Chapter
Six
Magic tingledin Braiden’s hands as he slowly drew out a length of moongrass, one foot working the spinning wheel’s pedal as he coaxed the thread from the machine with careful fingers. Even as a practitioner of the weaving way, this was the closest to wizardry that Braiden had ever experienced, this satisfying sensation of quite literally making magic with his own two hands.
A fine thing that the moongrass filament was so easy to work with. The stuff only needed a good rinse in a water basin to clean off the sticky sap, leaving bundles of stringy fibers that twined and held together well enough for threading into garments.
That was when Braiden actually infused the filaments with magic, deciding on the particular brand of enchantment to bestow on a pair of mittens or a humble cardigan. Something to warm the wearer’s flesh, perhaps, or to ward away stinging insects? So many possibilities, never enough time.
Good thing there would always be plenty of moongrass. He’d found that it was best to do his spinning out in the open, setting up his wheel in a visible spot on the shop floor not far from the counter. The wheel’s rhythmic motion had an almost hypnotic quality, drawing curious customers like moths to a flame.
Braiden still didn’t know everything there was to know about business, but the longer someone lingered in the shop, the more likely they were to buy something. And now that he was spinning faintly glowing moongrass, too? There would never be any shortage of questions from customers, and Braiden was only too happy to chat.
Burrowfolk moongrass had been the greatest boon not only for the shop, but for Braiden’s own trajectory as an artisan. How thrilling to add an entirely different dimension to his handcraft, performing the act of creation twice over with every new project.
First was actually creating the garment, whether it was knitting a scarf or crocheting a hat. And to get to decide what sort of magic to weave into the stitches, too? Braiden felt blessed, immensely lucky.
And even luckier to have found such loyal and helpful friends like Elyssandra and Craghammer. Even as Braiden spun the filament, the two of them flitted about the shop floor attending to customers so that Braiden wouldn’t have to.
Elyssandra had even doubled duty for Augustin’s elixir station, effortlessly identifying and selecting the right beverage for a buyer by glancing at an elixir’s color alone. Braiden even caught glimpses of her producing a wand from the folds of her cloak, the very same one that Augustin used to chill his drinks, probably “accidentally” procured when the wizard wasn’t looking.
It was well into the afternoon when Braiden put aside his spinning and put on his interrogation hat. What was going on with Craghammer and Elyssandra? Not that he minded them showing so much enthusiasm for keeping shop, but this sudden burst of motivation had come seemingly out of nowhere.
“And you’re sure you’ve actually had lunch?” he asked. “Only that you asked us to leave you here at the shop. I’m quite sure there isn’t much to eat in the ice box upstairs.”
“Oh, yes,” Craghammer said, trying to slyly crumple up a bundle of greasy paper behind the counter, sliding it into a little trash bin on the floor. “Very good lunch. Nothing to worry about.”
Elyssandra laughed nervously, a thread of manic glee in her voice. “As if you’ve ever known me to skip a meal. Come now, Braiden.”
“All right, then,” Braiden said. “Just checking. Only make sure you don’t eat your fish and chips too close to the merchandise. It’s good stuff. I’m just not sure anyone wants to buy yarn that smells like seafood.”
Orc and elf alike exchanged odd glances and even odder giggles. What was going on with these two?
Not long after, the bell above the door tinkled as what must have been the last customer of the day stepped out into the street. Braiden waved at her back, exhilarated, as she hobbled off with an armload of new yarn.
“All right, now,” Augustin said, cornering Craghammer and Elyssandra at the counter. “The two of you, it’s time to talk. You’ve been behaving very strangely today.”
Elyssandra blinked innocently. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“We always do lunches together,” Braiden said, throwing his hands up. “Not that I mind, but this is the first time the two of you have stayed behind, and you specifically asked to do so, too.”
“Don’t think I haven’t been watching you two like a hawk,” Augustin said. “Craghammer — you’ve gotten even better at serving customers. You’re even smiling when you make change now. And Elyssandra, why are you suddenly spending so much more time at the elixir station? That’s my job. You really don’t have to.”
Elyssandra wiped the back of her hand across her brow. Craghammer sniffled primly as he adjusted his vest. Nearly inunison and just as Braiden expected, they answered, “I don’t know what you mean.”
But it was very clear to him now. All this stuff about taking lunch at the shop and spreading themselves across all aspects of business at Beadle’s Needles, accessories and elixirs alike — they were trying to prove a point. Braiden blinked.
“Are you trying to show us that the two of you can manage the store alone?” Braiden asked, a little spark of excitement buzzing at the base of his spine.
“And what of it?” Elyssandra asked, arms crossed defensively, but she couldn’t disguise the tiny smile escaping the corner of her mouth.
Augustin’s brow furrowed. “And why would you need to do any of it alone when Braiden and I are right here to help? In fact, it’s supposed to be the other way around. The only reason you’d both have to step up is if the two of us left town for — oh. Oh! I see.”
Craghammer grinned, fangs and all. Considering the sharpness of his teeth, the orc actually had a very sweet smile.
“The two of you have joked about going on a small holiday enough that we thought it might be time to help you make it actually happen. Augustin and your elementals, and Braiden and your othersheep.”
“Othergoats,” Braiden corrected, his gaze going distant as he stared dreamily out the window.
