“Good morn’ Miss Syra,” his hat was held in his free hand, fingers nervously tapping against the brim.
“Morning Fenrir, you have the day off today?” I asked curiously, not used to seeing him so early. Usually he was working in the mines north of Amori City. The only time I saw him was late in the nights after I made my rounds through the Old Quarter, on my walk home. He’d be covered head to toe in coal dust, but he always had a smile for me, even if it was exhausted. When I’d visit his wife on my rounds, I’d always been sure to leave a muscle relaxing potion for him.
“Kerlina was in a bad way this morning.” His eyes shifted nervously to the little girl who seemed far more interested in standing on her tiptoes to peek up at my books than eavesdropping. “Is Merle in?”
“Mirabel, why don’t you go pick outtwocandies today?” Gesturing towards the bowl near the end of the counter, her grin widened as she raced for it.
“Merle’s gone to the market and then she’ll be doing rounds,” I informed, brows knitting together as I pulled a list from beneath the counter, my finger running over the names.“I don’t believe Kerlina’s on her schedule today though.”
I saw the way his shoulders seemingly deflated, the hope in his eyes dimming, and bit my lip. Snatching up a pen, I quickly scrawled atop the page. “However, I’m on rounds tomorrow and I promise you she’ll be the first stop I make in the morning. Why don’t we get you a few potions to make her a bit more comfortable through the night, okay?”
Head shaking, he glanced nervously about the shop, “I haven’t got the coin for any—”
Waving my hand I leaned in closer, voice low so the two ambling about couldn’t quite hear, “You know that Merle would have my head if I charged someone from the Old Quarter. She only accepts barter and trade from her most loyal customers. And with Kerlina being sick as she is, you can send over some of those meat pies Merle loves in a few months, when things have settled. Don’t stress about it, Fenrir.”
He gave a hesitant nod, gratitude shining in his eyes before he joined Mirabel by the candy bowl. She couldn’t quite seem to decide if she wanted a strawberry licker or an apple flame, she already had a chocolate razzle clutched in her hand. I laughed lightly as I moved towards one of the cabinets, grabbing hold of the keys that jingled in my pocket. After unlocking it I quickly moved to grab three potions, the first a bright amber liquid with flecks of turquoise swirling within–a fever-reducing potion. The next was the color of the deep sea, a midnight blue so rich that it nearly appeared black, a sleeping draught, so she wouldn’t be plagued with the night terrors The Fever brought.
The third potion I grabbed was the bright green of a spring meadow, starbursts of orange and pale pink shining through; this one was for Fenrir himself. A potion to soothe the anxiety and allow him a restful night. It wasn’t often Luanthian miners were allowed days off–I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was his first for the year. The least I could do was help bring some peace to it.
Moving back to the counter, I reached beneath for three separate pieces of cloth to wrap the potions within. Fenrir made his way back, Mirabel in tow, her lips and teeth stained a deep red. It seems she had chosen the strawberry licker after all.
“You know the drill by now,” I stated, holding up the first potion, the amber one. “This one is for her fever, and the blue one is to help her sleep tonight, so be sure not to give it to her too early. The green one is for you.”
Fenrir made a noise of protest, but quickly quieted at the look I shot him, continuing to wrap them all up.
“If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to stop by, and let Kerlina know I’ll be there first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you, Miss Syra,” he murmured, taking the wrapped potions. “You and Merle have been a blessing in the Old Quarter,” he said as he leaned in closer, head tilting to the side. “Those two weren’t giving you any trouble before we entered, were they?”
My eyes drifted to that cloaked man once more; he’d hardly moved an inch, it seemed unnatural for a person to be so still. The other man still moved carefully about the room, eyeing the shelves as he went, but there was something odd to the way he moved. As if he seemed far more intent upon listening to Fenrir and I than actually inspecting the potions.
“Don’t worry about me,” I reassured, my smile easy. “One scream and the whole block would come to my aid, plus the daggers I have hidden are especially sharp.”
With a nod, and one hard look to the cloaked man, he led his daughter out the door and back onto the street.
I stayed silent for a few more seconds, simply watching the two men. The first, the one with the charming smile, seemed utterly at ease. If he felt my eyes upon him, he didn’t show it. The second, however, when my gaze turned to him, seemed to stiffen, almost imperceptibly. Yet I caught the tensing of his shoulders, the way his cloak shifted and lay still. Letting out a small breath, I narrowed my eyes. There was something predatoryabout him. Was it because I couldn’t see his face? Something about the unknown of him?
No that wasn’t quite it.
It was in the way he moved, or I suppose thelackof movement. So still, as if he were searching,huntingfor something.
If I was meant to be the intended prey, he’d have a rather nasty surprise.
“Have you found what you’re looking for?” My voice came out calm, steady. Maybe a tinge annoyed.
The charming man turned, golden eyes once more catching mine. His skin seemed to glisten beneath the Sun Goddess powered lamps of the shop and as he walked closer, I finally saw them.
Little golden tattoos sprawled across his neck, peeking up from beneath the collar of his fine shirt. I recognized them immediately as all Solerian soldiers gained them at the end of their trials; how many one received was entirely based upon their skill and strength. They were markings that called for the blessings of the Sun Goddess. Patterns that elicited luck in battle, wisdom, bravery, anything a soldier might need to lead Soli’s people to victory. To have ones that travelled to his neck, meant his chest, back, and torso must also be riddled with them. I didn’t know of anyone who had so many.
Nor did I know of any soldiers with such finely made clothing.
Fingers drumming upon the counter, my head dipped to the quiet man when he wasn’t quick to respond. “We don’t have many customers that come with hired mercenaries.”
A laugh startled my attention back to the first man who glanced over to his crony as he said, “I promise you he’s no mercenary, we mean you and your shop no harm.” His easy nature seemed to have the opposite effect he was wishing for, as the unease became nearly suffocating. Myshadows were a whirling mass of rage beneath my skin, begging to be released. “My name is Kai, I was hoping to find a healing potion. Something intended to ease the effects of The Fever, is that an area you’re familiar with?”
Head tilting, I clutched the counter for support, shoving down the shadows that stormed through my brain. Trying to decipher the hissing song they sung, voices and words all overlapping at once.
“Are you alright?”
