Free Last Knight (The Champion Chronicles Book 2) by Brad Clark Page A

dry.”
                  “Who says this?”
                  “The city guard at the well.”
                  “I was told by Lord Martin that the well runs deep and there is more than enough water for the whole city.”
                  Minnie shrugged.  “I can only take what they give me.”
                  An angry look crossed Elissa’s face.  “Do you have another bucket?”
                  “Only this one.”
                  “A pot?”
                  Minnie gave Elissa a small pot which Elissa used to empty the bucket.
                  As Elissa turned to leave, Mary asked, “Where are you going?  Are you leaving?”
                  Elissa smiled at the little girl.  “I will be right back. I am going to get you some more water.”
                  The closest clean well was near the center of the city, one street away from the main market center.  There were about fifty people in line, about half of them merchants.  The rest were clearly from the edges of town, as they were dressed in raggedy, dirty clothes.  A handful of city guards stood around to ensure peace.  Three of them were doing the work of hauling the water up while the rest looked at the crowd with as stern a look as they could muster.
                  Almost as soon as Elissa stepped into line, someone stepped in behind her.  With three city guards working the water, the line moved fairly quickly.  Elissa kept facing forward with the hood pulled low so that no one would see her.  But her thoughts were on how the city could get more water to its people.  The river was only a mile away and it carried fresh and clean water.  Why couldn’t someone figure out a way to get water from the river into the city?  As the line moved forward, her mind continued to ponder the question and search for an answer.
                  Before too long, Elissa was next in line.
                  The city guard took her bucket without a word and poured about a quarter’s worth into it.  He motioned for the next person to move forward.  The man was well dressed and presented his bucket to the guardsman, who filled it almost to the top.
                  Elissa stayed at the front of the line, watching he man walk off with a full bucket.  Then she looked down at hers.
                  “Move along!” the city guardsman shouted.  “You’re holding up the line.”
                  “Fill my bucket up, please,” Elissa said softly.
                  “It’s all you get,” the guardsman growled.  “Move along!”
                  Another man stepped past her, pushing her aside.  He was carrying two buckets and they were both filled up to the top.
                  “Why does he get two full buckets?” Elissa asked, her voice as soft as she could make it.
                  “That is Master Brian.  He is the owner of the Golden Chalice Inn.  Two buckets barely keeps his business afloat.”
                  “But I cannot cook with so little water.  Please fill my bucket.”
                  “Move it!” the guardsman yelled.  “Or I will move you and give your water to someone else!”
                  Elissa cast off her hood.  Even before she could say a word, a collective gasp spread through the crowd.  “How about now,” Elissa said with a firm voice.  She wanted to yell back, but she held her anger in.  “May I have a full bucket, now?”
                  The guardsman’s eyes got big and he stumbled as he tried to bow.  With his eyes cast down, he said, “Of course, Your Majesty.  You may have all the water you want.”
                  Elissa turned to see everyone drop to their knees.  She shook her head at the display.  Whoever