The shopkeeper’s eyes bulged, and he choked on his words. “Of course, sir. Apologies, it’s just not often we see such…particularrequests. Especially not from out-of-town visitors. Excuse me.” One leg betrayed a bit of a limp as he scuttled through the door to the back room, mumbling words that made it seem like he was already mentally spending the money Seir was ready to trade for Hailon’s list of herbs.
“That single coin alone is worth far more than what you asked for, and I’m certain you know that.”
“I do.” Seir nodded. “He needed some motivation, so I provided it. Now, if he tries to take advantage… that will be a whole other conversation.” His set of three sharp canines appeared, his normally jovial grin having taken on an edge. My brother’s duality was often a source of both amusement and terror.
“Mmm.” While the shopkeeper gathered Seir’s order, we perused the other wares. Between us, we selected a few trinkets, a tin of assorted teas, and several unique sweets. Seir found naillacquer on the shelf with cosmetics and whooped in excitement before choosing a bottle of black for me and three new colors for himself. I picked up a sizable puzzle box that looked like an oversize book. I was sure it would keep me amused for a time as I turned it over to examine the fine details. I took great joy in replicating such clever items once I’d solved the puzzle and disassembled the contraption so I could work out the specifics of the design.
Between the collection of cosmetics, the inks and quills I found off in a corner, and the fresh out-of-season flowers, I was intrigued by the apothecary’s selections to say the least. For such a small village, the shop certainly catered to some very expensive and niche needs.
I stared out the window again as Seir selected several bouquets. An enigmatic smile and violet eyes flashed through my mind, and I mused about why the person I’d seen earlier had been leaving through the back door of the shop across the way.
“Here you are,” the man said by way of announcing himself. He unloaded bundles of dried herbs, packets of seeds, and even a few live plants onto the counter.
Seir looked them over, and when I nodded that it all looked to be in order to me, we set the rest of our items on the bench as well, much to the shopkeeper’s delight. Several coins passed from our hands to his, and he bounced on his surprisingly nimble toes as he logged our transaction in his ledger.
“Pleasure doing business with you gentlemen. We also do special orders,” he enthused. “Have yet to get a request we couldn’t fulfill. Though a couple of these”—he gestured to the herbs—“are exceptionally limited until next growing season, and therefore will be very hard to get and increasingly costly.”
“Good to know,” I muttered, glancing back at the inks.
“Thank you.” Seir gathered his bundle of packages, and I took mine, bracing for the cold that awaited us outside.
“Come on.” My brother bumped my shoulder with his. “Let’s get an ale to keep us warm and see what the local cuisine is like.” My brother tugged on my sleeve, his boundless energy returning.
“Seir. Not what we agreed,” I reminded him.
“Another hour, Tap. Please? Humor me. The gates are well watched in your absence.” It was the sadness in his eyes that got me, the way he begged like a sad pup while somehow making it seem like he was doing what was best for me. It had always been like that between us.
“One glass.”
His smile broadened. “You won’t regret it, I promise.”
“Bold of you to assume I don’t already.”
His laughter lit up the space between us as we strode off to find the tavern.
After a hearty meal,two tankards of ale instead of the one we’d agreed upon, and a double coat of black nail lacquer for us both, we made our way through the quaint town square back toward the portal. In truth, I’d gotten a bit too comfortable at our table, as it was right next to the hearth, and was dreading even the short journey back in the cold. Unfortunately for me, Seir was also dragging the return walk through town out longer than I’d expected, so my bones were already chilled again.
I’d become spoiled by the consistently comfortable climate at the crossroads.
My brother’s focus had been only on the apothecary on the way in, and he was struggling with the desire to gaze through every other shop window we passed now.
“We really do need to get back,” I urged, Seir’s attention drawn by what looked like a studio for pottery and glassware.
“Ihaveto go in here. I promise I’ll be quick,” he said with urgency, not waiting for me before stuffing his parcels into my arms and throwing himself through the door.
“I’ll be waiting here, I guess,” I called after him, shaking my head and gesturing with full arms to a stone fountain. Across the square, clusters of patrons hustled into the tavern we’d just left. The door opened and closed as people huddled under their cloaks, going in. As I prepared to take a seat on the edge, the church bells began to chime the hour. Two bells, after a quaint little melody. A group of three, the last of the rush to get into the tavern, paused before disappearing behind the heavy wooden door.
I clenched my jaw and my fists, sagging into myself as the resonance of the iron made my teeth ache and turned my thoughts into a tangled web of nonsense. The tone in the iron was familiar, but not in a pleasant way. I was thankful to have missed the chime for midday. Twelve would have been torturous.
When the ringing stopped, I turned toward the church and found myself stunned once again.
The person I’d seen in the alley was just standing there in the churchyard, and they weren’t even wearing a coat. Their breath puffed out in quick, measured clouds, and, even from a distance I could see their body shaking from chill. Without making a sound, they sagged nearly in half, one hand fisted over their breastbone.
My whole body screamed, urging me to take action. My heart squeezed like it was in a vice. And my own breathing was stilted and raw as I panted through the pain, unable to look away from them for even a moment.
Just as I took a step, a priest hustled across the churchyard, blanket in his hands. He wrapped it around their shoulders and shepherded them back inside. I stared at the closed door longer than I cared to admit, warring with the urge to run across the square and go inside myself.
Movement drew my eye to the steeply pitched roof. A statue shifted from a crouch to fully standing and spread his wings out wide, staring me down the whole time.
