Mabel’s small boat was making impeccable speed. A spell to make her boat row itself was as simple to her as breathing. The only incident had been when she had tried to pace in the small boat, forgetting for a moment where she was. That would have been disastrous; this was one of her favourite cloaks.
Too impatient to sit, she allowed the cool river water to occasionally mist over her face as she contemplated what to do about Sylvie, the Cloaked Knight that had been stabbed, and where she would start building support.
A confused pigeon was still sitting on her shoulder.
Her brother was always the one to act first, she was the mastermind at planning. The current circumstances were… unpleasant. She chewed softly on her thumb nail.
“Ok, I believe you are stuck with me for the day,” she handed the pigeon another crumb. “We will first get my niece out, then I will file an official complaint against the Colonel, then I need to find Kurtis, we need to give some small tokens to the families that lost their loved ones last night.”
The pigeon cocked its head towards her, truly looking like it was trying to understand.
Mabel smiled. It was rather a cute one. “I will personally return you to my brother. I need to talk to him. No message will suffice.”
Despite the breeze from the boat, the sun was already beating down quite hard. Mabel took a big swig of water from a flask and squinted at something in the distance. The river channel that was near her house was a bit dangerous, many rocks and undercurrents. She did see an occasional boat, but it wasn’t common. It was definitely a boat heading in her direction.
She closed her eyes and chanted quick. Magnification was a very easy and simple spell that even the youngest of kids could learn. It was Sylvie in a boat with the Legionnaire insignia!
“Boar’s breath, this cannot be good,” Mabel cursed. She slowed her boat down but it wasn’t necessary.
The boat Sylvie was in was moving too quickly, allowing only a bewildered but happy Sylvie to shout, “Hello Auntie, we are heading to your place.”
Mabel only nodded, “Start dinner without me.” Two little elf kids were waving at her frantically.
“Oh dear,” she looked back at the pigeon, “I guess we will not be needing to visit the dungeons.”
--
Faren was methodically rubbing down the old wooden bar. Today her shiny black hair was in thick three-plaited braid down her back. She thought it made her look more professional. Bartending was strangely enough the easier parts of her days, and she enjoyed working at Alements.
She had received a pigeon last night around dinner time from Avery asking for help to find a gift for Sylvie. And Mother of Gods had she found one.
The good thing about growing up poor on the streets was she learned everything about the city. The bad thing was often the way she ended up having to learn about it. But it wasn’t the case this time. She had simply been listening to the gossip about a new merchant in town. The merchant, a human woman, didn’t know there was an old market and a new market in Azuren. And to the luck of the elves, had set up base in the old market.
“She has treasures like you hear about in the fairy tales. A potion to turn an ugly woman pretty. A poor fighter into a champion,” Faren’s friend made an exaggerated pause smiling at the attention, “I heard she even has love potions.”
Faren had politely excused herself, much to the disappointment of her friends, and was practically skipping into the market to find the new stall.
She didn’t have to look long, right next one of the larger orange trees, stood a large woman with a bland looking display. Faren sighed, it wasn’t at all she had expected. She pivoted and was going to head back. Maybe she could find a bottle of Sylvie’s favourite wine?
“I haven’t closed up yet. Sales were good today. I am not sure if I will have enough wares to stay here through tomorrow.” A booming but kind voice said.
Faren turned. The woman looked her up and down, clasped her hands together smiling, “Mother of Gods. You have violet eyes.”
“Uhm yes.” Faren blushed. She had heard more times than anyone would care to count compliments from men about her eyes, but the way this woman looked at her made her feel nervous.
Faren shook her head and like magic her confident self returned, “I hope you are enjoying your time in Azuren. I am actually looking for a gift for a friend.”
The woman leaned back and crossed her arms still smiling. “Continue.”
“It is for a birthday. This birthday is also the anniversary of her mother’s death. That is why the gift needs to be so special.”
The smile disappeared. “I see.” She bent down digging in the bottom of brown sack, grabbed something and then hesitated.
“I have something. But it is not something for little girls to tread with lightly.”
Faren narrowed her eyes and pushed out her chest, “do I look like a little girl to you?”
The woman softly smiled nodding her head. Faren was about to protest, but the woman waved her hand to silence her.
“Listen. This is a gift suitable for anyone who has suffered loss. But it comes with a price. With the joy it brings much pain, but sometimes closure. I have sold this and seen it heal people. And I have seen people abuse the power of this potion and drown in their memories. I need a personal item of the person that is deceased though to complete the potion.”
Faren took a big gulp. She actually had something of Celeste’s. Avery had been over to write songs and poems with Faren over a bottle of wine a few weeks ago. The quill she had used was Celeste’s. She kept promising to return it, and for whatever reason always forgot. She reached in her cloak and softly fingered the slender leather pouch that held the quill.
