They walked through the market, leading her horse while she took in the sights properly this time.A spice merchant's stall overflowing with colorful powders and dried herbs.A butcher hanging fresh game—some of it from monsters, judging by the unusual cuts.A woman selling honey in clay jars, the liquid gold catching the sunlight.
Children ran past, laughing, playing some kind of tag game.An elderly woman swept her doorstep, nodding politely as they passed.It felt real.Normal.Like a place where people actually lived, not just survived.
The seamstress shop had a blue silk awning and a window displaying beautiful garments—dresses, robes, formal wear in rich fabrics.A bell chimed as Wren entered.
The shop was small but immaculate.Bolts of fabric lined one wall.A dress form stood near the window draped in partially completed work.And behind a cutting table stood a woman in her fifties, her hair streaked with silver, wearing a simple but elegant dress.
She looked up, and her eyes went immediately to the silk items Wren was pulling from her purse.
"Oh my," she breathed.
Wren laid out what remained—two more nightgowns, several chemises, stockings, a set of underthings.
Madame Lin picked up a nightgown with trembling fingers."This stitching.This is...this is perfect.Not a single flaw."She looked at Wren."Where did you get this?"
"I grew it."
Madame Lin blinked."You grew it."
"Silk tree.It's...complicated."
The seamstress examined every piece, holding them up to the light, checking seams that didn't exist because the garments had grown whole."I've never seen anything like this.The quality is extraordinary."
"Would you want to buy them?Or trade?"
"Both.Either.Whatever you'll accept."Madame Lin set down the nightgown carefully."I have clients who would pay premium prices for silk this fine.How much can you produce?"
"I'm still figuring that out," Wren admitted."The tree produces regularly, but I'm not sure if there's a limit."
"Bring me whatever you can spare.I'll take it all."Madame Lin named a price that made Wren's eyes widen—twelve silver for the lot.
"That seems like a lot," Wren said hesitantly.
"It's fair for quality like this.More than fair—I'll make triple that selling them."Madame Lin was already counting out coins."You come back when you have more.I'll have standing orders waiting."
Wren left the shop fifteen silver richer, her purse significantly lighter, and her head spinning slightly.
Jin was waiting outside with her horse."Good trade?"
"I think so?She paid twelve silver for what Mei paid seven silver for."
"Different markets.Mei deals in practical goods.Madame Lin caters to the wealthy."He gestured across the street."Hungry?"
The pastry shop was calledHana's Sweet House, and the smell wafting out made Wren's mouth water immediately.Honey, butter, cinnamon, something floral she couldn't identify.
Inside was cozy, with small tables, shelves lined with baked goods, and behind the counter a young woman with flour dusting her apron and a bright smile."Marshall!"she called."The usual?"
"And whatever my companion would like," Jin said.
Wren stared at the display.Honey cakes glazed to golden perfection.Fruit tarts with berries she didn't recognize.Delicate cookies dusted with sugar and cream-filled pastries.Sweet buns studded with nuts.
"I don't even know where to start," she admitted.
"The honey cakes," Hana said immediately."Everyone starts with the honey cakes.And some jasmine tea to go with it?"
"Yes, please."
They sat at a small table by the window.Jin's "usual" turned out to be a simple meat bun and black tea.Wren's honey cake was still warm, the glaze sticky-sweet, and when she bit into it she understood what Kenji had meant.It was perfect.Light, sweet, with layers of honey and something slightly spiced.Better than anything her breadfruit tree produced.
