â The God & the Contractor â
Bookstores were quiet places. Balder loved to read, so one might catch him there often, peeking into anything that seemed interesting. Heâd often lose track of time, this way; tracing his hand down the spine of one book became like tracing time from morning to afternoon, afternoon to evening. The sun followed behind him on every word.
And this, this book was exciting -- a human tale of a prince and a pauper, destined to meet, and fated to experience the world through each otherâs eyes. Balder smiled as he read on, turning the page with careful, delicate hands...
â Within was a comely boy... whose clothing was all of lovely silks and satins, shining with jewels; at his hip a little jeweled sword and dagger; dainty buskins on his feet, with red heels; and on his head a jaunty crimson cap, with drooping plumes fastened with a great sparkling gem... Oh! he was a princeâa prince, a living prince, a real princeâwithout the shadow of a question; and the prayer of the pauper-boy's heart was answered at last. â
Hearing something shuffle in front of him turned Balderâs gaze upward.
Someone else was here, looking through the books. And Balder couldnât help but notice that, much like him, his face was longer and with a strong jaw, his ears the same shape and size, their eyes a very similar shade of blue, like the northern seas... was this fate? Perhaps, Perhaps not -- but it could be fun, if this man was intrigued.
And oh, what Balder wouldnât give to be an ordinary human, if only for a day.
âPardon me, sir.â Balder stepped a little closer, holding the copy of The Prince and the Pauper heâd been reading close to his chest. âI know this may sound quite strange... but have you noticed that we look very much alike?â