By Nathan Veyon
Crash!
Lase sighed. She hated doing this, especially with her brother.
“Yuck!” More banging.
“Tim, quiet! We’ll get caught,” she hissed.
“What do you even take from an apota… apot-a-carry?”
“Apothecary, you dolt. We’re here for healing ointments.”
“Is this it?” He emerged, reeking of a floral scent with swamp water highlights.
“That’s for warts.” She squinted at the barely legible labels. These seemed right. Sweeping the bottles into her bag, she turned and collared her brother before he could do more damage. They were stealing, but that didn’t make them vandals.
The sun rose as they exited the shop. Lase sucked in a breath and the wintery air made her cough. She took the path down to the docks and slightly warmer temperatures. At the water’s edge, she shoved Tim.
He landed with a splash, then came up spluttering. “What was that?”
“You smelled horrendous. Now dry off. I don’t want you near Kovu.”
Tim sloshed his way ashore and shook the water from his hair.
I need his indomitable spirit. Lase squared her shoulders and marched toward Kovu’s imposing warehouse.
Kovu stood in the doorway. He brushed dark hair out of his face and gave her a sickening smile. “Come to pay?”
“Here.” She tossed the bag.
Kovu looked inside and frowned. “This wouldn’t pay for one King’s Heart, much less a crate of ’em.”
Lase glared. “You only smuggle cheap fakes.”
“Fakes still sell and bribing the guard costs money. If your brother hadn’t been poking around, they would’ve left that shipment alone. Now, if ye want yer lil boyfriend back…”
“Not my boyfriend,” Lace growled.
Kovu shrugged. “Get me a real one and we’re even.”
“A real King’s Heart?”
“They’ll hand them out at that party tonight. Ye lil’ vagabonds ought’a know how to con one.” Kovu smirked and walked away.
Lase’s legs nearly buckled. Brande had intervened on behalf of her brother and now was Kovu’s captive. How was she going to save him?
She trudged back and plopped down beside Tim, who hunched over a small fire. He wisely kept his mouth shut.
She stared into the flames. They traced fantastic patterns, almost alive. Lase watched dully as the orange tongues wove into a figure.
With a snap, a small fiery woman stepped from the flames. “Hello, my dear.”
Lase’s jaw dropped.
Tim jumped up. “You’re a fairy. Can I get a wish?”
The fairy scowled and flicked her wand. Tim’s mouth kept moving, but no sound came out.
“Much better. I’m here to help.” The fairy twirled her wand and Lase’s ratty dress turned into a flowing, pale blue gown.
Lase scowled. “This isn’t what I need. Can you give me a King’s Heart?”
The fairy huffed. “No. I need you to get it. Hurry along or you’ll be late.”
She disappeared.
Tim motioned at his mouth and waved his arms.
Lase glowered and gathered up her skirts. “Stupid fairy didn’t even fix you. Stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”
The richly dressed crowd made Lase fidgety. Where are the nearest exits? Fortunately, most seemed inattentive and bored with the king’s speech.
King Falton paused awkwardly, then finished abruptly. Now is my chance. Lase made her way toward him.
“My King.” She held her breath as Falton slowly turned.
He’s staring. He knows.
The king finally spoke. “Welcome. What—what’s your name?”
“Lase, your Highness.”
Dolt! He’ll tell the watch.
“Lase,” Falton held out his hand, “would you care to join me for a dance?”
“It’d be my honor.”
Wait, it worked!
The evening blurred as Lase did her best to be attentive, witty, charming. Hopefully it will be enough. It was late when Falton stepped away then returned holding a box, which he handed to her. She giggled and opened it. Light spilled from the case. With a sigh of relief, she kissed him on the cheek.
The king beamed.
Guilt churned in Lase’s stomach. I’m sorry.
Lase skirted the mob cheering on a fight. She scanned the warehouse. Kovu lounged in a shadowed corner.
Lase clenched the box and marched up to him. “I got it.” She cracked the lid.
Kovu peered inside. “That ye did. Don’t give it to me, gonna raise questions. Ye need to gamble it on Ed there.”
Lase winced as Ed landed a kick. “He’s winning.”
“He’s not won.”
“He works for you, doesn’t he?”
Kovu smiled.
Lase turned away from the brutality. “Fine, where do I bet?”
Kovu pointed to a table.
Lase marched over and banged the box down. “All on Ed.”
Within minutes, she’d lost.
Kovu motioned Lase toward a small back room. Inside, Brande sat beside the fireplace. His brow creased when he saw Lase.
Someone knocked, and the familiar wooden case was handed to Kovu. He opened the box. Light from the King’s Heart shone on his face.
The fire snapped, and the fairy reappeared. “My King’s Heart!” She flew over and snatched it.
Kovu swore and grabbed at her. With a poof, she vanished.
A subordinate entered. “A woman is here, demanding to see you,” he whispered. Still swearing, Kovu marched out.
Lase motioned Brande to follow and crept towards the exit. Outside, they ran down the beach until they collapsed.
Lase told her story. Brande listened, then said, “Lase, I have a secret. I’m Duke Methelbrande’s son. My father could have paid the ransom.”
Lase sniffed. “You always smelled too nice to be an urchin.”
“Hey, you danced with royalty.”
Lase blushed. The night air stilled as they stared at each other. “Brande, I realized something when Kovu had you. You’re more than a friend…”
Sand flew as Tim landed between them. “Sis, you saved him!”
“I see you got your voice back,” Lase muttered.
Brande winked at her over Tim’s head. Tell me later, he mouthed.
Lase laid back and let her restless energy wash out with the warm ocean waves. Brande’s hand found hers as Tim continued to chatter and she watched the stars cross the sky.
Can you guess which song from the 1990's inspired this story? Share in the comments!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lots of action! I like the fairy popping in and out. What is the King’s Heart, and what is it made of? Please keep going on this.
The King’s Heart is a very rare gem only found on the island of Crycente where this story takes place. If you check out https://gohavok.com/2019/10/30/the-heart-of-a-king/ it has more some more description.
Fun, I like fairies who cause trouble.
Ha! I had wondered what Lase did with that heart. Nice story.
Ah, it all comes together now. It’s interesting how this story was connected to your previous one. Thanks for the entertaining read!
I had to blink and make sure I wasn’t reading the same story a second time, but it was really neat seeing the same story of the King’s Heart play out across two different perspectives! And it’s always fun to see street urchins enter a palace while royalty lives on the streets, sort of like the Prince and the Pauper.