Viktor's expression didn't change, but something shifted in his posture."Lyra.Good morning."
"Don't you 'good morning' me!"Lyra's gaze fixed on Wren like a predator sizing up prey."This isher?The cursed farm girl you've been so interested in?"
"I'm being neighborly."
"Neighborly!"Lyra laughed, sharp and bitter."Is that what we're calling it now?"
Wren took a step back.The air was definitely shimmering now.Heat?Magic?
"Lyra."Viktor's voice didn't rise, but there was steel in it."We've discussed this."
"We discussed you beingpatientwhile you figured out your business interests.We did not discuss youcharmingsome—" She bit off whatever word she'd been about to use.
"Miss Wren, I apologize," Viktor said calmly, not taking his eyes off Lyra."Lyra is upset about a private matter that has nothing to do with you."
"About being dropped like garbage the moment someone withlandshowed up?"Lyra's hands clenched.The air around her crackled."About being courted for two years and then dismissed because this...thisnobodymakes your perfect property square?"
Two years.They'd been together for two years.Wren's stomach dropped.No wonder the woman was angry.
"That's enough."Viktor's tone was still controlled, but harder now.Not angry, just...firm.Final.
"It's notnearlyenough."
Wind whipped through the street suddenly.Unnatural wind, focused and angry.Wren's hair flew back, and her horse shifted nervously.
"Lyra."Viktor caught her arm, his grip gentle but unyielding."Control yourself.You're making a scene."
"Good!Let everyone see!Let everyone know that Viktor Andersen uses people and discards them when something better comes along!"
People were gathering.Staring.Whispering.
Wren backed away while they were distracted, grabbed her horse's reins and led him away, using him as a barrier between the combatants.How awkward!She barely even knew the man, and now she definitely wanted nothing to do with him.
Behind her, she could hear Viktor's voice, low and patient but firm, and Lyra's furious responses getting quieter as he presumably pulled her aside.
But the damage was done.Everyone had seen, and now it would be the talk of the town.
Whatever Lyra thought was happening between her and Viktor, the entire town now thought it too.She made a face.Drama!Ugh.
After fleeing the Viktor/Lyra scene, Wren ducked into a side street and took several deep breaths, trying to refocus.She couldn't just leave; she had things she needed.The silly scene back there had nothing to do with her, and she refused to let some jealous woman's tantrum chase her out of town like a scared rabbit.She would leave it behind like a bad smell and carry on.
She straightened her shoulders, checked that her purse was secure, and headed back into the marketplace.Different section this time, away from where quarreling lovers had been.
First stop: a general goods shop she hadn't visited before.The proprietor was an elderly man with kind eyes.
"Hello," she said."My name is Wren, and I'm the pun farmer.I have things to barter, if you're interested."She pulled out samples from her purse, things that Mei hadn’t wanted.
He examined them with growing interest."Quality goods!What are you looking for?"
"Writing materials.Paper, ink, pens, and a journal for keeping records, please."They negotiated quickly.He was pleased with the rubber items especially, and set her up with a cloth-bound journal, a sheaf of good paper, two pens and several pencils."Starting a new business is hard.Would you like an abacus to help crunch numbers?"
"I’ve never used one," she admitted."I've just moved in and am setting up house.I keep realizing I need things, and paper and pencils were the logical place to start."
"Smart girl!Organization is half the battle.But if you’d like a lesson on how to use an abacus, my wife teaches business classes on the side.Here’s the schedule and the fees.”He handed her a small printed card.
After talking about her needs, he added a cutting board to her pile without being asked."You'll need this too.Good thick wood, won't warp."
She also traded for salt, a sewing kit with needles and thread in various colors, and a sturdy broom.The barter more than covered it, with a little credit left over."The tool merchant is three shops down," he offered."Tell her Gregor sent you.She'll treat you fair."
