Ardwyn leaned against the potion merchant’s stall, and tried to look casual, as if he were just another customer. He still somehow felt the warmth of the Ethereal Blossoms emanating from where he was standing, even though they were well hidden.
The potion merchant stepped forward. “Honored mage,” he said, his voice steady. “What brings you to our humble shop today?”
“I am in need of potions.” The mage spoke with a presence that commanded attention. He was tall, easily a head taller than Ardwyn, with broad shoulders draped in robes of an expensive looking blue and turquoise cloth. His coat fabric rippled vigorously in the air even though there were no signs of any wind.
The mage’s gaze swept over the potion merchant’s stand, then settled on Ardwyn. For a heart-stopping moment, Ardwyn felt as if the mage’s eyes could see right through him, peering into the very depths of his being.
“Healing potions, and mana restoratives,” the mage continued, lifting his eyes off Ardwyn and back to the stand. “I am preparing for the festival.”
The potion merchant nodded eagerly, his previous nervousness now quickly forgotten due to the new customer. He rubbed his hands.
“Of course, honored mage,” the merchant said. “I have a wide selection of both. Might I interest you in my latest brew? It’s a fusion of moonflower essence and crystallized mana, guaranteed to replenish even the most depleted reserves.”
As the merchant spoke, he began to gather various bottles from the back of his stand, with practiced meticulous efficiency. Ardwyn noticed the merchant sneaking a glance at where Ardwyn had hidden his potted flowers, to make sure they were still safe, and then looking right back toward his potion making, without casting a single glance in Ardwyn’s direction to not bring any attention to him.
The mage nodded, and then his eyes drifted back to Ardwyn. “You,” he said loudly in a commanding voice. “You’re new here, aren’t you?”
Ardwyn felt his heart spike. He tried to keep his voice steady as he replied. “I’m just passing through. This is my first time in town.”
The mage’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if noticing something was off about Ardwyn.
“Indeed?” he said. “How fascinating. The festival has a way of drawing the most interesting visitors.” He flashed a mischievous grin toward Ardwyn.
The mage paused and then added with another hint of a smile, “I do hope you’ll stay for the main event. It promises to be… quite illuminating.”
Before Ardwyn could respond, the potion merchant interrupted, holding a ready assortment of glass potion flasks. “Here we are, the finest quality, I assure you.”
The mage turned his attention to the potions.
“I’ll take them,” the mage said.
“Very well,” the merchant said. “Anything else?”
The mage looked around the stall, narrowing his eyes, for a moment, seeming to look in the direction of the Ethereal Blossoms hidden behind the stall.
“No, I don’t think so,” the mage finally said after a prolonged pause, paid the merchant, and left without looking back.
After the mage was well out of hearing distance, the merchant turned to Ardwyn and said, “That mage who was just here, his name is Aldos. He’s one of the more distinguished mages at the festival. Level 10.”
“Level 10?”
“Yep,” the merchant said. “Takes at least ten years to get to his skill level.” The merchant’s voice dropped to a whisper. “That mage knew. He may not have seen the Ethereal Blossoms, but he sensed something.”
Ardwyn felt a chill run down his spine. “What does that mean?”
“That means you’re on his radar.” The potion merchant paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully. “Listen closely now. The festival isn’t just a celebration. It’s when the the veil between the realms is at its thinnest. Magic becomes… unpredictable, powerful. And sometimes, dangerous.”
Ardwyn wondered what he should do next. As if sensing his thoughts, the merchant said, “Here, take this.” He handed Ardwyn a bottle with a purple liquid inside. “This will temporary mask the aura of the flowers.”
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“Can’t I just get rid of them?”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. You have the aura about you now.”
Ardwyn kept the potion the merchant gave him, deep in his pocket. Later when he became thirsty he tried to drink some. The liquid tasted sweet, a flavor he couldn’t place to anything he had ever tried before.
Ardwyn found a spot in the corner of the town, by the town walls, under a gnarled oak, where he hid the pot with the purple and blue flowers, the Ethereal Blossoms, as the merchant had called them. For some reason he had a feeling he didn’t want them to fall into the wrong hands.
By that time the sun started to set on the horizon, lighting up the sky with hues of orange, pink, and deep purple. The transformation of the sunset was breathtaking, more vivid than any sunset Ardwyn had seen before.
He was hungry. He realized he hadn’t eaten all day, and wondered how he was going to eat and where. He had no money, nor any sort of currency they might use in this town. And where would he sleep and stay for the night? The reality of his situation began to sink in.
