The lash of the whip on her back was becoming almost too much to bear. Sun scrambled for purchase when the whip tangled in the irate man's fist.
"I just stole some apples, I don't deserve to be punished!" She cried out, dodging the oncoming whip.
The man was a government official, that much she could tell by the rich red tunic he wore and the wide-brimmed hat on his head. A gold medallion hung from his a brooch on his chest, along with other decors that confirmed what she suspected—he was even possibly a first or second ranking official,the worst of them all. By the ever-growing frown on his face, Sun knew his anger would soon boil over. She had to form a plan of escape, and fast! A crowd had long gathered, booing and cheering at the sight of a ratty, tattered girl being chased around by a whip. Despite the pain, the girl chuckled to herself as she weaved out of the way. The whip caught the dirt, raising dust to the air.
Usually, her adventures to the lower market didn't go this way. Government officials rarely ventured here, perhaps a patrol or a passing noble on rare days but never the King's men.
Maybe she did deserve to whipped for swiping some apples.
"Of course you deserve to be whipped you insolent witch! I will have you in stocks for the rest of the week if you ever show your face in this town again!" A spittle from the man's mouth fell upon her face and Sun grimaced.
Old fat pig, the girl wanted to say. But she was no fool, simply spiteful. Government officials were, as she was convinced, the scum of the earth. A long time ago, her father (bless his poor soul) was on track to become a high-ranking official himself before his colleagues decided that he was too much of a threat and set a trap which the poor fool easily fell for. Sun didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse that she and her sister survived this long. Their fall from grace was so long ago that she couldn't even recall clearly having enjoyed the comfort of nobility. Geumhi, her sister, told her she was a mere baby when misfortune befell on them. Maybe it was a good thing she wasn't conscious enough to recall their better days, that way she had no sympathy for those who caused their downfall.
"Careful, Master Shin! She's a chubangja, an outcast! Who knows what diseases and curses follow her!" A woman in the crowd called out.
Gasps and cries echoed out, with some of the crowd pulling away in the chaos, though not leaving completely. Of course they would still want to see what would become of this clearly diseased-witch-outcast-thief.
How ever did such an unwanted member of society even end up in this situation, you might ask? Truthfully, even Sun didn't know. Yes, it wasn't uncommon for the girl to sneak around the lower town and its surroundings, perhaps steal some coins or valuable goods or even play a few pranks by means of simple hexes, she rarely brought attention to herself and if she did she'd always managed to escape.
But today was not like other days.
Her sister was away since yesterday, as she usually went whenever they were low on herbs for potions and she took their shared staff—a special wooden stick blessed through countless rituals that allowed them great power. Sun knew if she had had it, then she would have been able to vanish into the wind a long time ago with a simple incantation. Geumhi would definitely kill her this time.
A week at the stocks didn't sound too bad now that she thought about it.
THWACK!
Sun recoiled in pain as the whip found her bare flesh, drawing blood. Maybe it was a good thing; if the brute saw her blood, he might be disgusted and halt his punishment. No one wants the fluids of an untouchable smearing all over their pure, noble clothing.
"Careful, Master Shin, don't let her foul blood touch you!" the same woman from the crowd yelled in warning.
Sun couldn't see her but she knew that if she could, she would curse the hateful wench.
Just then the trotting of horses approached the crowd and the whipping slowed to a stop. Sun was curled in a ball but could hear their voices—king's guards. What were they seeking in the lower market? Probably the same thing Master Shin was seeking before he caught sight of you, she thought. Now was the time to escape: everyone seemed taken in by the regal, bulky guards surely they wouldn't see a scruffy outcast sneaking away.
But Sun was a curious person and the men seemed to be discussing something very important.
"–urgent word from the lookers, Master Shin. Another one has been found on the outskirts."
"Drowned and desecrated, like the others before?"
"Yes, Master Shin."
Sun followed the men's words closely and realized that it matched another news she'd overheard not even a fortnight ago. As a forgettable member of society, one of the many blessings she enjoyed was the ability to overhear bits and pieces of information without anyone knowing she was there hence the term, 'forgettable.' The rumor was that an elusive beast was wrecking havoc in the lower towns and that it was only a matter of time before the middle towns and upper towns are affected, which was even worse.
The guards passed more information but this time she wasn't paying attention, she was far off in thought.
What type of monster drowned and desecrated its victims and evaded some of the most powerful army in the land? She had heard of many legends and strange beasts that were said to roam the Dark Forests and she had even seen one or two (Geumhi didn't believe her when she told the tale) but nothing of this sort. Most kept far from humans, never trying to mingle or even attack.
"Don't you think this...witch outcast and her kind had something to do with it?" One of the armed men said, eyeing her with a look of contempt. Was it normal for these people to blame others for sins they never committed?
"I wouldn't rule out that possibility." Master Shin said, following his gaze. He glanced upon her as though she were merely discarded trash.
Harsh.
They soon turned back to their whisperings and Sun became all too aware of her vulnerable position on the bare ground.
Seeing as the men were occupied with their conversation and the crowd had nearly dispersed, Sun tried to slip away. Her plan had nearly worked, if it weren't for the wench (yes that same crazy woman) screeching like a godforsaken rat.
"The chubangja is getting away, Master Shin! Someone stop her!"
Sun ran for the hills.
If she had to taste the bitter swipe of that old pig's whip, she was certain someone else would die today and it wouldn't be those poor souls, peace be upon them.
As she ran, an apple slipped from her dirty robe. Curse Geumhi for not knowing how to sew in a sturdy pocket, Sun thought.
"Stop that thief!"
She was surrounded, this was a market after all.
But Sun was a girl with tricks up her torn sleeve. With one whisper of a simple whirlwind spell, dust erupted from the earth growing higher and higher as screams tore through the crowd. She allowed the wind to sweep her up, hide her away. Dust licked near her eyelids and she closed them instinctively. No matter how many times Sun had done this, dust was a major irritant and her eyes paid the price.
When the wind was gone and the dust settled, Sun was gone and so was the high official's gold medallion.