was my father's gold - what did I care of it?

You care not for the gold, but I can assure you your father was very pleased to found you stole it, he snickered. It makes tracking you down that much easier!

A few moments later, the man was holding a large sack of dried fruit and meat, plus a much smaller bag obviously carrying perishables that would need to be eaten within a day or two. "You're a mage, ain'tcha? No way anyone could carry this much food and all their other equipment and still look like they're just out for an afternoon stroll."

My appreciation of the man grew. He was clever, and educated - few knew of the mystic convoy (named after the military storage unit of the same title and purpose) that higher mages used to carry heavier, bulkier items. "You could say I'm a mage," I said vaguely with a playful smile, not wanting to give anything away.

That's it, keep lying, he purred. Give them reason to distrust you and fear you.

He gave a non-commital grunt as he set the bags on the table between us. Upon reflection, I realize that, being a dock merchant, he had probably seen stranger people. "That'll be 2000 gold."

Reaching into my convoy, I retrieved a leather bag holding the perfect amount. Setting it on the counter, I gathered up the bags and placed them under my cloak, into my convoy. "Thank you," I said before moving away into the crowd again.

How long do you think it will be until these people turn against you as well? he mused.

"Naga's blessin' unto you, traveller!" he called after me and I gave a small wave.

This country may just be as benevolent as the rumors say it is, I thought. A shame I cannot stay here any longer. I waited for him to make some degrading comment, but thankfully, he stayed silent. I grimaced and wandered through the crowds further in search of a way to the woods. I had a world map in my tome, so I knew which way I needed to go, but I was having a bit of a difficult time gathering my bearings through the endless horde of people. The noonday sun wasn't helping and I certainly wasn't going to approach someone and ask them since that would attract too much attention, so I seemed to be on my own.

Always alone, he simpered, finally speaking up. Always hunted, like nothing more than a mangy dog. When are you going to drop these childish games and accept us?

Roughly three hours later, I was still in the market and I could've sworn I had passed that stand at least four times already. And that guy was STILL waiting for his bread!

My face burned with embarrassment. How could I have let this happen? Every time I tried to walk in simple, straight line, I always ended up where I began. You wouldn't think it'd be this hard, I thought, frustrated. This is what I get for living in a castle my entire life...

This is what you get for leaving the mage! he corrected gleefully.

Lost in the crowd and my own thoughts, I didn't notice the red-garbed 'soldiers' (really, mercenaries and brigands hired by my father) walking through the crowd until it was nearly too late.

They're here! he sang.

My blood turned to ice as I finally saw them and I froze in place, screaming mentally at myself to run. Then I realized that the two 'soldiers' were walking slowly, sporadically, and looking from side to side, as if searching for something.

They hadn't seen me.

Yet.

I swallowed my panic and tried to move off to the side as inconspicuously as possible to avoid them, but there was my mistake. My movement must have caught their attention, because their heads jerked my way and, as silently as they had appeared, immediately pursued.

I did the only logical thing.

I bolted.

Yes, run, little bird! Perhaps you should sing a sorrowful tune to let these foolish mortals know your true identity!

Weaving my way blindly through the people, I hoped my small, thin build would help me lose them quickly, but I had only turned two corners when I ran into an unsuspecting shopper. He let out a shout as we tumbled down to the dirt.

He slowly sat up with a groan, but I, painfully aware of my unwanted followers, jumped right back up. I gathered all the scattered baskets and bags he had dropped and put them in his hands. His blue eyes were wide with surprise as I said stiffly, "If they ask, please say you never saw me."

For the first time in my life, he grew angry. Kill him! he screamed upon seeing the man. Rip his heart out and leave his body to rot so that I may feast on the blood of that wretched hero!

The man's dark blue hair, fair skin, and pure white cape over a sleeveless blue tunic and under a single, silver shoulder guard remained emblazoned in my mind as I swept past him down the alley. Not for the first time, I wondered who he was. (Probably a young noble of some kind.) And once again reminded myself that it didn't matter. But my thoughts were quickly cut short as I skidded to a stop in a dead end. Creeping back the way I had come, I peered around the corner to see the soldiers approaching the blue-haired man and questioning him.

"Actually, I think someone fitting that description did come across me," I heard him saying rather loudly. Almost more loud than was necessary, as if deliberate. "They ran into me and sent all my goods flying, then didn't even stop to pick them up. How very rude of them."