This gift, despite sounding incredible, might be too much. She wasn’t even sure if she had enough coin to cover the cost of something like this.
The merchant noticed her hesitation, “You are wise to think about it. It is not something that should be gifted lightly. It is similar to a perfume bottle; each spray or mist of the potion will transform the individual to a memory. Once the bottle is empty, it cannot be duplicated.”
“I am afraid I must be honest with you; I am not sure if I can afford this potion.”
“Well what can you offer me?”
“I can give you four golden scaz.”
The woman raised an eyebrow.
Faren dug in her pocket, “and an Azuren orange. And one vintage bottle of wine.” She winced. Avery would owe her big time.
“Deal.” The woman smiled and reached over to shake Faren’s hand. The merchant’s hand was double Faren’s size and felt dry and rough. “What do you have of the deceased?”
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“I only have her old quill, but she was a bard.”
“How befitting! Well hand it over. It will take me a few minutes to finish it. You can fetch me the orange and wine in the meantime.”
Polishing the bar Faren was furious with herself that she had forgotten to ask the merchant her name. And like the woman had hinted, she had not stayed the night. Faren would have to ask around today seeing who know more about her.
She looked up and saw bouncy red hair walking in Alements. She ran over to embrace her friend and stopped, “Dragon balls Avery, you look awful.”
“Bring me some food and I will tell you everything. A quiet table ok?”
Faren’s eyes grew wide, she couldn’t remember Avery ever looking so serious. She guided her friend towards a table near the back corner and then quickly ladled some corn chowder soup into a ceramic bowl. She ripped a chunk of dark bread off the still warm loaf and hurried to her friend.
Twenty minutes had gone by. Avery was leaning back in her chair. She felt so much better after both the delicious chowder and confiding in her best friend. Except for the library’s secret tunnels, she had told Faren everything.
Faren twiddled a lose strand of hair, this was a lot of information to take in.
“I guess I will be most helpful for you here in the city. I can easily spread the word around old market, but you won’t need to invest much effort here. I’d say the new market should be target for gaining support.”
Avery slowly nodded.
Looking mischievous again, Faren smiled, “I have a few fans in the new market that I am sure I can persuade.”
“Faren, I thought you were slowing down with that.”
She winked. “I am, that’s why I only said a few.”
It wasn’t all like what people assumed. She had one patron who loved elven desserts, which were simpler than the sweet ones most humans preferred. Another one just enjoyed confiding in a pretty face. And yes, with a select few it was about sex. Nothing taboo. If she didn’t receive pleasure from it, she wouldn’t do it.
Sometimes she got paid in scaz. But more often it was gifts. A tailored night gown, vintage wines, occasional potions. But most importantly, and the true reason why she engaged her patrons, was for knowledge. She knew more about politics and what was going around the known world than some top scholars. Two years ago, she had tried to persuade Avery to get a patron. With Avery’s mind reading she could have been unstoppable. Avery had politely declined.
Faren cleared her throat, “good news or bad news.”
“You know, always the bad news first.”
“I had to give your mother’s quill away.”
Avery shoved herself away from the table so fast her stool toppled to the ground. The few customers that were in for an early lunch were all staring at them.
Faren raised both arms up, “don’t mind us silly girls,” as she hurried the stool to its upright position.
Avery grabbed her arm so hard, she worried it would bruise. “How could you? Do you realize how little I have let from her?”
Faren looked down at the worn wooden floor, she had nothing from her own mom. For a split second she wanted to fight with her best friend, a younger version of herself would have definitely done that. But she took a deep breath instead, “hey, at least let me tell you the good news. I knew how much that quill meant to you.”
Avery sat back down resting her head in her hands. She felt too exhausted to even glare at her friend.
Faren reached in one of her pockets and pulled out a red box. “I found the most perfect gift for Sylvie.”
Curiosity got the best of her, “ok, what is it?”
“I call it ‘memory mist’. I have no idea what the merchant called it. Now that I recall, even though the woman had talked a lot she didn’t actually say much. I didn’t even catch her name.”
“Faren,” Avery rolled her eyes and managed to sigh at the same time, “I hope you didn’t get swindled.”
“Me? I know street vendors better than you know your own hands. This merchant was real. The way she looked at me, she could see right through me.”
“Well did you try this… memory mist?”
“Uhm, no? It’s memories about your mother. The bottle is incredibly valuable. Once it is gone, that is it. There is no… Mother of Gods Avery, it cost me a small fortune. I thought you’d be happy. You could at least thank me.”
Avery reached for the box, while mumbling under her breath, “Don’t thank anyone for anything until you know what it is.”
Faren slammed her fist on the table, ripped open the box, and squeezed the bulb of the atomizer in Avery’s face.
Avery’s skin tone now matched her hair, “YOU…”. But she didn’t manage to name call, her face planted into the table. She looked fast asleep.
