Ravenwood was a lot smaller than Sailor’s Rest. That was the first thing I’d noticed as we walked in silence toward the town. The brisk air of autumn burrowed beneath my clothes, and I shuddered from the quickly onset chill. Sahara walked three steps ahead, assumingly not wanting to be recognized in her town with two brutes like us. Her large, grey scarf trailed behind her like a flag as she guided us to the shopping district. The town itself was fine, it seemed quiet enough. There weren’t beggars in the streets, or predatory eyes in the alley, like there was in the darker parts of my home. Nonetheless, I kept my gaze down and focused on the path in front of us. I pondered Sailor’s Rest, how it was faring without me, seeing how I’d been gone for almost a week now.
Gods, I hope Shane hasn’t come into any more trouble from the Eel. I hadn’t been there for the fallout of my last job for Shane. If the Eel ever found out Shane had somehow come into possession of a significant portion of his valuables, it surely wouldn’t end well. I’m sure between Shane and Gristle everything will be fine, August tried to reassure me, but it did little to ease the tension in my shoulders.
“Rune?”
A small voice called to me, barely above a whisper, but it was enough to snap me to attention. Sahara was directly in my path and staring at me, while Finn was nowhere to be found. “It’s Wren,” I responded curtly. “Wren Huntsman.” We’d spent quite a while going over the name and backstory beforehand, and I was annoyed that she’d seemingly slipped up. Sahara was apologetic, stammering as she explained herself.
“I-I’m sorry. I called you by your working name, but you didn’t respond. You were just… Standing there. Your eyes were on the pavers, but your gaze was somewhere else. I was worried I would have to drag you out of the street.”
Something was different between Sahara and I since the dryads, though I couldn’t figure out what. Her general displeased attitude towards Finn and I had dissolved, leaving a strange feeling of both camaraderie and tension all wrapped into one. I let out a small sigh and started walking again, going no particular direction.
“Apologies,” I spoke softly when I realized she was walking beside me this time, instead of three steps away. “My mind was elsewhere.” Before she could inquire about it, I added, “Where did Finn go?”
Sahara rolled her eyes. “He didn’t tell me. I saw him go in the direction of the shops though, so we’ll catch up.” The stone pavers expanded into a wide road as we entered deeper into town. The smells took most of my attention, I closed my eyes and breathed deep. Fresh breads and cooking meat were the most prominent of the scents. Deeper, though, I picked up the scent of flowers coming from a shop on the other end of the street. Well, I know where we’ll find Finn.
I turned to Sahara as she looked into the window of the first shop on the street. “Would you… like to go in?” I asked awkwardly as I peered over her shoulder. She stared at a jewelry display in the window, with little trinkets and gems on chains. Rings with colorful stones sat upon velvet pillows. I furrowed my brow when she quickly answered no, but continued to look anyway.
“I never understood the appeal, but my sister always insisted she needed as many as she could get her hands on.” I muttered as I thought back to Gia, and the gold chain with the sun pendant she constantly wore around her neck. She had an eye for finery, and did a double-take whenever one of the scouts brought back something shiny. I chuckled and shook my head at the thought of her bargaining with one of them, promising to bake desserts for the entire regiment if he’d give her the precious cobalt stone. Yeah, and then you beat up the bully who took the necklace from her. August reminded me.
I glanced at Sahara, who was watching me again with curiosity in her blue eyes. “They didn’t tell me you had a sister.” They? I wondered to myself just exactly who she was referring to. I straightened my posture, and gestured for her to keep walking if she didn’t want to go into the jewelry store. My hands automatically went into my coat pockets as I responded,
“She’s my twin. I haven’t seen her in a while, though.” I didn’t stop to acknowledge the look on her face as we walked. “It’s been a few years. She wouldn’t come with me when I moved.” I left the conversation at that, not willing to say any more than I had to. Sahara didn’t even know my species, let alone the history behind it. I wasn’t about to open that can of worms in public, either. I stopped in front of the herbalist’s shop and held the heavy oak door open for Sahara.
She averted her gaze as she passed through, and greeted the shopkeeper as I followed her in. “Good day, Keira!” She called cheerfully, “How’s Prim?” The late-middle-aged woman smiled warmly in return from behind the counter. Her smile traveled all the way to her eyes, and the lines on her face made it evident that she’d smiled that way for most of her life. She placed the cup of tea she’d been sipping back on the saucer and came around the counter to give Sahara an embrace. “Prim is right as rain! She’s around here somewhere, I’m sure. I’m so thankful you were able to find her.”
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I barely had a chance to raise an eyebrow before a fat, grey tabby cat sauntered around one of the nearby shelves. My gaze locked onto the creature as it growled at me from the other side of the room. “There she is!” Keira fawned over the cat, snatching her up into her arms. The cat continued to glare daggers at me. I shook my head and stepped towards a display counter, focused on the compilation of herbs I was hoping to find.
