It did not take long for the two elves to reach the edge of the field where the troupe had set up camp. The once open field of grass in the woods was now packed tight with colorful tents and wagons of various shapes and sizes. Festive flags and banners were strung between tents. Floating above the tents–and nearly blocking the view of the majestic snow-capped Valen Mountains–were hot air balloons, tethered to the ground by ropes. The balloons were a royal purple and glittering gold, with “Aaimar Brothers” written in bold across the fronts.

Minnette and Gann followed the trail of sweet-smelling, pink magnolias that led to the entrance of the carnival.

Even before they reached the entrance, Minnette could smell the fresh-baked treats and savory meats that the food vendors were selling. It made her mouth water and her stomach growl, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten yet today. Hopefully, there would be time for her to grab something to eat before the day got too busy–after she’d seen the trader’s animals, of course.

Gann glanced over at Minnette, studying her briefly, but made no comment.

The carnival was bustling with activity when they finally passed through the gated wooden archway that made up the entrance. The other carnies were hurrying around the fairgrounds, making last-minute preparations in anticipation of the townsfolk’s arrival.

One of the older carnies, a barrel-chested kiir elf named Tobar, smiled at Minnette over the wooden crate in his arms when he saw her.

“Minnettah!” He greeted her heartily in his thick northern accent before setting the crate down by one of the tents. “How did the parade go?”

Minnette put on a smile. He was the last person she wanted to see right now. She didn’t have anything against him, he was a friendly enough man, but he was a talker and she was in a hurry.

“It went well! The people seemed very enthusiastic,” she said.

“Excellent, excellent! Excited townies always spend more coin, eh?” he said with a bellowing laugh. “And where are the others?”

“They should be just a short ways behind us,” she answered, looking back over her shoulder. She couldn’t see them at the treeline yet, but they were not too far behind her. “Either way, I’m sure they’ll get here before the visitors arrive.”

“This is good. I’ll be needing Kyah and Kityara here to help with the selling. I am too old for it to be charming to approach young women with jewelry, though back in the day–”

“Excuse me, Tobar,” Gann interrupted. “But we’re actually in a hurry to–”

“Oh, Gann! I did not see you there! Was Minnette getting into trouble again?” Tobar asked, mirth showing in his blue eyes.

Minnette rolled her eyes and shook her head. When she’d been younger, she had a wanderlust, which, more often than not, got her into trouble and worried the troupe. Gann, being the eldest and most responsible of the carnival’s youth, had always been the one they sent to find her.

Gann grinned at the old kiir in amusement. “Not this time,” he said. “I was going to show her the animals the traders have, assuming they haven’t left already.”

Tobar looked over his shoulder and his expression turned sour, an unusual occurrence for the usually-jovial elf. “Ah. Yes… I believe your father is still speaking to their weasel of a leader,” he said and nodded his head toward one of the larger tents where Gann and his father usually stayed. “Back there.”

“Thanks, Tobar,” Gann said before turning to Minnette and reaching for her hand. “Let’s go!”

Minnette’s eyes widened in surprise as Gann pulled her away. “Uh yes! I’ll, um, be seeing you later, Tobar!”

The old elf smiled and gave her a wave.“Stay out of trouble, Minnettah!”

Minnette and Gann weaved their way through the throngs of workers to reach the black and gray striped tent. Instead of going inside, Gann led her around the back.

“This is where they were before I left,” he explained when she quirked a brow at him.

Sure enough, behind the giant squared tent was a multitude of crates and cages. Tarps hung over most of them and a musky animal smell clung to the air. Tiny squeaks, purrs, and chirps sounded from inside the various containers.

There was one completely tarp-covered container Minnette was immediately drawn to. It stood eight feet tall and four feet across on either side. It made the 5’7 woman feel very small.

“What do you think is in there?!” she asked Gann.

Gann shrugged. With a conspiratorial smirk, he gestured from her to it with his eyes in a way that said, “Why don’t you look inside?”

Minnette grinned and bit her lower lip, the way she always did when she was about to do something she knew she wasn’t supposed to. She glanced around to make sure no eyes were on her before reaching out to grab the tarp. She was just going to take a tiny harmless peek.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Ah! Minnette! Just the person I wanted to see! Come here, lass!” a voice Minnette knew well called out to her when her fingers were a mere inch from the tarp. Immediately, she pulled her hands back to her side and stepped away from the crate.

It was Gann’s father, Galen Aaimar, the co-founder and leader of the carnival troupe.

