It was a crisp, sunny morning when Mira and her mother, Evelyn, stepped out of their cottage. The world felt fresh, like everything had been washed clean by the light breeze sweeping through the village. Evelyn had promised Mira a trip to the market, and today was the day. Mira had been helping around the house, behaving herself, and doing her best to stay out of trouble. After a long week of chores, she had earned her reward: a chance to go with her mother to the market.
Mira walked alongside Evelyn, the familiar dirt path leading them to the market. The village, was busy with activity. People were already out and about, haggling over goods and preparing for the day’s work. There was something comforting about the steady rhythm of life here. It wasn’t fast or loud, but it was full of purpose.
"Let’s make sure to pick up some bread for dinner," Evelyn said, her voice light. "And we’ll need some herbs for the stew."
Mira nodded, her thoughts drifting as she followed her mother through the village. The market was just ahead, and she couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement. The market was always lively, full of strange sights and sounds. Even though she had been here a few times already, she still found it fascinating.
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As they entered the market, Mira’s senses were immediately filled with the scent of fresh bread, the rich earthiness of vegetables, and the musty smell of old leather from the various stalls. The crowd was thick, with people calling out to each other, haggling over prices, and swapping news. Evelyn led the way, her confident steps weaving through the people with ease. Mira followed close behind, trying to take everything in without getting lost in the hustle and bustle.
They passed stalls selling vibrant fabrics, trinkets, and even some exotic spices. Mira was content to let her mother lead, taking in the sights and sounds as they made their way toward the herb stand. The vendor was a woman with a kind face, her hands quick and practiced as she arranged bundles of dried herbs on the table.
“Ah, Evelyn! Back again for the rosemary, I see?” The woman smiled, recognizing her old friend.
“Yes, please,” Evelyn replied. “We’ll also need some thyme for the stew tonight.”
Mira stood quietly beside her mother, watching the exchange. The herbs were colorful and aromatic, their scents filling the air as Evelyn made her purchases. Mira’s thoughts were elsewhere, her gaze wandering toward the nearby stalls. She wasn’t hungry, but her eyes lingered on the fresh apples at one of the fruit stalls. They were red and shiny, their skin almost too perfect to be real. Mira had never seen fruit quite like it in her old life, but it was beautiful in its own way.
She reached for one, the smoothness of the apple a pleasant surprise beneath her fingertips. She held it for a moment, contemplating, but didn’t take a bite. She had learned to keep her thoughts and questions to herself in this world. The last thing she wanted was to make her mother suspicious.
As they continued to wander through the market, Mira noticed more and more items that reminded her of the world she had left behind. Fruits and vegetables that resembled the ones she remembered, clothes that looked strangely familiar, even the smells seemed to echo something she had once known. But, as always, she kept those thoughts hidden. There was no point in asking about things she couldn’t explain. The more she learned, the more she realized how much she had to keep to herself.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
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It was then that Mira noticed something unusual. A large crowd had gathered near the town square. At first, it seemed like just another group of people chatting, but the excitement in the air was palpable. People were craning their necks, trying to get a better look at something in the middle of the crowd. Mira tugged at her mother’s sleeve, her curiosity piqued.
“Mother, what’s going on?” she asked, her voice tinged with wonder.
Evelyn glanced over at the crowd, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. “Let’s go see,” she said, her voice light and playful. “Looks like something interesting is happening.”
Mira followed eagerly, her eyes wide with curiosity. As they pushed through the crowd, the source of the excitement became clear. In the center of the square, standing on a small wooden platform, was a man—dressed in dark robes that shimmered in the sunlight. He was holding a staff in his hand, and his eyes glinted with an intensity that made Mira’s heart beat a little faster.
The man raised his staff, and suddenly, the air around him shimmered. Mira’s breath caught in her throat as small sparks of light began to float around him. They were like fireflies, glowing and flickering as if they had a life of their own. The crowd gasped in unison, their eyes glued to the spectacle unfolding before them.
The man moved his hands in a graceful arc, and the lights began to swirl in the air, forming shapes that Mira could barely comprehend. It was as though the very air itself had come alive with color and light, dancing in patterns that were beautiful and mesmerizing. The flames—if they could even be called that—were unlike anything Mira had ever seen. They were vibrant, almost liquid in their movement, and they cast a warm glow over the crowd, making everything seem magical.
Mira stood frozen, her eyes wide, unable to tear her gaze away. It wasn’t just that the performance was impressive—it was the fact that it was real. This was no trick. No illusion. The man was actually performing magic.
Her heart raced, a wild excitement surging through her. She had heard stories, of course. Tales of magic and sorcery, whispered in the corners of the town. But she had always thought of it as something far off—something that only happened in fairy tales or old books. She never imagined that she would see it with her own eyes.
The man’s voice rose above the crowd’s murmurs, and he gestured with his staff again. The sparks of light exploded into a shower of golden fire, filling the air with a warmth that Mira could almost feel on her skin. It was dazzling. Beautiful. Enchanting. And most of all, it was real.
Mira’s pulse quickened as she watched the magic unfold before her. She wanted to jump up, to shout, to run toward the performer and ask him everything she could. How did he do it? How had he learned this magic? What did it feel like to command such power?
But she didn’t. She kept her feet rooted to the ground, her hands clenched at her sides. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself—especially when there was so much she didn’t understand.
The crowd applauded as the man finished his display, and Mira slowly exhaled, her heart still racing. Her mind was buzzing with questions, but she knew better than to ask them aloud. Magic was something for other people. It wasn’t something for someone like her.
“Did you enjoy the show, Mira?” Evelyn asked, her voice soft as they began to move away from the crowd.
Mira blinked, trying to gather her thoughts. “Yes, Mother. It was amazing.”
Evelyn smiled, her eyes twinkling. “It was, wasn’t it? But magic isn’t something that’s meant for everyone. Not everyone is suited for it.”
Mira nodded, though her mind was far from settled. She had seen something today that she could never forget. The magic had stirred something deep within her—a desire to learn, to understand, to do what that man had done. But she kept that spark hidden inside her. For now, she would keep her questions to herself.
As they continued through the market, Mira’s heart still raced, the image of the glowing lights and the swirling magic etched into her mind. She didn’t know how or why, but somehow, she knew that this was only the beginning of something much bigger. A new world had opened up before her, and she was determined to find out more.
But for now, she would keep it to herself. At least, until she figured out what to do with this newfound curiosity.