The smell of lavender greeted Tobian and his group as they approached The Glowing Goblet Pawn and Shop. Sirah and Darius stood to the side of the road to allow a wagon to pass. Behind Tobian stood Tristan and the Professor, who let Tobain be the first to enter the shop.
Tobian put on a smile for the group, but the smell of lavender was bittersweet. He pushed open the door, and before he could see inside the shop, he called out, “Mom?”
Inside the small shop, the front part was lined with shelves and pegs on a wall. An eclectic collection of items lined the walls and the glass case that split the room in half. Ranging from a dozen books and bottles of different sizes and colors to armor and weapons. Behind the glass case hanging on the wall was a row of six swords with little in common between them, except they had a blade. To the other side, hanging on the wall, there were four long wooden staffs ranging from a simple stick to one where the wood reached out with fingers and grasped onto a green orb.
Behind the counter stood a woman with dark brown hair with streaks of gray. She was wearing a green apron with a silver spoon and a beige cloth in one hand. Next to her, a silverware set and a container of polish were on the glass counter. A huge smile was already on her face as she looked up.
“Toby,” She set down the rag and spoon before quickly moving around the counter. While not as tall as Tobian, she was close to his height, and she lifted him with ease once she wrapped her arms around him. “We were not expecting you guys to return for another week.” She looked at Tristan, who stepped through the door behind Tobian. “I apologize, priestess and wise one. Thomas went to Riccastre to sell excess inventory; we’d assumed you guys would have much to trade when you returned.”
“That is ok. We are actually passing through, but we will at least stay the night,” Tristan said.
Tobian saw the Professor briefly look at Tristan with narrowed eyes. Before Tobain could process the sudden change in plans, his mother squeezed him tight and pulled him around the counter.
“Oh, your brother will be so happy, and if you watch the shop, I can start dinner for us.” Tobian’s mother said.
“No need to go through any trouble,” Tristan said, putting up her hands. “The inn also has excellent meal options.”
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“I won't hear of it; you’ll eat with us and tell me how my boy is doing?” Tobian’s mom said before she rushed out of the shop, leaving Tobian, Tristan, and the Professor alone.
“There are still several hours of light left.” The Professor said.
“I know, just how his mom looked at Tobian, I just…” Tristan said.
“This isn’t because of the chest monster that almost ate me?” Tobian said.
“No,” Tristan shook her head. “Watching her made me wish I’d taken a moment for my own mom when I had the chance. Our work is dangerous, and while we’ve been blessed, not every group always comes back with everyone one hundred percent of the time.”
“I’ll let Sirah and Darius know and then secure our lodging. I dare say maybe even pay for a bath.” The Professor said as a little smile crept across his face before he stepped out of the shop.
Once the Professor was gone, Tobian cleared his throat. “Tristan, I appreciate this but don’t need special favors.”
“Tobian,” Tristan paused and took a deep breath. “This life,” She pointed toward where Darius and Sirah would have been outside. “Can be lonely, even with friends around you. Each time you come back to visit your family, your siblings will have grown more, and your parents get a little grayer. Soon, you see nieces and nephews for the first time. The visits are always brief. At some point, your home is not a place you recognize. Then your visits become less; before you know it, it's just another stop to resupply.”
Tristan looked off to the north, staring at the wall as if she could see through it. The silence lingered until she lowered her head and clasped her hands together, making a hexagon with her hands before looking back at Tobian. “Cherish moments with those you love and love you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll also see about a bath, maybe a tailor to fix my tabard.”
“Oh, a hot bath sounds nice,” Tobian said as he stepped forward.
“Ah, but your mom asked you to watch the store,” Tristan said with a smile.
“She did,” Tobian said with a sigh that carried away all joy and hope.
Tobian walked around the counter, carefully setting his backpacks down and unbuckling several pouches. With a glance at the glass cabinet, he verified that the rings and various items of power in there for sale were aligned and looked presentable. A rod with some markings had rolled over a little, so the dominant rune was not easily visible. He reached in and carefully turned it over so a potential customer could view it. Switching his gaze to the magical spectrum, he noticed some of the weaker items were off to the side, and he arranged the items so they were mixed. A weaker magical item did not mean it was less valuable than the more powerful ones.
He did not hear the sound of the door closing when Tristan left. He was already working on an assortment of rings, trying to arrange them in what he hoped would make them sell quicker. Several of the rings had tags assigned to them; these tags either had a number or a name. The protection rings were all placed in a row; the movement and flight rings were another. Tobian turned and reached for a worn-out book. Opening it, he read through the inventory and waited for a customer or his mother to return.