He greatly resembled a much older version of his son. He was more slight than his son, his hair was much longer, and he had a well-groomed curled mustache and goatee that Gann did not. He wore a tall black and purple hat that matched the patterned vest he wore over his linen shirt. The shirt itself was cream-colored and had long sleeves with buttoned cuffs

The ostentatious elf walked over to her and clasped a firm hand on her shoulder, grinning widely at her. “How did the announcement presentation go?” he asked.

She smiled up at him and answered, “I’d say we left a good impression.”

“Very good! I expected nothing less of you, lass!” he said and clapped her on the back a couple of times before removing his hand.

“This is the girl you spoke of, Master Aaimar?” an unfamiliar male voice said.

Minnette turned to face the stranger. She could see why Tobar had compared him to a weasel. He was a short-statured man with a bald head and the longest black beard Minnette had ever seen in her life. A jagged scar ran down across his right eye. He wore blackened leather armor with a black tabard with a crow holding a coin in its beak emblazoned on the front in gold embroidery.

Galen’s eyes lit up, having been reminded of the trader's presence.

“Tis indeed!” he responded to the trader before turning to Minnette again. “Lass, this is Merkimur Thane.” He gestured to the man. “He is a representative of the Exotic Trade Guild.”

The trader extended a gnarled hand to her in greeting.

Minnette put on a well-practiced, charming smile–the kind one only learned being raised by carnies–as she put her hand in his. “It is good to meet you, Master Thane,” she said politely.

He gripped her hand, using a little more strength than was comfortable, giving it a brief shake before releasing her. It had almost been enough to make her wince and it was hard to mask the discomfort on her face.

Gann tensed by her side and the temperature in the air climbed a few degrees. Minnette glanced at him. His eyes narrowed at Thane and smoke began to rise from between his tightly clenched fingers.

With subtlety, she lightly touched his wrist in an attempt to calm her fiery-tempered friend. Gann startled and unclenched his hands.

“I just remembered there’s something I need to take care of. If you’ll excuse me…” Gann said before ducking away from them.

Galen’s brows raised in confusion as he watched his son leave. He was quick to regain his composure, however. “Lass,” he said, catching Minnette’s attention. “I assume Gann told you about the guild’s animals?”

“Only in so much as they are from Kri’Kori,” she said.

“Well, they are actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I was wondering if you would be willing to assist with the animals?”

Minnette’s eyes widened with excitement. “You mean to purchase them?”

“I am considering it but that’s not why I’ve asked for your help,” Galen said.

She frowned in confusion.

Before Minnette could ask him to clarify, he continued. “We will be hosting Master Thane and his fellows for the next few days.”

“Possibly longer, depending on how lucrative the next few days are,” Thane added.

“Yes…” Galen continued. “They’ll be setting up merchandise booths and attractions–but that is beside the point. Master Thane has informed me that many of the animals he’s brought have not yet been tamed.”

“Makes them hard to sell, as you can imagine,” Thane interjected.

“You want me to tame them then,” Minnette said.

“If you are willing,” Galen said. “I know you have many responsibilities as is but I thought I would ask. Given your love for animals and rather… unique skillset, I could think of no one better to help our guests.”

“We would, of course, pay you for your time,” Thane said.

Minnette considered it. Galen hadn’t been wrong when he’d said she had many responsibilities to take care of already. She helped keep everything at the Carnival running smoothly, checking in with everyone and making sure they had everything that they needed. And while her gift of animal bonding certainly sped up the process, it would still take time.

Still though... It wasn’t every day she had the opportunity to see animals from overseas, let alone work with them and there was no guarantee she would ever get the opportunity again.

After thinking it over, Minnette smiled at the two older elves and said, “Very well. I’d be happy to help.”

Galen clasped his hands together, “Most excellent. Thank you, Minnette. With that settle–”

Before Galen could finish his statement, an angry voice sounded from somewhere nearby, “Well we’ll just see what Master Aaimar has to say about it then, you limp d–”

Galen cleared his throat. “Excuse me, you two, but it would seem that I am needed elsewhere.” With a flourish, Galen headed towards the angry voices, leaving Minnette with Thane.

“How soon will you be able to start?” Thane asked.

“Here shortly,” she said. “There are some things that I need to take care of first but they shouldn’t take long.”

Thane nodded. “Of course. Take all the time you need. Master Aaimar is letting us use a space over there,” he said, pointing over to a red canopy on the south side of the carnival, where men wearing the same armor as Thane were stacking up bags and crates.

“We will be over there. I will tell our handler, Geyna, to expect you,” he said.

Minnette nodded in understanding. “I will try not to keep her waiting long. Now, if there is nothing else?”

He shook his head.

“I’ll be seeing you then,” she said and turned to leave.

“Indeed. Be seeing you…”