Reward (a short story)

By N.L. Louie

Reward is a simple love story between two people from very different backgrounds.

Sixteen-year-old Avestian rails at being a princess of the Al-A'shan, and in an attempt to get away from her mother's demands, finds herself kidnapped for ransom. Things look grim until a young man appears to change the outcome. Devin of the Thieves Guild finds himself involved when the rich spoiled brat needs help. Things don't go exactly as planned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N.L. Louie
• Release date: Jan 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301286454

N.L. Louie

N.L.Louie writes when inspired. She is influenced by books, movies, gaming, dreams, and life. Her novels include Dark Weaves and Shadow's Flight (forthcoming). Short stories and more info at www.nllouie.com

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reward

Reward

By N. L. Louie

Copyright © N. L. Louie 2013

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious.

Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

"Why do I have to go?" demanded sixteen-year-old Avestian bint A’lia bint Al-A’shan.  The ninth and youngest daughter of A’lia bint Al-A’shan screeched her anger directed at the one person who dared try to control her and her life, the Queen.  Avestian roughly ran her fingers through her hair, pulling at tangles exacerbated during this argument.  Her dark eyes shone with tears of frustration.

Because you are a young woman now, and we will not coddle you any longer, stated Queen A’lia.  The Queen sighed heavily, tired.  It was plain that she thought her youngest daughter needed to learn some responsibility.  Stop whining and do your duty.

And if I do not want to? countered Avestian.

Then you are no daughter of Al-A’shan, replied the Queen with finality.

I am not sure I want to be, Avestian screamed, spitting out her last word with disgust "…Mother."  She turned and stormed back to her room to slam the door.

~*~

A few hours later, Avestian walked out of the Palace Gates, heading toward the Plaza, as she had done many times in the past year.  Despite her mother’s wishes to keep her safe, Avestian had argued long and hard that she needed to observe firsthand the lives of the people the Al-A’shan were supposed to govern.  The reasoning was sound, and the Queen had allowed it, though the ulterior motive had always been to wander about with less security.