Sahara appeared beside me and asked if she could see my list. I waved her off, stating that it wasn’t written down. “Nonsense.” She countered and stood her ground, “Tell me what you need.”
So, I rattled off the list of supplies and she set off on her mission. I watched her as she flounced from aisle to aisle, plucking everything I’d mentioned with ease. “A wonder, isn’t she?” The woman spoke from her post behind the counter once again, “She worked for me for five years before her new job. Sometimes it feels like she knows this place even better than I do.” She sipped her tea, which smelled heavily of ephedra. She’s in pain. I noted, and adjusted my stance to watch both women from my peripherals. Definitely favors her leg from the way she’s standing, August noted.
Sahara came back to my side at the front of the store, her basket full from her mission. “Arrow root, ephedra, hydrathistle, mandrake roots, whole sage plants including the roots, and scillia beans.” She listed each item as she placed them individually onto the counter in front of Keira. As I stepped forward to pay for the herbs, the cat who’d been perched on the window behind the counter hissed at me. I made a face, but otherwise ignored it. Sahara glanced between us with an anxious look.
“Hush now, you old hag.” Keira shooed the cat off with a wave of her arm, and she hopped off her perch to slink away. I gave Keira a few coins and gathered up the herbs to put in my pouch before nodding my thanks to her, and Sahara rushed up to give Keira a final hug.
“If you ever get bored with this gentleman, you know you'll always have a place here with us. You remember my son said he'll be back for you.” Keira whispered in Sahara's ear, thinking I was out of earshot. I stifled a snort with a quick brush of my hand on my nose.
Sahara scoffed and hissed back, “That was a long time ago, I really don't think he's coming back. He's probably settled down in the capital by now.”
“Tell me you’ll at least consider it, Sahara. For my own heart’s sake.” Keira pleaded, her hands tight on Sahara’s shoulders. Sahara laughed softly and gave the older woman’s elbow a loving pat. “Alright, I’ll consider it. You tell Ferris to come find me if he-
“When he,” Keira corrected.
“When he comes home.” Sahara finished with a sigh, but there was still a smile in her eyes.
Taking that as my cue, I pushed open the heavy door and stood at attention, waiting for her to take her leave. The cold air billowed in and ruffled the women’s dresses. Sahara finally stepped away towards the door. “I hope you’ll stop by again, dear.” Keira picked up her teacup and took a sip, but her face twisted when she discovered that the contents had gone cold. I let out a low chuckle and extended my hand to her. “Please, allow me,” I offered. Curious, she stepped closer and extended her cup.
I touched the glass and muttered the cantrip for heating liquids, and steam soon began to flow up from the tea. She laughed in disbelief as she took another drink of her newly-warmed beverage. “We need more mages in Ravenwood, I haven’t seen one in ages. You have my thanks.”
“Maybe this gentleman isn’t so boring after all.” I poked at her earlier comment, my voice barely above a growl. She blushed with her mouth open slightly. “That wasn’t meant for your ears!” She stammered, then quickly composed herself, “I need none of your wisecracks, boy.” She finally chastised and shooed me out the door, where Sahara waited, giggling. She brushed her greying hair out of her face and gave a final wave goodbye. “You’re welcome back soon too, no matter what Prim says.”
I gave one solid nod with a smile, and led Sahara down the street into the markets. I could hear the older woman sigh behind us, and mutter something about her son missing out on ‘that gem’. I couldn’t help myself to stay quiet. I smirked at Sahara and commented, “A princess waiting on her white knight to return, hm?”
She whipped around, her scarf tail dusting my chest, and I noted her embarrassment in the redness creeping up her face. “No!” She answered sharply, “And even if that was the case, what business is it of yours? You have no say in my personal affairs.” She poked my chest with her index finger. I looked down at the fingernail jammed into my coat, and back up at the blue eyes staring me down. With eyebrows raised, I lifted my hands and took a step back.
“Of course, princess. A boring gentleman like myself couldn’t possibly understand. My most sincere apologies.” I gave a very slight bow, my smirk growing into a shit-eating grin. It got the exact reaction I was aiming for, as she scoffed and spun on her heel. She now walked with a fire in her step, grumbling about fae men being nothing but trouble.
Not this nonsense again. August groaned in my mind, I thought you left all the bickering and flirting in your boyhood. I simpered to myself as I walked towards the flower shop where I knew Finn would most likely be loitering. No harm in having a bit of fun though, right Gus? I asked in response, and I could’ve swore I felt him roll his eyes. Goddess please grant me patience, he grumbled. Just don’t lose focus. Don’t forget what’s coming in a few short hours.
I hated that he was right. In a few hours, our mission would begin. And it started with taking out and impersonating a man I’d never interacted with in person. I’d have about an hour of reference to go with. The thought made me sigh, my spirits falling. “I have a bad feeling this isn’t going to pan out well.”
Will Rune and Sahara become an item?
