SINS AND VIRTUES

By Lee-Anna D Runyon

Sett Hestora Lacker derives from a village called Eld, named after those who live in for not having any magic. Escaping and leaving life in her village behind she arrives in Emon, the capital city of Ame, where she bumps into the captain of the guard who just so happens to hate the people she derives from. Instead of subsiding to his will, Sett

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee-Anna Runyon
• Release date: Jan 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869139672

Book preview

One

Capital of Ame

Sett Lacker walked into the Capital of Ame, otherwise known as Emon. She immediately noticed the large buildings made of stone and wood and the amount of people that filled the capital as well. There were trees placed at each corner of the streets, bushes circling most houses and bins of flowers lining the streets as well. There were some faun creatures roaming the streets. Faun were half human, half animal creatures some of which lived in harmony with the mages of Emon. She could also feel the amount of magic that came off from everyone, it was much more than what she felt at her own village.

While there was magic in her village, only a few select people could only use it. They typically left her village. Sett just happened to be one of those people from her village that could use magic. 

She moved along with a group of people roaming the streets, she stopped when the smell of something roasting wafted into her nose, a truly magnificent smell that made her stomach growl in hunger. She didn’t realize how hungry she was from the journey to the capital. 

She turned her head and spotted a dark brown cart, with a carved wooden placard of a roasting chicken over top of a fire. She walked forward and waited in line till it was her turn. Once she was at the front of the line, the little old lady running the stand gave her a warm smile, the heat coming off of the stand warmed Sett just by being in the presence of the fire, its blazing glory no matter how small. What can I help you with, my dear? The woman’s voice sounded as if she was a crone, and she looked as if she was one as well.

Sett  gave a smile in return, taking a chance to use one of her hands to push some of her hair behind her ear. Can I get one of those? She pointed at a pretzel that seemed glazed and puffy, that wafted a sweet but salty smell. 

Of course, dear. That is one honey glazed pretzel coming right up. The old lady went to work, pulling out a warmed pretzel and using a glazing brush to paint on the honey before wrapping the lower half in a thin napkin and handing it to Sett who gladly took it. Her hand wrapped around the lower half of the pretzel, the part covered by a thin napkin, it was still warm to the touch and made her fingers tingle by the temperature change.

Sett bed the old crone a goodbye, waving with her free hand as she wandered off. As she began to eat her pretzel not really looking as she walked into the street, she focused on the taste, lightly burned honey glaze over top the bread which itself was airy and fluffy, there was a hint of salt and there was another ingredient Sett could find. She thought to herself what it could be, however she was unfortunate, and didn’t look up when she should have. It was only a matter of time before she collided with something hard, and she did just that, she looked up to see a man in a guards armor with a sneering face.

His armor was shiny, and radiating a faint blue color in a glow. It was well put together and Sett knew that it cost more than what she could afford, even if she worked for a month straight she wouldn’t be able to front the cost to get it cleaned. Her only choice left, after seeing the smear that her pretzel had left on the suit of armor, was to beg. It was impossible to see the emotions that his face was conveying because he had the head piece to his metal suit of armor on, the feather on top of it blowing in the wind.

Oh, sorry. Sett apologized, her face heating up in embarrassment as she saw the inscription on the guards metal plate stating that he was captain of the guard. It was just her luck that she would run into a man of such high standing. Her family, if they could see her now, would be shaking their heads.

The captain of the guard lowered down the plate over his mouth, allowing just below his nose to be seen, the sneer across his face told Sett that he was anything but happy, his eyes through the metal grates over them were looking Sett up and down. She felt overly conscious of everything on her person, and how she was presenting herself, she didn’t doubt for one second that he would find her as a peasant or worse. If he did so, what exactly would he order her to do to make up for her mistake? State your business. His voice was squeaky for a man, but it held some nasal qualities as well.

I am here looking for a job. Sett stated, as a nervous habit she tucked a stray hair behind her ear again, wanting no needing something to fidget with. It was true, she had left her village with that intent, she was hoping to make enough in Elon so she could go back and help rebuild her village Eld. Especially after what happened a week ago, it was very much needed, and she didn’t doubt that her family would put a majority of the blame on her shoulders.

