Chapter Two

Oliver found Tina in a guest room, halfway under a carved dresser. Not wanting to disturb her, Oliver patiently waited until she pulled herself out. However, Oliver’s footsteps were so light, Tina had no idea he was in the room, and she nearly hit her head in surprise.

“Oh, Oliver! I didn’t notice you come in,” Tina stood up and brushed herself off. Oliver was just a couple inches taller now. Tina looked very put-together, despite having collected some dust in her hair from cleaning. She always kept her dark brown hair braided and pulled tight under a frosty blue handkerchief. She smelled of lemons and soap – the king, King Baltz, had a penchant for lemons.

“I’m sorry,” Oliver couldn’t help but laugh a little, “I didn’t say anything just in case it startled you.”

“Well, you did anyway. All that time hunting in the forest did you some good, I guess.”

Tina laughed, too. After the pair settled down, Oliver caught her up on the day’s news.

“Master Henry gave me the day off to prepare,” Oliver finished.

Tina’s hazelnut eyes gleamed pridefully, “It’s finally that time. Stephen and Claire would be so proud.”

Tina was the only one who regularly brought up Oliver’s parents. Now and then, Sir Henry wistfully reflected on an old memory, when it was appropriate for a lesson. Wizard Fen, however, rarely brought them up. Whenever the thought crossed his mind, his eyes turned sharp and pained. Tina, however, had known Oliver’s parents since the three of them had run throughout the castle, playing games and laughing together. To Tina, Oliver's parents were the closest she had to family.

Suddenly, Tina’s eyes turned devious, “You didn’t tell me everything, however.”

“You eavesdropped again, didn’t you?”

“You’re investigating a dragon-sighting? I can’t believe people still think they’re around.”

Oliver nodded, “It’s unbelievable. They were supposed to have all been killed. Almost as unbelievable as your bad habit, you didn’t forget what happened last time, did you?”

Tina blushed and waved her hand dismissively, “That was the only time they ever caught me, do I look like a creature that makes a lot of noise?”

“You know Wizard Fen hates people sneaking around. He won’t let you off with a warning again.”

“Oh, he won’t mess with me. I hear everything.” A cocky grin spread over the little maid’s face.

Oliver offered to help Tina clean the rest of the morning, and the two spent the time laughing and swapping gossip. It was good for Oliver, Tina’s presence always melted away the stress of his training. Today, it eased his nerves about his upcoming mission. There were days he felt overwhelmed by the gratitude he felt towards Tina. She’d given up her youth to watch over him. However, even that feeling disappeared whenever she called out to him.

By lunchtime, Tina had finished over half her chores, thanks to Oliver’s help. She thanked him for his help, then sent him away.

“You go enjoy the rest of your day,” Tina smiled once again, “You’ve got a big day tomorrow. I’ll see you off.”

“Thank you, Tina,” Oliver replied, “I’ll see you then.”

Oliver decided to stop by his favorite bakery. He thought that, if it was his last mission before he became a Guardian, he couldn’t do it without eating a honey roll – his favorite pastry. The bakery sat in the center of the village, just off the marketplace.

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The village wrapped along the front of Northcry Castle, made of cobblestone homes built in squares that surrounded a small yard. The squares created small communities, so the village felt homely and united. Every month, the squares held their communal dinners. The friendliness reflected itself in the marketplace as well. Northcry held over five thousand citizens, but everyone knew each other, even if it was just recognizing faces.

Oliver knew the owners of the bakery personally. His parents had taken him to have his first honey roll when he was two, and he’d been visiting since. Oliver could find the place by smell alone. Standing in the plaza, Oliver watched the citizens going about their day.

A woman leaned out of her balcony, beating the dust out of a blanket. Two men lifted crates of goods onto a cart. A blacksmith fed his furnace, shoveling coal into the glowing mouth. A band of merchants from the city of Matz, dressed in bright green and yellow wraps, were selling sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and decorative buttons.

The sweet smell of honey drew Oliver's thoughts away, the heavenly scent of fresh bread curled in his nose. His body began moving on its own and, before he knew it, Oliver found himself in front of the bakery. He slipped inside where an elderly woman, stubby and wrinkled from age, smiled warmly.

“Oliver, what a pleasant surprise!”

“Hello, Able,” Oliver stepped up to the counter and eyed the various loaves of bread and pastries spread among tiered platters, “I was given the day off, so I thought I’d stop by,”

“That’s pretty rare, is it because of the mission?” Able winked when she saw Oliver’s surprise, “Tina stopped by this morning, she said to have this ready for you around lunchtime.”

Able reached down and pulled out a basket. Oliver immediately knew there was a honey roll inside. There was even a meat roll – a flakey bread roll stuffed with sweet mustard, shaved roasted beef, and mild cheese. There was a shiny red apple, too.

“George saved you something as well,” Able stepped away and returned with her husband. George was older than she was, but he was built like a bear.

In his enormous hands was a small brown pastry bag.

“Candies?” Oliver asked as he received the parcel.

“Peppermints,” George said simply, “A gift from us, you’ve been a good customer.”

“Thank you,” Oliver said gratefully. He’d be sure to save the mints for the trip. Lifting the basket, Oliver smiled, “You know I’ll be back, right? It’s just a mission, you aren’t losing me as a customer.”

Able’s expression was warm, but she couldn’t quite smile. She thought it felt like her boy was growing up, but she and George never managed to have a child of their own. She couldn’t tell Oliver that, however. She didn’t think it was fair to assume she and George had been like parents to the boy.

“Oh,” Able said simply, “It’s just me being old. Never know when I’ll kick it!”

Able laughed heartily, but Oliver barely managed a chuckle and a polite smile.

“Of course, but you’ll be around so long as there’s an oven, isn’t that right?”

George nodded mightily, “Right you are.”

As Oliver exited, Able told him to leave the basket with Tina.

“She and I have tea after we close, she can bring it over then.”

“I’ll do that, thanks again!” Oliver held the basket in one hand as he made sure the door shut, then marched off towards his regular spot. There was a small pond close to the Western wall he liked.

Nestled against a boulder, Oliver crossed his legs and unpacked his lunch. Whenever he had an hour or two, he would buy a honey roll and eat it peacefully in this very spot. It was out of the way, a little downhill in its little pocket.

The roll was deliciously savory, with a little spice from the mustard. Oliver washed the roll down with the apple’s crisp and juicy taste before he moved on to the honey roll. Oliver savored it first with his eyes, memorizing the glazed and flaky coat of honey and sugar. It crackled, just slightly, under his teeth as the sweet aroma washed over his tongue.

It was gone before Oliver knew it, but that’s how it always went. Once, he tried to make it last by cutting it in quarters so he could pace himself. However, it only made it easier to eat and Oliver ate it even faster.

Oliver was licking his fingers, enjoying the remnants of his delicious lunch when the wind picked up. The breeze caught Oliver’s tunic, catching the clothe that had covered the basket. Oliver reached out and caught it, pushing himself up with his knee to reach. On the ridge of his little picnicking spot, Oliver saw a young girl. Her blonde hair flowed like running amber water over her petite shoulders, a sparkling white dress drifting over her thin frame.

Her white teeth shined as she smiled devilishly, the look sharpened by her sapphire eyes. She took a cautious step in her laced flats as she steadied herself with a parasol. It was too late for Oliver to run, now.