Her dandelions rose when they saw her, and she felt a wave of relief at seeing their familiar golden eyes.
Home.She wanted to go home.
The ride back was quiet.She had a lot to think about.
Viktor had seemed genuinely nice.Charming, even.Interested in her success, offering help, but he'd also been courting Lyra for two years and apparently dropped her the moment Wren appeared with valuable land.
Jin's warning echoed in her mind:Don't trust him.
She wasn't sure what to think.What she did know was that she now had a garden cart, proper tools, writing materials, and enough supplies to last a while.It had been a very satisfying day.
Jin Visits
––––––––
WREN WAS STANDING BYher new stream, staring at the wash drum and trying to figure out the mounting system, when she heard hoofbeats.She looked up to see Jin riding through her gate.Alone this time, no Kenji.
Her stomach did a small flip.Had he heard about the Viktor incident?Of course he had.Everyone had probably heard by now."Marshall," she said as he dismounted.
"Wren."His expression was calm, professional."I heard there was an incident in town this morning.Lyra using magic in public."
"She was angry."Wren looked down at the wash drum parts scattered around her feet."It was very unexpected."And kind of embarrassing, though she didn’t say it out loud.Lyra seemed too old for public tantrums.
He grimaced."You didn't cause anything.Lyra's always been dramatic."He walked over, looking at the stream and then at the drum."New project?"
"Washing machine.I'm trying to figure out how to mount it over the water so the current turns it."She gestured helplessly at the brackets and bolts."The craftsman said it was straightforward, but I'm not sure..."
Jin knelt down, examining the pieces."You need to anchor the support posts first.Here and here."He pointed to spots on either side of the stream."The drum sits on top, and the water flows underneath, catching the paddles."
"That makes sense."She knelt beside him."I have tools now.Somewhere."
"I'll help.It won't take long."
They worked together in comfortable silence for a while.Jin was efficient, methodical, showing her how to set the posts at the right height, how to secure the drum so it would spin freely but not wobble loose.
"Your stream is convenient," he said, tightening a bolt."Most people have to haul water or live near natural sources."