So you aren’t from here? His tone was accusatory, and his voice held the makings of someone who dipped their toe in mischief. Sett suddenly felt waves of uncomfort.

I am from Eld. Sett stated, feeling even more embarrassed that she revealed that she was from somewhere that barely had magic within Ame, but at least she was still within the country’s limits.

His sneer turned into a malicious smile, a shiver went down Setts spine. One could argue that you aren’t really from Ame being that far out, or from such a place with no magic that you don’t belong here. He took a step forward and poked one finger into her shoulder, the pain wasn’t too bad but it was enough to make her wince.

Sett took a step back, not really sure where this was heading. Her mind racing, trying to keep up with the situation. She couldn’t help but to think that this was going to go extremely poorly. 

You might even say you are an illegal. He hissed at her.

Illegal? Someone who entered the country without permission from said country? Sett's eyes searched his face for any signs that he might have been joking yet his expression remained that of a serious man.  She took another step back, her breath hitching as she staggered in her steps. What exactly was this man planning to do with her?

I’m from Eld, it’s within the limits. Sett stated, more like pleading as she continued to back up, it wasn’t until her back hit another something cold and hard that she looked over her shoulder. She gulped once she saw an array of guards, all of them wearing similar armor to the man in front of her. Her luck was gone, nonexistent, something that she could pray that she would have again.

What do you think, boys? Is Eld within the limits? The guard she apparently offended beyond apology asked, yet something about his voice was telling Sett that he was demanding for the other guards to agree. They did just that, the squeak of them nodding their heads in their metal armor. 

Sett looked around her, they had started to circle her, the metal clanging against the stone ground had made that painfully obvious. She had no other choice but to make a run for it, she held her breath and used every ounce of power she had in her legs to kick off the ground and started running towards an opening in their line. However fast she might be, she wasn’t fast enough, metal clanked and she was suddenly flushed against the metal suit of one of the guards, his grip tight around her not giving her a chance to escape, not even giving her a slither of hope that she could make it out.

Gulping she turned her head towards the guard who was calling all the shots, he began to speak yet again. I’ll make you a deal, if you lick the filth off of my armor you can keep your tongue. 

The guard holding Sett, loosened his grip and pushed her forward letting go of her completely, this didn’t give her any advantages for escaping she was now encased in a circle of guards who were all watching her. When her knees hit the ground she could feel them scrape against the cold hard ground even through her clothing, her hands did the same yet their bleeding proved to be more troublesome, stinging her as the scrapes began to bleed.

Some one had walked up behind her and kicked her back, forcing her forward even more so. She let out a staggered breath, her eyes were beginning to sting, she wanted nothing to do with these people yet they had enough power over her to make her cry. 

Come on lick it. The captain of the guard took three steps until he was right in front of her, he bent down his metal armor clanking. Come on, do it. 

Sett took a deep breath, her eyes were beyond stinging and her face was red with anger and embarrassment. She faced the choice, either lick the guards metal armor, or have her tongue cut out, if it was between those choices she was going to have to go with the latter.

Sitting up, so that her face was staring forward at the guard, she made sure her posture was straight. Then she did something, something that was simply a form of rejection. She turned her head to the side, held high with her cheek facing the guard.

To say he was angry was an understatement. He lifted one of his legs and used all his force to kick Sett, she fell backward laying on her back as a result, the shortfall was a hard one and definitely bruised her. He wasn’t done, he walked forward yet again until he was standing over her and reached down grabbing her hair, and yanking her upwards to meet him face to face. Sett screamed out in pain. Listen here, He said, his words just as vicious as his actions. If you don’t start doing what I say then I’ll have no choice but to throw you in the dungeons. 

Sett, through tear filled eyes, snapped her head in his direction, her eyes piercing daggers through his own, and as if she was using vicious mockery upon him said in such clear words it shook the entire array of guards around her. I’d rather die than to lick your wounds, Her pride proved troublesome, as well as her wrath. 

His grip on her hair tightened, and he pulled her down just enough to come face to face with what started the whole mess, the streak of honey glaze. He pulled her face