The town market was winding down. The crowds of people thinned out, with the merchants packing up their supplies and tearing down their shops. Away from the commotion, Ardwyn sat on a small hill under a tree, with a good vantage point where he could observe the market and the town square.
Ardwyn felt a strange mix of emotions, and wonder at the magical world he found himself in, and yet a deep aching homesickness grew inside of him for the the familiar world he had left behind. He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the smooth vial of the potion. The potion was still there, a tangible reminder of the events that had passed earlier.
The merchant had been kind of enough to help. What would have happened if the mage had discovered the Ethereal Blossoms? Ardwyn looked back to the flowers he had carefully disguised in the bush behind him.
Moments later the sun moved past the horizon, and the stars began to appear in the darkening sky.
He hadn’t noticed falling asleep under the oak tree, until he woke up and rubbed his eyes. The events of the previous day quickly came back to him and he looked back at the Ethereal Blossoms, which were still there, safely hidden.
He was now starving. His stomach grumbled in pain. From where he sat he observed the town square. A few of the shops had their soft glowing yellow lights on in the middle of the night. There had to be a tavern, or an inn somewhere out there. Maybe he could come up with some sort of bargain for a warm meal.
Ardwyn set out down the hill, sneaking a few last glances at the Ethereal Blossoms, which softly sparkled in the night. They were not too noticeable from a distance, and someone had to be really looking for them to see them.
Ardwyn made his way down to the town square. There were some villagers who stayed behind after the town’s market event, hanging out by the town square, talking about rumors and gossip. Not a single one seemed to be paying attention to Ardwyn walking across the street.
Ardwyn’s footsteps echoed on the cobblestones as he made his way along the town center. The night air was still thick with the scents of the festival, aromatic spices, and some otherworldly scents he had never smelled before.
Ardwyn’s stomach emitted another loud growl, reminding him of his mission. He scanned the square and looked around for any sign of a tavern or inn. His gaze settled on a building at the far end of the square, its windows glowing with a warm, inviting light. A wooden sign swung gently in the night breeze, depicting a moon cradling a mug. As Ardwyn approached, the sounds of laughter drifted out. The tavern seemed to pulse with life.
Ardwyn hesitated at the door, suddenly aware of his empty pockets and his growling stomach. He took a deep breath, getting himself ready for whatever lay beyond.
Pushing open the large heavy oak door, Ardwyn was enveloped in a wave of warmth, noise, and enticing aromas. The tavern was filled with various townsfolk, all talking in loud voices. A barmaid rushed up to him, leaving behind a busy group of beer drinking customers at the bar.
“Dining in, tonight, mister?” she said and shot him a look, scanning him up and down. A flicker of curiosity crossed the barmaid’s face.
“I— would like a table,” Ardwyn said, still wondering if the barmaid noticed anything different about him, maybe that he was not from here, wherever here was.
“Very well,” the barmaid said. “Right this way.”
She led Ardwyn to a corner of the inn, away from the rest of people. He didn’t mind being back here away from the commotion.
The barmaid said, “Just let me know when you are ready.”
Ardwyn nodded, and the barmaid left in a hurry, busy with other customers.
He would just order the food, and then if asked to pay, he would say he’d pay later. He had to eat after all. What were they going to do? Throw him out? At least he wouldn’t be hungry. He would pretend to look for his money when it came time to pay, and then tell the barmaid that he must have lost his wallet. Under the circumstances that was the best plan that he could come up with.
Ardwyn looked at the menu. There was a drawing of a large fish, with cut up potatoes, carrots, and a stew of some sort. That looked fine right about now. His stomach growled again.
The barmaid returned. “Ready?” she asked.
“I’ll have this,” he pointed to the fish on the menu.
“The grilled fish?”
He nodded.
“Very good,” she said.
“And what to drink?”
“Water.”
“Okay, water and the grilled fish dinner.” The barmaid scribbled on her pad. “Anything else?”
“That’s all.”
“Just a few moments.” She flashed a smile and left.
As the barmaid left, Ardwyn took in the full spectacle of the tavern. At the heart of the tavern, stood an enormous fire pit. The other customers gathered around it, sharing stories and laughter together. Massive wooden tables, each carved from what seemed to be a single piece of a tree, where arranged throughout the room. The air was thick with the aroma of foods.
To the front of the tavern, another barmaid handed down a large plate with a large fish to a customer, a meal similar to what Ardwyn had ordered. He hoped the meal was the same exact thing he had ordered. It looked delicious.
As Ardwyn found himself both overwhelmed and somehow oddly comforted by the vibrant atmosphere of the tavern, he didn’t notice the stranger in the corner of the room watching him.