She had her magic purse to carry trade goods.The road was protected, Jin had said.She could easily walk there when she was ready.
But.
She thought about the monster that had nearly caught her.The way Jin and Kenji had ridden at a gallop to reach her in time.The speed that had saved her life.
Walking was fine.Until it wasn't.
After she finished eating and cleaned up, she remembered the extra bulbs in her purse.Eight of them, backup supply.She should probably store them somewhere safe, maybe in the root cellar where it was cool.
She pulled one out to examine it, and immediately dropped it with a sound of disgust.The bulb was slimy.Sticky.The glow had faded to a sickly greenish-yellow, and it smelled faintly of rot."What the..."She grabbed another one.Same thing.All eight backup bulbs were spoiled, decomposing in her hands.
"Walter!"she called.
He appeared at the door immediately."Yes, madam?"
She held up one of the ruined bulbs."What happened?They were fine this morning!"
Walter's nose twitched."Oh dear!Yes, blue bulbs do that.They're only good for a day or so after harvest.Use them or lose them, as they say."
"Aday?"
"Sometimes two, if you're lucky.But they degrade quickly once picked.It's one reason they're so expensive—professional harvesters have to use them immediately or sell them fresh.Can't stockpile them."
Wren stared at the slimy mess in her hands."So I can't keep extras."
"Not unless you harvest them the same day you need to install them, no."
That changed things.She couldn't build up a reserve.Couldn't plan ahead as much as she'd hoped.Every two weeks, she'd need fresh bulbs—either harvest them herself (send the dandelions) or buy them.
"Wonderful," she muttered, carrying the spoiled bulbs outside to dispose of them far from the house.The dandelions watched with interest as she tossed them into the grass beyond the gate.The bulbs dissolved quickly, melting into the soil like they'd never been.
She washed her hands thoroughly, thinking.Regular income.She needed regular income to buy things she couldn’t produce, or that harvesting was too dangerous or too difficult.Which meant regular trips to town to trade.
Which meant she needed a fast way to get there and back.
She reached into her purse and found the seed.Held it in her palm, feeling its warmth.
Horse chestnut.
She planted it near the gate, where a horse would make sense.Where she could reach it quickly if she needed to leave in a hurry.
"Grow."
The tree rose up fast, broader than the others.Chestnut leaves unfurled, and then the trunk began to split and reshape.The horse emerged like a sculpture coming to life.
Its body was smooth wood, burnished and warm-toned.The grain flowed naturally, following the muscles and curves a real horse would have.Its face was textured bark, with knots for eyes that somehow looked gentle and intelligent.The legs were strong, clearly articulated at every joint.And the mane and tail were made of thin, supple branches with small leaves sprouting from them, a deep green, rustling softly as the horse moved.
It stepped free from the tree, shook its head (leaves whispering), and looked at her.
"Hello," she said softly.
The horse lowered its head, and she reached out carefully to touch its neck.The wood was warm, smooth under her fingers.Alive, somehow."Can you run?"she asked.
The horse tossed its mane and stepped in a circle—graceful, powerful, sure-footed.It moved like a real horse, despite being made of wood and leaves.
She'd need to test it properly before she relied on it.Make sure it could carry her weight, that it wouldn't fall apart mid-gallop.But looking at it now, watching it move with such natural grace, she thought it would be fine.Better than fine.
"I'll need to name you," she murmured.
