Indeed, Thalia had begun studying under the village healer at a very young age. She had been fascinated with plants and their properties, and ever since, every time she found something useful, she would pluck and add it to her collection.
“Yarrow, comfrey, thyme, and lavender! They have fresh and dried plants as well!”
The vendor, a woman with grey hair and dark brown eyes, smiled knowingly. “Ye have a healer’s eye, lass.”
Thalia blushed and nodded. She delicately lifted a bundle of lavender to her nose and breathed it in.
“These grow wild in the fields back home.” She smiled sadly. “We use it to relieve anxiety.” She then plucked a bundle of yarrow. “And we use this for wounds that refuse to heal.”
Nathan leaned closer, his nose wrinkling. “Smells funny!”
Thalia and Ava laughed softly.
“Most good medicine does.” Thalia picked up the lavender and held it out for Nathan to smell. “But nae all of it.”
Nathan took a deep whiff and released a sigh. “Pretty, like ma.” He glanced up at Ava with a smile on his face.
Ava put a hand to her heart, flattered.
Thalia continued to show Nathan the different plants and explain their uses. Ava watched them, warmth spreading through her chest.
Her sister had been quiet in the castle, homesick and missing their mother. But here, among herbs and spices, she seemed herself again.
Thalia thanked the vendor after paying for her purchases, and then they delved deeper into the market. Nathan stopped every few paces to gape at dogs, carts, and shouting merchants.
They passed Mary and Teresa near a stall that sold soaps and oils, ho enjoying their morning off.
“Well, good monring.” Mary smiled broadly and held up her bundle of fabric. “I’m going to make a new dress for ye, me Lady!”
“That’s too kind, Mary. Ye daenae need to do that!” Ava waved a dismissive hand.
“Well, me Lady.” Mary leaned in so the others could not hear. “I’ve noticed yer clothes are a bit loose on ye of late, and I figured ye deserved a dress that fit right and proper.”
She stepped back and started talking with Teresa, who was holding a basket full of pastries.
Ava tried not to take Mary’s comment personally. She felt rather self-conscious that she had been losing weight.
Nathan licked his lips at the sight of the pastries. “Oh, please, Miss Teresa! Can I have one?” His eyes were wide as saucers as he stared at a muffin nearly the size of his head.
“If it’s all right with Her Ladyship.” Teresa smiled down at him.
Nathan spun around to face Ava. “Please, Ma. Please!”
“All right, but just one.” She nodded.
Nathan clapped his hands together, before grabbing the muffin. It was so large, and it slipped out of his hand and landed in a spot of suspicious-looking mushrooms. Ava did not notice him pick it up and dust it off before he took a large bite.
The ladies chatted about the lovely weather and how many stalls were at the market. There was a sense of levity in the air, now that the peace treaty had been signed. The threat of constant battle was over, and the people were in a celebratory and jolly mood.
Saying goodbye to the two women, Ava, Nathan, and Thalia moved on through the market. Near a stall stacked with woolen blankets, a scruffy grey cat emerged, its tail high.
Nathan gasped. “Ma. Kitty!”
Bold as anything, the cat brushed against Ava’s skirts.
Ava knelt down and showed Nathan how to hold out his hand. “She’s greeting ye and asking ye to pet her.” She smiled widely.
She missed the kittens in the barn at MacFinn Castle.
