AN OLD LIFE

The doughy smell of freshly baked bread filled the air. No matter where I traveled, that smell always brought me home. It was why I found myself down at the Wards so early. I tried to make it just as the bakeries were pulling out their first batches. The crisp winter morning seemed to snap to life, as if the grey was washed away by cheerful colors. The air smelled rich and pleasant, warmer than it should have been, and it brought a smile to my face.

Lanterns were lit, and shop windows glowed like small portals of light to their wares. People darted around, busy with the morning rush. Two women pulled rolls of colored linen out on large reels, stretching vibrant fabric across stands, creating a rainbow of cloth over the cobbled streets. A large man with arms like anvils stacked crates of fruit and vegetables in towering displays beneath his shop window.

Wooden shutters creaked open, doors slammed, and voices filled the air, hollering orders as people bustled about their business. For all the commotion, the Wards was a well-run and friendly place. The city felt alive, and for a moment, I felt alive with it.

A sharp pain shot through my side, and my legs buckled beneath me. I pushed down on my cane, trying to steady myself, but I didn’t have the strength. My arm gave way, and I hit the cobblestones with a thud. Numbness spread through my left arm, while my shoulder throbbed from the fall. I winced, feeling old bones protest the impact.

“Oi, you lot! What do you think you’re playing at?” a thick voice boomed.

The large grocer who’d been stacking vegetables stormed toward three young ones standing nearby, all wide-eyed and frozen.

I struggled to sit up, my head foggy and my arm still numb. But I wasn’t hurt too badly. The grocer had grabbed one of the kids by the scruff of his neck, lifting him clean off the ground. The other two stood a few yards away, looking like statues, too scared to move.

“What are you doing, eh? You nearly killed that old man!” the grocer growled, shaking the boy like a rag doll.

“Wait! Wait!” I called, forcing myself upright. “It was just an accident. They were like lightning—I didn’t even see them coming.”

The kid in the grocer’s grip let out a nervous chuckle, causing the grocer to snort and tighten his hold, pulling the boy closer until their noses almost touched.

My stomach knotted. Surely, he wouldn’t hurt him. They couldn’t be more than ten or twelve, just kids with too much energy. They hadn’t meant any harm. Thankfully, after a tense moment, the grocer let the boy down.

“Be off with you!” he barked. “I don’t want to see a single one of you in this part of town for the rest of the week. Got it?”

The three nodded in unison, rooted to the spot, still too afraid to move. The grocer and I exchanged a glance of astonishment.

“Well? Scram!”

At that, they bolted, knocking over a barrel in their haste. One of them paused to look back at the grocer, then took off at full speed around the corner.

“I think you scared the life out of them,” I said, still trying to get my legs under me.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Here, let me help you up,” the grocer said, offering a hand. “One of them has more energy than you and me put together. They need to slow down now and then. Name’s Benack. Come, sit for a moment. Jezzery’s sure to have a hot brew on in the back.”

Benack half-carried me to his small shop, where his wife, Jezzery, a fiery-haired dot of a woman, was indeed brewing a steaming pot of coffee.

“Put out another mug, love,” Benack said, helping me into a chair near the warmth of the stove. “Our friend here took a tumble outside. A little something hot will warm him right up.”

Jezzery smiled. “Of course, dear. I think we’ve got some honey left on the top shelf too.”

“Well, hum, W. W…” Benack stuttered his words, but a soft smile from Jezzery relaxed him into a contented smile and he nodded his head, mimicking the three young ones from earlier. “Yes, I think we do, always better to share my old pops used to say.”

He passed the honey to Jezzery, who replied with a knowing stare, and poured the coffee. Benack bowed his head slightly.

“I think two spoons for you, my dear, put a bit of colour back in those cheeks.” Jezzery said.

“I think I’ll have two myself, love, you know, a bit of fuel for the day ahead.”

“You’ll have one, like you always do. Anyway, customers out front, hop to it, before they have away with all our stock.” Jezzery said, flicking her hand towards the front of the shop, ushering Benack away.

Benack’s face dropped, and he turned away, a moment later his voice carrying through as he haggled a price with some customers.

I saw Jezzery put two large spoonfuls of honey in a large cup for myself and two more in another cup she placed to one side. She gave me a knowing wink and passed the drink over.. “This will put some color back in your cheeks,” she said with a wink.

“Much appreciated,”

“No need for thanks,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “So, what happened? You look a little shaken.”

“Just a little stumble, nothing more,” I said, trying to mask the stiffness in my arm. “The young ones caught me off guard. A few minutes to rest and I’ll be right as rain.”

“The world moves too slow for kids these days,” Jezzery said, watching her young granddaughter, Kelsey, play in the corner. “We’ve got two of our own. Grown now, both married with kids of their own. Benack would have them all living under one roof if he had his way.”

“What’s that, love?” Benack asked, coming back for his coffee.

“Just telling your friend here about Kaleb and Seb,” Jezzery replied.

“Ah, yes. Seb’s got his own shop on the other side of tow., Went into the meat trade, said there is more coin in steaks and chops than potatoes and apples. Kaleb’s in the Imperial Guard, posted at the Ward’s barracks. Thinks he’s got a shot at captain by the year’s end.” Benack puffed his chest out as he spoke, clearly proud.

“A captain? That’s impressive. Few make it that far.” I nodded. “I’m heading to the barracks myself today. I’ll keep an eye out for him and let him know what a good father he has.”

Benack beamed, finishing his coffee in one swig. “You do that, friend. No rest for us traders, though. Feel free to take as much time as you need.”

With that, he headed back to the front of the shop, his voice already carrying as he haggled with customers.

“He’s a good man,” Jezzery said, her eyes soft.

“That he is,” I agreed. “Thank you for the coffee, Jezzery, but I’ve got things to attend to as well.”

I stood, though my arm still felt like tender steak, and adjusted my cane to the opposite hand. It wasn’t much help, as it was meant for my other leg, but I forced a smile and nodded in thanks before heading for the door.

Outside, the winter air hit me again, but it felt less harsh now. I had things to do, and even though my body protested, I pushed forward. As I made my way toward the barracks, I couldn't help but think how peaceful this morning had been. Too peaceful. I knew better than anyone that peace like this never lasted.