Faren just stared horrified. What have I done? She tried to arrange her that she’d be a little more comfortable. She could see a bruise already forming on the forehead.
“Dragon balls, I’m an idiot.” Faren ran behind the bar and grabbed a healing salve she had administered dozens of times in bar brawls. She slathered it lavishly and peered down at Avery. Considering what had just happened, Avery looked peaceful and content, maybe breathing a little heavier than usual, but other than that she looked fine.
Fuck it. Faren went back behind the bar. Poured two large glasses of red wine, her favourite vice, and a decanter of water. She placed everything on the table and waited.
--
Avery looked around, she was in her bedroom, it looked slightly different than it did now. There was only one plant instead of the oasis they had currently. Avery looked down. Why do my feet look so small? And then she heard her.
“Come over here you little fireball. I need to do something with that glorious hair of yours.”
Avery turned slowly, and her eyes grew wide. She wanted to run over to her and hug her and cry and a million other things. But her body was on automatic mode.
She heard her own five-year-old voice giggling, “Ok mama, but only if you sing me a new song. And don’t pull my hair.” She sat down in front of her mother.
Celeste laughed. “Well one of those two things I can promise.” She bent over and tickled and kissed Avery’s neck before starting to brush.
Avery squealed in delight.
“Ok, I think this is a new one for you. It is from Linlia.”
“LINLIA. Your old home?”
“My home is always wherever you girls are.” She poked Avery softly on the side. “Now are you going to let me teach you it or not.”
“Yes mama…” her little legs were swinging.
In the mountains, high and wise,
There’s a mystery laying in disguise
No one can reach the tip top,
Without giving up a part
On the path, to seek what shouldn’t be found,
Is a young girl, safe and sound
Will she risk all that she already knows?
Or will the secrets continue to grow?
Celeste’s eyes were a little misty. Young Avery didn’t notice.
“Again mama. Again. Until I can sing it myself. Is there more?”
“Hold still or I will never finish this braid… and yes, there is another verse.” Celeste’s hands wove quickly, as any mother of three girls could do, she finished the thick braid with a little yellow ribbon tied in a bow.
Avery looked in the mirror and smiled. One of her bottom teeth was missing. She loved the braid.
“I look like a princess. I love the braid.” She reached out to her mom to be picked up.
Celeste laughed and scooped her up. “Let’s see if it will hold until midday.” She squeezed Avery and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. “Now go run along and tease your big sisters. I’ll be in the shop with your father. We will work on that song later.”
Young Avery ran down their stone hall and waved at her mom. It slowly began to get fuzzy and dark.
“Noooo, please I am not ready to go.”
--
Avery woke up and saw Faren looking anxiously at her. She handed her a water. And began to speak, “I am so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking…”
Avery sliced her hand through the air.
“Stop. Faren, it’s a gift. Both glorious and cruel. I am not sure if I can give this to Sylvie. I am not sure if anyone should have the power to make a gift like that.”
She stood up and hugged Faren hard, she hated crying, but had to quickly wipe a tear away.
“That was no merchant. I need you to find out who she is. And I am scared to ask, how much do I owe you?”
“Ok, I will ask around. Four golden scaz. But if you don’t have it don’t worry.”
Avery’s eyes open wide and she reached in her cloak. “That mist is worth much more than that. Maybe three times, maybe more.”
She handed her five scaz. The extra is a thank you for helping me get the word out about the knights.
Faren smiled again, her teeth slightly stained from the wine, but still a beautiful smile. “Join me for a cup?”
“I need to be alone for a little while. And then I will try to catch up with my father and Sylvie. Hopefully he has gotten her out by now.”
“Be careful out there. There are hundreds of Legionnaires patrolling since late this morning.”
“Because of last night? That’s odd?”
“No, they stopped in here as well. They were looking for a fugitive elf family.”
Avery stared at her water glass. “Mother of Gods, Sylvie!” She began to run out the door. And ran smack into a dapper looking woman in a purple cloak.
“Auntie Mabel! What are you doing here?” Avery hugged her so hard that she felt her back crack.
“Boar’s breath Avery! What has happened to you?” She narrowed her eyes at Faren. The two never quite got along.
“Can you excuse us for a moment?”
Within five minutes of whispering they had caught one another up.
Faren had downed the second glass of wine as Mabel waved her over.
“I will stay with you Faren, until Kurtis starts his shift. I hear you are already quite informed about the knights.” Mabel side glared at Avery.
“I will be spending the next few days at my Aunts. If you hear anything send a pigeon. Or better yet head out to her place. Do you still remember the way?”
“Of course,” said Faren nodding.
“Now child, bring me a glass of whatever you are having and a sandwich. I want to hear everything about this merchant and this mist.”
Faren groaned softly and waved bye to Avery. For however much she loved the Musclewoods, they sure came with a lot of trouble.