The following story takes place in Anakai.

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“Brand New”

Part I

Part II

The creaking door seemed to laugh at Alek as Veronica stepped back inside and shut it firmly behind her. Her eyeballs were pink where they ought to have been white, and the lids atop them were puffy and red. An anxious right hand caressed the unfamiliar nakedness of the wrist on her opposite arm. That monster, thought Alek, as he realised what Lucky had taken from her. It had been almost twenty years since his parents had said their vows and became others, and at no point in Alek’s life had he ever seen his mother without her wedding bondlet upon her wrist. Lucky had stolen more than a mere piece of silver. He had stolen a piece of Veronica’s soul.

“I’m sorry, mother.” The futility of his words became apparent a second too late.

Veronica dried her eyes and straightened her gown with her hands. “Now what on Manaia ought you to be sorry for?”

Alek tilted his head in shame. “I should have done something.”

“No, son. You should not have.” Putting on a brave face, she walked calmly by Alek and back to her workbench. “I don’t want you getting involved with any of the branded.” She pleaded. “This won’t last much longer. I’ve seen it many times in my life. Just when things start to get really bad, someone, or the people, will rise up against men like Lucky and drive them from the city.” Her words seemed sooner an attempt to convince herself than Alek. “It happens every time.”

Alek knew that his father would have been the one to drive Lucky from Anakai if he were still alive. But he wasn’t. And according to his mother, men like him no longer existed, so perhaps there’d be no one to save the people this time. Alek swallowed, his mouth filling with the bitter taste of shame. He was ashamed that, even with the advantage of his blood, he still wasn’t, and couldn’t ever be, a man like his father.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” The boy asked, desperate to make up for his shortcomings in some capacity. “Anything at all?”

Veronica looked up and took sight of Alek’s shame. “Sure, son.” She replied, her eyes tearing up again. “Take that to your aunt.” She nodded her head towards a small sack on the table. “She should be at her usual place in the market.”

“I can do that.” Alek replied, a little more enthusiastically. “What else?”

Veronica laughed. “One thing at a time, Alek.” She suggested. “Just make sure it gets to her. That means go straight there and straight back here. No fooling around with your friends.”

“Not a problem, mother.” The boy assured her. “I will be back before you know it.”

Eager to believe himself useful, Alek turned around and hastily made his way towards the door.

“Alek.” His mother called, prompting him to turn around a moment. “Don’t mention what happened here to Erica.”

“Of course not.” He replied honestly. There was no chance of him attempting to explain why he stood there and did nothing. “See you soon.” He added, before making his way out the door.

Steeping outside, Alek’s head glanced to the left to see Lucky and his goons terrorising old man Oscar a few doors down the street. I hate the branded, he thought, before averting his eyes to the right. To Alek’s dismay, his attention landed on yet another one of the branded – and this one was smiling the smuggest of smiles at him. It was his new neighbour’s daughter. The two had moved onto the street a short time ago. She looked about sixteen, with long blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She might even be pretty, if not for the mark of a thief burned onto her left cheek. Her smirk enraged Alek. It was the very same one she had given him a fortnight ago, the morning after thieves had invaded his home in the night. Is she gloating?

“Alek!”

It was Perry’s voice – and it was a most welcome distraction.

“Where are you off to?” Perry inquired, in his usual delighted-for-no-reason demeanour.

Alek turned away from the smirking girl and towards his scruffy best friend. “Just a quick trip to the market.”

“Great.” The skinny boy replied. “I’ll come with you.”

The two started heading down the narrow street towards the nearby market.

“Has Lucky been back to yours today?” Perry asked.

“Yes.” Alek responded, his eyes falling to the floor.

“He’s a nightmare, ain’t he?” Said Perry. “He just took the last of father’s silver. We don’t even know how we’re going to eat this week now.”

“He took mother’s bondlet.” Alek confessed.

“Damn. That’s just, wrong. With your father being dead and all..” Perry slowed his pace. “Erm.. Sorry. You know what I mean.”

Sensitivity never was Perry’s strong suit. He seemed always to speak his mind, and Alek had forever respected that. “It’s okay.” He admitted. “The world’s going downhill so quickly, Perry. The branded are even living on our street now.”

“Yeah. It’s like it’s the end of the world or something. But you have to admit,” He continued, “It’s pretty brave of them to stay here knowing how much they're hated. I’d like to think that if I were ever branded, I’d have the courage to stay in my home rather than drift off to the skirts like the rest of them. It must be so horrible out there.”

Alek paused for a moment. He hadn’t considered that perhaps even the branded were braver than he. “But you aren’t branded. And you won’t be.” He argued. “I hope it’s horrible in the skirts. They’re horrible people and deserve to live horrible lives.”

Perry glanced at Alek. He seemed to be quite unsettled by the comment.

“I’m just angry.” Said Alek, though he knew in truth he had meant what he said.

“It’s okay.” Replied Perry, before quickly changing the subject. “Did you hear about the King?”

“I know he’s dead, but not sure how it happened yet.”

“A spear through the heart.” Perry enlightened. “His own spear.” He added. “His own spear, wielded by his own other.”

“You’re joking?” The surprised boy asked.

“No.” Perry exclaimed. “Killed by his own woman. Some say she was bewitched.”

Alek looked at his friend. “Do you believe it’s the curse? Sandria is certain of it.”

“I don’t know. It’s hard to say it’s not though. This keeps happening.”

“I know.” Alek agreed. “It really is getting weird.”

“Think about it..” Perry interrupted. “It makes a lot of sense. Imagine if someone like Lucky was King back in the day.” He explained. “Think of how bad things would have been.. It makes absolute sense that the people of Anakai would have used magic to make sure no one ever had that sort of power over us again.”

“But..” Alek countered. “Lucky does have that sort of power over us – King or not.”

“Good point..” He conceded. “I don’t know then. But I know that even if I were offered the position, I would never be King of Anakai. No way am I that stupid.”

Alek nodded to himself as they arrived at the market. "This way, Perry."

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This is a first draft and may be subject to minor changes.

Part III will follow soon.

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