Sara’s Shop
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WREN ARRIVED IN TOWNwith her loaded purse, the beautiful green dress carefully packed inside.Her wooden horse attracted the usual stares, but she was getting used to it.
Sara's shop was on a busy corner, with a small door beside it that led to stairs.
"Wren!"Sara appeared at the top of the stairs, beaming."Come up!Oh, is that your dress?Let me see!"
The room above the shop was small but charming, with a bed, a wardrobe, a washbasin, and a window overlooking the street.Simple but clean, with colorful curtains and a cheerful rug.
"It's perfect," Wren said.
"Isn't it?I've been here for two years now.Saving up to buy the shop from my uncle eventually."Sara took the dress and held it up."Oh, Wren!This is gorgeous.Madame Lin?"
"She remade it from my velvet."
"She's brilliant.You're going to look amazing."Sara hung it carefully."We have a couple hours before the festival starts.Want to wash up?I have a nice soap—"
"I brought my own."Wren pulled out a soapberry."From my trees."
Sara sniffed it and sighed."How is everything you grow so perfect?"
They spent the next hour getting ready, Sara chattering happily about who would be at the festival, what to expect, which food stalls were best.
"The Marshall will be there, of course.He always patrols during festivals, keeps things safe."Sara glanced at Wren slyly."He's quite handsome in formal clothes."
"Is he?"
"Oh, don't play innocent.Everyone's noticed him checking on you."
"He's just doing his job."
"Mm-hmm.And Viktor Andersen's also 'just doing his job' when he asks about you?"
Wren groaned."Please don't."
"I'm just saying.You've been here less than two weeks and you already have the two most eligible men in town interested.That has to be some kind of record."Sara grinned."Lyra is probably plotting your demise as we speak."
"That's not funny."
"It's a little funny.Okay, help me with these pins?"
By the time they were both dressed and ready, the sun was setting.Sara wore a pretty blue dress, and Wren's green velvet caught the lamplight beautifully.
