"Children will love them."Mei calculated quickly."I’ll take the lot.”
“Great!And I wanted to ask—is there such a thing as a washing machine?Something to agitate clothes in water?"
"You mean a wash drum?"Mei gestured toward the window."There's a craftsman two streets over who makes them.Wooden barrel with an internal paddle, you mount it over running water.The current turns it."
"That's perfect.I have a stream now."
Mei raised an eyebrow but didn't ask."They run about eight silver for a good one.I can give you directions."
They settled accounts and Mei drew a quick map to the craftsman's shop.
The workshop smelled of wood shavings and oil.The wash drum the craftsman showed her was beautifully made, a sealed barrel with a door for loading clothes, internal paddles and a mount that would sit over water.
"Eight silver, and I'll deliver it this afternoon," the craftsman offered.
"Deal!"She would have paid twice the price.
She left the shop feeling accomplished.Washing problem solved.Trade relationships established.Money in her purse.Everything was—
"Miss Wren."
She turned.
A man stood there—tall, well-dressed, with dark hair silvered at the temples and an easy, confident smile.Handsome, older than her but not by much.His clothes were fine quality, his bearing that of someone used to success.He looked vaguely familiar.
"I was hoping I might run into you.Do you have a moment?"
She hesitated, suddenly very aware of her new cotton dress and the fact that she'd been hauling trade goods around all morning."I...yes?"
"Excellent!I'm Viktor Andersen.We met at the pastry shop."He extended his hand, his smile warm and genuine."I own the properties surrounding yours.I've been meaning to welcome you to the neighborhood properly."
“Oh!I remember now.”This was the landowner Jin had warned her about.But he seemed...nice.His handshake was warm, his expression open and friendly.
"That's kind of you," she said carefully.
"Not at all.It's wonderful to see someone finally making that land work."He gestured down the street."Walk with me?I promise I'm not as intimidating as the Marshall probably made me sound."
She laughed despite herself."He might have mentioned you."
"I'm sure he did.Jin's protective of his territory, and it's part of what makes him good at his job."Viktor's tone was respectful, not dismissive."But I'm simply a neighbor who's impressed by what you've accomplished.That land has been cursed for decades.What you're doing is remarkable."
They walked slowly through the market.Viktor nodded greetings to various merchants, clearly well-known and respected.
"I've tried to buy that property several times over the years," he continued."But the curse made it worthless.No one could work it.I'd actually given up on ever seeing it productive."He glanced at her."Then you arrived and apparently just...fixed it."
"I didn't fix the curse.My plants just aren't affected by it."
"Even more remarkable.Magic that bypasses a generational curse?"He smiled."You're going to be very successful, Wren."
The way he said her name was warm, almost intimate.She felt herself blushing slightly."I hope so.I still have a lot to learn."
"If you ever need anything—advice about the area, help with supplies, connections with other landowners—please don't hesitate to ask."He stopped, turning to face her."We should support each other out here.The outer properties can be dangerous, especially for someone new."
"That's very generous..."
"Viktor."The voice was cold, female and furious.
Wren turned to see a woman approaching.Beautiful, mid-twenties, with sharp features and eyes that could cut glass.She wore an expensive dress, and the air around her seemed to shimmer with barely contained energy.
