Sitting up, she pushed the black hood back and ran her hands through the tangled mess of her hair before she braided it tightly down the middle.
Kai stood up, her mouth felt parched and knew she was dehydrated. She brushed off the long cloak she wore, picking out all the grass and leaves that had made up her bed the night before.
Although she was in a forest, Kai knew there wasn’t a clear stream for miles. But she needed water. Badly.
She walked over a few steps towards a pair of trees that bent towards each other. Stooping down, she traced marks and symbols in the dirt.
Kai stepped back, watching as beads of water appeared in the markings. Then drops, until a stream flowed in the ground. Fresh water.
Kai got to her knees, scooping up the water and began drinking. She grabbed a flask, filling it until water leaked out the top. She scooped the water again, cleaning her face and hands.
She sat back and sighed.
”I can hear you, you know. You may as well show yourself.”
From out behind her, a man stepped out of the trees. Even from where she sat, Kai could smell the sour scent of liquor on him.
He was dressed poorly; his clothes slightly ragged and covered in filth, Kai could almost see the bottle of brandy he carried.
“P-p-please miss! I swear I-I never meant any harm! Let me live, I beg you!” He blubbered, dropping to his knees.
Kai rolled her eyes in annoyance and stood up, not facing the man behind her.
”What’s your name?” She asked.
“T-Tucker, ma’am!”
Kai slowy turned to face the man cowering on the ground. She walked towards him, her footsteps deathly silent until she stood in front of him.
Kai yanked one of his hands that still held the bottle of liqor, one hand clasping his wrist tightly and the other took the bottle and flung it away. The bottle shattered, Kai jammed one hand into her pocket and pulled out a small bag with several gold coins.
Kai gently placed the bag in Tucker’s outstretched palm, closing his fingers over the top. Then she stepped back, letting Tucker gaze at the bag in awe and wonder.
Kai crouched on the ground in front of him, never once breaking eye contact.
“I want you to go to the next town and give one piece to the first poor man you see. Then keep the rest for yourself and never drink again.” She said, her voice low and full of authority.
Tucker stood up, dazed, looking at Kai in amazement as tears pooled in his eyes.
“I swear, ma’am, I will do that... Thank you.”
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