One of the soldiers seemed to swallow his impatience as he asked the man something else that I couldn't hear.

They draw closer! he cackled.

"Oh, yes, I think I remember the way they went." My heart skipped a beat and I didn't hang around to hear anything else. Anger at the man's betrayal burned as I desperately searched for some kind of hiding place between the few vendors in the dead end, although my search came to a surprisingly quick end as the man's voice said, "Well, you're a very interesting person."

I spun around to find him alone at the mouth of the alley, smirking. He strode towards me, saying, "I just had two out-of-country soldiers tell me that you're dangerous and should be avoided at all costs." He raised an eyebrow. "Is this true?"

Slay him, he snarled. Cut him and burn him and make him suffer for what his ancestors did!

I swallowed, attempting to calm my pounding heart. "Yes, it is," I replied rather gravely. "I thank you for your help, but they are right. I am best avoided."

To my astonishment, the man laughed, his sapphire eyes sparkling with mirth. Placing one hand on his hip, he grinned and said, "I can respect you being 'dangerous', but I am curious as to why. You were quite considerate in gathering my shopping back up for me and made no move to attack those soldiers - clearly, you prefer to avoid a fight. Am I right?"

I flinched, trembling slightly. Was I really so easy to read?

Oh, darling, you're easier to read than a book nailed open!

His eyes narrowed as he continued, "So why are you dangerous?"

I shook my head, attempting to avoid answering the question directly. "Those soldiers are my father's. He will stop at nothing to bring me back to him, including harming innocents. They are more dangerous than me in that sense. You are correct, I would rather avoid a fight, especially when bystanders can get hurt. Therefore, I must be going." I bowed slightly. "Once again, I thank you for your help in shaking them off my trail, but it is not safe for me to stay any longer." I walked past him in a hurry, but he followed after.

"Wait," he protested. "I can take you in. I know people who can protect you, and I'm sure my sister will -"

"She will be harboring someone viewed as a criminal," I interrupted sharply, whirling on him, "and my father will declare war on you, your family, and possibly your country for doing so." I waited for his retort, but he stood there silently, looking slightly stunned.

And you know it's all true, he said smugly, pausing in his incessant yowling. You are a monster waiting to be unleashed - or is that me? Haha!

"This is not your problem, but it will be if you attempt to shield me," I continued. Then my tone softened. "Your offer is greatly appreciated, really. But they are my father's soldiers and I can defend myself. I must go." I turned to leave but the man stopped me one last time.

Now kill him! he resumed screeching. Kill him right now!

"At least tell me your name," he said softly.

I stopped. "Even that is too dangerous," I murmured. "If my father were to think you held information regarding me and he found out you knew my name, he would take you away and torture you in order to tell him where I was, even if you did not know." I fiddled with my right glove, just to ensure that the fingerless cloth still covered the back of my hand. "I care too much about the safety of you and your fellow civilians to tell you my name." I smiled sadly, and began walking away. "And don't follow me," I called over my shoulder as I exited the alley, knowing the man was likely to follow me.

Entering the mass of unsuspecting shoppers once more, I pulled out my tome and finally managed to successfully navigate out to the forest past the village homes.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

You shouldn't have let him live, he hissed.

Shut up, I sighed, though that was a fatal mistake.

Because I responded, I allowed him in and he launched into action, filling my mind with images of blood, death, and eternal anguish as a being of fearsome size ruled it all. This world will be mine, he growled. He is the only one standing in my way. If you care so much about him, you would kill him before I had the chance, for my wrath will be so much more torturous.

I stand in your way, I pointed out tiredly, not bothering to ask why the noble was so important.

You are easily taken care of, he said dismissively.

Yet I have avoided my so-called 'unavoidable fate' for years now.

That's just what you think, he chuckled.

I was sick of the conversation already, so I drew up my mental wall that had come from years of hard training to at least block out his influence. The nasty mental images faded away and I supressed another sigh of relief. He couldn't hurt anyone with the wall up...

You can't get rid of me! he laughed again.

...But it sure didn't shut him up.

Nothing ever did. Even when I was little, and he was nothing more than a nudge on my subconscience, he never quit whispering in my ear.

That was why I kept fighting. Eighteen long, hard years, fighting him no matter what happened...

I jerked my head slightly to break myself out of my reverie. I had to keep going, just as I had told the noble. It was never a good idea for me to stay in one place for too long. I pressed forward into the woods, looking for a reasonably safe place to rest for the night.