the places we'll go

David stared out his window, down at the bustling village below him. Merchants in their tents, bakers running around with their freshly baked bread desperately begging for money, sick bums layed out half dead in every corner....It upset David, truly. He hated that his parents could care less about the burning problems that rested upon their own people.

So, David took some matters into his own hands. He did what he could when he could. Plus, he needed an escape from his crowded life inside the castle. He'd grab the coat a lovely maid made him when she learned about his outings then slyly make his way out of the castle and down to the loud town.

He had no idea how much trouble he would get into if he were recognized, so he kept his head low until he was surrounded by enough people that a stray guard wouldn't catch him.

"Shit!" a boy cursed under his breath as they collided into each other and fell back.

David tripped over his cloak and tumbled down to the ground. He looked up to see a boy about his age on the ground a few feet ahead of him. He angrily shoved his cap onto his head and shot David a dirty look.

"I am so sorry," David apologized, standing up and dusting himself off. "Here, I'll help you," he offered his hand.

"Fuck off," the boy snarled, standing up and dusting himself off. David awkwardly retracted his hand and stepped a safe distance away. "What? Afraid I'll kill ya'?"

"Oh, no," is all David could muster.

"Never seen a townsfolk or some shit?" he hissed. "Why you's even outta you's perfect place?"

"Just...visiting."

"It was a rhetorical question," he shook his head, shoving past David, purposely bumping his shoulder harshly with his own.

All David could do is wave as he left and put his hood back on. He carried on to the shopping center where most people were. He went there to give out the cash he could cough up out of his parents.

"Fresh baguettes!"

"Eggs! Come get your eggs!"

"20% off all jewelry! Today only!"

There was so much friendly yelling, just people trying to get their daily earnings that they'd survive off of for the next day or two.

"Ah good sir!" A merchant spoke as David made his approach. "A nice rose? Picked this morning!" David smiled and nodded, digging through his pockets for his wallet.

It was gone. That damn boy.

"I am so sorry, sir. But I must have left my wallet at home without realizing it. Another time," he said apologetically. A gentle frown fell on the man's face, but he understood.

"Mister! Mister!" kids exclaimed, tugging on his clothes. "Another story! Please!"

David looked down at the group. The kids loved it when he came to town. They didn't know who he was—not that anyone did— but they loved him. David came up with the most wild stories that drove them crazy.

"Okay," he ruffled a little girls hair, "a short one."

"Yay!" they all sat down in front of him.

David took a moment to recall a childhood tale he was always told before bed by his sister. "Once upon a time in a far off land, far past here, there was a place full of magic and mystery. Unicorns, trolls, flying pigs! Oh, and the wizards! There was one very powerful wizard, Octavius the Wondrous, who wanted nothing more but his own love story. But he wouldn't have just anyone! He went to every corner of his little city to find the girl he wanted but no one fit. He sulked in his house for ages, feeling hopeless. Then he heard a voice, someone calling out to him! They told him to collect three very specific ingredients; dragons breath from the kindest dragon that hid away in her caves up in the tallest mountain, tears from the saddest beetle that roamed the creepiest forest, and a piece of fur from the softest beast."