#flyfreelyintheclouds

Day 8: Shopping

   Adela, Keegan, and the rest of the party marched far ahead of Xen, leaving him to think and observe on his own. He was far from being ignored, though. As Cadence's doppelganger, that made him prime suspect for any and all suspicious activity. So, when they all went to bargain in the town square around Adela's home for supplies, Xen thought he would try and display his loyalty.

    Though he had only spent a few days with the crew, he'd been fixated on Adela. He couldn't pinpoint it, but a light radiated from the fairy princess that showed she had multiple strengths despite her innocent and weak appearance. Her brain stored intelligence and wisdom, her arms carried strength, and her tongue possessed wit and sound advice.

    And Xen, determined to prove his dedication, would be sure to prove to her that he refused to harm her or anyone in the group.

          "What's that, sir?" He asked a man taking care of an orange booth.

          "This here is a charm bracelet. I've crafted many wooden charms to go with it." He picked up the bracelet and showed it to him, before eyeing him speculatively. "Is it for a special lady in your life?"

     Xen started and chuckled nervously.

          "It's not like that, sir, no. I--" He was cut off.

          "Ah, so it's for a fine woman in your life." He smiled, before pulling out a charm. "This is the charm for you, then. You see? It's two hands holding each other. I made it to represent an impenetrable bond, one no one can severe. Why, I doubt even the greatest magic in all the realms could make it so that the charm itself ever broke."

     The group was eyeing around for Xen, so he had to be quick. Without worrying about the charm, he nodded, handed the man his currency and fled to meet up with the group.

          "There you are!" Keegan huffed, her eyes narrow. "What were you doing?"

    Xen caught his breath, moved to the front of the princess, and knelt down to offer his gift.

          "My princess, I do humbly offer you a gift to show my loyal--" Embry, the older brother of the group, pushed him back and sent his bracelet hurtling into the dust.

    Within seconds, Xen's body was pinned to the ground.

          "Loyalty, my foot." Embry huffed, his temper getting the better of him. "You'll have to do more than give the princess a charm bracelet to prove your worth, doppelganger." He let him go, walking with the others.

    But when Xen got up, there Adela stood, watching him.