As I sped off in search of the bookstore I checked the time, it was early afternoon but if the place closed early like Madame Pomme’s I knew I had to hustle. I hurried down the beach, kicking up sand, and worked my way up to the bridge. Once I crossed over it I looped around town but couldn’t find the store until I finally noticed an alleyway, there I found it, a small sign with an open book carved into wood above its entrance.
“This has to be it!” I said to myself and pushed open the door.
The place was perfect, a breath of fresh air after Gorlock’s stinky cabin. The interior of the bookstore was as cozy as could be. All sorts of haphazard shelves crisscrossed the place and there were more books than I could count. I smelled the rich aroma of coffee coming from the back and a fire crackled in the corner with two long armchairs on either side of it. All that was missing was a little soft jazz. I sighed, it reminded me of some of my favorite spots I used to frequent when I was studying to pass the LSATs.
I had enjoyed that time quite a bit. Now I was a mercenary, always reading briefs in my car or at the dinner table. There was no freshness or joy to learning in my world, only a cutthroat attention to detail and an emphasis on speed over rigor.
“Can I help you, sir?” a churlish voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked down to see a young girl, no more than ten, with her hands on her hips looking up at me rather assertively. She had her green hair in pigtails.
“I, uh, no… is your mom around? Any adult I can talk to? I want to enquire about buying some books…” I asked. The truth was that I wasn’t great with kids. I had grown up an only child and never really identified with the others my age growing up.
She crossed her arms and huffed. “You can talk to me! You don’t need to ask anyone else.” Then she smiled and widened her arms gesturing to the stacks around us. “We have everything! Isn’t it cool?”
“Yes, it is… but… ok, let me browse a bit first maybe,” I said, turning my back to her and walking down one of the aisles of shelves. I didn’t like this kid's attitude, and I wasn’t sure I trusted that she was in charge of the store. Hadn’t Elrick said this was Ella’s store? Was he playing a prank on me?
I looked over a section entitled “Guides to Adventuring” and browsed the titles. There were monster manuals, dungeon guides, and all sorts of things. This world was clearly a lot bigger and more expansive than I expected. For now, I felt like I needed to focus on farming and getting to know this town. Once more my thoughts were interrupted by a tugging on my sleeve.
“Listen here mister, if you aren’t gonna buy anything you need to get out-”
“Kiandra!” a louder more mature voice interrupted the girl in a scolding tone. I felt her drop her grip on my sleeve and both of us whirled to face the newcomer who had emerged from behind another shelf.
It was Ella. She wore a long ankle-length house dress puffed out at the sleeves. It appeared as though we had caught her napping. When she saw me she blushed ever so slightly.
“Oh, it’s… you! I mean… I’m sorry. Sometimes Kiandra minds the store while I take a rest.”
“She drank too much last night with her friend! She said they met a cute g-” Kiandra was cut off again with a swat to the head and Ella put up a finger.
“One moment,” she said to me, dragging Kinadra off as the two of them argued in rapid fire in a language I could only assume was Elvish. When Ella returned, sans Kiandra, she smoothed out her hair and frock and smiled at me. “Ok, I’m so sorry about her, how can I help you today?”
“Oh no, it's nothing to worry about, I’m sure having a daughter can be a lot of work, and finding babysitting…” I stumbled over my words scratching my head. The truth was I had no idea what it was like to be a parent. I was still a little shocked that Ella was one, she looked like my age.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Ella stammered, blushing even deeper, “No no no! She’s not my daughter… Kiandra is my younger sister! What did she say? Oh gosh, I’m really gonna give it to her now!”
I put up my hands. “No, don’t worry. It’s okay, truly, I thought you were a little young to be a mom. Not that there's anything wrong with that.” I didn’t add that I felt a little relief at the news on a personal level.
Ella coughed and waited expectantly, her blush had only deepened in the intervening silence as I tried not to stare at her. It was difficult. Even in her house dress, she had a shapely figure, not to mention the cute pointed ears or piercing green eyes.
I shook myself out of my reverie. “Okay, right, books are the reason I came here,” I chuckled dumbly.
Ella smiled and waited for me to continue.
“The truth is, Ella, I’m new here and I need help and information… on just about everything. I need a map of the town and any kind of guide to farming you might have!. You know I usually am not the type to browse but I’m… frankly a little lost.”
Ella clapped her hands, her nervousness gone. Now she was all business. “Follow me, I know exactly what you need!” She brushed past me and headed to the other side of the store, giving off the faint scent of lilacs.
I followed her, wondering exactly what had gotten into me. Halfmoon Hills seemed to enchant me at every turn, overriding all my rules for life, one of which was: no entanglements. I’d gotten by just fine on my own back in the city. That was how I liked it. And yet…
“Right here!” Ella exclaimed, pulling out a rather thick book. “Beginner’s Manual to Farming! It costs 150 gold and it should tell you all you need to know about the various crops for each season and how long they take to harvest. It even goes into the various buildings and supplies one can use around the farm.”
I looked it over and smiled, “It’s perfect. Any chance you can budge on the price? Life isn’t cheap as a farmer!”
Ella giggled. “No way silly, all prices are final! Now, you take this to the counter. I’ll grab a map from the back. Thankfully they are a little cheaper, only 30 gold!” Ella handed me the giant tome and I grunted at the weight of it. I guessed until I bought it it wouldn’t go into my inventory.
I lugged the thing to the counter and set it down. In no time Ella was back with a large piece of parchment bound with cloth. She unraveled it onto the table and showed it to me. It was a very detailed map
“This is perfect!” I said, tracing my hand over the ink-marked lines that described the town. I could see all the names of the buildings, the river, and the beach but to the north of the town and the southwest were blank spots. I rubbed my chin. “But Ella, what are these?” I asked.
She chuckled. “Right, you are new. I forget. These are areas that you need to explore to make them visible. All the maps here are of this magical variety. It’s a little inconvenient, I know. I’m sorry…”
“No, don’t be.” I rolled up the map. “I’ll take them both!”
“Really? Oh, that’s fantastic! I’ll pack them up for you.” Ella’s hands moved in a veritable blur as she wrapped up the book and map and then handed them to me. I picked each up and deposited them into my inventory.
[ Inventory 5 / 7
Seawood
Pebbles
Rusty fishing rod
Map of Halfmoon Hills
Beginner’s Guide to Farming ]
“Well, I guess I’d better get going. I’m sure you have a lot to do. We never formally met though, my name is George by the way,” I said, holding out my hand for a shake.
Ella looked at it, perplexed, as if the gesture was strange to her. Then she reached out, grasped my hand, and shook it vigorously while smiling. “Yes, George! I’m Ella!”
I know, she told me that already! But I’m not gonna embarrass her by pointing it out.
When she let go of my hands there was an awkward silence for a moment before a loud gurgling sound erupted from my stomach. Ella gasped and then it was time for me to be embarrassed. I clasped my belly.
“I’m sorry about that! I haven’t eaten since last night. My pantry is empty and I’m betting even with the help of this book it’s gonna be at least a few days before I have any tomatoes. I’d better use my last 20 gold to find some food.”
Ella shook her head at me. “Nonsense! I was going to prepare a late lunch, why don’t you stay? I just have to flip the sign on the shop to closed.” She cleared her throat and her cute face became scary for a moment as she yelled “Kiandra! Set the table for three!!!”
Her sweet smile returned as she excused herself and headed to close the shop.
Elves are amazing.