Am I seeing things?
“Oh,” I whisper, feeling ridiculous, but it makes no sound. Just lifts one tiny arm, unsteady before shuffling closer to me. I should scream, run, or at least take a step back, but I do the opposite. I lean closer, crouching to face the little creature.
“Hey,” I murmur, instinctively soft, as if I might scare it if I’m not careful. The little mushroom tilts its head at me, then slowly wobbles on its stubbly legs closer to my hand before sitting down and staring up at me. A laugh escapes me before I can stop it, more of a disbelieving laugh than something of amusement.
“Is this real? Are you real?” I ask it. It doesn’t reply, of course, but then would it be that crazy if it did? I’m already talking to a mushroom with eyes at this point. My heart is racing, but the panic never quite settles. It’s far too earnest, too cute to be something my body fears. A footstep sounds on the iron staircase behind me.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says, his voice light. His words get caught in his throat as he adds “I’m the uh …the junior knight… The High Warden sent me here to watch you,” he says. He’s young, definitely younger than me. His blonde hair is tousled. His armour, with its stiff straps, still looks pristine as he moves with deliberate, slightly stiff grace. He carries himself straight-backed, as if afraid slouching might undo him.
“Right, sorry. I’m Elodie,” I reply, standing and brushing the dirt from my knees. He nods in response. “You knew that already…” I trail off. “I’m sorry you’ve been stuck with watching me. I’m sure there are many more interesting things you’d rather be doing,” I offer with a friendly smile.
“Just following the High Warden’s orders, miss,” he replies with a faint smile.
“Oh, please call me Elodie. No need to be so formal,” I say as he gives me a smile.
“I’m Thomas.” I stare at him for a moment, giving him a quizzical look.
“Can I ask you something, Thomas?”
“Sure, miss.”
“Can you see this mushroom too, or is it just me going mad?” I ask, moving aside and pointing down at the tiny mushroom. It looks up at me, eyes blinking wide. Thomas lets out a small chuckle before crouching down in front of it.
Oh good, I’m not crazy, he sees it too.
“It’s a Rustcap.” As if I would know what that means. I wait for him to elaborate, shaking my head before he continues. “Most of them died off. They used to be really common among the land. They usually travel in groups. This little guy must have gotten stuck in here,” he says, tapping the mushroom on its cap softly as it wobbles away from him.
“Oh, that’s sad. Will it be okay? Without its group?” I ask, feeling an ache in my chest for the cute creature.
“It’ll be fine, I doubt it’ll leave the glasshouse though now,” he says. “They feed on dead leaves, wilted stems, most decaying plant matter,” Thomas says, looking around the glasshouse. “Looks like it hit the jackpot with this place. They’re normally really frightened of people. This guy seems to really like you though.” It wobbles away from Thomas, moving towards the soil bed before sitting and watching me. I turn to Thomas now.
“Well, Thomas, did The High Warden say anything about you helping me?” I ask, saying the rank in a mock tone. High Warden. It sounds almost comical to say. Thomas just stares at me, clearly weighing up his decision.
“I just need a hand moving all the waste bags out. I tried, and one of them is so full of broken pots I can’t even drag it. I should have used more bags, but I just didn’t—” But he’s already lifting them, slinging one over his shoulder with ease before heading for the back door. When he returns, I straighten up, tucking a rogue piece of hair behind my ear. “Thank you, that’s… actually really helpful.” He ducks his head, a little embarrassed.
“Where does the waste go?” I ask.
“They burn it,” he says.
“Burn it?”
He nods. “With the runes in the marked pits. Turns the stuff to dust in an instant.”
Did he just say runes?
“Do you mean like a burn pile, with fire?” I press.
Thomas stiffens at my words, a look of panic flashing across his face.
“Um… we can’t use that word around here, miss.”
“What word? Fire?”
He nods at me. I open my mouth to ask him why, but he stops me.
“It’s the last bell call. We should head back. The High Warden will be waiting for you,” he says, looking down at the ground.
“Sure, I’ll follow you,” I say, gesturing for him to lead the way.
